A great interview with author Sarah Mäkelä!

Today, I have the wonderful opportunity to interview Sarah Mäkelä about her recent releases, Jungle Heat, a paranormal romance, and Techno Crazed, a cyberpunk romance.

You have two series you are working on, one cyberpunk romance, Hacked Investigations, and the other paranormal romance, The Amazon Chronicles. I’m also working between writing two series. What difficulties do you have when shifting from one to the other? What are some of the distinct differences in style/flavor?

Excellent questions! I think they’re almost as different as you can get. My cyberpunk romance series is in the middle of a very big high-tech city, while the paranormal romance is in the middle of the remote Amazon Rainforest where they use more primitive tools for survival. The hero and heroine for the cyberpunk romances are the same throughout the series, and they have cases they try to solve in addition to their character and relationship arc whereas the paranormal romances have different couples for each book, and the primary focus is on the relationship and fighting the obstacles that stand between them.

As for difficulties from switching between the two, I haven’t really had any so far. I guess time will tell since I’m set to start Jungle Fire this week after a short break from finishing Savage Bytes, book 2 of Hacked Investigations. It’s interesting though since I was revising a post-apocalyptic paranormal romance last month (from yet another series) while writing Savage Bytes, and I had a couple times when it was hard to keep the characters straight in my head. I think the wide differences between the two series help keep me from getting them confused.

What research did you do to prepare to write Jungle Heat, set in the Amazon? I’m a fan of myths and folklore. Anything interesting lore from that region that inspired you?

I am a huge fan of mythology and folklore too! On Wednesdays, I have a column called “Into the Paranormal” on my blog that discusses myths, folklore, and the paranormal.

Anyways, I did all kinds of research for Jungle Heat before I started writing. It included a lot of reading up on the Amazon warrior women who fought Spanish explorer and conquistador Francisco de Orellana and his men. Everything from where exactly they fought and what happened to what little information Orellana found out about the warriors before they were never seen again. That attack, which happened in 1542, is how the Amazon River got its name.

After that, I used Google Maps to get a closer look at the actual location and see what all is around there. I was really fascinated by the region and what happened. In addition to all of that, I also researched the animals, plants, and weather of the Amazon Rainforest to gain a better understanding of how the women (and sexy werecats) live. Oh, and I learned more about tigers and their behavior for my weretiger.

I hadn't thought to use Google Maps--good idea! Which character from your two series do you enjoy writing the most? Why?

Ouch! That’s a tough question! I really enjoy writing a lot of my characters. I think there’d be something wrong with the character if I didn’t. lol Which one do I enjoy writing the most?

I love how Rei is witty and sometimes too much for Adara who is sweet, but strong and doesn’t know how to take him all the time. Kyle, a werepuma and one of the secondary characters in Jungle Heat, was somewhat confusing for me at first, so I’m looking forward to getting in his head with the next book.

I really like the cast of characters in my Hacked Investigations series too. Ian is strong, protective, and tech-savvy. Hannah is smart, dedicated to what they do, and isn’t afraid to show vulnerability with Ian sometimes. Bernard is Ian’s gnome, and he’s so funny and rude. I’m also a big fan of Leon, their nurse friend.

In Jungle Heat you have a character who is a weretiger, disguised in human form as biologist Andrei "Rei" Makarov. In Techno Crazed, you feature a technomage. Both of those are certainly atypical magical beings—very fun! What was especially enjoyable about working with these unusual characters? What other types of magicals would you like to write in the future.

Thank you, Marsha! You know, I hadn’t actually thought of them being atypical, so that’s neat that you mention it! With my weretiger Rei, I’ve always for as long as I can remember had a fascination with tigers. I think they’re absolutely gorgeous and awesome. It seemed pretty natural to write about a weretiger. I’d had a deep love of werewolves, and at the time when I wrote Jungle Heat years ago, there weren’t many werecats or anything like that.

