INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, PEPPER THORN OF TYPING CAT PRESS

Thank you Pepper for agreeing to do this interview, it's great to have you as a guest. My first question is an ice breaker, what is it like living with three cats?

Heaven, for me, is spending a rainy Saturday with a steaming mug of tea, a brand new book, and a purring cat curled in my lap. So having three cats is like being three times closer to heaven.

Of course it's also three times the trouble. They get into everything. And they work together too! We came home one evening and they were chowing down on a bag of food we hadn't left out. They had worked together to open the cabinet, drag out and open the box we keep the dry food in, drag out the bag of food, and rip it open. It's a good thing they don't have opposable thumbs or we'd be in serious trouble!

What was another major draw for you, other than having the "exact opposite personality for a school teacher", that led you to teaching?

I have always enjoyed working with children. As a teenager I had a regular babysitting job and worked as a camp counselor during the summer. But two experiences really sold me on being a teacher.

My senior year of high school the counselor came and asked me to tutor a student who was struggling with Algebra. Now I had dropped out of Trigonometry to be a teacher’s aid, so math was obviously not my strong suite, but he felt I was the perfect person to help this guy. And I did. In one grading period he went from an F to a C. It felt so good to see someone succeed who otherwise would have failed because of me. I was hooked.

But I already knew the difference a teacher could make in a child's life thanks to Ms. Lane. Fifth grade was a strange year for me. My family moved over the summer, so when school started I didn't know a soul. The school was really tiny and my class was the biggest bunch of misfits I have ever met. Within the first month of school we had burned through three teachers. They had to bring Ms. Lane out of retirement to take our class. By that point we were convinced that we were flawed as a group and as individuals beyond any teacher's help. Every one of us was out of control in our own unique way. She came in, made each of us feel special and important, and turned that disaster of a year into one of my best.

You mentioned in your biography that you run book clubs for advanced readers, can you tell us more about that?

Teachers have to spend so much of their time these days focusing on what students can't do that students who can do things fall through the cracks. This is especially true for advanced readers. We spend hours each day on direct reading instruction at or below grade level. And since our school is kindergarten through fifth, our school library only has books up through the sixth grade level. I knew our school had a sizable group of students who read several years above their current grade level. Not only were they never engaged in any real reading but they couldn't even find challenging books.

I had recently joined my local sci-fi/ fantasy book club and I was loving it. Even when I didn't like the book we read, getting together to discuss it with other readers was a blast. I wanted the students to experience that too. So many children quit reading as they move into middle and high school and I didn't want that to happen to these great readers. (This drop-off is especially true for boys and half my book club is boys!) So I got together with the nearest Books-a-Million and they agreed to donate books for our club. I run three different clubs that each meet once a month. We eat snacks, talk about the book we read, rate it, get a new book for the next month, and fun is had by all.

Tell us about your books and how you started writing.

I honestly can't remember a time when I didn't invent stories, if only for myself. And I've always loved fairytales. I think myths and fairytales are the building blocks from which all other stories are made. There is something fundamental in them that feeds the soul and fires the imagination.

Princess Rose and the Crystal Castle does have an interesting story behind it though. As I mentioned above, I did a lot of babysitting as a teenager. The family I sat for had three small children and, being the conscientious person I am, I wouldn’t let them watch TV until after dark. Dark in the southern summer comes very late. Often we would sit in the shade on the back porch telling stories. I let each child choose one element for the story and then I simply started talking as we all waited to see where it would go. Those stories wouldn't have fared well against an English teacher with a red pen, but the kids loved them and they made they made the long, hot days pass faster. The only one I still remember was about a princess who lived in a castle made of glass.

After I was all grown up and writing real, not-off-the-top-of-my-head stories, I thought about that princess and her glass castle. I thought about all the retellings and reworking of fairytales and all the books inspired by fairytales I had read over the intervening years. And I wondered, what would that story look like if I were telling it now?

The answer is, a lot different. First off the Crystal Castle (no longer actually made of glass) belongs to the dark, handsome prince who uses his magic to steal away Princess Rose after she turns down all of the princes desperate to marry her. Second, Princess Rose carries a strange and dangerous curse that makes everyone she meets fall in love with her. And last but not least, nothing in the Crystal Castle is quite what it seems: not the handsome prince, not the mad king she never sees, not even the silent page who becomes her only friend. But there is still a dragon, sort of.

