"The fantasy world has a compelling new antihero…the Hunter will terrify and captivate you." - Eve A Floriste, author of Fresh Cut
​

The Hunter of Voramis is no more.
​
Alone with the bloodthirsty voices in his head, fleeing the pain of loss, he has one objective: travel north to find Her, the mystery woman who plagues his dreams and haunts his memories.

When he stumbles upon a bandit attack, something within urges him to help. His actions set him at odds with the warrior priests commanded to hunt down the Bucelarii.

Left for dead, the Hunter must travel to Malandria to recover his stolen birthright. There, he is inexorably drawn into direct conflict with the Order of Midas, the faceless, nameless group of magicians that holds the city in a grip of terror. All while struggling to silence the ever-louder voice in his mind that drives him to kill.
From feared assassin to wretched outcast, the Hunter's journey leads him to truths about his forgotten past and the Abiarazi he has pledged to hunt. His discoveries will shed light on who he really is…what he really is.

Fans of Joe Abercrombie, Brandon Sanderson, and Brent Weeks will love the Hunter…

​The Hunter of Voramis is the perfect assassin: ruthless, unrelenting, immortal. Yet he is haunted by lost memories, bonded to a cursed dagger that feeds him power yet denies him peace of mind. Within him rages an unquenchable need for blood and death. When he accepts a contract to avenge the stolen innocence of a girl, the Hunter becomes the prey. The death of a seemingly random target sends him hurtling toward destruction, yet could his path also lead to the truth of his buried past?

​Andy Peloquin--a third culture kid to the core--has loved to read since before he could remember. Sherlock Holmes, the Phantom of the Opera, and Father Brown are just a few of the books that ensnared his imagination as a child.
 
When he discovered science fiction and fantasy through the pages of writers like Edgar Rice Burroughs, J.R.R Tolkien, and Orson Scott Card, he was immediately hooked and hasn't looked back since.
 
Reading—and now writing—is his favorite escape, and it provides him an outlet for his innate creativity. He is an artist; words are his palette.
 
His website (http://www.andypeloquin.com) is a second home for him, a place where he can post his thoughts and feelings--along with reviews of books he finds laying around the internet.
 
He can also be found on his social media pages, such as:
 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndyPeloquin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andyqpeloquin
 
www.linkedin.com/in/andypeloquin/
https://plus.google.com/100885994638914122147/about 
https://www.amazon.com/author/andypeloquin  
https://www.facebook.com/andrew.peloquin.1

Beneda's most important goal is to defend the family farm. Her people held the land through the change that ended the use of technology in the world. Now her mother's land is threatened. With the help of a Library swordsman and her bow she will do whatever is necessary to save the land.
 
This middle grade to young adult adventure novel will appeal to lovers of action, futuristic fiction, post-apocalyptic tales, and swords & soul.
African Asante and Gullah Beneda, sword and bow, join forces in this post-apocalyptic setting, for family, birthright, and oh so much more.

Her eyes scan the crop. Row on row of corn on each side, near high as Jolan’s shoulder. Hardly any smell of corn pollen left. Just a faintsweet, cloying scent. This year’s harvest might be a good one, M’Deah would be proud. Wiping sweat from her forehead, Beneda thinks about everything that can still go wrong.

If it gets hotter, or too much rain. Or not enough.

The weeders should be working the south acre. Heading that way, she examines the stalks she passes. Glancing down row by row, admiring the straightness and the bright green stalks going to dun. Her feet stop suddenly. In the distance, a disturbing sight. Feet, not moving. Maybe, one hundred meters ahead. Sticking into her row.

She quickly unslings her bow, pulling an arrow from her quiver. Starting to run, What could’ve happened? The weeders, attacked by a wolf? A bear?

Running to the end of the row, she wonders, Where everybody? A quick frantic inventory in her mind. Mama in the big house. Jolan back near the steps. He has blades. Old Willy, he be at the stables. Nat and Angel on pest control, on the north acreage. Tyrone and Sarah weeding. Those feet be one of them?

As she gets close to them feet, Beneda slows. Nocking her arrow, her head bobs in all directions. Eyes flash. Danger? Jumping past these feet she looks. It is Tyrone she sees. Sarah be down too!

Her arrow tip quivers in each direction. Seeing nothing, she kneels beside Tyrone. He moves. Looking closely shows Sarah’s breathing, and she utters a hurting moan. Tyrone with the whites showing around his eyes, and bruises forming under his brow, circling to near his ear, tries speaking.

“Two men.” Tyrone voices a raspy and rough explanation. “Warned us.” Beneda looks around again. Wanting to hit something. Wanting revenge for these two in her perfect row.

Published author of academic book, chapters, articles, and post-apocalyptic “woodpunk” fiction, S.A. Gibson turns his passions for science in written worlds of wonder and fascination. He lives with his wonderful wife and their beloved Dachshund-Chihuahua in Southern California.

Win the ebook of Asante’s Gullah Journey
by S. A. Gibson from Amazon
participant must reside in the United States and be 18+ years of age

​ I'm excited to be a tour stop today for the release of Emancipation by Jo Michaels! 

Your writing journey—how did it start; where has it taken you?

My writing journey started in 2012 with Yassa: Genghis Khan’s coming-of-age tale. While it was the first book I wrote, I actually published book one of the Abigale Chronicles series as a test case before I published Yassa. There’s something about knowing there’s a great story there (when you ask what if) and being able to bring it to fruition. It’s a satisfying experience.

