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Susan A. Royal

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Welcome Back, Robbi Perna!!!

11 Friday Aug 2017

Posted by Susan A. Royal in Interview

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adventure, My Heart Still Surrenders, Robbi Perna, romance, sexy Italians

I’m delighted to have good friend and fellow author, Robbi Perna, back for another visit. For those of you who don’t know, she writes these wonderful books filled with just the right mix of Romance and adventure, not to mention a sexy Italian!! Robbi at the Victoriana Ball1 - Copy

Multi-published, awarding winning professional author, Robbi Perna, born and raised in Denver, Colorado, is the oldest of four children in an Italian-American family. As the only girl, she gained a unique insight on the Italian male psyche over the years. Her stories often reflect her Italian heritage and the traits many Italian men and women exhibit. At a recent reunion, a classmate approached Robbi and remarked, “I remember two things about you. You always wanted horses and you were always writing stories.” Robbi happily confirmed she had owned Arabian horses for a number of years before moving away from Denver and she still wrote stories. She now makes her home in Northern Virginia where she spends her time embellishing her townhome to resemble an Italian palazzo and crafting her stories.

Robbi brings a diverse perspective to her writing. Her degrees in Art History and a professional background in business, strategic planning and communications, and more than twenty years as a Senior Military Analyst provide a wealth of inspiration. She is the author of thirty-one published credits that include novels, short stories, articles, essays, and editorials.

Robbi’s genre fiction encompasses romance, the paranormal, history, adventure, and women’s literature. Her goal is to live up to one reviewer’s comments: “When you find a writer who can tell a wonderful story that captures your heart and can tell it superbly, well you simply have a great find. Robbi Perna’s stories fit the bill to a T!”

Robbi graciously agreed to provide us some interesting and fun things you usually don’t find out in a blog interview.

* An interesting fact you might not know:

The unification of Italy in 1871 made a country, but it did not make Italians. The general standard of living demonstrated little or no improvement with unification. Liberalism became associated with the rich while the common people remained outside the mainstream of Italian life. A successful completion of the unification process required their integration into the system—a lesson that remained unlearned for most of the nineteenth century and the early part of the twentieth.It was not until Mussolini’s fascist regime that the inhabitants of the peninsula began to think of themselves as a unified people.

* One of Robbi’s favorite characters, who she patterned him after, and why

The hero, a soldier of fortune known only as Navarre is my favorite character. He is the illegitimate son of a Spanish noble and a Basque woman. I patterned him after the strong, silent prototypical heroes of Hollywood’s golden era—mysterious, competent in whatever he does, kind, but at the same time—someone who could be very dangerous in a given situation.

Why—seriously? What red-blooded woman wouldn’t find him attractive and want him to protect her?

(Ummm, yeah. Navarre is my kind of man!”)

* Robbi’s least favorite character and what makes him less appealing.

Carolina’s father, Aurelio the Conte DeSimone, is my least favorite character. While historians of the period would describe him as a man of his times, he is cruel, self-serving, controlling, and believes women are chattel. Since I do not believe there is any excuse for cruelty or controlling personalities, for me, he is the least appealing sort of man in any age. However, from the standpoint of the storyline, I wanted the contrast between the hero, the illegitimate son of a Spanish noble, who is the true gentleman and Aurelio, born a gentleman, who is a bastard.

(You are so right. The weakness of one character does help us see the strength of another.)

* One of Robbi’s characters  in a completely unacceptable situation. She describes what his reaction would be.

Navarre is an intelligence officer, a soldier of fortune, the illegitimate son of a Spanish noble—not a palace courtier. He has neither the polished manners nor the birth rank. When Prince Umberto tells him he wishes to have him serve as the fencing instructor to Princess Margherita and her lady-in-waiting, the Contessina Carolina DeSimone, Navarre is horrified. He respectfully objects, but the Prince is adamant…and Navarre, mysterious, competent, and dangerous becomes a fencing master serving at the command and pleasure of the princess royal and the lady he once watched from the distance of a cypress grove in Tivoli.

(An unacceptable situation, yet our hero rises to the occasion….sigh!!!)

Perna-MyHeartStillSurrenders-sm

Coming August 15, 2017  Available for Pre-order 

 

 

Now that Robbi has us all drooling over tall, dark and handsome Navarre, let’s sit back and enjoy an excerpt from her book.

