tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44416549497902932452024-03-13T02:29:46.516+00:00But I Don't Like SaladClaire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.comBlogger833125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-44363475482238390312023-09-13T11:58:00.001+01:002023-09-13T11:58:11.622+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Abby Goldsmith<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ut03iQVCieVSBuW8bPzPaDhePtvwt5r1LaXHCYAJJLBM6vaFAzJQYJkYROQ9Y7sAKUVYKBvSZcVxbEIK3U4ebYfwNhiBUHHnZVqVDRJ5e9YvygZIEp5D6FTyC5SQisbooJaYm3rPePAzLbWwPE9epPlLKH6VYCGiyeIqflytwV5HEjI7o7atavDQEEQ/s232/abby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="232" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ut03iQVCieVSBuW8bPzPaDhePtvwt5r1LaXHCYAJJLBM6vaFAzJQYJkYROQ9Y7sAKUVYKBvSZcVxbEIK3U4ebYfwNhiBUHHnZVqVDRJ5e9YvygZIEp5D6FTyC5SQisbooJaYm3rPePAzLbWwPE9epPlLKH6VYCGiyeIqflytwV5HEjI7o7atavDQEEQ/s1600/abby.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>Abby is the author of the Torth series, originally released on Wattpad and Royal Road, with 700,000+ reads. She’s an alumni of the Odyssey Writing Workshop, where she received a personal critique from best-selling author George R.R. Martin. Her short works are published in Escape Pod and Fantasy Magazine, as well as in anthologies by Writer’s Digest Books.<p></p><p>A former animator and game content writer, Abby is credited on more than a dozen Nintendo games for Nickelodeon and Disney. She co-hosts the Stories for Nerds podcast from her home in Texas.</p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></p><p>I’ll only write novels or series that I believe contribute something uniquely new to the world, or that depict something vitally important that isn’t expressed well enough anywhere else that I’ve ever seen. I like to explore society through the exaggerated lens of sci-fi and fantasy, and I play with interpersonal power dynamics. My villains tend to be darkly absurd. My heroes tend to be larger-than-life and/or rise to overpowered heights.</p><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I’ve always been a storyteller. Epic stories grow and mutate in my mind. I've experimented with animation, comics, and game dev, as well as screenplays and novels. With novels, I have the most creative control, and I don't need a team or a massive budget. So I've chosen this art form as the one to concentrate the most energy on.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>The Torth Majority did not care about individuals, and so Yellow Thomas had not cared about individuals.</div><div><br /></div><div>That was a toxic approach, he now figured. Slaves had healthier priorities. To slaves, large groups were abstract, whereas a single individual could matter more than an entire city or planet. That strange-but-wonderful outlook made them superior to the Torth. </div><div><br /></div><div>So during his imprisonment, Thomas had deconstructed who he was, and pieced his identity back together from a human perspective.</div><div><br /></div><div>He was smart. He was dying. He was a Torth hybrid, but he was also half human. American. A friend. A foster brother. A prisoner. A target. A power to be reckoned with. A seeker of knowledge, and a teller of truths. He used to be a nameless Yellow Rank, equal to all other Yellow Ranks, but now that was only a fraction of his identity. He was a sapient being with a lot of unique complexities, and, like the mysterious magic of telepathy and Yeresunsa powers, the whole of who he was transcended the parts.</div><div><br /></div><div>“The Torth are not my family anymore,” he said.</div><div><br /></div><div>The orator was quiet for a moment, perhaps mulling over his simple answer.</div><div><br /></div><div>“Very well,” she said. “Your answers are acceptable, Thomas. I have one final question. If you join us, will you give your assurance that you will not harm us?”</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>What if everyone could peer inside your mind and judge you? What if a thought could get you killed? Welcome to the Torth Majority. Are you a thought leader? Or are you a slave?</div><div><br /></div><div>The galaxy-spanning Torth own everything and know everyone. They are shepherded by supergeniuses, the greatest of whom is crushing hard on Thomas. There is no way to refuse the Torth Majority, no way to escape, no way to help his enslaved friends… unless Thomas can trick thirty trillion mind readers. </div><div><br /></div><div>And so Thomas’s galactic conquest begins. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Torth series is completely pre-written with an online following. It’s dark sci-fi progression fantasy with dual protagonists, one brawn and one brain. </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Majority-Sci-Fi-Progression-Fantasy-Torth-ebook/dp/B0CBSYV8ZY" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="283" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXsq7lTy_ABAqfIfm0KNCTzE3ajjwzZyMBai7KcQk4F1SKTmsXfapchvRWV-M0eovEzx67mLP6OQD4ZGejHsC8-7EGFRJy4RgBD3LK3WvpKYnID56z-Lfj3kkRJLjZSlHq4livYg56q28k1kPozsCCMg4EBUBYvOT6SFal1t3ZZcgu5dR3KlcLYAhojI/s320/91EDyHj6PiL._SY425_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I’ll have to go with a 7 layer chocolate cake.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kf55gZoaTxiL6xpCoL984q3NH5a-jtaRowRbTSb-ZjfC8cwyi-DWIkdHm_-Kk-xZcZHBgQ5SphMMOe5RqfbbZEpe5TM9xWPO7cwsaXiFz_ukirZCQHsGVVVw0Zm_V2-g9OFjKElBXxB1p_uQpASHGOEizEA-2tknHe-HUtNWKMTFS33EF1KtMcRr0aw/s550/7-layer-chocolate-cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="550" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kf55gZoaTxiL6xpCoL984q3NH5a-jtaRowRbTSb-ZjfC8cwyi-DWIkdHm_-Kk-xZcZHBgQ5SphMMOe5RqfbbZEpe5TM9xWPO7cwsaXiFz_ukirZCQHsGVVVw0Zm_V2-g9OFjKElBXxB1p_uQpASHGOEizEA-2tknHe-HUtNWKMTFS33EF1KtMcRr0aw/s320/7-layer-chocolate-cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>You can connect with Abby here:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Website: <a href="http://abbygoldsmith.com" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">abbygoldsmith.com</span></b></a></div><div>Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/TheTorth" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">facebook.com/TheTorth</span></b></a></div><div>X (formerly known as Twitter): <a href="http://twitter.com/Abbyland" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">twitter.com/Abbyland</span></b></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYqscWYGHjjoQaigXxCRv-sHzMZtgSXYgAqUJ_PLApJtNnEEuDI1aOPlm4NTm1j2IuUpSyGNdFWtzFGpi5DSvEvzvsNQrKBK70BZpzKmlq1FVqnosspBwGcHo67nw0pbxw5sj8OBUmzTLgHIwL9l8bk8HRWSOdeQnP9tMiws7oufqEs5uO3_M0Pslw4k/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYqscWYGHjjoQaigXxCRv-sHzMZtgSXYgAqUJ_PLApJtNnEEuDI1aOPlm4NTm1j2IuUpSyGNdFWtzFGpi5DSvEvzvsNQrKBK70BZpzKmlq1FVqnosspBwGcHo67nw0pbxw5sj8OBUmzTLgHIwL9l8bk8HRWSOdeQnP9tMiws7oufqEs5uO3_M0Pslw4k/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <b><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank">following me</a>.</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-81557390118490053672023-09-06T15:55:00.007+01:002023-09-06T15:55:55.989+01:00Extra Slice of Cake With... Jessica Thompson<p>This week I am delighted to have author Jessica Thompson back for another slice of cake.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieycMf_5bzgMemcYS6j6B3IFDu5_mgilDmLgJnOR7rfUtPPDm58F8d4kCiUqyrgPn0QfQOqjxXTqR0ffeh-prVyAIHr-iMb2ZRdV8hkMWjXdttSYlMeWR0mb5f6ZM36WHSISErzXBNpPxPhfzUHZsudNJTgGE2RCaBWv1fuIGWp3YPdHj5V2sxeXhT5DE/s972/Bio%20pic%20SS&SU%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="972" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieycMf_5bzgMemcYS6j6B3IFDu5_mgilDmLgJnOR7rfUtPPDm58F8d4kCiUqyrgPn0QfQOqjxXTqR0ffeh-prVyAIHr-iMb2ZRdV8hkMWjXdttSYlMeWR0mb5f6ZM36WHSISErzXBNpPxPhfzUHZsudNJTgGE2RCaBWv1fuIGWp3YPdHj5V2sxeXhT5DE/w264-h176/Bio%20pic%20SS&SU%20(1).jpeg" width="264" /></a></div>Jessica is the author of the Amazon best-selling mystery novels <i>A Caterer’s Guide to Holidays and Homicide</i> and <i>A Caterer’s Guide to Love and Murder</i> which was a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Awards. She also curated and featured her own short stories in a family friendly anthology of campfire stories, <i>Beyond the Woods: A Supernatural Anthology</i>. Active in her local writing community, she volunteers as the Assistant Communications Chair for the Storymakers Guild and as a Program Assistant for the Writer’s League of Texas. <p></p><p>Jessica lives in the suburbs of Austin, Texas with her husband and two children. When not writing, she’s getting her boots dirty at her parents' nearby longhorn cattle ranch. Whether ranching, cooking, or gardening, she sees it all as plot-inspiring material for her next mystery.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shoot-Shovel-Shut-Up-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0C7325G8F/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=ahJAb&content-id=amzn1.sym.579192ca-1482-4409-abe7-9e14f17ac827&pf_rd_p=579192ca-1482-4409-abe7-9e14f17ac827&pf_rd_r=141-2512359-3909505&pd_rd_wg=6bWl1&pd_rd_r=e20b963d-49f7-4c32-8fb6-c0a810b68ab5&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="3100" data-original-width="1938" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3qFcLSgKyH4pu94XD_pwIhG-R4whzZ2f3hLcWkBOduHV8AhbwUfgo0UU4WVZXNrrxNhFqOaZ0Zq6VCwEwgM1BQSRoYRkIdnAWEWbTdSrFdWIWwXIT5SLHCyxyo4wCIPM3qYh_mahcCySwaz3eIfwgk6SO2BSRhvrRCRhKktL899iDoo_QOcspxh-P00/s320/Shoot%20Shovel%20and%20Shut%20Up2%20-%20front%20only%20(1).jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Describe the types of books you love to read</span></b></p><p>Ooooh! I love Agatha Christie. I’m almost done reading her whole collection of novels. I really love all mystery, but especially clean mysteries. If it’s cozy, so be it, but it’s got to be clean. </p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Which authors inspire you to write?</span></b></p><p>Again, Agatha Christie, but modern writers I love are Josi Kilpack (my favorite cozy author), Joanne Fluke (when I need to remember that I CAN do this), Bruce Hammack (his books are similar to my newest release), and J.R. Lancaster (again, her book is similar to my <i>Shoot Shovel and Shut Up</i> because it’s clean and compelling, but not cozy.)</p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Since we last had a slice of cake, what have you been working on?</span></b></p><p>I last came on to talk about my culinary cozy mysteries series, which has a new book coming out in January called <i>A Caterer’s Guide to Valentines and Violence</i>, but mostly I’ve been trying something new. My latest book is called <i>Shoot Shovel and Shut Up</i>. It’s a clean, classic mystery, but it’s not a cozy. It’s a modern Western mystery with a splash of romance.</p><p>I’ve also been in several anthologies, like <i>Riddles, Resolutions and Revenge</i>, <i>A Beach of a Crime</i>, and <i>Bippity Boppity Boots - Southwestern Fairytale Retellings.</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Resolutions-Limited-Mystery-Anthology-Riddles-ebook/dp/B0C9YYKB5Y?ref_=ast_author_dp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-qczg5eqWHmGnu1RBOksBSgtlETdkMrDyzugVNQCCfsOscprbiIwAc4HJAfbFT72EcOafU7NdIIdVU_8VuSfMh5TYfk0Eq-aPjWZ3VqUkBXpZGvkdVTKtoTQKdwaMvzBkkbqeKPgWEYXG5s9xbDbdNk5QS4oQkCSZ-uriWQ_pNxJkHs40-J6I9zZjmc/s320/Riddles,%20Resolutions%20and%20Revenge,%20Volume%202%20cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your next project?</span></b><p></p><p>The third book in my <i>Caterer’s Guide to Crime</i> series is coming out on January 11, 2024. It doesn’t have a link or cover yet, but … blurb time!</p><p>Feel the love … with a caterer, a captain, and a criminal.</p><p>“Hey, gorgeous!”</p><p>As she decides how she feels about her not-so-ex-fiancé, Violet and her friends must cater a formal Army event as their secrets boil over. When she and the handsome investigator discover the boss has been beaten, and not with a whisk, and her fiance becomes the prime suspect, Violet must bite off more than she can chew, decide who to trust, and find the creamy center of the crimes. </p><p>But can she crack the criminal before she melts?</p><p><i>A Caterer’s Guide to Valentines and Violence</i> is a prequel to the mystery series that’ll give you heart eyes!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Caterers-Guide-to-Crime/dp/B09B3HK1DF?ref_=ast_author_dp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="379" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7HL84py52hE9umT5jknfrQUy_rOm74LsRc7fu7crzGKECsmBwfrESdR59WfbPzdFSMxnC6LozbuJpxUdM6AwtxvhxVC_2ubxRVcWJZzTOnq180S043mFt0Ky9ZT2W4yS22GDS2Ir7vXQe9Odre_0_NtXSTO5ay3zZk3ClAU1OrPKoUBeF2xuPamHMKY/s320/81H2bwE8hzL._CLa_3230,2560_81tnpmkDwnL.jpg_0,0,1611,2560+1619,0,1611,2560_._SY300_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Have you recently tried any new cake? What was the last cake you made/bought?</span></b></p><p>My most recent cake was chocolate and raspberry for my daughter’s birthday, but I’m hoping to soon make America’s Test Kitchen’s Magic Chocolate Flan Cake. I made it once years ago and it’s sooooo sexy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1DEQxBgxjnvj3WZNu5dQkgZAo37ftxcjBE6l2sCt3skbXbxadz8rzs6isg2pPqtMVm7IxAtCXQwnrIOnoxF1cejCUoE370QRxSQZlb1pKjB0n5udGxcqKtoHVq4blDwFDNJOAclBF6Vn6SYZYOOUsh5yRCDWhXW8DVGoiY8GGhhH3YKo5s4WLoaFzXE/s750/magic-flan-cake-1-21-750x750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1DEQxBgxjnvj3WZNu5dQkgZAo37ftxcjBE6l2sCt3skbXbxadz8rzs6isg2pPqtMVm7IxAtCXQwnrIOnoxF1cejCUoE370QRxSQZlb1pKjB0n5udGxcqKtoHVq4blDwFDNJOAclBF6Vn6SYZYOOUsh5yRCDWhXW8DVGoiY8GGhhH3YKo5s4WLoaFzXE/s320/magic-flan-cake-1-21-750x750.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>You can connect with Jessica here:</p><p>My book <i>Shoot Shovel and Shut Up</i>: <a href="http://mybook.to/SSSU" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">mybook.to/SSSU</span></b></a><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b><br /></b></span>Website: <a href="http://Jessicathompsonauthor.com" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Jessicathompsonauthor.com</span></b></a><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b><br /></b></span>Instagram: <a href="http://instagram.com/jessicathauthor2" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">instagram.com/jessicathauthor2</span></b></a><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b><br /></b></span>Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/jessicathauthor" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">facebook.com/jessicathauthor</span></b></a><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b><br /></b></span>Goodreads: <a href="http://goodreads.com/jessicathauthor" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">goodreads.com/jessicathauthor</span></b></a><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b><br /></b></span>Bookbub: <a href="http://bookbub.com/profile/jessica-thompson" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">bookbub.com/profile/jessica-thompson</span></b></a><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b><br /></b></span>Amazon Author Profile: <a href="http://amazon.com/author/jessicathompsonmystery" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">amazon.com/author/jessicathompsonmystery</span></b></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_r4gTUOEUxlm3mAyUAGLKkGJSBRiADPb51IElsa0Jp1YnmUvg5FsvFyvT88_77_XvmDB0XvGjoKNwQlcO8VsIpnfXrkD-I_vex8TSZAdDYAIjcPiY6TcKWTemJEukXNbo4nQCu3FR7w6ojLHFtJoDAejbsEEZrnC39NEr-PbHAdtRrsLUxR-xPiE_v8k/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_r4gTUOEUxlm3mAyUAGLKkGJSBRiADPb51IElsa0Jp1YnmUvg5FsvFyvT88_77_XvmDB0XvGjoKNwQlcO8VsIpnfXrkD-I_vex8TSZAdDYAIjcPiY6TcKWTemJEukXNbo4nQCu3FR7w6ojLHFtJoDAejbsEEZrnC39NEr-PbHAdtRrsLUxR-xPiE_v8k/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>.</p>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-788916001276239142023-08-16T18:24:00.000+01:002023-08-16T18:24:17.814+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Zoe DawsonToday I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Zoe Dawson.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsgThqEedMXqvXakOJ7w_zwQc2bqCrd4Wla9qzJSvpwiNqzR2ak-xx8l1HSFeG9naB9UorWKifb2usYwPfmATv2oyQqFkvUrSUdzO_Xqu6_IDH5k80huaPXf7k_3vVlIkF41WGpFNn0YDMjuF4ml-mgOJ-_UVh_oNc0B98LGyjw-Wwkcmpx9V0Vtuqk0/s2944/author%20pic%20-%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsgThqEedMXqvXakOJ7w_zwQc2bqCrd4Wla9qzJSvpwiNqzR2ak-xx8l1HSFeG9naB9UorWKifb2usYwPfmATv2oyQqFkvUrSUdzO_Xqu6_IDH5k80huaPXf7k_3vVlIkF41WGpFNn0YDMjuF4ml-mgOJ-_UVh_oNc0B98LGyjw-Wwkcmpx9V0Vtuqk0/w164-h218/author%20pic%20-%202022.jpg" width="164" /></a></div>Zoe says "I love to write. I always have. For me it doesn’t matter what genre it is, the constant is always the happily ever after.</div><div><br /></div><div>I’m producing work that runs the gamut of genre—romantic comedy, new adult contemporary, urban fantasy, romantic erotica, and syfy/fantasy. Sounds crazy like I can’t make up my mind, but that’s so far from the truth. Writing across all the genres is what excites me, keeps my mind fresh, and lets me tell the stories that are clamoring to get out. I’d tell you about the people in my head who talk to me, but don’t want you to freak out too much. So, I’ll keep that to myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>I currently live in North Carolina, but hail from the beautiful Green Mountain State, Vermont. I miss the mountains, but love the warmth of not only the climate here in NC, but the warmth of the people I’ve meet since moving here.</div><div><br /></div><div>The words feed my soul and the happily ever afters feed my heart."</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I’m an outside-the-box thinker, so my plots are complex, nonconventional, and unpredictable, and you can expect expansive settings and deeply engaging characters that populate my stories. I write strong heroines who don’t care about stepping on toes, fight for what they believe in and know how to kick some ass, either verbally or physically and look good while doing it. My heroes are sexy guys with hearts of gold. Some live in small towns or big cities, and others travel a global landscape with a solid home base. Some have that laid back charm and bad boy quality, and others the special training to back up their disregard for danger, whether it’s running into bullets, shielding people, or doing what’s necessary. All of my stories are emotional, suspenseful tales of beating the odds, finding their place in the world, and falling deeply in love. That’s always the constant in my novels, the happily ever after.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I have voices in my head who clamber for attention and their own, concrete story. (Don’t tell the guys with the white coats.) Seriously, I’m fueled by an imagination that won’t let me just live a normal life. I’ve got scenarios and fight scenes, people dangling off cliffs, firefights, sweat, blood, and tears, epic love, sassy characters, dangerously sexy men, and larger-than-life ideas for vast tales that I can’t contain. Writing is like breath for me. If I’m not telling a story, there’s no oxygen.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>This excerpt is from my recently completed manuscript, <i>Easy</i>, part of the <i>SEAL Team EAST</i> series, but Easy was actually introduced in my <i>SEAL Team Alpha</i> novel, <i>Hemingway</i>. Easy and Hemingway were swim buddies while they endured Basic Underwater Demolition/SEALs or BUD/S. He’s now on the East Coast with the Gold Guardians (a unit I made up), a covert, secret part of Special Operation Command, under the Department of Defense. They are stationed at Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Virgina.</div><div><br /></div><div>She shivered at the sudden drop in temperature and stayed close to Easy. They walked against the howling wind driving water into their faces, so they could barely see where they were going. The whole world seemed to be made of sheets and sheets of water. </div><div>They made it into the meager cover of the trees. The sky gave them very little light. Mountains rose around them, the tree line silhouetted in silver against the gray sky. As she took a step, she could feel the water rushing over her ankles. She looked down, thinking she had stumbled into a stream. Confused, she looked at Easy, but then there was a rumbling roar and she looked to her side. A ten-foot rushing wave of water rolled toward her, and if that wasn’t bad enough, it had swept over the truck and caught it up with debris and branches. It was a raging flash flood.</div><div>Easy shouted, but it was too late. The water hit her with a driving force that knocked the breath out of her and took her off her feet in an instant. The power of it rolled her around in the stream like a rag doll and she couldn’t even get her bearings to try to swim, the sudden current swift and treacherous. Part of the truck’s door came perilously close to her head, the edge of the rusted metal scoring her cheek with a painful slice of pain. Without warning, the ground was gone and there was nothing there. She couldn’t even draw a breath to scream.</div><div>Then suddenly she stopped short, someone had her wrist as the water continued to pour over them and disappear below. It was a drop-off, and she couldn’t even see anything but darkness underneath her as she dangled in midair, the water continuing to strike her face, flowing over her shoulders.</div><div>Finally, the deluge slowed then stopped altogether. She gasped for breath as she looked up to see that Easy had his arm securely around a tree root.</div><div>“Don’t panic, Jack. If you thrash, I’ll lose my grip.”</div><div>It took everything she had, every ounce of willpower and trust she had in the man above her. “Okay,” she said, gritting her teeth.</div><div>“Good.” There was that beautiful calm voice, and it worked its soothing magic. “Look over your left shoulder. See that outcropping of land?”</div><div>She swiveled her head, and her mouth went dry. There was an outcropping all right, but the land was ragged and torn. It was clear trees had toppled, their roots ripped from the ground. There was no way to know if the rain and flash waters had loosened the dirt.</div><div>“I’m going to toss you over there. Grab on and don’t let go.”</div><div>Don’t let go? Oh, God. She looked up at him and met his gaze. They stared at each other as seconds passed. She felt a connection with him, strong and unbreakable. There was no way he was going to drop her, and no way he was going to let them die. All of that was in those gorgeous blue eyes.</div><div>“Are you going to count to three on this He-man maneuver, Prince Charming?”</div><div>He huffed a breath. “Jack–I can’t be both.”</div><div>“I would appreciate it if you didn’t argue with a woman dangling in mid-air. Now, that three-count?”</div><div>“Will that help?”</div><div>“No, but at least I’ll know when to dig deep for my inner spider woman.”</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zoe-Dawson/e/B009OFFW0K" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAqupai6QoOzt2L5VCDTjK0nKD7Qb-QY_Ai1Xfz8aDAdP5iP8-DuFvzQtGYUFVvtqU3gwZ3hwm3Amcd2NAVZAy6z9gkt79CTuQ8p0xzyQaBXOz7NgJ1dGME3kKo5-lgKHGqaTokeVozADE6p5WufsGjFNOeOym5EC3X2t1UPrS-rVEvel5zqhE5doa90/s320/3%20Easy%20new(1).jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>My current release is <i>GQ</i>, the third book in my <i>SEAL Team Tier 1</i> series. My Tier 1 team has been battling an elusive and shadowy terror group called No Safe Haven, who leave behind a mutilated American flag with a red X through it and the no safe haven slogan. They have attacked Americans in Paris (<i>Iceman</i>, Book 1), and Bolivia (<i>Preacher</i>, Book 2). Usually a three-pronged attack: civilian, government, and military. But they have now confiscated a laptop leading them to London, England where the third book takes place. Here’s a description.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ready to deliver some well-deserved justice to the terror group Remington "GQ" Nash and his teammates have been fighting, No Safe Haven, he and the team head to England where the next attacks are scheduled to happen. But this time they have confiscated a laptop they hope contains the information on the attacks they need to prevent them. To top it off, they have a team of NSA cryptologists on hand to decrypt the safeguards on the computer. That's when GQ meets, shy, repressed, and brilliant Dr. Celeste Potter, a woman so buttoned-up she hides behind her large glasses, baggy sweats, and unbound hair. He can't seem to help himself as he gets involved in bringing this woman out of her shell...and falling hard for her during an active and dangerous mission. Celeste is nonplussed to discover that this gorgeous Navy SEAL has taken an interest in her. It's the last thing she would have expected. Her life is reclusive by choice, the world is so intrusive, but this man draws her out bit by bit until she can no longer deny how much she has missed in her life, nor how she's going to handle this dynamic man. As the mission progresses, Celeste finds disturbing evidence that NSH has their sights set on her, and she can no longer ignore the real world for her safe bubble. Is she up for the final showdown where their lives are on the line and NSH's plans are so extreme, they could succeed in destroying everything?</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CC15X5W6/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDX0OQ5KI-_felQqH-HJWF6fs68F4WQUkJvE_J7Bm9SJSKcBhgKsE8-aOPrfUy1mLPv_QhvdzwpWxS2CrgXg0wYcjn64w0nynZd6YgNUEBTr7olOraLqBKeek44vqfol73ywOfL1oOnLKYWHjbjrXsehH2cOTnu4iPT_d-U9QhkWIV6h4sZpHFt16YBg/s320/3%20GQ.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Pretty simple. Chocolate layer cake—chocolate frosting, yellow cake. I prefer the store-bought kind from Harris Teeter. It’s so darn delicious and HT has my back, the slices come in individual servings, so I don’t overindulge (except on my birthday). </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZ4824gSrYiu9mvTzD7mUtUm6LddY8aO4xSGpBUiXxJk5VeeC6iVfg-BvP64nFoQjYCyVZwdqtjR0l4_1a6jbdGdrkBvDT8bLBYFgnDgsxneRTqhbjKNdy5oEag0q6ZsNZU0ruhw63aV9DIOM0a7KTssc_PqovQxvoT-9FBlfwgeRSYK0myuDdWoQTg8/s711/HT%20chocolate%20layer%20cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="711" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZ4824gSrYiu9mvTzD7mUtUm6LddY8aO4xSGpBUiXxJk5VeeC6iVfg-BvP64nFoQjYCyVZwdqtjR0l4_1a6jbdGdrkBvDT8bLBYFgnDgsxneRTqhbjKNdy5oEag0q6ZsNZU0ruhw63aV9DIOM0a7KTssc_PqovQxvoT-9FBlfwgeRSYK0myuDdWoQTg8/s320/HT%20chocolate%20layer%20cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Connect with Zoe here:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Website: <b><a href="http://zoedawson.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">zoedawson.com</span></a></b></div><div>Blog: <a href="http://zoedawsonauthor.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">zoedawsonauthor.blogspot.com</span></b></a></div><div>Newsletter: <a href="http://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/f2c8f0" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/f2c8f0</span></b></a></div><div>Amazon Profile: <a href="http://amazon.com/stores/Zoe-Dawson/author/B009OFFW0K" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">amazon.com/stores/Zoe-Dawson/author/B009OFFW0K</span></b></a></div><div>Goodreads: <a href="http://goodreads.com/author/show/6549322.Zoe_Dawson" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">goodreads.com/author/show/6549322.Zoe_Dawson</span></b></a></div><div>Facebook Page: <a href="http://facebook.com/zoedawsonauthor" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">facebook.com/zoedawsonauthor</span></b></a></div><div>BookBub: <a href="http://www.bookbub.com/profile/zoe-dawson" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">www.bookbub.com/profile/zoe-dawson</span></b></a></div><div>X (formerly Twitter): <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ZoeDawsonAuthor" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">www.twitter.com/ZoeDawsonAuthor</span></b></a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="http://instagram.com/zoedawsonauthor1" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">instagram.com/zoedawsonauthor1</span></b></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1JOmQzqZGfqtvWg5f-HKxwhK99yZaNkx5ckUjGmElX78tQCKna8DMJSTaHriiioS3g5JjWx5nIhKoL-4_sBLUAQ0V7YVxrtrkmqfnnMBvRoJuirl03isa76sTo-t74hrWlF9z5SqQtB4cF398Lr6lMgPsiC9wV_bWwBk-219mNdp9Slultax8glGjSo/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1JOmQzqZGfqtvWg5f-HKxwhK99yZaNkx5ckUjGmElX78tQCKna8DMJSTaHriiioS3g5JjWx5nIhKoL-4_sBLUAQ0V7YVxrtrkmqfnnMBvRoJuirl03isa76sTo-t74hrWlF9z5SqQtB4cF398Lr6lMgPsiC9wV_bWwBk-219mNdp9Slultax8glGjSo/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>. </div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-54304474201247844562023-08-03T21:13:00.001+01:002023-08-03T21:13:23.155+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Naima HavilandThis week I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Naima Haviland.