Where has it taken me? Well, I’ve now published nineteen books in several genres, and I’ve had the great honor of being able to write what I want, when I want, where I want.

What inspired you to write Emancipation? 

Emancipation was born as I watched an episode of 20/20 one night. There was this dude on death row and this woman who married him. Of course, he tells her he’s innocent. She believes him. I asked “what if this and that?” and the idea was born.

Tell us a bit about your characters, Tobias and Jess.

Tobias is a serial killer. He’s cold, calculating, and manipulative. It’s exactly the kind of things a girl wants to avoid in a man, but these guys can usually charm the skin off a snake. Oh, does he ever charm Jess. Poor girl falls for all his lies. They’re dying to get their hands on one another.

What was your biggest challenge in completing the novel? Any things you wish you’d known when starting out?

I had a couple of places where I felt like my character wasn’t being himself. He started acting weird, and I had to go back and scratch/change a number of things. As I look back, I realize he was manipulating me as much as he was Jess. Guess I’m just another foolish woman, eh?

I wish I’d known he was going to be tricky like he ended up being. I would’ve been more careful writing him from the get go. It was a situation that was rectified, but I almost lost it; that was scary.

How did writing a psychological thriller differ from your past projects?

Oh, this one kept me up at night. Only one of the others did that (I, Zombie), and I think it was for the same reason (I was skeered). I studied serial killers day and night for months as I wrote because I needed to know what makes them tick. I’m a deep student of human nature, and I love exploring how twisted the human mind can become. People get weirded out by me sometimes because I can tell so much about them from just one meeting. That is why I love to write. I get to bring all the personalities to the page.

Plotter or Pantser—what’s your writing process like?

Pantser! I always know where the story is starting, have a vague idea of what it will encompass, and know where and how it will end. Everything between is organic. I like to be surprised just like readers do. *grin*

Did you have a message in mind for readers while writing Emancipation?

Watch out for guys like Tobias. They’ll tell you pretty things and be thinking something else. Always be ready to out think them.

I believe I counted 22 books. Are you really one person ;) How do you balance – blogging, writing, editing, formatting, parenting…

Twenty once this one publishes. There are two boxed sets in there. This is one heck of a milestone for me. I have a tight schedule and I stick to it. Things give now and then, but that’s the way life is. If something on the right is going to be great, something on the left might have to be not so great. I’m okay with that.

Mentors who have inspired your writing. What are you reading now?

Oh my gosh! Mentors… Stephen King, Fern Michaels, C. S. Lewis, JRR Tolken, and the women I wrote Fractured Glass and 7 with. As far as the people who inspire me daily, well, I have this coffee group… It’s one hell of an amazing time. I’ll leave it at that.

I’m reading Bound by Duty by Stormy Smith.

What are your top three resources for writers?

My blog—might be the number one because it’s SO full of useful information. Books on anything writing. Most writer conferences.

What can we look forward to next from Jo Michaels (future projects)?

I’m working on a paranormal romance that involves a magical book, and I just got accepted into a boxed set with a ton of other amazing authors (due to start releasing in September).

Favorite guilty pleasure when not writing? Reading. I know, boring. *grin*

If you were a character in a novel, what genre would it be?Paranormal. I need powers.

A fact about you that would surprise your readers? I’ve been an actress and a wedding/portrait photographer.

Favorite place to write? My office.

Sweet or salty snacks? I don’t really snack, but salty when I do. Not a big sugar consumer (except in my COFFEE).

Each heartbeat leads Joss closer a shocking truth that will change everything.
 
Joss Olstad has finally talked her clingy, stoner mom into springing Joss from her stifling private school and into the labyrinth of a prestigious Brooklyn public high. Searching for “a way out, a way in, and something I can’t even put into words, yet” Joss longs to find missing pieces of herself she lost when the father she never met died on a faraway road in India. All she has of him is a painted box he made. Joss is also itching to escape the hippie hell of her mother’s bong shop, and the hypocrisy that is her life. With her honey skin, and long brown hair, she passes for white, even though she’s half Indian. This culturally diverse school will be her chance to find out who she really is.
 
Day one, and Joss is terrified by how different things are. Has she made a horrible mistake? Before long, she gets into the pace. Her sights are set on her own “Bobcat in black denim”, the tall, handsome Will Torres. She’s met Katya too, a popular glam queen, who’s a blast to hang out with. She’s even joined an Indian Culture Club, who invites her to live music clubs. Life is perfect!
 
Or is it? Her friend, Katya starts acting like a royal slut, her mom’s flinging insults and lies at her, and the Club girls are pressuring Joss to reveal her sketchy pedigree. Joss finds herself spinning stories about her past to fill in the holes. Even Will becomes leery of her. And the Personal Iconography class that Joss signed on for because kids claimed the teacher was “nuts in a good way” is the toughest class she’s ever taken. In it, Joss starts to make her own, heart-shaped boxes, with private messages in them. They help guide her forward. Not only is she forced to figure out who she is beyond the “nice girl” she always hid behind, her search leads her to the fringes of the outer boroughs, to a scary industrial section of Queens, and a shocking family secret that changes everything.