“Cara mia, be sensible. You know we have no choice.” Carlo’s agonized voice broke the stillness of the cemetery. His tall, strong build, black hair, and dark eyes typified the Roman aristocrat. The red regimental dress uniform of the Pope’s Guardia Nobile intensified his good looks.

“Why does life have to be so hard? If my mother were still alive, she would never have allowed this to happen. She always liked you and we would have had her support. I would have had the hope of a better life, a life of my own choosing.” Her voice trembled with emotion and she clung to Carlo’s hand.

He looked down at her, his face full of the love she’d found there for all the years she’d known him. “Hope, what a laugh. There hasn’t been any hope for us since the day your father sided with the House of Savoy. No, Carolina, we have no hope and this is the last time I will risk meeting you. Go now, it is dangerous for us both, and you need to return home before the day gets much later.” He gave her hand a brief squeeze before he removed it from his arm and turned to escort her over to where the coach waited. Her companion, Maria, and Giuseppe, the coachman who had served her mother stood waiting by the door.

“Come, Ma’donna. We must return to Rome before the Count sends someone to look for you.” Giuseppe let down the steps and helped the two women into the coach. Carolina watched him give Carlo a long look before he climbed up to the box.

Carlo leaned his head into the carriage window. “Farewell amore mio. I’ll pray to our Heavenly Father for your safety. I leave tomorrow for my next assignment with the Guardia Nobile. I also have no choice. My family remains faithful to the Holy Father. Only those few misguided fools like your father fail to realize Victor Emmanuelle is an opportunist who

offers nothing except empty promises. The rest of us still believe the future security of Italy lies with Pio Nono. You’ll see—he will triumph in the end.” Carlo stepped back and spun away in the opposite direction to mount his horse.

“Ma’donna Carolina, don’t cry so. You will make yourself ill. Come, let Maria hold you.” The woman, a distant cousin of her late mother’s, had been her companion since childhood. She enfolded Carolina in her arms and held her against her amble, dark clothed bosom.

“Maria, I’ll never see him again. We’ve been planning to marry since we were children. How will I live without him?” She sat up straight and attempted to dry her tears. “What will I do so far away in Turin? Why must I serve a cause I don’t understand?”

“You must be patient. Perhaps your father will come to his senses.” The older woman stroked a hand down her back to comfort her, but Carolina saw Maria stare out the carriage window with a bleak, distant expression.

***

 Across the expanse of uneven ground, the man known only as Navarre standing in the shelter of the cypress trees lowered his binoculars. He tilted them so the sun would not reflect off the lenses and disclosure his presence. He retraced his steps to the horse he’d tethered in the shelter of the stone ruins at the edge of the cemetery.

“Come Compeador. The young lovers, whoever they are, will no doubt find their way through whatever troubles them, but their presence has delayed our journey long enough. I must deliver the King’s message to my contact in the Vatican before midnight.”

The Arabian stallion snorted and sidled when the man slid a black booted foot into the stirrup and mounted. Once settled deep in the saddle, he reined the horse’s head in the direction of the road toward Rome and set off at a canter taking care not to overtake the coach traveling along the Via Salaria. Once cleared of the town, the pair cut across the countryside and covered the distance at a pace designed to eat up the remaining kilometers. The need to break his journey to avoid detection had put him behind schedule.

Check out My Heart Still Surrenders as well as Robbi’s other books. You’ll be glad you did!

* Website: http://www.RobbiPerna.net

* Email: Robbis_stories@robbiperna.net

* Buy Links: https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Still-Surrenders-Robbi-Perna/dp/1773622579/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501439934&sr=8-1&keywords=My+Heart+Still+SurrendersAmazon  https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Still-Surrenders-Robbi-Perna-ebook/dp/B073PBKSY6/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1501439934&sr=8-1 Amazon Buy Link E-Book: My Heart Still Surrenders Amazon Buy Link Print Edition: My Heart Still Surrenders

2nd Place in First Chapter Book Award

21 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by Susan A. Royal in announcement

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

adventure, fantasy, MuseItUp Publishing, romance, Susan A. Royal

http://venturegalleries.com/blog/etwg-first-chapter-book-award-xanders-tangled-web/

Release Day for XANDER’S TANGLED WEB

26 Tuesday Apr 2016

Posted by Susan A. Royal in announcement

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adventure, fairy tale, fantasy, MuseItUp Publishing, Release Day, Susan A. Royal

Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and MuseItUp

xanders tangled web-Small

Xander’s Tangled Web

YA Fantasy author Eric Price

22 Friday Apr 2016

Posted by Susan A. Royal in article

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

adventure, Eric Price, fantasy, MuseItUp Publishing, The Squire and The Slave Master

 

Author Photo

Eric is a fellow MuseItUp author. He stopped in for a visit a while back and I’m tickled to have him here again. He lives with his wife and two sons in northwest Iowa. He began publishing in 2008 when he started writing a quarterly column for a local newspaper. Later that same year he published his first work of fiction, a spooky children’s story called Ghost Bed and Ghoul Breakfast. Since then, he has written stories for children, young adults, and adults. Three of his science fiction stories have won honorable mention from the CrossTime Annual Science Fiction Contest. His first YA fantasy novel, Unveiling the Wizards’ Shroud, received the Children’s Literary Classics Seal of Approval and the Literary Classics Award for Best First Novel. His second novel, The Squire and the Slave Master, continues the Saga of the Wizards. He is a member of SCBWI.

Now let’s get to the fun part where I get to ask questions and find out a little more about my guest. Eric, describe what you consider your ideal writing conditions.

I need my desk to be clean. Even though I use a laptop, I prefer to write in my office. I typically listen to music while I write. I try to find something that fits the mood of the scene I’m writing. It works best if I’m very familiar with the song. Writing is not a time for me to check out new music.

Name a book/author you can read again and again and always learn something new.

I adore the Harry Potter books. I’ve read them countless times to myself. I’ve listened to the audio books. I’ve read the series to my oldest son, and now I’m on book three with my youngest, yet I still catch new details each time.

I love the Harry Potter books, too. They remind me of the stories that drew me in when I was  young–all mysterious, dark and magical. I wanted to live in that kind of world. Tell us about your current WIP.

My current WIP is titled A Wizard Reborn, and it will be the third and final volume in my Saga of the Wizards series. In Unveiling the Wizards’ Shroud, Owen and Yara went on an adventure together. In The Squire and the Slave Master, Yara got her own book. This one is Owen’s solo project. It takes place at the exact same time as The Squire and the Slave Master, so I’m finding it harder to write than I had imagined (and I imagined it would be tough)

What is the best compliment you ever received as an author?

“I read your book.” Okay, it may sound like I’m taking the easy way out here, but think about it. Someone dedicated several hours of their time, time they could have done any number of things, including read a different book, to read your book. They are four simple words, but they hold a lot of weight.

You are absolutely right. What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

As a family, we travel a lot. And we usually drive where we’re going. When the kids get restless, I sometimes feel like pulling out my remaining hair, but when their teachers tell me how much they contribute to their classroom discussions with personal experience stories, I know it’s worth it. Last summer we took a road trip covering Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, back to Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and finally back home to Iowa. We redefined tired by the end of that one.

What is the one thing you never seem to have enough time for?

Cheesy Answer Alert! Okay, I warned you. I never have enough time to write. But the bottom line is, for me, writing doesn’t pay the bills. So when something has to get cut, either because I’m out of time or because I’m too tired to do anything productive, it’s usually writing.

Yeah, I hear you. There are only so many hours in the day. Sometimes things we enjoy have to get put on the back burner, don’t they?

Folks, here’s an excerpt from Book Two of Saga of the Wizards: The Squire and The Slave Master.

The Squire and the Slave Master 333x500“I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.” Yara cut the fat from an emmoth rib. “I don’t suppose anyone knows. It will take as long as needed to end the slavery.”

Her mother pushed her mostly untouched meal around her plate. “I’d prefer you didn’t go. It sounds dangerous.”

“Mother, these people are engaging in slavery. Not farm animals forced to work, they’re humans.”

“I understand. I’m not saying we shouldn’t intervene. I’m just not sure why you have to go.”

“King Kendrick and Owen think an undercover magician could give us an advantage. I agree with them. Besides, I want to go. I need to get away from here for a while. Plus, I’m an adult now. You can’t tell me what to do.” Chancing a glance at her father, she hoped she hadn’t upset him again. Their earlier argument had been mostly in jest, but the comment she made about her brother must have stung.

Instead of looking angry, he leaned back in his chair and chewed his emmoth meat. When he finished, he grinned. “Don’t get upset, Kamala. At least she told us she planned on leaving this time.”

