Thursday, July 24, 2014

Interview with Author Julia Mills



Julia Mills
Orlando, FL


Good morning, Julia!  Welcome to Vision and Verse, the Place for Art and Authors.  Can you tell us what have you written?    
Dragon Guard Series – Her Dragon to Slay, Her Dragon’s Fire, Haunted by Her Dragon, For the Love of Her Dragon

What is your favorite genre to write?  
Paranormal Romance                        

Favorite food.  
Tex-Mex of any kind!

Tea or coffee? 
Coffee

Pizza or ice cream? 
No Way! Cannot choose!

No one said you can't have both!  Where would you like to visit?
Greek Isles

Favorite musical artist.  Do you listen to music when you write?  What? 
I do listen to music when I write. What I listen to varies. Some days it is Popular Country, or Boy Bands. I also need hard rock some days like Disturbed or Saliva and then there are days that I listen to the Jason Mraz channel on Pandora all day.

What makes you laugh?   
I love slap stick comedy, anything silly or goofy. I still watch Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis movies on TMC or the old I Love Lucy or Dick Van Dyke shows.

Favorite work of art.  
One of my favorite works of art is a photo…Jeffry Pine by Ansel Adams. I also love landscapes in any medium. My grandmother was an artist and she and her painting group did so many beautiful pictures in acrylic, oil and watercolor.

How old were you when you started writing?
For as long as I can remember I have been writing, whether just journaling or a short story. I have always gravitated towards paranormal or fantasy. I think it is freeing to create a totally different place and all the characters in it.

Describe your perfect evening.
I am a super laid back person and my perfect night is hanging out with family or friends, good food, and great conversation.

Where do you get your inspiration?    
From the world around me. I love just people watching or hanging out in the park just soaking in whatever is happening. It is so cool when a butterfly flitting from flower to flower can become a mighty Dragon Guard warrior barrel-rolling through the sky after victory in battle.

What do you do when you get a writer's block?
Get up and leave it alone for a bit. Go do something totally unrelated to writing. Hangout with my kids, go see an action flick, anything that lets the write art of my brain take a break.

Who is your favorite author?
OH WOW!! I have so many! I am really in love with indie authors…Emma Edwards, JD Nelson, Darlene Kuncytes, OL Ramos, Linda Boulanger, Sandra Love, Kym Grosso, Kelley Grealis and so many, many more.

Best book you ever read.
Oh The Places You Will Go by Dr. Suess.

Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why? 
My dad. He was intelligent, witty, funny, and a straight-shooter with an incredible sense of family and integrity. He was always there for us and willing to do whatever it took for those he cared about. He never lost sight of what was important and was a true role model to everyone he met. He will always be my hero.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?
  God. I want to know what inspired Him to create the world. What were and are His hopes and dreams for the human race. Is there anything He would do differently? And what would those things be? To actually get to speak to the Being responsible for everything around us, even the air we breathe would be incredible.

What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer? 
Follow your dream. Write as often as you can. Have fun with it. Remember your first draft is just that…a draft and some of it will end up in the recycle bin on your desktop. Write what you know or what you love. Do not go into thinking, “I’m gonna be rich and famous” or I’m gonna be on the New York Time Bestseller list”. Do it because it is something you love and something you are willing to do just for YOU. There will be SUPER GREAT reviews and there will be REALLY AWFUL ones but if you believe in what you wrote and are happy with it, then you have to let it all roll off your back.

My dad’s favorite saying used to be ‘Opinions are like a**holes, everybody has one.’ And it is so true, although very direct and very southern LOL but still true. Do not let others opinions color your view of YOU. Just do it. It will be one of the best, most rewarding things you ever do.


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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

WALK WITH ME Kaitlyn Stone Book Tour


Banner Walk with Me by Kaitlyn Stone photo WalkwithMeBanner_zps98596b44.jpg
Walk with Me by Kaitlyn Stone photo ks-walkwithme257kb1_zps685f7b2a.jpg
Title: Walk with Me (The Thin Blue Thread)
Author:  Kaitlyn Stone
Genre: Contemporary New Adult
Publish Date: July 22nd, 2014
Publisher: BookStrand
Oraganized by Literati Author Services