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5r0yyMwgB4v1xsyHyZHUJiojeaOONygAKlnD2NcLSj_8KFdeOxb0PDPqN-TpGlWuCFnfOfJa4uzhZNjMeRuoPilLK7LqHRcq9oWavt35yLLg8ML1K3p5TkFlwnQbRa9BYYymqnvmU_t7BSAqlfLe-TpPmTvFn86_h7iYJkdDMs71EUTijiXKP5HAbqo/s2249/NaimaHaviland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2249" data-original-width="1853" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5r0yyMwgB4v1xsyHyZHUJiojeaOONygAKlnD2NcLSj_8KFdeOxb0PDPqN-TpGlWuCFnfOfJa4uzhZNjMeRuoPilLK7LqHRcq9oWavt35yLLg8ML1K3p5TkFlwnQbRa9BYYymqnvmU_t7BSAqlfLe-TpPmTvFn86_h7iYJkdDMs71EUTijiXKP5HAbqo/w212-h257/NaimaHaviland.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Naima says " I write novels and short stories, mostly in the dark fantasy, and horror genres. Lately, I've branched out into romance, erotica, and literature. There's no telling where my imagination will take me next!</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm inspired by the Southeast United States, including the Florida panhandle, an ocean paradise that has been home to pirates, outlaws, eccentrics, explorers, UFOs -- and me!"</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Readers can expect immersive worlds and complex characters. However, my plots go in unexpected directions. I’ll mix vampires with folk magic or modern gothic with erotica. Or I’ll start a short story as a romance and finish it as a time-travelling mystery. My latest novel, <i>The Name I Chose</i>, weaves the worst of our influencer culture into an alternative version of Victorian England. The story combines romance, body positivity, and social justice.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bloodroom-Naima-Haviland/dp/147508577X/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=R9kwS&content-id=amzn1.sym.ed85217c-14c9-4aa0-b248-e47393e2ce12&pf_rd_p=ed85217c-14c9-4aa0-b248-e47393e2ce12&pf_rd_r=147-0543119-0027160&pd_rd_wg=b9ke7&pd_rd_r=0d6bbd2f-f171-4d0f-8cdd-959b28f7a04b&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="501" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTf1QZn8mcHYNf_eSkn1K6EQ0PawczsQPOwdRlvzMsc5JU_OlOYCfgVohm2TzxYEP_uWGXoxKEdKtvHQE4lYYH82kHSA7_4Hbbe6Pt9DXVr2kUf7btcM_ok1DgE6YuxFQMXFdMQqcWHti8LoyxlKJ-NegaoGa4qM6aQgvuIDHiKr_CmOZhIs2kBLQodU/s320/BloodroomCover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I want something of myself to live on after I die – hopefully, I have lots of time ahead to make that happen but I write like there’s no tomorrow. I want to uplift, fascinate, and entertain people I don’t know.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>After all the day’s shock and danger, it was the subterranean tunnels that threatened Philomena’s spirit. She had the feeling now, as she had whenever they’d locked her in the closet, that she should never see daylight or people again. Philomena sat against the tunnel wall in the darkness and stifled a sob against her knees. </div><div>But then her mind’s eye conjured the image of Mordecai from the encompassing darkness. She considered the challenges arising from physical malformations. How mean the array of opportunities presented him, yet he’d built a career that earned him a comfortable income. How cruelly people may have treated him, yet in his chosen profession Mordecai helped people flourish. </div><div>Philomena dried her tears with the back of her hand. She stood, felt about in the dark for the track, and began once again to follow it.</div><div>Mordecai persevered, and if she intended joining her life to his, she must match him. He thought you too delicate. Prove him wrong.</div><div>Though she had much to make her anxious, Philomena gave preference to reliving the pleasure Mordecai’s infrequent smiles had afforded her. When they composed together at the piano, her soul frolicked with its sympathetic twin. Despite his physical asymmetry, his form fit perfectly with hers when he embraced her. Though absent at the moment, his presence sustained her.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Name-I-Chose-Naima-Haviland-ebook/dp/B09YFX5GLK?ref_=ast_author_dp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2433" data-original-width="1601" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfZrAIWEftwizcfTCQk-Ausu-KCpHDDSDyGWvDOGNAuUWPXA3U_gIuNUQ_yzLmys8fNbV3OWjIcU98RsGjzjcY5Bv5qvQYYUPC-mK6qjZyQhS0HVJ0ROYQ7K-nk3NjUVKa-JxxU_WIsY_qb9zHQL-jPMOOWXLUHal-J4Ehax7sQykLw7nH_sMwzUX6YE/s320/NameIChoseCover.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>The Name I Chose</i> is a novel of passion and peril set in an alternative Victorian England. </div><div><br /></div><div>Bold inventions usher in a new age, while genetic and cosmetic sciences reinforce an age-old class system. For the rich, immunity to disability and disease justifies their hold on power. Born disfigured, Mordecai Michaelson has employed his musical talent to rise above a life of poverty. Philomena Paulson appears no less perfect and no more talented than her upper class world requires. But she has secrets only Mordecai understands. Acceptance, trust, and a passion for music compose bonds of forbidden love between them. When chance discovery of Philomena's darkest secret threatens scandal and revolution, she's determined to save Mordecai from the gallows. But Mordecai is just as determined to keep her from social suicide, even if it costs him his life.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Historical Fiction Company gave <i>The Name I Chose</i> a 5-star review: "... what we have here is an excellent screen play for an equally excellent film. All the necessary component parts are present: romance and love interest, beautiful music..." — and distinguished the novel with 2022 Silver and Highly Recommended Awards. </div><div><br /></div><div>Order <i>The Name I Chose</i> from your favourite bookseller. While we’re sharing a slice of cake, try a yummy bite of the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJXV59RV?ref_=ast_author_ofdp" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">audiobook</span></b></a>! </div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The mint-chocolate birthday cake I baked for myself on my last day of being 29. I put so much green food coloring into the homemade icing that the whole thing looked like a malformed TicTac. I circled the top of the round layer cake with chocolate-covered coffee beans. I woke up 30 years old to find that all the icing had slid off and the coffee beans now lay on the plate. It looked like a metaphor for aging. That was a tasty cake, though.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxaTDtWUo48t8M0lTjJLNpCTsJtDPCpKLd41qxJmfknJIok3sif-gsw10y_HhX66L3YRqWnZ0WVxuMgoSFxA28cEqgwSluORkIvMkqioJbWB0gZEF9ZnGkS4kZHG_R4eA_DS2n6TI_XafL2q_Lge_DMSUelFlLgBbx6M8y8HIsapAPuli2lB6tgDukhw/s1200/delish-andes-layer-cake-horizontal-1545240107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxaTDtWUo48t8M0lTjJLNpCTsJtDPCpKLd41qxJmfknJIok3sif-gsw10y_HhX66L3YRqWnZ0WVxuMgoSFxA28cEqgwSluORkIvMkqioJbWB0gZEF9ZnGkS4kZHG_R4eA_DS2n6TI_XafL2q_Lge_DMSUelFlLgBbx6M8y8HIsapAPuli2lB6tgDukhw/s320/delish-andes-layer-cake-horizontal-1545240107.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Connect with Naima here:</div><div><div>Learn more about her books and creative projects on her website: <a href="http://naimahaviland.com"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">naimahaviland.com</span></b></a></div><div>Connect with her on Facebook <a href="http://facebook.com/Books.by.Naima.Haviland" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">facebook.com/Books.by.Naima.Haviland</span></b></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvlhFwTUWXnTt-qqmlXm4zvl9yJ6F-8EMDgdJFIHSVQ2sgca0SNRRavYGir68vIgB0oGzSHIsgmAy1VUMUojtGtOLwgIJcBGD2f1gTEgPez_UsDGSmtjahwHRPmHp58Wmos2syCP0f3fxWN8D8Jn1K6ZbWL3tuQhZSw_lbl2fyfoKKR643gm7ev-DzEQ/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvlhFwTUWXnTt-qqmlXm4zvl9yJ6F-8EMDgdJFIHSVQ2sgca0SNRRavYGir68vIgB0oGzSHIsgmAy1VUMUojtGtOLwgIJcBGD2f1gTEgPez_UsDGSmtjahwHRPmHp58Wmos2syCP0f3fxWN8D8Jn1K6ZbWL3tuQhZSw_lbl2fyfoKKR643gm7ev-DzEQ/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <b><a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></a></b>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>.</div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-42554296685314637202023-07-26T21:16:00.000+01:002023-07-26T21:16:58.232+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Dagmar RokitaToday I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Dagmar Rokita. <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuGZfcQ-OF3uybBwmI7NEHveUCf1CYjOuXZCf9Y_DJx5w7c-__M4WKpxi9aC2QkMbxqPSyCDMgF2hksq5PFF_mow-Uk6rXQlfJzJcOLuv70Sm4Ucp1B1AUHgscC_vFv4bCZCbFqpNXWcpkvr5pCkRn9GCTuYupg5J-zM8UY5zJ9U7QTiUna0aO9uh3Fs/s2040/H4Rf4B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2040" data-original-width="1780" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuGZfcQ-OF3uybBwmI7NEHveUCf1CYjOuXZCf9Y_DJx5w7c-__M4WKpxi9aC2QkMbxqPSyCDMgF2hksq5PFF_mow-Uk6rXQlfJzJcOLuv70Sm4Ucp1B1AUHgscC_vFv4bCZCbFqpNXWcpkvr5pCkRn9GCTuYupg5J-zM8UY5zJ9U7QTiUna0aO9uh3Fs/w192-h220/H4Rf4B2.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>Dagmar is a Polish writer and an artist. She writes and illustrates dark sci-fi series called <i>Bloodstained Skies</i>. There are two things that inspire her: imaginary world of geek culture and the deepest corners of human psychology. Huge doses of heavy metal are her creative fuel. She wants to become a famous artist because she needs money to buy sophisticated food for her cat.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I write a smooth blend of epic cinematic action and gritty character development. I often see two groups of people arguing with each other: one of them prefers entertainment for the very sake of entertainment and the second group wants deep and philosophical stories. I’m the one who says “why not both?” I also enjoy creating advanced civilisations with ancient/medieval aesthetics (Celtic space elves and dragon cyborgs are my favourite). </div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>There are a few things:</div><div>- I want to get rid of some thoughts and fears. Almost all of my characters have a little part of my own problems, phobias and worries. When I write, I unleash all my negative emotions in a safe and controlled way.</div><div>- I want to be proud of something I did by myself, something I made with my own hands, or something I did from the very beginning to the very end.</div><div>- I enjoy challenging the readers. Many people have short attention spans, they prefer sanitized art and they don’t want to leave their comfort zone. I want to make them wonder who is good and who is bad, pay attention to details, or just make them step out of the comfort zone (or at least that’s what I’m trying to do...)</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I love describing weird technology and this giant tank controlled by minds is my favourite (from <i>Bloodstained Skies: The Core of Rage</i>).</div><div><br /></div><div>The Kehrians stood on circular platforms, facing the wall. The respirators gave them oxygen, and virtual reality goggles covered their eyes. They held their hands raised over their heads like entranced shamans who wanted to summon their Devi with a sorcerous mantra. Thick controlling gloves, linked with the board supercomputer, let them pilot the Katrikeya precisely through the slightest of moves and gestures.</div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"></span>Taking the mid place, the Technician Operator grimaced on hearing an automatic communication in his headphones.</span></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"></span>“Distance to the target: fifteen…”</span></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"></span>“Yeah,” he mumbled. “Technician Cannoneer, ignore these data.”</span></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"></span>“Why?” asked Cannoneer, still standing motionlessly like a statue.</span></div></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bloodstained-Skies-Core-SynthBreed-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B0BZ13YX91" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOjFSLd27CaxZlfp8RtGbsKRxWDqAt_JZxfo_nZYEL1ZGgL2mz9ctrXk6JCrrcsjliszotXanKZWu9wcXxnIocvmYFakaXrg0X0Vm2zKzbRcH9DxvJ78LA6WI2e_k3LOTJvJwU6t-pduXV01dRbgkCAnOFaiukvgAlSnSMc9n_s6-wiEegAZxrqCbe0I/s320/HhBcEj1.png" width="213" /></a></div></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></span></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><div>I’m slowly finishing my 2nd book <i>Bloodstained Skies: The Vanquisher of Kings I</i>. It’s not the sequel of my previous book, <i>Bloodstained Skies: The Core of Rage</i>. I plan to start a new trilogy in the same universe, where I will show the events from around 1000 years before “The Core…”. It may be a short novel or a long novella, I’m not sure how long it will be. I would describe it as “what if Tarantino directed The Lion King”.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I have two. Apple pie is the best. I’m a big fan of sweet-and-sour things, and some shortbread with apples from my garden is absolutely delicious.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheesecake is my number two, it’s soft and not too sweet. But only without raisins. How can people destroy this masterpiece with raisins!?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueU2qg-aP21Tfq92u83t6_4Mq0TksNkrGX0mZckTGaHz0qeP9R_H5fPjEnqzQBF08qRd4_giqda5zpVuZWb9Rf6QTxQZ8xoSbT0U_9vhECSjxQlT_V-waS0TJS2_c5caWLH5dhiSDeKiWKOsqCX_S0bTs_MJoxqF2vpo2MV_RJB2VUlDLnD8Rue2kBYE/s1200/apple-pie-index-6425bd0363f16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueU2qg-aP21Tfq92u83t6_4Mq0TksNkrGX0mZckTGaHz0qeP9R_H5fPjEnqzQBF08qRd4_giqda5zpVuZWb9Rf6QTxQZ8xoSbT0U_9vhECSjxQlT_V-waS0TJS2_c5caWLH5dhiSDeKiWKOsqCX_S0bTs_MJoxqF2vpo2MV_RJB2VUlDLnD8Rue2kBYE/s320/apple-pie-index-6425bd0363f16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Connect with Dagmar here:</div><div><div>Amazon: <a href="http://amazon.com/stores/Dagmar-Rokita/author/B0BZ468YHZ" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">amazon.com/stores/Dagmar-Rokita/author/B0BZ468YHZ</span></b></a></div><div>Discord: <a href="http://discord.gg/FMCb7jjvZD" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">discord.gg/FMCb7jjvZD</span></b></a></div><div>Facebook: <b><a href="http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083569712019" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083569712019</span></a></b></div><div>Goodreads: <b><a href="http://goodreads.com/author/show/30389862.Dagmar_Rokita" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">goodreads.com/author/show/30389862.Dagmar_Rokita</span></a></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Naima Haviland. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXG19wxFWWnjYIzTUuu4FPm-EEJvMJWHkBaJlJPsg4WvWAqP4Ve865vmVnI1Ut4g87S2dh0RaS5ThP1Raq27NEnA0EKdtkGDEUoUDmJUynAlyiUeEyRa__HMzNvrCTZkvK4Xujkpn3MGTavGT-iFfDTCL71O0c6E3VvLvzj2dFj-8mLp-M0UWNtgee6M/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXG19wxFWWnjYIzTUuu4FPm-EEJvMJWHkBaJlJPsg4WvWAqP4Ve865vmVnI1Ut4g87S2dh0RaS5ThP1Raq27NEnA0EKdtkGDEUoUDmJUynAlyiUeEyRa__HMzNvrCTZkvK4Xujkpn3MGTavGT-iFfDTCL71O0c6E3VvLvzj2dFj-8mLp-M0UWNtgee6M/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <b><a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></a></b>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>.</div></div></div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-36274428263511410682023-07-19T09:00:00.001+01:002023-07-19T09:00:00.154+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Kate DarrochToday I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Kate Darroch. <div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiIAANLugnyIl9jXMAsihcFIXI2PNfMoV3dBt_3fHcLJZklsYf_ZLx3mUoJiSE2X4K2nq9X50HC9XAbVFyskcj6hlopdFZYoJcDGkTTl78KxvDRkwLyMPjZeO4yNBSAD6HbuYkSHI6jPfwj3ub0q8PubgtcGsdrzhjsQC68RlErhJgCAgpJu2PSMVvs8/s3000/Kate-pic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiIAANLugnyIl9jXMAsihcFIXI2PNfMoV3dBt_3fHcLJZklsYf_ZLx3mUoJiSE2X4K2nq9X50HC9XAbVFyskcj6hlopdFZYoJcDGkTTl78KxvDRkwLyMPjZeO4yNBSAD6HbuYkSHI6jPfwj3ub0q8PubgtcGsdrzhjsQC68RlErhJgCAgpJu2PSMVvs8/w243-h243/Kate-pic.jpeg" width="243" /></a></div>Living on the beautiful Devon Coastline, Kate melds her lifelong love of reading Cozy Sleuths with her love of writing and years of living in foreign climes to write Travel Cozies. Devon is such a friendly place living here is like living in a time warp. The strong sense of community takes Kate back in spirit to the Glasgow of her childhood - and that's how Màiri was born!</div><div><br /></div><div>Màiri is a Scots Irish teacher whose home is Glasgow as it was in the 1970s, a time and place Kate recalls fondly. Passionate about Accessibility, Kate insists that all her writing is published in Large Print and Dyslexia Friendly editions, in addition to standard print, eBooks and audiobooks.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I write funny, frothy, action-packed Cozies, escapism pure and simple. Yes, I know Cozies aren’t usually action-packed – but mine are. Màiri, the reluctant sleuth heroine of the <i>Death in Paris</i> and the <i>Màiri’s Home for the Holidays</i> series, is endlessly escaping from one dire peril only to fall into the next, as frighteningly danger-prone as the heroine of that old silent film <i>The Perils of Pauline Hunt</i>, the British consulting detective in my <i>Huntingdon Hart Investigates</i> series, is an ex-MI5 operative, with a unique skillset and billions in the bank. The man can hardly draw a breath without being in ferocious physical danger, yet he finds time almost every day to rescue someone from something, even while obsessively pursuing the love of his life, the Dowager Duchess Sophia Lovely ditsy Erin, the heroine in the <i>Found Money</i> series, attracts criminals like a magnet. The Scotland Yard detective pursuing her around the globe soon finds himself in a sticky situation - he’s fallen in love with her. How can he save Erin from the bank robbers and drug dealers who have her in their toils?</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BYHJC5YB" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="230" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboIBuunUORfCY1V_cfi9XqUXJozWczBmVvRigjNQu5CbPcvPiWykvalBrE7q12ThiLpovsPJmjw6T4M5Rp7ZRuplB4EBoBz8RqhsVuCR-dG1dnyaxMen-H00IwJThJmOF-zup8lrNAYq9asCCX3wPQKZxMhK1smN-E026MwcWTL5A5Ojwunr0HQ968fg/s320/41rFOcq8GmL._SY346_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></div><div><div><br /></div><div>We all need a good laugh in these troubled times, I think. I try to give my readers a laugh. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the 15 months I’ve been writing my little stories, I have received over 1800 emails from readers, more than half of whom have been going through some ghastly life crisis and need some escapism. Not to mention the war in the Ukraine and spiralling prices for everything (except my eBooks). </div><div><br /></div><div>My desire to take people to a better world, if only for a few hours, is what sends me to my keyboard every day.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>My fave is the first train sequence from <i>Death in Paris</i>, my debut novel, which has won 15 international book awards, including the Readers Favorite Gold Medal for Humor and Incipere Awards for Best Christian Fiction and Best Clean Mystery. It also came a close second in the 2022 Cozy of the Year contest, chosen by Cozy Readers’ Tribe Votes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Màiri, the reluctant sleuth heroine, who narrates, is a Scots Irish teacher. Lianna is her Glaswegian BFF. They are on a train from Le Havre to Paris</div><div><br /></div><div>Seizing his cane with a wordless roar, the military man brandishes it like a weapon (despite very obviously needing it to steady a gimpy leg), over-balancing his hot water jug as his other hand grabs at his tabletop to haul himself onto his feet. His dishes all go flying.</div><div>He has managed to jump up – only his fury lending him the ability to stand without falling – and attempts to bring his cane down hard on the little man’s head.</div><div>The little man dodges away from the blow, but he can’t get past the roaring lunatic, who is shouting at him with tremendous passion, thrashing about him with his cane in the most astonishing surge of violent energy, even though he can hardly stay upright and looks as if he’ll fall any second.</div><div>“You damned scoundrel! You double-dyed liar! You little sneak! You embezzling skunk! I’ll skin you alive! I’ll break this cane over your lying skull, see if I don’t!”</div><div>And with another startling lunge he actually manages to connect his cane with the little man’s shoulder, quite a vicious blow. The little man screams. Lianna screams. The attacker is still roaring. </div><div>And over it all, in sweet, measured tones yet as penetrating as any sergeant-major’s on the parade ground “Charlie, what have you done now?” blares out the Glasgow-accented voice of the grey-haired woman.</div><div>I see it all in a flash. I’m not going to get any cream cakes; and bringing Lianna to Paris has been a mistake.</div><div>But I’m giving myself too much credit. I don’t yet know the full dimensions of this fiasco, because it happens that I’m sitting by the window, and Lianna’s seat gives onto the central passage-way. As she rises, shaking, there is nothing to prevent her from moving anywhere she likes – and I don’t even want to think about what Lianna might like to do to Charlie Stout.</div><div>Ferghal looks from my agonised expression to Lianna’s contorted face, and proves himself a man of action.</div><div>He moves smoothly into the passage just behind Lianna and catches at her arms. “Wheesht,” he murmurs, “Sure I think they’ll get on better without a lady in the mix.”</div><div>Lianna’s last vestige of control slips. The hated enemy is in front of her, and she is going to get him where it hurts, even if that means hurting someone else first.</div><div>Forgetting for a moment that she is a lady, Lianna elbows Ferghal viciously (I really can’t bring myself to say where) and screams “Let me at him.”</div><div>Ferghal, to his credit, somehow manages to absorb the blow and stay on his feet, and he hasn’t let go of Lianna. In fact he tightens his grip.</div><div>Lianna is beside herself, screaming at poor Ferghal. “Let me at him! I’ll strangle him! I’ll cut his lying tongue out and stuff it down his throat! I’ll kill him! I’ll break every bone in his rotten body! I’ll throttle him!”</div><div>Obviously she can’t cut his tongue out (there are no sharp enough knives in the carriage) but I wouldn’t wager a groat on the chances of her not doing the rest.</div><div>Not while Ferghal has a good hold of her though.</div><div>The lunatic by the entranceway has Stout trapped, he can’t get out and he can’t get past. And even although Stout is leaping about nimbly, and the military relict can hardly stand, every now and then a vicious blow from the cane connects.</div><div>The military gentleman is still roaring insults and threats. Stout screams every time the cane hits him. Lianna never stops screaming about how she’s going to strangle Stout and/or break him to bits (her precise intention isn’t fully clear, though not from want of poor Lianna trying to make her wishes known). </div><div>Ferghal is still murmuring soothingly to her. He might as well save his breath. </div><div>The noise level is indescribable.</div><div>It’s almost as bad as when 3C first pour out into the playground after double period maths.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09PMP4J6Y" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="230" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfMre8eljMo0xMInTzlaaoOoz64o99ri8vTJKtiMuIjfitOgc_M_bMSQBAqmIsXeoOFbkuCZXkFLFIPSJ81EUxNuvII4LFMVA9YegpJ8ZOsfdbdAOKOeasQ22d-FhRGZHwLwKvpNVAASz1kPPRVdDBftS1inhJKfwx6PsM08OfGH_f1hJK6lDRDE2E-g/s320/51dDYr+gQVL._SY346_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I’m currently working on a “forever” series of <i>Huntingdon Hart </i>consulting detective stories. Hunt is ex-MI5, a retired hitman in his early 30s, independently wealthy. He enjoys propping up the bar at his local and going to the races at Newmarket. People are always coming to them with their complicated troubles, and usually he makes life good for them again. </div><div><br /></div><div>His happy carefree existence is disrupted when he falls in love with a woman 23 years his senior, who leads him a merry dance; and simultaneously his old boss in British Intelligence wants him back on the job. As if that weren’t enough trouble, he soon encounters his old enemy The Stingbat, the CIA are gunning for him, he is struggling not to become a victim of office politics, and he gets embroiled in a complex plot against the British throne.</div><div><br /></div><div>A different animal is featured in each Casefile, and two of them, an adorable pekingese puppy and a baby kitten, become a part of Hunt’s life.</div><div><br /></div><div>The individual cases are released as a serial, and collected as Casebooks. Eventually, there will be <i>Collections of Huntingdon Hart’s Cases</i>, 10 cases per paperback, also available digitally and as audiobooks. The first audiobook is currently being created, and I hope that the first full length novel <i>To Serve My King</i> will have been released by the time this blogpost appears.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>What is your favourite cake?</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Coffee sponge with buttercream filling, chocolate icing and walnuts. Second fave, any kind of cream cake.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOs_xDre3ffwR0g84_V8qRTGRYYu6zhgHigIMUtB4yFEa9z2Age2lWFPx0yoQtcTtIPDGC-hIivIoMczeahhE4qcoujBQXGwSX6D8FC9cgjMAzIqW65oYPwsIvdTU4qV1cQdML6r16WS_08bGL2xlzhkgZDkof7fAILNMn4-VjDV8WffBCIlVXgE5z51c/s800/Coffee-Walnut-Cake-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOs_xDre3ffwR0g84_V8qRTGRYYu6zhgHigIMUtB4yFEa9z2Age2lWFPx0yoQtcTtIPDGC-hIivIoMczeahhE4qcoujBQXGwSX6D8FC9cgjMAzIqW65oYPwsIvdTU4qV1cQdML6r16WS_08bGL2xlzhkgZDkof7fAILNMn4-VjDV8WffBCIlVXgE5z51c/s320/Coffee-Walnut-Cake-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Dagmar Rokita. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>You can support my writing endeavours and buy me tea & cake on <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Kofi</span></b></a> - it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYVzRKmxxSMVa9yP9PlO4HUOZ6wp9D7SoapIEIaRRTlSVxdpHU8-oall3mNsIcJzlKV5frIrMFuoQfPlbTEknn89j_egBWEb3ojYjI4llrzJbJUVDuBoo4zMYstWlbUWC8kBtHlHqVON0BwkmcfM10eu0gG6YLblsT1iVHqzSbrvpXvkCdrv0YSZ_Mqk/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYVzRKmxxSMVa9yP9PlO4HUOZ6wp9D7SoapIEIaRRTlSVxdpHU8-oall3mNsIcJzlKV5frIrMFuoQfPlbTEknn89j_egBWEb3ojYjI4llrzJbJUVDuBoo4zMYstWlbUWC8kBtHlHqVON0BwkmcfM10eu0gG6YLblsT1iVHqzSbrvpXvkCdrv0YSZ_Mqk/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b>following me</b></span></a>. </div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-81033506045173508152023-07-14T16:28:00.004+01:002023-07-14T20:20:48.985+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Wendy Van CampToday I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Wendy Van Camp.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBEYYS-8g7sMXhQLB8G5zY1-cO7ErqD4kYg7bkSeluIfYh6uzP7Q4n8vF4GXiMCkbT0Ev6b0GMEmo2UVZg8LkaxX26UPwUG0essGmv7YNwOy4ABzwT7lWZq-L-bYp0gV9Sayoy8uOTW1tlupiUTMtNo8eokaYG2Ijbyp53zRvRsl-tecK34TUSLA6T0Q/s1440/9d36d83d-000b-4a14-87a6-55940445fca9.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBEYYS-8g7sMXhQLB8G5zY1-cO7ErqD4kYg7bkSeluIfYh6uzP7Q4n8vF4GXiMCkbT0Ev6b0GMEmo2UVZg8LkaxX26UPwUG0essGmv7YNwOy4ABzwT7lWZq-L-bYp0gV9Sayoy8uOTW1tlupiUTMtNo8eokaYG2Ijbyp53zRvRsl-tecK34TUSLA6T0Q/w167-h223/9d36d83d-000b-4a14-87a6-55940445fca9.jpg" width="167" /></a></div>Wendy is the Poet Laureate for the City of Anaheim, California. Her work is influenced by cutting edge technology, astronomy, and daydreams. A graduate of the Ad Astra Speculative Fiction Workshop, Wendy is a nominated finalist for the Elgin Award, for a Pushcart Prize, and for a Dwarf Stars Award. Her poems, stories, and articles have appeared in: <i>Scifaikuest,</i> <i>The Starlight Scifaiku Review</i>, <i>The Lotus Tree Literary Review</i>, <i>The Junction</i>, and other literary journals. She is the poet and illustrator of <i>The Planets: a scifaiku poetry collection</i> and editor of the annual anthologies <i>Eccentric Orbits: An Anthology of Science Fiction Poetry</i> and <i>Anaheim Poetry Review</i>. She was also a guest editor for the SFPA’s <i>Eye To The Telescope #46: Quests</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I am a speculative poet. Some authors specialize in writing science fiction and fantasy themes in their books. I do too, but I write in poetry form. My main form is a haiku style known as “scifaiku”, but I also write free verse and other poetry forms. I am the Poet Laureate for the City of Anaheim, California and am one of only four poets laureate in the United States who write speculative poetry. Anaheim features STEM programs in their library system and they felt a poet who wrote about astronomy and the space program would be a good fit for the city.