Tina Traverse's Blog, page 2

Jack stared at the shed doors with bewilderment.   




   "What in the hell are those?" "Those are the novel covers for my friend Chris's Weald Fae Journals series.""Who?""Chris. Chris Shields. The author/professor chap who helps ASMSG founder R Grey Hoover with all the administrative duties for the group. Today is his holiday. Chris Shields day!""They gave the dude his own day? Why?""You want the simple or complicated answer?""I'm late for a game of pool with da b'ys, so simple, please.""We are giving Chris his own day and helping him promote his work all over social media creation to say thank you for all his hard work. He deserves every ounce of appreciation all of us at the Author Social Media Support Group can give him.""Well, good for him. I better be going! Have fun."  I currently have Weald Fae Journals on my shelf ready to read but due to time constraints and a busy fishing season, I have been unable to read them yet. So, I hope Chris forgives me! In the meantime please click on the following links to find out more about each of the three books of the series:   Weald Fae Journals buy links:
The  Steward, Book 1--http://goo.gl/DLXOX
The Changeling, Book 2--http://goo.gl/pnL7I
The Aetherfae, Book 3--http://goo.gl/qk9uX

Why you are at it, why don't you pop on over and find out more about Chris Shields himself:


Chris Sheilds contact information:

Website: Weald Fae Journals--http://goo.gl/JyxZKh
Amazon Author Page-- http://goo.gl/bMp0Sg
My Twitter ID is @WealdFaeJournal

I do not know where this woman finds the time in the midst of her hectic schedule, but the talented Kyra Dune has done it again! She has penned another novel, a Young Adult fantasy named...
   If the cover is not enough to compel you to run out and swipe this book of the virtual shelves then here is a sneak peak... Brand new YA fantasy novel from author Kyra Dune.
DRAGONSTAR 
Blurb: Dagen is a thief and a good one, at least in his humble opinion. But he has more in mind for his future than picking pockets, and when he comes across the haul of a lifetime, he finally sees a way to impress the boss of his crew, maybe even enough to be made partner.
But things don't go the way Dagen had planned and soon he finds himself on the run with a sack full of stolen jewels, and more, for unknown to him, one of those jewels is the fabled Dragonstar, created in times long past by a powerful sorcerer.
The plan is to head for the port city of Braack, but the Dragonstar has other ideas. From the secret city of thieves, to the ruins of a castle, to the last stronghold of the elves, Dagen's whole life is flipped upside down by visions, haunts, strange beasts, and the looming possibility that one day, he just might have to kill a god.

Excerpt:    The scratching sound of the knife against the lock seemed impossibly loud, surely loud enough to wake the dead, and seemed to go on forever. Sweat broke out across Dagen’s brow. It wasn’t the getting in that was worrying him, he had no doubt that Halbert could pick the lock, it was the getting out in one piece that would be tricky.      A small click, a soft exclamation of success from Halbert, and the backdoor was open. The kitchen was dark, the objects within nothing more than faint outlines in the moonlight. For a moment the boys simply stood there, staring inside, making no move to enter the house.      Dagen had no way of knowing what Halbert might be thinking or feeling, but as for himself it felt as if he were standing on the edge of a cliff. He could still turn around, could still go back to the safety of the barn, but once he crossed the threshold, once he took the plunge, there would be no turning back from that.

     The idea was frightening enough to make Dagen take a step back. This life might not be the best in the world, but it was the best he’d ever had. If he did this, if he stole from Majul, then he would be out on his own now instead of in four years. And even though they intended to run to Braack, even though he knew there was no way anyone from Barnum could even know what had happened here, the idea of being out from under Majul’s protection was terrifying.      Halbert stepped into the kitchen and the soft thump of his boots marked his progress toward the cellar door. He probably didn’t even know Dagen wasn’t behind him, which sent a little flutter of guilt through him. He might not be all that experienced in the friend area, but even he knew that you’re supposed to have your friend’s back, especially when you already told them that you would.

