Friday, August 31, 2012

Guardian of Bastet: The Virtual Tour




The Guardian of Bastet
By Jacqueline Battisti

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Carina Press
Date of Publication: 8/20/2012

ISBN: 978-14268-9424-4
ASIN: B0088NH1Z8

Number of pages: 237
Word Count: 84,000


Book Description:
Cat-shifter Trinity Morrigan-Caine has discovered a demon is killing supernaturals. Magically challenged, she has every intention of letting handsome Alpha werewolf Gordon Barnes handle it. But after a dying vampire gifts Trinity a mystical amulet, she is drawn into the fray as the legendary Guardian of Bastet, a warrior born when the need arises.
Though Trinity initially rejects the role, she warms to the idea when Gordon agrees to train her—and their passion for each other grows as he teaches her to embrace her animal instincts.
As she begins to accept her destiny and believe in her growing powers, Trinity realizes the danger is even closer to home than she ever imagined—and she and Gordon are going to have to face the demon in a fight to the death



I can't wait to get some time to read my copy! Check out this great excerpt!


The Guardian of Bastet Short Excerpt:

Like a good girl, I try to say my prayers every morning. This morning was no exception.
“Goddess, it’s me, Trinity Morrigan-Caine. Could you please let me get through today without pissing off too many people or wanting to kill anyone? And would you please grant me patience for the idiots I meet and guidance to keep my mouth shut when they say something really freakin’ stupid? Thank you.”
Afterward, I felt better. Today was just one of those days. I slept through the alarm. My familiar, a longhaired Birman feline named Bronwyn, had to wake me up and there is nothing like being swatted in the face with a clawed paw first thing in the morning. I showered and then realized I had no clean work scrubs. Crap. I put on already worn scrubs which didn’t smell too bad. The only brightness of the morning was my cousin and roommate, Lily, had made a pot of coffee and saved me some before she left for work—and probably on time, of course.
Once again, I was late and I knew my boss was going to have kittens because of it. Okay, not literally, although the thought of that made me giggle aloud. No, I was the one who turned into a furry feline once a month. She was just a human pain in my ass.
I grabbed the travel mug and took a swig of the coffee I had heated up before leaving. I didn’t even care I burned my lips on the brew. I let out a deep sigh. Ah coffee, the elixir of gods and humans. There was just nothing better than the jolt of caffeine to wake up to. I drove to work whistling.




Author Bio:                           

Jacqueline Battisti was raised in Little Falls, New York where she met and married her high school sweetheart. They have two children and live near Rochester, New York where she is a stay at home mom and writer of the paranormal and urban fantasy of her vivid imagination.
Her first novel, The Guardian of Bastet, is being published by Carina Press August 20, 2012. She is currently working on a sequel as well as a dystopian paranormal.
Her life has taken her from the trials and tribulations of working as an administrative assistant at various companies, back to college as an adult student, and then into the adventurous world of motherhood.
Jacqueline began writing seriously in 2007 after attempting NaNoWriMo for the first time. It was the first time she had disciplined herself to finish a novel. From there, her supportive critique group was formed and attended, and then she attended RT Booklovers Convention in 2009. Jacqueline attended their aspiring authors workshops and met with many talented writers who inspired her to continue writing.

Flash forward to today: Jacqueline has two children who are very outgoing and keep her on her toes. Cub Scouts, Daisy Scouts, play dates, school activities for the kids...then writing, reading current authors, following blogs, facebook, household chores, gardening and exhaustion for mom. Add in a new puppy, two furry feline children and fish and you have the craziness that is the Battisti household.



Twitter:@jmbattisti




Enter the giveaway:


Tour Wide Giveaway

5 free copies of The Guardian of Bastet - Winners can choose epub or .pdf format
3-Pewter Egyptian Bastet Cat Pendants, The Goddess Bastet (cat goddess) is an important role in The Guardian of Bastet

Open to North American Shipping

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Coming soon...Cauldron of Tales




When five witches with wild imaginations get together, the pot boils over with trouble, romance, and sensuality.

