Riding the Rails at Untethered Realms & Wickedly They Dream by Cathrina Constantine

I'm posting over at the Untethered Realms blog today about the inspiration for my novella The Turnagain Arm. What was the inspiration? Train whistles!

Visit me over at UnRealms here and check out all the other writers and books in our group if you have the chance while you are there. I'm really lucky to be part of such an awesome group!

And speaking of awesome books and people, Cathrina Constantine has a cover for her upcoming release Wickedly They Dream. Both Cathrina and her cover are all kinds of awesome!

Here is the blurb for the book, which will be released on November 5:


After Seeley is possessed by an evil wraith, Jordan must dig deeper into the Satanic realm. Against Markus’s direct orders, she offers herself, body and soul in a blood covenant to rescue Seeley from the clutches of hell. Jordan assumes her guardian angel will not leave her to fight alone. But there’s trouble in paradise, and Markus has been reassigned. Can Jordan defeat both her internal and external demons to win him back? Or is he gone for good this time?

I read Wickedly They Come last year and it was a fantastic read. I have no doubt this one will be just as good. Jordan is a great character and I am looking forward to catching up with her again. :)

Congratulations, Cathrina!!

Aquinnah Excerpt and Becky Povich's Memoir

I'm at Cathrina Constantine's site today sharing an excerpt from The Ghosts of Aquinnah. Cathrina is the author of Wickedly They Come, and if you haven't read that yet I highly recommend picking up a copy. If you'd like to read a short excerpt involving my character Stella Winslow please visit me at Cathrina's place! Thanks, Cathrina for hosting me.

It's also my pleasure to be able to share the new release from Becky Povich, From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir and More.

Becky was one of the first people I met after I started blogging back at the start of 2011 and I honestly can't even remember now how I met her. But I've certainly enjoyed her friendship ever since and I couldn't be happier for her that her memoir is now out in the world. Becky went through some twists and turns on the road to publication but it's here now and I've no doubt it is wonderful. Kudos and huge congratulations to you, Becky!

About the book:

In From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir & More, Becky Lewellen Povich takes us from her young Midwest childhood in the 1950s to present day near St. Louis, Missouri. Each chapter is a scene from everyday life and/or unexpected events written in the way only Povich can, with humor and poignancy woven into them. She relates tales of Christmases, summertime fun, selling homemade potholders, and putting on parades. Also, the kids next door, classmates, her fear of the dentist and her parents' scheme to help, plus long car rides visiting her grandparents in small town Iowa.

She willingly shares the bittersweet times, too, which include her parents' divorce, major disappointments, preteen and teenage angst, a whack on her head from a falling crowbar, and her ill-fated first marriage, spent mostly in Germany. She also comically writes about her happy second marriage, cell phones, dishwashers, and how she was born with a klutz gene.

"Becky Povich has a light and whimsical way with words, and a knack for making the everyday seem a bit more special." - Philip Gulley, bestselling author of Porch Talk Series, Harmony Series, Hometown Tales, I Love You Miss Huddleston, and more.

"This beautifully written memoir is funny, poignant, and life-affirming. Becky Povich is an American treasure." - Michael Lee West, bestselling author of Crazy Ladies, Mad Girls in Love, Gone With a Handsomer Man, and more.

Becky Lewellen Povich has numerous publications, including stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul books and other anthologies. Becky is currently working on her sequel due out in 2015, which contains more memories and anecdotes.

Writing a Paranormal Thriller by Cathrina Constantine

Today I'm turning the blog over to my friend Cathrina Constantine, author of the recently released thriller Wickedly They Come, for a post about her decision to write a story in the paranormal genre. Welcome and thanks for being here, Cathrina!

Why did I write a paranormal thriller?

Foremost, I’d like to state I take great pleasure in reading a variety of genres, I love them all. However, when I stroll through a book store, I’m initially drawn to middle grade and young adult books, especially novels with a supernatural or fantasy undertone. My debut novel is a thought-provoking Paranormal Thriller; Wickedly They Come is geared toward older adolescence and adults due to a quantity of dark and gritty elements.

I confess—I have a penchant for the inexplicable, and at a young age have been enamored with mystical happenings. Mainly because I truly believe in ghosts or spirits that are both good and wicked. And the existence of heaven and hell wholly surrounds us; I tend to identify this reality as a subliminal dimension or realm.

Many people are freaked-out when it comes to paranormal oddities, yet, I’m fascinated. Witches, sorcerers, wraiths, ghouls, fairies, dragons, hobbits, elves, and on and on, whether they subsist or did exist is a source of speculation.

With my whole heart, I believe in God and His glorious angels! Angels to guard, guide and protect humans! Documentation and inconceivable occurrences in regards to Gods angels are endless.

We must never overlook or be deceived by the depraved angels condemned by God. Impious Lucifer and his cohorts cast from heaven, and Wickedly They Come—

Teaser:

Something dripped on Seeley’s shoulder. Then a wet dribble skimmed her cheek and landed on Jordan’s arm. There, she could see that the wetness was bright red. Raising her head and sucking in her breath, Seeley gawked at a mammoth pentagram embedded into the rocky dome. The five-pointed star sparkled mysteriously in the flickering light, and a planked balcony bordered the elevated fortification.

Seeley craned her neck and peered directly upward, her bloodcurdling scream split the air. “Oh my God! Oh my God!” Violently, Seeley cried, “Jack—what have they done?!” Her knees buckled.

Wickedly They Come Buy Links:

Black Opal Books

Amazon

Barnes &Noble

Smashwords

Constantine’s Bio:

Cathrina Constantine resides in Western New York with her husband, five children, two happy-go-lucky Labrador Retrievers and two cats. She is excited for the release of her debut novel, WICKEDLY THEY COME published by Black Opal Books. Constantine is represented by The Belcastro Literary Agency, and is extremely happy to be working with Sharon Belcastro and Ella Marie Mohan Shupe. When not with her family, baking, crafting, reading, or stationed at the computer writing, you will find her walking in the backwoods with her dogs, conjuring up a new tale.

You can find Constantine here:

http://www.facebook.com/cathrina.constantine.3.

www.cathrinaconstantine.com

www.cathrinaconstantine.blogspot.com

www.goodreads.com/cathrinaconstantine.com

Twitter: @cathconstantine

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National Dog Day and Wickedly They Come

August 26 is National Dog Day and Clancy is thrilled to have the chance to celebrate.

National Dog Day was founded in 2004 by pet lifestyle and author expert Colleen Paige. The day is an opportunity to raise awareness of and encourage dog rescue and adoption while also celebrating the joy of family dogs and the selflessness of service dogs, police dogs, search and rescue dogs and all of the working dogs who do so much to enrich our world.

My way of celebrating the day is to share a few more rescue dogs from my area who are waiting for their forever homes. Click on each dog's name for information on how to adopt them.

Buster from Three Sisters Pet Rescue

Nina from Fourgotten Paws Animal Rescue

Stella from the SPCA of Cincinnati

Nightingale from the Kenton County Animal Shelter

When I searched Petfinder for these dogs, I unfortunately found more than 5700 homeless dogs within 100 miles of Cincinnati! To find adoptable dogs in your area, simply go to Petfinder.com, enter your city or zip code, and limit your search to dogs.

The Dog Day site has many suggestions for how to celebrate the day, including donating time, money or supplies to a local shelter, writing your congressperson and asking for their support in efforts to ban puppy mills, assisting an elderly neighbor with walking their dog, or simply showering your own dog with extra love and goodies. For the full list of suggestions, click here.

I'd hate to imagine a world without dogs in it so I think this is a day that is definitely worth celebrating. However, someone in my house disagrees and feels like the whole thing is a waste of time and energy.

I promised Nate that National Cat Day is coming up in October so he was at least somewhat appeased.

In other news, this past weekend was a big one for my friend Cathrina Constantine, as her debut novel Wickedly They Come was released out into the world! Yay!

Cathrina is hosting a big giveaway to celebrate her release and you can find all the details, as well as read an excerpt from the book, here.

I happen to know that Cathrina is a dog (and cat) lover so I didn't think she'd mind sharing a post with the dogs. :D Congratulations, Cathy!

Interview with Cathrina Constantine

I'm so excited to be interviewing my friend Cathrina Constantine today for the Blogger Book Fair. Cathrina and I got to be friends last year when we were both learning the ins and outs of getting our books published and it's been fun to share our journeys together.

This is a doubly exciting time for Cathrina because her debut novel is going to be released in just a few weeks! Wickedly They Come will be published on August 24, 2013 by Black Opal Press. I know I will be ordering my copy as soon as I can.

But now without further ado, here is the interview. Thanks for being here, Cathrina!

1.    Tell us about Wickedly They Come. 

My debut novel is a YA/Adult, gripping, dark fantasy. Here is a short blurb:

Haunting visions, unusual strength, and special paranormal talents are the norm for Seeley and her sixteen-year-old daughter Jordan. Their lives become perilous when the leader of The Black Order stalks them, trying to fulfill a prophecy to consecrate Jordan to his lord—Lucifer.

Previously homeschooled and naïve, Jordan is inducted into the social culture of teendom at Elma High, where she encounters Mark, a mysterious new classmate, who is hell bent on keeping her unscathed from the forces of evil. But the battle between Heaven and Hell is escalating—and Earth is their battleground.

2.    What genre or genres do you enjoy writing in?

I typically like to write young adult.

3.    When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

I always liked to write, but never felt qualified. A few years ago I put my heart and soul into my writing and after considerable honing, I might have created something decent.

4.    Do you write full-time or do you also have a “day job?” If so, what is it?

I work part-time for a local College University.

5.    What do you enjoy most about writing?

Like most writers, my characters seem to come to life, and I’m happy when the story comes together. 

6.    Anything you don’t enjoy or struggle with when it comes to your writing?

I don’t like the blocks in my mind. I can stare at a sentence or a paragraph for hours and I reword and revise because I can’t seem to get it just right. During the editing process I become agitated due to my lack of experience. And now the promotional aspect is not my cup of tea, but it must be done.

7.    What other passions or interests do you have besides writing?

My biggest passion is my family and friends. I also spend an inordinate amount of time with my pets. I like to sew and quilt, bake, and read.

8.    Glass half-full or half-empty?
 
Always half-full!

9.    What would you consider your dream vacation?

I’ve never had a vacation where I didn’t have to cook and clean. So a week’s vacation being pampered and served upon would be great!

10.    What’s your favorite place you’re ever visited?

Colorado—Our Honeymoon! We rented a car and bought bologna, bread, and beer and drove around the state. It was fabulous!

11.    Which of your characters would you say you are most like? Least like?

If I had to pick, I’d say the mother, Seeley. Easy for the least like—Lucifer.

12.    What can you tell us about your next book?

My next book is in its second phase of editing. It’s a dystopian tale, titled TALLAS. It’s completely different than Wickedly They Come. Also, my third book, CATALYST, is in the hands of my literary agent, Sharon Belcastro of The Belcastro Literary Agency.

I’d like to thank Julie Flanders for featuring me on her blog today during the Blogger Book Fair!

You can find Constantine here:

 


http://www.cathrinaconstantine.com
http://cathrinaconstantine.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook/www.cathrina.constantine.3
https://twitter.com/cathconstantine
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/16051029-cathrina-constantine










Cathrina and I swapped blogs for the day so you can find her interview with me here. I'm also at Jeff W. Horton's site today. It's been such fun to share space with so many great authors for the Book Fair!

In addition, Shut Up & Read is hosting the BBF Reader's Choice Awards and I would so appreciate a vote for Polar Night! I am listed in the "Fantasy - Mature (1)" category. My Untethered Realms mate M. Pax is listed in the "Science Fiction - New Adult" category for her great book The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear, so we are both pimping for Untethered Realms! 

Go here to vote for us and all of your favorites. Thanks! :)