Thursday, February 19, 2015

Write about what you know???



I am having one of those truly surreal weeks, my youngest for the first time ever is away from home, and I feel bereft! However,  I have time to completely devote myself to my work which isn't really work because I love it so much. I never get this opportunity and it wasn't even planned.

My husband is away for the third week in a row, my teens are all occupied with girlfriends, and friends, and my youngest is away skiing!

This never happens!

Anyway, this week I had my first ever T.V. interview to be broadcast in our town of North Andover in April. The lovely Tiffany approached me after reading my article in the North Andover Patch and asked if I would like to chat about my book and writing in front of a camera, well how could I refuse???

Did I ever tell you that one of my biggest fears was public speaking? Well it is, and I used to hate it when as a student Midwife we would have to present to the group and my way of overcoming my insecurities and FEAR was to always go first.

That fear is still there, but I will not let it stop me from doing what I need to do and I keep telling myself this every-time I get scared or nervous, but it takes a lot of practice I think to feel comfortable in front of a camera knowing that your neighbors, friends, and members of the community perhaps will see you.

It was a learning experience, and I will get better! When it airs in April I will post the links...

                         





I remember being told once upon a time that when it comes to writing, write about what you know. What do you think? Well, I believe you should write about what you know and if you don't know something then you research, discover, and bloody well find out.

My second and equally exciting  piece of news was my delightful interview with my friend Kelly Flanagan a witch and psychic who shared her knowledge with me and answered the many questions that I had about magick, spells, and energy.

A fascinating afternoon. Check out her blog. Kelly's Blog

After chatting and picking her brain my book order on Amazon makes me smile, but it is so exciting as this is all research for the third book in the Children of Annwn series. In this book Mia Leronde finally accepts who she is, all the light and the dark that makes her Mia, and she learns how to use all her magick and to harness the temperamental side of her nature. She battles the evil queen Rhiannon and loses someone that she never thought she would feel sadness at losing, but realizes her destiny and embraces all that entails. I cannot wait to get started but need to read everything and finish the edits of the second book.

Every day, I'm learning, and I'm the luckiest woman alive doing what I love, and if you discover that, never let it go!

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Longest Winter evah!!!

Soiree


Wow, so much to talk about!

In January, I spent time arranging a book signing, a Goodreads competition, a T.V. interview with my town cable channel which is due to be  aired in March, 2015, setting up plans for 2 book group meetings to critique Children of Annwn: The Promise planned for March, and continuing to work on my own Writers group!

On 31st January, 2015, I also submitted my second book in the Children of Annwn series entitled The Battle. I truly loved writing this second book and there are parts that are absolutely magical. I cannot hide how excited I feel about this book. It is also to me so different from the first!

Watch this space for news of it's release...

Busy, busy, on top of all the snow storms, blizzard and Hurricane warnings...with record levels of snow falling in my back garden...



THE BLURB for THE BATTLE...

Mia Leronde wishes to go home to Annwn with Ryder, Brianna and Tristan, but the usual portal is closed, and her magic has vanished.
Powerless to stop him, the perpetual thorn in her side and sworn enemy Greyson kidnaps her, but drawn into the spiders web she is ensnared with an offer to restore her magic. Oblivious to the risks, she spirals into madness, and is convinced her destiny is to follow in the footsteps of her ancestor the evil Queen Rhiannon, and when Ryder rescues her fears not even the power of his love will save her.
Ryder has demons to fight as well and when a beautiful siren controlled by Greyson sinks her claws into him with fatal consequences as they lose of one of their own the gloves come off, and the blades are drawn. n retaliation, they break all the rules by contacting the Alltud an arcane group for help as the lines between realms are blurring and war is on the horizon.
Mia must win her hardest battle yet to prevent Rhiannon gaining possession of her mind, body and soul as she wants control of the Gilgamesh an ancient artifact with unlimited power that will allow her to be immortal in the human world, bringing mankind to its knees!
It's time to show her and everyone how bad-ass she can really be


SNIPPET about half way through, Children of Annwn: The Battle...
Ask me anything but that!
His deep soulful pain filled voice pleaded. Mia chewed on her lower lip gazing at him and took the several steps that parted them bracing her hands on his stiff broad shoulders. The lift jerked to a stop.
“Warriors die in battle every day; they forfeit their lives to save others. You said you loved that about me, and I’m learning you’re right this is who I am. I want you by my side but only if you have my back. If you love me, you’ll do what I ask,” she said her heart pounding in her chest, and she prayed he didn’t simply leave her.
Ryder smoothed his thumbs over the white knuckles of her hands before taking them in his only to release them at her sides. His deep chestnut brown eyes looked into hers, and he nodded.
“I promise. I will not let Rhiannon win, but you must promise not to stop fighting her. I will not make it easy for you to give in knowing I will end her life. I love you and want you to live. Do you hear me?” he said cupping her chin and staring deeply at her.
“I will not stop fighting until my heart stops beating.”






Check out my friends store.

Soiree


I am presently researching the third book and hope to start writing soon as I'm eager to continue the momentum I was feeling as I finished the second book BUT it is hard to juggle everything all at once, pushing the first book, finalizing the second, and plotting the third. You truly have to wear many hats and not get confused as to which one you're wearing. I am tremendously proud of my loyal band of friends, my team at Secret Cravings Publishers and my readers.

2015 is going to be AWESOME.

I'm going to finish here as I have to go and shovel but my first book signing was brilliant and the snow didn't stop people turning up to support me and that was the best feeling ever! I have to thank my friend Trish Martini who set up a lovely table for me and jumped at the chance to host this event in her store.Lesson that I learned that night TAKE PICTURES before everything gets underway because I was swept up with all the chatting and didn't take enough.









North Andover Patch