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am also a novelist and short story writer. I am currently working on an Austen Regency series featuring the characters of Jane Austen’s <i>Persuasion</i>. While it is romantic, I also try to capture the spirit of the Regency era and give the reader a sense of what it was like to be in that era. I have various science fiction trilogies and short stories in different completion stages. Only the start of my Regency series is available for purchase, but I hope to get my science fiction books out in the next few years. However, since I was named a poet laureate, I have been more focused on publishing poetry, public speaking, and the duties to my city.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00OU1V45A/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1277" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbq88TuwHpLAgzf5mcj2amgx5-RIzi9n7wCnpEE17VIhCqbJwb_30zTHBdL5MJUcgSNGeko_5QngmnMUq2sKfoWew9hpLtD05n17kKKem_Pi81hhc3K5gQO9qE9mjFsISTXjpmSWg8GWfKaUXw81yV9LiHnKcbbpKxaXUZ0JMbAo1acMKHhuE6ktXwYA/s320/The%20Curate%20s%20Brother%20Book%20Cover%20(blog).jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I’ve always been a storyteller. Some of my earliest memories are telling little stories around the campfire as a small child. I started writing my first book when I was four years old, wanting to capture my stories on the page and I dreamed of being a novelist when “I grew up.” I can’t stop telling stories. It is part of my nature. Perhaps I tell too many? There are those who probably think so, but I can’t help being who I am. I suppose I was born to be a writer. The trick was learning the craft to support the inner talent and desire of who I am.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>One of my favorite poems from my twice Elgin Award nominated poetry collection <i>The Planets</i> is from the <i>Pluto</i> section of the book. Pluto once was considered the ninth planet of our solar system, but was downgraded to the status of a dwarf planet. It was quite the controversy in astronomy circles.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Planet Pluto:</b></div><div>in the Kuiper belt</div><div>dwarfs mingle with comets</div><div>size doesn’t matter</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Planets-scifaiku-poetry-collection-ebook/dp/B07Z8HMPF2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2200" data-original-width="1466" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Wc-M_YmAbxZcG6PxrfJP5Q0-rUE3mpWSU_cM4bBwr1s7hFkNsi3UdEKHqlPy31OMzhxzarOXHWtNbsGu6xNHarjFR49q0GmjYBYmTzDu_GGHpb2FhjTkFZZZIGJk0hvdxSMggoLkQf64vrPHePv7c36SxZFR_RxvGH8zDRaSX7n9o5QMRTY3EZJIeIE/s320/Planets_%20a%20scifaiku%20poetry%20collection,%20The%20-%20Wendy%20Van%20Camp.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I am the editor of <i>Eccentric Orbits: an anthology of science fiction poetry</i> published by Dimensionfold Publishing. We put out an issue once a year and recently dropped volume 4 of the series. My anthologies are filled with some of the top names in speculative poetry and I’m honoured to showcase their talents. Each issue also has a poetry offering of my own included. If speculative poetry is new to you or you would like to read a sample of quality work in this specialized poetry niche, I hope you’ll give our latest offering a try.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0C4LGMVFW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="399" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKOGDH1NCmF2Q93l-KFyB46zuskNpI9IgLXhfKZbscW3RtlH18iUv9zO6XJk71tIFE6OSpON5xq9slENRCfhgvB58jZuffwlDAXs3QDFK0488E4_1cnL-cBlw2LGKkVWxijNg_1jLbXSA5RqjxPn1ZRbTFb0CuUEgwF_11lgVjVVsespRAIcVWH4lEic/s320/Front%20Cover%20EO4%20for%20Duotrope.png" width="206" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Cassata Cake. This is an Italian cake with a sweeten ricotta filling. It was what we served at my wedding, to the delight of my Italian mother-in-law, and it has since become my favorite. We only serve it at special occasions because it is rather expensive to bake, but it always makes the event more delicious and memorable.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dlbD_86IUjRzFotySmlWTi4hVEHCmqq9aNU8mtFVsUF9LZzQq14mmJ6I4YGegPF_zoCnBRnaZPe5ayfIuCX31dcdimcWrddaZSmhOxdNJIPG8z7gDPc-TEX7pvHNCF7neVk93fZ8sFNbo5ut5Tkbgx_SPkOWc3EYnd0fnAZP5EGoKhA7Hb7heGS02T0/s1500/italian-cassata-cake-recipe-305361-hero-01-e4a4b44716d64079b1dd2dee196b472d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dlbD_86IUjRzFotySmlWTi4hVEHCmqq9aNU8mtFVsUF9LZzQq14mmJ6I4YGegPF_zoCnBRnaZPe5ayfIuCX31dcdimcWrddaZSmhOxdNJIPG8z7gDPc-TEX7pvHNCF7neVk93fZ8sFNbo5ut5Tkbgx_SPkOWc3EYnd0fnAZP5EGoKhA7Hb7heGS02T0/s320/italian-cassata-cake-recipe-305361-hero-01-e4a4b44716d64079b1dd2dee196b472d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>You can connect with Wendy here:</div><div><div>Website - <a href="http://wendyvancamp.com" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">wendyvancamp.com</span></b></a></div><div>Amazon - <a href="http://amazon.com/author/wendyvancamp" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">amazon.com/author/wendyvancamp</span></b></a></div><div>Medium - <a href="http://medium.com/@wvancamp" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">medium.com/@wvancamp</span></b></a></div><div>Twitter - @wvancamp</div><div>Instagram - @nowastedink</div><div>Free Monthly Newsletter – <a href="http://nowastedink.substack.com" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">nowastedink.substack.com</span></b></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Kate Darroch. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can support my writing endeavours and buy me virtual tea & cake through<a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;"> Kofi </span></b></a>- it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYVzRKmxxSMVa9yP9PlO4HUOZ6wp9D7SoapIEIaRRTlSVxdpHU8-oall3mNsIcJzlKV5frIrMFuoQfPlbTEknn89j_egBWEb3ojYjI4llrzJbJUVDuBoo4zMYstWlbUWC8kBtHlHqVON0BwkmcfM10eu0gG6YLblsT1iVHqzSbrvpXvkCdrv0YSZ_Mqk/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYVzRKmxxSMVa9yP9PlO4HUOZ6wp9D7SoapIEIaRRTlSVxdpHU8-oall3mNsIcJzlKV5frIrMFuoQfPlbTEknn89j_egBWEb3ojYjI4llrzJbJUVDuBoo4zMYstWlbUWC8kBtHlHqVON0BwkmcfM10eu0gG6YLblsT1iVHqzSbrvpXvkCdrv0YSZ_Mqk/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>. </div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-14642254973073572642023-07-05T19:04:00.004+01:002023-07-05T19:09:59.081+01:00A Slice of Cake With... JR LancasterToday I am delighted to have a slice of cake with JR Lancaster. <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighEiCQkNKGBc4Q8RkA1y9dmFqF4Zich7Ggi_XvJMi4PBtrHLjAZGNRrdaD6ch5l74Kgax2yJ6gwlzEV4iq7JTPg_RfKtag1uuaqsA4zKHW8095o36hAqhMfHAfLJkxLh7n4UbYWz3lLWz21M7ksCatMl2Ir0XGGhn4HqgdoEgkocDb-RsSHAZsueRFwA/s2250/press%20kit%20pic.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1410" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighEiCQkNKGBc4Q8RkA1y9dmFqF4Zich7Ggi_XvJMi4PBtrHLjAZGNRrdaD6ch5l74Kgax2yJ6gwlzEV4iq7JTPg_RfKtag1uuaqsA4zKHW8095o36hAqhMfHAfLJkxLh7n4UbYWz3lLWz21M7ksCatMl2Ir0XGGhn4HqgdoEgkocDb-RsSHAZsueRFwA/s320/press%20kit%20pic.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>JR says "My love of books came in large part from my mother who made every attempt to keep books in mine and my brothers hands. After she began homeschooling us, my grandmother would make routine trips to our house with a bag filled with goodies she picked up from her local library.</div><div><br /></div><div>And we would fly through them one by one. As I grew up, my tastes in genre began to change and expand my every growing “To Be Read” piles. Until at last landing on fantasy and becoming wrapped up in the Harry Potter series sweeping the nation. I loved the series so much that the Christmas the second novel was released, my grandfather picked my gifts. I would later find out just how big of deal this was when my grandmother would reveal that he always shopped for the boys and she shopped for the girls. Even with their own children.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, that year I couldn’t open my gifts fast enough. Each one revealing another Harry Potter themed present until I came upon the second novel. I jumped up and hugged my grandfather so hard while he whispered in my ear that he purchase the book for himself as well so he would read it with me. As each of the movies came out he would take my brother and myself to see them but only if we got through the book, of course. Book five was when the cancer took him from me. My brother, husband and I braved the movies in honor of him, all the way to the finale and spinoffs alone knowing full well we will get to tell him about them one day. He gave me the best gift ever, an experience that I will never forget.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is my greatest desire to give that special gift to someone else through reading or writing. I want to foster connections with my readers, the writing community and the friends I meet along the way. I hope this will be the place to do that but don’t stop here… Come find me on social media!</div><div><br /></div><div>All of this has brought me to where I am today, a reporter, editor, freelance writer and author. I have published more than 100 articles in our local paper, the Parke County Sentinel of both personal interest pieces and breaking news. In the midst of writing my first novel, I am serving my faithful client base through Musings & Company. I guess you could say that reading and writing consume me. In fact, you will never find me without a book or two at any moment. I tend to read three books at a time and hope to never tire of traveling somewhere new."</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I write books with twists and intrigue led by a cast of characters that are compelling, witty and lovable. My plots are designed to sweep you off your feet and carry away to somewhere new. If you like page-turning mysteries with heart, then my books are for you!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>My why is simple, I have an overactive imagination and love to think through the “What-if’s” in life. Writing gives me a constructive space to explore. And, thankfully, I have a super supportive family that gives me the time to do it. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>“We looked to see a man approaching us with a line of cats in tow. Dressed in house slippers and a robe tied over his stained undershirt and boxers, he looked as if he hadn’t been out of bed long. No matter if it was in the evening. His appearance was topped off with a coffee cup in one hand and hair that stood on its own.”</div><div><br /></div><div>This paragraph happened to come when I was introducing a character that was never actually planned for the novel! But, I immediately knew he needed a place in the story. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Right now, I am launching my debut full-length novel, <i>Someone's Always Watching</i>. Here is the synopsis: </p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Someone's Always Watching</i> follows Basil Billinsgly, a quirky horticulturist who became a recluse following his implication in the unsolved murder of his mother. After spending ten years in solitude with no one to keep him company but his mother’s best friend, Mrs. Greene, Basil is about to get thrust into the thick of a murder investigation he wanted no part of.</p><p class="MsoNormal">What began as a quiet morning in his conservatory turned deadly in the little village of Badgers Hollow. Detective Chief Inspector Dowden Thornhill turns up on Basil’s doorstep prepared to get answers to his questions from the only man on the street that never leaves. After realizing the murder of a young mother looks too similar to that of his own mother's, Basil becomesdetermined to help these children not suffer from the same fate.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Together they team with the assertive Barmaid, Poppy Pembrook, to sift through clues and secrets that could lead them into the hands of the killer. As they get closer to the truth, Mrs. Greene and Poppy go missing. Forcing Basil to face the demons of his past on his own. Will he fight for them or for isolation?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowXO3P0yzdBhdF_VnERQYqd_2DBEuNvB1YLcFzynwAsP7ZcKDj1lkUfWM_uR91yHAB37QOTKTKkHeC4kOKN3wW7azuSMuxw5xVvy0XR6BrilXDTf9NZOTJ4hgCzbR3iHUvdYJhXFXQYhLjFcjwTGIrVa1coCBRpL4ksbZ0Gk2mzPt2_S6NjPZVxz1cu4/s2250/Someone's%20Always%20Watching.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1410" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowXO3P0yzdBhdF_VnERQYqd_2DBEuNvB1YLcFzynwAsP7ZcKDj1lkUfWM_uR91yHAB37QOTKTKkHeC4kOKN3wW7azuSMuxw5xVvy0XR6BrilXDTf9NZOTJ4hgCzbR3iHUvdYJhXFXQYhLjFcjwTGIrVa1coCBRpL4ksbZ0Gk2mzPt2_S6NjPZVxz1cu4/s320/Someone's%20Always%20Watching.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Pineapple Upside Down Cake for the win! I’m an August baby, so pineapple was never in short supply. The delicate texture mixed with the sweet flavors are a perfect combination!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCofcwhkW3HKl2NVxQidzV1gtsag9H8DIsyI9spz0p-AhXga9VKgIVzCLKhLYyt0tV2OA-BWWTGk32WyHmdl9vAL5F1Bb7Xeaehb54_CIwqJ819saPOkdbCnLDJb0LUnpd3Tk97G95JhiriocGCdHcuWqmoBDKQjt9J35h-wOOcKqtsfNLbgPpPEkWX00/s2767/Pineapple-upside-down-cake-32b5bb3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2515" data-original-width="2767" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCofcwhkW3HKl2NVxQidzV1gtsag9H8DIsyI9spz0p-AhXga9VKgIVzCLKhLYyt0tV2OA-BWWTGk32WyHmdl9vAL5F1Bb7Xeaehb54_CIwqJ819saPOkdbCnLDJb0LUnpd3Tk97G95JhiriocGCdHcuWqmoBDKQjt9J35h-wOOcKqtsfNLbgPpPEkWX00/s320/Pineapple-upside-down-cake-32b5bb3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">You can connect with JR on Facebook as J.R. Lancaster Author, Instagram as @authorj.r.lancaster and Twitter under @jrlauthor. As always, her website is a perfect place to connect, <a href="http://www.jrlancaster.com" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">www.jrlancaster.com</span></b></a>.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Kate Darroch. </p><p class="MsoNormal">If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please get in touch. I'd be delighted to have you.</p><p class="MsoNormal">You can also support my writing endeavours and <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">buy me tea & cake at Kofi </span></b></a>- it's what makes the world go round!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMuDrim6Sy_-y-dhlxuky0vgJAENEh9a2laiaDYvwytgGDzRhCwjD2LH-avcGy7Dop7qxBat5vp6f1M7csD6ABR4WXvqScBBMKAA3oCr7ud8WoCdwO_E6yeGfXq5UzVXBzSlQCUnbVSi17kfH0we4OiHBMymLtM3yEF-Cw6Al-2XK-2052c2Smc_EIMU/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMuDrim6Sy_-y-dhlxuky0vgJAENEh9a2laiaDYvwytgGDzRhCwjD2LH-avcGy7Dop7qxBat5vp6f1M7csD6ABR4WXvqScBBMKAA3oCr7ud8WoCdwO_E6yeGfXq5UzVXBzSlQCUnbVSi17kfH0we4OiHBMymLtM3yEF-Cw6Al-2XK-2052c2Smc_EIMU/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>.</p></div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-1884475051316885852023-06-28T09:20:00.003+01:002023-06-28T09:20:34.911+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Brittany Hester<p>Today I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Brittany Hester. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08OEnSK7dMnjngF_2VemrLYS5diP8aZ6CmELPHAv92kPD5xsUGrE6v3FKGarv8Y9ZqBFt8ojpnWL6CpPETVtG4C_azjbrAn4yyTcYXFon6qBIB3mnGQbeLS4i22fVfUPBQyCdo4QETVS62MvIAJ38CzFIkH0xsgDvjSw27TkXb9aWrBtt07nZlnbDq8Y/s455/brittany.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08OEnSK7dMnjngF_2VemrLYS5diP8aZ6CmELPHAv92kPD5xsUGrE6v3FKGarv8Y9ZqBFt8ojpnWL6CpPETVtG4C_azjbrAn4yyTcYXFon6qBIB3mnGQbeLS4i22fVfUPBQyCdo4QETVS62MvIAJ38CzFIkH0xsgDvjSw27TkXb9aWrBtt07nZlnbDq8Y/s320/brittany.png" width="222" /></a></div>Brittany says "Growing up in the foothills of Tennessee, I have always been enchanted by nature, magic, and powerful stories. My one wish was that there were more characters that looked like me in the books I loved reading. <p></p><p>My hope is to blaze a path for diverse, strong, and authentic characters of colour to enter the forefront of popular fantasy and science fiction in every medium."</p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></p><p>I write character-driven stories that take place in big, diverse, normally magical worlds. Honestly, the more immersive I can make someone feel while they read, the better! As a reader, I’m pulled towards the stories that leave you connected with the characters--you know the ones where you feel like you could run into them when you’re walking down the street--and I strive to create those types of stories. </p><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I want to provide an escape from reality so people can live out a different story in a different setting when they need a break. Honestly, I write the books I needed and wanted when I was younger. As a Black woman, I fill my stories with diverse characters that I would have identified with and who would have helped me identify myself. The world is a unique place filled with people of all different backgrounds and experiences. I do my best to echo that in my own worlds, because stories are windows for people to try and understand some of life’s hardest questions. Within and through them, you can often find the answers you’ve been looking for or even come up with something more. As an author, I’m motivated to tell stories that can do just that. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This was one of my favorite scenes from book 2. I just love how their relationship has been building to this conflict for so long, and they finally had this blowup. It was drama, there were tears, and Ren finally saw some vulnerability from Akeno: </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;">That was all she needed. Ren sprinted into the night. She huffed as she looked around for Akeno until she noticed a small, almost forgotten pebbled path along a line of mid-calf hedges. Ren stared, unsure where to go next until she spotted marble-sized stones that glowed with fluorescent yellow light partially hidden between the plain pebbles of various sizes. </span></div><div>Without taking her eyes off the path, she followed it until the lush green grass turned into patches of weeds and dirt. When she finally looked up, Akeno stood before a disregarded shed. Elastic-reinforced white bandages wrapped his hands, and a large bag as big as Ren was on his shoulder. </div><div>The spot was ugly, bare, and somehow perfect in its forgottenness. From the way Akeno flung the bag down next to him when he saw her through the bright moonlight, Ren guessed there were no cameras. He would never show so much emotion if he thought people were watching.</div><div>“Nice spot.” Ren gestured at the space around them with an apologetic smile. “How’d you find another spot without any cameras?” She took a hesitant step forward when he didn't answer, afraid he would dismiss her. She was more afraid of what would happen if she didn’t try to mend the damage she had caused. </div><div>He turned his back and kicked the bag until it rolled against the side of the shed with a thud. </div><div>“I hope Conal isn’t in there,” she tried again. </div><div>He kicked the bag harder. “What do you want, Ren?”</div><div> He was the opposite of how he had been earlier when she had picked a fight with him. Then he had been a simmering pot of black anger firmly contained under an airtight lid. Now he was explosive. His anger, disappointment, and hurt were tangible, making the air almost too hard to breathe. She had said what she did, and there was no going back. How could she take back the hammer blow of her accusations when all that was left was the shattered glass of her destructive behavior? </div><div>She looked around, suddenly aware that they were out in the open and that anywhere in the shadows around them, cameras could be focused on them. </div><div>“You’re safe, okay?”</div><div>“How can you know for sure?”</div><div>“Someone I trust told me about this spot before I came.”</div><div>“Who?”</div><div>Akeno turned and fixed a pointed stare at her. </div><div>“Another secret, huh.” She had meant to poke fun at their fight inside the manor, but the words had tasted too sharp as they came out. Too close to the pain she felt at the truth that there were secrets Akeno felt he couldn’t trust her with. </div><div>You won’t trust him with all of yours, either. </div><div>Akeno tilted his head to the stars as if they could help him conquer whatever emotions were so dangerously battling to come out. “Do you think it’s easy for me to be in this situation with you? Fresh off of carrying your too-still body in my arms? Of hiding those armored rings you still wear? Of watching you and Lennox?”</div><div>“What about Lennox and me?” Akeno brushed a hand in her direction like he could wipe away the traces of his words, but Ren only boiled with anger. “We didn’t do anything wrong.” </div><div>Finally, he looked at her, and Ren took a step back from the intensity of his anger. “That’s not the point,” he yelled. </div><div>“Then what is the point, Akeno? Why do you keep bringing it up?” Ren yelled. They were loud, too loud. Ren imagined Sky opening a window and watching from her room as Ebba watched from behind them, eating her stupid late-night snack. It all made her mad, and Ren wanted to let the anger consume her. </div><div>She crossed her arms and stomped over to Akeno, the only sound between them the crunch of the rock under her feet and their panting. </div><div> “You’re reckless, stubbornly single-minded, and you don’t give a damn about who could get hurt as long as you get what you want.”</div><div>“That’s not true,” she whispered. </div><div>“Yes, it is.” He ran a wrapped hand through his hair, and the world stopped. Even Ren stopped breathing as Akeno looked at her. “God, you run right through me, Ren. I can see your wheels turning. You’re not as difficult to read as you may think you are, oh stoic queen of masking—”</div><div>“I am not!” She interrupted, but Akeno kept going like he couldn’t hear her anymore. </div><div>“You know the worst part? I’m okay if you want to use me, Ren. I’m okay with being a little pawn in your game, and I hate that. I hate how perfectly fine I am with repeatedly letting you do this to me.”</div><div>“It wasn’t real,” Ren protested, although she wasn’t sure which one she was trying to convince. “If you can read me as well as you think you can, you would know it wasn’t real!”</div><div>“It might have started out as an act, but somewhere along the way, you forgot you were pretending. You forgot it was me you were throwing punches at. For what?” His eyes were red now like he had spent too much time staring directly into a bright, artificial light. His words were a serrated knife’s blade slicing through her.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://a.co/d/jfy2FR1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFbosTeu-KGUkD_CXCyK2kligTgyn_RGMC5CTEJeOK1VnZQBADq_FQ9fnVy_tVLXl9J-tqQPK2e2L9RONE7fgPaWBAZG3fTZsZSMxFmhF3t1X2N1L_d953rZ4KyiIr0Tyx8uNj62m0OBTrfMvWCw36HWhItNrOLAWCkpu34pfQIPBV4HtfmLeHmw03Mc/s320/51eTdx4QKVL.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Sunrise and Ashes, book 4 in The Chosen Legacy series is out 30th June 2023. Here's the blurb:</div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>Ren uncovered the council’s deadly secret, and it means make or break for the resistance.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>After experiencing the devastating capabilities of the combat-ready bioadvanced machines firsthand, the resistance and their allies realize that the council created the CAMs to wreak destruction wherever they cannot control.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>The choice is clear: annihilate the technological monstrosities and their masters, or lose everything they’ve fought for.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Ren always knew getting out from under the thumb of the council carried a huge risk for everyone involved, but the price of overthrowing their overlords has become too high.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>The oppressive rule of the council hangs heavy over Ren's head and the entire world. With the CAMs in their arsenal, innocent lives will be sacrificed, hopes destroyed, and families torn apart forever.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>While some of the factions are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to prevent the council from succeeding, Ren refuses to spend the lives of the people they’ve been trying to free from tyranny.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Love is a choice Ren never believed she would make. The freedom she’s been fighting for is closer than ever, and so is her destruction.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Ren’s desperate search for hope uncovers an unexpected bond that could provide her with the answer she’s been looking for. But her solution could turn out to be more dangerous than the resistance’s plan.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>With freedom within reach, she must make a decision that will define humanity’s future.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Can Ren bring an end to the council’s regime without paying for it in blood? If she can’t make the right choice, is she ready to lose someone again?</i></div></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C3RXFZ1H" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj804iFpD4tgZd4vUL_ru9hVDlOMP9FeAq4LEBCE-GH5Q4k7b07jzjEOMxgwW99IFBqbxaH_RVPFn899Bik7HeoOOMNrzZW05veWCGEkluV_l7QM2G6x1Mu7kw5TEC3mxkoQhSrMRkK93UFa52ufzxAviyY2_MhxEL0MjMZWUNrpFWJFPSV5ASpKe8ACXI/s320/51MFmcfPrkL.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This series and its diverse cast of characters will resonate with readers because Ren wrestles with the same problem we do today: what do I do if the future I’m moving towards isn’t the future I want? </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://a.co/d/5yxizL2" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Book One: <i>Glitter and Kindling</i></span></b></a> </div><div><a href="https://a.co/d/jfy2FR1" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Book Two: <i>Lace and Flames </i></span></b></a></div><div><a href="https://a.co/d/12etKKD" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Book Three: <i>Armor and Infernos</i></span></b></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div><div>That one is HARD because I love desserts. If I had to choose one, I would have to pick chocolate lava cake. Oh my lanta, the warm chocolate cake, the melted chocolate in the middle…then top it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3s0rf2iQvJDdhVqFBjaFC5K89kBgiIsqlUyXbHQWworZ_rckgTKNjPMwrrkyIP5jzmtZVM37lVOFbjWn6wJ0eGxhVvu0eytxZOqJ0HCaZShnxAB5HjN9zq22Vnn7osi7l8k82q9gC0alJqHFOtWzFkUFhsdojcGY5Ednde1tRusdeV2IBy5I2cA_JJkw/s683/lava%20cake.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="683" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3s0rf2iQvJDdhVqFBjaFC5K89kBgiIsqlUyXbHQWworZ_rckgTKNjPMwrrkyIP5jzmtZVM37lVOFbjWn6wJ0eGxhVvu0eytxZOqJ0HCaZShnxAB5HjN9zq22Vnn7osi7l8k82q9gC0alJqHFOtWzFkUFhsdojcGY5Ednde1tRusdeV2IBy5I2cA_JJkw/s320/lava%20cake.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Connect with Brittany here:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_brittanyhester_" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">@_brittanyhester_</span></b></a></div><div>Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/AuthorBrittanyHester" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">facebook.com/AuthorBrittanyHester</span></b></a></div><div>Author Website: <b><a href="http://brittanyhester.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">brittanyhester.com</span></a></b></div><div>Amazon Author Page: <a href="http://amazon.com/author/brittanyhester" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">amazon.com/author/brittanyhester</span></b></a></div><div>TikTok: <a href="http://tiktok.com/@brittanyhesterauthor" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">@brittanyhesterauthor</span></b></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with J R Lancaster. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please get in touch. I'd be delighted to have you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also support my writing endeavours and buy me tea & cake - it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZkcX9NV2V3GjizMbQHqvODU2sB04hsBncgxR_gZesnap6iy-M7AqHehGjOrOKZM5cx3c8k4016vN42MoqXXL7N4W2TFXExzLOo5mbVuqt0wGSO3mPEnnMFEYqo4qdhlGHBo8AZ4AOepYKPimF8aR8WRS2H_FiAlQoLwNT8wgcOb0dcDRxSKcnbf23s8/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZkcX9NV2V3GjizMbQHqvODU2sB04hsBncgxR_gZesnap6iy-M7AqHehGjOrOKZM5cx3c8k4016vN42MoqXXL7N4W2TFXExzLOo5mbVuqt0wGSO3mPEnnMFEYqo4qdhlGHBo8AZ4AOepYKPimF8aR8WRS2H_FiAlQoLwNT8wgcOb0dcDRxSKcnbf23s8/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>. </div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-72112880486863122352023-06-22T12:16:00.002+01:002023-06-22T12:16:32.249+01:00An Extra, Extra Slice of Cake With... Tim WalkerToday I am delighted to have an extra, extra slice of cake with author Tim Walker.