What Do You Do On A Rainy Day?

 I need more of these days to complete BloodWish. Life is so full of distractions and necessary interruptions that writing must sometimes take a back seat.

Sunday Showcase - Fantasy Author Jennifer Kenny

Today my special guest is fantasy author, Jennifer Kenny, But I'll let her do the talking.


1. What inspired you to write in your genre?

I was drawn towards fantasy elements since I was a teenager. When I say fantasy, it is more than just dragons and wizards. I consider paranormal, urban, all of those other genres that sit under the fantasy umbrella when I say I love fantasy. I live in reality, and I find it boring to read about things I could find in my real life. Coming from a place where I am entertained through fantasy, it was natural for me to want to explore this from a creative perspective. Fantasy is the world that I have always known.

The Extol Series though came about as a response to the new trend with vampire literature. I grew up on stories like Dracula, The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice and The Last Vampire by Christopher Pike. All of these books showed vampires in different ways but to me, they were always damned. They might find acceptance, but it was doomed. This is a defining feature of the vampire lore – in my opinion. Vampires cannot be the hero, and if they are, tragedy follows. I wanted to reclaim the vampire out of paranormal romance genre. And so the idea of a vampire that would never be loved even after he loved her was the first idea about Extol.

2.  If you write a series, how many books can your readers expect?

This should be an easy answer, right? My problem with this question is I am not sure exactly what is going on when it comes to how long Extol is going to be. My original idea was a short story for a university creative writing assignment. (2000 words), but then it got bigger and turned into my NaNoWriMo project for 2015 (50,000 word target), but it became evident at the 25,000 word mark that it was going to be bigger than that.

Extol of Agnatic Dreams comes in at 120,000 words. While developing the story and brainstorming with a beta reader, she asked me what happened next. I told her that was the end, and she pointed out that out was only the beginning. And so Extol of Eildon Fallacy came into being. (current WIP and sitting at 30,000 words). I thought Fallacy would be the end, but as I am writing, I can see that it isn’t. There will be a third book – currently unnamed – and I am ok with that because trilogies work well.

While talking with friends, though, there are many branches I could explore if I felt like it. The past of Braykith, the family lines, The War… so I really cannot say just how big the Extol series will be. I can confirm that it will be at least three books in Evangeline’s story.

3. Are there any books or authors you admire?

Ultimately I respect any author who writes the story they want to write, and not the one that will get sold. I enjoy Stephan’s work (from the 80’s – 90’s mostly), but it is his work ethic and the understanding of the craft that I admire the most about him. 

However, it was meeting George R. R. Martin that changed my life as an author. I kept reading about how discipline writers are, and I just struggled with that some days. George is just like me. A terrible procrastinator who writes with inspiration. It was mind blowing to me that authors could work in ways against the obvious.

Side note: one of my favourite books is Armageddon Rag by George R. R. Martin. Yeah, who knew the guy who wrote Game of Thrones didn’t always write high scale fantasy. I recommend it to everyone.

4. If you had to choose a playlist for any of your books, what would it be?

I have assigned songs for my characters to help me get into the right mood when I am writing them. Right now, Little Mix Secret Love Song is dedicated to Evangeline and Thomas. Glais has Underneath by Adam Lambert as his anthem. If you want to know the main personal story for my three leads, those two songs tell you everything.

5. What do you find the most challenging thing about being an author?

Continued self-acceptance and love. I think any person who pursues a creative field needs to be a little bit of a narcissist. Art, music, literature… all of these things ask for a piece of your soul that you must share with the world, and you want people to sit up and take notice of it.

Part of putting your work out into the world is receiving criticism. After a little while, that negative feedback is going to wear a person out. It is just human nature. If you tell someone they have no talent; even the most self-believing person will start to believe it. Remembering the reason why you wanted to write in the first place is a hard thing to retain, and will be the only thing that keeps you sane.

6. Tell us about your publishing experience. Did you always intend to be traditionally published or indie published?

I think, deep down, all authors want to be traditionally published. Until we get to a place in society where self-publishing is at the same level as traditional publishing, then we will keep having this debate over what is better.

I want the contract so people take me seriously as an author. If I could tell people that Random House published my book (and paid me $15,000 for the privilege) then maybe people might stop thinking that this is just a hobby.

I like self-publishing because I can tell the story that I want in the way I like it. To me, it is important that my brand is honest, and right now I am not sure it would stay that way after the publishers were done with me.

I recently did a one-day course about ‘how to get published’. You can read my blog about it here: http://www.jrkauthor.com/#!Faber-Writing-Academy-Getting-Published-course/c1qtt/578c45980cf256540e9cc132 It was interesting to hear about the process, even though I am still not sure if it is for me. 