You mentioned watching science fiction and fantasy shows. What are you favorite shows on TV right now?

I watch most of my TV online so I'm always a season or two behind on shows. Right now my favorite is Dr. Who. It's really a dark fairytale dressed up in science fiction clothes, which makes it double the fun for me. Nothing is quite what it seems. The Doctor is a wonderful, mad magician who takes a lucky few on amazing adventures through time and space. And all the monsters from your dreams and nightmares are real. What's not to love in that?

When you talk about playing games, what games do you play?

I like all kinds of games but I prefer games that have some element of strategy or tactics. Games that entirely depend on chance get old really fast for me. I grew up playing card and board games like UNO and Monopoly with my family. Now my favorites are Shadows Over Camelot, a cooperative board game based on Arthurian legend, and Guillotine, a silly but cutthroat card game based on the French Revolution. Another favorite is Wings of War where you play WWI fighter planes in tabletop dogfights.

In college I discovered roleplaying games and fell in love! Literally. I met this really cute guy and he asked if I wanted to sit in on a session of the Star Wars roleplaying game he ran for a group of friends. I rolled up a character, married that cute GM, and still play with some of those same friends.

Have you always lived in the South?

Other than a summer that I spent in England, yes. I know the world is full of beautiful places but there is something magical about the South. My favorite quote is by C.S. Lewis who says "I have seen landscapes ... which, under a particular light, made me feel that at any moment a giant might raise his head over the next ridge. Nature has that in her which compels us to invent giants: and only giants will do." I think it sums up both how I feel about the South and why I love fantasy.

Have you ever given thought to writing a different genre of books?

Not really. The first original story I remember writing was about a psychic girl whose headaches predicted an alien invasion. The second was about a magical land hidden behind a waterfall. My story brain starts working as soon as you cross the line at the edge of the possible.

One of the best things about speculative fiction is that its so flexible. You can tell any kind of story imaginable in this genre. Why would I change?

If you could choose only one thing to do for the rest of your life what would it be and why?

That is such a hard question! I like to do so many things that I can't choose just one. My perfect life would be to teach part time and write part time. I would run book clubs and academic teams after school and knit in my free time.

Do you have any advice you'd like to give to other authors?

The problem with writing advice is that at its best it is both completely right and totally wrong. See, every writer and every story is different. Anything beyond the most basic advice only applies some of the time, to some authors with some stories.

In fact the only thing that I can think of that is always important and always applies is this quote from Nike, "Just do it!"

Thank you so much for taking time to do interviews with us. We are honored to have the opportunity to read and review your books!

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"LITERARY STUFFING" THANKSGIVING INTERVIEW SERIES WITH AUTHOR, KRISTEN JAMES

Thank you again for donating a book for the "Literary Stuffings" giveaway. Can you tell us more about the book you donated?
I would love to! A Cowboy For Christmas is set on a ranch on the Oregon coast. I had fun setting up a cowboy in Oregon, and I got to describe the gorgeous countryside, the ocean and a ranch. Missy and Brent are thrown together as co-owners. She needs a new start, and he can’t buy her out, so they’re stuck working together. It’s a fun little read and my most popular right now, and it starts before Thanksgiving.

The other book is The River People, an historical story set in Oregon that portrays a fictional tribe based on a fairly unknown Native group. Young River-Song has special talents with her words so she can help keep the peace in her valley. This book is a #1 category bestseller.

This time of year is usually a warm and happy time with friends and family, how do you usually spend Thanksgiving every year?

Growing up, I always watched the parade on tv and helped make the turkey. I still usually make a turkey and have family over.

Can you remember one of your most happiest Thanksgivings?

It was one of the days during the year that all my older brothers and sisters came over together. Mom sometimes had all six kids there, with their families! I think all of the holidays with family were very happy memories.

What's your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?

Besides the food? I love the time with family and having a special dinner. I’ve always had lots of people to share the day with so it’s felt like a big occasion. We often share what we’re most thankful for, and I enjoy that.