<div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdkddJBg-Ov1PBqtnW3MR0mTPAiB1q4WPtdojQFhS27Yrqkmlh2S7wEaj6iNVXZ-3NLJjQWR-y4qebGIsIl9uQP36vJDqmlqdYQymhsqqODvqTnckcyEVqGRJF8pBjUvzjVFg0ocmwjhoNf8gW6r5IYD7A8E81vX1tU0P-vzZjG88S-jlzp3o3g3Mhks/s2640/Tim%20Walker%20exploring%20the%20Thames%20Path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2640" data-original-width="1980" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdkddJBg-Ov1PBqtnW3MR0mTPAiB1q4WPtdojQFhS27Yrqkmlh2S7wEaj6iNVXZ-3NLJjQWR-y4qebGIsIl9uQP36vJDqmlqdYQymhsqqODvqTnckcyEVqGRJF8pBjUvzjVFg0ocmwjhoNf8gW6r5IYD7A8E81vX1tU0P-vzZjG88S-jlzp3o3g3Mhks/w171-h228/Tim%20Walker%20exploring%20the%20Thames%20Path.jpg" width="171" /></a></div>Tim is an independent author based in the UK. In March 2023 he released his first audiobook, <i>Thames Valley Tales,</i> a collection of nine stories narrated and produced by actor Richard James. These stories cut across a range of genres - historical fiction, crime thriller, contemporary drama and comedy. </div><div><br /></div><div>His latest novel is a thrilling dual timeline, <i>Guardians at the Wall</i>, published in June 2021. Archaeologists uncover artefacts that connect them to the life of a Roman centurion in second century Roman Britain.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tim lives near Windsor - close to the River Thames - the inspiration for his first book of short stories, <i>Thames Valley Tales </i>(2015, revised second edition, 2023). In September 2017 he published a second book of short stories, <i>Postcards from London</i>. These stories draw on the local history and current affairs of towns and cities along the course of the Thames where the author has lived and worked. A new collection of poems and short fiction, <i>Perverse</i>, was published in April 2020.</div><div><br /></div><div>In early 2017 he published his first children's book, co-authored with his daughter, Cathy - <i>The Adventures of Charly Holmes</i>. Another adventure story was published in 2018 - <i>Charly & The Superheroes</i>, followed by <i>Charly in Space</i> (2020).</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your latest writerly news that you are bursting to share?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>After a quiet 2022 in which my muse was on extended holiday, I decided that what my portfolio really needs is an audiobook. I went back to my short stories and identified nine that I felt would be suitable for audio. Then I contacted an actor/author acquaintance, Richard James, and asked if he had experience of voicing audiobooks and if so, would he do mine. He answered yes, and yes. Once a fee had been agreed, he set about breathing life into my <i>Thames Valley Tales</i>, adding value by nuancing the dialogue and adding sound effects and relevant genre music. I’m delighted with the outcome, and <i>Thames Valley Tales</i> audiobook launched at the end of March.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thames-Valley-Tales-Short-Stories/dp/B0BYB8V4CV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2063" data-original-width="2064" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh8jM2kpnn2_xGTd1vFfybT1lS6pOWP9h7PuXCpZ2w_fmv6J88nIyss3W07dtBfFcsv8jkeRjCSlZehVK40Or7jVo4aQNSXjrtgG45qSbNDcptHMAJctAp2RXV8su9bnyYFUIuHapj8MwoqTusDDQ2PzuyzsN-Oggt5hLggrSNW33pOBuuN_M68I1QBE/s320/TVT%20audio%20cover_JPEG_Feb%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What has been the best book you’ve read this year?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I really enjoyed Robert Harris’s <i>Act of Oblivion</i>, set in the aftermath of the English Civil War, and it inspired me to write a short story set during the Great Fire of London in 1666. This will be added to my other stories set in London, for my next project, <i>London Tales</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share your favourite book cover from the books you have written</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I was pleased to find Canadian book cover designer and author, Cathy Walker, to give my five-book <i>A Light in the Dark Ages</i> series a consistent themed look. For my story of a youthful King Arthur, I found an artist who had created a picture that matched the title of my book – <i>Arthur Dux Bellorum</i>, depicting a scene from my book. I found the author and negotiated a fee to use his picture on my book cover. Cathy Walker matched the fonts to make it consistent with the book series. It’s my favourite book cover, and possibly my best novel.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07NTP9ZTT/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Zyd_W0iFOIVobXAbqrHTFwF4SHPJcMwqmW_T9xDTQGpY48B_S9RCeNJsKV8AG3NgLLq6pQ5wLnyYnYSHzWz3iA43XXmqHj_hl02MZ5cqiDp0pRW-WRSeP7YJewqW7DwAZhJAJXAqOZrLneA9vFHT8oYrvDSkzncjjgwsdMXv9KfWLT33tAetXtRU6z8/s320/Picture1.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">How has your writing changed over the years?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I started my creative writing journey by writing short stories. After a year and a half I plucked up the courage to attempt a novel. My first novel was a British dystopian darkly humorous work, <i>Devil Gate Dawn</i>. I began its life a weekly blog, <i>The Life of George</i>, where I focused more on the central relationships between father, son, and father’s new girlfriend, leading to tensions. This was an important step forward for me in my fiction writing, and now I feel that character driven fiction works better than having an obsession for driving a story through the narrative arc.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What was the last cake or pudding you had whilst out and about?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I had a delightful lemon muffin at Café Nero today – the perfect companion to a cappuchino.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfmII-H3v2QlF-Tm-SDC5axZi9ABKhmOxZDvXRY3uLF9_Br2KQBgucB4ES1q6S_atS5ZsXxeIpKebLGKbhQ2KBZPQAKmMO7S3V7lzEMv1GAVM3u5VoBLegl-cBj272MM7jLomVRIfdsEpPrR8HkDEsqLjiVmLbpnLqNF6mjbg7sw74yov20-Go7HsttE/s1800/lemon-cupcakes-SQUARE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfmII-H3v2QlF-Tm-SDC5axZi9ABKhmOxZDvXRY3uLF9_Br2KQBgucB4ES1q6S_atS5ZsXxeIpKebLGKbhQ2KBZPQAKmMO7S3V7lzEMv1GAVM3u5VoBLegl-cBj272MM7jLomVRIfdsEpPrR8HkDEsqLjiVmLbpnLqNF6mjbg7sw74yov20-Go7HsttE/s320/lemon-cupcakes-SQUARE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>You can connect with Tim at his website: <a href="http://timwalker1666.wixsite.com/website" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">timwalker1666.wixsite.com/website</span></b></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Brittany Hester. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please get in touch. I'd be delighted to have you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also support my writing endeavours and buy me virtual tea & cake at <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Kofi</span></b></a> - it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepPZ5jlq17wW78592eDeBD1alRjidkHBAcgPASF6NL7GUzaZtOgIerktWzlN69tgpndMIg_eUx2_PXBLfHlA_GkdY0sXie-P2W3tc8ATsKupfz0aEQSK41BYdz4gcsGTG6F-AshbuYy0HEKkwDEYczxnuSHvNfEvEpE3G7IQ0BQ9tvuUP6jOYGfc6tlo/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepPZ5jlq17wW78592eDeBD1alRjidkHBAcgPASF6NL7GUzaZtOgIerktWzlN69tgpndMIg_eUx2_PXBLfHlA_GkdY0sXie-P2W3tc8ATsKupfz0aEQSK41BYdz4gcsGTG6F-AshbuYy0HEKkwDEYczxnuSHvNfEvEpE3G7IQ0BQ9tvuUP6jOYGfc6tlo/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>.</div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-11131202450518736462023-06-15T10:53:00.004+01:002023-06-15T10:53:21.120+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Bernadette Rowley<p>This week I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Bernadette Rowley.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Hf-0O4lrULFZzGxbvfWC1fYF0yKWLBcdYmtlook5_jbxWMbDxDk8wxkhzmKKMYTSD0j1sootwQd0Qn2tZPifhK1DJ0rWm-y2RGSws9kPIDoWXcGDjMJKcVYjI3ugGCkp8IZVTfk5rHea7aJlFWBU_RoGTN7raRhdN6fAO9apUCiyYX2z3N_QKXzx/s2236/Author%20shot%20resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2236" data-original-width="1788" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Hf-0O4lrULFZzGxbvfWC1fYF0yKWLBcdYmtlook5_jbxWMbDxDk8wxkhzmKKMYTSD0j1sootwQd0Qn2tZPifhK1DJ0rWm-y2RGSws9kPIDoWXcGDjMJKcVYjI3ugGCkp8IZVTfk5rHea7aJlFWBU_RoGTN7raRhdN6fAO9apUCiyYX2z3N_QKXzx/w201-h251/Author%20shot%20resized.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>Bernadette is a lover of epic fantasy who is a veterinarian by day and an author by night. She is currently published in the genre of fantasy/paranormal romance with eight books, all set in her fantasy world of Thorius.<p></p><p>Along with sword and sorcery, dashing heroes and stunning heroines, Bernadette includes strong healing themes in many of her books - an element which is central to her everyday job.</p><p>Bernadette lives in Brisbane, Australia, with the four heroes in her life - her husband Michael and three grown sons. She is a member of several writer organisations including Queensland Writer’s Centre, Romance Writers Australia, Vision and North Queensland Romance Writers. Bernadette’s other interests include watching and scoring cricket, singing and music.</p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></p><p>I do write fantasy but my special niche is epic fantasy romance so think <i>Game of Thrones</i> but with the romance front and centre. Political intrigue, magic, healing and battles are major sub plots to the romance. My character Alecia Zialni is the pivotal protagonist in my <i>Queenmakers Saga</i> of eleven books which follows her ‘hero’s journey’.</p><p>We get to see a new couple (other than Alecia and hunky shifter Vard) exploring their relationships in six of the books and then an epic finale in the last three in the series.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bernadette-Rowley/e/B00DPIRCE6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1859" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuVESOhwcpZ5ejIqL_SquUVFRuIA8dyAMY1sNcAld7J2zf764vG8eo2WYYKwz1BIPpcr6Vn3JxUi_LCvz_ETbGNOp9wLq0SGn12FI87sbikE0PtkNlyLcIy2WsINewOgtfIK5vHBx8yNV-4NyZQFbl2wk2l3V6TSe_hlp3Y7qA-VsDH8c5Xxd-K7p/w344-h400/TQS-boxset-2023-e-reader.jpg" width="344" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></p><p>It’s a compulsion and a goal all in one. I do get itchy when I’m not penning a new story so there’s that. However, the process I really love is the editing. I find draft a bit of a grind much of the time but there’s an incredible sense of accomplishment when you get new words on the page.</p><p>And the goal is to retire from my day job (veterinarian) and write full time. At the moment, that’s just not possible, so the juggling continues.</p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></p><p>Oh my goodness! I can’t imagine picking one but my mind immediately leapt to <i>The Lord and the Mermaid</i>. I’m incredibly proud of this story so let’s see… </p><p>A sneaking, murdering mermaid. Fury swept him and he clenched his teeth to hold in the shriek that fought its way from his throat. At last he’d found a small piece of revenge against the sea nymphs; a life for his brother’s. He stared at the perfect features: full pale lips, high cheekbones, long reddish lashes, placed in a heart-shaped face that had likely lured dozens of sailors to their deaths. And that bosom! No man could gaze upon it without wanting to touch the luscious curves. Oh yes, this monster had all the tools of the trade, but she’d not kill another man if he had anything to say about it.</p><p>Nik pulled the knife from his boot and raised it, ready to deliver a fatal strike. Something stayed his hand. A kernel of sanity urged him to use this being to discover what happened to Jon. Suddenly, he was looking into brilliant sea-green eyes. A keening song sliced through his skull and he stiffened, the knife falling from his hand. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07SL5HXZK" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6taOFrGq5AjKZLgfPeZOyS3iD-CqnoH3voaLQE5YJMqlZiv7aTCMHJSlL3sB9aEmNw_K6nxESwEsKDTvB4NYBGMfBmQ1lCxF1zuSq-lwMsWIxjxeDGALcYnpaiXwv0KAajYstV-X4Y1-w7MVWLJW4wdjv7cKkT_Q2QQlafRL18-NvDO-NBCt1N0Ph/s320/The%20Lord%20and%20the%20Mermaid%20hig%20res%20resize.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></p><div><p class="Body"><span lang="EN-AU">My latest project is called <i>To Wed A Queen</i> and is a novella about Alecia’s marriage to Vard Anton, the sexy shifter I mentioned earlier. I figured this couple needed an actual wedding to seal the deal so readers can have that ‘ah’ moment. I’ve put my faithful readers through quite a lot, wondering if this couple would ever have their HEA, so I want to make it up to them. But even so, the road to the altar isn’t smooth for Alecia. Sorry!</span></p><p class="Body"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></p><p class="Body"><span lang="EN-AU">Great question! I actually love cheesecake of all sorts. If you want to know a real cake favourite, then I love Black Forest Cake for the cherries and cream…and I would have to eat it with a good strong cappuccino.</span></p><p class="Body"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_aW8P4VIH-ZKj97rZl0lG1RSPfru3QoUR0gz04aq5805QpKWJtIctPycDluMhCm3zFC8s9yM6WZ8mz6F_KOnnkhREE595SXJCAQPw8TO9zJwT8GH2SFR2Ymkfp9bXehMbtwGLfbyoZdVDtEVxnLvRFmztp5idqLT6upMEfl4kX0wxSjAcOH-_DTb/s1200/vegan-black-forest-cake1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_aW8P4VIH-ZKj97rZl0lG1RSPfru3QoUR0gz04aq5805QpKWJtIctPycDluMhCm3zFC8s9yM6WZ8mz6F_KOnnkhREE595SXJCAQPw8TO9zJwT8GH2SFR2Ymkfp9bXehMbtwGLfbyoZdVDtEVxnLvRFmztp5idqLT6upMEfl4kX0wxSjAcOH-_DTb/s320/vegan-black-forest-cake1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p class="Body">You can connect with Bernadette here:</p><p></p><p class="Body">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rowleybernadette/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">@rowleybernadette</span></b></a><br />Twitter – <a href="https://twitter.com/bt_rowley" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">@bt_rowley</span></b></a><br />BookBub - <a href="http://bookbub.com/profile/bernadette-rowley" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">bookbub.com/profile/bernadette-rowley</span></b></a><br />Website - <b><a href="http://bernadetterowley.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">bernadetterowley.com</span></a></b><br />Facebook - <a href="http://facebook.com/bernadetterowleyfantasy" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">facebook.com/bernadetterowleyfantasy</span></b></a><br />Pinterest - <a href="http://pinterest.com.au/bernadetterowleyfantasy"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b>pinterest.com.au/bernadetterowleyfantasy</b></span></a></p></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will be having an extra, extra slice of cake with Tim Walker.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please get in touch. I'd be delighted to have you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also support my writing endeavours and buy me tea & cake at <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Kofi</span></b></a> - it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil87Q-AbI0D_XMaERUmffQOzik-XcPhWrOO15MWBwXppSgvFjkt0mDvXJZiTSXv8oalHX4ySPjlf1KxoyPDmj2IRt8NGiOjcbGpG9M5woYdvIU5BKt5r_39QBVOa7-d9oslJ42Spv8bAaopoA7Hw6lTynw7cX_FIKlVMoPyLfLuE09fv9xrSwHCTU4/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil87Q-AbI0D_XMaERUmffQOzik-XcPhWrOO15MWBwXppSgvFjkt0mDvXJZiTSXv8oalHX4ySPjlf1KxoyPDmj2IRt8NGiOjcbGpG9M5woYdvIU5BKt5r_39QBVOa7-d9oslJ42Spv8bAaopoA7Hw6lTynw7cX_FIKlVMoPyLfLuE09fv9xrSwHCTU4/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>. </div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-20481481281156928022023-06-07T18:34:00.006+01:002023-06-07T18:36:28.121+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Joanna MaciejewsjaToday I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Joanna Maciejewsja.<div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjr3KLz59if0RIsL3kecDAu20cZBoZQ1_-bgYEXcSsOYyI7EvuYAHBM6Q9ZleigIkOAHfYAtJGnzMnMGX3geAuuKfgtcvq3rdfGVOHNj4_TOYO8QWnIkTZYB88E-zW9aUpv8ZB_aGcyU0qMZP2qI1bMiyfGedcVFFZYxV2YGFmtZLQpvLomNSXWeM1/s1510/JoannaMaciejewska%20-%20author%20picture.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1365" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjr3KLz59if0RIsL3kecDAu20cZBoZQ1_-bgYEXcSsOYyI7EvuYAHBM6Q9ZleigIkOAHfYAtJGnzMnMGX3geAuuKfgtcvq3rdfGVOHNj4_TOYO8QWnIkTZYB88E-zW9aUpv8ZB_aGcyU0qMZP2qI1bMiyfGedcVFFZYxV2YGFmtZLQpvLomNSXWeM1/w174-h193/JoannaMaciejewska%20-%20author%20picture.jpg" width="174" /></a></div>Joanna might be a bit too cautious to do anything even remotely daring or dangerous herself, so she writes about daring adventures and dangerous magic instead. Yet, she found enough courage to abandon her life in Poland and move to Ireland, and then some years later, she abandoned her life in Ireland to move over to the US. She’s determined to settle there, once she finally chooses which state to reside in.</div><div><br /></div><div>When she’s not writing or thinking about writing, she plays video games or makes amateur art. She lives the happy life of a recluse, surrounded by her husband, a stuffed red monkey, and a small collection of books she insisted on hauling across two continents.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I write about strong friendships and found families in settings full of magic and intrigue, topping off my stories with a healthy dose of friendly banter.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Joanna-Maciejewska/e/B089B65VHB/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsmR1xiXE9MM0XpmQndFPYJQF-jzL_enps12KSEnHb4SViH6QVO2kII57b8dio9X4IWrIBWbn9ryyOAaSRJD5YgDZmuk8RJgyerDZT09oGHVrcBYq8RkSb7FpZpjv_O6J6jYjvIqKO4dhT2AYCfi3OqTlzPUIhC6x1axcwynE6j3mLdrwg-Ci5ygL/w400-h200/4coversPNG.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21IqniHv11QCnNmCMWV7BK7ll2RLbXOruu5NP_LQ80IsCoIxedcKGRQBZ5cn0JKrCGmf54_98XhvPEbL7isOCbS6L88JQlURlL1rF6jn0PkMUPc9iw9uw-6gBo5BwehK2QCrN6TZtpyIMrIo8V_BoQc20YpKboOEJif1ttaufXdpEGO7l3EiM_H8K/s3024/Monkey.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21IqniHv11QCnNmCMWV7BK7ll2RLbXOruu5NP_LQ80IsCoIxedcKGRQBZ5cn0JKrCGmf54_98XhvPEbL7isOCbS6L88JQlURlL1rF6jn0PkMUPc9iw9uw-6gBo5BwehK2QCrN6TZtpyIMrIo8V_BoQc20YpKboOEJif1ttaufXdpEGO7l3EiM_H8K/w181-h181/Monkey.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>My stuffed monkey looks at me funny when I don’t write. He gives me the “I’m not impressed” kind of look, and I hate to disappoint him. But, on the more serious note, my why is probably similar to other writers. Ever since I was a kid, I enjoyed telling myself stories, and at some point, I started writing them down, so others could enjoy them as well. Knowing that someone enjoyed my story and that it offered them a few hours of escape or entertainment is one of the priceless rewards of writing and strong motivation to keep going. I also have a wonderful husband who fully supports my writing and wonderful friends who cheer me on: with motivation like that, I can’t “not write”.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>The book I’m enjoying writing the most is either the book I’m writing at the moment or the next book I’m going to write, so at some point, all of them were favorites, so I’ll pick something from my current project.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I finally stopped in front of the three-story building with a crude sign saying “Max’s”, the lights at the shop were out, but a single window on the top floor glowed yellow. I gave a firm tug on the bell chain, and the chimes above me rang with urgency. It took another ten minutes of persistence before Max stopped ignoring the noise and looked out the window.</div><div>His mouth opened, but he didn’t say a word, and the enraged expression faded from his face. Within seconds he was away from the window, and the light went out. I waited outside until the shop’s interior brightened, and at the backdrop of a magic lamp’s glow, Max’s silhouette opened the door for me.</div><div>“I guess you vouldn’t bother vith the social call. Something vrong?” he said with his heavy German accent.</div><div>Before the war, Max was a chemistry student, and he made money on the side by mixing experimental and not so legal substances, and come to think of it, the Magiclysm didn’t change much in his life, save preventing him from getting a degree. This thin, dark-haired German embraced the returning magic and its effects with the excitement and curiosity of a mad scientist. Every new substance or liquid, every weird plant that sprouted in places warped by curses made their way to Max’s shop, and he brewed them into potent salves and elixirs... and drugs, because his work ethics didn’t bother with the substance’s purpose so long as it was useful in some way.</div><div>If Max wanted, he could be a drug lord, or even the drug lord of Dublin, but instead of running his own crime organization, he devoted all his time and energy to chemistry and let others play the power games. His position remained unshaken since the first years of the war, and both humanborn and mythborn sought his services.</div><div>That’s not to say he was an angel either. I had no doubt that the tale of how he’d poisoned five members of a humanborn gang when they had tried to force him to work for them was every bit true. Max offered courtesy only to paying clients. The rest could either leave him alone or die by one of his alchemical experiments, whichever they preferred.</div><div>“Please tell me you have something for that mythborn poison,” I pleaded as soon as I walked in. The other business I had with him had to wait.</div><div>“Mythborn poison?” He arched his eyebrow. In the lamp’s light his eyes looked even more sunken than usual. “You need to be more specific.”</div><div>I didn’t want to be more specific, but he had a point. “I kissed a mythborn,” I muttered. I really, really hoped I didn’t blush, and I chased Riagán’s memory away from my thoughts.</div><div>“YOU DID VHAT?!”</div><div>“Don’t give me that ‘you’re pregnant and drinking’ look.” I waved him off. I came for an antidote, not a lecture.</div><div>“It’s vorse than drinking vhile pregnant.”</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>My latest project is <i>Humanborn</i>, the first book in <i>Shadows of Eireland </i>series. It’s contemporary fantasy set in Dublin, Ireland that suffered from a magical cataclysm and a war that broke out with the newcomers from another world. The main character, Kaja, an information broker and a veteran, has to work with her former enemies to uncover the conspiracy behind a series of recent attacks that could cause the war to break out again. And while she chases the new threats, old secrets and life debts resurface, forcing Kaja to juggle her allegiances.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BMB8172H" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2TJyGo33hcszDkCsqXAjtCcnl8SGtivwvOnx4pl3fZamWJO1D4caYrtrDL5-aovMvUOD015c90Q7HDHx4kTtZKhzIjxKAUZQYMfnHnO5u46yA_NcnS6TAGWRUx1i6PbxgnDN4OyDiY2EoMPSnjgR5MvUnGo9eBwJY3umWU8i-zzMcAiVB5DVcB17/s320/Humanborn-sh.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Now that’s a tough question! I’m from Poland, so I immediately think of my childhood favorites. One of them is “skubaniec” which is a layered cake of white and dark dough, topped with fruit, meringue, and crumble. The other is a cake which at my home we call a “coffee cake” (though it has nothing to do with American coffee cake), and it’s coffee-infused biscuits layered with butter-based coffee-flavored filling. When it comes to American cuisine, a certain pecan pie might have stolen my heart...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjie6fkgKH-M4pnLxgojJx2d6t71PqzuGoRtp7G9wya6Je12vXvNyYFE6dLVjrOpHyApTBLRC3PIXyOp4fqjUmqoxDCVwwlHEFBtH9ttd6DYImCxFWfDjk45S1es2DAtS8YWeDiSRJsjp37hG5I3XR5I8JdrqKdFnRu9BwoLhZE3TSv-ewaqk3KYqWO/s788/1ac6f5bccee956a2329eb5a2a9ad88bb-recipe_main.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="788" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjie6fkgKH-M4pnLxgojJx2d6t71PqzuGoRtp7G9wya6Je12vXvNyYFE6dLVjrOpHyApTBLRC3PIXyOp4fqjUmqoxDCVwwlHEFBtH9ttd6DYImCxFWfDjk45S1es2DAtS8YWeDiSRJsjp37hG5I3XR5I8JdrqKdFnRu9BwoLhZE3TSv-ewaqk3KYqWO/s320/1ac6f5bccee956a2329eb5a2a9ad88bb-recipe_main.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>You can connect with Joanna here:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Website: <a href="http://authorjm.com" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">authorjm.com</span></b></a></div><div>Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/AuthorJMac"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">facebook.com/AuthorJMac</span></b></a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="http://instagram.com/authorjmac"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">instagram.com/authorjmac</span></b></a></div><div>Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/AuthorJMac" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">twitter.com/AuthorJMac</span></b></a></div><div>Mastodon: <a href="http://indiepocalypse.social/@AuthorJMac" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">indiepocalypse.social/@AuthorJMac</span></b></a></div><div>Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/authorjmac" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">goodreads.com/authorjmac </span></b></a></div><div>Bookbub: <a href="http://www.bookbub.com/authors/joanna-maciejewsja" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">bookbub.com/authors/joanna-maciejewska </span></b></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will have a slice of cake with Bernadette Rowley. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please get in touch. I'd be delighted to have you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also support my writing endeavours and buy me virtual tea & cake at <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Kofi</span></b></a> - it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOf_GN87TEu9nfoxyVlheWVNruVsX2M_3xgoifa2wWbOFf_gPWZTgGr34St8vzyNXjAXrDdNP88AyIcfgHfTmbqNGcgh7GEh5CEh2OTY2MOp-K499SYj5VUUS0kR8xKipb6-2G609_YyN-q69OtxoLPfDT6Kxh6HNwLOEzuHSQ2j_9uN70RNY4un_p/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOf_GN87TEu9nfoxyVlheWVNruVsX2M_3xgoifa2wWbOFf_gPWZTgGr34St8vzyNXjAXrDdNP88AyIcfgHfTmbqNGcgh7GEh5CEh2OTY2MOp-K499SYj5VUUS0kR8xKipb6-2G609_YyN-q69OtxoLPfDT6Kxh6HNwLOEzuHSQ2j_9uN70RNY4un_p/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me.</span></b></a></div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-11548453072015640102023-05-31T19:33:00.001+01:002023-05-31T19:33:14.540+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Helen Garraway<p>This week I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Helen Garraway. </p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8J0DRjO1KzTOlBBLvQuYJF8IWREW7glq-XlupWj8lHadh8w1FxuVsfGSV6Un5PgoL9ygOTuCIeXjOJAus6RIJ4cD5g5myvs81Hu4CRpy8TwVzuJlSXJoHZm6p5o4uS1iBpagi9MlmwiD4gj9StMx2RzGGH_VMW0gKKx8KObR46sfHJVxddNk-Ifxn/s640/thumbnail_Photography%20by%20Jeff%20Krotz%20(41).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8J0DRjO1KzTOlBBLvQuYJF8IWREW7glq-XlupWj8lHadh8w1FxuVsfGSV6Un5PgoL9ygOTuCIeXjOJAus6RIJ4cD5g5myvs81Hu4CRpy8TwVzuJlSXJoHZm6p5o4uS1iBpagi9MlmwiD4gj9StMx2RzGGH_VMW0gKKx8KObR46sfHJVxddNk-Ifxn/w165-h247/thumbnail_Photography%20by%20Jeff%20Krotz%20(41).jpg" width="165" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(c) Jeff Krotz</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Helen is the USA Today Bestselling author of the award winning epic fantasy <i>Sentinal</i> series which was first published in 2020, followed by the first book of the fantasy romance <i>SoulMist</i> series, <i>SoulBreather</i>, released in 2022 as part of the <i>Realm of Darkness</i> boxset. </p><p>An avid reader of many different fiction genres, a love she inherited from her mother, Helen writes fantasy novels and also enjoys paper crafting and scrapbooking as an escape from the pressure of the day job.</p><p>Having graduated from the University of Southampton with a Degree in Politics and International Relations, she remains an active member of their alumni.</p><p> <b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></p><p>I love to create immersive new worlds for my characters to battle through. Vibrant worlds of ancient myth and legend full of political intrigue, betrayal, and adventure. If you love rich characters drawn together to fight for what they believe in then check out the <i>Sentinal</i> series.