Author Spotlight

Categories: Author Spotlight, Lyrical Press

Author Spotlight: Renita Pizzitola

Welcome to the Author Spotlight, Renita Pizzitola!

Nicknames: Reni

Where do you live: Texas

Your favorite dessert: Ice Cream

Your favorite TV series: I don’t watch much TV (I know I’m weird)

Last book you read: Flawed by Kate Avelynn

Last movie you watched: Rise of the Guardians (with my kiddos)

Last song (or album) you bought: Pink Blow Me (One Last Kiss)

A book/series you could read over and over again: Anything by Richelle Mead

Coke or pepsi? Coke Zero

Day or night? Night

Pen or pencil? Pen

Summer or winter? Winter

Cat or dog? Dog

Tea or coffee? Coffee!! ← results from too much coffee

Plotter or pantser? Both but mostly pantser

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? I think I’ve known my whole life, but by high school it was definitely my dream.

What are you working on now? Besides a mountain of Gilded edits, a new adult contemporary romance.

If you decided not to be a writer, what would your other dream job be? Why? Writing full time would be my dream job, but I do love my other job as a preschool teacher. Not many people get paid to finger paint! :)

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done in your life? It may not be the scariest but right now I’d say the release of my debut novel terrified me. I had this overwhelming fear no one would like it.

Who is the one person that has singlehandedly inspired you the most in your life? My Dad. He encouraged me to pursue writing and without him I probably wouldn’t be published.

What is one talent that you’re hopeless at, but you wish you had? I wish I could paint (not finger painting, I rock at that) like real easel and paint kind of painting.

What is one trait or physical characteristic that you are proud of/love about yourself? Hmm… My sense of humor, I guess.

Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers? Don’t be scared to ask question. Learn everything you can about writing. You have an amazing story to tell, don’t let it get overlooked because of writing errors.

Author Bio:

Renita Pizzitola writes Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy. An avid reader herself, she has always enjoyed stories with witty humor, romance, and fascinating characters. Renita lives in Texas with her husband and two children. When not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and playing referee to her two typically adorable children.

website | twitter | facebook | blog | goodreads

gossamer

Title: Gossamer
Author: Renita Pizzitola
Genre: Young Adult/Paranormal/Romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Release Date: October 8, 2012

Shouldn’t all faerytales end with happily-ever-after?

Kyla Ashbury is nearing her eighteenth birthday when a mysterious boy appears at school. Her instant attraction to him inexplicably awakens something inside her and she discovers her true identity.

Now, armed with the knowledge of her past, she is forced to leave behind the life she has always known for a new one filled with temptation, faery charm and magic, and a future she wasn’t prepared for.

Kyla is left with a difficult decision…but no matter which path she chooses, someone will get hurt.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Lyrical Press | Goodreads

dreamon

Title: Dream On
Author: Renita Pizzitola
Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Release Date: March 4, 2013

Her quest begins when she closes her eyes.

Emory Bennett owns a lucrative dreamwalking business. Trained in weaponry and Muay Thai, she spends her nights entering the dream realm resolving her clients’ nightmares, whatever they might be: bad guys, scary beasts, or the classic forgot-to-wear-my-pants nightmare. Her jobs get complicated when a gorgeous man keeps appearing requesting her help.

Grayson, a fellow dreamwalker, is stuck in the dream realm while a stranger inhabits his body. He needs Emory’s assistance in the waking realm, which he can’t visit if he can’t get back into his body.

Once Emory is convinced Grayson’s not a figment of her imagination, they concoct a plan to lure the body snatcher out. But as Emory begins to fall for Grayson, the line blurs between him and the stranger who inhabits his body. She must keep it together to get close enough to discover his secrets, or divide her very soul if she can’t bring the man she loves back.

CONTENT WARNING: Strong language

Add it on Goodreads

Cheers,

Categories: Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight: Karen Y. Bynum

Welcome to the Author Spotlight, Karen Y. Bynum!