Some families have traditions they do every year, does your family have a tradition that goes along with Thanksgiving?

There’s some special dishes and sharing our thankful list and family stories. I’ve enjoyed hearing some stories from my husband’s side during the last few Thanksgivings.

Food is always one of the biggest things about this time of year, do you have a favorite desert or even a recipe you'd like to share with us?

I always look forward to the sweet potatoes cooked with pineapple, brown sugar and marshmallows on top. My other favorite is very simple: just turkey with cranberry sauce on top. I like the sauce with real cranberries in it instead of all jelly.

There are so many ways to cook a turkey, does your family have a special way of getting the big bird ready, perhaps a special ingredient or stuffing?

My mom has always made her stuffing with white wine, and it’s really good that way.

After eating all that food and settling in for the evening what do you do with the time that's left before bed?

Hmm, I think we sit around and talk or clean all the dishes!

Is there any other information you'd care to share with us about your books that are out now or any upcoming novels?

I have quite a few published romances and general fiction novels, and a new fantasy novella, The Fairy and her Giant, that will be out this November. Readers can learn more about my books and get my updates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WriterKristenJames.



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INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, TRISHA WILSON

Hello Trisha, thank you for allowing us this interview. In your bio it is found that you have been a writer for quite some time, most of which consisted of poetry up until 2005, can you give us a sample of some of your earlier works?
Thank you so much for having me for this interview, Kitty! Absolutely, I would love to share a poem with you! This is one I wrote in 2003 for a good friend of mine who was about to get married. I knew I wasn't going to be able to attend (it was in Ohio) - so this was my gift to them.

Your LoveYour love is one of a kindI'm proud to say it's mine!If you hadn't come along, I'd still be incompleteBut now until eternity, I have you and you have me!Your love, like a prayer, soothes my soulYou opened my eyes and made me whole!Your love, like a mountain, so protective and strong,I've dreamed of someone like you for so long!Your love, like the wind, feels so good to embraceTo feel your breath against my face!Your love, like a song, eases my fearsWith a simple whisper, you make them all disappear!Your love, like a rose, is still blooming for meWith just a smile from you, I know you're perfect for me!Your love, like a miracle, came to the rescueI was dying inside then I turned around, there was you!Since then, you've had my heart - you're my white knightUntil you, I never believed in a love so right!

Tell us a bit about your current works, and what these books are about.

Well, they're not exactly current, but they're recent. I self-published "An Unforgettable Christmas" in September. It's a contemporary (clean) romance about a woman, Chelsea, who is facing her first Christmas without any of her family. She's bound and determined that she's going to make sure she does her Christmas shopping, even though her list is a lot shorter this year, but she is NOT going to do any decorating...Then she meets Nick. She's instantly attracted to him, but he has a baby...so she believes that he has a wife hid away somewhere and she tries to put him out of her mind. As luck (or fate?) would have it, Chelsea's neighbor is also Nick's aunt, so there's a little matchmaking going on. Chelsea still fights her attraction until she discovers that Nick is not the biological father of Jasmine and learns the rest of the story. Even though Nick is instantly attracted to Chelsea, as well, he has an uphill battle to fight. Through a few surprises, Chelsea & Nick experience a Christmas they'll never forget.

Also, in September, I self-published "Daring To Trust", which is book 1 of a 4 book series "Indigo Girls" I'm currently working on, and the entire series will be (clean) romantic suspense. The series is about four best friends, Julia, Ellen, Jae and Abby who are in their 30s and alone. Through twists and turns, they face obstacles but are always there for each other, in the good and the bad. "Daring To Trust" is Julia's story. Julia's husband walked out on their marriage four years before. When he comes close to death, he makes a promise to God and to himself that if he lives to see another day, he'd do his best to make amends for hurting her. What he doesn't count on is his number-one enemy tracking him down and using Julia to get back at him. This one is a shorter story (17k) but mainly because they didn't have to go through the whole "getting to know you" & dating phase that most couples do in romance novels. However, I promise the next 3 will be quite longer. 

Romance with a little bit of thriller seems to be your genre of choice, have you ever considered writing in any other genre? 