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hw6xFUpoBGZ-owmTBNpxt7UklxK3r8gtyBjYENTX30FSZmqPBLK1Bj5P7sPqUDMa40n5mAEJPHMSl32uLhBQXQazTY4NSjumuSjut2ZQ0eTTU9T5jx3t6rV2Mzbvsg8K0J-Y2PyssiIg1RG9yzE9xkyF4d768jtiu34JrX0eFaQtleG_3svjjEom/s640/thumbnail_NL%20header-6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="640" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hw6xFUpoBGZ-owmTBNpxt7UklxK3r8gtyBjYENTX30FSZmqPBLK1Bj5P7sPqUDMa40n5mAEJPHMSl32uLhBQXQazTY4NSjumuSjut2ZQ0eTTU9T5jx3t6rV2Mzbvsg8K0J-Y2PyssiIg1RG9yzE9xkyF4d768jtiu34JrX0eFaQtleG_3svjjEom/w400-h148/thumbnail_NL%20header-6.png" width="400" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></p><p>I just love writing. All aspects from the first idea, to the drafting to the editing. Ideas for new characters and impossible situations bubble up in my mind all the time and I just have to stop and write them down. I’ll find a home for them somewhere!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08JQJZKKC?notRedirectToSDP=1&ref_=dbs_mng_calw_0&storeType=ebooks" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMmKVInszl7BlhNbt9VpOqJwgisdeZ-S66qEPn2uoHW22aQGG3eARMHzloYC8SUTMnfUasWSdHqnLjjlGjptTSZD-pvo1uKZwjkOburBKmLRW6vpG0D5Ky7ROo1gTLn2tQDrF7mYqztYL_vR-jwR7NJQBslIIaFCeXojTPSvPrBhR4mHu5hVMHsQt/s320/thumbnail_sentinalsawaken_ebook3.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></p><p>Oh my goodness! This is so difficult! </p><p>There are so many scenes I love. The emotional scenes most of all. I love the scenes that make you laugh or cry, that bring out a strong reaction. Most of which of course are spoilers!</p><p>This is a scene from Book three, S<i>entinals Justice</i>. Jerrol and Taelia and the evolution of their relationship is one of the most enjoyable arcs I have written.</p><p>It was much later when he came face to face with the pretty young scholar again. “Captain, do you have time for a dance? I know officers are usually kept busy.”</p><p>“Of course, my lady.”</p><p>“Call me Taelia, please.”</p><p>“As you wish. I am called Finn.” He swept her out onto the dance floor, his fingertips tingling.</p><p>She raised her face to his, smiling with pleasure. “You dance very well for a military man,” she said.</p><p>“A misspent youth no doubt,” he murmured, breathing in the scent of her hair. He relaxed at the familiar scent, the tension dissipating from his shoulders. </p><p>“We’ve missed you,” she said. “We have been patient, waiting as we promised.”</p><p>Her words ran like wildfire through his veins, and he raised his head. Where had he heard those words before? There was so much he didn’t remember.</p><p>“Who do you believe me to be?” he asked as he twirled her around the room. Envious eyes followed their easy partnership; they seemed to know exactly what the other was going to do.</p><p>“Commander Jerrol Haven of the King’s Justice, Captain of the Lady’s Guard and the Keeper of the King’s Oath. My husband. King Benedict misses you, as do we all,” she said quietly, covering as Finn missed a step.</p><p>“I think you may be mistaken,” he murmured.</p><p>“No.” Her blinding smile faltered. “I’m not. I know you, and you know me, as we always have.”</p><p>“My lady. I am Captain Finn of the Third Chevron. This is my first visit to Retarfu, so we can’t have met.”</p><p>“Jerrol,” she whispered, her grip convulsing in his hand. “You must remember me, and why we came here.”</p><p>Finn searched her face, observing the shine of tears in her brilliant eyes, a hint of fear clouding her expression, and his gut tightened at the thought of upsetting her.</p><p>“I am sorry, my lady. I-I suffered an injury, and have lost some of my memories.” He smiled at her. “Though I am sure I could never have forgotten anyone as beautiful as you.” </p><p>Taelia stared up at him, her eyes wide with fear, and she bit her lip. “You were hurt? What happened? Are you recovered? Did they look after you?”</p><p>Jerrol twirled her around the dance floor, and his gaze flicked around the room, avoiding her anxious face, though he felt warmed by her obvious concern for him. “I would not be on duty if I was not fit,” he reassured her, and she exhaled a shaky breath.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sentinals-Justice-Three-Fantasy-Sentinal-ebook/dp/B0976K67DK" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="230" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWcf1YlxHKncctoH8iY1gaifIMZUGhibtZOV7ktWfVPVLP16m5yqrPAYIo-j9d7MI6rUOEQ5jq2v9y2eic-6nrcFOWHEh5p-ASGYzd2BgLau2Dn-VPt5a1rXtQyt86WWipIg78h1uJyBUS6JKyg2CxhbMxyMu43k5mrh1BJ984K3j7TXyIuS2iQlZ/s320/417jJTPwwPS._SY346_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div>My latest book is the fifth book in the epic fantasy <i>Sentinal</i> series, <i>Sentinals Banished</i>. In <i>Sentinals Banished</i> we are seventeen years ahead of the last book and the children of the main characters from the earlier books have the chance to play their part. Birlerion is stepping out of the shadows and taking centre stage in this book as King Anders banishes all Sentinals from positions of power and from his sight.</div><div><br /></div><div>As Old Vespers falls into disrepute, it is Birlerion who is left to protect the Sentinals honour and discover what is happening and why. And he needs to find out who is killing innocent people before anyone else goes missing. </div><div><br /></div><div>I enjoyed writing this book, as Birlerion, a fan favourite, finally steps into the spotlight. He is such a complex character who has stood at Jerrol’s shoulder throughout the series, that it is nice to focus a little bit more on him.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BLW8HFCL" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUeIrhYWV66mqftzYz5MA9X-MydNbdVlVj3LPYHnZr59jfCxKDy-Yy0oT9Kcs4DBUf8ZGIPmPXMdU2RYiu5i-ryQ8ipk4GnHK5mNc7Nm_QRdbYhXOGCUyysz2DnK8OdB2oyT7m2yxR5DFX3b6Lenl3mGBzpr1PE3p1XyxGTl4dblhjSpVXFksXozx/s320/51GSbrR3FUL.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>A light and fluffy sponge cake with cream and jam. Yum!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZ08iQtvXSqwx_G7EfeWNV_gdy1WbXrbCdDwiQjCOskjrLgxfsgX6feWdnTED8frWZd0NB5S4nAJ_k9Ea2TiEv39s8t_n3oJR0ukePjfuKRSWENGUj3N74h2QMgQyWFVhdBxczAZFSMMxNUEV9uSboSJPmwx5g7GQP-3pmAfAMlejR2WzL8mm5oBP/s720/victoria-spong-013-e1535395634459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZ08iQtvXSqwx_G7EfeWNV_gdy1WbXrbCdDwiQjCOskjrLgxfsgX6feWdnTED8frWZd0NB5S4nAJ_k9Ea2TiEv39s8t_n3oJR0ukePjfuKRSWENGUj3N74h2QMgQyWFVhdBxczAZFSMMxNUEV9uSboSJPmwx5g7GQP-3pmAfAMlejR2WzL8mm5oBP/s320/victoria-spong-013-e1535395634459.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Connect with Helen here:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Website/Newsletter signup: <a href="http://www.helengarraway.com" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">www.helengarraway.com </span></b></a></div><div>Instagram: @helengarrawayauthor</div><div>Amazon author page: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/helengarraway" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">www.amazon.com/author/helengarraway</span></b></a></div><div>BookBub: <a href="http://www.bookbub.com/authors/helen-garraway" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">www.bookbub.com/authors/helen-garraway</span></b></a></div><div>Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/helengarrawayauthor" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">www.goodreads.com/helengarrawayauthor</span></b></a></div><div>Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/helengarrawayauthor" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">www.facebook.com/helengarrawayauthor</span></b></a></div><div>Twitter: @HelenGarraway</div><div>Patreon: <a href="http://www.patreon.com/HelenGarraway" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">www.patreon.com/HelenGarraway</span></b></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Joanna Melfka Maciejewsja. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please get in touch. I'd be delighted to have you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also support my writing endeavours and buy me tea & cake at <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Kofi</span></b></a> - it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjwYb8Kt7im-iufWcCSGvnTB8wu6nBPfOBaA8Ext1jhiW8Em97zpVGKtAOLPq7L1IhHWK60TT2AkESc-APCQL2kqy7ct0eK-59n-Zqr7ZyL7ICNMxnoVHEnxX0O5XYUjWNYaYthS29ggsQ6RYE1rzWdv_yFOCQsQudMZvOlPbhAXDdrCGIZ3rIlui/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjwYb8Kt7im-iufWcCSGvnTB8wu6nBPfOBaA8Ext1jhiW8Em97zpVGKtAOLPq7L1IhHWK60TT2AkESc-APCQL2kqy7ct0eK-59n-Zqr7ZyL7ICNMxnoVHEnxX0O5XYUjWNYaYthS29ggsQ6RYE1rzWdv_yFOCQsQudMZvOlPbhAXDdrCGIZ3rIlui/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>. </div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-26981943440969795142023-05-24T20:38:00.002+01:002023-05-24T20:38:33.606+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Jamie Krakover<p>This week I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Jamie Krakover.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfvuXZ3qP6UjZxatu8gkvWAOOzC7rfVKWMXvL18xOfPWk4Kg0SPntXg8zRBFIPclgqTlTlZHgXrGgq3g4boAvc9QPp86tVpwN30pmgT5gH0u76A7vFsAVPSc4xlk9Eh-bG3Rka9-WipCUjcBqn6OdKbdZtWOw8bHFf8ReJeiBd7SW0e8cWOYbdsGO/s1202/Jamie%20Krakover%20author%20photo%20selfie%20room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="902" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfvuXZ3qP6UjZxatu8gkvWAOOzC7rfVKWMXvL18xOfPWk4Kg0SPntXg8zRBFIPclgqTlTlZHgXrGgq3g4boAvc9QPp86tVpwN30pmgT5gH0u76A7vFsAVPSc4xlk9Eh-bG3Rka9-WipCUjcBqn6OdKbdZtWOw8bHFf8ReJeiBd7SW0e8cWOYbdsGO/s320/Jamie%20Krakover%20author%20photo%20selfie%20room.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Growing up with a fascination for space and things that fly, Jamie turned that love into a career as an Aerospace Engineer. Combining her natural enthusiasm for Science Fiction and her love of reading, she now spends a lot of her time writing Middle Grade and Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy.<p></p><p>Jamie lives in St. Louis, Missouri with her husband, Andrew, their son, and their dog, Rogue (named after the X-men, not Star Wars, although she loves both). When she isn't being a Rocket Scientist by day and a writer by night, she can be found catching up on the latest sci-fi TV, books, and movies as well as spending time on Twitter (maybe a little too much time :-P). And no, the rocket science jokes never get old! </p><p>Through Snowy Wings Publishing, Jamie is the author of <i>Tracker220</i> (October 2020). She also has two female in STEM short stories published in the <i>Brave New Girls</i> anthologies and two engineering-centered nonfiction pieces that published in Writer's Digest's <i>Putting the Science in Fiction</i>.</p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></p><p>I write fast-paced, action-packed young adult and middle grade science fiction and fantasy with STEM elements and/or advanced technology and strong female characters who are often Jewish.</p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></p><p>I’m an aerospace engineer by day, and I love being able to combine my technical background with writing to explore new ideas that frequently start with the question what if. I also enjoy exploring the intersection of my Jewish faith with science fiction and fantasy themes.</p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></p><div><div>This is my favorite chase scene from <i>Tracker220 </i>which takes place at the St. Louis Arch and involves a flying motorcycle and the authorities chasing behind them in single seater helicopters. Enjoy.</div><div><br /></div><div>As more of downtown came into focus, the unicopters spread out behind us, and the skyscrapers gave way to shorter buildings. Nothing blocked the path between us and them. The engine revved beneath me. We sped toward the Arch. Flying underneath it was illegal—earning you a life sentence—yet we headed straight for it. The steel structure grew steadily larger, tempting us as we approached.</div><div><br /></div><div>“Are you nuts?” I screamed over the engine. The rider gunned the bike again, and the rumble vibrated through me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two unicopters flew in close, flanking us. The agent on our right spoke through the loudspeaker. “Land your vehicle immediately.”</div><div><br /></div><div>The rider leaned forward on the handlebars and twisted the motorbike, swiping the rear wheel on the steel of the Arch as we passed under it. The unicopter on our right peeled away. The other veered left, but the rotor blade caught on the Arch leg, tearing a gaping hole in it with a sickening crash of metal grinding against metal. The blades lodged in the opening and ripped from the body of the unicopter. It spiraled toward the ground, leaving a trail of smoke in its wake. A fireball erupted on impact. The heat from the blast radiated off my face while we swerved around the smoke plume. We were one wrong turn from becoming a fireball.</div><div><br /></div><div>“One down, eleven to go.” The rider laughed, the sound distorted through the helmet, then angled the bike at the river.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tracker220-Jamie-Krakover-ebook/dp/B08G113GMY?ref_=ast_author_dp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2661" data-original-width="1749" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FCT1Qcw33e6xpzkZmDTKJRH-_dWTlgU7iikiUhpOPSWnB1e8mwV3qlHTplsbfuk9e7FDm9l9g_hDRAnnR6BzjNPrAYsK8ph97gxKG6rZaCTvmOW0qb_IpGSfvAs_iWg6PXA8cYYuLkpJlV-Ta0GzpqgOONr3DPP_LbY2Ca86ns3CdmvL38KE-sSv/s320/tracker220_cover_jpeg_frontonly.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I recently announced that I have a sequel coming to my YA Sci Fi <i>Tracker220</i>. You can find out more about it here: <a href="http://www.jamiekrakover.blogspot.com/2023/02/i-have-exciting-news.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">jamiekrakover.blogspot.com/2023/02/i-have-exciting-news.html </span></b></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Cheesecake!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_XUDq3kHbr7KoZkmHcTW2vSsk6otFYKxNLsA1TqUg6F4zASFWla-_dNX262ZVDiDQcDvTyrc-EpyYcFR2iKN1Srgvle7DoFyzXX6QMguhgPwk6zc3MbCFJU1VX1CubuDHy2xHKEkeb0NbdUPFgAghRvnU1rHdM6VBmpfZEwOytErOAfOQT1WRrS3/s1200/strawberry-cheesecake-11%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_XUDq3kHbr7KoZkmHcTW2vSsk6otFYKxNLsA1TqUg6F4zASFWla-_dNX262ZVDiDQcDvTyrc-EpyYcFR2iKN1Srgvle7DoFyzXX6QMguhgPwk6zc3MbCFJU1VX1CubuDHy2xHKEkeb0NbdUPFgAghRvnU1rHdM6VBmpfZEwOytErOAfOQT1WRrS3/s320/strawberry-cheesecake-11%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Connect with Jamie on her social media here: <b><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><a href="http://linktr.ee/Rockets2Writing" target="_blank">linktr.ee/Rockets2Writing</a></span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Helen Garraway.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please get in touch. I'd be delighted to have you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also support my writing endeavours and buy me tea & cake at <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Kofi</span></b></a> - it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAM0fV7pavwfQr0LeKptUY4jmkgffx5BiPZDAsAGBHkdkKTQuVU0x_qo-K3SLsGdSq6V4z1WcIQtB-UUvk1mXSXY3bn4iBEFySqBheytaEqfBddNV_5d9Y466S6eIoz4QORG_IYR4ualt4KVLTVZqGSHdERILE6sFI283EIVhfR1cdqLzMn9EihdL/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAM0fV7pavwfQr0LeKptUY4jmkgffx5BiPZDAsAGBHkdkKTQuVU0x_qo-K3SLsGdSq6V4z1WcIQtB-UUvk1mXSXY3bn4iBEFySqBheytaEqfBddNV_5d9Y466S6eIoz4QORG_IYR4ualt4KVLTVZqGSHdERILE6sFI283EIVhfR1cdqLzMn9EihdL/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b>clairebuss.co.uk</b></span></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>.</div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-79179887379609500862023-05-17T12:10:00.000+01:002023-05-17T12:10:13.935+01:00A Slice of Cake With... R. M. KrogmanThis week I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author R. M. Krogman.<div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnq9yxlOkReFbRZI0z3I9M8JxW50EayUJ7w_mMVMZEaxu2fE3EXKHX0_JlcfHeDM9ZJwuKV1RzoKOwYc-YZOLjO2xzMyBNuEwalezJLxaF1WsUk8GF9IOQY8LFDTfGpF_WLNXHxWoA6Int9SSho5fvCaDMcqn6HFU_O8M14wDjT79q4-Bhyv8MprZt/s2944/Author-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnq9yxlOkReFbRZI0z3I9M8JxW50EayUJ7w_mMVMZEaxu2fE3EXKHX0_JlcfHeDM9ZJwuKV1RzoKOwYc-YZOLjO2xzMyBNuEwalezJLxaF1WsUk8GF9IOQY8LFDTfGpF_WLNXHxWoA6Int9SSho5fvCaDMcqn6HFU_O8M14wDjT79q4-Bhyv8MprZt/w175-h233/Author-photo.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>R. M. Krogman is an epic fantasy writer and fan of nature, creative cooking, and art. She loves world-building, especially defining the foods and dress of a culture, and even has a collection of recipes from Midgate. She also loves drawing scenes and characters from the books, although those sketches may never see the light of day!</div><div><br /></div><div>She has been developing the Keepers of Midgate since she was in high school. The main story line has changed little since then, only gaining more clarity and detail as the characters take on a life of their own. The world has grown in its depth of history, culture, and geography, spawning numerous side stories and prequels.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I write books with expansive worlds where elemental magic is infused into everything, even the people. The history is often violent, but perhaps not moreso than the future. Dragons and their Keepers live on the edges of society, when once they were kings, and the Temple maintains a tight hold to ensure peace among the kingdoms. If you’re looking for warrior mermaids, mischievous assassins, and wildly powerful mages, then you might like my writing.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I write in order to see my world become tangible, something that brings me more joy than anything else: creation. I was asked once if writing was my escape from the world, and I replied that, no, it is my entire world. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div>My favorite scene thus far is from “Sundering,” a moment when one character finally finds the other after they had been apart. In fact, they had believed each other dead. When they see each other, it is the first time this character smiles. Okay, I know I said that was my favorite scene…but there are at least two others that I should mention: one that is unbelievably joyful and one that is so tragic that every single beta has pointed it out as the most powerful scene. I’m pretty proud of those too.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>My dark fantasy novella is out now and free to all newsletter subscribers, so if you like feeling the “feels,” you should check it out! Set in the same world as my other work, <i>Marked </i>is the story of a boy, cursed by evil and rejected by society. Even as he blames himself for the terrible things happening around him, he must reclaim his life before those who know his secret turn on him.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/R-M-Krogman/e/B0BYPGPWKJ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksJCBlBh5W-gWgrCn4VLRbdw9jp6tIAUCFnqx9v2JRsrM333Q_CtM6Q17BlY3Zk6U-PJdjAYTlxljJz6O6nZXW8bzR-qjQtOjU2ekack7k6_rfFnixHsXXxOGt_XBXCMzDTnUt8L48n1FYO7bWOAoX_oQTjGrPhilxuwPCMDYwHNyMhsjyfI-wWhD/s320/3d_png.png" width="213" /></a></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>My favorite cake is a specific white wedding cake with buttercream-with-a-secret-ingredient-and-it’s-not-butter, made by a lovely old woman from a town of 200 people. The majority of her sales are made through the gas station refrigerator. It is the best cake I’ve ever had. (I also learned last year that she is willing to sell her frosting in ice cream buckets, and that it can be successfully frozen for months at a time.)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPQ326DYg1Wq9R_wOVXDgxf-Erk-7m2-O90-BZxKcyFEsyif5OQsSY1R6MHxa8IeQq6ycKKKWPHxNmGYpCcf3BvDF-0MKgmu6rkNjQRG45VNO_0c9au8Tug3S5c0zohTr7JgI58r8G9TKwvzUOcfYgngMuobShSfq5sJRRNdTBxUS-QJoL5O3aqr8/s1000/white-cake-recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPQ326DYg1Wq9R_wOVXDgxf-Erk-7m2-O90-BZxKcyFEsyif5OQsSY1R6MHxa8IeQq6ycKKKWPHxNmGYpCcf3BvDF-0MKgmu6rkNjQRG45VNO_0c9au8Tug3S5c0zohTr7JgI58r8G9TKwvzUOcfYgngMuobShSfq5sJRRNdTBxUS-QJoL5O3aqr8/s320/white-cake-recipe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>You can connect with R. M. Krogman here:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/rmkrogman" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">facebook.com/rmkrogman</span></b></a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="http://instagram.com/r.m.krogman" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">instagram.com/r.m.krogman</span></b></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Jamie Krakover. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please get in touch. I'd be delighted to have you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">support my writing endeavours through Kofi</span></b></a> and buy me virtual tea & cake - it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFCSRjaziCrnk4cFditP-kcJvmYIwSXfl59FQKfU5OSh_QM8LLWXWZIjbL9ZHkB8Yi9J37cqHMuyDGiStd91sxBYmnXtzCqgLg5FFFgXdtNstoqdszhfK8ZnRd3lORYkouT4FG9T4pvTZ7dUtcmcEFDIGPvVAkhT2oFM7oWbnlrXr2gGhuDxPcsDa/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFCSRjaziCrnk4cFditP-kcJvmYIwSXfl59FQKfU5OSh_QM8LLWXWZIjbL9ZHkB8Yi9J37cqHMuyDGiStd91sxBYmnXtzCqgLg5FFFgXdtNstoqdszhfK8ZnRd3lORYkouT4FG9T4pvTZ7dUtcmcEFDIGPvVAkhT2oFM7oWbnlrXr2gGhuDxPcsDa/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>.</div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-35848014882400225242023-05-10T19:08:00.000+01:002023-05-10T19:08:14.377+01:00A Slice of Cake With... S.R. BreakerToday I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author S.R. Breaker.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNmCTmTevfz7j8gwCOr8ueVZ_E0FzcprXpAq4Wquqdf27Y9BH4kMAlajzReQFQLICYumFhjaYjCkMRYBrpsghv3OKI8kgNH90TntrqSasMgR79tX60ahA-HtFM9UkgRbg0rwSnXZJRjOVfo3wBvYCUnzMgO4eQzSrj_s2GYyqgdqsI0OK7nq0vsib/s512/sr%20breaker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNmCTmTevfz7j8gwCOr8ueVZ_E0FzcprXpAq4Wquqdf27Y9BH4kMAlajzReQFQLICYumFhjaYjCkMRYBrpsghv3OKI8kgNH90TntrqSasMgR79tX60ahA-HtFM9UkgRbg0rwSnXZJRjOVfo3wBvYCUnzMgO4eQzSrj_s2GYyqgdqsI0OK7nq0vsib/w186-h186/sr%20breaker.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>S. R. Breaker is a USA Today Bestselling Author of non-stop action adventure, offbeat YA/NA fantasy romance books. She lives in New Zealand with her husband and two kids. Suburban mum by day and author by night, she loves to live vicariously through her characters. They don’t have to vacuum all day long and are almost always guaranteed to survive any fantastical or thrilling incidents, no matter how treacherous she writes them. She likes binge-watching TV shows and reading books that take her to far enough unknown worlds—but then still have enough time to wash the dishes after.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div>I write cozy, easy reads. Simple stories set in mystical, magical lands often with portals, curses, fae, and dragons. Nonstop action/adventure, low stakes, offbeat humor, snarky banter with enemies-to-lovers sweet romance, and guaranteed happy endings. I really like the suspense and thrilling storylines of books like <i>Throne of Glass</i> and <i>The Hunger Games</i> but always found these stories a bit too dark so I wanted to create compelling worlds with comparable levels of conflict and danger while maintaining an overarching atmosphere of levity and hope.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08WK9XSY9.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAG5w0zh67iG4Ke078lETuNnHjKa6Mf4jDgNPcriEIpQ8ZSJh5QYXQXUgxJ8F5oumJ04IWbx1sgGbgCHm4bFwAVX2ImDFqozJNqww_8it9GVXE6lm-zjBXX8ddcUbXkc93zGmec4oBHvjE5UoV6tzl-v8-C4WCxNUN837TbIP0lFsocsXfPG9k9mXP/s800/cotas%20series%20(Web).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAG5w0zh67iG4Ke078lETuNnHjKa6Mf4jDgNPcriEIpQ8ZSJh5QYXQXUgxJ8F5oumJ04IWbx1sgGbgCHm4bFwAVX2ImDFqozJNqww_8it9GVXE6lm-zjBXX8ddcUbXkc93zGmec4oBHvjE5UoV6tzl-v8-C4WCxNUN837TbIP0lFsocsXfPG9k9mXP/s320/cotas%20series%20(Web).jpg" width="205" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I’ve always loved to write. Writing for me, much like reading, gives me an opportunity to live different lives, a great, feel-good escape from the real world. I’m also deeply committed to happy endings. Many books nowadays are a bit too dark for me. And because I create these worlds myself, whilst anything is still possible, I am guaranteed that everything turns out alright in the end and my characters are almost always guaranteed to survive any fantastical or thrilling incidents, no matter how treacherous I write them.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also write a lot of "portal fantasy", when a person is transported from one world to another by some sort of science or magic, like through a wormhole, a door, or maybe wardrobe. I always imagine different scenarios where I’m the “real person” bored with their life who then gets sucked, willingly or not, into a fantasy world, and go from there. My first complete YA portal fantasy/sci-fi series <i>Selfless</i> is about a teenage girl stumbling into a parallel world, mistaken for her notorious, imperiled genius scientist alternate self, and getting in all sorts of thrilling multiverse adventures trying to get back home.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>One of my favorite recent reviews called my latest book “a fun rom-com in a fantasy land with dragons.” I absolutely love rom-com banter and <i>Curse of the Dragon Heir</i> is chock-full of snarky banter. For sure, it’s impossible to pick only one favorite scene but short of copying and pasting the entire book, here is one of the earlier fun, banter scenes between my hero and heroine.</div><div><br /></div><div>Setting the scene, the (hot!) evil demon that my fae mage FMC Soleia has just accidentally released from a fifty-year-old curse is offering to save her village under threat from a monstrous wraith. Naturally, she has suspicions.</div><div><br /></div><div>He glanced away for a second. “Give me your sword.”</div><div>Hurriedly leading Boots toward the door, she shot him an incredulous look. “Like hell I’ll trust you with a weapon.”</div><div>He tugged on the horse’s reins to stop her. “My claws will be less than useless with a wraith this size. I’m going to need a blade. You have an extra one anyway.”</div><div>“It’s not an extra one. I happen to need two.”</div><div>“A strong fighter would only need one,” he asserted.</div><div>She shot him an annoyed look. “It’s a style. Shut up!”</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BSDSGJJM" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtO4_8MPTYCr-Dyo0Jt2Y2TgN4T8iPbrV5hwoo2MrxqjxIFJa-fOK5hKAhOT0HVQg4MnYHmmLn9qLJQlESxkPNfWVjLcHZn0EzfCiSfJebp74t0qF7d0BhvwqgTnvFzHVFO4iu9OY-njjOf1EVZ3ffmEGVl6zBCWmZfKEL9xOhtp9ErGk6PfytIIj/s320/518jQIt2KBL.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>Curse of the Dragon Heir</i> is a thrilling, fae+dragon shifter, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, closed-door fantasy romance, releasing solo on February 15th after its USA Today Bestselling run as part of the <i>Realm of Darkness</i> anthology.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here’s the description:</div><div>A headstrong fae mage with no magic accidentally sets an evil demon free but he may be the key to unlocking her powers…</div><div><br /></div><div>Soleia only wants to escape her life. But will accidentally binding an evil demon to her end it?</div><div><br /></div><div>Second-born of the High Fae mage family of the Priori clan of Arcadia, Soleia was only expected to do certain things. Mind her dull familial duties. Undergo training to master portal summoning, the rarest form of casting among her people. Free a dangerous demon from a fifty-year-old curse and release him into their village -- well, that was an accident!</div><div><br /></div><div>If only the Priori elders' solution wasn't to bind the evil demon to her to ensure everyone's safety. If only Soleia hadn't been lying about actually having any powers all these years. If only the gorgeous demon's intense gold-red gaze didn't send delicious shivers up her spine.</div><div><br /></div><div>Soleia can no longer escape her fate. She has to harness her magic, keep the cursed demon at bay, and somehow keep her secret.</div><div><br /></div><div>But the demon has secrets too. And while Soleia discovers that he is much more than he seems, a decades-long conflict for the fate of Arcadia comes to light. It could also be the key to unlocking her powers...</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>My sister got married in Japan a few years ago and my entire family and I went. I had tried this Japanese-style cheesecake and it is now my absolute favorite cake! It’s a softer, sponge-like cheesecake that’s a bit fluffy and not too sweet. I would seriously fly all the way back to Japan just for this cake.</div><div><br /></div><div>Japanese food is always so picture-perfect pretty! And I’ve always loved Japanese anything—temples, clothes, anime, manga. My YA fantasy series<i> The Curse of the Arcadian Stone</i> is even set in a mystical second-world fantasy land much like rural, ancient Japan, and my <i>The Secret of the Phoenix</i> is an actual retelling of a specific Japanese animation set amidst a mech robot war.