With my technomage Ian, I’ve wanted to create a magic user since I have a major fan girl crush on a certain mage in Karen Chance’s Cassie Palmer series. Team Pritkin! Also with writing a cyberpunk romance series, I thought a technomage would be the perfect fit for a high-tech world setting. He’s been a lot of fun to write since he isn’t super knowledgeable about his abilities, so the series shows him growing as a person and magically.

Other magical creatures I’d like to write in the future... Hmm... Well, I’ve got a few projects I’m working on at the moment. One is about werewolves and vampires in a post-apocalyptic world, and the other is about superheroes. *grins* The superhero story comes from my long obsession with the X-Men and comic books.

Thanks so much for having me at your blog! I really enjoyed the interview questions!

Sarah Mäkelä

Dark Magical Encounters of Passion...

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Blurb:

The Amazon Rainforest still contains a few secrets. One of these secrets is a hidden village of women whose history is filled with the horror of conquering men.

Adara Rukan, princess of the Amazons, ventures away from her village to find something waiting for her. Andrei "Rei" Makarov is a weretiger and a biologist on assignment. Can Rei and Adara find love enough to bridge their two separate worlds?

Jungle Heat is available now from Changeling Press: Buy Link

Excerpt:

Adara raced over the dense forest floor, trying to escape the shadow closing on her heels. Fear pumped adrenaline through her body as she ran toward her village through the darkness. Panic tangled with the sheer need to survive. If only I'd listened. What was I thinking, coming out alone?

She shot a glance over her shoulder. Her foot smacked against a tree root in the moment of distraction, pitching her body forward. The fall came in slow motion.

Cursing under her breath, she rolled onto her back. Dry leaves clung to her blonde hair. The subtle, musty scent of slow rot rose from the rich soil, mixed with something coming from behind her. The dark shadow loomed. Her gaze rose to take in her pursuer, wondering if the beast would be her doom.

The tall, broad-shouldered creature towered over her. Watching. It wasn't human or animal. The village wise woman had warned her of beings like this, but they'd seemed like fables. How could something so fantastical be real?

Even as she trembled with fear, this creature captivated her. The black and orange stripes covering his shoulders and arms evoked a distant memory, yet the design was uncommon in the Amazon.

His hair hung in straight, black strands like a human's, but his face had the nose, mouth, and eyes of a feline. His muscular, naked body reflected a splendid combination of both species. Sweat-shiny skin glistened through the inch-long fur that covered him. His white chest intrigued her, all the way to the patch of fur barely covering his groin. Leaves and branches framed his face with a lush green background. He crouched over her. His piercing golden eyes focused solely on her. His stare reminded her of a cat from her village staring at a small rodent before pouncing.

As he leaned down, she grabbed her kris from the garter on her thigh and pushed it against his stomach. She didn't want today to be the day she died. Her people needed her. She wouldn't let this beast deny them their princess.

The animal cocked his head at her. He brushed his lips over her throat, whiskers tickling her chin.

Her body stiffened. What is he doing? Bewilderment spread through her as his feline lips touched her neck. Instead of biting her, his canines grazed lightly, gently, from just below her ear down to her shoulder, almost as if exploring her flesh, instead of seeking to rip open her throat.

She tensed. Even with her weapon pressed against the beast's stomach, she still feared for her life. As an Amazon princess, she wasn't easily scared. But this feline made her heart pound. If only she had brought Rubia with her. She wouldn't be in this situation and could've stood a better chance against this feline.

Why does he persist in toying with me? Adara swallowed as a low burn started in the pit of her stomach. These feelings confused her.

A soft sniffing sounded in her ear right before his tongue scraped rough caresses on her skin. Other jungle cats marked their territory. Did this animal believe she was his? She didn't want to find out.

Without waiting for the feline's next move, Adara drove the kris deep into his stomach, meeting resistance as it plunged through flesh and muscle. She forced it further as his blood flowed onto her hands, making the hilt of the kris slick, weakening her grip.

He roared and leapt back with her kris still embedded in his abdomen.

She scrambled to her feet. His scream so near the side of her face made her ear ring. Bringing up a hand to her ear, Adara felt a trail of his wet blood drip along her cheek.