No, not really. Reading romance novels has always been my favorite (even as a teenager)... When I reached my 20s, I started mixing it up a little and buying a romantic suspense here and there. So I became a fan of those, too. I know everyone has different tastes, no matter what it is, but personally I'm trying to write what I like to read. I've never been into the paranormal stuff, so I never read Harry Potter or Twilight (Shocker, I know, right?! Ha!). I don't even care for those type of movies. I don't know what it is but there's something special about a good romance book, and when there's a little suspense thrown in - all the better!

You seem to enjoy a lot of leisure activities. What is your favorite out of them all when not writing?

Hmm. That's a tough question! I guess I'd have to say cooking & baking when my family's around. What's the sense in cooking if no one is there to enjoy it, right? It relaxes me...and it makes me feel good at the same time, so win-win. 

Tell us about your friend "Snickers", I'm a chihuahua lover myself having two of my own. 

I'm smiling here, can you see? Snickers is my "baby" and he is spoiled rotten!! He is 2 years old and I've had him since he was 2 months. He's not a normal chihuahua I'll tell you that much. He's tall! He has long legs and it's unreal what he can jump on or jump out of. Ha! When I first got him, it was a day before I was supposed to. As luck would have it, we were scheduled to get our pictures made for the new church directory that very evening. So, I brought home a big box to put him in because I knew I couldn't take him with us. I stepped out of the room for a minute and he had jumped out of that box, following in my shadows. He's been stuck to me ever since. He loves hogging the bed, covers & pillow. He loves when I cook 'cause he knows he's going to get something of it. Most of the time, while cooking, I can look down, and he's sitting at my feet looking up at me when I'm at the stove. He loves to take car rides and gets real excited when he thinks he's going to get to go, too! I live with my mom and he took right to her, too. She's not able to do much but she does enjoy walking to the mailbox every day. She got in the habit of taking him with her. So, now every day, around the time the mail runs, you can find him looking out the window watching for it. As soon as it goes out, he turns around, looks at her, barks once, and then sits down, wagging his tail, waiting for her to get up and take him to the mailbox. Did I mention that he's spoiled rotten?

What is your favorite thing about living in Tennessee?

There's so many great things about the state of Tennessee! If I had to narrow it down, though, I would have to say the hospitality and friendliness of people. You're driving down the road and everyone's waving. I do it, too. It's just our way (I think) of saying, "Hi! I hope you have a great day!" It's just little things like that. People will walk up to you in the grocery store and just start talking. It's nice, it really is. (Most of the time, ha! I've had a few strange conversations happen and those are the ones I try to get out of, fast! Ha!)

What do you have planned next as far as writing and when can we expect your next novel?

Right now, I'm writing "Daring To Love", which is Ellen's story and book 2 of the "Indigo Girls Series"... I'm hoping to have it finished by the end of this month. (November)

You mention Karen Kingsbury as an inspiration are there others that inspire you?

There are so many who inspire me on a daily basis, but in the literary standpoint, Karen Kingsbury hits a home-run every time with me. I can never read one of her novels without crying (no matter how many times I've read it, I still cry!) or without taking something important from the story, whether it be a life lesson or just some kind of encouragement that I needed at that moment in time. I hope I can do the same for my readers! (To clarify: Not necessarily make them cry, but encourage them in some way.  )

One question that seems to be popular right now is whether authors prefer e-books or print. What is your take on the controversy between the two?

Call me old-fashioned but I love my paperbacks. I don't have an e-reader, so that might change if I ever get one. But, there's just something comforting about having that book in your hands.

Do you have any advice you'd like to share with other aspiring authors?

Number one is don't give up! If writing is what you want to do, don't give up your dream, ever! Number two is do your research. If you're planning on self-publishing as I am, there's so many things that you need to know... not only from the writing standpoint but also editing, formatting, conversion process, cover design, knowing your potential readers and what they're looking for, promotion/marketing & the list goes on... As I told someone the other day, writing is the easy part, believe it or not! You can't expect to write your book, publish it and then expect it to sell on its own. You have to sell yourself AND your books, period. And get involved in social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. Many of your fans will come from people you come in contact with every day...maybe not them, but perhaps they know someone who would love to read your work. It's a small world, so don't be afraid to get the word out to your connections. You just never know. AND Good luck! Writing and publishing isn't a competition -- there's millions of readers, and each one has different tastes. You can't expect to be an overnight success. Everyone has to start somewhere...Steven King was a newbie at one point. Just remember that if you ever get discouraged. If there's anything I can help with, just shoot me an email... If I can't answer your question, I'll do my best to direct you to someone who can.