     From inside the house there came a soft thrumming sound, followed by a cry born of surprise rather than pain. This was followed by a serious of heavy thumps, each one punctuated by a sound of increasing distress, then silence. The kind of silence that seems to ring with sound.     Dagen’s breath froze in his lungs; his heart tried to sink down into his stomach while his stomach was trying to crawl up his throat. Some kind of trap, it had to be. Majul was no fool, he’d known they would come for the jewels. But it wasn’t too late, not for Dagen, he could still run and nobody need ever know that he was here.
 

Like what you see? You can buy the book on amazon.  Also, check out my Website to see what other titles I have on the virtual bookshelves.

"Lord heavens above, Tina! Put on your sunglasses and come out side and look at this!"Gerard's bellowing woke me from my nap, jarring me awake and knocking my copy of Once Upon Another Time onto the floor. I look out the window and see this staring at me:    It was indeed bright with the light hovering in cupped hands, but it was beautiful. "Relax, Gerard, that's just Kyra Dune upcoming release, Web of Light."Gerard takes off his hat and scratches his head. "Why would Kyra put that on the door to your shed? Didn't you just take down that one from Michelle Browne?""Yes, but today is Kyra's turn. She has a new release coming out in October and needs to create the buzz now." I explain.Gerard puts his hat back on walks away, shaking his head, mumbling. "I never understand you author types." I chuckle and stand back to admire Kyra's work:   COMING SOON: New YA Fantasy from author Kyra Dune WEB OF LIGHT To be released in October 2013  Blurb: When Queen Eanndra calls the leaders of the Territories and their heirs to Star Mountain for a Conclave, none of them knows just what to expect.  Each of the heirs looks forward to the Conclave in different ways. Seva hopes to discover the identity of her father. Roth worries about having to interact with non-humans. Valdor simply wants to be invisible. Iza seeks to visit the ancient home of her people. And Ganamere, the prince and future king, prepares himself for the tedium of a court function. None of them expects to have their lives changed forever or to find themselves caught up in the repercussions of a war that ended three hundred years ago.  With the return of the Web of Light, destruction and death must surely follow. And it will be up to the heirs to decide how far things will go. Sides will be chosen and lines drawn; friendships made and broken. For within every heart lies the dark seed of betrayal.   Excerpt:  Valdor frowned as Seva moved around the statue, walking as if she were in a daze. He felt oddly connected and protective of the girl, perhaps because there was a good chance she was his sister, perhaps for other reasons.      When Seva came up even with the statue instead of stopping as if she had run into an invisible wall, as had Roth and Iza, she walked right on past. Iza gasped, pressing a hand to her lips. For a moment no one moved, then Tyde tried to do as Seva had done, only to be stopped. He growled in frustration.      Seva continued across the open space and up the stairs. “What’s going to happen if she goes inside?” Valdor asked. There was no doubt in his mind that the goddess had allowed her to pass, but for what reason, that was what had him worried. His mother had taught him to always be wary of gods. They were a capricious lot, she had told him, and not always mindful of the delicacy of mortal life.      “I...I do not know.” There was a trace of envy in Iza’s eyes as she watched Seva open the temple door. “But I should think it will be something remarkable. No one has set foot inside that place in three hundred years."       Valdor hesitated only a moment longer, then tried to pass Tyde, who still stood beside the statue. What he felt was a kind of resistance, but when he pushed against it, it gave way enough for him to move forward. It was slow going, as if he were walking with stones attached to his feet. The air was thick, it pressed against his chest and made each breath a chore. By the time he broke through and was standing on the other side, he was panting as if he’d been running a great distance. It had taken so long that Seva had already entered the temple. He glanced back at the others, then jogged across the open space and up the steps.      He paused at the open door to the temple. Within, was a wide chamber, the walls, ceiling, and floors of which were covered in a multitude of mosaics that told a story beyond Valdor’s ability to understand. Most of the figures were Gari-Za, though he spotted a number of humans and blood witches and even a few flyers. Some of the scenes were peaceful, even pastoral, while others were clearly depictions of fierce and bloody battles.      In the center of the room was an empty space surrounded by what seemed to be a twisted rope painted onto the tiles. Dust motes drifted in the still air. There was a hallow feeling to this place, like nowhere else that he had ever been, it seemed almost a sacrilege to step foot inside.             Seva stood in the middle of the open space, her head tilted back as if she were gazing up at the ceiling, where a woman robed in white held a silver sword in one hand and a golden orb in the other. Seva’s eyes were closed.      Valdor cautiously approached, wincing as his footsteps echoed off the walls. He wanted to call out to her but somehow he dare not. It was a helpless, frustrating feeling, not knowing what was happening or how he could help or even if he should.   Check out Kyra's Website  to see what fantasy books she already has up for sale on the virtual shelves.