I am a firm believer in trying things before you hate them, so I am currently working on a separate book that will be fit for sending to traditional publishers. (Publishers won’t touch anything connected to a self-published book because you have already flooded the market). Maybe it will sell, maybe I will learn how harsh traditional publishers are, or maybe I will realise that there is some merit in traditional publishing.

As Earl to an up-and-coming province, Barret Dilston had difficult decisions to make. Fortunately for him, the decision to give his daughter to a King of mythical power and devious connections to the occult was not one of them. Evangeline was due to wed the future King of Braykith when she was four years old. 

Now a young woman, Evangeline is learning that not everything about her marriage is as it seems. King Quintus refuses to accept her professional manner. His son, and her future husband Glais, barely speaks a kind word to her, and sadly there is no sight of the must talked of Braykith dragon. At first glances, the Kingdom of Braykith is no different to any other. 

Just as she believes she can relax, Evangeline discovers the secret of the royal family that fails when compared to the legends she had been raised on. After the years of training to become a Queen, Evangeline had never been prepared for the truth that lies buried within the lore of the Kingdom. The royal lineage survives on a blood lust, exclusive to the male heirs to the throne. 

Surviving Braykith is not for the faint of heart. 

Book Extract

“You know nothing of what I need.” It seemed Glais had found humour in this moment and not the allure Evangeline was aiming for. Everything about this moment proved that she did indeed knew nothing about his needs as he had pointed out. Also that there was more to flirtation and sex than Evangeline ever imaged was possible.

“It is true that I am innocent…” her thoughts tapered away at his scoffed at her admission. It was enough to turn her cheeks red from his apparent disbelief that it be true. “We have been engaged since we were children. Of course, I am pure when I come to you.” She could not believe that Glais did not think it was so and was suddenly ready to defend her honour against a man who clearly had none of his own. Evangeline managed to raise her face in defiance but she could not meet his gaze. Emptiness sat there in his pupils and Glais would drag her in until she felt breathless and ill. “I belong to you. Take it from me, and no other. I will not fear whatever it is you feel needs to be hidden.”

Evangeline had caught his interest finally. She could tell from the newly controlled posture, the seemingly natural stance gone from his body as Glais regarded her for perhaps the first time as someone worthy of his time. His father had been telling him since her arrival that Evangeline could be trusted just as Kyleigh was trustworthy, but he had never believed his father's insistence until this moment. Glais stood at attention without even realising it, trying to find some logical reason to reject her once more. It should be simple enough for him to force her from this room and back to the other party guests with no story to tell. He would do this for her own life, even if Evangeline did not believe it. He did all of this to keep her alive. The less she knew, the safer she would be.

Evangeline dared a peek at his eyes and instantly she was breathless and had to look away. This was not the first time she would come to wonder if he liked her as a person. Could Evangeline ever be someone he thought of or was Evangeline simply someone to tolerate because both of their families needed this marriage to work? She felt him move, her breath caught in her throat as she feared, and also willed, his hands on her body. Instead, Glais reached for her hand which had stayed behind his neck, plucked it from its perch and steadied Evangeline on her feet.

“Return to the party,” Glais commanded.

Get it here - Amazon 

Until next time, happy reading 😊

New Indie Author: Bailey Ziehmer

Let me introduce debut author, Bailey Ziehmer.

My name is Bailey Ziehmer. I love writing, acting, the colors purple and black, and wolves. When I was five years old, I moved in with my grandparents because my parents couldn’t take care of me. When I was nine, my mother passed away. Though it was hard for me, I kept charging forward in hopes for a new life. It did come. I started to write fan fiction stories with my trusty sidekick, a six-pound Chihuahua named Bella. The ideas seemed to flow out of me constantly, and every time they did, I wrote them down. I don’t think I’ll ever stop writing, because it’s my life and passion. I want to become an actress and writer, and as I write my books, I believe that every day, it will get easier to find the perfect acting job. I never had full support with a lot of the things I did, but my grandparents were always there for me, as were some of my friends. I struggled a lot with my studies in high school, so I put all my feelings in my books. I’ve learned that the nicer you are, the more people will remember you. So I’ve tried to help and care for many, because I know what it feels like to be lonely. With each day that passes, life gets easier, and every day, I get happier. I’ve made sure that I still continue to care and help others and leave my spot everywhere I go, so that I am unforgettable.

