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Moon Blood: Book 1The vampire mystery thriller that began with Snow Blood continues with the first blood son series.
Kane de Medici, the first blood son of Brogio, the original vampire, saves Moon, a hybrid wolf pup from certain death. The kindred two are soon immersed in a world of corporate espionage, murder and intrigue and forced to fight for their lives. Escaping capture and torture when human predators discover their vampire nature, they exact deadly revenge. While Moon Blood Is loyal to Kane, her sire, she is a strong-willed female with a mind of her own. Readers will enjoy the unique perspective of this tale told through her mind’s eye. |
5-STAR REVIEWS:
"Moon-Blood 1 by Carol McKibben,a spin-off from her original Snow Blood Books ,was like reading from a Rollercoaster climbing to two or three hundred feet in the air, and holding for a few seconds allowing you to look straight down at your possible demise if something goes wrong...Then whoosh: your stomach and intestines clinch and churn, yet you can't put it down. It's one of the most grabbing books I've read the last two years. Kane is visiting/staying in the basement of his Maker; Ex Vampire Brogio's Home, and one of Snow Blood's (a Former Vampire/Wolf Dog's) Pups has singled out Kane and follows him as he hunts in the woods for Food, and suddenly she becomes a victim of a Bear Trap. Kane comes and frees her (A Female Dog) and takes her home to Brogio to try to save her badly smashed leg, but she's lost too much Blood. With Brogio's permission Kane turns her and then the story takes off at a breakneck speed. The good thing is this is another of Carol's Great Books. The Bad thing is it ends before you want it to. This was a shorter introduction book, and I'm guessing the next one will be longer. As with all of her books, it ends with you turning the page going No! "This will twist your knickers, and it's a can't miss read!" -Rickey Morris on Goodreads
"5-Stars! Loved Kane and Moon! I loved this story! Moon Blood has always had a close relationship to Kane. While following him one night when he was out feeding, she gets her foot caught in a bear trap and is close to death. She asks Kane to turn her. What follows is so full of mystery and intrigue. It was interesting how Moon became a shape shifter. It kept me reading until I got to the end of the book. I was left wanting more. Can't wait until the next book in this series!" -Patricia Myers
"5-Stars! A great storyline! Can't wait to read more from this author." -Juanita Arp
"5-Stars! I literally could not put this page-turner down until I reached the end. I’m excitedly awaiting Moon Blood, part 2, later this year, and highly recommend this book and author to all my friends and family." -Simon Eponym
"This is a novel that will have you immersed in the world Carol McKibben has created. She really does a great job of setting the scene and giving the reader enough backstory about her world. The characters are very well developed, complex, and multi dimensional which allows the reader to become invested. McKibben’s writing style is very direct. There is no skirting around things." -Novel News Network
"I enjoyed reading this fast-paced novel that is full of mystery and suspense. The characters are remarkably intriguing with the perfect mix of backstories that help to mesh with the overall plot. Overall, a story that is sure to stick with you long after reading the last page." -Truly Trendy
"Full of twists and surprises! I enjoyed Moon Blood and Kane's bond, and seeing them protect each other as they face common enemies. I haven't read the original series Snow Blood, but I had no trouble following this story." -Stephanie, Adventures Thru Wonderland
"Dive into a world that I can guarantee is not a cookie cutter version of the genre. I enjoyed Kane and Moon Blood as main characters.
I personally liked the fact that this novel is not predictable. You get a lot of clues throughout the novel about where the story is going, what secrets are being hidden, etc. But it really does take you a good part of the novel to put everything together. Kudos to Carol McKibben for managing to keep the mystery alive in her novel." -A Life Through Books
"Carol tells this thrilling story through Moon's eyes which to me was a unique perspective. The characters human and hybrids each are written in a totally believable way. I found it such an easy book to read that I finished it in one sitting, The second book in the series is out later this year, and I look forward to see what happens to Moon and Kane now. Trust me when I say if you love Paranormal Fiction get a copy of Moon Blood and sit back and enjoy it all in one hit." -Rachel Jordan, Rachel Reads
"I loved the descriptive way this novel was written. It really submerges the reader into the world. I think this is even more crucial given that we are reading from the wolfs perspective. There were a lot of moving a parts to this one and I really liked the originality that McKibben brought. I think that as soon as you start this one, you won't want to stop until you have finished it and then you will want to read more by the author as soon as possible!" -The Indie Express
"What a vivid new world Carol McKibben has brought us into! I like the fact that she takes something that most people are familiar with and twists it into something new and exciting. I found her story telling to be compelling and the plot to be fast paced. It kept me on the edge of my seat." -On a Reading Bender
I liked the diversity of the novel. It pulls together Paranormal aspects but reads in a different way than a lot of the Paranormal stories I've read. Maybe that is because the mind we are in is quite different than most. Either way, the characters and plot are executed well and come together seamlessly. I really enjoyed the fact that Carol McKibben was able to surprise me a couple of times. I always like a novel that keeps me guessing. I wasn't always on board with all of these characters, but their actions kept me guessing, that's for sure." -Momma and Her Stories
"An intriguing storyline. The way Carol McKibben has written the story really allows readers to become sucked into the characters' lives and ultimate outcome. It was very well written, and I enjoyed the mix of action, drama, and paranormal aspects.
