Summer Lovin’ Blog Hop Mountain Style

Welcome! The mountains of Colorado have so much to offer when it comes to outdoor recreation. Make sure to comment and enter the rafflecopter for a chance to win a Kindle Paperwhite, $25 amazon gift card, and an awesome swag pack.

cmpbloghopToday I have a special guest visiting and sharing what she likes the best about Colorado summers.

Welcome Juliana Crowson. Tell us a little about how your summer is going so far.

Thanks for wanting to chat with me. I don’t think you would believe me if I told you everything that has been happening to me this summer. Truthfully, I’m not sure I believe it yet. It’s been kinda freaky actually. So can I skip this question for right now and come back to it later?

Sure. That’s not a problem.

So, other than the “freaky” parts, what is your favorite thing about summer in the mountains?

Summer at 7100 feet is beautiful! We have a really long winters here, which is great, especially if you like the snow, but summer is amazing. The long days of sunshine are perfect for taking off into the mountains for an all day hike or jumping in the car and red-rockscruising across state to see an outdoor concert. There are a few great places for outdoor shows, but Red Rocks is definitely the best. It is an amazing natural amphitheater surrounded by huge red rock walls. The acoustics are unbelievable. It’ll blow your mind. I promise you.

Other than hiking and going to concerts, what other activities do you like to do in the Colorado summer?

Rock climbing is notable. When I can get my brother, Jared, to put his guitar down for a few hours, we have so much fun scaling rock walls. Other than that, I love wildcrafting for herbs and camping. Floating down the river on inner tubes is definitely at the top of my list of summer fun. And, last but not least, going to The Great Sand Dunes National Park. If you haven’t been there, it is really cool. You can camp, sled on the dunes, and play in the river. A lot of my favorite activities in one place. The mountains near to the Sand Dunes are great for wildcrafting Sand Dunestoo.

Tell me about wildcrafting. I’m not familiar with that term. What is it and why do you do it?

Wildcrafting is simply finding and harvesting medicinal and edible plants in their natural or “wild” habitat. I do it because I love it. I’ve been working in my grandmother’s herb shop since I was 10 years old and she has taught me so much about herbs and medicinal plants.  It’s like finding treasure. Then I take the herbs to the shop and dry them out or make them into a tincture, salve, or encapsulate them. It’s been a fascinating and useful hobby.

You get to go out into the wild and harvest plants. That doesn’t sound too terrible. Tell me, do you have a favorite summer wildflower?

They’re all my favorite. I guess if I had to choose, I really like the Forget-me-not’s, penstemons, delphiniums, and gentians. Can you tell I like purples and blues? ThePulsatilla– which has a lot of names like Pasqueflower and Prairie Crocus – should get a mention here as well because once these little purple flowers bloom, it means that winter is over and that always makes me happy.

How about a medicinal plant?

You’re making this interview so hard for me – not really – I’m only kidding. There are many that I couldn’t live without. Wild roses, Skullcap (Scutellaria), and mullein are top the list. I adore all the different types of mint. I also love wood betony for its sedative and nervine properties. Medicinal plants are magical; you just have to know how to use their magic.

Thank you, Juliana for putting up with my questions. You’ve really made me want to spend a lot more time in the mountains.

Now that we’re a little familiar with each other, can I ask what have you been up to that has you so “freaked” out?

It’s not as if I wanted any of these things to happen to me. The shock and disappointment about Jared was enough to ruin my summer, but all the other stuff just royally sucks.

Care to elaborate?

I’m not very good at lying so I may as well tell you the truth. I saw place memories at a haunted castle. They look like ghosts but they are more like an imprint from the past because they don’t respond to anything or anyone in the present. Then after the place memory encounter, I started seeing ghosts and spirits for real. It scares the #@*&! out of me. They talk to me and this one fiendish ghost even tried to attack me. I met this incredibly good looking and thoughtful guy and it turns out he isn’t alive either. So yeah, this summer is turning out to be the most memorable one of my life. I keep hoping I can get back to hiking and playing with herbs before I have to return to college, but it isn’t looking promising.

Juliana Crowson lives with her brother and mom in Colorado. She is the main DLBU covercharacter in Death Lies Between Us, a New Adult Paranormal Romance written by  Jody A. Kessler.  

Comment on this blog to WIN an E-Copy of Death Lies Between US, a book charm key chain, and a signed trading card. (This giveaway is separate from the rafflecopter) Good luck!

