Archive for June, 2010

Welcome Skhye Moncrief

Friday, June 25th, 2010

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Good morning, Mary. Thank you for having me over as a guest. My latest Time Guardian story is about to be released–June 25th. I’m extremely wired with this event. The reason I wrote this novel is one of those choices authors make… Hence, my focus on craft here today. So why did I write that story? 
 
SWORDSONG was the Time-Guardian novel I wrote after reading the earlier works of Karen M. Moning before my Time Guardians series was contracted for publication. I kept thinking I seriously needed to simplify my world and write a story in my series more like hers set in the “real” present, i.e. something more familiar for readers who just might not care for being thrown into a whole new world. This is one of those crazy decisions we writers make never knowing if it will pan out for us. :) But SWORDSONG set off a whole new layer of worldbuilding in my over-sized fantasy world I’ve created–one that coexists with ours. I wanted to make the story world more tangible for the reader. Okay, that’s if you can call a novel tangible in any sense other than it’s a physical object, i.e. a book! But everyone was writing these new worlds interwoven within the fabric of the one we occupy. I just had to try the marketability angle. So, I whipped up some ambiance…
 
We are soldiers of Truth.
We are students of the past.
We are guardians of Time.
We live, and, from living, we must die.

Death is not risk.
Death is adventure.
Death is part of the Cycle.
Woe be to he who fears the Call.

~Time Guardian Creed (www.timeguardians.com)

 
My creed worked to define reality for my lads regardless of the setting.  It’s reality. A reflection of their goals–life in general. These men time travel. They can’t risk screwing up history. So, their creed is kind of blunt and harsh. But it hits home as they ponder a what if… Just as I had asked those same thoughts about paradox. Time travel and prehistory was my cup of steamy tea that I read for so long. I studied archaeology too long not to send my characters back to times and places we can never visit. Why? I can answer that. ;) Oddly enough, a psych test I took during a continuing education class when I was about 19 noted I lived in the past. I guess this aspect of my writing is just a reflection of who I am–my curiosity and fears. Then again, I keep writing romances that reviewers label thrillers, suspense, etc. I just don’t know what goes on inside my head! *sigh* Although, I’m always explaining to my critique partners that if a story has a chase aspect, it should ring true. And time guardians safeguard history. They’ve got to beat the clock as the pages move forward. Ticking clocks and chases… Aye, there’s the Time-Guardian rub.
 
But get ready to laugh.
 
My first and never-to-see-the-light-of-day manuscript was a time travel set in someone’s mind because she was comatose. Crazy setup! Yes. But that’s not the funny part! I hit delete and sent that unfinished 1000-page monster on its way to the happy hunting ground. Back to meet its moment of creation in the great loop of existence… :) Okay, maybe that’s nonexistence because nobody knows about that story but me. Does a story that never is read by an audience continue to ring with glory and romance like a circulated book? Oh, here I go again with those annoying pontifications.
 
Alas, time travel hits home with me. So, I wrote SWORDSONG because it rang true to my interests and formal education as well as I gambled on the trend in setting a coexisting fantasy realm smack dab in the “now” with us. Should I chant here that we write what we write because those subjects are familiar to us even though they are deeply buried within our subconscious? It’s true. We write what we know–even if the knowing is something we just experienced in person, reading, or by viewing a documentary. Humans innovate all the time. There is very little inventing going on… Take some archaeology classes if you don’t believe me. Remember, this article is about understanding ourselves. If we search inward long and hard enough, we’ll find that everything we write about is a part of us. And, it can’t hurt to make the world more approachable and digestible for the reader.
 
Thanks for having me here today, Mary. If you have a magic wand, please wave it at me. I so want to time travel! ~Skhye
 
Join my fan group to be in my monthly drawing for a Time Guardian Fan Kit and more! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skhyemoncrief/
 
Read 1st chapter of SWORDSONG http://blog.skhyemoncrief.com/2008/04/10/skhye-moncriefs-swordsong.aspx
 
Read another (shorter) excerpt from SWORDSONG http://www.thewildrosepress.com/swordsong-p-4082.html
 
Purchase SWORDSONG in print at amazon http://www.amazon.com/Swordsong-Skhye-Moncrief/dp/1601547390/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276532118&sr=1-5

What are reviewers saying about the Time Guardians series…

“Arthur is a masterpiece…” HE OF THE FIERY SWORD’s King Arthur ~Diane Mason; The Romance Studio
“FORBIDDEN ETERNITY… spine-tingling suspense. The story is dynamite; it explodes off the page and leaves you breathless for more.” ~Tulip, LASR
“THE SPELL OF THE KILLING MOON offers the best of spine-tingling suspense. The setting is perfect… Moncrief’s ability to wield magic and emotion are without compare. Her words twist together emotions and visuals until you experience this tale as if the trap were set for you. Some lines blend a kind of poetic magic: “Moonlight wove a special kind of magic, a spell so vacillating that a person never knew if reality were anything other than a dream.” Darkness and premonitions and deadly intent fill these pages… a unique blend of mystic Medieval Gothic and romance…and a true blood-curdling thriller.” ~Snapdragon, LASR
“Intense, original, suspenseful, and dramatic… an unpredictable topsy-turvy romance… the suspense builds with every page in SACRIFICIAL HEARTS. In a world where symbols mean everything, magic is the way…” ~Snapdragon; LASR

More Contests

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

Lizzie here. :-)    see-how-they-die.JPG  SEE HOW THEY DIE available now at www.fictionwise.com

I had so much fun with the last contest that I’m going to have another one. The mistress hasn’t found out yet so don’t tell her or I might not get to post anymore.  So, all you have to do is post a comment to this blog to be entered to win another book package. She has lots of good stuff here in the office for giveaways. This is for See How They Die that is out at The Dark Castle Lords. www.thedarkcastlelords.com

As for what she is working on, it’s a really hot book called Hot and Bothered. I’ve read some of it. Let me tell you, it’s good! It is a contemporary romance. She had another books she’s also worked on called Double Trouble. It’s a neat Suspense novel. I love it. It has a lot of action in it. I like action.