He straightened his spine and strode back to her, her kris still buried in him. It seemed as if it were nothing more than a minor annoyance to him. She clenched her hands into fists and dropped them to her sides.

The reality of what she saw struck her. She froze. How could he act so unaffected? He shouldn't have been able to move around so casually. It wasn't possible. How can I outrun something like that? This can't be happening. Her mother had always warned her to be careful when traveling through the forest. Why hadn't she listened? And how could she feel so drawn to this animal when he intimidated her?

"Who are you?" Gritting her teeth, she forced her voice to resonate with the commanding tones of an Amazon huntress, and fervently hoped it didn't betray the panic racing through her veins. Her people's beliefs restricted them from showing fear in front of strangers. Not that they saw many. But her tribeswomen were survivors in dangerous times. Their history brimmed with reminders.

The feline bared pointed white teeth. "Call me Rei." His husky voice reverberated like a deep growl.
He launched into the air and, before she could react, flattened her to the ground. Air whooshed out of her lungs. Her eyes widened and locked onto his.

He pinned her arms next to her head and pressed his feline lips to hers. His tongue scraped across her lower lip, causing nips of pain to cut through the alluring sensation.

She shook her head hard, breaking the kiss. Her breath rushed out short and quick. Never before had she kissed anyone. His mouth on hers created fiery stirrings within her body that felt almost too good. Her racing pulse only spread the warmth throughout her body that much faster.

Twice a year, her tribeswomen associated with Indian men. The younger girls were forced to stay in a hut during those visits, although Adara had snuck out once with Rubia in a fit of rebellion. She'd spotted one of her kin pressing her mouth against an Indian male's. Could this be what happens?

But men weren't to be trusted. Her kin had learned that the hard way many, many years ago.

Her mind flashed to the tales she'd heard from the wise woman. Horrible reminders assaulted her, memories of the men from long ago, enslaving her kind, killing them ruthlessly with diseases and swords.

She could imagine the cruelty of the conquering, pillaging men as vividly as if she had been there herself, so strongly had the wise woman spoken. It had taken weeks for her to sleep soundly after listening to that story.
Sudden panic swept away the lust that burned inside her. This creature could do the same. He's chased me, after all.

"What do you want from me?" Adara asked, trying to sound forceful, but instead her voice came out husky. She cleared her throat and returned his gaze.

Talking with an animal! Rubia would be jealous. Her tribeswomen would never believe this story... if she survived the encounter.

Rei smiled, warmth emanating from him. "You." His chest rumbled, and he rolled the word off his tongue like an exotic purr.



~ ~ ~ Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. She is the author of the novel, TEARS ON A TRANQUIL LAKE, the first in a trilogy. Part two, TORTUGA TREASURE is contracted for release in January, 2012. Look for her first of an epic fantasy romance series, SEEKING A SCRIBE: ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS ONE, to be available late autumn.

My interview with fantasy author C.M. Barrett, telling about Big Dragons Don't Cry

I'm glad to have you here today, talking about your release, Big Dragons Don't Cry: A Dragon's Guide to Destiny: Book 1. Your fantasy world co-exists with a present-day human world. How do the inhabitants of the two worlds interact?

The humans of Oasis have been raised to fear a fire-breathing dragon they believe is hungry for their charcoal-broiled flesh. They can't imagine that he doesn't breathe fire, that he's a peaceful being, or that he's much less hostile than they are.

They dismiss the notion that animals have powers of reason and communication as fantasy. Seeing themselves as superior to animals seems like the only power humans have. Little do they know that by giving up false superiority they could enrich their lives through communion with other living things and through experiencing the harmony that rules the natural world. Now that's magic.

Tara, the Chosen kitten, has the mission of bridging the huge gap between humans and other animals. When she learns that the job description includes living among humans, her terror outweighs vague promises of fame and glory. Only when she has a vision of Serazina, the human she's supposed to guide, does she agree to the dangerous and possibly disgusting mission.

