Introducing - Soyala (Time of Winter) In My Soul

Thanks to Books To Go Now, Soyala (Time of Winter) In My Soul is now available at Amazon.com.  It is a lovely novella, full of adventure, heartache, and romance.  Follow Beth, a/k/a Chista, on her journey through trials of the heart, as she embraces her destiny.

Summary:

She called him Tender Spirit, because he was kind to her, for she knew not his true name. In fact, Beth named them all, the entire band of young Indian men who took her from her home.

As she watched them, she found their characters and mannerisms interesting, and it occupied her mind giving each of them names. This kept her from dwelling on the worst and helped her keep her mind off the pain--the pain of the wound she received when the bullet from one of their guns tore through the tender flesh of her thigh.

Beth wondered what had happened to her brother, Tom, back at their cabin, their home where they had taken care of each other since the death of their parents over a year ago. Why had he not tried to stop them was her question, as she struggled to keep her fear, and the agony she was in hidden away.

Where she was being taken and why, would soon be revealed. The man she called Tender Spirit, whom she came to know by his true name, Kiyiya, had taken her hoping she could bring happiness to his mother, Helaku. With Kiyiya's sister having been lost to death, he wanted Beth to help lessen that loss, or at least this is what Beth was led to believe.

Words of Encouragement

I have never thought about what being able to write truly meant until a few days ago.  I think I understand now, why I lack confidence in my writing, not only because that is an unfortunate part of my character, but also because it is the act of giving a part of yourself, something personal, to outsiders.

Don't get me wrong.  I love writing, meeting new characters and developing them, making a world so believable that you literally feel as though you are there when you go back and read the story, but to do that, you have to open your mind, thoughts, and ideas up to others.

This is where it gets tricky.  I suppose the need to seek approval and praise, a natural human trait, keeps us moving forward, but what if you don't succeed?  Should you give up what you enjoy simply because you cannot please everyone?  The answer is straightforward.  No.  If everyone who writes gave up on writing because they are not Bronte, Guterson, Leroux, Austen, Dickens, or even Poe, then we would only have those authors to read, time and time again.  And after a while, we would be longing for something new—something fresh.

So I say this to you my friend, do not give up if you meet slight resistance or disfavor, because waiting out there somewhere, is that one person who needs to read the message you need to share.  That part of you that is hidden away, out of reach unless you offer it to the world.  Use the talent you have been given, as I am doing, to write not only for yourself, but for that one person as well.  Who knows, maybe someday they will have the pleasure of finally hearing your voice. 

Summer Songs - Interview Series - Chris Karlsen!

This interview is well overdo.  I had the good fortune of visiting with Chris Karlsen toward the end of the summer and had planned for this to be my last Summer Songs - Interview Series with fellow writers, but then I had to have surgery and have been away from the computer for several months.  So without further adieu, let's get to know Chris Karlsen!

WELCOME CHRIS KARLSEN!

Tonia (T.M.):  I am back again with my Summer Songs Interview Series.  This week I would like for us to get to know Chris Karlsen, the author of two wonderful books, Heroes Live Forever and Journey In Time .  Chris, thank you for agreeing to answer some questions about yourself and your writing.  First, I would like to know what inspired you to write your first book in the Knights In Time series?

Chris:  Hi Tonia.  Thank you for inviting me to your blog.

As a young child, I remember seeing The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, the movie. I thought the premise about a woman who loves a ghost was wonderful, but the movie was so sad.  Later, in college, I saw it again and thought, if I ever got to write this story, I would make it very different and give the characters the ending I think they deserve.

Tonia (T.M.):  Have you been writing long?

Chris:  I have been writing for almost eight years.

Tonia (T.M.):  Would you say there is a particular author that motivated you to begin writing?

Chris:  There are several authors I find inspiring and who continue to inspire me. I love Mike Connolly, John Sandford, Julia Quinn, Julie Anne Long, Steve Berry, Bernard Cornwell and so many others.

Tonia (T.M.):  I had the opportunity a few months ago to read Heroes Live Forever.  I believe I told you I should have made notes during my journey with you through the book because there were so many wonderful things that touched me, as I read.  I felt a connection with your characters, Elinor, Basil, and Guy.  I often found myself torn between who was my favorite of the knights, and I think Guy won many times. *smile*  I am glad he got a chance to be in the spotlight, so to speak, in Journey In Time.  For you, did you have a favorite when writing and developing these characters? 

Chris:  My Knights in Time books are hero based stories. I loved my character, Basil, when I was writing him but my character, Guy, did continue to whisper in my ear, and he did make me smile all through Heroes. The third book in the series, which I am currently outlining is also hero based.

Tonia (T.M.):  I know from reading about you on your blog that you have lived in quite a few places, one of which was Paris.  Did your experiences, memories, or the scenery from where you lived play a role in the backdrop for your Knights In Time series although it is set in England?  Or was it your travels through Europe that added your vivid imagery in these books?