​“How was your first day, Jösse darling?” Mom pronounces it like an exaggerated ‘you-see’, which can be endearing or annoying, depending on my mood. Right now it’s soothing.
“It’s a labyrinth, um, but it was great, everyone’s brilliant.” I don’t tell her I was hyperventilating and barely found the classes before the bells rang, or that a girl I rammed into had to practically hold my hand and lead me around, or in the morning I felt like a preppy geek-virgin among the urban Brooklyn übercool. I won’t give Mom an I-told-you-so moment.
            “Meet anyone nice?” She fusses with the incense holders, clearly trying to hide her expression as she often does when the subject of my friends comes up. Now she’s rearranging the already perfect array of stone-carved pipes.
I think of bobcat-smooth, lime-infused Will. “I met a girl named Katya,” I answer finally, as I refold a scarf a customer left in a heap. “We ate lunch together.”
“That’s nice. Where does she live?”
Who cares? It’ll be more embarrassing when my new classmates find out where I live—over a freaking head shop in the East Village. “Manhattan Beach,” I say finally.
“Manhattan Beach. Is that—?”
I cut Mom off by turning to a pair of skateboarders who stride up to the counter. “May I help you?”
One of the guys points to a pipe. “How much?”
            “Ten,” I answer.
His friend points to a marble container. “How much for a stash box?”
            “Fifteen. They’re potpourri boxes,” I correct him. Mom insists on catchy names to hide the real purpose of the items, plus she gives the beat cops huge holiday tips—hush money.
            In fact, the major premise of the store is a grand illusion. Even the shop’s name—Bodhisattva Beach—supposedly stands for a sanctuary of salt waves and coconut trees and mango mimosas with wisps of hibiscus petals. And Bodhisattva stands for paradise, for the godhead. But I know different.

Catherine Stine writes YA and romance. Her novels span the range from futuristic to supernatural to contemporary. Her YA sci-fi thrillers Fireseed One and Ruby’s Fire are Amazon bestsellers and indie award winners. Her YA, Dorianna won Best Horror Book in the Kindle Hub Awards. She also writes romance as Kitsy Clare. Her Art of Love series includes Model Position and Private Internship. She suspects her love of dark fantasy came from her father reading Edgar Allen Poe to her as a child, and her love of contemporary fiction comes from being a jubilant realist. Visit her at catherinestine.com and subscribe to her newsletter for news of releases, workshops and appearances.

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B017VM7250
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1059206934
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heart-in-a-box-catherine-stine/1122967577?ean=2940151079440
All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-heartinabox-1925744-149.html
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/heart-in-a-box-2
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27830593-heart-in-a-box

​Giveaway includes $40 gift card, signed paperback of Catherine’s Heart in a Box, signed paperback of Catherine’s Dorianna, ebooks of Catherine’s Amazon bestselling YA futuristic thrillers Fireseed One & Ruby’s Fire, super-pack of cool YA eBooks (Danaan Trilogy by Howard, Changeling by Herbert and Drawn by Ledbetter).

I’m so excited to be here to chat with you all about my newest book, Stirred, a contemporary erotic suspense and my first foray into real romance. My first two novels, The Mistaken and Leverage (books 1 and 2 of The Mistaken Series) are dark romantic thrillers, and although they revolve around the romance between the male and female protagonists, both books are thrillers at their core.

While chock full of suspense, Stirred is definitely a romance at heart. The plot is centered around the relationship between Eden MacLaird—a wealthy, forty-one-year-old owner of an elite Montessori school, as well as a newly-minted best-selling author of dark erotica—and Sean Bennett—a whip-smart, twenty-four-year-old grad student on the cusp of finishing law school.

Though Eden is sent reeling after discovering her husband’s lurid affair, she balks at getting even by equal measure. Sean’s persistent though, and shows her what she’s been missing for the last twenty years while married to a controlling sociopath. What starts out as an impulsive, one-time hook-up soon evolves into a full-fledged affair of the heart, until the unthinkable happens. Then, not only is Sean and Eden’s affair exposed, their lives and freedom are at stake. With so much on the line, can either of them be sure the other hasn’t set them up to take the fall?

With two dark romantic thrillers under my belt, I was nervous about changing genres, but the heat level in Leverage was considerably high and well-received, so I thought, why the hell not? I will admit, I was a bit uncomfortable at first as some of the language often seen in erotic romance is a little on the vulgar side for me, but I adapted. And while Stirred is erotic, it’s not erotica, where typically, the only plot is for the characters to have sex—not that there’s anything wrong with that. I just prefer more substance.

I think readers will appreciate how the progression of the relationship between Sean and Eden drives the suspense and plot forward, that although the love scenes are explicit, they are also tasteful, and, most importantly, directly affect the story and overall theme of trust. So I feel pretty comfortable with my shift from thriller chick to romance debutante, and I hope you do, too!

I’m Eden MacLaird, and Fate screwed me good at the age of twenty-one, stole my first love, then my first child. Twenty years later, I still haven't found my happily-ever-after. Sure, from the outside, I have it all, including Declan, my gorgeous, rich-as-sin husband. But things aren't what they seem, and catching Declan in bed with my best friend destroys any dreams I harbor for love, much less sexual fulfillment. 

Then in walks Sean Bennett...

Just months away from earning his post-graduate law degree, Sean's smart, driven, and serious, but an unexpected encounter between us in a bar one night changes everything. His best friend, Trinitee, warns against getting too involved, but the heat between us is beyond intense, and neither of us are willing to walk away. 