Serazina, who has spent all her life hiding the psychic abilities that could land her in the Ward for the Chronically Crazy, refuses to open herself to the even more threatening talent of understanding cats or any animal. The developing relationship between human and kitten is a central aspect of the story and the means by which a so-called fantasy world becomes real.

Two groups or clans of residents live in Oasis, the Earthers and the Godlies. How do these groups differ?

Oasis was founded on the principles of mental austerity and rigor, and its rulers officially suppress emotions, intuition, love of nature, and any behavior not based on logic and reason.

The Godlies take these principles to an extreme, threatening all who deviate with images of an afterlife spent being chased by the fire-breathing dragon who lives in the swamp at the country's edge. They are the doomsayers, claiming that Oasis has traveled far down the road to decadence.

The Earthers, who sense that isolation from nature is creating a crisis in the country, are seeking a deeper connection with the natural world. Like the Godlies, they go to extremes, in this case through their devotion to every rock and twig. As the Godlies defend the traditional values of Oasis, the Earthers persist in smashing them, and neither group knows when to stop.

Most of the Oasans belong to neither group. They muddle about in a mass of confusion and fear.

Please tell us about the setting of Big Dragons Don’t Cry.

Founded by former slaves from neighboring Tamaras, Oasis has been a nation for 500 years. It isn't a technologically advanced society in the science fiction sense; nor is it a feudal world where magic happens to show up. Its level of technology is roughly equivalent to that found in modern societies. As in these societies, the primary focus is on reason and logic. Intuition and emotional intelligence are disregarded. As a result, national leaders are unable to make intuitive leaps to solve problems.

The Guardian, who inherits his position, rules the country with several appointed Councilors. Strictly speaking, it's not a democracy. It might be called a benevolent dictatorship. At least, he tries to be benevolent.

Food and clothing are mostly state-issued, and the physical needs of the people are basically met. The culture is poor in terms of creativity, innovation, and variety.

Geographically, it's mostly farmland, bordered by mountains on several sides and by the sea. The swamp, where much of the story takes place, is located at the edge of the sea.

Which is your favorite character in the book and why?

This is somewhat like being asked which is your favorite child, and I'm tempted to whisper the answer. Instead, I'll begin by saying what I enjoy about each of the four major characters.

With regard to the four main characters, I love the open emotionalism of Druid, the dragon. Though saddled with a huge mission, Tara is a quintessential kitten, mischievous, confident, and very brave. (I never met a kitten I didn't like.)

Serazina, at odds with a world that doesn't accept her, remains true to herself, and I don't think any quality is more important. Phileas has the difficult need to question a society whose values place him in power, and I admire his search for a deeper truth.

In the end, though, I have to choose Tara, the small, courageous kitten who marches into an unfriendly and dangerous world in order to change it. As further evidence of my devotion to her, I have created a blog, http://www.catsrulehumans.blogspot.com, where Tara gives other cats advice on the training and discipline of humans.

What inspired you to create this type of fantasy world?

The first time I went to the Everglades in Florida, I fell in love with it. (I was surprised, because places with billions of mosquitoes don't usually entrance me.)

Years later, the idea of writing a fantasy crept into my mind. This also surprised me, because, although I've always read fantasy, I never thought of writing it. Before I could wonder what I would write about, I remembered the Everglades, envisioned a swamp, and saw a dragon living there. That was the beginning.

Communication with animals has always fascinated me. I have had some surprising exchanges with animals, although I want to make it clear that I am not a professional. I don't get regular messages, even though my cats are getting much better at reaching me, especially where their demands are concerned.

The idea of a society supposedly based on reason and logic also intrigued me. It's not so far off from many modern societies, and the challenges that a counter focus on intuition could make to mental rigidity also in many ways parallels shifts that are taking place in the contemporary world.

The idea of cats bringing it all together made perfect sense and gave me a story I could love writing.

Blurb:

Morale in the country of Oasis has never been worse. The Earthers, a tree-hugging sect, beg forgiveness for their crimes against twigs and weeds. The Godlies preach penitence and suffering and inspire their followers into submission by threatening them with an afterlife spent being chased by a fire-breathing dragon.