“When I left in search of Owen and Cedric, I didn’t have time to tell you. This time we have a plan.” Yara chewed her last piece of rib meat. She’d snuck out after her parents had turned in for the night.

She could usually count on her father to have a level head…when he wasn’t provoking her about a woman’s place in the world.

Her mother cleared her uneaten food from the table. “I don’t presume to tell you what to do. I just want to make sure you’ve considered all the aspects of the mission.”

“To the best of my ability, I have considered all aspects. First, I have to travel as a boy. Aside from my appearance, I shouldn’t have trouble with this. My best friend is a boy, and I’ve never had much interest in girly activities. And why would I? As a child, playing with dolls couldn’t compare to chasing piglets through the muddy stockyards.”

Her mother’s eyes lightened for the first time that evening. “You also don’t care much for washing clothes. If you did, you’d have realized most of the mess you got into in the stockyards wasn’t mud in the truest sense.”

She laughed. “Fair enough. Now my second concern, while traveling as a boy, I’m best to not get caught. Big burly men, out to sea for several days, may have more interest in a helpless girl than just someone to whom they could confide their deepest secrets.” She grinned, raised her hand above her head, and caused a blue flame to burst forth from her palm. “Good thing I’m not a helpless girl.”

As long as they don’t attack me in my sleep.

Her father collected the dirty dishes.

Yara helped him clear the table. “If I can keep my façade, the trip should sail by, so to speak. Once we get to Buisna, we’ll have to find the ruler of the slave operation. I suppose this could present itself as a difficult task, but at least I won’t have to do it alone.”

Of course there’s always the question of what we’ll find in Buisna. Why does a country the size of the Western Domain need our help? How large is this new country? How many people are there to fight? The military of the Central Domain is weakened from the attack by the Wizard Rebellion. Why would King Kendrick decide to send troops at a time like this? Do they know, or suspect, more than Owen told me?

With the table cleared of dishes, Yara stretched and yawned. “Now, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll retire to bed early tonight. Shoeing that horse wore me out, and I need to get some thorough rest before my training tomorrow.” She hugged her mother. “Everything will work out. King Kendrick and Owen will have a strategy planned for the whole mission.”

A loud, rapid knocking at the front door startled her. Answering it, she found Owen standing with a man about his same size but a few years older, donned in the armor of the King’s Sentry

Owen glanced around the room, his eyes wide and observant but clear of any panic. “Yara, you have to come to Innes Castle now. The plans have changed. You’re leaving tonight.”

If you haven’t had a chance, read the first book in Eric’s series. Unveiling the Wizards’ Shroud is where the story begins. Unveiling the Wizards Shroud 300ppi

Muse It Up Publishing (both)
Left Bank Books (paperback)
Amazon (both)
Barnes & Noble (both)
Books-A-Million (paperback)
Kobo (eBook)
Smashwords (eBook)
iTunes (eBook)
OmniLit (eBook)

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Readers, thanks so much for stopping by. If you get the chance please check out Eric’s blog  https://authorericprice.com/ for a peek at my newest book, Xander’s Tangled Web due out April 26th.

 

Dinner And A Movie Monday – Legends of the Fall

18 Monday Apr 2016

Posted by Susan A. Royal in movie review

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adventure, Dinner and Movie Monday, romance

legends-of-the-fall_movie-poster-01

LEGENDS OF THE FALL is a film is about life in Montana in the early 20th century and how nature, history, war and love affect the lives of the Ludlow family. The film begins the decade before WWI, takes us through Prohibition era and into the 30s. Along with his three sons, Colonel William Ludlow, played by Anthony Hopkins who is one of my favorite actors, retires and takes up ranching. Alfred, the eldest, is responsible and cautious; Tristan, the Colonel’s favorite son, is wild and well versed in American Indian traditions; Samuel, the youngest, is educated but naive and constantly watched over by his brothers. Susannah is the young woman who loves each of them.

When Samuel returns from the east with his fiancée Susannah, she is captivated by the land and the Ludlow family. She loves Samuel but finds Tristan captivating. Before they can marry, Samuel joins the army, along with Alfred. Tristan does as well, but only to protect his brothers.

Samuel dies during a reconnaissance mission. Tristan tries to save him, but he’s too late. He cannot forgive himself. Susannah comforts him, and they become lovers. A jealous Alfred leaves home to make his name. Tristan leaves Montana for several years. Susannah patiently waits for him, only to receive a letter coldly telling her to marry someone else. She settles for Alford.