With my marriage in shambles, I'm eager to make a go of it with Sean, despite our sixteen-year age difference. But while I relish my sexual reawakening, I fear giving up the posh life I've grown accustomed to. That life, however, and everything in it, comes crashing down as bodies start piling up around us, and all clues point to me and Sean. 

Secrets, betrayal, and revenge threaten to destroy not just my carefully-crafted reputation, but my very life. With our freedom at stake, Sean and I join forces to uncover those plotting against us. But as doubt and evidence mount, I must choose: give in to my suspicions and save myself, or trust our new-found love and save us both.

Amazon US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017E7HU54
Amazon CA:  http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B017E7HU54/
Amazon UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B017E7HU54
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B017E7HU54
B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stirred-nancy-s-thompson/1122911297
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1055932791
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/stirred
 
Paperback
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1517469430
Amazon CA:  http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1517469430
Amazon UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1517469430
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stirred-nancy-s-thompson/1122914961

About the Author:

Nancy is a California transplant currently living in Seattle, Washington with her husband of 23 years, their son, a student at Seattle University, their giant snow dog, Jack, and his kitty, Skye. She works as a freelance editor for her publisher and writer friends and also has her own interior design business within the model home merchandising industry. When she's not writing or editing, Nancy keeps herself busy by cooking and baking.

Blog: http://nancysthompson.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/NancySThompson
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nancy.saling.thompson?ref=tn_tnmn
Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6153571.Nancy_S_Thompson
 Stirred Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25652454-stirred?from_search=true&search_version=service

A child has been kidnapped and swordsman William Way must save him, but doing so will not be an easy feat. In this post-apocalyptic world, where new dangers and mysterious happenings lurk at every corner, doing what's right could lead to unimagined threats.
 
While William's journey has just begun, Kalapati, a bow woman for hire, has begun her own quest. But she is charged with delivering a child to a sinister cult leader, bent on taking charge and controlling the lives of all those in the state.
 
As William and Kalapati fight to complete their missions, they soon come to wonder how their efforts will change their futures. Will they join forces for the greater good or will the past experiences of each limit the choices available to them? The battle for libraries to control the future of California begins.

1. Your journey as a writer—how did it begin, where has it taken you?

I have enjoyed reading science fiction and speculative fiction since I was a young teen. After writing my first fiction book last year, I discovered writing is more challenging than I imagined. I'm enjoying learning from others the craft of writing that immerses the readers in the story.
 
2. What inspired you to write Feeling a Way?

My first fiction novel, A Dangerous Way, related a story of the library swordsman in mid-career after many adventures across two continents. I now have to reveal a little of his origin story. So, Feeling a Way is set in California, where William Way first arrives in the future United States.
 
3. Reading sequence for the series?

The in-world chronology is different from the publication order of the series. So far there are two series: “After the Collapse” and “The Protected Books.” Pratima's Forbidden Book, book 1 of “The Protected Books,” published earlier this year, has a young William Way, as a major character. As a teenager in Rajasthan, India, he's an apprentice for libraries and has not become an expert with swords, yet. Feeling a Way, book 1 of “After the Collapse,” takes up the story of William after he arrives in California after years of sword training. A Dangerous Way, book 2 of “After the Collapse,” follows William years later in New Mexico as he wields his sword for the libraries.

4. Tell us a little bit about your characters William and Kalapati.

William is a scout, library investigator, and swordsman. He has traveled from India to help the local California librarians solve a mystery involving stolen Hindu religious books and kidnapped children. Kalapati is an archer from a Native-American community who makes her living contracting out her abilities for pay. Her assignment to escort a young boy across Southern California will bring her into conflict with the libraries and their scout, William.

5. Why woodpunk dystopia? Describe your research process for creating a post-apocalyptic world with limited or no modern technology.

Creating future California without technology is a fun history learning endeavor. People, in this future without modern technology, need to accomplish the same things we do in our modern world. They need to produce food. They need clothing and houses. They need to travel and communicate over distances. Finally, they need to have the means to live peacefully together, or defend themselves from violent people. The historical truth is that people in the past did all those things. I researched slide rules, messenger pigeons, donkey transportation, bows, arrows, swords, and atlatls.
 
6. Did you have a message in mind for your readers when creating this series?

I am perplexed by our obsession with violence. I've edited an academic book about ethnic conflict, which will be published this year. In my fiction, I want to address, in entertaining ways, the mistaken belief that we must fight with one another to resolve our conflicts. In small ways, I want to make people think about how violence can be avoided.

7. Your intended age range/target audience? Do you feel a sense of responsibility when writing for a younger audience/how does this impact your storytelling?

My stories would be suitable for middle-school on up. They have no sex and no cursing. They contain some violence, but only to serve the needs of the plot and story. As I write, I consider the target audience, but my main goal is to recreate my own sense of excitement when I read science fiction as a teen. Young people will confront difficult subjects, in their lives, and I think about how to write about such issues.

8. Describe your approach to conflict resolution for your characters and how has your life shaped your fiction or your fiction shaped your life (political activism). 

Weapons are too often the chosen solution to conflict. I've always been interested
in how our society chooses to respond to conflict. I've been involved in social justice
and been arrested for committing civil disobedience. In my stories, I want to make
people feel, think, and empathize with the other. My dream is that writing can help
us grow as a society.