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWClMMsuwUm72VEXKcG5fUwEup-duvAUqdz3v6SxjkyKTIC9JSQz19Z-ZBBsZHBsmAcuEnQ_W-zHV7MHsFELEOTSrMkFp4dhS4loJ4aS8VfPLWmz-vF_ollm4i2tGZIxgjCzwv8zW1vw9EXZOglxt387fN_0snCNPCa1fGMMixVYPPR475eT6gf-G/s1600/IMG_8786_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWClMMsuwUm72VEXKcG5fUwEup-duvAUqdz3v6SxjkyKTIC9JSQz19Z-ZBBsZHBsmAcuEnQ_W-zHV7MHsFELEOTSrMkFp4dhS4loJ4aS8VfPLWmz-vF_ollm4i2tGZIxgjCzwv8zW1vw9EXZOglxt387fN_0snCNPCa1fGMMixVYPPR475eT6gf-G/s320/IMG_8786_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>You can connect with S.R. Breaker here:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>👍 <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sbreakerwrites" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">www.facebook.com/sbreakerwrites</span></b></a></div><div>📚 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/breakersr" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">www.amazon.com/author/breakersr</span></b></a></div><div>📷 <a href="http://instagram.com/sbreakerauthor" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b>instagram.com/sbreakerauthor</b></span></a></div><div>🅱️ <a href="http://www.bookbub.com/profile/s-r-breaker" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">www.bookbub.com/profile/s-r-breaker</span></b></a></div><div>🐦 <a href="http://twitter.com/sbreakerauthor" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">twitter.com/sbreakerauthor</span></b></a></div><div>👥 <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/sbreakersvips"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">www.facebook.com/groups/sbreakersvips</span></b></a></div><div>🎵 <a href="http://www.tiktok.com/@sbreakerauthor"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">www.tiktok.com/@sbreakerauthor</span></b></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Rebecca Krogman. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please get in touch. I'd be delighted to have you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">support my writing endeavours and buy me tea & cake </span></b></a>at Kofi - it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecu8rps_wMYhltv1MqvA2dFQDir1WqugBEDeRRnGMLxxyUscBlYYhFW4BQ_fylz6k43eNWechtujTZdEMqT5IC0hW5-LkF8rhO_2Nf-SRMNuA9iq-HENbnjYR1HHpgl9E7oLdINdOOPmLm1RzTPoY0fi82bEN5eWq_xIn5bz_ResVrqVSe1vdInIz/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecu8rps_wMYhltv1MqvA2dFQDir1WqugBEDeRRnGMLxxyUscBlYYhFW4BQ_fylz6k43eNWechtujTZdEMqT5IC0hW5-LkF8rhO_2Nf-SRMNuA9iq-HENbnjYR1HHpgl9E7oLdINdOOPmLm1RzTPoY0fi82bEN5eWq_xIn5bz_ResVrqVSe1vdInIz/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-43910849479121354072023-05-03T18:58:00.001+01:002023-05-03T18:58:21.107+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Emily HornburgToday I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Emily Hornburg.<div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNY8Y_ER3zdR2vi7272nYwb0d61RsU8IEqXmtFCITpnkHqLI53fXrWPElWVpwHHikRcoK9wsXGkVF-cN57kEvREPFSm93t1xmJL6EqXn75EFIyiFbheT9c2r8WgjMWgZNCsmCbwB4EbSzGfoO2rsYGKNRVZ2a2v2NIOecuA5UYCfGXoOkYsQ0ZlWsk/s1792/EmilyFlowers2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1792" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNY8Y_ER3zdR2vi7272nYwb0d61RsU8IEqXmtFCITpnkHqLI53fXrWPElWVpwHHikRcoK9wsXGkVF-cN57kEvREPFSm93t1xmJL6EqXn75EFIyiFbheT9c2r8WgjMWgZNCsmCbwB4EbSzGfoO2rsYGKNRVZ2a2v2NIOecuA5UYCfGXoOkYsQ0ZlWsk/w249-h166/EmilyFlowers2.jpeg" width="249" /></a></div>Emily is an author of fantasy novels who has had a life long love affair with stories and the written word. She is the author of the fairy tale retellings series, <i>The Cursed Queens</i>, published with City Owl Press. </div><div><br /></div><div>She’s a Chicago South-Sider, aunt to the best niece ever, expert at the fan-girl flail, a wheelchair “part-timer” with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, dog mom, Hufflepuff, coffee addict, and has a degree in youth and theatre ministry. </div><div><br /></div><div>When not devouring or creating books, you can find Emily watching <i>Gilmore Girls </i>(for the 20th time), belting out showtunes, attending the latest con, brainstorming how she can go to Disney World (again), or figuring out how to make the perfect combination of chocolate and nachos.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></div><div><span style="text-indent: -0.1pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-indent: -0.1pt;">My books are
magical, inclusive, lush, romantic, full of adventure, and inspired by classic
fairy tales. They feature women who are making their own way in the world even
if it goes against the norms and expectations of their society, showing that
strong women come in all forms, shapes, and sizes. Sometimes they carry a
sword, and sometimes they don’t, because strength comes in many forms. The
romances sizzle, but their adventures are action packed, and you can sink deep
into the fantastical magical world. </span></div><div><span style="text-indent: -0.1pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-indent: -0.1pt;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></span></div><div><span style="text-indent: -0.1pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-indent: -0.1pt;">I’ve been in love with telling stories and the written word for as long as I can remember. I was making up stories before I even knew my ABCs! I love being able to see the world through the lens of different characters who are different than I am and live all of these different lives with them. There’s a certain type of magic in fiction where you can escape our world and go into another one where literally anything can happen. Then, after you close the book (maybe go through a bit of a book hangover after) you somehow feel more prepared for our world and can take it on in a way you weren’t able to before. </span></div><div><span style="text-indent: -0.1pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-indent: -0.1pt;"><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I have such a hard time picking my favorite! I love each of my books in their own way. But, here’s a small section from my first novel, <i>The Night’s Chosen</i>:</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="text-indent: -0.1pt;">“They were afraid. A glimpse at Eira’s new power sent fear through them. A smirk pulled at her lips. Good. Let them be afraid. It showed that they knew there was truth to what she said about her encounter with Luana. She could show them right there, all the power she held. Prove to them Luana had touched her, and that she could throw away this important tradition if she wanted. It wouldn’t be the way to earn back her crown, though. Fear would help, and it could give her the status she deserved for the moment. But she needed more than their fear if she was going to be the queen she wanted to become.”</span></div></div><div><span style="text-indent: -0.1pt;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nights-Chosen-Cursed-Queens-Book-ebook/dp/B08HW3955F" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRRqzpd9-OjIY3_ajUjUIqf_NPQdHFXxoCijJ5FLl3vSsvGBdtHFEZlOHQCAhsYqBCeH0YDr_PUs0VVAjrL8dUDAskCDiAwojRjJnQvJ7k8R-Hd6haDtxs0FUlnpQVcGdOH_QFlDX_TnYS8Tdu07ZaUH4j1N-6Kg9ndiksmTXtWMmrsRoTkjYR1Ke/s320/51YO5xcAqxL.jpg" width="213" /></a></div></div><div><span style="text-indent: -0.1pt;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="text-indent: -0.1pt;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></span></div><div><span style="text-indent: -0.1pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-indent: -0.1pt;"><div><i>The Forest’s Keeper</i> is the third in my <i>Cursed Queens</i> series and is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. Our main character is Rose, the younger sister of Eira in <i>The Night’s Chosen</i>. I’m so excited to tell Rose’s story. Readers connected with her right away in the first book, and I loved getting to write her story. She’s a member of the royal guard and eager to prove her worth and help save the realm from their step-mother, Amelia. This book definitely has a romance my readers have come to expect and love, but this is one of the most epic fantasy feeling books so far, where Rose’s adventure and journey will take the main stage. I think readers will also be excited to know that Amelia will have a large point of view. In this book, Rose is out to save the enchanted Eral Forest that seems to be poisoned and is drowning, its water harming the residents of the forest. You’ll meet more creatures and characters than you have in the other two books, and see some familiar faces too. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BWFTRG9S" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aVa_nX92jgUNKdLffqmshW1Tfqy9L0UGeQUpH-GA6iNyJBC6LXSKXQV4MeZJi3E_YZp7gUKOY2f-kQJVCBI2uSiJCdDmTVRqjGPczOgkvimVFHFvYifDQGZxGGcT1ePZkv_23LBppDCbACMSHCzI9VhDg_lx2pSyVB1NNBtyMjh4bP6dE94foCMn/s320/IMG_4554.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I don’t know if you’ve heard of Nothing Bundt Cakes, but they have the best white chocolate raspberry cake in the world. But I also love chocolate! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsSmMAi7YA3uYbzf-UicvBCvvIA6ZKNL2f6GKVaOHNF_xTYTe5zXYSXAqN1Qu8lzdRIHnswfIK_qAeb5Iewab3wumnFHwMrPR_StqZn6u0qZr5zH3Ni627LKyTS4HqHudctrHO1sGtkqrXugKnprHw50xcPBwYaoSqo_Pw85fJr435FBrMWl0pd-Z/s1200/White-Chocolate-Raspberry-Cake-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsSmMAi7YA3uYbzf-UicvBCvvIA6ZKNL2f6GKVaOHNF_xTYTe5zXYSXAqN1Qu8lzdRIHnswfIK_qAeb5Iewab3wumnFHwMrPR_StqZn6u0qZr5zH3Ni627LKyTS4HqHudctrHO1sGtkqrXugKnprHw50xcPBwYaoSqo_Pw85fJr435FBrMWl0pd-Z/s320/White-Chocolate-Raspberry-Cake-16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="text-indent: -0.1pt;">You can connect with Emily here:</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Website: <a href="http://emilyhornburg.com" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">emilyhornburg.com</span></b></a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="http://instagram.com/eehornburg" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">instagram.com/eehornburg</span></b></a></div><div>Facebook Page: <a href="http://facebook.com/EmilyEHornburg" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">facebook.com/EmilyEHornburg</span></b></a></div><div>Facebook Group: <a href="http://facebook.com/groups/eehornburgreadergroup" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">facebook.com/groups/eehornburgreadergroup</span></b></a></div><div>Newsletter Sign up: <a href="http://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/n6b1t2" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/n6b1t2</span></b></a></div><div>TikTok: <a href="http://tiktok.com/@eehornburg" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">tiktok.com/@eehornburg</span></b></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Sara Breaker. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please get in touch. I'd be delighted to have you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">support my writing endeavours through Kofi</span></b></a> and buy me tea & cake - it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjGmnCtmz5lG84tEi-PpxT6kGn8VL-LX2-UdN8YwHonjff1zEss912T1WyucUTOn25mVGtmkuFCjaKJMddGUepeBtCmO5-05vRHHRRIrV24tAp5WYU1VVOCcTSiVKXVjDg1Mj2UOWz_IwovZ0se4HcJ9-QaUoKZN4tisu088z4uzkC4_KzCdaJdtz/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjGmnCtmz5lG84tEi-PpxT6kGn8VL-LX2-UdN8YwHonjff1zEss912T1WyucUTOn25mVGtmkuFCjaKJMddGUepeBtCmO5-05vRHHRRIrV24tAp5WYU1VVOCcTSiVKXVjDg1Mj2UOWz_IwovZ0se4HcJ9-QaUoKZN4tisu088z4uzkC4_KzCdaJdtz/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="text-indent: -0.1pt;">Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>.</span></div></span></div></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: -.1pt;"><o:p></o:p></p></div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-22569766913214653852023-04-26T11:37:00.001+01:002023-04-26T11:37:29.154+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Kristina Gruell<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQsoMM9m1x-c9TnEVW1MUCuqa6XTxLO3ssIyw65sY4vvr25dSA1OFAMNrBC9mX8LFe9n4JTXmJ0UPXlCbGNg1oOT0aftGt7dVmL5QRYQCsC-d87v7o6uEvoxBY-OM6NSYJQGKp3d0Zm5KbIpO4PBTjfNpJ4oRR6c0Jb1FJ9olUjwOO8EkUeAQFTdS/s3088/Kristina%20Gruell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQsoMM9m1x-c9TnEVW1MUCuqa6XTxLO3ssIyw65sY4vvr25dSA1OFAMNrBC9mX8LFe9n4JTXmJ0UPXlCbGNg1oOT0aftGt7dVmL5QRYQCsC-d87v7o6uEvoxBY-OM6NSYJQGKp3d0Zm5KbIpO4PBTjfNpJ4oRR6c0Jb1FJ9olUjwOO8EkUeAQFTdS/w189-h252/Kristina%20Gruell.jpg" width="189" /></a></div>Kristina learnt storytelling at her grandparents’ dining room table. Growing up, she rode horses, participated in FFA, danced, and read voraciously.<p></p><p>After a car accident left her wheelchair-bound for eight months, and chronic health issues limited her previously active lifestyle, she turned to books and play-by-post roleplaying. This was in the early days of AOL chatrooms. Her original stories and first novel attempt were background for her online characters.</p><p>Eventually, she began writing and telling stories to entertain her friends.</p><p>She’s a tea snob who loves dogs and enjoys a good brandy in the evenings. She spends her spare time reading, building elaborate Lego sets, and playing World of Warcraft, where she met her husband, because she is that geeky.</p><p>Her published works include <i>The In Blood and Fire Series</i>: <i>From the Ashes</i>, <i>A Burning Ember</i>, <i>The Flame Within</i>, <i>The Conflagration</i>, <i>The World Ablaze</i> and the <i>In Blood and Fire Companion</i> a<i>nd Short Story Collection</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ashes-Book-One-Blood-Fire-ebook/dp/B08WFV72KY" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkytnhpN-qcN-Y0a7zY1xdgrPRMhpQnnkKJqtaL7UsI-s7dR3Lvw-3WOlFN31xoRfo94GwCq3pgixxZSNwjVmr-nbflK0oAmSCO8hMMeXjchcg1Fnt1CQXjdEUL-XB4ly965QYLVqqP5TfRSyGVq1pniJYEI5d6F1prcMO4Jk56TeE19eTT0sp-vi/s320/From-the-ashes-final%20-lighter.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></p><p>I write characters that could be your best friend or your worst enemy. Or both. The world isn’t black and white, nor just shades of grey. It includes all colors. My characters are the same. No one is just good or evil. We all have some of both, though some might have more good and less evil, or vice versa. We all have to do our best with the hand we are dealt and some of us falter while others soar. That is what my stories explore. With a side of swords, guns, trains and … magic! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08XYB2MD6/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPECjt5kMCiF1aqOzh-7VsUHKuN72TZQyGPQ1Dj_QSJ2XsR1zJSEghkL5xKsptZLHlQfx8x6mXByh__GI37q4T26FNVzdPkTVb2efgkMBayDiT56SuOh5doWl7JG67WHUYky_rDb1UkvCkzvxmA8tJtDayWVQROaAX0VvGSb_D8Ufn3xEsooLzfVO/s320/A%20Burning%20Ember-FINAL.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></p><p>I wanted to tell stories about characters that overcome the hard things and thrive, friendships that endure, unexpected love in all its forms. Heroines that don’t do it for the glory or power, but to protect their chosen family. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08ZK18856/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdkLPfGxCHfkMc7QbEmT9a0D5KqRKRpylGJtTipD9wj7qLIs2Av-tACE5icRTJ8qg33hXMek5vpFw2ohsvOgD9Ut_YHarJF3CDfE-t9C8OYQGdK_waP3ieBYGFFfZOOzAdFhXTI7ElcfjWObot-SZzvexvwhpEgpgsgm0-jymkOMt2DRcJ7rIpMfH/s320/the%20flame%20within-FINAL.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></p><div><div><i>High Prince Gavantar Coden</i></div><div><i>Keltonmere, Providence of Andolin: Caeldenon</i></div><div><i>15th & 16th of Nane</i></div><div><br /></div><div>The smell of burning grass and scorched earth, and worse, filled the air. </div><div><br /></div><div>The healers had set up tents well behind the staging grounds, a line of soldiers defending their station. The stories told of long, drawn-out battles, wherein men fought with unflagging strength for hours, only to emerge victorious to celebrate till dawn the next day. The truth was something altogether different. </div><div><br /></div><div>The men on the front lines rotated; those who had been on the field this morning were now resting before the healers’ tents. They would be the last line of defense for the wounded and the Masters, should the army fall. In another hour, they would move to the back ranks, and those in the front lines would fall back, moving toward the healers’ tents to take their own rest. Water and strong sweet tea would be provided, and those who could eat, would. </div><div><br /></div><div>The ranks of men, the gunners and their cannons, were all distractions. The real work was happening elsewhere. Should they take the town—and Gavantar damn well intended to do just that—he didn’t want the Hathorites or their magi to escape to the ships that filled the harbor. The Hathorite soldiers had retreated inside the city walls, but their magi had shown the Caeldenon forces quite effectively what their range was, and they could defend those ships. </div><div><br /></div><div>Gavantar and his generals had decided to send the <i>Lynene ‘ah Hanal</i>, Daughters of Night, to pay a quiet visit to the harbor. The Daughters had needed time to move behind the tree line to the north, to the edge of the cove, where they could slip into the water without detection. From there, the forty women would split into teams and set fires in the holds of the dozen ships that lay at anchor. For now, the army’s job was to keep the eyes of the magi on them. </div><div><br /></div><div>To the south, Masters Isra and Amir were doing more than distracting: they were waging a private war. At least two magi were engaging them from the walls, with fireballs and lightning, concussive waves of sound, and even boulders moving through the air between the city and the hills to the south. Gavantar couldn’t spare much thought for what the Masters were going through, though, as battle reports were constantly flooding in. </div><div><br /></div><div>“Your Highness!” a messenger said, thrusting a folded note toward him. </div><div><br /></div><div>Gavantar took the note, which was from Blood General Olind, and read: </div><div><i>Magi has moved to the north wall. Snipers advancing on city gates. -O</i></div><div><br /></div><div>He handed the note to Galwyn and dismissed the messenger. </div><div><br /></div><div>He pulled his spyglass out and turned back to the walls. Men and women atop the walls above and around the city gates began falling at regular intervals, most from sniper fire. Teams holding metal shields that measured ten feet by eight had advanced on the field. Each shield had two ports that, when opened, allowed a sniper room, and a view, to shoot. They wouldn’t hold up against the magis, but facing men with little cover and guns that weren’t as advanced, they stood a fair chance. </div><div><br /></div><div>This proved to be so. Once the Hathorites realized they were outmatched, they began rushing for cover, and in their haste, they pushed more than a few of their number off the walls. </div><div><br /></div><div>Smoke rising from the harbor told Gavantar what had pulled the magi away. He turned his spyglass out of its holster and scanned the line of ships: he could see sleek figures in black, diving off the stern of the ships closest to him. The magi could see the same thing, it seemed. There wasn’t much they could do to save the ships, but they could punish those who had denied their escape. </div><div><br /></div><div>A series of small fireballs began flying off the wall, but Gavantar could not see if they hit their targets. </div><div>An explosion, louder and larger than any Gavantar had heard before, came from the south. Screams filled the air, hundreds of voices from inside the walls; some with panic, and others keening a death song. Lightning danced in the hills, the trees and brush to the south of the city were ablaze; ships to the north were now fully afire. The air crackled, and the smoke was beginning to make seeing the battlefield, let alone the actual city, difficult. </div><div><br /></div><div>Gavantar walked back into the command tent, Galwyn beside him. Blood General Zarin and Lord General Lyss were inside, sitting amid piles of reports. </div><div><br /></div><div>“Send word to Olind and then pull our forces back,” Gavantar ordered. </div><div><br /></div><div>“Yes, Your Highness,” Lord Lyss said without hesitation. </div><div><br /></div><div>Zarin looked out the open side of the tent, taking in the scene for a long moment, and then nodded to Lyss pen the order. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lyss was regular army, here representing King Jennatar Elindger of Andolin, but Zarin was part of the Mael’Hivar. The Blood-Sworn took orders, but they would sure as hell tell you when they thought you were fucking up. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, in this case, it was clear that Zarin agreed with Gavantar’s assessment: the field was becoming too hazardous. It was time to pull back and recoup before assaulting the walls. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>My most recent project is the final book in my <i>In Blood and Fire</i> series. In <i>The World Ablaze </i>we face the end of the world. The goddess who has moved players behind the scenes for centuries has come out of the shadows. The rulers of the world have gathered in Lithonia with their amies to face the Goddess Nemesistaea and her followers in a last, desperate battle to save the world of Redolan. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09V3CWVCC/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltOBcwOLAnsPgqh3Ek03D-x8PGejmLQjwSCCd7ve2evWdZw9UjOQtDNpUwbZlU6Z9Rf97YNK0zgsTUxG6xdQ5MksYClQgStlLuyN5Sv2AvYukAgDVfzkQkmxC58MeRI5ll8UbB_fkN4Mt6lrhhw1RsYNr5P5M1aUG2mdSWjbZx73kCuGj81N2PHe8/s320/theworld-ablaze-FINAL.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Black Forest or vanilla bean cake with strawberry filing and vanilla bean buttercream. </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJn15KaW7hZUcLUFRA5qx3PSgbDmTe9O5OqRq7dlfYeTUaPVxP-dF3MLC35MKQ0nmf7MXrEcn039fPSRLMOhGFDNq4Cj3hfMeRAx8HybZ9dWVZgoQ0jeLEcDZvpjM0OqDs6XiUTbGKkjt28j7o0cDLGDYCU-N77PL20RJcu5lzAeEU5obo9AQdFgD/s977/Mile-High-Black-Forest-Cake-4-1-of-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJn15KaW7hZUcLUFRA5qx3PSgbDmTe9O5OqRq7dlfYeTUaPVxP-dF3MLC35MKQ0nmf7MXrEcn039fPSRLMOhGFDNq4Cj3hfMeRAx8HybZ9dWVZgoQ0jeLEcDZvpjM0OqDs6XiUTbGKkjt28j7o0cDLGDYCU-N77PL20RJcu5lzAeEU5obo9AQdFgD/s320/Mile-High-Black-Forest-Cake-4-1-of-1.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br /><div>You can connect with Kristina here:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kristinagruellauthor" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b>facebook.com/kristinagruellauthor</b></span></a></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kristinagruellauthor/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">@kristinagruellauthor</span></b></a></div><div>TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kristinagruellauthor?" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">@kristinagruellauthor</span></b></a></div><div>Website: <a href="http://kristinagruell.com" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">kristinagruell.com</span></b></a></div><div>Discord: <a href="http://discord.gg/mp3rZHvB7s" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">discord.gg/mp3rZHvB7s</span></b></a></div><div>Amazon Author page: <a href="http://amazon.com/stores/author/B08WFSBHMT"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">amazon.com/stores/author/B08WFSBHMT</span></b></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Emily Hornburg. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please get in touch. I'd be delighted to have you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also support my writing endeavours through <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Kofi and buy me virtual tea & cake </span></b></a>- it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8neN_Yxdb4wtkVsX3FHrucoR_tXL0IX3L5emDbeqGh1KwTv3RqmV_XalPnS4VwlQtqZtgtBqTQv7k6oMvAGcFHkxnWufz1Wj1IC7Oez_MPwKrOXU1OwumD1AQhWElgcbTdtLFd9sROZwu6pGH4h-1IO6vzsTIYEpMK00_Z4OgnEHpUYUFfRzUEfy6/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8neN_Yxdb4wtkVsX3FHrucoR_tXL0IX3L5emDbeqGh1KwTv3RqmV_XalPnS4VwlQtqZtgtBqTQv7k6oMvAGcFHkxnWufz1Wj1IC7Oez_MPwKrOXU1OwumD1AQhWElgcbTdtLFd9sROZwu6pGH4h-1IO6vzsTIYEpMK00_Z4OgnEHpUYUFfRzUEfy6/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>.</div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-84212521234064589372023-04-19T13:17:00.002+01:002023-04-19T13:17:40.445+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Debbie Manber KupferToday I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Debbie Manber Kupfer. <div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wrlTmiiEy-n7kbe5vI7XQON-AUDyKuKl0rqIWe-_TuWPLOmeB8bS-TBcqXJD84MmNrUoLacLimjArK1HE7SMfRgNuWOBJti3tebaHl7Vw9cVz8RmOyiDkBRfb5F3pxFRg-xvG70HoioeNFTmOgz-gtu-m8WpPG21bXZCLmuniJD1e24T6eZlCuDq/s200/Debbie%20author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wrlTmiiEy-n7kbe5vI7XQON-AUDyKuKl0rqIWe-_TuWPLOmeB8bS-TBcqXJD84MmNrUoLacLimjArK1HE7SMfRgNuWOBJti3tebaHl7Vw9cVz8RmOyiDkBRfb5F3pxFRg-xvG70HoioeNFTmOgz-gtu-m8WpPG21bXZCLmuniJD1e24T6eZlCuDq/s1600/Debbie%20author.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Debbie grew up in the UK in the East London suburb of Barking. She has lived in Israel, New York and North Carolina and somehow ended up in St. Louis, where she works as a writer, editor, and freelance puzzle constructor of word puzzles and logic problems. She lives with her family including two very opinionated felines. She believes that with enough tea and dark chocolate you can achieve anything.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I write an interconnected crazy diverse world of shapeshifters, filled with an array of characters and creatures. I’m very fond of morally grey characters as I believe the world is not black and white.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I have a whole world inside my head pushing its way out. I have to write just so I know what happens next!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Although I enjoy writing all my books there was nothing the magic when I began the very first book in my saga. Here’s the short prologue of <i>P.A.W.S.</i> where it all began.</div><div><br /></div><div>Vienna, October 20, 1941</div><div><br /></div><div>Today was Celia’s tenth birthday. This was not how she imagined celebrating it. She was with her family – her mama, Miriam; her papa, David; her elder brother, Issel; and her baby sister, Sara. They were huddled together in the back room of their tiny two-room apartment in Grosse Spielgasse, in the dark, barely breathing.</div><div> </div><div>Outside the building, the boot steps got nearer and nearer. Celia heard shouting, screaming, gunshots. She crouched down even closer to the ground, wishing that somehow they could all melt away into the shadows. Celia clutched her cat, Max, tightly in her arms, feeling his warmth, his soft tabby fur close to her skin, willing him to stay quiet. </div><div><br /></div><div>Her mama cradled little Sara at her breast, nursing her so she would not cry out. Outside, the pounding footsteps were getting closer, closer: “Juden, Juden, Heraus, Heraus, Schnell, Schnell!” Now they were at the door of the neighbors – the Wassersteins. She heard crying and a single gunshot. </div><div><br /></div><div>Miriam beckoned to her. “Celia, mein Katzerl, come here,” she whispered. “I have something for you, for your birthday.” </div><div><br /></div><div>Celia approached Miriam cautiously, still clutching Max to her. “What is it, Mama?” she asked, gazing into Miriam’s blue, blue eyes. She studied her prematurely wrinkled face, memorizing every crease. Mama, my mama, she thought. </div><div><br /></div><div>Still holding baby Sara with her left hand, Miriam reached around the back of her neck with her right and unclasped the chain that she always wore beneath her clothes, close to her heart. It was a silver chain with a cat charm on it. “Take this, Celia, mein Katzel. Wear it always, and remember I love you. Ich liebe dich.” </div><div><br /></div><div>“I love you, Mama,” Celia whispered as she fastened the chain around her neck just as the doors burst open. Six Gestapo soldiers rushed into their home – “Juden, Heraus, Heraus, Schnell, Schnell...” Celia watched as her family was herded out of the door.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Debbie-Manber-Kupfer/e/B00DHPNJ5I?geniuslink=true" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="363" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5AdPLHILMgQEFr5vv6inF3ogyr1tXLCM6i-ZPKJB1FYTROvfXx0ExFQO6q2f_QYvUHQgYqFOp1rP6HIjeW6YmdZqdW6cSDpfL8MNz_nnKxUpTXi32a3hwdLEd7Vxs7fS6E0WAcGKsLlkgm2QDouatQr49gVnaf3xActKEncJPfXBkbUzI4gEtgCt/w400-h330/PAWS%20Saga.