 

Holy Mother of (insert whatever higher power you believe in here)!
This sign glared at me outside my window as I was enjoying my morning cup of coffee (that is now covering my newly laid white carpet.)
Someone  must have placed that sign on the door of my Shed of Solicitation while I slept last night.
Who could've done such a thing?
I slipped on my glasses and took a closer peek.

THE UNDERLIGHTERS
By Michelle Browne

Michelle! I chuckled to myself, you little scamp!

I hear a tiny ping coming from my phone and see that I have an email from the scamp herself.
She confessed to posting the sign and has asked me to spread the word about her new novel.

Michelle is a good friend and has done favours for me in the past, so I'm only delighted to do this for her.


THE UNDERLIGHTERS
Synopsis.

The Underlighters

 Nightmares are bleeding into her waking world. Children are going missing. To save them, she must overcome her wreck of a personal life and a closet full of skeletons. She doesn’t know if the horrors in the shadows are real...or if she is going mad.   
18-year-old Janelle Cohen is an electrician in an underground city. The world above has been swal-lowed by mind-destroying Dust. Her small life changes forever when a dragon attacks her on the way home from work. 
 
Her friends worry that she has the Fever, Dust-induced insanity. As more monsters strike down citizens, they change their minds. A terrifying trip to the surface of the world, the ancient and abandoned Up, deepens the nightmare. With no world left above, she and the other Crows cannot afford to fail… 



 THE REVIEWS: 

5 stars: “…You will be rewarded with a dive into the depths of imagination that may leave you questioning, breathless and inspired.” –www.TracingTheStars.com
5 stars: “… Engaging, ground breaking prose that is not afraid to test the reader’s boundaries. “—Sara Celi
5 stars: “…A wonderful read that is full of life, nightmares, fear, and dreams.” –Casey Peeler   Michelle is a generous soul and wants you, my loyal guests, to win some fabulous prizes! Click to enter.
 ENTER TO WIN!


Read more »

Okay, I'm getting nervous. It was only four days ago the lovely Maer Wilson graced my Lazy Boy recliner to speak of  ghosts and their memories and now I have the delightful Rosary Mcquestion coming over; making her the second female to enter the shed in less than a week making the Back of The Shed gang giddy as lusty teenagers.
I know two women guests should not cause quite a stir, but my fellows don't get to see that many female faces beyond mine and their girlfriends and wives.
It may be a frivolous desire to keep wanting my mates to behave, but it continues to be an eternal hope.
I have to role with the punches and pray they will not embarrass me too deeply.
After all, it would be illegal to kill them and they are just not worth going to jail for!

A knock comes on the door, and I warn the b'ys to behave.
I welcome Rosary and invite her sit down.