9. Your key ingredients for creating a believable dystopia? 

The seeds of dystopia are around us in our daily lives. Sometimes, we are just inches away. If fate followed a different path, we could all find ourselves in a dystopia. And, some people in the world today are living in a dystopia. So, I look at elements in the world around me and think about possible futures.

10. Your writing process (plotter or pantster)?

I mix a touch of plotting with heavy doses of pantsing. I start with a general idea and outline of where the story starts and ends. Next, I start writing. As the scenes come to life, the story deepens and expands. 

11. You’ve created many characters in your different stories, who’s your favorite and why?

I am most interested in strong female characters. I want to portray young females as capable and able to tackle new unforeseen challenges. This does not mean they have to use weapons and fighting. Pratima, in her first book, is a heroine who doesn't fight in traditional ways. She wins by influencing others to cooperate with her plans.
 
 12. Who has been the most influential writer in your life? Most influential book/series for the kind of books you create?

I was impressed by the books of  Lois McMaster Bujold. It was a surprise, to me, how deep and textured characterization and conflict could be in science fiction stories. While many of her stories are considered space opera, I hope I can model the depth of my stories after her complex stories.

13. Future projects—what can we look forward to next from S.A. Gibson?

I have ideas for a third story in the series with William Way and Kalapati Blackhand. That third book in the series will ask what if Native-Americans  regain control of the future United States and have to face a violent invasion from Asia?

 1. Dog or cat person?

My chiweenie, Cantinflas, acts like a cat. He sits in my lap, rubs against my leg, and taps me on the face when he thinks it is breakfast time.
​
2. You’re stranded on an island—author or book character you’d choose as a fellow castaway?

Stephanie Meyer wrote a book called Host. I would like to spend time with the main character, Melanie. An added benefit is that Melanie shares her body with the parasitic alien named Wanderer. So, I could have the company of two for the price of one!
 
3. Fill in the blank. Before I die I want to _______. 

Pay my student loans!

4. Favorite Hobby?  

Computer programming. Nothing more relaxing and challenging than laying down thousands of lines of code, and scratching my head asking myself why?

Published author of academic articles and book chapters and post-apocalyptic "woodpunk" fiction, S.A. Gibson turns his passions for learning, artificial intelligence, and human communication into accessible worlds of wonder and fascination. He is proud of having been active in political actions for peace and justice. He has served as an official celebrant in performing a couple's marriage. He lives with his beautiful wife and their beloved Dachshund-Chihuahua in Southern California, where he is currently producing an academic title on international ethnic conflict.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Way-After-Collapse-Book-ebook/dp/B012E5739Y
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/feeling-a-way/id1020472127
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/feeling-a-way
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/feeling-a-way-s-a-gibson/1122339895?ean=2940152040241
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/560807
Book landing page: http://bookae.org/

https://www.facebook.com/GibsonNovel
https://gibsonauthor.wordpress.com/
https://twitter.com/smalllinux
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25926842-feeling-a-way?ac=1​

'You should have left me down there, Cygnus, killed me while you had the chance.' Naomi began to cough and rolled over to her side as she curled up and attempted to control it. There was another flicker of magic and a fine crystal glass filled with clear liquid was being offered to her.

'Poison.' she wheezed, trying to push it away.

'Water, in fact,' he said, offering it back again. 'If I wanted you dead, if she wanted you dead, do you really think we would drag you all the way up here just to poison you?'

Naomi only needed a moment to think about this before taking the water and sipping it between shuddering breaths. Of course they wouldn't kill her that way. Keeping her alive had pleased Adrienne, pleased her twisted mind to make Naomi suffer as long as possible. If they ever planned to have her put to death, she knew it wouldn't be anything so kind as poison. She had been living under the torture chamber for the last four years. She knew that there were far worse ways to meet the end, and Adrienne would save all of them for her.

'Incidentally, it's Lord Cygnus, thank you.' He continued to smile. 'Royal Chancellor, you know.'

'Royal.' Naomi snorted, keeping tight hold of the glass. 'She's no Queen.'
​
'Well, that much is true. There seem to be some laws of succession that are causing us all a bit of trauma, in fact, but it is on that point that we wanted to speak with you...'

There was the sudden, distant sound of fanfare echoing down the hallway outside and Naomi felt sick knowing who it was that approached. She was still too weak to move, but she hated to be laying prostrate at the feet of the woman who had ruined her life, the woman who had murdered all that Naomi loved and locked her away to rot into this feeble husk of who she used to be.

Fixing her red-rimmed and sore eyes on Cygnus, feeding her determination with her rage, she moved her arms beneath herself and pushed against the floor. It was hard going, her body protesting every movement, but she slowly heaved herself up to her knees. Cygnus just watched her, looking somehow pleased.

'Well, now. That's more like it. She'll be happy to see you've made the effort to kneel before her, I’m sure.'

Naomi ignored him, knowing full well he was trying to bait her. Taking a sip of the water to calm her rasping breath and give her hands something to do, she tried to relax. She had to conserve her strength, and that was more important than rising to the jibes of this evil thing. Her whole body was shaking violently, but she tried to quell it as best she could. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath as her teacher had taught her years ago. She would get through this. Breathe in. Breathe out.

'The trick is to keep breathing.'