On Amazon

On Barnes & Noble

More about the book

Death Lies Between Us is the 1st book in the, An Angel Falls series. Book 2, Angel Dreams, is due for release in early 2014.

Stop by all the other contributing authors and bloggers and find out what summer fun everyone is up to:

                                     Shawna Romkey                    Jean Murray

                                     Loni Lynne                              Cindy Young-Turner

                                    Shannon Eckrich                     Katie O’Sullivan

                                    Kary Rader                               Louann Carroll

                                    Avery Olive                               Michelle Clay

                                    Lindsey R. Loucks                  Sasha Summers

                                   Maer Wilson                              Hildie McQueen

                                   Wendy S. Russo                       Christy Trujillo

                                   Constance Phillips                   Kate Evangelista

                                   Jody A Kessler (You’re here)   Danielle DeVor

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Kristine R. You Won an E-Copy of Death Lies Between Us, a book charm keychain and a signed trading card! Congratulations.

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CMP’s Summer Lovin’ Blog Hop

Want to win a Kindle Paperwhite? How about a $25 amazon gift card or some awesome book swag?

Crescent Moon Press authors are ready for summer! We’ll be blogging about our summer loves, our romances, and how much we love summer! Have you ever had a summer fling? Do you have a favorite book about summer? What’s on your summer reading list? What are some great beach reads? We’re blogging about all of it!

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Visit our blogs below and enter to win some great prizes between June 14 -17.

Grand Prize: A Kindle Paperwhite & some of our eBooks to read on it! kindle-paperwhite

1st Prize: A $25 Amazon gift card, and a Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, more eBooks, bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, and more!

Drop by our blogs between June 14 – 17th and enter the rafflecopter!

Good luck & hope to see you there!

Participating authors:  Shawna Romkey                    Jean Murray

                                     Loni Lynne                              Cindy Young-Turner

                                    Shannon Eckrich                     Katie O’Sullivan

                                    Kary Rader                               Louann Carroll

                                    Avery Olive                               Michelle Clay

                                    Lindsey R. Loucks                  Sasha Summers

                                   Maer Wilson                              Hildie McQueen

                                   Wendy S. Russo                       Christy Trujillo

                                   Constance Phillips                   Kate Evangelista

                                   Jody A Kessler                         Danielle DeVor

Rafflecopter coming soon!

__________________________________________________________________________

DLBU coverJody A Kessler is the author of  Death Lies Between Us, Book One of the series, An Angel Falls.

Book two, Angel Dreams, coming early 2014

Saving the life of someone you love should not be the worst thing you have ever done, unless you are an Angel of Death.

Disgruntled with his position in the afterlife and conflicted by his feelings toward his new client, Nathaniel Evans forgoes the rules and saves nineteen year old Juliana Crowson from being hopelessly stuck in Forge Creek. This alters Juliana’s destiny and she finds herself in a series of near death accidents.

In the mountains of Colorado, Nathaniel comforts Juliana as she struggles to understand her paranormal abilities while coping with her brother’s drug addiction. When an ill-tempered Native American Shaman teaches her the difference between ghosts and place memories, she decides she wants nothing to do with the supernatural world. Too bad she doesn’t know that Nathaniel is part of it.

Will fate bring these two together, or has Nathaniel made the biggest mistake of his afterlife?

On Amazon

On Barnes & Noble
 

Review of The Grave Winner by Lindsey R. Loucks

The Grave Winner by Lindsey R. Loucks  New Release from Crescent Moon Press

I was thoroughly entertained by The Grave Winner from start to finish. Ms. Loucks is a Single tree in field during winter 2talented author and I appreciate her sense of humor and unique style. Although The Grave Winner is a dark story about teenaged, Leigh, losing her mother, and then becoming afraid she will rise from her grave, I found myself laughing out loud many times. I was totally amused by Leigh’s interpretation of the world and how she handles it — sometimes with her fist.  There were other moments of heartbreaking anguish as Leigh tries to cope with the enormous changes to her family that left me feeling empathetic for her loss.

So, Leigh Baxton’s world gets turned upside down when the dead begin rising from their graves and undead sorceresses attempt to kidnap her and make her their number 3. And, as if that weren’t enough, an unbelievably hot mystery guy keeps showing up every time she visits her mother’s grave at the cemetery.