Nicknames: *wants one*

Where do you live: near the beach, wish it were the mountains though

Your favorite dessert: Pineapple upside-down cake

Your favorite TV series: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Last book you read: Winter Fairy by Lola Karns

Last movie you watched: Skyfall

Last song (or album) you bought: The Lateness of the Hour album by Alex Clare

A book/series you could read over and over again: Fever series by Karen Marie Moning

Coke or pepsi? Diet Coke

Day or night? Day

Pen or pencil? Pen

Summer or winter? Summer

Cat or dog? Dog

Tea or coffee? COFFEE

Plotter or pantser? Plantser? ;)

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? I’ve been writing since I could hold a pencil…short stories, poems, fan letters and diary entries. But I didn’t know I wanted to write young adult until I read the Twilight series. Yes, sparkly vampires inspired me! :)

What are you working on now? Currently I’m working on a dark and gritty New Adult dragon shifter story. I’m keeping hush-hush on the premise until I’m finished writing this one but am sharing snippets on my blog every Wednesday.

If you decided not to be a writer, what would your other dream job be? Why? Food critic, because I could eat and then write about it. How awesome would that be! And I’d love to be able to put my Culinary Arts degree to good use, without having to actually cook anything. LOL

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done in your life? The first time I pitched at RWA Nationals. I was an absolute wreck! My heart raced, knees wobbled, palms sweated and I’m pretty sure at one point I forgot how to use words. Nothing scars me quite like public speaking.

What is one talent that you’re hopeless at, but you wish you had? I’d love to be able to sing!

What is one trait or physical characteristic that you are proud of/love about yourself? I’m really proud of my smile. My teeth were really crooked (way up in my gums) when I was a kid. My parents sacrificed a lot to get braces for me. I’m so thankful they did, because I love to smile!

Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers? Set a word count/page number goal and then strive for it every day. Read inside your genre and out. Treat people the way you want to be treated. And remember that tomorrow is a new day.

About the author: Karen Y. Bynum is an author of young adult paranormal fantasy. Her debut 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.

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.

Amazon eBook | Amazon Print | Barnes and Noble eBook and Print | Publisher

Cheers,

Categories: Author Spotlight, Self-pubbed, Young Adult

Author Spotlight: Shelly Crane

Welcome to the Author Spotlight, Shelly Crane!

Nicknames: Shell Station , Shelly Belly (I hate these name)

Where do you live: Hot as Hades, Florida

Your favorite dessert: Cheesecake and honey buns

Your favorite TV series: Vampire Diaries

Last book you read: Love and Skate by Lila Felix (Uber good!!)

Last movie you watched: Breaking Dawn 2

Last song (or album) you bought: Cider Sky

A book/series you could read over and over again: I frequently go back and reread my favorite parts to Vampire Academy, Mortal Instruments and Callum & Harper

Coke or pepsi? PEPSI!!!!!! (Pepsi Max, best invention ever)

Day or night? Day. I hate to drive at night.

Pen or pencil? pen

Summer or winter? Winter. I’m a hot person and if I could find a place that was 70 degrees year round I swear I’d move there.

Cat or dog? Dog. I have 2: Scrappy and Biff.

Tea or coffee? Eeeeeeee….. hard. I drink both all day long J But if I had to choose only one, I’d say….coffee.

Plotter or pantser? Pantser!!!!!! I’ve never plotted a day in my life! Well…not for a book.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? Fall 2010 is when I got the idea for Collide when I had a dream that resembled the Matrix. But when I actually sat down and wrote out the story, it just started writing itself and wound up being absolutely nothing like the Matrix.

What are you working on now? Finishing up the Significance series with Independence, and then I’ll do wide Awake. It’s hard because both of the stories all eating away at my brain. I want to work on both, but I’m trying to get Independence done.

If you decided not to be a writer, what would your other dream job be? Why? Well, I was already doing my dream job. I was a stay at home mom. That’s what I always wanted to do. I never wanted to be a writer or ever even thought about it. It just fell in my lap one day and now, I can’t imagine not being one.

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done in your life? Bring my first son home from the hospital. I was so scared that I was going to break him. Or something was going to happen and it was going to be my fault because I didn’t know what to do. But he’s 9 years old now. Still alive so I did something right

Who is the one person that has singlehandedly inspired you the most in your life? Sadly, I didn’t have many role models. I was told that I shouldn’t be writing. So……No comment.

What is one talent that you’re hopeless at, but you wish you had? There’s a long list!! Public speaking, sewing, cooking (like real cooking), and math.

What is one trait or physical characteristic that you are proud of/love about yourself? My curls, I guess. I’ve had old ladies at the grocery store curse me for saying that I didn’t like my curls. So apparently, it’s something to be proud of.

Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?

Edit, edit, edit. Then edit some more.
Talk to your fans. A lot. They are the reason you can write books.
Have fun with it. Write what you want to write about. Don’t copy or be influenced by other’s writing. Readers want to read something they’ve never read before.
Do read other author’s books and tell your fans about it if your loved it.
Posting your book stuff on other authors Facebook pages is a big No-No. So is messaging authors and asking them to review or endorse your book. So is tweeting your book every five minutes. No, no, no, no, no.
No arguing or commenting when someone doesn’t like your book or gives you a bad review. Not everyone is going to like your book, and that’s OK. Go look up your favorite popular book and read all the bad reviews. A bad review doesn’t mean it’s a bad book. Never, ever, ever rebut on anything.

Author Bio: Bestselling YA author from a small town in Georgia and loves everything about the south. She is wife to a fantastical husband and stay at home mom to two boisterous and mischievous boys who keep her on her toes. They currently reside in everywhere USA as they happily travel all over with her husband’s job. She loves to spend time with her family, binge on candy corn, go out to eat at new restaurants, buy paperbacks at little bookstores, site see in the new areas they travel to, listen to music everywhere and also LOVES to read.
Her own books happen by accident and she revels in the writing and imagination process. She doesn’t go anywhere without her notepad for fear of an idea creeping up and not being able to write it down immediately, even in the middle of the night, where her best ideas are born.

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Significance – Significance #01

Maggie is a seventeen year old girl who’s had a bad year. She was smart and on track, but then her mom left, her dad is depressed, she’s graduating – barely – and her boyfriend of almost three years dumped her for a college football scholarship. Lately she thinks life is all about hanging on by a thread and is gripping tight with everything she has.

Then she saves the life of Caleb and instantly knows there’s something about him that’s intriguing. But things change when they touch, sparks ignite. Literally.

They imprint with each other and she sees their future life together flash before her eyes. She learns that not only is she his soul mate, and can feel his heartbeat in her chest, but there is a whole other world of people with gifts and abilities that she never knew existed. She herself is experiencing supernatural changes unlike anything she’s ever felt before and she needs the touch of his skin to survive.

Now, not only has her dad come out of his depression to be a father again, and a pain as well, but Caleb’s enemies know he’s imprinted and are after Maggie to stop them both from gaining their abilities and take her from him.

Can Caleb save her or will they be forced to live without each other after just finding one another?

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes&Nobles

Devour – Devour #01

Clara has it all. A wrestling star boyfriend, popular friends, all the right school activities…pretty much a perfect life…up until her parents died. Now she lives with the Pastor and his family and though they take good care of her, she feels alone. Then her boyfriend, Tate, starts to show signs of trouble when a new guy, Eli, comes to town. Clara is fascinated with him but hides it until something happens. Eli confesses to her that she gives him something he’s never had before…something he needs. Everything is about to change for this normal pretty popular girl in a supernatural way.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes&Nobles

Collide – Collide #01

Sherry has always known there was something out there. She’s eighteen, works for a tabloid newspaper in Chicago and has a brother, Danny who is a lazy mooch. They live a pretty normal dull life with hippie parents and a normal existence. Then the moon dissapears and people start to go missing only to reappear later, but different. Sherry has an abusive ex-boyfriend who shows up and claims to be one of these beings that have been showing up around the world. He’s no longer the same person in that body. He tells her he has come to protect her and her brother and takes her underground, against her will to save her, where they meet others like them. She begins to unravel the truth about Merrick, about what he’s really doing here, about the way he looks at her, about the crazy dangerous world they live in. Can he convince her that he’s here to help? Will she like what she finds when she opens up to the truth? Will he be the one to love her when everyone else has failed her? Will he be able to protect her?

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes&Nobles

Cheers,

Categories: Author Spotlight, Self-pubbed, Young Adult

Author Spotlight: Trisha Leigh

Welcome to the Author Spotlight, Trisha Leigh!

Nicknames: I don’t really have any, unless you count Trish. Boring, right?

Where do you live: I grew up in the Midwest and still live here, but I lived in Texas for four years during college.

Your favorite dessert: Ice cream!

Your favorite TV series: Current: Fringe. All time: Felicity

Last book you read: Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield

Last movie you watched: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Last song (or album) you bought: North by Matchbox Twenty

A book/series you could read over and over again: the Wrinkle in Time series by Madeleine L’Engle or Harry Potter by JK Rowling.