In The Devil’s Berries, readers are taken back to Renaissance England where Sabine, facing her last night alive, reveals how the witch really came to be associated with the broomstick. Will her nightly visitor bring her more trouble or will he give her peace?

Cindy can’t decide if she’s Hexed Or Vexed her longtime friend, Killen. All she knows is that one second he was her very manly friend, and the next, he’s a dog. Can her Witchy Group on Facebook help her fix the mess, or will she be burdened with a comical canine companion the rest of her days?

Willow Vance is a poor excuse for a witch, and by some stroke of luck, the six-year-old Past Potion she crafted worked. When the hexed warlock finds out about Willow's curse, he will stop at nothing for her to lift the spell. Willow can run, but does she want to?

Alone for Halloween, Bryn is ready to take some frustrations out on her purple battery-operated toy, but she’s in for a surprise when the Toy Soldier becomes a flesh-and-blood man. Grateful to be free of his plastic curse, Byron will do anything for her...no matter how naughty.

A dance of seduction under The Light of the Moon turns into a night of passion, but will that be enough for Aponi to keep the man of her dreams enchanted? Or will the flame that was ignited die out just as quickly as it sparked?

Danica finds herself confused after a trip to the carnival with her best friend and coworker. She’s been attracted to Lisette for months, but are her feelings really being reciprocated, or was there A Sappho Spell cast in Madame Lilith’s tent?

Coming October 2012

Add it to your TBR list today!
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15850047-cauldron-of-tales

Integration Virtual Tour and Giveaway


Integration
Bonfire Book 2
By Imogen Rose

Second Haiku warning:

A boyfriend missing
A lover must pay in blood
A princess must die

Welcome back to Bonfire Academy.




The Interview:

1. What is your favorite thing about writing paranormal fiction?

I love that there are no rules and that I get to explore feelings and reactions without normal human moral restrictions.

2. Where did the idea for your book originate from?

The Bonfire Chronicles saga started with the book Faustine. And Faustine began with a photograph I took of my younger daughter. I felt the urge to use her picture on a book cover, and when I started playing around with it on Photoshop, Faustine was born in my imagination. I had no idea who the character was until I started writing the book. Once I was done with Faustine, questions about her life at the Academy and her relationship with Ryker spurred me to take a look at that aspect of her life. I wanted to write the book from an older student’s perspective, and Cordelia obliged.

3. Do you have a playlist?


4. What is your favorite character in the series?

I love Cordelia; she is my favorite in the Bonfire Academy series.

5. Tell us about the most difficult scene you ever had to write and why.

My books write themselves. I don’t sit down and plan any scenes out. I laugh and worry for my characters as they go through the various scenes. Without giving away any spoilers, losing a character is always difficult.


6. What are you working on now?

I am currently writing Fusion, which is the fifth book in the Portal Chronicles. I am also having some of my books translated into several languages.



A Teaser Excerpt

Broken. I couldn’t think of a better word to describe it. I felt as if I’d been torn to bits, maybe even shredded. I was suffocating, surrounded by a wet tightness of skin and flesh all crusted together. My body was home to excruciating stabs of pain searing about randomly before a final thrust of sheer agony. I couldn’t tell if the source of the pain was within me or if I was being repeatedly sliced open with a knife. Did it matter? I felt as though it was only a matter of seconds before my thoughts would end.

“Cordelia!”

My name. I flinched as the same voice repeated my name again and again. Why? Who was it? It—he—sounded familiar. I heaved as the voice triggered the memory of his face. Then, not being able to stop the bile from traveling up my throat, I gagged and purged, emptying my stomach completely. The next time he muttered my name, his voice was laced with disgust. But his revulsion couldn’t compete with my utter repugnance and disbelief at what he’d done. Him. Someone I had trusted with my life, even though the rule was clear:

Trust No One






Overall:

This book seriously made me lose some sleep time. I love that! Thankfully, I work a late shift so I could stay up and read into the night. There are some time jumps that are a little distracting, but overall, Cordelia is a character that you grow to love. The book has a dark undertone, but that only makes me want to go and read the rest of what Imogen has written, especially the first book in this series, so I have a little more background into the story and the characters. I love the world building and it brings to mind Harry Potter, but with some really cool demon princesses with snarky attitudes and awesome clothes. 