The old adage Master Gerrard had repeated so often floated back to her, warming her as the sun had done before. It was simple advice. Simple, but powerful. She had never truly appreciated the strength behind the words until the night the traitors had taken her and buried her alive. Through it all, Naomi had kept breathing as he had told her, and she was going to keep doing so.

She barely heard the doors to the Great Hall bang open as Adrienne entered, wrapped up in her meditation as she was and twirling the fine crystal between her fingers back and forth. Her hearing sharpened as the doors closed once again, and she listened closely to the sounds of the guards being sent out, the near silent breath of Cygnus not far to her left, and then the swish of expensive satin skirts slowly approaching them both. She continued to twirl the glass.

'I fear this idea of yours has failed even before it began, My Lord,' said Adrienne, her voice causing Naomi's stomach to clench. 'Just look at her. She's hideous. And she stinks.'

Naomi didn't move, nor open her eyes as the woman stopped in front of her. She almost felt some small glimmer of satisfaction perforate her tightly-controlled rage as Adrienne fell back on such insults. It didn't concern her that she was hideous. She was alive, and the barb meant to demean her had distinctly missed its mark. She knew that she must smell revolting, but this didn't bother her either. In fact, she drew satisfaction from the fact that she was probably making them both feel ill.

'Perhaps, Highness, we should have her washed and fed before we continue this interview?' Cygnus wheedled.

'No, I think I like her better this way.' Naomi heard her turn to walk towards the throne and she grasped the stem of the glass tightly. 'She's certainly less troublesome, and I enjoy seeing her so... Cygnus!'

Adrienne shrieked in fear as Naomi broke the glass in her hand against the stone floor, and rallying all of her strength, launched herself at the woman. She knew her body exploded in pain, protesting the movement, but she didn't feel it. Splintered shard aimed directly at her adversary’s throat, Naomi was almost upon her. Before the split-second of her attack had been completed, her whole body was frozen mid-leap. She couldn't move. Cygnus had her suspended with his powerful magic and she hung in the air, only a hand-span from Adrienne's jugular. So close. So cussing close!

A bellow of fury tore itself from deep inside her and she fought against the magic that held her back. The broken glass had disappeared from her hand, but that didn't stop her from straining forward. Far too soon, her exhausted body won out over the fury of the near miss, and she began to pant and shake all over.

Adrienne looked pale and afraid, a sheen of sweat across her brow as she clutched her hands to her breast. It didn't take long for Cygnus to sweep over to her and pull her into an embrace, shushing and stroking in a way that gave Naomi pause.

'There, there, now.'

'She... she...'

'It's all right. You're all right.'

'She tried to kill me!'

'I know, poppet.' Cygnus looked as though he might smile for a moment, but the impression was gone as soon as he saw Naomi watching him. He didn't look away from her as he answered. 'But I stopped her. She is completely at our mercy.'

Adrienne pushed away from him, face twisted in anger as she rounded on Naomi. 'I want her dead! Now! Right now, Cygnus.'

'Highness, you know I would counsel against such rash actions.'

'I don't care!' Adrienne stamped her foot petulantly and crossed her arms. 'She's useless. She won't cooperate. I don't know why you made me keep her alive this long. Let's just kill her. Please?'

There was something strange occurring here. Why was Adrienne asking permission? She was supposed to be in charge, not Cygnus. He was nothing but a low-ranking lord from a small fief in the North. Now to find out that it was on his recommendation that Adrienne kept her alive all these long years when she had wanted her dead didn't make sense.  Cygnus certainly only made his way to royal Chancellor through being in Adrienne's good graces and his part during the civil war, if you could call it that. She was still the one in charge, wasn’t she?

Naomi's body was suddenly moved, so that she was shaken out of her attack position and hanging in the air. Her head hung limply forward, and her strength was waning fast. The adrenaline of her attempted vengeance had ebbed away, and she noticed the pain in her hand where the glass had shattered and cut in. Blood trickled between her fingers and dropped silently onto the floor.

'She is completely at our mercy,' Cygnus repeated with a sweep of his hand. 'The situation is a precarious one and I would caution that my plan is still the wisest option. After all she has suffered, that she can still move is to our advantage. Surely you wouldn't want to offer her up as a substitute if she just lay there?'

The laugh that escaped her cracked lips quickly turned into a coughing fit, but Naomi still couldn't keep her mouth from twisting in amusement. Both Adrienne and Cygnus looked back at her, and she shook her head minimally.

'A substitute? That's what this is about?'

'Be silent,' Cygnus snapped.

'What's the matter? Someone trying to kill you, Adrienne?' Another short, choking laugh. 'I beg your pardon. I mean, someone besides me.'

Lorna George lives in a crooked little house in Norfolk with her husband, a lot of books, and a fifty-year-old begonia named Frank. She spends an inordinate amount of time dreaming up magic, dragons, and fearsome ladies, and has decided to try and make some sort of career from it by writing them down. She hopes this will give her a reasonable excuse when caught staring wistfully out of windows when she should be paying attention to the not-so-mystical "Real World".

Since she has become increasingly vulgar with age, she writes predominately New Adult stories, and despite what a lot of people seem to think, she seriously doubts she will ever grow out of fantasy.

She doesn't particularly want to.