Welcome, Rosary McQuestion. have a seat. You probably have heard from other guests that I had only milk crates to sit on, but I have moved on to the Lazy Boy I hope you find it comfortable. Would you like a beverage?
Yes, please, an ice-cold Pepsi would be great!
 Thank you for coming Rosary, though I have known you for years, these yahoos are unfamiliar with you, share a little about yourself.
Okay, well I was born in Brooklyn, New York, grew up in Wisconsin and now live in Michigan. I’m in awe of writers who can bang out 10,000 words a day, while I struggle to reach 1,500, and I am very curious about writers who can create sex scenes so sizzling hot that one must occasionally turn away from the page for fear of burning out a retina. I'd grown up in a house that was haunted and had my first experience of knowing when someone was going to die, when I was six years of age. Don’t ask. My career in advertising and marketing spans so many years that I swear it seems it began back in the days of the horse and buggy. Now I am quite content scribbling out storiesand leading a normal—err, somewhat normal life with my husband and our three cats.
 I wanted to ask how she would know when someone was going to die, just to satisfy my nagging curiosity to find out if she was some kind of secret supernatural, but I kept my mouth shut. I have to respect my guest.
I have seen Once Upon Another Time on your website www.rosarymcquestion.com and I would love to pick it up, but before I do, could you tell me a little about it?
I’d love to. The novel is about a youngwoman who is on a journey of self-discovery who learns to overcome grief and to find true love again. It’s not depressing but rather quite humorous, as some of my Amazon reviewers have expressed in their review comments.
 A quick synopsis is that Aubrey McCory’s husband, Matt, died in a tragic accident when she was twenty-eight and pregnant. For the six years he’s been dead, Aubrey still can’t let go of the guilt she feels over him dying, which at times, had her fantasizing about Matt romantically returning to her one last time. Like in the movie "Ghost," when Sam came back and said it final goodbye to Molly. Then days before the seventh anniversary of his death, a glitch in the universe gives Aubrey the psychic ability to hear what people are thinking. And by all accounts, she seems to also have made a psychic connection with the dearly departed – namely her deceased husband.
 As fate would have it, she also meets hunky Gavin Donnelly – whom she feels might be the next Mr. Right – and her life, becomes topsy-turvy.

 Once Upon Another Time is a fun-filled romance story that has humor and a bit of mystery and its setting is quaint Providence, Rhode Island.

   Wow, Once Upon Another Time sounds intriguing, is there a particular part of the story that you really enjoyed writing?

There are many parts to choose from, but the most fun was giving Aubrey her wish. Because Matt died in a tragic accident, there were things she never got to tell him. Writing those final, romantic moments of letting her say what’s been bottled up inside her for six years and having only seconds left to say it before Matt has to go back to the afterlife, was immensely enjoyable.
 I'm getting lost in this enjoyable conversation and had forgot about the gang who have remained quiet, but out of nowhere I hear Jack yell.  "Hey dude, tell us who your favourite characters are?""Hey Jack, I think it's time for you to come up with a new question!" I yell back.
Jack just shrugs his shoulders and says "It's my favourite question." Then returns to his beer.
 Well, aside from the main characters, Aubrey, Laura and Gavin, my favorite characters are, Aubrey’s parents, once known as the Abbie and Anita Hoffman of suburbia. They’re hippies from the '70s generation who look as if they are stuck in a time warp. They make Aubrey wonder how sane she really is after growing up with parents who invited half-naked people to backyard bonfires, grew alfalfa sprouts in the bathtub, and constantly quoted Zen Buddhism. However, she does think their expertise on parallel universes may help her with Matt's ghost.
 The other character is Katelyn Walker, Aubrey’s close friend. She's a distinguished academic, a psychiatrist with degrees from Brown University, and quite the celebrity around Providence. She specializes in sex therapy, and has written a new unconventional mommies’ book, Sex, Sizzle, and the Backseat of a Minivan.