Watching to see what was happening with Jagger and Cordelia was very interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat. Does she want Quinn or Jagger? Will the synching with Jagger be the determining factor? Not telling...no spoilers!

The Bonfire Academy is the prequel to The Bonfire Chronicles. I can't wait to go back and read more!

4/5



About the Author:

Imogen Rose is the author of the bestselling series, Portal Chronicles, which has attained cult status within indie literature and become a favorite among teens and adults alike. An immunologist by profession, Dr. Rose published her first work of fiction in 2010. She now writes full time and is currently working on her second teen series, the Bonfire Chronicles. Imogen was born in Sweden and has lived in several places, counting London among her favorites. She moved to New Jersey in 2001. A self-confessed Hermès addict, Imogen freely admits to being obsessed with Kurt Cobain. She enjoys shopping, traveling, watching movies, and hanging out with her family, friends, and Chihuahua.

Tourwide Giveaway of a Kindle Fire: Enter the Rafflecopter Form below.


Keep Calm And Ride On...

Keep Calm and Ride On Halloween Witch Art Print 8x10 inch or A4 Poster Sign Buy 3 Get 1 P01



Yep. Just sayin...

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Witch Way To Turn: The Virtual Tour and Giveaway



Witch Way to Turn
By Karen Y. Bynum
Witch Way Series Book #1

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc.
Date of ePublication: August 6, 2012
Print: October 1st

ISBN: 9781616503994
Number of pages: epub 237
Word Count: 78,000


Blurb/Book Description:

Can you give one guy your heart and another your soul?

The last thing eighteen-year-old Breena Cross needs in her life is more complications. It’s all she can do to balance studying, working, trying to keep her foster-sister safe and drooling over the new guy at work. But things go from complicated to crazy when a fit of rage ignites the dark magic inside her and she finds herself fending off the supernatural underworld.

Myles, Breena’s drool-worthy coworker and vampire convict, is carrying a load of secrets--one of which is that he’s fang-over-lip in love with Breena and in danger of violating the terms of his sentence.

Orin is a soul-hungry assassin sent to kill Breena. However, he takes one look into her eyes and sees his own lost humanity. For once thinking of someone other than himself, he chooses not to end her life, even though it means risking his own.

Despite a convict and an assassin fighting over her, all Breena wants is custody of her sister. But to do this, she will need help from both Myles and Orin. And if Breena doesn’t learn to control the darkness within, she could lose her sister…forever.

WARNING: Contains strong language and some graphic content.


“You Breena Cross?” The white guy closed the distance between them.

“Who’s askin’?” she shot back.

“The witch has attitude.” The black guy moved closer.

“Hey, who you calling a witch, ass?” She gripped her car key tight against her palm, ready to go for the eyes first.
It happened so fast, she didn’t even have a chance to use her makeshift weapon. The white guy pinned her against the car door and her keys fell to the ground.

“We got her,” the white guy said. His breath smelled like rotten hamburger.

She tried to push him off her, but he forced her even harder into the door handle.
“He’s gonna be real happy with us, Jay,” the white guy practically sang.

Breena wondered who “he” was, but only for a second, because the guy’s lips pulled back and she saw his teeth. They were flat but, somehow, they looked sharp.

Sharp? What the hell?

His gaze was a roaring fire of hunger. Predatory. It looked like he wanted to rip her throat out.

He made a low growl and pressed his lips to her neck. A sound like crazed bees buzzed in her ears, nearly deafening her. She didn’t know what to do. Her palms began to sweat and, for a moment, she thought the blue light would be her saving grace, but her hands only shook.

“Back away from her.” The man sounded calm enough, but his voice had an edge to it that meant business.