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Illustrations by Juliette Brocal​

Genre: YA Dystopian
Release Date: September 18, 2015

Seventeen-year-old Harper, incurable kleptomaniac, never expected to end up on a place like Penance. Yet, here she is, imprisoned on the secluded island full of delinquent teenagers. At first glance, the place is everything they want: freedom. No laws, no authorities, just pure, unadulterated liberty. 

With that freedom, however, comes danger. At the center of the chaos and brutality that rocks the island is Clint, a seasoned murderer working under the elusive, self-proclaimed Queen of Penance, Esme. Cold and brutal, Clint’s reputation has managed to keep the islanders in line — until now.

As Harper unwillingly becomes entrapped in the island’s politics, and a tragedy leaves Clint hunting for revenge, Penance’s unstable order begins to crumble. As their fates draw closer, both Harper and Clint must survive against bloodthirsty criminals, unnatural weather, and their own inner demons before their blood too is spilled in the sand.

WELCOME TO PENANCE ISLAND

THE PLACE WHERE YOU DIE.

1. Why YA dystopian?

I: Dystopian has certain qualities and themes that I often explore in my writing — traits of humanity, basically. Dystopian is basically more realistic, futuristic fantasy, another one of my favorite genres, with a strong focus on the individual.

M: It's so much fun to write.  I'd say it's even better than reading. You basically get to create your own world! How awesome is that?

2. Tell us a little bit about your main characters, Harper and Clint...

I: Harper is a grumpy kleptomaniac who’d rather be left alone. Her primary internal struggle on Penance is in regards to her morality—surviving on Penance calls for a lot more than base thievery; for Harper, it becomes a battle between keeping her morality, her sanity, and preserving her own life.

M: Clint is more or less a nice guy, who happens to have to kill a lot of people…  I like him. He's a very emotionally disturbed person, I'll leave it at that!

3. Penance Island—are there any real places that were the inspiration for this setting? 

I: Mitchell is the one who came up with the setting. I imagine Penance as a large island, mostly forest, somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.

M: Not really, to be honest! When I originally thought of the island, I had just envisioned a little island like the one in Theodore Taylor's The Cay, but my imagination went wild, then Isabella came and brought her own perspective and boom. Penance was created.

4. Did you have a message in mind for your readers while writing Fire in the Stars?

I: Fire in the Stars exposes the horrible, brutal side of human beings, for sure. But, taking a semi-positive spin on it. I think a large part of the story speaks about the endurance and strength people possess.

M: Life isn't sunshine and fairytales. There are bad people in this world, like there are good. Humans have evil inside; it just takes a few key environmental factors for our demons to take control.

5. Your journey as a writer—how did it begin, where has it taken you?

I: I’ve been writing for as long as I could form sentences. As someone who’s horribly shy, writing gave me a way to express myself—the solitude of writing enables you to slow down and consider what you have to say, which is what I love. Writing has taken me to so many different heights and made me so much more confident in who I am. Basically, it’s given me a way to speak.

M: My journey as a writer began when I was 14 years old and someone told me that I'd have to wait until I went to college to accomplish something in my life. So I wrote my first book and worked to make it published with the sole purpose of showing teenagers everywhere that you don't have to be an adult or go to college to accomplish something and be successful. It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, if you want something, go get it.

6. What inspired you to coauthor?

I: Honestly, it was something of a whim. Mitchell posted a wanted ad for a coauthor on a writing forum. I almost didn’t respond, but I decided, “hey, what the heck.” I’m rather glad I did, because not only did I get to work on an awesome project, but I got to meet this dork.

M: Back when I first thought of the island, I knew that I'd need a strong female character written by a strong female. Isabella created one and is one of the strongest girls I know and I'm beyond lucky to have her as a coauthor and best friend.

7. Did your process happen naturally or did you have to work on a method for coauthoring?

I: Much different than I expected. I think that’s because Mitchell and I work well together—both being pretty “go with the flow” writers, we’re open to each other's ideas. The thing is, our ideas always seem to be pretty similar, even when we haven’t discussed it. He’ll send me a chapter and I’ll be like, “hey, this is weird, but I was thinking the exact same thing.”

M: I'd say it was completely natural. Isabella and I have this weird thing where we literally know what the other is thinking when we write (it kinda scares us sometimes)! When we write, I don't really even have to plan too much with her, like she doesn't with me. Whatever we leave each other is exactly what we wanted and we work with it!

8. Mitchell is an airborne ranger. How has it been with him deployed…regarding logistics and timeline for release? Same goes for Isabella with high school. Did you run into any major roadblocks/how did you overcome them?

I: It’s been tricky. There are months when Mitchell can’t write, and high school is pretty demanding itself. Still, we work our way around it—you know, by writing a ridiculous amount of words in a very short time period. I actually think the roadblocks we’ve met have made both of us more strong, flexible writers. With Mitchell away for months at a time, I’ve had to step up my game and take care of editing and marketing, two things I wasn’t especially experienced with (or fond of). It’s made me step out of my comfort zone.

M: I feel like most setbacks came on my end with being deployed and going on rotations where I am unable to write for months at a time, as to where Isabella in high school only has a few days where she can't write. When we both are free, we kick it into MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE and start writing chapters left and right. When I'm gone, she really picks up the slack and never stops working. If it’s with marketing, editing (I hate editing and I know she does too, so I usually make out pretty well with not having to do it)! Or just setting things up, she really takes control and I have nothing but confidence and trust in her whenever I can't write or contribute for a period of time.