 Sorry about that, but Jack's question brought another question to light, If Once Upon Another Time were to be optioned for a movie, who do you see playing your main character(s)?
Oddly enough, Mila Kunis would be a great Aubrey and Aston Kutcher would be perfect to play Gavin Donnelly, the next Mr. Right. They both do lighthearted humor very well. Plus they’re a couple in real life!
 They will be perfect, Rosary, I could really see actors Mila Kunis and Aston Kutcher playing those parts. I was wondering, as a person who writes on the side, during my down time, my writing process starts with forming the story in my head before I put pen to paper, what is your writing process like?
I take a long time to think about various stories I want to write. Once I settle on one I think of how it would flow. I write out a few quick scenarios to see if I like any of them. My next step before I even start typing anything is that I must first know the ending. The ending will let me know the story I need to write, as well as the characters and who they are. I then create a profile for each character and begin writing the story. I will say, however, that once I get into a story, characters and their original personalities sometimes change, a lot!
 I see Terrance come towards us, with his bottle of beer in his hand. He does not see the lobster pot that I forgot to put away, trips over it and practically lands in Rosary's lap, to my horror. The beer splashes in Rosary’s face. She shakes it off and smacks her lips.Terrance does  not miss a beat and asks his question.  "All of this sounds fascinating but I heard writing is a hell of a lot of work, why do you do it, what do you get out of it?"
Hmm, tastes like Barely Wine Ale. I can tell by the rich nutty flavor. Good choice! Perhaps I should have asked for that instead of this flat tasting Pepsi. Anyway, to answer your question, I write because I find that my characters’ lives are so much more exciting than mine and therefore, I can live vicariously through them.
 Thanks for the awkward segue, Terrance, now go over with the rest of the b'ys and let me and Rosary have our yarn. Terrance asked you why you like to write, now I want to ask you, is there anything about writing you don't like?
Perhaps when my muse disappears for weeks on end and doesn’t so much as give me fair warning of her departure nor when she plans on returning. It’s quite annoying. But my biggest problem, is trying to write a new novel when I have the interference of social media networking (marketing) to contend with. It’s not that I don’t like to be sociable but it leaves me no time for writing. It’s a terrible catch 22. Lots of Indie writers would agree that marketing takes up way too much valuable writing time.
 When you write, what is it that you hope your readers take away from your story?
With Once Upon Another Time, one Amazon reviewer explained best what I had hoped the reader would take away from that story when she said, “Makes you wonder, think, and want to believe in life's miracles.”
 Personally, I’ve always believed in life after death—not as we know it, but as something miraculous.
 Do you have any other stories you are currently writing or are planning to write?
Yes, I am working on something new. I see more of a benefit in writing a series as opposed to writing singles, so I am now working on a murder/mystery trilogy. It’s a big departure from writing romance, but there are many genres that I find intriguing, and would not even rule out the possibility of writing dystopia, one day.
 Thanks a million for answering all my questions…and the others, Rosary it has been a real pleasure. As I said before, I have seen Once Upon Another Timeonline on your website, www.rosarymcquestion.com is there anywhere else your book is available and what formats?
Yes, Once Upon Another Time, can be found on Amazon at viewBook.at/B00AEGD70A
Normally it is warm on my wharf in August, but today the dark clouds are looming overhead and the wind that is whipping off the water is making my shed cold. I'm looking at Rosary and though she is too polite to say anything, she looks frozen.
 You must be frozen solid by now, Rosary. My mates have been pretty greedy with the heat, so I am going to let you go so you can toddle on home and warm up, but before you go is there anything else you want to add?

Only that it’s been so fun chatting with you in your lovely shed, Tina. Thank you so much for inviting me.
 The pleasure is all mine, Rosary! Come back anytime. As I watch Rosary drive away, I pick up the lobster pot and retreat into my home for some peace and quiet and to order Once Upon Another Time.
Some extra Rosary goodies: The sparkling Rosary:  
 Breathtaking cover:
  The glowing reviews:What Amazon Reviewers are Saying!
 ~ "I love this book! Rosary McQuestion wrote a captivating novel. She had me from the first chapter. I could not stop reading it. This novel was interesting, romantic, and vibrant. I will recommend it to everyone I know!"
 ~  "All of Rosary McQuestion's characters are multi-layered and believable. Some are so well drawn they are almost recognizable even in my world."

 ~ “Gloriously romantic…one of those books every woman should read who has gone through grief and the anguish of loss.”

 ~ “The book had everything, old love, new love, humor, sadness, mystery, and intrigue.

 ~ “A Paranormal Book about grief that will leave you smiling!”

 ~ “This is a book that is fun, likeable, intriguing, and ultimately quite thought-provoking.”

 
Buy link:
Amazon at viewBook.at/B00AEGD70A
 
How to contact Rosary:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RosaryMcQuestion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoseMcQuestion
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/list/book/16198381
Website: http://www.rosarymcquestion.com
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz06FZFHl6Y