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I’m currently working on book 10 of my <i>P.A.W.S. Saga</i> which I plan to release this June on the tenth anniversary of the release of book 1. </div><div><br /></div><div>The book which is called <i>Madarak</i> and features a convention of avian shapeshifters. It was inspired by the sci-fi/fantasy conventions I’ve been to over the years. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Cheesecake – and my all-time favorite cheesecake was one I had in a pub in London once called an Irish Bash. It was a white-chocolate cheesecake with oodles of Irish cream poured all over it!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFPqLBwLTh8_TJM_DW-bguUP6oZjRh1FtSbcS2o6CcCAv62ir51zOg60Vk94tjeCP223jhrovf8wvaKWbShKa061hvby_CoHkGecIne1-Trup40lUkeELHjNSgnpzp8TApNaFtQe4f5ck3SE9L_iwf1584DHzqLlZE1jJ7hqPQMrLpy3zIhYcXlIZ/s900/baileys-cheesecake-68acc899-a2c2-4957-85ff-5fd2880ed9ef_s900x0_c5616x3281_l0x2466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="900" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFPqLBwLTh8_TJM_DW-bguUP6oZjRh1FtSbcS2o6CcCAv62ir51zOg60Vk94tjeCP223jhrovf8wvaKWbShKa061hvby_CoHkGecIne1-Trup40lUkeELHjNSgnpzp8TApNaFtQe4f5ck3SE9L_iwf1584DHzqLlZE1jJ7hqPQMrLpy3zIhYcXlIZ/s320/baileys-cheesecake-68acc899-a2c2-4957-85ff-5fd2880ed9ef_s900x0_c5616x3281_l0x2466.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>You can connect with Debbie here:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Paws4Thought: <a href="http://debbiemanberkupfer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">debbiemanberkupfer.wordpress.com </span></b></a></div><div>Paws4Puzzles: <a href="http://paws4puzzles.wordpress.com" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">paws4puzzles.wordpress.com</span></b></a></div><div>Facebook Author page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DebbieManberKupferAuthor " target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">facebook.com/DebbieManberKupferAuthor </span></b></a></div><div>Twitter: @CiciCat42</div><div>Amazon: <a href="http://author.to/DebbieManberKupfer" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">author.to/DebbieManberKupfer</span></b></a></div><div>Goodreads: <a href="http://goodreads.com/author/show/7142164.Debbie_Manber_Kupfer" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">goodreads.com/author/show/7142164.Debbie_Manber_Kupfer</span></b></a></div><div>Newsletter: <a href="http://eepurl.com/cRhORP" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">eepurl.com/cRhORP</span></b></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Kristina Gruell. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please get in touch. I'd be delighted to have you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also support my writing endeavours and <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">buy me virtual tea & cake through Kofi</span></b></a> - it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgLCIfiK3riwyx3LlxYbSlrzj6_L2wEcPgc4l06h7THxO5NfQ012qVYsHKeVhtU7iHE4JdCekL48Z-z9Y4sfT99U8aZPosA0nT8HH_c3xHE5jmffe_l2hzsyj76KYn1sT3iWkpLELPL7HPlQ5NFH7B-wQiIkOlFZjM-fkPDapTTd76VyVCeTW_RkE/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgLCIfiK3riwyx3LlxYbSlrzj6_L2wEcPgc4l06h7THxO5NfQ012qVYsHKeVhtU7iHE4JdCekL48Z-z9Y4sfT99U8aZPosA0nT8HH_c3xHE5jmffe_l2hzsyj76KYn1sT3iWkpLELPL7HPlQ5NFH7B-wQiIkOlFZjM-fkPDapTTd76VyVCeTW_RkE/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <b><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></a>.</span></b></div><div><br /></div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-16691007334356933012023-04-13T20:46:00.006+01:002023-04-24T22:00:57.848+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Gio PetersToday I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Gio Peters.<div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWp7TI2QtyxlFGivIKM8aR3bWQpdjMzphWrx5s5QudgUVj-96V9X8pOZEe6qyUbOj6FttgMrtQg7781HaYvs-zN1NC5JP6MBFSe6RCU5HC7nILXShRI8_90BtXny6uWB0QEhyfa7PWIH-WjoyeZ7mkXqQ7LmLachJf8x-YxVacWYeNFqIFvMBqek0/s2371/work%20photo.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2371" data-original-width="2277" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWp7TI2QtyxlFGivIKM8aR3bWQpdjMzphWrx5s5QudgUVj-96V9X8pOZEe6qyUbOj6FttgMrtQg7781HaYvs-zN1NC5JP6MBFSe6RCU5HC7nILXShRI8_90BtXny6uWB0QEhyfa7PWIH-WjoyeZ7mkXqQ7LmLachJf8x-YxVacWYeNFqIFvMBqek0/w225-h235/work%20photo.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>Gio is a South African author with a love of fantasy, and Victorian and Edwardian classics. His writing combines both of those genres, blending them into historical fantasy novels. He aims to provide LGBTQ+ people, especially gay and bisexual men, with heroes they can identify with.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The kinds of books I currently like writing are gothic novels. They are all thunder and lightning very very frightening in theme. They’re set in a place analogous to Victorian era Europe, with drips and drabs and dollops of magic here and there. They’re oriented towards more personal stories and villains rather than epic magical quests. They’re very prosaic, as I love gothic prose, and are very focused on character relationships as opposed to hack and slash action (though that does still play a part, but a very minute part).</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I was inspired to start writing these books when I read the Bronte sisters’ novels, <i>The Picture of Dorian Gray</i>, <i>Frankenstein</i>, <i>Dracula</i> etc—all the great gothic novels. I noticed how the authors spent time describing scene after scene and dipped heavily into the characters’ emotions and inner worlds rather than external action. The plot was moved forward as the characters grew, and the villains were their own personal demons rather than an evil king or the like. I wanted to create those deeply personal stories, with fallible heroes who relied on themselves and their friends to solve a problem rather than physically fight an enemy. They used words (and a bit of magic) to save the day.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I’ll share a piece from book 1: <i>Third Time’s The Charm</i> (no stealsies!)</div><div><br /></div><div>To say I shook, was to say a leaf shook in a cyclone. To say I cried, was to say it rained in a typhoon. To say I begged, was to say a sinner begged at the foot of the furnace.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was as if he had eaten the whole world, Clark, and found it gave him a bellyache and so decried the kitchen and cook and was shouting for more viands, better ones. And I, his lame waiter, the earpiece for his demands. The stone tiles cowered from his fury, and held each other closer so I could not dive between them to escape. His screams were so loud his words felt like waves battering a thin shoreline, tearing at its integrity. I had exited the entire world with a whimper. I was stripped of everything; utterly naked. I had lost my smalls after I pissed them in fright of Clark’s first tirade, and whatever covered my innermost person had fallen away like wet paper. </div><div><br /></div><div>My arms heaved water into Clark’s bath. Every second I waited it for it to boil, I prayed it would and would not be my last. He did not speak throughout the process, but I felt his screaming anger rip the floor up. Even after the pot fell and I burned, he ordered I pick it up, and continue splash after useless splash until I was pouring my soul into the bath for him to soak in at his leisure.</div><div><br /></div><div>My knees gave one final creak before they gave way, and I felt, somewhere far away, every joint and rib collide with the stone tiles of the floor. My body was in a heap, my head twisted toward Clark and each fibre in the thick cords and heaps of muscle in his arms, and chest. The steam prickled my skin, as if Clark’s static anger charged the water particles with electricity. </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BVJ3VKPC/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="402" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVS3piLaSZT3sA1fiL8p1-YPmZ4s2smmM-t5lPrQ7c5XJjoEJZF3U9H1NkrCDwikzm5r9GMEGMDc8Wq5d3NsHj2k-lP6ELccXQgSldekwasmt9QsZEUg8HWV9VqE4qISXX13aoLvDWEb7HdnlvOVO488_drF8cLKnxEYkNekA-zxq5NVP3MqF1Aqr/s320/Gio's%20Book%20Cover%20PNG.png" width="210" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Well I’ve written 3 books in the last 6 months, and am currently writing the fourth, but only the first is published. It’s called <i>Third Time’s The Charm</i>. Here’s the blurb:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>As the third son of the third son, Niamh Nestor is supposed to get a fae power on his sixteenth birthday. Instead he gets sentenced to a reform school for magically inclined youth, for committing a minor offence. At Carpathian Keep, he discovers a miserable world. The heads of the institution are sadistic, the teachers are cruel, the charges are mean and what is the painful sensation he feels on his neck in the evening? </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>The Keep hides deadly secrets, and Niamh must figure them out and escape before he and the few friends he makes bite the dust.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>The novel is aimed at queer people, as the characters are all over the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. It’s very cosy, and focuses very much on the MC’s growth and novel ways he defeats the horrible villain than having a set baddie to beat form the get-go. It’s very focused on prose and dialogue, while also developing a soft magic system (don’t worry there’s a glossary at the back for user’s ease). I recommend it to anybody who wants a unique fantasy experience, one a little more slowed down than fast-paced danger.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>My favourite slice of cake is carrot cake, which is odd since I detest carrots, but embedded in cake they suffice.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGnxZnhSD8sfT0X2_mztv13qXbkT9m-kYpwZN-PSMAMC7UJOXnuJ4Js126u3UbUfpWGyvTON6O6akOP2Jlrb-MhcEJBFeU-Tah6GVML09rLFtmUrp3a9pE42uNz0jkDXsdW5PQN_8wy954mfYOx34VSagzWk-osVHvdrAhms3vzp-IL9leev3-N0_/s1200/205294%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGnxZnhSD8sfT0X2_mztv13qXbkT9m-kYpwZN-PSMAMC7UJOXnuJ4Js126u3UbUfpWGyvTON6O6akOP2Jlrb-MhcEJBFeU-Tah6GVML09rLFtmUrp3a9pE42uNz0jkDXsdW5PQN_8wy954mfYOx34VSagzWk-osVHvdrAhms3vzp-IL9leev3-N0_/s320/205294%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>You can connect with Gio on Twitter: @GioPetersAuthor and on Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/giopetersauthor" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">facebook.com/giopetersauthor</span></b></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Debbie Manber Kupfer. </p><p class="MsoNormal">If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please get in touch. I'd be delighted to have you.</p><p class="MsoNormal">You can also support my writing endeavours and buy me <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">virtual tea & cake through Kofi</span></b></a> - it's what makes the world go round!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmopovhPTwTaCGufaYVCXKixogFakqq5KKh7L5-SlEBOoQHfIWsnO0XHKfLUE0TEGJsNnTmscHg_1FMcs3BWgbP3pjyu00-ld-itEf_ADEG1-ciOxvpYc91nBncSTJb19SFZYzIwF4SyFVdC0VMWB4jQiN51NDk9xiR0RKD2seuxZbffIcrAYNyZ1/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmopovhPTwTaCGufaYVCXKixogFakqq5KKh7L5-SlEBOoQHfIWsnO0XHKfLUE0TEGJsNnTmscHg_1FMcs3BWgbP3pjyu00-ld-itEf_ADEG1-ciOxvpYc91nBncSTJb19SFZYzIwF4SyFVdC0VMWB4jQiN51NDk9xiR0RKD2seuxZbffIcrAYNyZ1/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>.</p></div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-37019592824848817442023-04-05T20:43:00.006+01:002023-04-05T20:43:51.850+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Mandi Oyster<p>Today I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Mandi Oyster.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hQ524w7NAWJXOz3P252Y9lmsG8PRPEfQxj91o13uYVaapDcdVayOidcc9yehhuRDRwIWMhLasTILGhozAIe3sIr4GFz51HvRfhvNF6GfZ9w9T56EAe-aP7O6sOKyUKkv7SGBIZ7ev2b0ufQyEEqIGEMOyBgkYo2b1HMTubUDAcwIWjJ01nBdNRo1/s2640/20200317_111223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2640" data-original-width="1980" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hQ524w7NAWJXOz3P252Y9lmsG8PRPEfQxj91o13uYVaapDcdVayOidcc9yehhuRDRwIWMhLasTILGhozAIe3sIr4GFz51HvRfhvNF6GfZ9w9T56EAe-aP7O6sOKyUKkv7SGBIZ7ev2b0ufQyEEqIGEMOyBgkYo2b1HMTubUDAcwIWjJ01nBdNRo1/w167-h222/20200317_111223.jpg" width="167" /></a></div>Mandi lives in Southwest Iowa in the middle of an enchanted forest where unicorns, fairies, and dragons abound. At least, that’s what she assumes when she looks out into the trees. Her husband, two kids (when they’re not away at college), four cats, and two chinchillas share the house with her.<p></p><p>Besides being an author, she also runs her own editing business and works full-time as a digital prepress technician for a local printshop.</p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></p><p><i>The Dacia Wolf</i> series is a lot like a more grown-up Harry Potter. A lot of reviewers have compared the friendships to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. </p><p>Dacia is magic in a world where magic is typically just sleight of hand. She feels like an outcast and hopes that going to college will change that. When she accidentally lights a classmate’s book on fire, she ends up in the dean’s office and finds out that she is part of a prophecy and needs to learn to control her magic.</p><p>I am currently working on the 8th book in the Dacia Wolf series and the first book in a new witchy series.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09W3XWSKH" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="325" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilI2lAt28JWvWF15j-kmMkfPU6GS1MXnZ6yzbjB3bhVVPzuco8wC4H_db7Dim1YXV6FhZ6vwr6gT1KNmas1rUXGDJaBiSzYGL2JdsJImnHiPDIh_Z1gnE74KJ3N6OCSXlmj-ykTLBgsPNVUvXGbgGBbh5_XNILkqQnSD-ex4MlhMzJrPrMd1IglYFi/s320/51TfE-xjZYL.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></p><p>The first book, <i>Dacia Wolf & the Prophecy</i>, kept running through my head on repeat until I sat down and wrote it. It wasn’t something I planned on doing. It was something that needed to be done. Since then, writing is something that helps me feel complete. </p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></p><div><div>This is from my 7th book, <i>Dacia Wolf & the Phouka’s Curse</i>. I think out of all of them that it’s my favorite. Everything just sort of clicked when I wrote this book. </div><div><br /></div><div>“I, uh—” I cleared my throat. It shouldn’t matter. People lived with terrible scars, and many of those had memories, lessons that were attached to them, reminders to keep them from making those mistakes over and over again, but I had no idea what had happened to me. I didn’t know who or what had ripped the wings from my back, and I didn’t want to be reminded that my memories could be erased so easily. I dropped my gaze to the floor, not wanting to see their reactions. “I haven’t looked.”</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0B3RZ5HCT" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="224" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1wnnAkOl_u2UfCbEQtO8btnR7_vuoiFl52WBhnKc94Zv8Py__TW3SzmQteBIoIlW0cy5YfaeAHcB2VPJdw9BkxLq4MO7tn28BC4sGi2R_WB_JUWOGPe4RGSUscw3o0GYXNXEVSTRW1ZomyG5S461rQkGW7mWbDeAc7BzNDTxquUr8rR7xSamhuEP/s320/51D39602KrL._SY346_.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>My most recent book is <i>Cody Hawks & the Chosen One</i>. It is a retelling of <i>Dacia Wolf & the Prophecy</i> from the main male character’s perspective. It was a blast to write because I got to know Cody so much better than I had writing the seven books that are out in the Dacia Wolf series. I was able to see how everything she went through affected him. If you are interested in reading <i>Cody Hawks & the Chosen One</i>, you can get the ebook free by signing up for my monthly newsletter at <a href="http://www.MandiOyster.com" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">www.MandiOyster.com</span></b></a>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09VLM5P95" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19DRMNOkRdP9eGT4VO5QVeco8Vtew8KlGW0CG3GRZ6MhVlCm5GZPp7l1PGfN9bmO8AmxDFsyjhQg8JId6T60VnsuCmxPdX2QEJQonsa27tMB0rI0piO5Nzaqf05Q4WabfmMQf4fczRuLSawCPh9RMLVgZEPQvJOsfPwzuMlwAT_xuzKoxSwe_uSKV/s320/51T964ZVC4L._SY346_.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is a tough one. It’s either Mississippi Mud Cake, Angel Lush, or Strawberry Shortcake. Mississippi Mud is super rich: chocolate cake with coconut, iced with marshmallow cream mixed with fudge and more coconut. Angel Lush is an angel food cake iced with whipped cream mixed with pineapple. I think most people know what strawberry shortcake is.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP49a6HJLivYpmcjWyLyH6oJ5W0zZcp_hQnfaHclMXL7vyW9A6n5Gm0f-OHYWrliZiZjgekc1LGkK7GREObNMadf6AFjjshToRtdQfZ3xr_uwHx-CkPi8yA7zbC3U8qWkSoaE3IChP_PNUosu75mx9Uc2BLyUDMqPc140ueqZ1-91rcQrh9EXUoEo0/s1200/mississippimudcake-1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP49a6HJLivYpmcjWyLyH6oJ5W0zZcp_hQnfaHclMXL7vyW9A6n5Gm0f-OHYWrliZiZjgekc1LGkK7GREObNMadf6AFjjshToRtdQfZ3xr_uwHx-CkPi8yA7zbC3U8qWkSoaE3IChP_PNUosu75mx9Uc2BLyUDMqPc140ueqZ1-91rcQrh9EXUoEo0/s320/mississippimudcake-1-2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div>Connect with Mandi here:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/MandiOysterAuthor" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">facebook.com/MandiOysterAuthor</span></b></a></div><div>Instagram: @mandioyster</div><div>Goodreads: <a href="http://goodreads.com/author/show/19356322.Mandi_Oyster" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">goodreads.com/author/show/19356322.Mandi_Oyster</span></b></a></div><div>Amazon Author Page: <a href="http://amazon.com/Mandi-Oyster/e/B07V8KXS16" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">amazon.com/Mandi-Oyster/e/B07V8KXS16</span></b></a></div><div>Website: <a href="http://MandiOyster.com" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">MandiOyster.com</span></b></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Gio Jacobs. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please get in touch. I'd be delighted to have you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also support my writing endeavours and buy me virtual tea & cake <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">on Kofi</span></b></a> - it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZcKLZyXwDh8DdiWfZNtf-shZDQ_2TBU7t7vBMt-xmfjndz3QNsT2YRNUYq7lUneAJPRnItrbVFjJawuisASCCJyjAKKktryncQNjL2gEEmAqmtNuOCULhEvUfmfzIX53OfsHu94gRbfT0TSmAMRQpBFvJ7cyb9W1zhDru3IwJGBinC9vrmW2fMxo/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZcKLZyXwDh8DdiWfZNtf-shZDQ_2TBU7t7vBMt-xmfjndz3QNsT2YRNUYq7lUneAJPRnItrbVFjJawuisASCCJyjAKKktryncQNjL2gEEmAqmtNuOCULhEvUfmfzIX53OfsHu94gRbfT0TSmAMRQpBFvJ7cyb9W1zhDru3IwJGBinC9vrmW2fMxo/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>. <div><br /></div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-91470606167807402862023-03-29T11:39:00.004+01:002023-03-29T11:39:49.449+01:00A Slice of Cake With... Havelah McLat<p>Today I had a slice of cake with author Havelah McLat. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXe0zyZKMKMeUQELGlxcfkI4sPoqtw8kVQamvzmjCW2qIcN6g2n_t2ZzbFwdnw3NVaSPSHL-M8vIkv-Rcwr3Hq_IcLODSyVbD0_gLKcphdAyVi42zRF3ZskZzYc5PR0XKJWSQlyIjvKUNw1eQeeUyDdc-xVZgHsMqCQUmJcFmKjiGDt_cnSTq9bBm6/s1081/Author's%20PHOTO.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="776" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXe0zyZKMKMeUQELGlxcfkI4sPoqtw8kVQamvzmjCW2qIcN6g2n_t2ZzbFwdnw3NVaSPSHL-M8vIkv-Rcwr3Hq_IcLODSyVbD0_gLKcphdAyVi42zRF3ZskZzYc5PR0XKJWSQlyIjvKUNw1eQeeUyDdc-xVZgHsMqCQUmJcFmKjiGDt_cnSTq9bBm6/w138-h192/Author's%20PHOTO.jpeg" width="138" /></a></div>Havelah began writing fairy stories and now likes to write a variety of genres; inspirational stories, contemporary clean romance, and adventure stories. <p></p><p>On most days when she's not writing stories, Havelah likes to read novels and biographies. Beside reading books, she likes to draw and watch YouTube videos from different writers and authors on their writing journey and the self-publishing industry. </p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></p><p>I like writing stories that have struggles and conflicts. But I also enjoy adding important values and faith and love. While I enjoy writing those stories, I dabble in creating tales with whimsical elements, and other times stories take place many years ago. I don’t stick to one genre but I like to explore different avenues. </p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></p><p>When I was younger I liked to draw characters. My older sister likes to write and that’s where it got started. She would write something to go with characters I drew and I wanted to do what she does. As time went by, I found it inspiring and imaginative. I want to create stories that would inspire others as well. </p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></p><div><div>Hmm, it is kind of hard to pick a favourite but I do like writing sweet moments between two characters in <i>A Forever Summer </i>when they look at the ocean and sunset. Here is a tiny paragraph from that book.</div><div><br /></div><div>The waves crashed against the rocks below, and he touched Katherine’s hand. She didn’t move, instead, she drew beside him and listened to the serene nature. </div><div><br /></div><div>Between the long pause of silence, Janson was relieved that she brought up the letters. Now, they sat together in one spot, his best friend in his arms.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Forever-Summer-Havelah-McLat-ebook/dp/B0B36BFPRV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2397" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJ5sb1xlWDULxIYic5Yxxtqwb9l0jGHlSVowHLHRd5YMXXsv-Ja9Mwotpk0Qt5kdpQ6dNO0YugzK5KEgQC0aiAAb9oRxS24dkUE2b6FPgbwn4Ln2u_MF0llo3ZKGE9mvAJm3mrPqaHRpdp6vFWDUGo9kl-k1sFmWT7ns2nFVhLUrWXwISe2oohdJY/s320/274777965_1104496593675156_8305746831536314513_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I’m releasing an upcoming novel <i>When You Returned</i> in late April 2023. It is about a single mom who works at the ice rink and she loves to skate. However the rink is shutting down and she has to look for help. When she did things got complicated. She has to work with her ex-boyfriend who left her years ago. They have to work together to save the rink. That's the basic idea of the story. I’m never good at pitch. If you like to see the cover reveal and information about the preorder, then you can follow me on Instagram @havelahmclatwriter. Or sign up for the newsletter. Either way I will be sharing more about it then. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BXHMPGR3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-PARNoYcTJCzdHFCW6NUqYQc-nq_3rAgjBv5cYj_s1ny8qs7mnbs0MZ7FgVgJozL31A0vv-1Lb60oEhJZpk6YlfxNS0VRzKvp6kIZxSbcIi5Xq-DBQcYwdLf389REsqn2dV7wLH3IiwKLXxOxisaHlCPzC8U5EmI46lH-APrDJAqtgGtyI6qyGto/s320/419CDa4xNwL.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>There are too many. But I like brownies and marble cake.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxjN9m4I1KkxS4yI1I8CD4JhvN2B38pofXzLokYHDs4ZNQyZ7aL5sT_zyjG-ZxufThgUAj69ZoyOjn3-sB5HTEb5x8XcnKB34XTK4JWX8Iy0lqpPDST7eTWdyOLW6dLiX0YgBHHpq28Y4NVhZ-xjVS040fn9CXyZ5TNlDABOFVeOekJAYCpvMOxDX/s400/2020_06_23T12_07_43_mrs_ImageRecipes_137846lrg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxjN9m4I1KkxS4yI1I8CD4JhvN2B38pofXzLokYHDs4ZNQyZ7aL5sT_zyjG-ZxufThgUAj69ZoyOjn3-sB5HTEb5x8XcnKB34XTK4JWX8Iy0lqpPDST7eTWdyOLW6dLiX0YgBHHpq28Y4NVhZ-xjVS040fn9CXyZ5TNlDABOFVeOekJAYCpvMOxDX/s320/2020_06_23T12_07_43_mrs_ImageRecipes_137846lrg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>You can connect with Havelah here:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/havelahmclatwriter/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">@havelahmclatwriter</span></b></a></div><div>Website: <a href="http://www.havelahmclat.wixsite.com/home" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">havelahmclat.wixsite.com/home </span></b></a></div><div>Pinterest: @havelahmclatauthor </div><div>Goodreads: <a href="http://goodreads.com/en/book/show/60745641" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">goodreads.com/en/book/show/60745641</span></b></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Mandi Oyster. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please get in touch. I'd be delighted to have you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also support my writing endeavours and buy me tea & cake <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">on Kofi</span></b></a> - it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90YgkPik9rvBP6GTE1TtrxzDjiwsOegU-K0BI-XkO3vBuEMAmi7_kxf_aEv7gtnH2OdiJ-myw9NzCrFMZnewqr-IcGjHMEv3RFCkcOfuflU0hQDx_PpOPQhll2L4Ig6pnk8eSLmMIgVPbtXfJRYDpAwxhj7n5lAWl6G5H9Mwk1KNMUBVguIaBVVXo/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90YgkPik9rvBP6GTE1TtrxzDjiwsOegU-K0BI-XkO3vBuEMAmi7_kxf_aEv7gtnH2OdiJ-myw9NzCrFMZnewqr-IcGjHMEv3RFCkcOfuflU0hQDx_PpOPQhll2L4Ig6pnk8eSLmMIgVPbtXfJRYDpAwxhj7n5lAWl6G5H9Mwk1KNMUBVguIaBVVXo/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>. </div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-49259655800431767502023-03-22T13:14:00.002+00:002023-03-22T13:14:09.071+00:00A Slice of Cake With... Astrid V.J.<p>This week I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Astrid V.J.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RPzOJg1m03BovebW1PJ9A5kzw1veFKUoZPOYHivOqhbcejMxro9qF20gpnF95a1CLFceGDpJC8c9qq_8__f0gm9MGSepYIPufpA-6XpjiWrC_UrbM40j-1WqJqqbdJ_QK9xoQHtxsjBEY_DaxEeD_sTeSsw6Dkx5Qlh27_FgIIBCbvNVckOWbj18/s3720/1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3720" data-original-width="2987" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RPzOJg1m03BovebW1PJ9A5kzw1veFKUoZPOYHivOqhbcejMxro9qF20gpnF95a1CLFceGDpJC8c9qq_8__f0gm9MGSepYIPufpA-6XpjiWrC_UrbM40j-1WqJqqbdJ_QK9xoQHtxsjBEY_DaxEeD_sTeSsw6Dkx5Qlh27_FgIIBCbvNVckOWbj18/w192-h239/1a.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>Award-winning and USA Today Bestselling Author, Astrid V.J. was born in South Africa. She is a trained social anthropologist and certified transformational life coach. She currently resides in Sweden with her husband and their two children. In early childhood, she showed an interest in reading and languages—interests which her family encouraged. Astrid started writing her first novel at age 12 and now writes fantasy in a variety of genres, exploring her passion for cultures and languages. When she isn’t writing, Astrid likes to read, take walks in nature, play silly games with her children, do embroidery, and play music.<p></p><p>Astrid writes transformation fiction: incorporating transformation principles in novels, rather than writing another self-help book. She loves exploring the human capacity for transformation and potential to achieve success in the face of adversity. Astrid is interested in minority group questions, considerations on social standards of beauty and the negative consequences these have, and would like to make the fantasy genre accessible to people of non-white, non-Christian backgrounds. Astrid feels the fantasy genre has become too restrictive with limited representations of race, ethnicity and culture. She seeks to explore other paths on this writing journey, incorporating her background in anthropology and psychology to create engaging experiences, which also provide food for thought on the diverse topics she finds most important. These include: racism, minority rights, cultural diversity, culture change, intolerance, humanity’s environmental impact, the representation of people on the autism spectrum in among the general populace, the human capacity for transformation, and much more.</p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></p><p>For one thing, I take stories of old and mould them to better fit our modern worldview, exploring characters who are often left by the wayside but, in my opinion, are important characters to the older story. These novels of mine are filled with magic, daring adventures and social critique.</p><p>For another, I love to explore our human nature through my stories. As a social anthropologist, I love to focus on the issues that plague our society, but in a way that allows the reader to simply step away from the charged emotions brought on by our subjective relationship to the world we live in, and instead consider new angles, other ways of thinking and seek out alternatives by dressing my stories up in fantastical settings with magical beings as protagonists. My characters are bolstered by what I learned when studying psychology, as well as my passion for transformational life coaching.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEoru3-_WUWPdZkyVqvvCqhAVmK1Dd6I7kKa4QjvCv6kA7caswKxIiOmZvISFsK0rXZaGO1Tanh4JvhNgyNc-XlEyvcUO1mzY6PXPe7BhWEkP209VyRKq6oiVwmujz0FGGLkn0EgOmoXcsEegwli-NrUU1Vr1j__-E_-k6olueiApwpv-OvQnQKVK/s1919/banner%20graphics%20(13).