“You lookin’ to lose a fight?” Jay swiveled around.

“I never lose.”

He appeared out of nowhere, grabbed Breena’s attacker by the back of his shirt and threw him a good two or three parking spaces down the lot. The black guy froze in place.

Her savior’s ears sprang up through his hair into two sharp points.

The two guys got one good look at the pointed ears and hauled tail.

Breena didn’t blame them for running. She would’ve joined them if curiosity hadn’t got the better of her. Besides, it was hard to be too scared of someone who’d just saved your life and looked sexy as all get out. So what if he had weird-looking ears?
“What are you?” She fidgeted with the strap on her backpack, swallowing her nerves.

He smiled, revealing beautiful not-at-all-sharp teeth. “You can’t tell?” He sounded surprised.

“No.” She twisted her hair. “Should I be able to?”

“I’m not sure. I’ve had very little experience with halflings.”

“You didn’t answer my question.” Halflings?

“No. I didn’t.”

Annoyance chasing away the last remnants of fear, Breena let out a little huff. Was he trying to push her buttons?

He moved closer, his steps as graceful as flowing water. His eyes caught her attention immediately--a ghostly pale-green with a golden circle around each pupil. Standing by her side, he propped himself against the VW.

“Amazing,” he whispered, staring at her. His gaze was intense, and slightly bewildered, as if he were trying to solve a riddle.

“What is?”

“Your soul. It’s strong.”

Weird much? She shifted on her feet, eyeing the keys on the ground.

“Sorry. You must think I’m a crazy superhero-wannabe.” He shook his head and traced his finger along his open palm. “Your kind is so rare.” His eyes lit up as he smiled. He stooped to pick up the keys and handed them to her.

Breena snatched them and started backing away from the car as nonchalantly as possible.

About to run like hell? Me?

“You asked what I am,” he said.

She hesitated. Nodded.

“I’m a preternatural.”




EXCERPT
She ignored his emotional assault as she locked the door. They walked through the shared backyard, down the hill, and to the stony side of the river. She sat on the biggest rock, closest to the water. He trailed along after her at human speed, choosing a spot next to her on the gray surface.
A strong citrus smell hung in the air, like a bucket of lemon-fresh Pinesol had been dumped out nearby.
“I called the president,” he announced.
“Why?”
“You’re not safe here. I don’t know how to protect you anymore.”
“I don’t need protecting.” She pushed off the rock.
Myles grabbed her arm by the elbow. His touch sent little shockwaves through her body. Breena knew he only wanted to look out for her and Jenny but she needed him to help her understand this, not keep her from it.
“Dammit, Myles.” She tried to pull her arm free.
He released her the moment she started to resist. “Lucinda sent a local crew to clean up at Norma’s.”
“Lucinda?” She sat on the edge of the rock.
“The president.”
“What’s she the president of anyway?”
“The company the witches run. It’s their way of blending in. Keeping their power a secret.”
“Why all the secrecy?”
His eyes seemed to twinkle in the sunlight. It was distracting. “We all have our orders.”
Okay, so the witches must not be at the top of the food chain, even though the WC sounded like a very powerful lot. “Who do the witches take orders from?”
“The Djinn.”
She’d heard of them before. But where? Then she remembered a book she’d read in English class in high school. “Like genies?”
“Sort of.” Standing, he offered her his hand but said nothing more.
Guess this conversation is over.
Still there were plenty of things she wasn’t telling him either, so she couldn’t really complain. For starters, should she tell him about the feeding?


Overall:

This book has some snap and it grabbed me from the first page. I liked Breena immediately and was sucked in. We meet her first when she is at work, clock watching and worried about her sister. The voice comes across clear, with emotion blaring right through and that is a read worth pursuing. Breena is placed in the all too common situation of worrying about her sister, only the danger lurks at home with her foster mother's abusive boyfriend. When Breena lets loose, she unleashes a power that will drive every supernatural being within miles to her door. Compelling story line...I liked it a lot.