All Oasans fear the dragon in the swamp at the country's edge, and they don't know that he fears them. Druid, a water dragon who puts out fires, steams up when he learns that a cunning opportunist intends to exploit dragonphobia and have the dragon killed so that he can level the swamp for suburban housing.

Tara, a kitten with charisma, is trying to bring humans back into balance. She needs to enlist Serazina, a young human woman who hides her ability to read emotions in order to avoid imprisonment in the Ward for the Chronically Crazy. Serazina's troubles grow when Phileas, Guardian of Oasis, chooses her to be the mother of the heir he so badly needs. Before he can consider fatherhood, he needs to stem the mysterious rumors that he's soft on dragons.

Somehow these four must overcome communication difficulties, mutual mistrust, and delusions of human superiority to save the country. Otherwise, even though Druid doesn't breathe fire, Oasis will be toast.

Author Bio:

On my mother's side of the family, I come from a line of storytellers. My grandmother's stories ranged from my grandfather's arrest for draft resistance in England during World War I, the uncertainty of life during the Troubles in Ireland, to the day she decided to leave her marriage (but didn't). My mother's stories described a rural childhood that to a child of a suburb of little boxes seemed idyllic.

Both of them encouraged me to read and provided me with books to feed a growing habit. When I was seven or eight, I discovered mythology, and the gods and goddesses in those tales were as real to me as the dragons and cats in my own stories are now. Thanks to my early training in fantasy, I like to hang out with dragons. Accepting the bizarre directions my imagination takes has allowed me to conjure up Zen cats, cougars, gossip-vending hawks, and other critters.

Currently I live in upstate New York on a wooded piece of land not unlike some of the terrain in Big Dragons Don't Cry.

Website/blog links:

http://www.adragonsguide.com A Dragon's Guide to Destiny web site (includes buying information for various e-readers).

http://www.dragonfirethecreativespark.blogspot.com Blog on creativity (not just for authors).

http://www.catsrulehumans.blogspot.com Blog written by a feline main character in Big Dragons Don't Cry.

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MYFND4

Excerpt

Orion stood on a ridge overlooking the city. As he swayed, exhausted and hungry, the threads of its winding, dirty streets seemed to tighten around his neck in a noose that limited both breath and freedom.

His sister, Sekhmet, nuzzled him with her black nose. “Lost in thought?”

“Wishing you’d waited a year or so to haul me away from the good life.”

“We thought we’d better get on the road before you wore out your equipment, Mr. Tomcat Stud.”

Orion’s other sister, Bast, trotted toward them, her white fur gleaming in starlight. “We’ve come to the right place. The pull is strong.”

“Praise the Many-Taloned One,” Sekhmet said. “My paws are killing me.”

The lights of the city flickered in eye-burning imitation of the starry sky. “It’s not going to be easy,” Orion said. “The smell alone makes me gag. It’s not just the physical stench, but also the foul odor of self-righteousness and fear. And some of the fear is mine. I’ve never failed before.”

Sekhmet raised her ears. “It’s hard to fail when you mount a willing cat. I’m glad you realize you’re facing a far bigger challenge. It gives me hope that you’ve become something more than a swaggering young tom. She of the Rough Tongue is molding you into the cat you were always meant to be.”

“I don’t know about Her rough tongue, but I’ve never doubted yours.”

Bast growled softly. “Enough. Orion, you have to guide us now.”

Panic bristled his fur. “I don’t know; I can’t feel anything.”

Bast scraped her claws against a flat stone. “Then ask to feel. Have you forgotten you were chosen for more than shining fur and golden eyes?”

“And equipment,” Sekhmet said.

He turned his back on them and washed himself briskly to hide his shame. Any cat could find the guidance of the Long-Whiskered One, but Orion’s ability to sink into a trance had separated him from the other males of his generation and guided his reluctant paws to this cold, windy, hilltop. How could he forget the first lesson all kittens learned? When you got lost, She would always nudge you home.