I can be reached at [email protected] .. I'm also on Twitter under @Trish73179 & on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/AuthorTrishaWilson . 
My website is http://www.trishawilson.weebly.com .

Thank you again for the interview, Kitty!



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INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, DALE MAYER

Thank you so much Dale for doing an interview with Great Minds, to get us started can you tell us a bit about what it's like to live in British Columbia, Canada? I have heard the land is absolutely beautiful there.

I love living her in beautiful British Columbia. Kelowna, where I live is a resort town on a huge lake known for it's swimming, boating and fishing activities. The summer's her are all out about water sports, relaxing on the beach and wineries. The winters are all about winter sports with two world class mountains less than an hour away.

What first drew you to writing and what genres have you endeavored in?

I started in nonfiction as a natural move from my Technical writer career. Once there, fiction was an even easier slide! Romantic Suspense has always been a favorite genre for me, making it an easy decision to start there. After that, the walls came down and I have written romance, paranormal, urban fantasy, fantasy, dystopian fantasy, and contemporary ghost and mystery books.

Tell us a bit about your current novels.

I'm currently writing the second book in my YA urban fantasy book, DEADLY DESIGNS. This come after DANGEROUS DESIGNS that was published over the summer. I'm also almost done revisions on MADDY'S FLOOR which is the 3rd book in the Psychic Vision Series. Book 2 in that series, HIDE'N GO SEEK was released 2 weeks ago.

What is your favorite genre to write and why?

I love writing adult romantic suspense and even more thriller types of books because I write very twisted plots with red herrings and curves you don't see until they are there in front of you. But for sheer fun – my YAs win hands down. And in that field I love to write in all genres.

When reading a book, when you have time, what do you look for?

Sheer escapism. I want a book I can lose myself in with the characters and a plot that keeps me turning the pages.

Who are your inspirations in the writing world?

Other writers that have gone before! Seriously, those authors whose writing I admire are what keeps me inspired to do better.

What can we expect next from you?

The world? I have several new Romantic suspense books coming out, the 3rd in the Psychic Vision series, a standalone romantic thriller, without paranormal elements, and a trilogy sometime next year that is hotter than my normal RS. I have 2 contemporary YAs (GEM STONE MYSTERY, and IN CASSIE'S CORNER) that will be released in the next 3 months and have two YA series that will get the second books soon as well. VAMPIRE IN DISTRESS, which follows VAMPIRE IN DENIAL is coming and I'm writing DEADLY DESIGNS right now.

Are there any genres you haven't written that you'd like to explore someday?

I'm not going to say no to any story in my head. I have yet to write science fiction or historical but if the story and characters are strong enough – then I'm game!

Where can your books be found?

My books are available through Amazon.com (print and ebook), BarnesandNoble.com (some print, all ebook), Allromanceebooks.com (ebook only), Smashwords.com (ebook only) and iBookstore for more ebook options.

Is there any advice you'd like to give other authors out there?

If writing is the dream that lives inside of you, never leaves you and is always waiting for you to pick up a pen and continue, then don’t let ANYTHING stop you. Write for yourself, learn the craft and always aim to write the best darn book you can…and the rest will follow. Trust - in yourself, in the process, in your art

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Book Title: "The Burning Soul"
Author: John Connolly
Published By: Atria Books (Simon & Schuster)
Age Recommended: 18+
Reviewed By: Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating: 5

Review: John Connolly has been hailed as a best-selling novelist for a while now, constantly making his appearances on the New York Times coveted list. I can honestly say after reading the first book I've ever read by him that he has earned this spot a thousand times over.