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1919" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEoru3-_WUWPdZkyVqvvCqhAVmK1Dd6I7kKa4QjvCv6kA7caswKxIiOmZvISFsK0rXZaGO1Tanh4JvhNgyNc-XlEyvcUO1mzY6PXPe7BhWEkP209VyRKq6oiVwmujz0FGGLkn0EgOmoXcsEegwli-NrUU1Vr1j__-E_-k6olueiApwpv-OvQnQKVK/w400-h146/banner%20graphics%20(13).png" width="400" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></p><p>Why do we breathe air? Why do living beings grow? Why does blood flow?</p><p>I started writing novels when I was twelve. I’d been imagining stories from long before then, but that was the first idea that made it onto paper. I spent most of my teens writing. Hours and hours after school were dedicated to the craft, but at some point I saddled myself with the idea that becoming a writer was not the way forwards because I wouldn’t be able to turn it into a career. The concept of the struggling writer was forefront in my mind. When I was sixteen, I briefly toyed with the idea of becoming a journalist, but after a week’s mini-internship at a local newspaper, I knew that was not the way to keep writing in my life.</p><p>I chose to study psychology, but didn’t want to give up on writing entirely, so also majored in English Literature. As part of my first year electives, I also took social anthropology, which became my second love and the subject I have continued with since. Despite my twenties being filled with writing academic papers, it was a very dark time for me. I kept slipping into depression for reasons I couldn’t properly understand because I ought to be happy. I had a great life, living in Mexico and later Sweden with the love of my life, working in an organization supporting Muslim immigrants in Sweden, growing my family with two beautiful children—I ought to have been happy, but I was not.</p><p>While I was on maternity leave with my daughter, I did some personal growth courses and realised that what was missing in my life was the writing. Since coming back to it and publishing the books I’d already written, I’ve grown back into myself and I am happier than I’ve been in a long, long time.</p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></p><div><div>Each of my stories is very special to me, and choosing one scene is really hard, but I’ll try. Here is a snippet from my latest release, <i>Dragons’ Daughter</i>, a standalone novella in my collection of invented fairytales.</div><div><br /></div><div>A shout of “Stop, Thief!” echoed through the alleys behind Fernanda and she could hear the thud of boots on the ground.</div><div><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>With a whimpered inhale, she lengthened her strides again and raced right at the next intersection. Two more turns and she’d be safe. No one could follow her through the escape hole she had for cases just like this one. As she hurtled forwards, Fernanda contemplated that these dashes away from the market district were becoming more and more common. Gone were the days when she was ten and less visible. Her latest growth spurt had done her absolutely no favours.</div><div><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>She skidded into the second last alley. So close! She could almost taste freedom past the sting of iron at the back of her throat. Her safety hole was just around the next corner. </div><div><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Fernanda came to a sudden, impactful stop. Her body was flung backwards and she blinked to dissipate the stars sparking in her vision. The rank smell of unwashed body hung in the air and the sound of sniggers brought her focus onto a group of boys, all fully human. The one she’d hurtled into stood at the apex of a triangle and appeared to be their leader. He was almost-adult, Fernanda thought he might be nineteen or perhaps even twenty. Head and shoulders taller than her, the boy stepped forwards and grabbed Fernanda’s arm.</div><div>“Well, well, well, what have we here?” he sneered, pulling his down-turned lips wide and showing crooked teeth. “If it isn’t the mongrel causing mayhem in the market—on our turf!” </div><div>The darkness of his fingers contrasted with the pale brown shade of Fernanda’s skin. While his companions chuckled, the leader glanced towards the turn she’d just careened around. Sounds of pursuit still echoed in the narrow streets and Fernanda realised the constables had spread out in search of her. Any moment, one of them would come across this alley and find her here. Fernanda’s pale brown skin stood out in this city filled with darker hues and her distinctive coily hair the shade of wheat made hiding in plain sight impossible. The constables hounding her tail would undoubtedly recognise her as the thief from the market and that would be the end of her days on the streets.</div><div>The fingers around her upper arm gripped tighter and the older boy’s eyes glittered. “And turning you in would—”</div><div>Fernanda took in a symbol of a red flame sewn into the boy’s tunic above his heart. The Red Flame was a notorious gang of thieves. Latching onto the knowledge and the certainty he wouldn’t actually want to meet with the constables chasing her, Fernanda lifted her chin and glared at him. “You think any constable will let members of the Red Flame go unharmed? They’ll chop your hands off as surely as they will mine. Let me go and we can all get out of this with our fingers attached to our bodies.”</div><div>The boy frowned and Fernanda took his momentary hesitation to jerk her arm free of his grasp. The shouts were getting louder and she knew she only had a few moments to get to safety. She took in the group of six boys blocking her path. None of these stout sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds with their broad shoulders could fit through her escape route. If she were only able to get into the next alley!</div><div>“Give me the loot and I’ll let you go.” The boy held out his hand. </div><div>Fernanda grasped her satchel instinctively. All this trouble for nothing? This was her meal for the foreseeable future. No. She’d fought too hard to get these scraps in the first place. Fernanda would not give in.</div><div>Over the next heartbeat’s thud in her chest, she heard the heavy slap of leather on stone. She could almost hear the wearer of those boots huffing as they approached the intersection behind her. </div><div>Time was up. Fernanda would have to get out of this now or forever live with the consequences. Following up the motion to protect her rightfully stolen loot, Fernanda dropped her head and took a step backwards. Then she pushed herself into a full sprint, ramming her head into her unsuspecting opponent’s midriff.</div><div>A soft oof wheezed out of the boy as he dropped to the ground when Fernanda side-stepped and dodged around the slack-jawed posse behind him. She was already darting into the alley when a shout went up behind her.</div><div>Fernanda didn’t look back, although she did hear the leader shout, “Leave her. It’s a dead-end anyway. She’s a caught fish. We must get out of here.”</div><div>Dead-end to you, tough guy, she thought as she spied the small hole at the foot of the smooth wall, three times higher than all the buildings around her. Pushing her satchel through in front of her, Fernanda wormed her way to the other side.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09SXFDX66/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrn_GgeFjR2uAzhnxt1h_aT-hcdExq-dlHHh8Y6GLwu67s7jJ-kFCjyubKVZIh07ps30-HkbCpHGHngRncP4yz8rceD0nt7dJXSVwjCkx6S3n5I7Yp4BZ4NR0pPb11B5Z0pppfoXrgX5TLe9vkPbtED3P6afQ_cKiHb5sTfmyD0KRfuudjKev6KRDY/s320/EBOOK%20-%20Astrid%20VJ%20B08.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>My last release was <i>Finding the Way</i>, the second book in the Wishmaster series. This is a futuristic fantasy project following an itinerant storyteller, Viola Alerion, and her mysterious apprentice. The two have very opposing views on how the world works and I enjoyed mixing up the mentor-mentee trope for this one. In the first book, <i>The Apprentice Storyteller</i>, the boy wants to learn the art of storytelling and insists Viola Alerion is the one to teach him, while she is an irascible middle-aged woman who doesn’t want anything to do with him. Nevertheless, he doesn’t take no for an answer and eventually she relents. As the story unfolds, it turns out the unassuming boy actually has something to teach Viola.</div><div><br /></div><div>In <i>Finding the Way</i>, they first part ways, each establishing their own paths because friendships come and go, and there are times in our lives when we drift apart only for something to happen that brings us back together again and makes the friendship stronger. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Finding the Way</i> is all about finding our feet, embracing our true selves and seeking to do good with our abilities. Viola Alerion really grows in this story. She faces her past, learns to love herself and starts living a life she loves. She also has a rather fun adventure taking on a corrupt and twisted system that’s causing immense damage to the environment and society as a whole.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09NVTLN4H/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i10" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4iMByz2FCBH61rAFIWxUmMOV32eLWhDMIbqjD56H0yaLq5w2SNTBUamsCPI_HOxnQ8knAdKiZoEpZNeU03fFZT6sAIHwq1hEMjx7xvN_pdNxUPT3WO8kdwNjG-Obz6X_7C3Ql3DkV5kIi9MNy_ljkOVCkziSuiaXd7I6cVq7NTVHXUjLUz5rr5ea/s320/EBOOK%20Astrid%20V%20J%20-%20Wishmaster%20b1,5.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div>My next release will be <i>Johara's Choice, Elisabeth and Edvard's World Serie</i>s Book 4. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>Locked in a tower with the fear of prophecy holding her parents back, Johara dreams of freedom. However, her time in confinement is spent well, researching the true state of her country. When she realises her father has ignored the importance of ancient ritual, Johara must find a way to break free and avert the gathering catastrophe, or risk the annihilation of her people and their way of life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Haunted by the horrors of war, Erik has given up hope of ever finding anything truly worth fighting for. When a twist of fate allows his path to cross Johara's, everything changes and he begins to hope there might yet be a chance at happiness. But can he embrace life and the spitfire princess who never does as she's told, running headlong into danger at every turn? Or will he let that, too, slip through his fingers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Embark on a magical high-stakes adventure in this retelling of Andersen's fairytale, <i>The Tinderbox</i>.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I am one of those people who is terrible at choosing. I love to taste a bit of everything and I have no single favorite cake. When we go out to have cake and tea as a family, I’ll always order something the others have not and then we share.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbezVm95mHx1zWiT0s3tbfCLEYj92qlcGiOuj8YHLDi1JXYRxcwPa4P4ULSWF7dGEDJ2_0U6pNUQHcFQJtD-VN6crItcTxQcgGWw_pqfu0M8HwV1LU08dCfWOdjsKcGozF_BW7FbEoudk0r0fjimE1FNjF6UYj67ZUE6xbh1B4x4O_QM9M4Xmgpahi/s290/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="290" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbezVm95mHx1zWiT0s3tbfCLEYj92qlcGiOuj8YHLDi1JXYRxcwPa4P4ULSWF7dGEDJ2_0U6pNUQHcFQJtD-VN6crItcTxQcgGWw_pqfu0M8HwV1LU08dCfWOdjsKcGozF_BW7FbEoudk0r0fjimE1FNjF6UYj67ZUE6xbh1B4x4O_QM9M4Xmgpahi/s1600/download.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><br /><div>You can connect with Astrid on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/astrid.v.j_author_official/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">@astrid.v.j_author_official</span></b></a> and find all her book links here:<a href="https://linktr.ee/astrid.v.j_author_official" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">linktr.ee/astrid.v.j_author_official</span></b></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Havelah McLat. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please fill in the form found <a href="https://clairebuss.co.uk/get-in-touch/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">here</span></b></a>. I'd be delighted to have you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">support my writing endeavours through Kofi</span></b></a> or as I like to call my my cake fund... it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQKBX_Fx5L0IwT76uGXJt10WGymQfEVpLTKzgXUfD7uDueCqBwu_FijU9qB20AQTZAZWWDkNP0XS6AmqPaKU59PKNzTEEeaLCEZ1AzOvNA9I2wRDsPJvWpFxh93w5HzzG1s4kyCywIRmH81UoL_a8lMorIYPf7_CDgdW4IbYN8Y-XZcaki-sjTsll/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQKBX_Fx5L0IwT76uGXJt10WGymQfEVpLTKzgXUfD7uDueCqBwu_FijU9qB20AQTZAZWWDkNP0XS6AmqPaKU59PKNzTEEeaLCEZ1AzOvNA9I2wRDsPJvWpFxh93w5HzzG1s4kyCywIRmH81UoL_a8lMorIYPf7_CDgdW4IbYN8Y-XZcaki-sjTsll/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>.</div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-7908672179685356772023-03-15T09:17:00.001+00:002023-03-15T09:17:27.381+00:00A Slice of Cake With Carol Cooper<p>Today I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Carol Cooper.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvCwdEC_Ne7K32UQJ96Ih78CEjeJDwVVswVWmUwQJhw5F-X5ZCMG46QFe-DOGHz5TiM0m1MnT5K4NVivOnqn7YkiRjuZV8FzpPLG4v1grSvxZcJOpAu73FOdTMWXOCsxRT99SESZTiuv9EJyK2xttRmGBSQUqPSG-1fiHvnHh442D3eLfVgQRLBWD/s298/Carol%20Cooper%20headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="298" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvCwdEC_Ne7K32UQJ96Ih78CEjeJDwVVswVWmUwQJhw5F-X5ZCMG46QFe-DOGHz5TiM0m1MnT5K4NVivOnqn7YkiRjuZV8FzpPLG4v1grSvxZcJOpAu73FOdTMWXOCsxRT99SESZTiuv9EJyK2xttRmGBSQUqPSG-1fiHvnHh442D3eLfVgQRLBWD/w217-h197/Carol%20Cooper%20headshot.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>Carol was walking on Hampstead Heath when she had the ambition of becoming a novelist. As she was training to be a doctor at the time, it was a while before she came close to fulfilling that dream.<p></p><p>Born in London, Carol was a few months old when her cosmopolitan family took her to live in Egypt. She returned to the UK at eighteen to go to Newnham College, Cambridge, where she studied medicine.</p><p>Her writing career developed alongside general practice and teaching medical students. She has written columns for leading newspapers and magazines, and has a string of health and parenting books to her name, including an award-winning textbook.</p><p>Her first two novels are contemporary tales set in London. A firm believer in writing what you know, she mined the rich material of her childhood for her third novel, <i>The Girls from Alexandria</i>.</p><p>Carol has three grown-up sons and three adult stepchildren. She lives with her husband, sharing her time between North London and Cambridge, where she is a Fellow at Newnham College. Another novel is on the way.</p><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>My novels all feature multicultural characters and have a medical strand. I started by writing contemporary fiction, but I also like to delve into the past, especially the mid twentieth century. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01EZ6S4D4/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2364" data-original-width="1447" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoZgvlPdi4ea2HlEdXr-D5BFYTE_vyhFP-5rekPln4H_GIaFX_lrX7KcC7BPBnMJHAKHBczrOydwOYhviy7IZcbl_h4Y4R0u-MFlu6Q8IdagImLH7hvMcqR6bJNrfeHP9LLd9YEYcnuShLcCwNz5h6A3PzeDwFaKArswU6Z4bM3aXZMrezgWaDTcl/s320/One%20Night%20at%20the%20Jacaranda_eBook_Oct_2014.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>My mother was a writer so I had a wonderful role model right there. I’ve always written, starting with articles and music reviews as a student. Soon I felt the urge to write something a bit less ephemeral.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01GEKTG8G/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1601" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94h3MHccnwZNeQAaoIBCipJ3j7FBxpm6FDd3Df-csfQOXFzZpWdhKYy2gMZ8X7F8uNoXSjtN9cabXwRwSJFFJz7BDAfa1XnINt0sGTBJmcMH0jvJ9qvE5Gt0z6zuOMZq-d8zzd4KDni5WCvKQT9c2O6MGuM7sUnDol6HhSpb1fyskzFiq6T1LUlma/s320/Hampstead%20Fever%20COVER.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I enjoy writing so much that it’s hard to choose just one section. This is from the first page of <i>The Girls from Alexandria</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>From my hospital bed, I see right into the corridor. There goes the man in a beanie hat thing again, as he does several times a day. To the prayer room, I guess. The name for his hat won’t come for the moment. No surprise. I’ve begun to struggle with even simple words. The man keeps adjusting that hat as he strides down the corridor. Must know exactly where he’s headed. Lucky him. The other day, I found myself at the butcher’s when I’d meant to collect a book from the library.</div><div><br /></div><div>A <i>taqiyah</i>. There’s the word for his hat. </div><div><br /></div><div>There’s no muezzin in British hospitals, but the man must heed an internal clock, just as a mechanism within my head reproduces the crash of the waves against the rocks, next door’s cockerel, a stray dog barking, the hooves of an exhausted donkey labouring up the hill, impatient klaxons at the crossroads, the fruity voice of Um Kalthoum on the radio, the penetrating call of the <i>roba bikya</i> man as he trawls the neighbourhood for junk, the tram that hurtles from one gloriously named station to the next, shifting its heavy human cargo through Chatby, Camp Caesar, Ibrahimeyya, Cleopatra, Sporting, Sidi Gaber, Roushdy, Glymenopoulo, and San Stefano, and, through it all, Rashida’s shrill demand for someone to bring her a knife that was both sharp and clean for a change. </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BF29NVYY/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1524" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshMN-mGKvGHPdwfDKu_y5vkhaQM7bDb8jka7pPOAc3MNXQdk-VSSBkaBjRvw6GCiaimVNLdu9fx-28XPuseEyotU_QR3d-BPgpbYrFoRmoHs-PiGpSn4cY1pgmevEDoywxRzjqlmvCoQbTnzQ1i9cZ3Bcs3vZcuZx9ny4y0EaKsh-6lZnBPwG_ZSw/s320/The%20Girls%20from%20Alexandria%20eBook%20Cover%20(Swim%20Cap%20Update).jpg" width="208" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>The Girls from Alexandria</i> is about Nadia and her family. Originally from Egypt, Nadia is now 70 and living alone in London. Her brain is failing and her doctors don’t know why. Unless her sister is found, Nadia will end up in a care home. But Nadia’s sister disappeared from the family home in Alexandria 50 years ago and hasn’t resurfaced since, unless you count a few cryptic postcards. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now stuck in hospital, all Nadia can do is look again at those old postcards and delve into her own memories of long ago in Alexandria. Perhaps there’ll be something she missed at the time that will lead her to her sister.</div><div><br /></div><div>The book is something of a love letter to the cosmopolitan Alexandria that no longer exists. Part historical fiction, part contemporary mystery, it’s a story of family, identity, and loss.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>May I have a chocolate layer cake please? </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92rsBSIVgeQo0wHtoiXama_wLyXO7kkwzO7YM7wAxITlJ4tH7tcKarDRT0ucVQkLzOOQFnDxmu7MPpvz7Y9X_cNC45zPN0N8aYW8PFxTKgGS7uTvOaX-N_JUNR1oYSTvKdSW7xGYvK0-beQPpHmwUhlHay406ITZJlYv82kLNXAjnR07n9Abl5GDz/s2560/img_2404-2-scaled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="2560" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92rsBSIVgeQo0wHtoiXama_wLyXO7kkwzO7YM7wAxITlJ4tH7tcKarDRT0ucVQkLzOOQFnDxmu7MPpvz7Y9X_cNC45zPN0N8aYW8PFxTKgGS7uTvOaX-N_JUNR1oYSTvKdSW7xGYvK0-beQPpHmwUhlHay406ITZJlYv82kLNXAjnR07n9Abl5GDz/s320/img_2404-2-scaled.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>You can connect with Carol here:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Website: <b><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><a href="http://drcarolcooper.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">drcarolcooper.com</span></a> </span></b></div><div>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/carolcooperfictionpage" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Carol Cooper’s novels </span></b></a></div><div>Instagram: @drcarolcooper</div><div>Twitter: @DrCarolCooper</div><div>Amazon author page: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carol-Cooper/e/B005C2ZZ10/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Carol Cooper on Amazon</span></b></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Astrid Johnsson. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please fill in the form found <a href="https://clairebuss.co.uk/get-in-touch/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">here</span></b></a>. I'd be delighted to have you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">support my writing endeavours</span></b></a> and buy me tea & cake - it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnnGMqEsfRDxUPnJt-ggcW4bhzyFgJPc9o7FwUoN-KdwYHN-iFjBM2WnaPV2FzM8tO73HiOG7aPb6bew1Sw8H7sbY2KMeZx5o0lu7X9XfGm8XV7o7OZurcJScddpkW85ZP7ChKVegBvSIvmjDQs7k7kfMHdzFKcuvIN7PPmXfcd7JtH7WTPjNAZ79/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnnGMqEsfRDxUPnJt-ggcW4bhzyFgJPc9o7FwUoN-KdwYHN-iFjBM2WnaPV2FzM8tO73HiOG7aPb6bew1Sw8H7sbY2KMeZx5o0lu7X9XfGm8XV7o7OZurcJScddpkW85ZP7ChKVegBvSIvmjDQs7k7kfMHdzFKcuvIN7PPmXfcd7JtH7WTPjNAZ79/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>.</div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4441654949790293245.post-78676298196219316422023-03-08T11:06:00.001+00:002023-03-08T11:06:14.474+00:00A Slice of Cake With... Shannon McRoberts<p>Today I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Shannon McRoberts.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnUBRjxuRDbP3zjvVLY9ZSyGpjNInmzr6c35ZQOi83IhTm4kCEIReiAMIvWbzgWzSOuzu01xQ8RvcLLNCMyLGKbJJq93Bi7N_54L18Y0helYbEjYJh-BbEYX0dGTNMSW40pxJ1enmZ2sPlwq4HDjVI4R6e6C0Tk5oCmF8SEMX0bKHBY1N55WfRB7P/s2266/20210123_175417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2266" data-original-width="1290" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnUBRjxuRDbP3zjvVLY9ZSyGpjNInmzr6c35ZQOi83IhTm4kCEIReiAMIvWbzgWzSOuzu01xQ8RvcLLNCMyLGKbJJq93Bi7N_54L18Y0helYbEjYJh-BbEYX0dGTNMSW40pxJ1enmZ2sPlwq4HDjVI4R6e6C0Tk5oCmF8SEMX0bKHBY1N55WfRB7P/s320/20210123_175417.jpg" width="182" /></a></div>USA Today Best Selling Author Shannon McRoberts writes epic fantasy and urban fantasy books while living in the rolling hills of Kentucky. Shannon is a lover of all kinds of fantasy but enjoys watching her collection of favorite shows like Xena, Buffy, Firefly, Fairy Tail, Game of Thrones, and Farscape. <p></p><p>When she’s not busy with taking care of her family, binge watching Netflix, or making fantasy art, she is at her computer weaving myths and magic featuring women of grit and steel.</p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What kind of books do you write?</span></b></p><p>I like to write tomes full of fantastical magic, snarky women, and exceptional weapons. Many of my stories feature a chosen one who has some kind of hidden magic or destiny. Whatever I write, I can guarantee you there will be women, weapons, and magic! </p><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Can you describe your writing why?</span></b></p><p>Growing up, I didn’t have cool entertainment choices like Xena or Buffy, but boy howdy did I love those shows like a duck loves water when they came out! My thing with entertainment is I want to insert myself INTO the story…and in order for me to do that, I want stories featuring female characters. Those kinds of stories remain scarce, but they were especially hard to find for little girls growing up in the “Oregon Trail Era”.</p><p>Back then I wanted fantasy battles, dragons, mythical prophecies, and weapon wielding maidens… but the entertainment gods were like “women” led stories don’t sell. But how about we ::insert Sexy Lamp Shade sidekick:: and call it a day? </p><p>There’s no better way to get the entertainment you want than by creating it yourself. Which is what I set out to do. </p><p>In short, I am an artist and author creating unique stories and art for the women seeking entertainment with representation because everyone needs a character that’s more than just a side-kick.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BPQW189W/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2202" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPz1nRiG2xOOtR4-yJudSPF56aT0Ftkw6xmA3PY1n1YpsRvAoXNv6Y-btHe7FgXpF233nmF19nqd9E3mfs1YBrQOXv2n4eJ0O0NxxtTqMcUWvDXLDY_YXCqQanQhBS8e5FHvY21RXfnj0TTRY0GxPo_1qaI5xIFWJZ-pLHNYm_qGzBKi43S3WreGf/w291-h400/mock-00982.png" width="291" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most</span></b></p><div>After traveling forever over rolling wheat fields, it became abundantly clear to me my boots were not, in fact, made for walking. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>Jax chuckled as he stopped to look at me. “I take it you’re not accustomed to hiking. We’ve only been moving for twenty-minutes. I haven’t been to the stronghold of the Autumn Court for many years. For all I know, they moved the stronghold.”</div><div><br /></div><div>“What do you mean by moved a stronghold? How do you move an entire court? Like, is it on wheels or something?”</div><div><br /></div><div>“Seriously, Tempy? We are standing in a land called Fairy, and you think the Fae need wheels to move large objects?”</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Tell us about your latest project</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>As a creative person with ADHD, my latest projects tend to rotate around in shifts. What I can say is I have a book coming out in the spring called <i>Murder in Loft 36: A Tempest Danvers Supernatural Tale</i>. It’s probably the book I am the most excited about. I really worked on honing this story and crafting some cool twists and turns. I can’t wait to share the book with others. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BWHFTV1W/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWoLO-wtqUWY9tCIKIS4JSmfl5AEBsYalbpFVZ-ovVNTQfqM8LheKGg1vPzb7M9T379ghMXRi8bG5rI4y076vb5fTWFvNUfvRsOAyY3q_BWTH4dbJyBp-cRSWlYjBJ0eiiN3hRdBKhUFHCZQ-6nbRo26G0t4e-snQRTLdUol0krphVKNEPUvZ3L5P/s320/Cover%20Reveal%20IG%20Mock%20Up.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What is your favourite cake?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I love white cake with white buttercream icing.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiga8lO0ujHh2BASKMkAXmi-OdA6cGRQgUsF7LaVFDZQPKTWXI73sfj3pIjZmjOkN71rcSx6JVj1_ui6BD5Yg8RRfVT449jEQzvPNZ_Uk-Taqn2ULNtCDZIMfUGYilC6IShIpniJv0BeuRJigBejuPXbdXduw2MK5w2ZSdtgMMKEIJnjGKpVk4p-Ys/s825/020lg1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiga8lO0ujHh2BASKMkAXmi-OdA6cGRQgUsF7LaVFDZQPKTWXI73sfj3pIjZmjOkN71rcSx6JVj1_ui6BD5Yg8RRfVT449jEQzvPNZ_Uk-Taqn2ULNtCDZIMfUGYilC6IShIpniJv0BeuRJigBejuPXbdXduw2MK5w2ZSdtgMMKEIJnjGKpVk4p-Ys/s320/020lg1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div>You can connect with Shannon here: <a href="http://sleek.bio/shannonmcroberts" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">sleek.bio/shannonmcroberts</span></b></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Carol Cooper. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please fill in the form found <a href="https://clairebuss.co.uk/get-in-touch/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">here</span></b></a>. I'd be delighted to have you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also <a href="https://ko-fi.com/clairebuss" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">support my writing endeavours</span></b></a> and buy me tea & cake - it's what makes the world go round!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofo6A8YJurp-RuM926J8WVJi9uPpSuOTcuyUGWa7lBAvBdVAJspAzm-sQn1_LwTMpEJpyFolePrHOWUI9PjxwENTHCi0C9OqHKSDWe_BtJQemQlUf2SaQgUO_mBxATdIyaGvNNR0NKaehynDhwp2Eb-vbLEplo3HOeDMXmfQUY4c-PdQkGDT8q9vt/s2048/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofo6A8YJurp-RuM926J8WVJi9uPpSuOTcuyUGWa7lBAvBdVAJspAzm-sQn1_LwTMpEJpyFolePrHOWUI9PjxwENTHCi0C9OqHKSDWe_BtJQemQlUf2SaQgUO_mBxATdIyaGvNNR0NKaehynDhwp2Eb-vbLEplo3HOeDMXmfQUY4c-PdQkGDT8q9vt/s320/Claire%20logo%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website <a href="http://clairebuss.co.uk"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">clairebuss.co.uk</span></b></a>. Join the discussion in her Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BussBookStop" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Buss's Book Stop</span></b></a>. Never miss out on future posts by <a href="https://follow.it/butidontlikesalad?action=followPub" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">following me</span></b></a>.</div>Claire Busshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088309937962168930noreply@blogger.com0