Social Media links:

Website

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Sneak peak:

18 year old Bailey Chase moved to a small town called William, Alabama. She lived with her alcoholic dad who hated her and always threaten to “take care of her”. Bailey always thought he was joking, that once he was sober he’d be fine. Their first night in a new town Bailey realizes that for once her dad wasn’t joking and pushes her off a bridge near-by. Damon Jackson, a sarcastic, charming, and monstrous vampire see’s this and instantly took action. Damon was a monster with no emotion. Literally he couldn’t love. But when he first lays eyes on Bailey after saving her life he instantly starts to get his emotions back. Since that night Damon made sure to stay in Bailey’s life. Weather it was watching her sleep, passing her by in her new school, or giving her a ride home. Suddenly Bailey is thrown into the world of the supernatural, and it excites her. Falling for the charming Damon, Bailey can’t help but feel some sort of attraction. But nature has its own ideas and wants to break them apart. Their love grows as does their actions. Damon becomes more carrying and the beast in him is tamed but breaks free at times. And when you’re a vampire, breaking free means death for most. Bailey has never felt so free, adventurous, happy then she does when she’s with Damon. But can Bailey keep the beast locked away long enough to prove a point to others and to themselves that this can work? Or will nature get what it wants and put things right back on track for these two love bird? If you want an action, adventurous, romantic, crazy, supernatural book that makes you think you know what is going to happen next but takes a U turn and surprises you with something else, then this is the Unforgettable book for you.

Buy Links:
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I Always Knew Rasputin Was a Vampire.

When choosing an antagonist for my books, being a historian, I naturally veered toward an infamous character from history. And what a huge playground that is in which to roam. With such a plethora of interesting villains it was hard to know who to choose. Psychopathic Roman emperors such as Nero and Caligula; murderous conquerors like Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane? Or more recent notorious individuals who still haunt the popular imagination, like Grigory Rasputin, the Mad Monk and confident of the last royal house of Russia - the Romanovs?
Decisions, decisions....
Characters like these make great choices for fictional villains. For one thing, they're all dead so can't sue you for character assassination! Perfect.
Why did I decide on Rasputin? He's a mysterious, fascinating and controversial figure considered evil by some sources and a saint by others. All depends on who you read. Many consider him responsible for the demise of the Romanovs, and much has been written on his strange relationship with the Czarina, Alexandra Fedorovna, wife of Nicholas II. Almost all the sources are in agreement that he had some form of hypnotic influence over the Czar's family. The fact that he was so hard to kill - poisoned, shot, bludgeoned and thrown into a freezing river to drown (he eventually died of hypothermia) - was a spur to my already-overactive imagination. What else could he be but a vampire?
It was to good to resist.

Here's how he first appears in BloodPledge, Bk2 in my Dantonville Legacy series:

     By the time I got to the top of the stairs, Kari was already at the bottom with a group of men. As I joined her, five faces turned to look at me - Marcus Antonius, Jake and Terens, and two men I didn't recognise. One stood an inch or so taller than the rest, with deep, penetrating eyes that seemed to bore into my soul.
     "Ah, our little Ingenii," he drawled. "How I was looking forward to meeting you." If a voice could drip evil, his did. Hypnotic eyes. Strange warmth crept over me.
     "Lower your eyes snake," Marcus Antonius snarled. I was vaguely aware of him pushing the man onto his knees.
     I blinked and gripped the marble bannister as Kari stepped in front of me, blocking him from my view. "Go back upstairs, Laura," she whispered over her shoulder.
     "Control your pet, Timur," Alec said from behind me as he came down the stairs, His voice held a lethal tone.
     Kari glanced up at him, smiled then stepped aside and went to stand next to Jake. Hie whispered something to her I couldn't catch; his mouth was a hard line, jaw clenched.
     Alec joined me and took my hand. He was formally dressed in a lead-coloured suit with black lapels and matching shirt, and a lavender tie that set off the brilliance of his eyes. The cut of the suit, in particular, emphasised the width of his shoulders and nearly took my breath away. It was a stunning contrast to my ivory dress and for a moment I wondered if he'd listened in on my conversation with Kari.
     ... The man rose, his gaze locked on the ground, the knuckles of his clenched fists white as they hung by his side. It seemed the very air around him crackled with suppressed rage. Had the others felt it? As Jake led him away - Kari by his side - I breathed a sigh of relief and hoped I would never have to meet the man with the penetrating eyes any time soon.
     Alec's gaze followed him until they were out of sight.
     "Who are they?" I asked.
     "Count Timur Szechenyi and Grigory Rasputin." Marcus Antonius answered in his deep baritone voice. He'd remained standing in the hallway, sword sheathed.
     "The Rasputin? The mad monk who got the Russian royal family killed?"
     "The same."
     "No wonder they couldn't kill him." From what I remembered of my high school history, he was supposedly poisoned, shot, bludgeoned and his body thrown into a frozen river by Russian aristocrats trying to protect the Czar's family. Obviously, they were unsuccessful.

Want to read more? Just click any of the links.

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Until next time,
Happy reading.