His writing ability surpasses many of the best today and his mixture of the paranormal with the world of crime is superb. "The Burning Soul" is a book that has the power to burn itself into your memory and secure a place there that will resurface time and again throughout the course of your life. There are moments that will have you glancing at your silent television set expecting to see a face... not your own, staring back at you. A face that holds a silent scream frozen forever in time... read the book and you'll find out what I mean.

Highly recommended, one of the best books by far that I've read all year!


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"LITERARY STUFFING" THANKSGIVING INTERVIEW WITH JAMIE PATTERSON, AUTHOR OF "LOST EDENS"

Thank you again for donating a book for the "Literary Stuffings" giveaway. Can you tell us more about the book you donated?

Lost Edens is a memoir that chronicles the last week of my first marriage. It touches on issues like family, love, loss, and letting go.

This time of year is usually a warm and happy time with friends and family, how do you usually spend Thanksgiving every year?

I come from a very long line of scavengers--no one in my family cooks. We've been known to go out for Thanksgiving dinner. Sometimes my mom would even order the pre-made dinners from the grocery store so we could have proper leftovers like everyone else. Even if our Thanksgiving isn't centered around food, we're always together.

Can you remember one of your most happiest Thanksgivings?

During my freshman year of college, my older sister was studying abroad in London so we all (parents, brothers) flew across the pond to see her. Our Thanksgiving dinner that year was at a Pizza Hut near Piccadilly. My sister and I were born in the U.K. and our family has friends there so a day or two after Thanksgiving we went to a family friend's house and had a real Thanksgiving meal. I think this Thanksgiving stands out more than the others because we had--and our U.K. friends had--to make a real effort to celebrate (or to help us celebrate!). Again, the important thing is that we were together.

What's your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?

Apple pie!

Some families have traditions they do every year, does your family have a tradition that goes along with Thanksgiving?

One tradition my family has is to go around the table (wherever that table might be or whatever might be upon it) and say what we're thankful for. It's a simple tradition that is nice because it really does cause me to pause and be grateful for all the wonderful people and things in my life.

Food is always one of the biggest things about this time of year, do you have a favorite desert or even a recipe you'd like to share with us?

Some day I hope to be the kind of person who has recipes. I recently started "cooking" and my repertoire consists of scrambled eggs and rice cereal. Embarrassing, I know. My favorite desert this time of year is apple pie. My youngest brother is a wonderful baker (as the youngest he really had to fend for himself and learn at least how to turn the oven on) and can make it from scratch, which, for me, is an amazing feat. He's stationed in Japan and won't be home until Christmas, at which point he'll be put to work in the kitchen!

There are so many ways to cook a turkey, does your family have a special way of getting the big bird ready, perhaps a special ingredient or stuffing?

I'm always entertained by stories each year of families who fry their turkeys and end up burning the garage down. My family uses stories like these as one more reason to have someone else do the cooking. I know by now you might be wondering how my mother managed to raise four children without knowing how to cook--we ate a lot of spaghetti! My mom has, however, always been great at whipping up a batch of Stove Top Stuffing, a staple on our Thanksgiving menu.

After eating all that food and settling in for the evening what do you do with the time that's left before bed?

My family is incredibly competitive and the game we look forward to after Thanksgiving dinner is Scrabble. I think our competitiveness is driven a bit by the mobile game Words With Friends. If we're not playing games, there's always a puzzle out waiting for people to come solve it. My 2-year-old niece already has the competitive drive and can spend a solid half hour trying to figure out a puzzle (an incredible amount of time for a 2-year-old!).

Is there any other information you'd care to share with us about your books that are out now or any upcoming releases?

I've so enjoyed chatting with people who have read Lost Edens and always welcome conversation either via email or book club. If you've read the book and have questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm working on a follow-up to Lost Edens that I hope will be completed (the first draft, anyway!) within the year.

This was so fun, Kitty! Thanks so much for the opportunity.

Jamie Patterson is a writer, teacher, runner, and dog owner who spent most of her twenties trying to please everyone she encountered and help everyone she met. She has a Master’s degree in Language and Literature from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. A former spokesperson for the American Red Cross and the Girl Scouts, Jamie is a frequent flier based in Minneapolis, and an academic editor with Walden University. Visit with Jamie at www.lostedens.com and join her fans on Facebook. Some proceeds from the sale of Lost Edens go toThe Institute for Human Animal Connection.

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"LITERARY STUFFING" THANKSGIVING GIVEAWAY INTERVIEW SERIES (HEIDI RUBY MILLER)
Thank you again for donating a book for the "Literary Stuffings" giveaway. Can you tell us more about the book you donated?

Thank you for the interview! AMBASADORA answers the question--if everyone told you love wasn't real, would you still be willing to die for it? You can read an excerpt here: http://heidirubymiller.blogspot.com/p/ambasadora.html

This time of year is usually a warm and happy time with friends and family, how do you usually spend Thanksgiving every year?

The whole family still goes to my Grandmother's house for dinner.

Can you remember one of your most happiest Thanksgivings?

I remember the most awkward Thanksgiving--my brother had been playing football earlier that morning and had his tooth knocked out. My parents were not happy!

What's your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?

Candied sweet potatoes!

Some families have traditions they do every year, does your family have a tradition that goes along with Thanksgiving?

We play video games after dinner, preferably HALO or Call of Duty.

Food is always one of the biggest things about this time of year, do you have a favorite desert or even a recipe you'd like to share with us?

No recipes, but I do love pumpkin and apple pie.

There are so many ways to cook a turkey, does your family have a special way of getting the big bird ready, perhaps a special ingredient or stuffing?

My grandmother cooks the turkey upside down.

After eating all that food and settling in for the evening what do you do with the time that's left before bed?

Read or write. Sometimes watch a movie.

Is there any other information you'd care to share with us about your books that are out now or any upcoming novels?

GREENSHIFT, a novella in the Ambasadora-verse will be out this month so AMBASADORA will only be on sale until GREENSHIFT launches! Check it out at:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ZR9WOY -- I'm also the co-editor of a writing guide MANY GENRES (http://manygenres.blogspot.com).

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"LITERARY STUFFING" THANKSGIVING INTERVIEW SERIES (RUE VOLLEY)

Thank you again for donating a book for the "Literary Stuffings" giveaway. Can you tell us more about the book you donated?

I have donated book one in my vampire series called “Blood & Light.” It is the story of one girl’s journey to find herself and understand why she is a vampire. Blood & Light is only one book of 6 that I have written so far in this epic adventure and if you enjoy sarcasm, crazy situations, romance and the paranormal it is sure to entertain you. I will also add that if the winner of book one enjoys it I will be more than happy to slip them a copy of book two “Smoke & Mirrors”. The Blood & Light Vampire Series is signed to Vamptasy Publishing in the UK and you can check out my other books at their website vamptasypublishing.co.uk as well as the other amazing authors who also call Vamptasy home.

This time of year is usually a warm and happy time with friends and family, how do you usually spend Thanksgiving every year?

Normally my Husband and I spent the day with our pugs, pigging out on Ham and all the trimmings but this year we are travelling to see my family, so no cooking for me.

Can you remember one of your most happiest Thanksgivings?

The first Thanksgiving that my Husband and I spent alone together. We snuggled on the couch and watched movies all day.

What's your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?

My favorite thing about this season is the changing of the leaves, I do a lot of photography and shooting outside is my thing. So having such a colorful backdrop makes my heart sing. Being able to bust out my arsenal of boots makes me smile too.

Some families have traditions they do every year, does your family have a tradition that goes along with Thanksgiving?

Our tradition I guess would be actually sitting down to a meal together, everyone is so busy throughout the year that taking that day and just enjoying eachothers company is a big deal. Another thing we do is always watch movies, does not matter which ones, we just keep them going.

Food is always one of the biggest things about this time of year, do you have a favorite desert or even a recipe you'd like to share with us?

Pumpkin pie. I love it, pretty simple but you cannot beat it in my opinion, does not hurt to sprinkle a little nutmeg on top of the cool whip either. Oh! And Hot chocolate…love it.

There are so many ways to cook a turkey, does your family have a special way of getting the big bird ready, perhaps a special ingredient or stuffing?

My Mom will not tell anyone what she does. Lol. But I guarantee you that her bird is tender and juicy and she makes her own stuffing that I love.

After eating all that food and settling in for the evening what do you do with the time that's left before bed?

After I eat that much food I lose all understanding of where I am at or what happened, I wake up the next day with food stains on my shirt and this feeling that I should call and apologize to someone. Hahahaha

Is there any other information you'd care to share with us about your books that are out now or any upcoming novels?

Right now I have two books in print. “Blood & Light” book one in the Blood & Light Vampire Series and a book called “Red Wine” that is a collection of short stories on Vamptasy. Book two in The Blood & Light series will be in print in November. To date I have written 10 books. The rest of the Blood & Light series will be released within the next year. You can check out these and other titles of mine at the following links.

http://ruevolley.moonfruit.com/

http://www.vamptasypublishing.co.uk/#/rue-volley/4552959268

http://therazorsaga.moonfruit.com/

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"LITERARY STUFFING" THANKSGIVING E-BOOK GIVEAWAY INTERVIEW SERIES (VALERIE BOWEN)



Thank you again for donating a book for the "Literary Stuffings" giveaway. Can you tell us more about the book you donated?

For the Sake of Amelia Tormented is a novel about an abused woman fighting to get her life back.

Life for Amelia Parker has been hard to say the least. Tormented by flashbacks, and the vow of her ex husband to finish the job he started as soon as he’s released from prison, sends Amelia into an emotional frenzy as time for his release grows near.

Amelia packs up and moves from her home in Colby, Kansas to the small town of Camden, Maine with the hope Ray will forget all about his vendetta. Amelia finds new friends and a new love in her happy peaceful life in Camden.

She is suddenly snapped back into paralyzing fear when she receives word of Ray's release, knowing he will fulfill his promise to finish what he began. Hearing gunshots and her screams, her new love Kyle must make a rushed decision to keep her alive.

Due to a strange twist of events Kyle’s past meets them head-on and jeopardizes Amelia’s safety yet again. Will Kyle be able to save the life of the only woman he has ever loved?

Join Amelia in this roller coaster ride of emotions that will have you gripping the edge of your seat at every turn.


This time of year is usually a warm and happy time with friends and family, how do you usually spend Thanksgiving every year?

I usually make a huge dinner and have family and friends visit throughout the day. Although things change as the years pass us by and the kids get older and go their own way during holidays we still find time to spend a few hours of the day together.

Can you remember one of your most happiest Thanksgivings?

One of the best Thanks givings I can remember was when my daughter was young and we went from house to house visiting everyone and delivering pies.

What's your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?

My favorite thing about Thanksgiving is the warm feeling you get when everyone gets together to enjoy a day of parades and sports.

Some families have traditions they do every year, does your family have a tradition that goes along with Thanksgiving?

My daughter tells me my Thanksgiving traditions is cooking enough food to last a year. Truthfully I really just cook everyone's favorite dishes.

Food is always one of the biggest things about this time of year, do you have a favorite desert or even a recipe you'd like to share with us?

There are so many favorite recipes I would like to share.

There are so many ways to cook a turkey, does your family have a special way of getting the big bird ready, perhaps a special ingredient or stuffing?

The recipe I use is the traditional turkey with traditional stuffing. Although one year my daughter tried a maple and bacon turkey...I must say it was a disappointment so from that year on we still go the traditional route.

After eating all that food and settling in for the evening what do you do with the time that's left before bed?

The family usually sits down and we watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation...kick off the Christmas season with a movie that makes everyone laugh.

Is there any other information you'd care to share with us about your books that are out now or any upcoming novels?

I currently have published the first two novels of the For the Sake of Amelia series which includes Tormented and Inhibition. the third novel in the series tilted Retribution will be published early December. I am currently writing another three novel series titled The Mind of a Madman. the first book should be available in February 2012. this novel is titled Evil Unleashed. I'm currently writing the second novel in that series titled Evil Stalks. I also have a young adult novel that is available titled Faerie Wishes, this novel is about a female faerie that falls in love with a human male. Talia wants nothing more than to join Cayden in the human realm and live happily ever after only to find out the human realm is far to dangerous for an unsuspecting faerie.

I want to thank you for allowing me to participate in your Thanksgiving interview and giveaway.


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