Leigh’s relationship with her little sister was sweet, well written, and believable. I really liked Leigh’s best friend, Jo. They do everything together from talking about guys to challenging the undead. I also enjoyed reading about Jo’s older brother, Callum. The beginnings of a love triangle starting between Leigh, the mystery guy, and Callum had me intrigued and curiously turning pages as fast as I could.

Overall, the book is a great mix of paranormal, young love, and zombies that come together for a thrill ride in “Krapper, Kansas”. The Grave Winner is a bit twisted, dark, and delightful. I highly recommend it. Five stars.

I have to throw in that I love the cover art too!!!!

You can buy a copy here Amazon

Back Cover Blurb:

Leigh Baxton is terrified her mom will come back from the dead — just like the prom queen did.

While the town goes beehive over the news, Leigh bikes to the local cemetery and buries some of her mom’s things in her grave to keep her there. When the hot and mysterious caretaker warns her not to give gifts to the dead, Leigh cranks up her punk music and keeps digging.

She should have listened.

Two dead sorceresses evicted the prom queen from her grave to bury someone who offered certain gifts. Bury them alive, that is, then resurrect them to create a trio of undead powerful enough to free the darkest sorceress ever from her prison inside the earth.

With help from the caretaker and the dead prom queen, Leigh must find out what’s so special about the gifts she gave, and why the sorceresses are stalking her and her little sister. If she doesn’t, she’ll either lose another loved one or have to give the ultimate gift to the dead – herself.

About the author

Lindsey R. Loucks works as a school librarian in rural Kansas. When she’s not authorphotodiscussing books with anyone who will listen, she’s dreaming up her own stories. Eventually her brain gives out, and she’ll play hide and seek with her cat, put herself in a chocolate induced coma, or watch scary movies alone in the dark to reenergize.

She’s been with her significant other for almost two decades.

Where to find Lindsey and her books:

Add The Grave Winner to Goodreads.

Check out Lindsey’s website.

Follow Lindsey on Facebook.

Follow Lindsey on Twitter.

 

Blogger Book Fair

Check in to the Blogger Book Fair,

and book your trip to far away places!

July 22-26, 2013

Authors and Book Bloggers,

Sign ups for the July 2013 Blogger Book Fair will close on June 15 at midnight central time, so get your registrations in to participate!

As of 5/31/2013, we have:

Authors: 89

Books: 233

Bloggers: 14

If you haven’t yet registered, you can find all of the information on the Blogger Book Fair page.

  1. Check out the Code of Conduct
  2. Fill out either the Author Sign Up form or the Blogger Sign Up form (Deadline June 15)
  3. Kayla will match everyone with hosts and send out this information to you after sign-ups close
  4. Check out the events–all authors are eligible to participate in the events, and if you have an event you’d like to host, just fill out the simple Event Sign Up Form–all of this information can be found on the Events! page (Deadline July 8).
  5. If you’re interested in hosting a giveaway to drive traffic to your site, sign up via the Giveaway Sign Up form (Deadline July 15).
  6. And if your book will be FREE or $0.99 for the duration of the Fair, you can sign up on the Free and $.99 Book Sign Up Forms (Deadline July 15).

Events:

as of 5/31/2013

Art Fiction Gala hosted by Lucie Smoker

Does your fiction promote the visual arts–through featuring an artist, painting, sculpture, performance art, etc? Then, consider entering Lucie’s Art Fiction Gala.

The Art Fiction Gala is a virtual celebration of fiction that highlights the visual arts. Dress up in your

finest, pick up some friends–a bottle of wine–and sample mind-blowing fiction that crosses the line between literary and visual art. Plus a gallery of art featuring reading.

More information & entry instructions

Three Wishes hosted by Kirstin Pulioff

Introduce your characters to the world.

Kirstin Pulioff invites you to ask your main character, “If you found a magic genie lamp, what would be your three choices?

More information & entry instructions

Flash Fiction Challenge II hosted by Thomas Winship

Get ready to exercise your flash fiction muscles.

For the Flash Fiction Challenge II, Thomas Winship will provide an opening line.

From there, entrants will craft a flash fiction piece of approx 500 words. Entries will be displayed on Thomas’ blog Vaempires during the BBF, spread out evenly across the five days, in order of receipt.

More information & entry instructions

Snapshot Synopsis Contest hosted by Fel at The Peasants Revolt

Challenge: chisel your synopsis down to 50 words or less.