I loved the writing style, it was easy to follow and the pacing was spot on.
McKibben has really raised the level of paranormal with this novel. There are so many aspects that show a great level of creativity. I liked that the main characters had their flaws but redeeming qualities as well. A wonderful take on fate and the way our choices and actions affect our lives. I liked that we are in the head of Moon Blood, that really sets this novel apart." -My Reading Addiction
"Moon-Blood 1 by Carol McKibben,a spin-off from her original Snow Blood Books ,was like reading from a Rollercoaster climbing to two or three hundred feet in the air, and holding for a few seconds allowing you to look straight down at your possible demise if something goes wrong...Then whoosh: your stomach and intestines clinch and churn, yet you can't put it down. It's one of the most grabbing books I've read the last two years. Kane is visiting/staying in the basement of his Maker; Ex Vampire Brogio's Home, and one of Snow Blood's (a Former Vampire/Wolf Dog's) Pups has singled out Kane and follows him as he hunts in the woods for Food, and suddenly she becomes a victim of a Bear Trap. Kane comes and frees her (A Female Dog) and takes her home to Brogio to try to save her badly smashed leg, but she's lost too much Blood. With Brogio's permission Kane turns her and then the story takes off at a breakneck speed. The good thing is this is another of Carol's Great Books. The Bad thing is it ends before you want it to. This was a shorter introduction book, and I'm guessing the next one will be longer. As with all of her books, it ends with you turning the page going No! "This will twist your knickers, and it's a can't miss read!" -Rickey Morris on Goodreads
"5-Stars! Loved Kane and Moon! I loved this story! Moon Blood has always had a close relationship to Kane. While following him one night when he was out feeding, she gets her foot caught in a bear trap and is close to death. She asks Kane to turn her. What follows is so full of mystery and intrigue. It was interesting how Moon became a shape shifter. It kept me reading until I got to the end of the book. I was left wanting more. Can't wait until the next book in this series!" -Patricia Myers
"5-Stars! A great storyline! Can't wait to read more from this author." -Juanita Arp
"5-Stars! I literally could not put this page-turner down until I reached the end. I’m excitedly awaiting Moon Blood, part 2, later this year, and highly recommend this book and author to all my friends and family." -Simon Eponym
"This is a novel that will have you immersed in the world Carol McKibben has created. She really does a great job of setting the scene and giving the reader enough backstory about her world. The characters are very well developed, complex, and multi dimensional which allows the reader to become invested. McKibben’s writing style is very direct. There is no skirting around things." -Novel News Network
"I enjoyed reading this fast-paced novel that is full of mystery and suspense. The characters are remarkably intriguing with the perfect mix of backstories that help to mesh with the overall plot. Overall, a story that is sure to stick with you long after reading the last page." -Truly Trendy
"Full of twists and surprises! I enjoyed Moon Blood and Kane's bond, and seeing them protect each other as they face common enemies. I haven't read the original series Snow Blood, but I had no trouble following this story." -Stephanie, Adventures Thru Wonderland
"Dive into a world that I can guarantee is not a cookie cutter version of the genre. I enjoyed Kane and Moon Blood as main characters.