Speaking of action, we chased a squirrel all around a tree yesterday. It didn’t climb up, it just circled the tree. I think it was teasing us. What do you think? Anyway, Tipsy got dizzie and quit on us. Whimp. :-) Little Bit even got in on the action. He doesn’t do a lot anymore. Getting to be an old man. Just like the grandparents. Ooops, I wasn’t suppose to say that anymore. The mistress finds out I’m calling them that again and I’m in trouble. Shhhh

Oh and the garden. I love playing around the squash plants. They have these big leaves you can hide under. Only thing is those big yellow things that grow under them. They get in the way. The mistres picks them though so they don’t stay around long to get in the way. The tomatoes are getting nice and big. They are suppose to turn red when they are ready. I am waiting not so patiently on them.

So, don’t forget to post a comment to the blog here and maybe I’ll pick your name. Be sure and read her excerpt below. I know, it’s hard to read. I’m not really all that savy with the cut and paste keys. Have a good day and look to see if you have won Monday.

 

Most dreams don’t come true but Rhiannon knows her nightmares do. They haunt her until it’s too late for the victims. Rhi can’t hide anymore when the latest victims are found close by. Determined to help the local sheriff stop a madman before he kills again, Rhi has to set aside her own fears placing her trust and just maybe her life into the hands of another lost soul.

Winner!

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Late posting but the mistress has been on the computer writing a lot lately. :-)  

The winner of the book package is Sarah Doddson.  Congratulations Sarah!

 

Lizzie

Contest Anyone?

Saturday, June 12th, 2010

Don’t tell the mistress, but while she is busy writing elsewhere, I’m posting a contest. :-)   So, all you have to do to be entered to win is post a comment about her excerpt in the previous post. Sorry, I know it is hard to read, I’m not really good at doing those things yet. Shut up Little Bit!  He says I’m not good at much of anything.  I am too!

Anyway, post a comment about it and you will be entered to win a book package!!!  The contest runs through midnight Sunday night. Good luck everyone!

Little Bit is just grouchy cause he had to go to the vet today. The mistress took him for his shots and he’s mad at her. I’ve been napping most of the morning away. Time to get out and about to see what is going on.  Now remember, don’t tell the mistress about this. It’s just between you and me. :-)

 

Lizzie

See How They Die

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Hi Everyone!  Lizzy here to talk about See How They Die. You can still get it at www.fictionwise.com or www.thedarkcastlelords.com

You really don’t want to miss this one. It is sooo good. Here is a blurb and a hot excerpt.  Hmmmm wonder what the mistress would say if she heard me say hot. LOL 

Most dreams don’t come true but Rhiannon knows her nightmares do. They haunt her until it’s too late for the victims. Rhi can’t hide anymore when the latest victims are found close by. Determined to help the local sheriff stop a madman before he kills again, Rhi has to set aside her own fears placing her trust and just maybe her life into the hands of another lost soul.
Excerpt:
“Look, I’m not going to Casper with you.  I’ll email you every single detail from the dreams as soon as I can write them down.”  Rhi waited, but all he did was smile and shake his head.  “Then you’re going to have to arrest me.”  She schooled her face to hide the panic that washed over her and jerked the two ends of the towel tighter across her legs. 
“Can’t,” was all he said.  His eyes never left her, kicking her anxiety level up a notch or two.
“What do you mean you can’t?  Can’t what?”  Rhi had a bad feeling she wasn’t going to like this answer.
“I’m not an officer of any type of  law, so I can’t arrest you.”  His dark eyes still held their promise of danger, his face void of any expression.  Finally, he moved off the bed, stretching to his full height before slowly approaching her.
Rhi’s breath caught in her throat as she watched him draw nearer.  Caught in the chair with a towel barely covering her, she had nowhere to run.  Her only choice would be to drop the towel and break for the door, but she wouldn’t even consider that option.  When he leaned over her, snagging her panties with two fingers from the back of the chair, she sank deeper.  His face never registered the first hint of emotion, but his eyes grew impossibly darker as he slowly lowered the silky scrap of cloth into her lap. 
“You’re going to Casper.”  He caught her eyes with his and she couldn’t look away no matter how much she tried.  “Unless you’d rather stay here with me as your roommate.”  Leaning forward, he placed a hand on both arms of the chair, smiling with that predator smile, more teeth than lips. 
It wasn’t a particularly friendly smile, but one holding the promise of something deliciously wicked.  Rhi nervously moistened her lips, still unable to tear her eyes from his, and tried to keep from sinking any deeper into the chair. 
“At least in Casper you’ll have a room all to yourself.” 
Dear God, she groaned to herself.  That smile was a dangerous thing.  When it wasn’t all teeth, being dangerous, it turned his dark eyes into fiery pits promising every exquisite torture a woman’s body could ever crave.  Everything inside her wanted to find out what just one of those delicious tortures would feel like, but she knew better.  The crackling energy around him seemed alive with a mind of its own, telling her even though a taste would be worth it, she’d likely get burned in the end. 
See!  I told you it was hot. Talk to you all later! Lizzy