Voting will be open throughout the fair for visitors to vote on their favorite Snapshot Synopsis.

More information & entry instructions

Reader’s Choice Awards hosted by Sherri at Shut Up & Read

All books registered for the Blogger Book Fair are automatically entered into the running for the Reader’s Choice Awards. Voting will be open from July 22 to July 25.

More information

Indie Soap Box Files hosted by Shah Wharton

Take a turn on the Soap Box.

Shah invites speculative fiction writers to write a guest post about being an indie (or hybrid) writer.

More information & entry instructions

Restrictions: Speculative fiction writers only

Monster Menagerie hosted by Noree at Trip the Eclipse

What’s your favorite monster or supernatural creature?

Feature your creature in a flash fiction piece (500-800) words to be featured on Trip the Eclipse. Visitors will vote on their favorite piece.

More information & entry instructions

Ways to Help:

Blogger Book FairDonate to the Blogger Book Fair via the BBF Donation Fund. To help get the word out about BBF, we would like to place ads on Facebook, Goodreads and other places, but to do, so we need a little help. We’d also like to have some BBF sponsored giveaways, so money donated would also go toward prizes. NO MONEY WILL BE KEPT BY ANY ORGANIZER OR PARTICIPANT.

Spread the word! Share the Fair on your social media accounts and show off the Blogger Book Fair logo in your blog’s sidebar.

Join us on:

Coffee Time Romance & More 5 Cup review of Death Lies Between Us!

Coffee Time Romance & More  5 Cup review of Death Lies Between Us!

“Ms. Kessler writes a supremely beautiful story of loving against all odds.”  Delane from Coffee Time Romance & More.

ReviewedAtCTR

To read the lovely review by Delane, click here.

Their definition of a 5 Cup rating: 5 CupsUltra Rare Extraordinary Read. Not many books will be rated a 5.  It is a superior work!

I would like to thank Coffee Time Romance & More for reading Death Lies Between Us! I am thrilled that the reviewer enjoyed Nathaniel and Juliana’s story.

Thank you for the kind and thoughtful words!

Excerpt & Giveaway

Excerpt & Giveaway

A short excerpt to go with this $10 amazon gift card giveaway. Enter below or click on the link to read more about Juliana Crowson, the main character, in Death Lies Between Us. DLBU cover

“Juliana?” I don’t respond. I can’t face anyone.

“Can I sit with you?”

I hug my knees into my chest with my face buried in my folded arms. I mumble into the pit of my lap. “Are you here to end my misery?”

“Not yet.”

It’s an odd answer but then again so was the question. “Then, please leave.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come, but neither can I go.”

I turn my face, taking in the crisp air and digest his unusual answers. There are so many things that have happened tonight that don’t make any sense. Why would one more confusing sentiment make any difference?

Loneliness wraps around me, holding me in a cool embrace. I break its grip by saying, “It goes on the list, you know?” I speak into the dark. No movement or sound gives away his location but I can feel him close by. The low thumping of Blue Nouveau’s drums is the only sound breaking the stillness of the forest.

The caress of his voice brushes my ear. “Which list are you referring to?”

“Our list — things that are inexplicable.”

“Which deficiency of mankind are we adding tonight?”

“Lying to someone you love.” My voice is flat but the tear leaking from my eye gives away my true feelings.

“We can put that one on the top of the list,” he says.

A gentle hand surprises me as it wraps gently around my swollen ankle and finds a comfortable hold. The warmth penetrates through the sore muscles like a mild current of electricity.

You can read more at Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews – Paranormal Features Laurie has asked me to join her for a character interview and Giveaway. Enter to win over there or right here. One lucky person will win an E-copy of Death Lies Between Us and a $10 Amazon gift card!  This giveaway will run from May12 – June 11
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Character Interview with Juliana Crowson

Enter to Win an Ecopy of Death Lies Between Us and a $10 amazon gift card!

Meet Juliana Crowson from Death Lies Between Us

Morning Person? Or Night Person? How do you know?

Definitely a night person. Me and mornings are bitter enemies. It’s best if we don’t see each other too often.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was really little I wanted to work with all the big cats at the zoo. I gave up on that idea when I realized that I couldn’t set them free. Now I’m about to turn twenty and I still don’t know. My Grandmother Charlotte wants me to work at her herb shop, Native Naturals, for the rest of my life. I do like working there, but I sort of see myself working outside more. A job where I get to travel would be awesome too. My brother, Jared, will let me go on tour with him and the band. So I guess I’ll be a roadie for the rest of the summer. J And after that, who knows.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

Alaska is at the top of my list for sure. I love the mountains and the wilderness. And, Ireland because my mom’s family is from there and she says it’s really beautiful. Her and my dad went there for their honeymoon. I think it would be great to visit somewhere my dad really liked.