This story is about three brothers’ love for the same woman and how everyone has to learn to live with the choices they make. The scenery is gorgeous and the acting is wonderful, but the story always leaves me feeling less than satisfied. Maybe it’s because none of the characters seem to be able to decide what they really want out of life.

baked beans~ BAKED BEANS~

Baked Beans and Potato Salad are summer staples at our house. We serve them with grilled steak, hot dogs, burgers and barbecue.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

Yield: Makes about 16 servings.

  • ½ pound bacon, chopped
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 medium to large red bell pepper, diced
  • ½ cup chopped green onions
  • 3 (16-ounce) Pork and Beans
  • Kosher salt & fresh coarse ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup BBQ Sauce
  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • ¾ cup unsulphured molasses
  • ¾ cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons Dijon or spicy grain mustard
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried cilantro or 1 tablespoon fresh
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • For the Optional Topping
  • 8 slices bacon
  • 4 tablespoons light or dark brown sugarIn a large frying pan over medium heat, cook the bacon until browned and just about crispy, about 5 minutes. Reserve rendered bacon fat in pan. Add onion and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in chopped red bell pepper and green onions; sauté until crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside. Add all of the sauce ingredients to the bowl or stock pot with the bean mixture. Stir well to incorporate. Using rubber spatula, scrap and pour mixture, evenly dividing, into baking dishes.
  • Bake in preheated oven until sauce has thickened, is bubbling and cooked through, about 90 minutes. If desired, top each with four bacon slices and sprinkle light brown sugar over the bacon after 30 minutes of baking. Remove from oven and transfer to cooling rack to rest before serving, about 5 minutes.
  • Combine beans in large bowl or stock pot; season with salt and pepper. Scrape bacon and vegetable mixture into beans. Season with salt and pepper; stir well to incorporate.
  • Preparation

 

Xander’s Tangled Web

21 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by Susan A. Royal in announcement

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

adventure, fantasy, MuseItUp Publishing, romance, Susan A. Royal

xanders tangled web-Small

Xander’s Tangled Web

http://junipergrovebooksolutions.com/xanders-tangled-web-susan-a-royal/

I’m so excited!! Join me on my blog tour for my newest book, Xander’s Tangled Web. The folks at Juniper Grove Book have a great week planned. I’ll be featured on a different blog, Monday, March 21st through Friday, March 25th.

Drop by for a peek at Xander’s world and the chance to win an Amazon gift card and a free copy of the book. I’ll be looking for you!

Dinner And A Movie Monday – The Last of the Mohicans

07 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by Susan A. Royal in movie review

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

action, adventure, fantastic music, romance, spectacular scenery, The Last Of The Mohicans

MohicansThe Last of the Mohicans, starring Daniel Day-Lewis is one of my all time favorite movies. If I’m channel surfing and happen across it, I always stop. It has all the ingredients of a good movie. Action, adventure, romance. Not to mention handsome men. The strong, silent type.

It takes place in 1757 during the French and Indian War. The last living chief of the Mohican tribe, Chingachgook, travels west with his sons Uncas and Hawkeye, a white man he adopted. They rescue Major Heyward, along with Colonel Munro’s daughters, Cora and Alice, from an ambush and accompany them to Fort William Henry so they can join their father. While they travel, Cora forms a bond with Hawkeye.

When they arrive, the French hold the foot under siege. Without reinforcements, it falls. The French general promises them safe passage to Albany, but on the way they are attacked by Magua and his Huron army, because he wants revenge for the death of his family. Hawkeye and the Mohicans fight their way through, leading Cora, Alice, and Heyward from the battle, but Magua later captures the major and the women, and takes them prisoner.

The scenery in this movie is spectacular and the music is moving. I’ve read where Day-Lewis immersed himself in the part to the point where he carried a musket around for months. My favorite scenes in the movie have little or no dialogue. Subtle nuance speaks a thousand words. The scene where Hawkeye searches for Cora at the fort and his expression when he finds her and realizes she’s been looking for him, the scene at the waterfall, and the silent moments shared between Uncas and Alice at the end.

Sausage-Venison Stewvenison sausage stew

Nothing says frontier life like venison stew. I grew up eating deer meat, and since my husband was a deer hunter, I learned to cook it as well. Since it has very little fat, the trick is to find techniques to cook it so it won’t end up being tough as a boot! I found this recipe many years ago. It’s still a family favorite.