SYNOPSIS
After escaping her abusive parents, nineteen-year-old Kenna Sloane is determined to create an independent life, free of emotional distraction. The last thing this focused college student wants is a relationship, especially with a hot rookie cop popular with the badge bunnies.
When Kenna reluctantly agrees to a double date with Santa Monica cop Donovan Alexander, she’s launched on an exciting and dangerous journey. With time, she discovers some souls are instinctively drawn together to quiet the pain of their traumatic pasts. But even after the revelation of Donovan’s own secret burden, Kenna continues to battle the fear she may be too broken for her modern day knight in blue.
Can Kenna open her heart to the healing light of true love before peril strikes?
photo Goodreads_zps0c83997b.jpg

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | BookStrand 


About the Author

Since childhood, Kaitlyn Stone has gravitated toward fairy tales and happily- ever-after’s, forever chasing the first love dragon. She is a self-professed adventure junkie, constantly talking her husband and family into some new life adventure, where they’ve learned to just buckle up for the exciting ride. When they do stay home, it’s in sunny Southern California located along the Pacific Ocean.

Connect with the Author

Website | Facebook | Twitter| Goodreads 

Schedule


July 22nd

Reviews

Promotions


July 23rd

Reviews

Promotions


July 24th


Reviews

Promotions


July 25th

Reviews

Promotions





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Monday, July 21, 2014

SHADOW IN GLASS by J. Rose Alexander





Good morning, Gentle Readers,
    This morning the talented J. Rose Alexander shares with us the beautiful cover of her new book, SHADOW OF GLASS, and an excerpt for your reading pleasure.  Tell us what you think!
Hugs,
Carol



EXCERPT:

“Mind if I tailed along?”
“Of course not.” Carrie was actually secretly thrilled that she wanted to tag along. Maryann was still too much of an enigma.
“Cool.”  She popped back into the kitchen.
Sierra cleared her throat. “I guess if we’re going to go, we should at least get dressed in something other than pajamas and sweats.”
“You’re right.” Carrie tossed the book she was reading on the table. They rolled themselves off the couches to change into something a little more public viewing friendly. Emma was already half dressed and hogging the bathroom in her and Sierra’s room. Throwing on some jeans and a nice shirt, with a cute pair of flats, she hoped she never had a reason to break into her closet full of designer clothes. The outfit she’d picked for tonight was way too expensive as it was, but she had to remember that was the old Carrie thinking like that. However, she’d considered downgrading some of her wardrobe, but hadn’t really found the time to do that yet.
Sierra popped her head in. “Can I use your bathroom? My roommate has decided to use ours for the next hour.”
Carrie motioned her in, then grabbed her hair brush and pulled her hair up into a pony tail. Putting on just little lipstick and blush and brushing her hair out, Sierra was in and done and gone in less than five minutes. Maryann followed a minute later, rustling through her wardrobe, then abruptly slammed it closed.
“Never mind, I’m not going.” She started to walk out.
“You can borrow something of mine,” Carrie offered in a rush. She wasn’t going to let this chance get away from them. “I think we wear about the same size.”
Maryann looked at her, taken back. “You’re serious?”
“Nah, I figured I’d let you look and then make you give it all back before we walked out the door,” Carrie answered with a straight face. “Wear a cute bra.”
Maryann snickered, then nodded. “Okay, fine. I’ll borrow something of yours. God knows you three will be eaten alive by the man whores at this thing.”
Carrie opened the wardrobe and realized she was inviting her roommates in to see the clothing labels she’d hoped to keep a secret. Murphy’s Law, of course. Sierra and Maryann stuck their heads in to start considering what would look good.
Sierra pulled out the first suggestion. “With your dark coloring, you should go with something bright.” She offered a bright red shirt.
“Oh, hell no.” Maryann shook her head and backed away. “Red attracts too much attention.” She pulled out something in black.
“No, no.” Sierra grabbed it and put it back. “Too dark.”
“Here.” Carrie selected a soft blue cashmere sweater. “Colorful, but not stand-out-ish.”
Maryann took the sweater and considered it. “A little low cut for me.”
“If you wear something that goes up to your neck,” Sierra pointed out, “they notice that just as quickly as something red.”
“Good point.” Maryann nodded. “Fine. I’ll try this. It’s a really nice…holy shit.” She stared at the tag, then looked at Carried wide-eyed. “Carrie, this is a BCBG Maxazaria.”
“Yeah, I know. Just go with it.”
“This is worth more than my car,” she stuttered.
“A tank of gas is worth more than your car,” Sierra stated. “For the love of God, just put it on. She offered it up. Just put it on.” Maryann shrugged and pulled the sweater on. It was a perfect fit. Carrie pulled the bathroom door open to let her use the mirror in there. Maryann took up the offer and Carrie and Sierra peered around the edge of the doorway.
Carrie saw Maryann really liked it by her half smirk in the mirror. “I think it looks great on you. Just the right style for you. You can keep it.”
“Keep it?” Maryann seemed horrified by the idea.
“Yes, please.” Carrie pointed to her wardrobe. “I’ve got more stuff in there than I’ll wear in my whole college career. So, please. Take it. Wear it. Enjoy it.” Before Maryann could start to protest, Carrie headed down the stairs. Sierra was right behind her. They assumed the same positions on the couch until they heard the other two coming down the stairs. Maryann was first down, with her hair neat and pulled back with a cloth headband. She seemed to be wearing a light layer of foundation and some blush and Carrie tried to hide her smile. Her roommate wasn’t half so much a hard-ass as she tried to be.
Just a moment behind her, Emma came stomping down the stairs. She was all done up with a ton of makeup, a distractingly sparkly shirt and black pants. She was wearing heels and carrying some kind of clutch purse. Maryann rolled her eyes.
“Who’s shadowing us tonight?” Emma looked at the car waiting at the curb after Sierra locked the door.
“Gonzales is our night tail,” Sierra said.
“Oh, good,” Emma said, the relief clear in her voice. “He’ll look like he belongs there.”
“That’s why it’s Gonzales.” Carrie winked.
“Why do you have a tail,” Maryann asked as they reached the bus stop at the corner.
“It’s common for the members of the royal family to have a security detail,” Sierra explained. “They are here to make sure someone doesn’t pull a gun and try to kill us or kidnap us for some ridiculous random demand, like releasing the leader of an SRR cell in exchange for our lives.”
Carrie was again glad her cousin was there to take the spotlight off her. She wouldn’t have been able to explain it so easily and Maryann seemed satisfied with her explanation.
The student center was hive of activity, with dozens different sororities and fraternities set up in the cafeteria. In the hallway were all the other student activities, attempting to catch the run off from the cafeteria crowd. Emma headed straight for the sororities. Carrie and Sierra started perusing the other clubs. Maryann headed for the tables giving out free stuff.
They went through nearly all the activities and non-dues clubs, and got out the other end with fists full of paraphernalia about what they did, what their objectives were and when they met. Maryann had tucked herself in a corner with a pile of giveaways in a bag, reading a book and sipping a soda.
“How long do you think she’s gonna be in there?” she asked, without looking up.
“How’d you get that book in here without us seeing it?” Sierra asked.
“Borrowed it from the guy at the Art Club table,” she said. “He’s in my class.”
Carrie looked over. “Hey, that’s Jason.”
“You know him?” Maryann asked.
“He’s in our poli sci class.” Carrie nodded, looking at Sierra, who was staring at him intently and smiling while she stared. Sierra probably had a crush on him, and Carrie couldn’t blame her. “He was the one who told us about the lounge near the greenhouses today before chemistry. Sweet lounge, too.”
“He’s a late sophomore too,” Maryann said. “Environmental science, I think.”
Sierra sat on the arm of the chair, ripping her eyes away from Jason. “Hey, Carrie, you got someone interested.”
“Interested?” Carrie asked, looking around.
“Yeah he’s been staring at you for like half an hour now,” Maryann informed her. “He’s over at the Omicron Mu Nu table. He’s part of the frat, as far as I can tell. Cute too. Blond hair, looks like green eyes. Nice butt.”
“How are you doing that?” Sierra asked.
“Doing what?” Maryann asked, turning the page in the book.
“Reading a book, giving us the run down on the guy staring at Carrie, and carrying on a conversation?” Sierra was really impressed.
Maryann glanced up. “Pure talent.”
Sierra started laughing. Carrie turned all the way around to see who they were talking about, and found herself face to face with the very guy they had mentioned. She was startled, and stepped back with a yelp. Once she realized she yelped, she turned and saw Gonzales walking over. She held up her hand to indicate that she was fine, just startled. Gonzales backed off and blended back into the wall a moment later.
“Hi.” He was blond haired, green eyed, and was nicely tan. 
“Hi,” Carrie answered.
“I’m Anthony.” He had a nice voice, and Carrie found his nose adorable, and his ears just a little too big, which was endearing. 
“Carrie.”
 “I saw you in the Greenhouse lounge earlier today, but I didn’t have the time to introduce myself. I’m glad you’re here. If you don’t mind me being a little forward, I was wondering if you’d like to go out some night.”
Carrie smiled at him. “I think I’d like that.” 
“Cool. Friday, eight?”

“Perfect.” 
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