Orion closed his eyes and began to meditate on golden fur and eyes. The rasp of Her tongue shivered through him, massaging away the tension that had tightened his limbs, clearing away the resistance and fear that had hidden his path, and even temporarily blurring the memory of well-fed, sleek females.

The way became clear, but one final moment of doubt kept him in place. “Are humans worth our sacrifice?”

“Not yet, they aren’t,” Bast said, “but we’re weaving a dream.”

Orion loped down the hill, praying that the gathering strands wouldn’t knot into a noose.

* * *

Emerald rubbed against the rough wood of the grain warehouse floor, howling in agony.

“If you keep carrying on like that, every tom in the city is going to knock at the door,” Misha said.

“You talk as if it never happened to you, old lady. You know some magic to scratch the itch, tell me.”

“No magic, child. It’s a queen’s way to want kittens and a tom’s way to know when she wants them. Neither of them looks at the big picture. That’s why this city is filled with half-starved cats too weak to run away from humans.”

Emerald shuddered. Her mother, Hester, had been one of the victims, taken away with Emerald’s littermates. “Could have been me.”

“Could have been. If you hadn’t been such a mischief-maker, climbing to the top sack of grain that terrible night, you wouldn’t be flicking your tail and shuffling your hind legs right now. You want your own kittens to be drowned or tortured? That why you want to bring them into this sorry slum? The world is cruel to a cat and her kittens, except in the Green.”

Fur and whiskers, Misha would pounce on any excuse to trot out that old catnip fantasy handed down from mother to daughter, but the soft hum that filled her voice soothed Emerald.

“Tell me about the Green, might take my mind off this awful itch, pass the time, anyway.”

Misha closed her eyes and slowly rocked back and forth. “Somewhere, maybe not far away, might be over the next hill if we could only climb it, is a world where everything’s green, bright and beautiful as your own eyes.”

Though Emerald tried to imagine that, she saw instead the pale, sickly stalks of grass that grew up through the cracks in the sidewalk and the pointed dark green leaves with yellow flowers that turned to white fur. Green everywhere? Not likely.

“And fat, tasty mice that eat fresh seeds and grains, and more kinds of birds than you could count, and never a hungry moment.”

“No humans?”

“Maybe some, but the Green is so big you can get away from them easy. And they got their own business to be going about. They got no time for idle viciousness.”

Emerald sighed, the itch beginning to subside. “Tell me more about what it looks like.”

“Flowers, not in some tiny window box or fenced-off piece of earth, but growing everywhere and smelling nice. The ground is soft on your paws, and a breeze always ruffles your fur and makes it clean. The Green has big, tall trees whose branches touch the sky. It’s quiet there: no cars and trucks and footsteps all the time day and night, just the wind blowing through the leaves to sing you to sleep.”

~ ~ ~ Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. She is the author of the novel, TEARS ON A TRANQUIL LAKE, the first in a trilogy. Part two, TORTUGA TREASURE is contracted for release in January, 2012. Look for her first of an epic fantasy romance series, SEEKING A SCRIBE: ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGEND ONE, to be available late autumn.

Magical Monday: Are these magical bubble wands?

It’s time again for Magical Monday, and I have found yet another unknown item useful in some way to a wizard, sorcerer, or other empowered being.

Please help me decide what these might be used for in a fantasy realm.

To me these look like wands specific in function according to their design. These appear handmade, and probably fabricated for a particular sorcerer. I can imagine a wizard might blow or channel magic through these, much like a child using bubble wands. But, the result would be a complex synthesis, fusing both quality and quantity of the owner’s various abilities into one magnificent or one horrible spell. The sizes of the circles and overlapping patterns determines the mixture. These appear exacting, so the sorcerer would need training and much practice to extend his/her powers through the device in just the correct manner. The accessory rings lying loose could be attached to make adjustments or refinements and accommodate a specific need the wizard may have in fabricating a spell.

What do you think? What could these elaborate magical items be used to do? Who might use them? I love these posts to see through the eyes of others. The process of imagination always intrigues me. 
 