9. After writing your first novels, Sanguine Moon and Stranded Houses, what did you do differently in writing Fire in the Stars?

I: Edit. Editing is so important. Also, that people are really, really supportive, which is so great. Because of that, I feel like I learned, with my first novels, to be more honest and fearless in my writing.

M: I've learned that you're going to face negativity. You're going to face people that give you a bad review, or twist your words up during an interview, but it's how you bounce back that defines you as a writer. If anything, I've learned to let all the comments, positive or negative, roll off me. I'm the only one that brings definition to myself and what I write, good or bad, I can't let anyone else's comments get to my head. 

I've also learned to be a better editor and to plan out my writing a bit more! Thanks to my super amazing gingery coauthor friend.

10. Plotter or pantster? What’s your writing style?

I: Definitely a plotter. I am nearly obsessional about keeping journals for every project, filled with drafts of outlines and characters and all that good plotting stuff. Mostly, I like to see where I’m going. However, I’m not scared to deviate from the outline. It’ll go through tons of changes throughout the course of writing the book.

M: Definitely a panster. I like to let the characters write the book! Planning is more of Isabella’s thingy... She's too organized for me sometimes. She uses a lot of big words too. 

11. Why indie publish?

I: I feel like self-publishing has a bad reputation of being what “lazy” authors do. Which is ridiculous. We do all of our own editing, marketing, etc (or fork over hundreds of dollars to have someone else do it—and you still have to approve everything). There’s a lot of responsibility you need to learn to be a successful indie author, but it’s totally worth it. You get to make every decision regarding your book. You’re in control, and free to do as you wish regarding your book.

M: When self-publishing you get to stay in direct contact with the reader as to where with a publishing company, you have all these rules, lose out on money and just bleh. If we can do everything a company can do, why not?

12. What social media outlets do you use the most to stay connected with readers?

I: While Mitchell works a lot with actual people, I do most of the social media marketing. I love making graphics and planning virtual book tours and the like. I’d say I’ve found Instagram, Facebook, and Tumblr all wonderful outlets for marketing—not to mention the websites I’ve designed. Marketing should be a combo of being an excellent people person (see Mitchell aka Mr. Charismatic) and giving your readers a place to stay updated online. 

13. Mentors who have inspired your writing. What are you reading now?

I:  I’m currently reading a biography of Alexander Hamilton (Yes, yes I did put my summer reading off to the last minute). As far as mentors go, I’d have to point to my teachers. I’ve had the privilege of having excellent literature teachers who go to great lengths to help improve our writing by 1) making us read deep and analyze great works,  2) making us write and rewrite, 3) giving individual students attention and holding them up to their skill level.

M: At this very moment I am reading BZRK by Michael Grant (my all time favorite author ever). A mentor? I'd say him, too. I've spoken to him a few times and each time he never fails to leave me inspired. 

14. Dream cast? Who would you cast if your book is made into a TV series or movie?

I: Harper played by a snarky, red-haired Kaya Scodelario.  Nicholas Hoult and Alexandra Daddario as twins Gage and Hazel. Victoria Justice + glasses = Sofia.

M: If Taylor Lautner and Sirius Snape had a kid, then that's who I'd have play Clint. For Frank, I’d go to Hawaii and find the ten biggest men I could find, and have them yell as loud as they could. The deepest, loudest voice would win. Esme would be played by Isabelle Fuhrman. I absolutely love her and think she would fit the role perfectly.

15. Future projects? Will you stay in this genre or branch out?

I: We’re working on a couple more projects together. They could be considered dystopian, but more as subgroups. I’m still exploring different genres, but I don’t think I’ll ever settle on one genre. There are themes that stay constant in my books, but it’s changing up the setting and genre that make each one unique.

M: Personally, I plan on exploring this genre more with Isabella while also branching out to other genres on my own, some more fictional work on my end. While still keeping up with the ever-evolving world of dystopian.

Dog lover or cat lover?

I: Can I have both? Please? I suppose dogs. Unless kittens are involved.

M: Cats. I love cats, not just like a house cat, though. Like a cat that kills rodents and stuff. My one cat used to low crawl everywhere, so I called him Sniper, and I swear he listened like a dog. I could call him and still chill with him at my feet. And he'd bring me rabbits he killed and stuff! Badass cats are the best.

All-time favorite book, movie or TV character and why?

I: Verity/Julie from Code Name Verity. That book. That Scottish woman. 

M: The Wolf of Wall Street is by far my favorite movie of all time. They didn't hold back and weren't worried about being politically correct, but instead telling a real story. And Leo is bae so.

Stuck in a book—you’re thrown into a book world, which book/author’s world would you choose?

I: Would it be cliche to say Harry Potter? I mean, come on. Magic? Magical creatures? Magical society? Wicked. And you’d probably be safe, as long as you didn’t associate with Harry Potter himself.

M: Everyone says Harry Potter, but I'd have to go with The Hunger Games, or the Gone series by Michael Grant. I'd be interested in seeing how long I'd last in that type of situation. 

Now that I see Isabella said Harry Potter... Well... If I was in the world of Harry Potter, you can believe I'd play Quidditch with him and be best friends with him. And definitely date Ron's sister Ginny, (Bonnie Wright is absolutely amazing and I love her and the hair and smile and why can't she love me too)?

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