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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Halloween Hop!


Over the Halloween weekend (October 28-31) visit as many blogs as you can. (I'm number lucky 57)  If you like the blog, follow it! See details at

I can't wait to meet new people and join as many blogs as I can! It's going to be a blast!

My "Indiana Jones" Style Interview With Children's Author - Patricia Puddle

I never had so much fun being interviewed by this lovely author. Are you ready to dive into the world of Raiders of the Lost Ark? If so, be sure to throw on your safari gear and wide brimmed hat. Don't forget Indy's whip! There. Now you're all ready for the South American jugle!

Interview link to Chrissy's interview -  http://networkedblogs.com/oOZGx

"FUN" Interview With Author Marti Norton

Blurb:
Lanterra is a cursed land of unbalanced magic. There is no hope for its citizens until fourteen-year-old, unproven mage, Krys Anderwood opens an ancient journal and unleashes its power. The tome depicts a great battle two hundred years before, when an evil sorcerer named Grimm murdered the reigning king, Reth, and trapped the Wizard Raven, forcing him into eternal sleep. With the king and the mighty wizard gone, the magic of Lanterra became unbalanced, slowly succumbing to evil as it ran unchecked across the fragile land. Krys finds that he faces an impossible deadline, yet concedes to the task set two centuries before. He accepts the help of his best friend, Peter Greenleaf, and Navashay Foxglove, a healer from a distant village. Together they embark on a journey Krys is ill prepared for. Plagued by insecurity and marginal abilities, he must battle hideous lizard creatures, navigate a mysterious and deadly forest, and find Ravenwood Castle to free the trapped wizard and break the curse. All before Grimm can stop him.
Book Trailer:



 Let's learn about the "FUN" side of Marti Norton. She is the wonderful author of Unchosen Mage.


Hi Marti, welcome to The Purple Brick Road. It's a pleasure to have you today. Please tell me about your book.
‘Unchosen Mage’ is the story of a fourteen-year-old boy named Krys, his friend Peter, and a young healer from a distant village, named Navashay, who must travel through a dark and cursed forest to reach a castle and free a wizard imprisoned there 200 years before. Krys doesn’t possess the magic he needs to do what needs done and must learn to believe in himself to do the tasks in front of him and save his land from evil magic. ‘Unchosen Mage’ is the first book in the series ‘Legend of Ravenwood’.

What’s your next project?
I’m trying to figure that out… I’m half way through writing a new story (that has nothing to do with ‘Unchosen Mage’) that I REALLY need to finish, but I’m also in the middle of revising the second book in the ‘Legend of Ravenwood’ series. 

If you could live in the setting of your story, would you? Why?
Most definitely! I love the era that I’ve set my story in (Medieval), and with it being a fantasy story, it would be mystical. If I had to compare it to anything in this world (that I know of), I would compare the setting to the Renaissance Faires I go to.

Do you like Tom or Jerry?
Jerry. He’s hysterical!!!! Not to mention smart.

What will you do if you have a time machine?
Duh… travel! LOL But seriously, I would go back in time to, you guessed it, the Medieval period. I don’t think I’d want to go forward and see what a wreck the world is in then.  I’d also like to go back and change some of the stupid decisions I made earlier in life, mostly having to do with career choice.

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?
I’m like the owl… I never made it.

If you were a Star Trek or Star Wars character, which one would it be?
Yoda. He’s AWESOME!!!!!

What is your favorite movie(song)?
‘Back to the Future’ trilogy and the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movies. Song? ‘All Night Long’ by the Commodores.

If you could take five things to a deserted island, what would you take?
A machete…  so I could build a cool bamboo and palm frond cottage. Bug spray… those sand fleas, ants and other creepy crawlies have GOT to be a pain! A fridge so I can have ice in my margaritas. A pillow and a fluffy blanket. And my laptop with a satellite link for internet.

Sing in the rain or dance in the streets?
Dance, ofcourse J

What holiday would you invent to get a day off work?
‘Second Friday’ – that way I have 12 extra holidays a year!