~ ~ ~ Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. She is the author of the novel, TEARS ON A TRANQUIL LAKE, the first in a trilogy. Part two, TORTUGA TREASURE is contracted for release in January, 2012. Look for her first of an epic fantasy romance series, SEEKING A SCRIBE: ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGEND ONE, to be available late autumn.

Interviewing Linell Jeppsen about her terrific new vampire novel, The Hunt

 

How is The Hunt  different from other vampire books?

The Hunt differs from the newer models of vampire fiction in that is for adults about adults. You will find no sparkly vampires in this novel, or teenage girls dying to be bitten. These vampires are the last of a dying breed, who will do anything to survive in this modern era. This book is dark, violent, noble and heart-breaking.

 

Why did you choose to set the story in the Pacific Northwest?

I have lived my whole life in the Pacific Northwest. My grandparents lived here, and every year my family and I would travel to Swan Lake to swim, pick huckleberries, and picnic. It seems only natural that I would place the main action in The Hunt, at an icy glacial lake, in the mountains I know, and love best.

Did you have to do any research in order to write The Hunt? If so, please describe.

Yes! Raphael Goldhawk enters the land of men while in his early sixties. This is around the year 1600. There was a lot of research done for language, norms, dress and who ruled the British monarchy at that time. I also needed to go into the Portuguese dictionary, and do a lot of geographical research for England, France and Portugal. There was mile to kilometer conversions and stuff to learn about guns, bows and arrows. Whew!

1. 

Tell us about your favorite character in your book. What makes him/her your favorite?

I have two favorites---Raphael, of course…he is noble, handsome, tender, kind and tortured by what he is, and what he must do to survive. But I love Harley as well. He is noble, handsome, tender…wait, is there an echo in here? You have to read The Hunt, to see what I mean!

How do your vampires interact with humans? Do they mingle freely in society, fight each other bitterly, maintain separate lives as much as possible, etc.?

My vampires try as hard as possible NOT to interact with humans. The survival of the species depends on their remaining aloof from human beings (what was once considered prey) especially now, with the advent of modern technology. That is why what Raul has done poses such a threat to the high vampire council, and why Raphael risks so much to stop Raul’s reign of terror over the hapless victims in, The Hunt!

Synopsis of The Hunt

A ragged band of vampires are cutting a bloody band of destruction from Alaska to Washington State! As frost turns the leaves gold and paints the high mountain treetops silver,  hundreds of hunters arrive in Swan Valley for their annual deer hunt. What they don't know is an outcast band of vampires have arrived as well.

Raphael Goldhawk, king of the high vampire council, has decreed the taking of human life unlawful. Raul Stannard, an ancient enemy of the half-human king, is determined to overthrow the council, even if it means the exposure and eventual annihilation of the vampire race.

Four people, a Ferry County forest ranger (Roger Atley), an Indian spirit-walker (Harley Truefeather), and a young married couple (Brian and Holly Jensen), are about to be caught up in an ancient power struggle, and in a love affair as old as time itself. 

This novel combines ancient history with modern times, in an epic show-down between good and evil, love and hate. Grab your camping gear and hold on tight! It's time for The Hunt!

About the Author

Linell Jeppsen is a retired grocery store checker and high school custodian. She has been writing her entire life, but was recently chosen by Phyllis Scott Publishing for her novel, The Hunt.

She had previously won third place in a science fiction short story contest for The Gag Gift which is featured in Mixed Blessing and other Short Stories and The Last Astronaut.

She is now hard at work on her second novel titled Story Time. It is a science-fiction, post-apocalyptic novel, which is due to be released this fall.

For more information about Linell and her work please visit

·         www.linelljeppsen.com

·         www.amazon.com 

·         www.facebook.com

·         www.goodreads.com

~ ~ ~ Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. She is the author of the novel, TEARS ON A TRANQUIL LAKE, the first in a trilogy. Part two, TORTUGA TREASURE is contracted for release in January, 2012. Look for her first of an epic fantasy romance series, SEEKING A SCRIBE: ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGEND ONE, to be available late autumn.