The characters, voice, realistic action, dialogue and the interesting love story really piqued my interest. I wasn't sure who to vote for, but that is part of the fun! If you want a fast paced, action packed supernatural adventure, then you will love this book!

4.5/5


The Interview:


Hi Dana! *virtual hand shake* So excited to be here today!

1. What fascinates you about witches?

Being able to do the extraordinary with a mere thought, wand, twitch of the nose or the flick of a wrist.

2. What are some of your witchy favorites in books and movies? 

Even though I write about witches, I really didn't read a ton of witch-related books growing up. I read the entire Harry Potter series for the first time when I was 26. I'm actually glad I didn't read them before that, or I would've gone crazy waiting for the next book to be released! lol I grew up watching Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and re-runs of Bewitched.

3. Harry Potter or Harry Dresden:

To be honest, I had never heard of Harry Dresden... I just Googled him and now I want to watch the show! : I absolutely love Harry Potter though. The books and the movies were both amazing! I can read/watch them again and again.

4. Midnight Margaritas vs Chocolate Martinis?

Yummy question. :) Flip the switch and let the cauldron bubble! Yup, I'm a Midnight Margarita girl.

5. True Blood vs. Walking Dead (or both) 

Definitely Walking Dead! I did love the first season of True Blood, but after that it veered so far away from the books that I just couldn't stay with it. I absolutely loved the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris!!!

6. Do you have a playlist?

Most certainly. I create a playlist for each one of my books. It helps me to focus on a particular book and get into the writing groove. 

7. Tell us about the first steamy scene you ever wrote.

 Ooo, I'd like to share it with you! (This wasn't the very first steamy scene I wrote, but it was the first steamy scene in Witch Way to Turn that wasn't just about kissing.) I like to push the envelope with my steamy... Bwahaha

(Excerpt)
Orin closed the distance between them with one smooth step and drew her into a powerful embrace, latching his arms around her waist and holding her snug against his chest. “I’ve missed you.” He traced her jaw line with a trail of hot kisses. His breath caressed her skin.

“I can tell.” Breena lifted her head off his shoulder, so he could see her playful eye roll.

Even though his ears shot up through his hair, his eyes kept their sunflower ring. “When I’m away from you, all I can think about is being with you again.” He brought her arms to his neck, scooped her legs up and wrapped them around his waist. “Do you want me?”

She hesitated, not because she didn’t want to be with Orin, but because being with him like that meant in her mind she’d sealed her choice. “Yes.”

He smiled, seeming not to notice her hesitation. His lips grazed hers. He playfully nibbled her earlobe as he carried her to the bedroom. Her ears rose, but it wasn’t a soul she wanted to devour. She caught his smile.

“What?” she asked.

“Your ears say you’re happy to see me,” he whispered in her ear.

And she was. She wanted him. But in the brief amount of time it took for them to move from foyer to bedroom, Breena had already thought of a butt-load of questions to ask Orin. Why had he gone to see the queen? Was he in danger of being killed since he hadn’t killed Breena? Did he know anything about her parents?

No, she told herself and locked the questions in a mental filing cabinet for later. Right now she needed to lose herself. Needed Orin.

In the bedroom, he set her down on the bed. He slowly caressed the length of her erect ear with his fingertip. “You’re beautiful,” he said.
She reached for him, drawing him into a kiss, and he yielded to her with a soft sigh. Wherever she wanted this to go, she knew he would take her there. With Orin, doubt wasn’t a word she had to worry about. He wanted her. Would do anything for her. He was the perfect choice.
When her kiss deepened, so did his. She had the overwhelming urge to lean back and surrender her desire to him. God, she needed to get out of these clothes. Needed his skin on hers.

As she began to lift her shirt, he caught her hand in his. “Let me.” Raising her arms, he let his fingers meander down until he reached the hem.

Her breathing went shallow with anticipation. Her body ached with wanting, need. Sweat beaded the nape of her neck. This was it. They were alone. Free to do whatever they liked. And Breena could think of a lot of things she’d like to do with Orin...  