Coke or pepsi? Ew. Coke.

Day or night? Night.

Pen or pencil? Pencil.

Summer or winter? SUMMER.

Cat or dog? Dog.

Tea or coffee? Coffee.

Plotter or pantser? A pantser at heart, but have learned to incorporate plotting as necessary.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? I think somewhere during my senior year of high school, although I didn’t figure it out until late in college.

What are you working on now? Currently finishing up copy edits on Betrayals in Spring, Book 3 of The Last Year. In a few days, though, I’ll get an edit letter for Book 4 and will be diving into that.

If you decided not to be a writer, what would your other dream job be? Why? I’ve loved working behind the scenes on television and movie sets since college – that was my major – and even though ideally it would still be in a writing capacity, I’d do anything on the production side of film/television making. Why? Collaborating with other creative people is such a high.

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done in your life? Either went eight hours away from home for college, jumped off a bridge into the lake, or tried to break up my ex-boyfriend’s wedding. You choose.

Who is the one person that has singlehandedly inspired you the most in your life? My grandfather. He had this way about him of making every person he came in contact with feel like they were special and worthy.

What is one talent that you’re hopeless at, but you wish you had? Singing, probably. I’d also love to be able to draw.

What is one trait or physical characteristic that you are proud of/love about yourself? I’m really easygoing, and nearly impossible to offend. It sounds silly, I guess, but I love that people can say whatever in front of me and know it won’t make me angry. The problem is, sometimes it’s easy for me to forget that others can be easily offended.

Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers? Don’t quit. There are so many options for you now, to get your stories out there, and giving up on your words or yourself is the one sure way to make sure no one else ever reads your books. Work hard, learn how to take well-intentioned criticism, then work harder. But don’t give up.

Author Bio: Raised by a family of ex-farmers and/or almost rock stars from Northeastern Iowa, I’ve always loved to tell stories. After graduating from Texas Christian University with a degree in Film, I began to search for a way to release the voices in my head. IWhen I attempted my first YA novel, which would become Whispers in Autumn, I was hooked. I knew then my heart lay with telling stories about and for young adults, and for anyone who loves to read and recapture those fleeting “first” moments.

My spare time is spent reviewing television and movies, spending time with my large, loud, loving family, reading any book that falls into my hands, and being dragged into the fresh air by my dogs Yoda and Jilly.

Website | Twitter | Tumblr | Facebook | Pinterest

Whispers in Autumn – The Last Year, Book One

In 2015, a race of alien Others conquered Earth. They enslaved humanity not by force, but through an aggressive mind control that turned people into contented, unquestioning robots.
Except sixteen-year-old Althea isn’t content at all, and she doesn’t need the mysterious note inside her locket to tell her she’s Something Else. It also warns her to trust no one, so she hides the pieces that make her different, even though it means being alone.
Then she meets Lucas, everything changes.
Althea and Lucas are immune to the alien mind control, and together they search for the reason why. What they uncover is a stunning truth the Others never anticipated, one with the potential to free the brainwashed human race.
It’s not who they are that makes them special, but what.
And what they are is a threat. One the Others are determined to eliminate for good.

Goodreads | Kindle | Nook | iBooks | Kobo

Winter Omens – The Last Year, Book Two

Althea and Lucas barely escaped the Others’ clutches in the autumn, and were separated in the process. Alone and on the run from the cruel alien race determined to exterminate her, Althea struggles to adapt and survive in a world she never imagined.
When a boy named Pax appears out of nowhere, he quickly recognizes Althea for what she is – a human/Other hybrid just like him. Althea begs him to help her find Lucas, but Pax refuses, intent on following his own mysterious agenda.
The Others’ presence continues to devour the planet’s resources, and if history is an indication, they won’t leave until Earth is destroyed beyond repair. Althea and Pax sense the only way to save themselves – and maybe their home – is to understand the powers simmering inside them.
Together they push the limits of their capabilities in the quiet Wilds, but are soon confronted with a terrifying fact: no place is safe from the relentless pursuit of the Others.
Least of all their own minds.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes&Nobles