Chris:  Although, I have never lived in England, I have visited probably two dozen times and love it there. With their medieval history, I knew this series needed to be set there. I love Paris, but wanted these stories in England. I have a book from a different series coming out in winter, which is set in Turkey, another place I love and spent time.

Tonia (T.M):  I have not had the opportunity to start reading Journey In Time yet, I am sad to say.  However, I want you to know I am very excited to get started soon.  I have purchased a copy so I could carry it with me on my phone.  That being said, give me a hint at one of your favorite moments in this new book.

Chris:  I think one of my favorite moments in Journey In Time is when Shakira first rides into Elysian Fields, Guy's holding. Her shock and confusion and what she's experiencing I worked hard on and tried to go deep into what is going through her mind.

Tonia (T.M.):  I know you have hinted that there will be a third book in the series.  Have you given further thought to that idea?

Chris:  There is a third book in the series, I am calling, Knight Blindness, and the hero is a character from Journey In Time.  It is also time travel. I will be starting the first draft soon.

Tonia (T.M.):  Do you have other books that are not a part of the Knights In Time series?

Chris:  I have a romantic thriller called Golden Chariot, which will be out in winter. It is a nautical archaeology thriller set in Turkey and involves an American female archaeologist and a Turkish investigator along with artifact smugglers. I am finishing the first draft of the sequel to it right now.

Tonia (T.M.):  I have to ask, do you have time to read much in between projects?

Chris:  I always take time to read.  I have to read a lot for research, but late at night I take time to read for fun. I just finished Buried Prey and am now reading Scandalous Lovers.

Tonia (T.M.):  Thank you so much for participating in this little interview and for being a guest at my blog.  Would you like to offer advice or encouragement to anyone out there who is contemplating writing for the first time?

Chris:  My advice would be commit, truly commit to the craft. That means spending hours in front of the computer and knowing some days it comes easy and somedays you are happy to get three paragraphs. Study the craft, take workshops or read the books by some of the really good instructors. Be willing to make mistakes, edit out some of what you love, and don't let rejections keep you from continuing to write.

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Thank you so much Chris for letting us get to know more about you personally and your work.   I am sorry it took so long to get this posted.  I love your work, and am looking forward to reading  Journey In Time and your other works in the near future.

 

Introducing Takoda!

I am pleased to announce that Books To Go Now has just released my latest short story, Takoda.

Sara's world was shattered when her parents were brutally killed by savage Indians. She is taken in to live with her Aunt Helen and Uncle Charles, who raised her along with their own children, Mark, Ren, and John.

The family journeys to Wyoming, leaving their home in Montana behind in search of a better life new start. John, a handsome young man, finds himself attracted to Sara, but what he does not realize, is that his actions and displays of affection, will soon set in motion the events that will take Sara away from he and his family.

Takoda, a young Indian brave, takes Sara captive. His reasons may be selfish, but they prove to be the beginning of a new life for Sara, as their love is stronger than her memories and ghosts of her past.

Takoda can be found at Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Barnes and Noble, and Android Market.

Crystal Tears Forever Has A New Look!

Thanks to Books To Go Now, my short story, Crystal Tears Forever, has a lovely new look.  Crystal Tears Forever is a suspenseful sci-fi thriller with romance in the mix.

Camille races to save the only man she has ever loved; the only man who has ever looked beyond her special abilities to the true person hidden away beneath them.

Damian never dreamed that loving Camille could push him so close to death. He writhes in pain, his life slipping away, as Camille goes back to the beginning, facing her past to right the wrongs forced upon her. She comes face to face with the monster, Gustav, whose twisted experiments with her gift has caused her to become poison to the man she loves, and will take the step across the threshold of death to commit murder if he doesn't give her what she wants—what she needs to save Damian from certain death.

Crystal Tears Forever is available at Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Android Marketplace, and Barnes and Noble.

Thanks To Everyone In The UK!

It is hard to believe that 2011 is gone, and we have entered a new year.  I do want to take the opportunity to thank everyone in the UK for making my e-book, Born Free, among one of the top selling e-books at Amazon UK toward the end of 2011.

Check it out there or at Amazon!

Wow! Look What Happened While I Have Been Away!

So much has happened since my last post, but the most exciting thing is that I have a new e-book available from Gypsy Shadow Publishing. This is a sweet little fairytale romance that is sure to leave you wanting more. I hope to have a sequel to Voice of the Forest out later this year.

Voice of the Forest can also be found at these locations:

amazon.comamazon.co.uk
diesel-ebooks.comsmashwords.com
kobobooks.com
allromanceebooks.com
ebookstore.sony.com
barnesandnoble.com
booksonboard.com
bookstrand.com
omnilit.com