Do you have a best friend?
My husband is my bestest best friend, but I also have 2 other best friends, Ginny and Jay. I went to high school with both of them.

What are you afraid of?
HEIGHTS!!!

What is the wallpaper on your computer?
My bookcover, of course!

What music are you listening to?
Pink Floyd

What is your middle name?
Mud… LOL, just kidding, it’s Lynn

What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas, it always has been. But 10 years ago Christmas took on a new meaning for me when my Dad died on Christmas morning. At first I thought I would never love Christmas again. But then I thought about how my Dad got to spend Jesus’ birthday with Him that year and now I have a new and different affection for that holiday. I’m still sad on Christmas because I can no longer spend the holiday with Dad, but I would never ask him to come back from Heaven just to see me…. I’ll see him THERE oneday J

How many brothers and sisters do you have?
Two sisters, one older and one younger, and I have a younger brother. Both of my parents are no longer with us L

Where does your family live?
One sister lives in central Arkansas, the other lives in Houston, my brother lives in the same town I do, and Mom and Dad live in Heaven.

Where do you live?
In the oldest town in Texas… Nacogdoches, in the piney woods of East Texas.

What are your favorite foods?
Fajitas, seafood, good steak, ANY chocolate, cheese… I love cheese!

What are some foods you dislike?
Liver… YUCK!!! Any food that’s too spicy.

What’s your favorite horror movie?
‘Young Frankenstein’. Okay, so it’s not a REAL horror movie… but it’s funny as the dickens and I love comedy! I really have no use for most horror films, especially the ones they make today because all they are is blood and guts and carnage… and no plot. If I had to pick one, I guess it would have to be one of the old films, but I really don’t have a favorite.

Do you dance crazy when no one is looking?
How would you know if you aren’t looking? But, yes, the craziest!!!

Do you scream on roller coasters? Do you lift up your hands?
Yep… scream my lungs out. Are you CRAZY??? Lift my hands? Refer back to the question about what I’m afraid of. But I love roller coasters and the fear is a big part of it for me. But my hands are going to remain death-gripped on the bar!

Favorite day of the week?
Friday!!!! It’s the kickoff for the weekend and it’s PAYDAY!!!!

Favorite sundae topping?
Hot fudge and whipped cream… yum!

Do you play a musical instrument?
Guitar and the ocarina.

Which storybook/cartoon character do you like the most?
Snoopy… he’s too cool… ‘Joe Cool’!!!! I have a shirt that says that and has Snoopy’s picture.
That was a "FUN" interview. Thanks, Marti for visiting "FUN" Interviews on The Purple Brick Road. It was a pleasure to have you.  

  
                    Connect with Marti online!
 
http://legendofravenwood.blogspot.com/2011/10/unchosen-mage-book-one-of-legend-of.html?spref=fb

Lanterra:

     In the middle of the vast Torax Sea lies a large island nation called Lanterra, made up of twelve villages and many smaller gatherings of people.

          Northwest quadrant: the villages of Hibbard and Cotton

          Southwest quadrant: the villages of Naes and Nairb

          Northeast quadrant: the villages of Arabar, Ryanne and Cobble, and

               the deserted Firewood Village

          Southeast quadrant: the villages of Crystal, Briar Grove and Y-Dur

          Center: Ravenwood Village

     Each village is led and protected by a council of elders, comprised of senior wizards. Communities of other non-human beings can also be found scattered throughout Lanterra; dwarves, giants, several varieties of elves, ogres, mer-people, dragons, and many others.

     In general, all the villages, gatherings, and clans of creatures in Lanterra fall under the protection of the ruling king and are loyal to him.

Magic:

     The Stones of Wisdom, made up of nine enchanted spheres, balance all the magic in Lanterra. Since the beginning of time, they have been housed in a rock structure at the very core of Lanterra, also known as the Center of Magic. The stones maintain magical balance because they originate from the nine powers of life and land. Each of the first seven stones also channels the energy and magical power of the creatures, including people, who lived there.