Tell us about your family.

I already mentioned my dad. His name was Wes Crowson. He died when I was nine. My grandmother, Charlotte Crowson is the greatest. She’s teaching me everything she knows about medicinal plants. I’m always amazed at how much she knows. She has a way of curing people that is almost magical. And it’s not just illness. She helps people with their head problems too. My mom’s name is Diane. She works at the local hospital as a nurse. She’s very sweet and she works A LOT. Having to raise Jared and me by herself has been pretty tough, so I help her out as much as I can. Jared is my little brother. He’s not little at all, he’s six foot four and loves his guitar more than anything else in the world. He’s very talented and is Mr. Charismatic. He has this irresistible sparkle about him that you just can’t ignore. I love him to pieces but I also feel like I have to look after him. He can be rather wild and irresponsible at times.

Who is your favorite author?

It’s a tie between Edgar Allen Poe & the poet, Edna St. Vincent Millay. Check them out sometime. They’re pretty inspiring.

What makes you happy?

Hiking in beautiful places when no one else is around. And, feeling the beat of live music pulsing through my veins. I adore them both equally.

What do you do to unwind and relax?

See above.

Do you have any special routines or rituals?

I could easily write an entire book with this one question but here are a few things that I always do, or don’t do. I never leave shoes under a bed. It causes nightmares. I always count how many ravens I see and I only sweep the floor one room at a time. It’s bad luck to cross a threshold while sweeping. Don’t get me started on planting and picking herbs. Like I said, an entire book.

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

I don’t like telling people this and I can’t believe I am sharing it now, but I see things that other people don’t, like ghosts and angels. It really freaks me out and I try to avoid the phenomenon as much as possible. Unfortunately, I have run-ins with the dead that I can’t escape. Let me just say that life and the afterlife have been really complicated lately.

About Death Lies Between Us

DLBU coverSaving the life of someone you love should not be the worst thing you have ever done, unless you are an Angel of Death.

Disgruntled with his position in the afterlife and conflicted by his feelings toward his new client, Nathaniel Evans forgoes the rules and saves nineteen year old Juliana Crowson from being hopelessly stuck in Forge Creek. This alters Juliana’s destiny and she finds herself in a series of near death accidents.

In the mountains of Colorado, Nathaniel comforts Juliana as she struggles to understand her paranormal abilities while coping with her brother’s drug addiction. When an ill-tempered Native American Shaman teaches her the difference between ghosts and place memories, she decides she wants nothing to do with the supernatural world. Too bad she doesn’t know that Nathaniel is part of it.

Will fate bring these two together, or has Nathaniel made the biggest mistake of his afterlife?

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Goddess Fish Review Tour & Giveaway

Goddess Fish Promotions Presents Death Lies Between Us

5 Book Bloggers review Death Lies Between Us.  Enter to win a $30 amazon gift card and an Ecopy of Death Lies Between Us. All you have to do is click the link, comment on the blog and you’re entered. Enter the Rafflecopter for more chances to win!

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Starts May 14th

$30 amazon gift card grand prize & Ecopy of Death Lies Between Us

May 14:  Books in the Hall 
May 14:  STOP 2 Shelley’s Book Case
May 15:  shannonphoenix
May 17:
May 17:  The Darker Side of Romance

 
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Interview with Author Maer Wilson

Relics by Maer Wilson. New Release from Crescent Moon Press

After reading Relics, I decided I would like to find out a little more about this novel and its creator. Maer Wilson was kind enough to join me for a more in Relics 760x1140 - Copydepth look into Relics.

Here is the blurb.

Most of Thulu and La Fi’s clients are dead. Which is perfect since their detective agency  caters to the supernatural. So, a job finding relics for an ancient daemon should be simple.

The daemon needs the relics to keep a dangerous portal closed. His enemy, Gabriel, wants the relics to open the portal and give his people access to a new feeding ground – Earth.

Stunning humanity with their existence, portals to other worlds begin to open and the creatures of magic return to Earth.