Betrayals in Spring – The Last Year, Book Three

Althea assumes now that she, Pax, and Lucas are reunited in spring that the next steps are obvious – locate Deshi and prepare to take down the Others once and for all. But she doesn’t expect the subtle changes in Lucas.
After being left alone last season with only his Element father for company, Lucas has started to question whether their rightful place isn’t with the strange alien race as opposed to humanity. When an emergency forces Lucas to aid the Others so they can remain on Earth, Althea worries that she’s lost him once and for all.
The one thing she knows is that Deshi’s the key to any hope of reclaiming the planet. So as the Others gut their already wobbly support system, Althea and Pax gather together the beginnings of a plan – and maybe an army.
Even if she can convince Lucas their side is the right one, the Prime Other holds Deshi captive and shrouds any knowledge about their fourth in clouds of secrecy. What they discover deep underground is a roadblock they didn’t expect – and one that could steal their last hope of saving humanity.

Coming Dec 11th 2012 – Add on Goodreads

Cheers,

Categories: Author Spotlight, New Adult

Author Spotlight: Victoria H. Smith

Welcome to the Author Spotlight, Victoria H. Smith!

Nicknames: Vicki, Vic, and V. Pretty much any short version of Victoria, lol.

Where do you live: Cornbelt USA! – The Midwest

Favorite Dessert: Cheesecake, yum!

Favorite TV Series: Currently on air? Switched at Birth | Cancelled? The 4400 and Smallville

Last book you read: Reflected in You by Sylvia Day

Last movie you watched: Romeo + Juliet with Leo Dicaprio (book research ;D)

Last song (or album) you bought: Vows by Kimbra

A book/series you could read over and over again: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Coke or Pepsi: Coke

Day or Night: Night! I’m always up late.

Pen or Pencil? Pen. It writes smoother.

Summer or Winter? Can I say fall? Love the leaves and the apple cider!

Cat or dog? Cat

Tea or Coffee? Coffee with lots of sugar and cream!

Plotter or panster? I’m a Snowflake Method girl which is a combination of both.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? When I saw a gap in the fiction market I decided I wanted to be a writer. There wasn’t much fiction about twenty-something characters so I wanted to bulk it up.

What are you working on now? Right now, I’m in between projects so I can get some of the titles I have written all out by next summer. The sequel to The Crimson Hunt and its novella are in that bunch.

If you decided not to be a writer, what would your other dream job be? Why? Wedding Planner. While planning my wedding I realized I was really good at it :D

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done in your life? I don’t think I’ve really done anything scary. Does ride a plane count? lol

Who is the one person that has singlehandedly inspired you the most in your life? Lucille Ball. Good Lord that’s where all my snark comes from, haha.

What is one talent that you’re hopeless at, but you wish you had? Basketball. Never could do it, and always sucked in gym. Wish I could shoot a basket!

What is one trait or physical characteristic that you are proud of/love about yourself? My sense of humor. I love being the funny girl!

Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers? Don’t let anyone tell you what kind of author you should be. You write what you want, when you want, and how you want. Don’t let other people get in the way of your dreams!

About the Author: Victoria H. Smith has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. She puts it to good use writing romance all day. She resides in the Midwest with her Macbook on her lap and a cornfield to her right. She often draws inspiration for her stories from her own life experiences, and the twenty-something characters she writes give her an earful about it.

In her free time, she enjoys extreme couponing, blogging, reading, and sending off a few tweets on Twitter when she can. She writes new adult fiction romance in the sub-genres of science fiction, urban fantasy, and contemporary, but really, anywhere her pen takes her she goes.

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

College junior Ariel Richmond is working on year three of Project Normalcy.

Her house reeks of keggers past and her bestie is just a slight bit vulgar. But the thing is—they both aid in making life refreshingly uneventful.

So much for hard-earned mediocrity when Luca Grinaldi appears on the scene.

Luca’s sudden presence on campus is hard to ignore. Those bright eyes act like a beacon to unsuspecting females, and with features like his, he’s got to be moonlighting for GQ. Luca hopelessly captivates Ariel with his confidence and charisma, but the mysteries surrounding him make him nearly untouchable. And just when Ariel grows close enough to unlock his secrets, a tragic event sends her life in a downward spiral.

That steady life is no longer an option and allies quickly become scarce. The mysterious Luca seems to be the only one willing to help her—but with that trust comes the burden of his secrets. He has a dark mission of otherworldly proportions, and is willing to sacrifice as many lives as it takes to see it completed.

Gone are the days of simply maintaining normalcy, and if Ariel isn’t cautious with her trust, so soon may be her future.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords

Cheers,

Categories: Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight: Cally Jackson

Welcome to the Author Spotlight, Cally Jackson!

Nicknames: The usual is Cal. Cal-Bal is my family nickname from when I was little.

Where do you live: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (great weather if you like it hot, which I do!)

Your favorite dessert: Oooh tough one. Probably cheesecake or good old vanilla ice cream with milo on top!

Your favorite TV series: I have a few – Home and Away (an Aussie soapie), Packed to the Rafters, and Revenge spring to mind. I’d like to pretend my taste in TV shows is more cultured, but it’s just not. :-)

Last book you read: Last book in general: Up the Duff by Kaz Cooke (an Australian book about pregnancy), Last fictional book: The Faerie Guardian by Rachel Morgan

Last movie you watched: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (yes, I’m a Twi-hard. Looking forward to seeing the final instalment this weekend. Please don’t think less of me!)

Last song (or album) you bought: I haven’t bought any new music in so long I can’t remember – I just listen to the same stuff over and over again. I think it was the latest volume of the Triple J Hottest 100 (which I’m sure means nothing to most readers but it’s a great collection)

A book/series you could read over and over again: Queen Kat, Carmel and St Jude Get a Life (one of the biggest literary influences on The Big Smoke)

Coke or pepsi? Coke

Day or night? Day

Pen or pencil? Pen

Summer or winter? Summer

Cat or dog? Dog

Tea or coffee? I love both, but if I could only ever have one for the rest of my life, I’d choose tea. I’ve discovered decaffeinated black tea, which is great for me since I’m 32 weeks pregnant!

Plotter or pantser? Plotter all the way. Even writing a chapter out of sequence makes me twitchy!

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? Writing has always been part of my life but it was only when I gave up on becoming an actress that I decided to pursue writing more seriously. Eleven years later, I’ve just published the book I began back then. Perhaps I need to work on my time management… ;-)

What are you working on now? I’m really excited about the ideas I have for my next book, which will be a young adult time travel romance. However, I’m currently 32 weeks pregnant so something tells me writing might have to go on the back burner for a bit…

If you decided not to be a writer, what would your other dream job be? Why? I’d love to work in communication for a not-for-profit organisation advancing the welfare of animals. I’m passionate about animal welfare, and I enjoy communication (it’s my current day job), so it’d be a great mix. If I could get work/life balance into that mix as well, that would be super!

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done in your life? Scary in a physical sense: “canyon swinging” in Queenstown, New Zealand. Scary in an emotional sense: trying to maintain a normal life while struggling with a panic disorder (which thankfully is ‘in remission’)

Who is the one person that has singlehandedly inspired you the most in your life? I actually can’t pinpoint one person. Sorry! But that’s because SO MANY people inspire me. Both my parents have inspired me in many different ways, and there’s a raft of public people who I find incredibly inspirational, like Nelson Mandela and Lyn White from advocacy group Animals Australia.

What is one talent that you’re hopeless at, but you wish you had? I wish I could sing. Some people are born with the most amazing voices. Sadly, I wasn’t one of them. Doesn’t stop me from singing along to the radio though!

What is one trait or physical characteristic that you are proud of/love about yourself? I’m a very genuine, approachable person, and even though it can get me into trouble sometimes, I wouldn’t want to be any other way.

Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers? Keep writing. Even if you feel like what you’re writing is rubbish, get it out on the page. You can edit rubbish; you can’t edit an empty page. Have faith in yourself – not every word you write will be gold, but if you persist, you can make your story shine.

Bio: Cally Jackson grew up in the small country town of Gatton. After deciding at 17 that a Hollywood acting career was sadly out of reach, Cally turned to a career in professional communication and is currently employed by the government.
Cally’s passion for fictional writing first emerged in grade two when she got in trouble for penning her own tale instead of copying directly from a story book as she was supposed to be doing – it was a handwriting exercise, after all.
Cally now lives in Brisbane with the two loves of her life – her husband, Mark, and her dog, Lucy.

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Ceara’s desperate for love; Seb’s desperate to get laid. Ceara adores reading novels; Seb hasn’t finished a book in years. Two strangers, both moving from small country towns to Brisbane – the big smoke. As they prepare to attend the same university, their paths seem set to collide, but they keep missing each other. Maybe fate is keeping them apart, or maybe it’s just chance.

When the semester starts, things get complicated. Ceara’s best friend withdraws from her, Seb’s closest mate turns into a sleazebag, and the relentless demands of university make their stress levels soar. Before their first semester is over, both Seb and Ceara will be forced to question who they are and what they want from their lives. Will they have the courage to find the answers, or will they crumble under the pressure? And when they finally meet, will it be love at first sight or a collision of headstrong personalities?

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Cheers,

Categories: Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight: E.J. Wesley

Welcome to the Author Spotlight, E.J. Wesley!

Nicknames: The Wizard; E.J. Smooth; Dark Mischief … okay, none of those are real.

Where do you live: South Texas

Your favorite dessert: Not a dessert guy, but if you put peanut butter on it, I’ll probably eat it.

Your favorite TV series: Currently – Walking Dead; All Time – Lost

Last book you read: The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

Last movie you watched: Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone (for the millionth time)

Last song (or album) you bought: Listening to Kate Rusby (multiple albums), a modern English folk singer. She’s brilliant!

A book/series you could read over and over again: Harry Potter, of course. Or Lord of the Rings. Or The Chronicles of Narnia. Or …

Coke or pepsi? Coke Zero.

Day or night? Night, but I’m way more productive during the day.

Pen or pencil? Pencil.

Summer or winter? WINTER! And we don’t get one here in South Texas. L

Cat or dog? DOG!

Tea or coffee? Coffee, but I’m growing into to tea.

Plotter or pantser? Probably pantser, but just so far as I get completely lost and need to plot. =)

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? During my first post-degree gig in counseling. We used the Harry Potter books to get some of our kids to open up about their own troubles. Very powerful stuff, all with fiction, and I wanted to do that for people too.

What are you working on now? The second and third stories in a New Adult series of novelettes called the Moonsongs Books. They’re paranormal-action—with a Texas twist.

If you decided not to be a writer, what would your other dream job be? Why? Comic book artist, because I love to draw (and comics). Or maybe a musician, because I love to play the guitar and sing (and music). Or maybe a NBA player … nah!

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done in your life? Other than attempting to become a writer? I’ve done some repelling in some pretty crazy places, from some pretty crazy heights. And growing up around a farm, I was always doing something near or on large animals and heavy machinery that was equally scary and awesome.

Who is the one person that has singlehandedly inspired you the most in your life? My mother.

What is one talent that you’re hopeless at, but you wish you had? Dancing!

What is one trait or physical characteristic that you are proud of/love about yourself? My sense of humor and ability to make people feel special/important—because they are.

Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers? Keep doing it! You only get better with each story. And if you quit, you’ll never know how good you can truly be.

About E.J. Wesley: E.J. Wesley resides in South Texas. He holds degrees in psychology and counseling, but prefers to examine the heads of fictional characters over the living ones. He likes his food and his stories spicy, and tries to give a little extra ‘kick’ to paranormal, horror, and the other genres he writes. In true Texas fashion, he is very neighborly, and enjoys chatting about books, movies, music, and family. His latest work, Blood Fugue – Moonsongs Book 1, is available now.

“Some folks treated the past like an old friend. The memories warmed them with fondness for what was, and hope for what was to come. Not me. When I thought of long ago, my insides curdled, and I was left feeling sour and wasted.”
Jenny Schmidt is a young woman with old heartaches. A small town Texas girl with big city attitude, she just doesn’t fit in. Not that she has ever tried.
Life has pummeled her heart into one big, lonely callus. She has no siblings, both parents were dead by sixteen, and her last grandparent—and caretaker—was in the ground before she turned twenty-one. She’s the last living member of her immediate family. Or so she thinks…
“We found my ‘grandfather’ sitting at his dining room table. An entire scorched pot of coffee dangled from his shaky hand. His skin was the ashen gray shade of thunderclouds, not the rich mocha from the photo I’d seen. There were dark blue circles under each swollen red eye. A halo of white hair skirted his bald head, a crown of tangles and mats. Corpses had more life in them.”
Suddenly, instead of burying it with the dead, Jenny is forced to confront the past. Armed only with an ancient family journal, her rifle, and an Apache tomahawk, she must save her grandfather’s life and embrace her dangerous heritage. Or be devoured by it.

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Cheers,

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