          Woodstone: energy of the forests

          Seastone: powered by the oceans and seas

          Windstone: power of wind, air and weather

          Summitstone: energy from the mountains

          Icestone: power from ice and snow

          Earthstone: energy of the Earth.

          Firestone: power from deep within the Earth

     The last two stones are powered by the two most powerful emotions, balance each other because they can not exist without the other. 

          Lovestone: power of good

          Hatestone: power of evil

     The ‘Keeper of the Stones’ is the reigning king. As long as the stones are kept together, strong magic protects all of Lanterra and the magic of the land is maintained at the correct balance.

    

King Reth:

     Rule over Lanterra has always passed from father to son for generations. A little over two centuries ago, reign of the kingdom passed to Reth who became the most beloved king to ever rule. As with all Lanterran rulers, being the Keeper of the Stones gave King Reth tremendous power and enabled him to perform minimal magic even though he was not a wizard.

 

Wizard Raven:

     Living during the reign of King Reth, Raven was the strongest, most powerful wizard to ever exist in Lanterra. Through years of service and camaraderie, he became the king’s most trusted friend and advisor.

 

Ravenwood:

     No royal castle had ever been built until the reign of King Reth. When he was coronated, the citizens of Lanterra built a mighty castle, keeping the Stones of Wisdom at its center. The strongest wizard leaders evoked powerful protection spells that would prevent the forces of evil from defeating the castle.

     To honor the power of Raven, King Reth named his castle and the surrounding forest ‘Ravenwood’.

     Ravenwood Village sprang up next to the site of the new castle to house the carpenters, masons, blacksmiths, and other workers who’d gathered to construct the mighty fortress.

 

The evil side of magic:

     There have always been those in Lanterra who did not support the kingdom. These men, women, and creatures gravitated to the evil side of magic.

     Their leader, the evil Wizard Grimm, had a great hatred for King Reth. Reth was able to stand against the wickedness of this powerful group by using the power of the stones and the protection of Raven.

     As much as Grimm hated King Reth, an unnatural hatred for the good Wizard Raven was even stronger. Over many years, countless magical duels were fought by the two wizards, with neither being able to defeat the other. This angered Grimm. The evil wizard began to see that it would be difficult to beat Raven in the manner they had been fighting. Grimm would have to come up with another way to win.

The Curse:

     Grimm decided the best way to beat Raven was to kill the king and steal the stones. By doing so, not only would Raven have failed to protect the Kingdom, but the balance of magic and harmony among the citizens would no longer exist. And to watch Raven suffer for letting his King down would be the best of all trophies for Grimm.

     Grimm’s evil followers attacked the castle and Grimm killed King Reth. The Stones of Wisdom were scattered throughout Lanterra. But Grimm did not kill Raven; there were much bigger plans for him. The Evil Wizard knew that if Raven were to die, the good wizard’s magic would dissipate and spread across the land, healing it. So a curse was set on him and the kingdom. No one would ever be permitted to enter the walls of Ravenwood Castle again, and Raven and his magic would be held within its walls in an inescapable globe for an eternity. In this fashion, Raven, nor his magic, could ever interfere with Grimm again. Ravenwood Village was burned and most of its people killed. Those who survived buried their king in a place of honor within the burned out remains of the village, for they were unable to get back to the castle to inter him. 

     But Grimm was unaware of the protection spells placed on the castle when it was built. Instead of Ravenwood Castle and the good Wizard Raven being held for an eternity, both were suspended in time. And because the Stones of Wisdom were divided, all the magic in Lanterra became unbalanced and wickedness spread rapidly. The people, in time, learned how to survive, but many areas were left devoid of magic and unstable.