When Gabriel threatens their family, Thulu and La Fi’s search becomes personal. The couple will need powerful allies in the race to find the relics before Gabriel does. But maybe that’s what grateful dead, magical allies and daemonic clients are for.

When the creatures of myth and magic return to Earth, they’re nothing like your mother’s fairy tales. 

You can read more or buy a copy here: On amazon

I really enjoyed reading Relics. Will you share with us how Relics came to be?

Thanks for your kind words, Jody, and thank you so very much for having me on today.  This book actually grew out of the main characters, Thulu and La Fi. I used to play World of Warcraft and there were several people in our guild whose names began with “Moo”. This one couple especially was confusing and I thought I’d give them nicknames based on their in-game names. The result was Thulu and La Fi and when I saw the names, the characters were in my head saying, “No, we don’t belong to them. You need to tell our story!” So, I sat down and wrote the first draft in five weeks. Of course, the subsequent drafts took over a year and included ripping out the entire second half of the book and rewriting it.

I was born in the San Francisco Bay Area so your novel is close to my old stomping grounds. Is there a reason you chose that part of California for your setting?

I love the city! I’ve been there several times over the years, but I spent a week there about five years ago and fell in love with it. It seemed a perfect fit for my characters. I can’t imagine them living anywhere else.

There are so many great characters in Relics. Between the ghosts, Daemons, magical creatures, and humans with amazing supernatural abilities, I don’t think I could narrow it down to only one. Is there a particular character you really enjoyed writing, and why?

Thanks for saying that. I adore writing so many of them that it’s quite hard to choose. Certainly Thulu, La Fi, Jones, Nana Fae and Reo are the obvious choices, but I have so much fun with the others, as well. If I had to pick only one other than Thulu and La Fi, I think it would have to be Reo. He has so many layers and, of course, he’s a performer as his alter ego, Brandy Malone. I love his sense of humor and his erratic, but very strong abilities. He’s gay and has some fun scenes, but he breaks the stereotype. I think he’s very “realistic” for an empath, telepath, psychic. He was written for my gay friends and family members.

I thought Reo was a very realistic character as well – good job!  What’s next? Are you working on a new novel?

Portals, Book 2 of The Thulukan Chronicles, is complete and going through the last round with my beta readers before I submit to my publisher. I’ve begun Book 3, Crossroads, which I’m very excited to really get into. Two prequel short stories have been completed and gone through my beta readers. I also have an historical fantasy, The Journal, sitting on a back burner, teasing me now and then.

What is your writing schedule like and do you have any writing rituals?

I have to be comfortable. I’m envious of those who can write anywhere. I need to be home and in my study, at my desk and kicked back, with my feet up on a small ottoman. I usually like to listen to soundtracks. I don’t really keep to a schedule for the novels, although I’m writing something every day. I also write for my website, podcast site and two gaming fansites.

Do you have a favorite hobby or pastime that doesn’t involve writing or reading?

I love crafts although I haven’t had time to play around with anything recently. I’ve made award winning costumes, done various beading projects on costumes and purses, made dream catchers, played in my different coloring books, crochet, needlepoint, latch hook, whatever strikes me as fun. I also love watching movies. Now and then I hike, ride my bike, and take the one of the dogs for a walk.

You have many interests. I like that and I can definitely relate. Would you like to share any sage advice for a writer who is just starting out?

Well, the best “sage advice” I know comes to me from author Tim Powers, so I think I’ll just pass that along: If you want to write, then read. Read everything you can get your hands on. Not only in the genre you want to write in, but other genres, as well.

What a wonderful quote. Thank you! Will you share a favorite author or novel with us? Something that has inspired you and your writing career.

There are so many authors I respect, enjoy and have learned from by reading their work over the years, that it’s tough to narrow it down to one. Probably the two I admire the most would be the best I can do. George R.R. Martin and his “A Song of Ice and Fire” series because I find his writing and stories brilliant. I never can predict where he’s going. And J.K Rowling for the “Harry Potter” series because it’s sheer fun, entertaining and simply awesome. She’s a fabulous storyteller.

I also adore J.K. Rowling. Thank you Maer for giving us a peek into your world. Here is some more information about Maer Wilson and where you can find her.