8. What are you working on now? 

Currently I'm writing book #2 in the Witch Way series. Things go from complicated to crazy for Breena. I love torturing my characters. Yes, I know, I'm evil. ;)


Thanks!! Thanks so much for inviting me on your blog!! *waves*






Author Bio:
Karen Y. Bynum is an author of young adult paranormal fantasy.  Her novel Witch Way to Turn is published through Lyrical Press.  She grew up in Hickory, North Carolina where mountains and magic surrounded her.  Even as a child, she wrote her own faery tales and prattled incessantly to her imaginary friends.
After graduating from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media Communications, she went on to become certified in culinary arts from The Art Institute of Charlotte.  But it wasn’t until her aerospace engineer husband accepted a job in Virginia and they relocated that she knew what she wanted to be when she grew up.
With the support of family and friends, Karen embarked on a journey with the voices in her head.  They wouldn’t stop talking (yes, she does answer back) and their stories took shape.
Karen currently lives in coastal Virginia and enjoys reading, tweeting, writing and spending time with her husband and their spoiled rotten Vizsla named Rusty.


Tour wide giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift card
$15 Starbuck Gift card
2 ebook copies Witch Way to Turn

Friday, August 17, 2012

The Evelyn Project by Kfir Luzzatto




Pump Up Your Book Virtual Book Tours Presents:



Book: The Evelyn Project   Author:  Kfir Luzzatto  Tour Dates : July 2 thru August 31st

Author’s Website:  http://kfirluzzatto.com

Purchase Book:


Summary of The Evelyn Project:

A loving father's cry for help gets into the wrong hands, and a hundred years later things get out of control.Evelyn's father did everything in his power to save his dying daughter, black magic included. But when a century later his plea for help gets into the wrong hands, all hell breaks loose. Caught in the slippery battlefield between the Vatican and a cult that wants to change the past, a young Italian professor and a beautiful French actress are too busy running away from murder and conspiracy to let physical attraction develop into love.And it further complicates things when Her Majesty's Secret Service decides to take an interest in what everyone else is doing to pull some strings of its own.Love that lasts through the veils of time, a mystery, and a race to end a conspiracy, "The Evelyn Project" is a story that will stir both your heart and your intellect.
 Click to enlarge image IMG_4680.JPG
Click to enlarge image IMG_4680.JPG

Overall:

This book was very like the DaVinci Code in that there was a lot of Vatican involvement, with high action and drama. Some of the dialogue was a little bit of a struggle, but once I got beyond that, it wasn't too noticeable. Lots of plot twists, black magic, tinkering with time and trying to change history.

One of the things I found interesting about the book was the plot twists and the international flavor that pervaded it. Black magic was  a theme at the beginning, but then it became more like a terror filled fun ride  through Europe. Murder, intrigue, deception, betrayal and chock full of dark and brooding, intelligent writing that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. 

4/5

Guest Post:  “What Inspired You To Write “The Evelyn Project?”


Guest Post:  “What Inspired You To Write “The Evelyn Project?”
July and August, 2012

“I am always taken by surprise when a story line somehow finds its way into my consciousness and, once settled there, demands to be written. Then I'm stuck with it, whether I like it or not. And, unfortunately, those story ideas don't come equipped with a well thought-out plot; instead, you get this rather fuzzy but nagging image that won't go away until the story is fully developed. This is what happened to me with The Evelyn Project.


Evelyn (or, rather Evelina, as she was named in my native Italy) was my great aunt. She died of tuberculosis in 1894. She was only 26 years old. My great-grandfather was an influential politician who left no stone unturned to try to save his daughter and got her the best medical care that was available at the turn-of-the-century, among which praying was probably the most effective measure.