The Cure:

     On the two-hundredth anniversary of King Reth’s murder, the imprisonment of the good Wizard Raven, and the theft of the Stones of Wisdom, all can be set right once more if the Chosen One, selected by the very essence of magic, can break Grimm’s spell. The king’s rightful heir can arise and take the throne and balance can be returned to Lanterra. Until then, the good Wizard Raven, the castle, and the forest will sleep.

     The count-down that began two hundred years ago has reached zero. The time has come.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

"FUN" Interview with Author Melisa Hamling

Product Description

"They said it was no big deal. The thing inside of me was just a blob of nothing, just some tissue."
She paused and drew imaginary circles on her sheet with her index finger.

Sixteen-year-old Maya Rockwell thought she'd take care of it, quietly and
efficiently. But everything exploded in one terrifying moment, and Maya can no
longer pretend to be ignorant. Revelations of her friend's world of abuse, death,
and disaster force Maya to brave the heat of negative publicity and take a
stand. Her privacy shattered, she faces her family, friends and schoolmates,
balanced on the crucial decision she must make for herself and her unborn child.


    Let's learn about the "FUN" side of Melisa Hamling. She is the cool author of Twenty Weeks.


Welcome to "FUN" Interviews, Melisa.  Please tell me about your book.
* Twenty Weeks is my debut novel.
* To sum it up in less than twenty words:
An unplanned pregnancy. A friend's devastation. Maya's life teeters on a single decision. Will she get a second chance?


What's your next project?
*Working on an Adult Romance Novel: Of Love and Deception.
Excerpt: ~From conception to deception~
Daniella believed her life was on track. She was married to the wonderful Cruz Canton who wooed her, charmed her and surprised her with gifts and roses. He’d had something delivered to her workplace daily. He didn’t give up until she finally agreed to go on a date with him. Sure, he was handsome, delicious even. Okay! He was damn hot.
Meg and Falcon Landers, longtime friends of Cruz, and now Daniella, were more like family. Trust was never an issue . . . or was it? Daniella would soon learn the truth about the man who wooed her, the man she loved, the man she once swore ‘til death do us part’ to.
The beloved Cruz Canton. A man she no longer knew. Friends she no longer knew. Daniella was left with disturbing questions—why? And why now? They were finally pregnant. Their best friends were the reason she was able to conceive Cruz’s much wanted child, but they were now the knife that twisted in Daniella’s heart.
Daniella wasn’t about to give up until she got the answers she deserved to know. She’d get more than she bargained for and left with a deeper, darker question. Who’s child was carrying?
Choose a movie title for the story of your life.
I'll get back to yah on this one!
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
To ZAP all the creepers out of the world! Make it a cleaner and safer place, especially for our children.
If I came to your home and looked in your refrigerator, what would I find?
Psh! That's anyone's guess! Nah. Nothing rotten if that's what you're after. Though I do hate cleaning it!
If you can be a Disney character, who would you be and why?
Snow White! Then I'd poison all the wicked witches? No, no. Probably Cinderella. So I could ride off on that white horse with a good looking cartoon character. ;) Oh, wait! I'd want to be a mighty King! The Lion King, an all-time favorite!
If you were a tree, what would you be?
Why, a weeping willow. Love those trees.
What mythical creature would you want to be?
Um… hmm. Well, I'd want to be Sam from Laurie Starkey's 'Soul Keeper'. She really needs to publish it!
You were bitten by a vampire, now what? (Or werewolf)
He'd better be a smashingly good looking vampire or I'd have to kill him with a stake! Haven't seen any good-looking werewolves lately. ;0

If you could choose to be any food, what would it be?
Cucumbers! Cool, crisp and delicious. Could be turned into a pickle.
What is Eskimo ice?
Eek! At first guess, I'd have to assume it is homemade ice cones… you know, the yellow kind. (Ewe!)


Do you like Tom or Jerry?
Jerry ! Wait! No Tom… oh whichever one is the mouse!
You are being chased by Godzilla, what do you do?
Hi five? You think that'll work?

What will you do if you have a time machine?
Well, I sure wouldn't want to go back into my own past, but I'd travel back to B.C. and visit King David and his wives. How awesome would that be?!