Maer’s Bio

After a successful career being other people, and later teaching others the many tricks Maer Authorof that trade, Maer Wilson has decided to be herself for a while. Turns out she’s a writer. She’s always loved stories, especially fantasy, mystery and sci fi. Maer was born in the Year of the Dragon and has a dragon-themed room in her home, but sadly no dragons in the back yard. When she’s not writing, Maer plays online video games, teaches college and reads. She also co-hosts the literary podcast, “MythBehaving” and writes for two gaming fansites. She lives in the high desert of Southern Nevada with her two dogs, a chihuahua and a poodle. Relics is her first novel and will be released by Crescent Moon Press on May 1, 2013. You can visit her website at maerwilson.com.

Maer’s Website – maerwilson.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maer-Wilson-Author/149085628472833

Twitter – https://twitter.com/MaerWilson

Goodread’s – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7040319.Maer_Wilson

Maer at MythBehaving – http://mythbehaving.com/

***Fun read, great characters, intriguing, and unique. 5 stars for Relics.***

New Release & Review of Relics by Maer Wilson

Relics by Maer Wilson is a brand new release from Crescent Moon Press. I was fortunate to receive an advance reader copy (ARC) for review. Here is the blurb:Relics 760x1140 - Copy

Most of Thulu and La Fi’s clients are dead. Which is perfect since their detective agency  caters to the supernatural. So, a job finding relics for an ancient daemon should be simple.

The daemon needs the relics to keep a dangerous portal closed. His enemy, Gabriel, wants the relics to open the portal and give his people access to a new feeding ground – Earth.

Stunning humanity with their existence, portals to other worlds begin to open and the creatures of magic return to Earth.

When Gabriel threatens their family, Thulu and La Fi’s search becomes personal. The couple will need powerful allies in the race to find the relics before Gabriel does. But maybe that’s what grateful dead, magical allies and daemonic clients are for.

When the creatures of myth and magic return to Earth, they’re nothing like your mother’s fairy tales.

Here are my thoughts

I loved this story from page one. I challenge you to read the first page of Relics and not be sucked into this novel. That is exactly what happened to me. The author has created a unique and creative story filled with plot twists and mystery, characters that you love, but you know you really shouldn’t, and others that are endearing and make you wish you could invite them over for dinner.

The author gives quite a bit of backstory and history between the two main characters, Thulu and LaFi (I love these names by the way.) Their history together really gives you an in-depth look into their relationship, and their very supportive family, the Thulukan clan.

Thulu has the special ability to “find” things and LaFi sees and speaks to dead people. This is the perfect combination for owning and operating their own detective agency for their peculiar clients. When they are approached by  a new client to help find a missing locket and then suddenly a handful of ghosts show up in their office all looking for the same murderer, the story seems to be a clear case of a who dunnit.  Except… then the action takes an unusual twist which keeps the reader turning pages to find out what is really going on.

Enter the magical beings and an interesting new take on Angels vs. Daemons, portals to other dimensions, and ancient relics needed to save the earth from a horrible destiny. Yes, all this really is packed into one fantastic novel.

This book is unlike any other that I have read before — which isn’t a bad thing. Ms. Wilson has an obvious talent for writing great dialogue and creating unexpected scenarios full of intrigue and imagination. She is a descriptive writer without being too wordy and the entire novel is extremely well written. I especially enjoyed her wide variety of characters. All of whom have depth and originality. Besides LaFi and Thulu, Reo is a particular favorite of mine and I recommend you read Relics to find out more about this interesting individual. I don’t think you’ll regret it.

***Fun read, great characters, intriguing, and unique. 5 stars for Relics.***

You can read more or buy a copy here: On amazon

Maer’s Bio

After a successful career being other people, and later teaching others the many tricks Maer Authorof that trade, Maer Wilson has decided to be herself for a while. Turns out she’s a writer. She’s always loved stories, especially fantasy, mystery and sci fi. Maer was born in the Year of the Dragon and has a dragon-themed room in her home, but sadly no dragons in the back yard. When she’s not writing, Maer plays online video games, teaches college and reads. She also co-hosts the literary podcast, “MythBehaving” and writes for two gaming fansites. She lives in the high desert of Southern Nevada with her two dogs, a chihuahua and a poodle. Relics is her first novel and will be released by Crescent Moon Press on May 1, 2013. You can visit her website at maerwilson.com.

Maer’s Website – maerwilson.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maer-Wilson-Author/149085628472833

Twitter – https://twitter.com/MaerWilson

Goodread’s – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7040319.Maer_Wilson

Maer at MythBehaving – http://mythbehaving.com/