Evelyn's studio portrait, which I used in the book cover, hangs on the wall beside my writing desk. My second daughter, Lilach, is her living image and her 26th birthday is approaching fast. That might have been a catalyst for me to write the book, although the sad story of Evelyn's death was always a part of my family's ethos; I must've sucked it in with my milk because I can't remember the first time her name was mentioned. When my parents died I was left with the responsibility to make sure that my family history would not be forgotten. That entailed a lot of reading in books, documents and letters, which brought Evelyn's figure increasingly to life for me. I learned of her warm relation with her father through letters she had written to him, and I discovered more than I already knew about my great-grandfather's devotion to her.

Throughout my reading and learning one persistent thought kept popping up in my head: today her death would have been an unnecessary tragedy; with readily-available antibiotics an otherwise healthy young woman would not have succumbed to her illness. So what if it was possible to go back in time and save her using medical technology commonly available today? It is probable that saving Evelyn's life would not have changed the course of history (contrary to what many science fiction books would predict), but even if it did, preventing her father's private hell would have been well worth the price.

Having got emotionally involved in her story I realized that I had to do more than just sit there and shake my head in sorrow. I couldn't just let Evelyn fade away in those yellowing papers. I had to do right by her (whatever that meant). My investigation of Evelyn's misfortune allowed me to put myself in my great-grandfather's shoes, to feel the emotions that he must have felt (he was approximately my age when Evelyn died) and to test the length to which a father would go in an attempt, no matter how futile, to save his child.

Overall, writing this book turned out to be an exceptionally emotional journey for me. Sometimes I felt ashamed that I was enjoying writing it. Instead of dishing out a uniformly gloomy piece I was writing a fast-paced thriller that, beside the suspense, also has its hilarious moments.

This is not the first time that inspiration has come to me like an assignment from above without any real control from my side. I have learned not to fight the impulse and, instead, to embrace it and to allow myself to be taken on an emotional roller coaster ride without a clear vision of where the journey is likely to end.

I don't believe in stereotyping ghosts, so I won't say that I recognize Evelyn's hand or my great-grandfather's stick behind my urge to write the story. It is true, however, that now I feel much closer to them than I did before; they have assumed characters and a presence so real that at times it feels as if we had actually met. I often wondered whether they would have grudged me the use I made of their characters in a commercial book, but something tells me that if they can see us they understand that this is my way to give Evelyn some of the life she has been denied, even if only on paper.

But this is not only about Evelyn. My great-grandfather was no less of a victim to her disease than she was. The Evelyn Project is my tribute to them both.



1)  What brought you to writing fiction?  What's your earliest recollection of wanting to write a book? 

I actually wrote a short story when I was 12 years old. The plot was strong but, being honest with myself, I realized that the result stunk. So I hid it deep in my drawer and moved on. It took me some 30 years to sit down and do it again, and this time when I was done I liked what I read.



2)  Who are your favorite writers?  Why? 

My list is very long but the four at the top are:

John Wyndham, because he writes science fiction that reads like real life;

P. G. Wodehouse, because nobody writes dialogue like him and because his are the best escapist books ever written;

Franz Kafka, because of his genius in devising haunting plots with multiple layers, and for writing books that make you skip dinner;

Robert A. Heinlein, because of his sparkling, down-to-earth, transparent (and often funny) writing.



3)  How did writing "The Evelyn Project" come about?

Evelyn was my great aunt, who died of tuberculosis at 26. I have always been intrigued by her and her relation with my great-grandfather (her father). I have three daughters and one of them is her living image and will be 26 this year. That got me thinking and I started researching the family archives. One thing led to another and here we are. 



4)  Do you believe the spirits of our ancestors can "haunt" a family?

Not really. My favorite uncle, who died twenty years ago, promised to come back to haunt us but he’s been AWOL so far, so I guess that settles it.



5)  Open you book to page 78.  Tell us what's happening there...

It’s actually a defining moment in the book, when my two main characters really start to connect and an important sub-plot develops. Good choice of page!



6)  What do you like to do when you're on vacation?  Where's your favorite vacation spot?

 There is one place on earth that is the closest to Paradise as I can imagine it. It is called Cortina d’Ampezzo and is located in the Dolomites, which belong to the Italian Alps. There is where as a youngster I used to go mountain climbing in the summer and skiing in the winter. Give me some food and let me wander around in the mountains and in the woods; that’s all I need.