How many licks does it take to get to the middle of a tootsie pop
NONE! I bite it in half and suck out the tootsie! ;)

Why am I asking you these questions?
Because you like me!

If you were a Star Trek® [or Star Wars® ] character, which one would it be?
Oh lord! Star Trek? Why star Trek! Oh wait! I see Star Wars too! I'd be Princess Lea of course.

What is your favorite movie (song)?
Too many favorite movies, but I'd have to say Titanic tops my list. I love chic flicks! (Celine Dion for music).
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?Absolutely . . . NOT. I'm pretty sure acting is not in the stars for me!
If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
If you could take five things to a deserted island, what would you take?
LAPTOP! Purse. Casual outfit. Swimsuit. Big blanket.
Sing in the rain or dance in the streets?
Singing in the rain…as long as nobody is around.
What comes first, Chicken or Egg?
Old McDonald had a farm and he had a chicken on that farm who laid an egg? Chicken!
What holiday would you invent to get a day off work?
Just a day? Boo. How about Author's day?!
What is the best thing you have dressed up as for Halloween?
Oh boy! Gene from KISS! LOL!

Do you like your handwriting?
Yep!


Do you have a best friend?
More than one.
What are you afraid of?
Pitch black.
Do you have nicknames?
Ha. Depends on who you ask. Family or co-workers! Or patients!
Family called me Liss when I was young. Co-workers picked up a name a patient calls me. Do you really want to know? Ok. Mediterranian goddess! LOL.  (and we call each other hooker names=o)
What is something you cannot live without?
My hubby, kids, and laptop!

What music are you listening to?
Variety. Depends on what I am writing. Love the 70's (streisand, newton-john, ect) 80's and 90's rock!
What is your middle name?
Michelle
When is your birthday?
June 30th. Summertime!
What will you do to celebrate your next birthday?
Nada. Not a big deal for me.
What is your favorite holiday?
They are over rated and for many, financial burdens.
How many brothers and sisters do you have?
1 sister, 1 brother. 1 father and 1 mother.

Where does your family live?

Brighton, Lakewood, Littleton, Colorado. And San Antonio, Texas.

Where do you live?
The good life, so they say. How about this: Husker Fan! Can you guess? State has a great love and support for their college football team. Where am I?
What are your favorite foods?
Mexican and Italian.
What are some foods you dislike?
Fruit bread! Who came up with such a horrible tasting bread? And I hate pumpernickel.
Have you ever gone cow-tipping?
Heck no.

What's your worst pet peeve?
People who chomp with their mouths open or talk when eating. Or blow their noses at the table! (Yeah, I know someone who does that) Gross.
Do you do dance crazy when no one is looking?
Ha=ha! Oh yeah!

Do you like to sing in the shower?
Not really, but I like to sing in the car.
At the beach would you rather play in the sand, or play in the water?
Water, without a doubt!
Do you think people should eat the fish they catch, or just let them go?
Depends on the size of the fish.
Do you scream on roller coasters? Do you lift up your hands?
ScreaM!!!


Pen or pencil?
Pencil. I like to draw.
Favorite day of the week?
Saturday. Don't have to think about work the following day.
Favorite Sundae topping?
Chocolate and butterscotch. YUM.
Do you play a musical instrument?
Not since middle school. Played the flute and piccolo.
Movies or TV?
Used to watch Discovery Health until it turned OWN. But I watch that sometimes. I like Oprah. I watch Dr. Oz on my half days off. He's cool. And Judge Judy! Hoot!
McDonalds or Burger King and why?
Gag to both… other than the fruffy coffee! Whip cream and chocolate on top.
Which storybook/cartoon character do you like the most?
Little Critters! They are funny and cute!
Do you have quirky habits?
Nada. My brother and sister inherited those genes.
That was a "FUN" interview. Thanks, Melisa for visiting "FUN" Interviews on The Purple Brick Road. It was a pleasure to have you.