1 lb venison, cubed

1 lb kiolbassa sausage, cubed

1/2 bag Italian Green Beans

2 c new potatoes or peeled and cubed potatoes

1 onion, sliced

2 T chopped garlic

2 beef bouillon cubes

Salt and Pepper to taste

Parsley for garnish

Put sausage and venison in a skillet. Brown it with onions and garlic. Add green beans and potatoes. Add bouillon, salt, pepper and water to cover vegetable. Cook on top of stove or in oven at 350 degrees for about an hour. Garnish with parsley. Serves 4

Cake, Coffee and Conversation at my Place

26 Friday Feb 2016

Posted by Susan A. Royal in Interview

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

adventure, fantasy, MuseItUp Publishing, science-fiction

 

Please drop in. Today I’m visiting with Kai Strand, a fellow author with MuseItUp. She writes young adult and middle grade books.  I don’t know about you, but I love to discover the story behind the story, especially when it comes to writers like me. We are a diverse lot. There’s no telling what you’ll find us doing when we’re not writing. We have day jobs, families, hobbies and various and sundry activities that keep us busy.

Kai Strand

When her children were young and the electricity winked out, Kai Strand gathered her family around the fireplace and they told stories, one sentence at a time. Her boys were rather fond of the ending, “And then everybody died. The end.” Now an award winning children’s author, Kai crafts fiction for kids and teens to provide an escape hatch from their reality. With a selection of novels for young adult and middle grade readers Kai entertains children of all ages, and their adults. Learn more about Kai and her books on her website, www.kaistrand.com.

FindingThor_1-FINAL

Tragedy has left Cara Cassidy broken and the only thing keeping her from giving in completely is her guilt. Until Nik Rock.

Nik stirs up feelings in degrees she has never experienced, and causes her to do things that most assuredly give him the wrong impression – like kiss him before their first date. Somehow, he breaks down the walls around her emotions until she has no choice but to forgive herself and feel again.

But a mysterious, troubled past follows Nik, and Cara may prove to be his weakest link.

When a royal princess shows up looking for Nik, and an international gang arrives looking for missing jewels, Cara lands in mortal danger. Will she be able to save herself? What will happen to her newly repaired psyche if she loses Nik?

Romance, mystery, and high stakes – just another day in high school.

Excerpt 

The veil dropped over Nik’s expression so fast, it told her exactly what she didn’t want to know. Nik had indeed seen her mom. Cara turned away from him again intending to trudge back into the classroom.

“By the crown, will you stop already?” Nik begged.

The exasperation in his tone and the odd choice of words piqued her curiosity. Cocking her head, she asked, “By the crown?”

The frustration melted away and Nik pursed his lips, which almost distracted Cara enough to forget the thread of conversation, but she tore her eyes away and asked, “Is that what they say in Seattle?”

Nik’s eyes lit with appreciation. “Aren’t you clever?”

“Am I?”

He nodded. His appreciative appraisal and half smile wreaked havoc with her supposed cleverness.

“Nik?” she breathed.

“Yes?” He tilted toward her giving her the impression he hung on her every word. His eyes were glued to her lips, which she realized were parted and ever so slightly panting.

She gulped. “Can we perhaps do this after school?”

When he raised his gaze to meet hers she almost liquefied under the heat of it. “Can I trust you?”

“Trust me to do what?” Cara asked. She was losing the ability to think.

“Show up.” He slid closer and she held her breath hoping he would take her in his arms.

“Show up where?” she asked.

A full-blown grin curved across his face and she thrilled with the knowledge she’d put it there. Then she realized she couldn’t remember how.

“Actually, I was going to ask you that,” Nik said. His eyes roved her face.

“Wait. What?” Cara’s voice was so breathy she wasn’t sure if she spoke or gasped.

“Where should we meet? After school.”

She itched to rise up on tiptoe and kiss that stellar grin off his mouth.

A low chuckle rumbled through him. “Why don’t you tell me in gym class?”

She nodded slowly. Was he a drug? Or maybe the male version of a siren. Did they have those?

He tipped further forward and she caught her breath. Then he sighed.

“See you next period.”

Her mouth fell open as he walked away. He hadn’t even touched her and she was burning with need.

At the end of the hall, he glanced over his shoulder and grinned when he saw her still gaping after him. When he walked out of view she let out the breath she’d been holding. It stuttered and shook, but was relieved to escape her burning lungs. How long had she been holding her breath?

By the crown, Nik Rock was dangerous!

Okay guys, help yourselves to another cup of coffee and more cake, while we get to know Kai better. How long have you been writing? Like most writers, I’ve been writing in some format (angsty poetry, overly dramatized shorts, etc) most of my life, but I decided to pursue publication when my third child started Kindergarten (he graduates high school this year!) I have four kids and when he started school and I was left with only our youngest daughter, it felt like I had ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD to write. Rather liberating actually. It was six years before I received my first book contract. Not so liberating after all. But very rewarding.

That’s a familiar story. I finally got serious about it when my youngest graduated from high school. I decided if I was ever going to do it, I’d better stop procrastinating and get with it. Like you, it took me a while to get there.

Are you a plotter, a pantser or some combination of both? I consider myself a pantser. When I start a new book, I also start a notes document, a place for me to make note of things like names, ages, physical characteristics, family trees, plot points I want to make sure to cover or circle back to, etc. However, the creation of the story itself mostly happens by the seat of my pants. Every single time I’m writing a story there is some point between the middle and the end when I wonder how the heck I’m gonna make it all come together. I’ve been doing this long enough now that I can assure myself (over and over again) that it will come together – that it always does. However, because I refuse to outline, I always hit a point in the book where I doubt my ability to find the path through to the end. It makes the discovery fun for me, actually. I feel very clever each time I succeed. Creating an outline seems to use up my creative juices for that story and then I feel like I’m editing through the whole thing. Even the first draft. I’m not a fan of editing.

The same thing happens to me! About 2/3 through the book I’m suddenly wondering what on earth I’m going to do to get my characters out of this mess. Nice to know I have company.

Give us an interesting or fun fact about your book/series (one we couldn’t possibly know).The concept of Finding Thor evolved from me wanting to write a YA mash up of the movie National Treasure and Wuthering Heights. I wanted the suspense and mystery of National Treasure and the tragedy and love story of Wuthering Heights. I wanted a kind and respectful male lead that made me sigh and fan my cheeks, and a female lead that grows and discovers her strength. Putting that all together was both fun and challenging.

Describe one of your favorite characters and tell us who you patterned them after and why.

Beyond the main characters, Cara and Nik, I think my favorite character in this story is Cara’s best friend, Kelly. She’s loyal and strong and funny. I know that if I met Kelly IRL, I’d want to be her friend. She isn’t really patterned after anyone in particular, but I guess her outgoing personality and her impressive height is reminiscent of my sister. Being shy and short myself, I’ve always admired both qualities in my sister, so it isn’t too surprising they should show up in a character. 

I LOVE supporting characters. Especially when they evolve into characters with stories of their own.

What is the best compliment you ever received as a writer? It was in the most unexpected place. I was attending a funeral, giving my condolences to the family. I hugged the girl who had just lost her grandfather and said that I wished I could do something to help her through her grief. Her answer was so unexpected. 

“Keep writing. It helps. It helps a lot.”

Wow.

I completely agree. What a wonderful thing to know your words have had that effect on someone.

What do you like to do when you aren’t writing? I’m pretty obsessed with walking. I love to walk. I love the motion of it. Soaking up the greater outdoors (regardless of weather conditions) is therapeutic for me. I wish walking didn’t take up so much time. At least I can multitask and listen to an audiobook at the same time. The two birds thing!

And who knows what ideas might pop into your head while you’re walking!

This has been fun. Come back again anytime Kai. Good luck with Finding Thor.

Thanks for stopping by everyone. Check out the links below to learn more about Kai and her books. If you get a chance today, check her blog. I’m doing a character interview on one of my characters in Xander’s Tangled Web, due out April 26th.

Website www.kaistrand.com

Blog http://kaistrand.blogspot.com/

Email kaistrand@yahoo.com

Buy links Amazon| Barnes & Noble| Whiskey Creek Press| All Romance| BookStrand| Goodreads

 

Dinner and a Movie Monday – Tomorrowland

08 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by Susan A. Royal in movie review

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

action, adventure, fantasy, George Clooney, time travel, Tomorrowland

tomorrowland

Tomorrowland is a 2015 movie, directed and co-written by Brad Bird and stars George Clooney. The actor always amazes me. He’s never been one of my favorites, but whenever I see him in movies like this one, I’m reminded of the kind of actor he is when he doesn’t portray the suave, debonair and less than honest character he usually portrays. It’s hard to say whether he’s acting in the former roles and being himself in the latter or vice versa. In this one, he plays Frank, a disillusioned genius inventor who travels to Tomorrowland with Casey, teenage science enthusiast, to change the future which is affecting the past.

Frank and Casey team up to prevent it from happening. It’s a race against time in more ways than one. The movie played to mixed reviews, despite the stunning visuals and good acting (in my opinion). It was one of those simple films you didn’t have to spend time dissecting to enjoy.

Tomorrowland is a place that reminds me of the kind of future envisioned in the fifties. All shiny rockets and jetpacks in a vivid blue sky filled with tall buildings and monorails. The kind of world where you’d expect to see Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon. A world of imagination. world fair photo

I’m not going to include a recipe this week simply because when I think of a fair I think of corn dogs, cotton candy, fried ice cream, funnel cakes, and all kinds of things we loved as children. A recipe simple wouldn’t do them justice.

Close your eyes. Let your senses take over. Listen to the sound of people having fun, breathe in the tantalizing smell of the vendor food.

Turn back the clock for a little while and enjoy!!

AUTUMN ON THE CAMINO WITH JANE BLANCHARD

02 Monday Nov 2015

Posted by Susan A. Royal in article

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

adventure, Autumn, Camino de Santiago, world travel

Today I’m delighted to welcome Jane Blanchard to my place for coffee and a visit. You’re going to love hearing about her travels and the books she’s written about them. We’re blog hopping. Stop in over at her blog http://janevblanchard.com/ where I’ll be talking about my journey to publication. Enjoy!

Medium-Web Headshot

Jane V. Blanchard is the author of the Woman on Her Way series. Since her retirement in 2011, she has visited sixteen countries by foot and by bicycle, and written two books about her wanderings. Now 65 years old, she plans more backpacking trips and books.

About her books

Email: Jane@janevblanchard.com Facebook Pinterest Google+ Twitter: @janevblanchard LinkedIn

Camino Frances

The Camino de Santiago is a series of ancient routes that end in Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. Originally a catholic pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint James the Apostle, the Camino is now a Cultural European Itinerary and World Heritage Site. It has many English names, including The Way, The Way of the Stars, St Jame’s Way, St James Trail, and the Camino. Each year, several hundred thousand people complete the hike and receive the Compostela, or certificate of completion.

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I walked in September and October in 2011. In mid-September, the Rioja and Navarra regions have wine harvest festivals. Las Fiestas de San Mateo in Logroño provides a jubilant atmosphere with dancing in the street, night-long celebrations, and plenty of La Rioja’s delicious vintages. You can see first-hand local traditions such as grape stomping, processions, a running of young bulls, and musical performances.

This time of year, you can munch on the wild blackberries—ripe and juicy—or wild grapes, apples and figs. I snacked on almonds that had fallen on the path, cracking the shells with stones. Yummy! If you know what you are doing, there are all sorts of edible mushrooms and plants along the Camino.

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I specifically chose autumn to walk the Camino, not for the opportunity to live off the land, but because “The Way” is less crowded during these months and the temperatures are mild. Even though October can be rainy and mornings quite chilly, during that six-week span it only drizzled on me for twenty minutes.

I also recommend autumn for its beauty. The harvested fields on the Meseta (Spain’s high central plain) contrast with a sky the color of an Irishman’s blue eyes. I loved how the sunrises painted these ocher fields with pink hues which changed as the sun ascended. Even though the terrain is barren in autumn, life and color is abundant with flowers, butterflies, and vegetables gardens.

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Santiago de Compostella is in Galicia, the mountain region in northwest Spain. In the Fall, when the leaves turn to golden hues, yellow-browns, russet reds, and deep greens, it is chestnut harvesting time. You can see local people raking the marrones and donkeys laden with baskets filled with the dark brown nuts. Since they can be cooked in the microwave or boiled, pilgrims take handfuls to the alburgue (hostel) to enjoy later in the day.

People walk the Camino throughout the year. I recommend you do it in autumn, when the weather is agreeable and nature provides readily available snacks and indescribable eye-candy.

Be sure and stop back in on Friday, November 6, for more about Jane’s travels!

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