7)  If you could choose any time and any place to live, where would it be and what would your life be?

I guess I’m strange, but I tend to be happy with my life as it is, and that includes my home.



8)  Psychologists tell us that what we wanted to be as a 10 year old is a sign of what our true avocation is.  What did you want to be when you were ten?  How has it manifested itself in your life? 

If my memory serves me well, I wanted to be a sailor. Since in later years I realized that I hate the sea, I guess that those psychologists were talking through their hats.



9)  Tell us about your next book!

An Italian Obsession is a different kind of book. Different, I mean, from what I have written so far. It is drama written as a very personal slice of life of an Italian youth, who is growing up in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Although it is pure fiction, it is also a faithful testimony of middle class life in a healing post war society.




Kfir Luzzatto


Author Bio.:
Kfir Luzzatto was born and raised in Italy, and moved to Israel as a teenager. He acquired the love for the English language from his father, a former U.S. soldier, a voracious reader and a prolific writer. Kfir has a PhD in chemical engineering and works as a patent attorney.

He lives in Omer, Israel, with his full-time partner, Esther, their four children, Michal, Lilach, Tamar and Yonatan, and the dog Elvis. He has won numerous awards for his writing.

Contact him:
Twitter: @KfirLuzzatto


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Monday, August 13, 2012

Salem VI Blog Tour



Salem VI: Rebecca's Rising
Book One in the Salem VI trilogy
By Jack Heath and John Thompson

Genre:  Fiction/historical/paranormal
Publisher:  Pressque Publishing
July 19, 2012 (eBook)
September 28, 2012 (hardcover)

eBook
ISBN-10: 0985793708
ISBN-13: 978-0-9857937-0-8
Hardcover
ISBN-10: 0985793716
ISBN-13: 978-0-9857937-1-5

Number of pages: 275
Word Count:   77,084


Short Synopsis

Former primetime television reporter John Andrews thought he’d lost everything when his wife died but as timeless bloodlines, first crafted during the Salem witch trials, are redrawn he realizes he has more at stake. Salem, Mass isn’t what it used to be—or is it?

Extended Synopsis

Having stepped off the fast track of primetime network television news, John Andrews has chosen a quieter life as editor of Salem News, a small paper in a quiet New England town. Life is perfect until Andrews’ wife is killed in a tragic accident. After several years of trying to numb the pain with alcohol, Andrews is visited by the spirit of a long dead ancestor who opens a door to a shocking family history. After he experiences a surreal glimpse into the past, Andrews must confront the question of whether he is losing his mind or whether for several hundred years his ancestors have been engaged in a secret battle with a coven that worships Satan. Fueled by the need to understand whether his wife's death was really an accident or something far more sinister, Andrews, along with his beautiful assistant editor, risk everything to discover a truth so horrifying it threatens to destroy everything and everyone he knows and loves. 




Overall:

I liked the tone and voice of this book. It had a few slow moving parts and dialogue that was a little odd in places, but overall, I enjoyed the premise and the read. The idea that the trials could have had an entirely different history is an interesting one and I really want to see where the authors will go with it.

4/5



About the Authors






Jack Heath

Jack Heath is the host of NH Today, New Hampshire’s only live afternoon radio talk show, and cohost of Sport Legends of New England with Bob Lobel, which can be seen throughout New England on Comcast Spotlight. A direct descendant of Rebecca Nurse, the last person to be tried and hanged during the Salem Witch Trials, and Ann R. Putnam, one of her accusers, his first novel, Salem VI, is an altogether modern take on Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.





John Thompson

John Thompson spent twenty-five years as an investment banker in New York before retiring to write full time. He is the author of the Brent Lucas trilogy, The Girl from Felony Bay, and coauthor of Salem VI. He lives with his wife and daughter and divides his time between Charleston, South Carolina and Hawley, Pennsylvania.


Author web links: