Interview & Giveaway with Shona Husk!

I have actually had this interview for nearly a year. I loved the Goblin King, so I thought I had better share this interview I did with Shona last year. You can win your choice of either The Goblin King, Kiss of a Goblin Prince or a pre-order of For the Love of a Goblin Warrior. Just fill out the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post.

Welcome to Strange Candy Reviews Shona.

For those who haven’t had the pleasure to read The Goblin King, can you tell us about it?

When Eliza summons the Goblin King for help, she gets more than what she bargained for; she gets a warrior who is losing his grip on his soul. Roan was cursed two thousand years ago and damned to the Shadowlands as a goblin. But breaking the curse will take more than a kiss.

Can you describe Roan and Eliza?

Roan is a tortured hero. Wrongly cursed and trying to hold on to what’s left of his soul he is almost at the end and preparing to give up. In our world he looks like a hideous goblin a face he’d never want Eliza to see.

Eliza is the woman who reminds him what it means to be human…but she has her own battle to fight before she can be free.    

There are three books planned for this series, can you give us a sneak peak?

The Goblin King is book 1 of the Shadowlands series (there is also a free prequel The Summons). Roan is the Goblin king, his brother Dai who was also cursed is the hero of book 2, Kiss of the Goblin Prince. There is a sneak peak at that book at the end of The Goblin King. Book 3, For the Love of a Goblin Warrior, is about Meryn’s struggle to regain his humanity after giving into the curse nearly two thousand years ago. Books 2 and 3 will be released in 2012.

Was there anything that really inspired you to write The Goblin King?

I love fairy tales, and The Goblin King has a few ‘Beauty and the Beast’ elements. The other major influence was my love of Roman Britain—from the Celtic point of view. Roan has little love for the Romans after growing up fighting them and then suffering under their rule.

Do you have any other planned releases this year(2011)?

I have one more release this year. Dark Vow is a western fantasy romance. It has a revenge quest, magic guns, vampiric horses and a very reluctant hero. It’s available now.

Do you have a favourite fictional hero?

So many! Between TV, film and books there are so many heroes out there. I like Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, Harry Dresden from the Dresden files, Dean from Supernatural, the 10th Doctor (I’ve always loved Dr Who but David Tenant has been my favourite so far) and Rhodry from the Deverry series.

Was there any visual inspiration for Roan?

As a goblin, yes. When I was looking up goblins to find out any lore I was reading the descriptions and making notes. As a man, not really. I’m not even sure where the dreadlocks came from. He just strolled into my mind with hair filled with gold and amber beads. It wasn’t until the second draft of the book that I understood the significance of the beads.

THE GOBLIN KING 

Once Upon a Time…

A man was cursed to the Shadowlands, his heart replaced with a cold lump of gold. In legends, he became known as… The Goblin King.

For a favored few he will grant a wish. Yet, desperately clinging to his waning human soul, his one own desire remains unfulfilled… A Willing Queen.

But who would consent to move from the modern-day world into the realm of nightmares? No matter how intoxicating his touch, no matter how deep his valor, loving him is dangerous. And the one woman who might dare to try could also destroy forever his chance at a … Happily Ever After.

KISS OF THE GOBLIN PRINCE

The Man of Her Dreams

He is like a prince in a fairy tale: tall, outrageously handsome, and way too dark for her own good. Amanda has been hurt before, though. And with her daughter's illness, the last thing she needs right now is a man. But the power of Dai King is hard to resist. And when he threads his hands through her hair and pulls her in for a kiss, there is no denying it feels achingly right.

In a Land of Nightmares

After being trapped in the Shadowlands for centuries with the goblin horde a constant threat, Dai revels in his new-found freedom back in the human realm. But even with the centuries of magic he's accumulated, he still doesn't know how to heal Amanda's daughter--and it breaks his heart. Yet for the woman he loves, he'd risk anything...including a return to the Shadowlands.

FOR THE LOVE OF A GOBLIN WARRIOR (released Jan 1st 2013)

Centuries ago, Meryn was thought to be utterly lost--all traces of his soul given up to the ravening goblin horde. But with the curse that enslaved him now broken, he must once again learn to walk in the realm of men.

Nurse Nadine Gilbert likes working the night shift to avoid her disturbing dreams, but her mysterious new patient looks hauntingly familiar. Meryn knows he doesn't deserve a second chance, but Nadine brings out his long-buried human side. Telling her the truth about his violent past could destroy their fragile trust. Could she ever believe in the love of a Goblin Warrior?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author Shona Husk is a civil designer by day and an author by night. She lives in Western Australia and through history, myth and imagination she creates heroes that are armed and dangerous but have a heart of gold-sometimes literally.  For more information on Shona and The Goblin King, and where to download the FREE prequel, The Summons, please visit: http://www.shonahusk.com/. 

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Guest Post & Giveaway with Anna Hackett!

Everyday Adventure

I love action and adventure. I get a lot of ‘everyday’ adventure. Anyone with kids (I have a toddler) knows getting them organized to go anywhere is an adventure. Anything can happen and usually does.

You prepare with military precision – snacks, sippy cup, diapers/nappies, toys, Kleenex, wet wipes. But it doesn’t matter how well you prepare for your adventure, there is still some sort of disaster and what you need to deal with it is unreachable when one arm is full of wriggling toddler! You always survive – a little stressed and usually covered in unknown substances.

When it comes to enjoying a book, TV show or movie, I like BIG action – gunfire, explosions, life or death circumstances. On my last date night with my hubby, we watched Battleship. I LOVED it. The explosions were huge, the stakes were high and Alexander Skarsgard and Taylor Kitsch made an impact.

But what I really love is seeing people band together, in the worst circumstances, to try and win the day. I love seeing them work together, seeing them discover they have more inside them then they ever realized. This is so true for Bay and Sean in Time Thief.

Good action and adventure isn’t just about the heart-pounding chases or the big explosions…it’s about surviving the worst and coming out a better person.

Anna

Hunted for her ability to steal time, Bay North lives a life on the run. All she wants is to make the crime lord who slaughtered her family pay. But now he's set the ultimate hunter on her trail and Bay will need all her skills to carry out her revenge and survive.

Ex-Navy SEAL Sean Archer saw his team killed by a time thief in Afghanistan and came back a broken man. He's made a dark deal with a criminal to hunt down all time thieves and now Sean's tracked the wily Bay North to Denver where he plans to rid the world of one more dangerous mutation.

But during a shootout, hunter and hunted find themselves depending on each other for survival. Joining forces to exact payback by stealing a priceless treasure, their reluctant alliance shatters both their defenses. Can Bay find the courage to trust? And can Sean convince a woman honed in revenge that she can have more than vengeance, blood and killing?

Time Thief -- Amazon | Smashwords | All Romance

To learn more about Anna, visit her website, www.annahackettbooks.com, follow her on Twitter or like her on Facebook.

For the chance to WIN a download of Time Thief, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

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Harlequin Escape: Calling aspiring authors!

Harlequin Australia Opens its Digital Doors

Harlequin Australia, the leading publisher of romance and reading entertainment has announced the launch of its very own digital‐first imprint, Harlequin Escape. Harlequinescape.com is now open to new manuscript submissions!

Authors – it’s your time to shine!

Do you have a burning idea that keeps you up at night?

A cross‐genre experiment looking for a home?

A rule‐breaking character lurking in your pages?

Now is the time to submit, as Harlequin Escape jumps head first into the innovation and freedom of digital publishing!

Harlequin Escape is an exciting new initiative to take Australian authors to a global audience. The call for open manuscript submissions will enable Harlequin Australia to expand its local author programme and unearth new Australian writing talent.

“For many, the traditional publishing model can be daunting and difficult to navigate. By creating a website where authors can openly and easily submit their work online, we believe we are opening up the publishing opportunity to many more potential new authors,” Managing Director of Harlequin Enterprises, Michelle Laforest, explained.

The signing up of Australian authors is an extension of Harlequin’s successful publishing programme. As experts in Romance for over 104 years, Harlequin can now leverage their experience in the world of digital publishing. Harlequin Escape will help discover new Australian talent and allow greater speed in delivering eBooks to market.

It’s an exciting time for publishing and with this initiative Harlequin will continue to lead the way in providing readers with new and interesting stories.

Visit http://harlequinescape.com for more information and submission guidelines. 

How awesome is this? You can visit their blog for submission guidelines and FAQ, which is at the bottom of their About Us page. I better get writing then and so should you!

Review: Forbidden by Christina Phillips

Title: Forbidden (Forbidden book 1)
Author: Christina Phillips
Release date: September 7th 2010
Publisher: Berkley
Available from: Amazon
The Book Depository
Source: Bookstore

First in a new erotic historical series of magical heroines and sexy warriors. Carys knew from the moment she first spied on Maximus in his naked barbarian glory that he was a dangerous Roman centurion-his taut, battle-scarred flesh marking him as a fearless warrior. But her desire for him was as undeniable as it was illicit. Charged by his emperor to eliminate a clan of powerful Druids in Britain, Maximus never expects his mission to be thwarted by the clan's ethereal princess, Carys. Falling under her spell, he doesn't realize her true heritage-until he captures her heart as well as her body. Now Carys and Maximus must overcome the devastation of war and face the ultimate sacrifice if their forbidden love is to survive.

*****

This is such a great book. A Roman centurion and Celtic princess in the time of Rome's occupation make for fantastic reading. Their two worlds have collided and instead of hating each other they fall in love. Add an evil Druid hell bent on destroying everything they both love and the magic of the Goddesses and you've got yourself one enchanting read. I'm so in love with Carys and Tiberius Valerius Maximus. They are such a well matched couple. Their chemistry is vibrant, intense and scorches the pages. Carys is independent, stubborn and defiant. She stands up for everything she believes and does whatever is in her power to save her people. Maximus is a powerful centurion who finds Carys fascinating and a little infuriating, especially when she doesn't back down and smiles in the face of his demands. If you're looking for a red-hot, blistering read with magic, clashing civilisations and romance then grab a copy of Forbidden. You will not be able to put it down! Now I want a Roman centurion of my own!

4/5.

Review: My Love Eternal by Liz Strange (reviewed by Trudy Powders)

• Format: Kindle Edition
  File Size: 631 KB
  Publisher: Lyrical Press, inc. (January 28, 2010)
  Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
  Language: English
  ASIN: B004GHN4UQ
  Available from: Amazon
  Amazon UK
  The Book Depository
  
  
  Blood, sex and eternal life... What more could a girl ask for?
  
  
  Tall, dark, and sexy, as well as fabulously wealthy, Giovanni is everything a girl could ask for in a lover. There's only one catch. He's been undead for more than three hundred years. When Rachel is drawn into Giovanni's world, she learns that the rules of human existence mean nothing in the world of vampires. This, however, is a fair price to pay for a love that will last forever.
  
  
  Hunted by the Desmarais family, who carry a centuries-old vendetta, Rachel and Giovanni travel to the ends of the earth in order to stay one step ahead. Can their love survive, or will their eternity together end?

----------

The lead female in this book is named Rachel, she works at the morgue and her roommates name is Shannon. Rachel enjoys her job and the quiet. After Rachel has a visit from a beautiful stranger she starts to have "episodes “of being in another place and time. His name is Giovanni. This book contains one of the sexiest Transformations I have ever read. The book flashes to ten years later. I'm having a problem with these two vampires still killing to feed. Rachel follows Giovanni and becomes a prisoner of Giovanni’s maker .Giovanni tells Rachel to run and she leaves her love behind. Rachel finds a young boy and gives him shelter and takes him home. They reunite Rachel explains about the boy and they choose to raise him, they all live happily together until the evil Desmarais family attacks, Giovanni is taken and his maker arrives and becomes a companion to Rachel and her son Eli. They leave England and Rachel and Eli's relationship changes and the three of them are together trying to survive. Eli doesn’t kill when he feeds and is now in college. Rachel misses Giovanni and has begun her writing again. Rachel who is still heartbroken from the loss of Giovanni still seeks him out in the darkest of nights. I liked this book but was not impressed with the transformation of Eli. This book is for adult readers only.

I give this book 3 of 5 stars. Book Reviewed by Trudy Powders for Strange Candy Reviews

Interview with Traci Harding

Welcome to Strange Candy Reviews, Traci. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions.

My pleasure, Jo-Anne.  Thank you for promoting Australian books and authors J

For readers who haven’t heard of you, can you give us a quick overview of your books?

Gosh, I hope you mean the titles and not the storylines!

I’m an Australian science-fantasy author, who has fifteen books in publication on the Voyager label of HarperCollins Publishers (four trilogies and three stand alone novels). My next book ‘The Light-field’ will be released in Feb 2012, with another trilogy ‘The Timekeepers’ to follow.

My first book The Ancient Future has featured regularly on the Dymocks’ Top 101 Books.  It also made the ABC’s Lists, ‘Most Loved Books of All Time’, ‘Favourite Australian Book’ and has been reprinted over 35 times.  Along with my stand alone novel The Alchemist's Key, The Ancient Future has been published in Complex Chinese.  The Mystique Trilogy is published in Russian, Czech, Slavic, and Romanian.

The Ancient Future Trilogy, Mystique Trilogy and the Triad of Being have been published in E-book format, and my second Trilogy The Celestial Triad and the stand alone novels will be released on E-book in 2012.

The Ancient Future, Gene of Isis and Being of the Field are released in Audio Book format through Bolinda Audio and are available through iTunes and Amazon as a Digital download.

The Alchemist’s Key is currently optioned to ‘Dragonlight Productions’ and is being developed as a feature film project. 

Phew!

Have you ever had to do any kind of research for your books?

I have had to do all kinds of research for my books, everything from the ancient mysteries, esoteric, occult, and various religious doctrines, (including the Australian aboriginal dreamtime).  I’ve also researched the ancient cultures of the Celts of Britain, the legends of Atlantis, ancient Egypt, Rome, Sumeria and most recently … well, I can’t really say as that would be a spoiler.  All this research is due primarily to the reincarnating and time traveling tendencies of my characters.  Most of my books are set, or visit, other dimensions, galaxies, universes, the future and levels of consciousness, so there is also a huge amount of scientific research involved, particularly quantum physics.

What’s your favourite genre to write about? 

Time travel is a theme I toy with often in my tales, and as I cannot seem to stay on this planet in the present day, science-fantasy is the only genre for me!  When a reader opens one of my books they expect to be swept away on an adventure to another time and place entirely, have their concept of life and reality broadened by the experience, and have a frolicking good time in the bargain - I aim to deliver just that.

In your opinion what makes for great lead characters? 

Given that my books have a spiritual undertone, I need a lead character who leads by example.  Someone with good moral fiber, an open mind, respect for others and the heart and belief in themselves, to follow their personal life quest, no matter how challenging.

  

What, for you, determines a characters personality? Are they ever inspired by people you know or meet?

My characters are nearly always inspired by people I know, have known, or wish to know.  Their personality is determined by their past really, and many of my characters have a very long history.

Is there a certain type of music you listen to when writing?

Always!  When I was in Celtic Britain it was Clannad and Loreena McKennitt – for Atlantis it was the Dead Can Dance - in space it was Pink Floyd and Brian Eno and for the future, just about anything chill.  In my forthcoming book, ‘the Light-field’ I was actually granted permission to use lyrics from a song by Lindsay Tomasic called ‘Starman’, who is one the characters in the book.  We think this the first time a music artist and an author have collaborated at the book stage of a story!  I say collaborated as Lindsay’s song actually influenced my storyline, so I had to use it J  At present, I am listening to loads of … well, I can’t really tell you that either, as that would be a spoiler too!

NOTE :  I listen to music to formulate the story – when I’m in my car etc – but when I actually write I prefer silence.  I find music invokes the story, so if I forget where the story was going, I’ll go back and listen to the music and that will remind me.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

The most amazing thing my characters have taught me is that I create my own reality. Not only that, but they taught me how to create a better life for myself, and according to my readers I am not the only one they have influenced to make changes to their attitude, beliefs, job, religion, partner, life path etc for the better – my characters are a very inspiring lot.

How did you feel the first time your book was accepted for publishing?

It was of course very exciting, but as the late and very great Steve Jobs advised, “Never dwell on any of your successes too long – always be looking to the next project.”  That is me to a T.  When HarperCollins accepted my first book for publication, it was a one book deal; so for me there was a real sense that it was ‘game on’ if I washed to make a career out of writing.  I was already halfway through writing the next book by the time HarperCollins were asking me for more, and I haven’t stopped writing since!  To make it as a writer in this country you have to have that kind of dedication, but then I do LOVE my work.

  

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Well, I don’t know how many writers strike up conversations with their characters, but I do it all the time.  Much like a clairvoyant would invoke a spirit, I’ll call in one of my characters for a chat, and roll play a scene or conversation that I think needs to take place, or ask the character questions that might help sort out the plot.  Obviously, this is a practice best left for when you are alone J

What do you like to do when your not writing?

Outside of writing I spend as much time as I can with my children, doing the family thing.  To keep fit I do a Pilates routine, at least three times a week, that was put together for me by a dear friend – thanks Lisa!  The trouble with being self-employed is that you never really stop working – well, me anyway.  As I mentioned above, no sooner have I finished one story than I am starting on the next one - or at least heavily researching for it - so I don’t get to do much pleasure reading either!  Still, when I do, I like to read books by local Aussie authors.  Some of those I’ve read most recently are Kim Wilkins aka Kimberley Freemen, Belinda Alexandra, Grant Hyde, Christopher Ride, Jessica Shirvington and Kate Morton.  I do manage to get a bit of socializing into my schedule, and there is nothing I enjoy more than like together with a few friends over Strawberry Margaritas!

Thanks for the chance to chat, Jo-Anne.  If your readers would like to know more about me they can visit my new website :  http://www.traciharding.com

Or the Traci Harding Message Boards at Trazling Castle :

http://www.trazling.net/Traci_Harding/fantasy.html

Or my Face book Pages -

Traci Harding Fans :

 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Traci-Harding-Fans/192539780777816

Trazling on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Trazling/137675699632860

The Alchemist’s Key Movie

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Alchemists-Key-The-Movie/221242557886502

I do have some special things happening over Xmas this year in the lead up to the release of the third book of the Triad of Being - ‘The Light-field’ in February 2012 – so if readers will check in with any of the above sites they won’t miss out on any of the excitement!

Interview & giveaway with M.J Scott

Welcome to Strange Candy Reviews, M.J. Thanks for joining us!

Thanks for having me on your blog!

For those who have not yet heard about your book, can you tell us a bit about it?

Shadow Kin is a dark fantasy. It’s about a half-Fae assassin who botches her current assignment. Because of that her world begins to fall apart.

How did you feel when your book had been picked for publishing?

Thrilled! I was at work and got an email from my agent that said we had an offer. I had to casually stroll off to a meeting room so I wouldn’t start jumping up in down in the middle of the office. Though by the time I got the final offer it was more thrilled and exhausted as it was a two week process that involved many sleepless nights!

What has been the most exciting thing that has happened to you since your book was released?

Having a book launch a few weeks ago was lots of fun—there was a queue of people to get a signed copy. But really, just knowing that people are reading and liking the book is the most exciting part.

I love the world and characters you have created in Shadow Kin. How did the idea for it come about?

It was one of those books that sprang up from nowhere. I’d written two books in an urban fantasy series that was being shopped by my agent and another more futuristic urban fantasy and was trying to figure out what to write next, playing with a few ideas. Then one night I was lying in bed, almost falling asleep and a voice in my head literally said “revenge is silent”. At first I almost ignored it but then the voice said it again and I started thinking “why is revenge silent?” and started to get the first scene and had to get up and write for an hour or so. By the time I’d finished that scene I had my heroine and hero and the basics of the world. Which is a longwinded way of saying “I don’t really know with this one”.

Is there one place you'd love to go but have never been before?

I’d love to go to Tuscany. Whenever I see pictures of that region in magazines or movies, it just looks beautiful. I want to live in a villa in Tuscany and eat great food for a few months.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I wrote my first stories when I was quite young…around seven or eight. I wrote stuff off and on throughout high school but then did the sensible thing and picked a sensible career. Because working writers were sort of fabled mythical creatures. But the stories never really went away and I decided I really wanted to give it another go about ten years ago.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I still have a part time day job, so it varies. On day job days I write after work (and sometimes on the train or at lunch if I really need the time). I try and do four pages or so on those days. On non day job days, I tend to write in the afternoons (and sometimes at night). My muse, like me, is not a morning person. I aim for more pages on those days.

What do you think makes a good story?

For me, it’s the characters. Give me interesting characters doing interesting things and make me care about them. Make them real and flawed and entertaining. If you do that and have good world building, I don’t mind the odd plot hole and will read away happily. But if you have a brilliant plot but boring characters (or worse boring characters and boring plot) chances are that book is not going to be finished.

If you could tell aspiring writers one thing, what would it be?

Listen to your stories to find what you really want to write, write a LOT, read a LOT, do whatever you can do to learn about writing and publishing and don’t give up.

Name five things you can't live without.

Books, my cat, my iPod, dark chocolate and a computer.

M.J Scott is an unrepentant bookworm. Luckily she grew up in a family that fed her a properly varied diet of books and these days is surrounded by people who are understanding of her story addiction. When not wrestling one of her own stories to the ground, she can generally be found reading someone else’s. Her other distractions include yarn, cat butlering, dark chocolate and fabric. She lives in Melbourne, Australia. Her website is http://www.mjscott.net/.

Leave a comment with your email to win a copy of Shadow Kin from The Book Depository! Giveaway is international and ends 21st October! Just for fun, what are five things you can't live without?