I personally liked the fact that this novel is not predictable. You get a lot of clues throughout the novel about where the story is going, what secrets are being hidden, etc. But it really does take you a good part of the novel to put everything together. Kudos to Carol McKibben for managing to keep the mystery alive in her novel." -A Life Through Books
"Carol tells this thrilling story through Moon's eyes which to me was a unique perspective. The characters human and hybrids each are written in a totally believable way. I found it such an easy book to read that I finished it in one sitting, The second book in the series is out later this year, and I look forward to see what happens to Moon and Kane now. Trust me when I say if you love Paranormal Fiction get a copy of Moon Blood and sit back and enjoy it all in one hit." -Rachel Jordan, Rachel Reads
"I loved the descriptive way this novel was written. It really submerges the reader into the world. I think this is even more crucial given that we are reading from the wolfs perspective. There were a lot of moving a parts to this one and I really liked the originality that McKibben brought. I think that as soon as you start this one, you won't want to stop until you have finished it and then you will want to read more by the author as soon as possible!" -The Indie Express
"What a vivid new world Carol McKibben has brought us into! I like the fact that she takes something that most people are familiar with and twists it into something new and exciting. I found her story telling to be compelling and the plot to be fast paced. It kept me on the edge of my seat." -On a Reading Bender
I liked the diversity of the novel. It pulls together Paranormal aspects but reads in a different way than a lot of the Paranormal stories I've read. Maybe that is because the mind we are in is quite different than most. Either way, the characters and plot are executed well and come together seamlessly. I really enjoyed the fact that Carol McKibben was able to surprise me a couple of times. I always like a novel that keeps me guessing. I wasn't always on board with all of these characters, but their actions kept me guessing, that's for sure." -Momma and Her Stories
"An intriguing storyline. The way Carol McKibben has written the story really allows readers to become sucked into the characters' lives and ultimate outcome. It was very well written, and I enjoyed the mix of action, drama, and paranormal aspects.
I loved the writing style, it was easy to follow and the pacing was spot on.
McKibben has really raised the level of paranormal with this novel. There are so many aspects that show a great level of creativity. I liked that the main characters had their flaws but redeeming qualities as well. A wonderful take on fate and the way our choices and actions affect our lives. I liked that we are in the head of Moon Blood, that really sets this novel apart." -My Reading Addiction
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About Carol McKibben
Carol McKibben writes from the heart of a dog’s eyes. Her books help support her dog rescue efforts and focus on unconditional love.
Carol was a magazine publisher for 20+ years. She has published Luke’s Tale, Riding Through It, the Snow Blood Series of 5 books, and Kane - The First Blood Son Luke’s Tale and Snow Blood are targeted to a YA market. Luke’s Tale was included in the Summer Solstice Top 12 Book Pick List. Carol writes from the heart of a dog’s eyes. Her books help support her dog rescue efforts and focus on unconditional love. Carol and her Labrador Retriever Thor and Siberian Husky Ty are currently working on the Moon Blood Series about Kane. |
5 Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Me:
1. Carol trains and competes with her horse, Okido, in Classical Dressage.
2. Carol’s rescue Binks was born with a bad heart. The cardio-vascular vet said he wouldn’t live to be 4 years old. Binks lived to be 8. It’s amazing what love can do.
3. Carol’s father told her she should be a writer when she was 14, and she took him seriously.
4. Carol got a Corvette as a high school graduation present from her parents.
5. Carol’s hobby in high school was archery.
Want to learn more expensive detail? Read Debbie McClure's Interview with Carol for You Read It Here First!
https://fromtheauthors.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/a-conversation-with-carol-mckibben/
1. Carol trains and competes with her horse, Okido, in Classical Dressage.
2. Carol’s rescue Binks was born with a bad heart. The cardio-vascular vet said he wouldn’t live to be 4 years old. Binks lived to be 8. It’s amazing what love can do.
3. Carol’s father told her she should be a writer when she was 14, and she took him seriously.
4. Carol got a Corvette as a high school graduation present from her parents.
5. Carol’s hobby in high school was archery.
Want to learn more expensive detail? Read Debbie McClure's Interview with Carol for You Read It Here First!
https://fromtheauthors.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/a-conversation-with-carol-mckibben/
Interview with Christoph Fischer
Hi Carol, please tell us a little about your writing history. When was the first time you decided to write and when was the first time you did?
Hi, Christoph! I became a writer at 14. Actually, I began writing short stories when I was about 12. I read one to my daddy when I was 14, and he said, “You are a writer.” That was the day I began in earnest. I started writing a column for my high school newspaper, and I never stopped.
When did you decide to publish your stories?
I got a degree in secondary education and then an MAT with emphasis in English and Journalism. I became a magazine editor and then a magazine publisher and wrote and published articles all the time. I edited a book for an association that sold well, but it wasn’t until 2007 that I published my memoir, Riding Through It.
Tell us about your first book? How did you decide on the characters, plots and title?
Riding Through It is about my personal journey to be a “complete” person. All the characters and the action in the story are based on real events in my life. I grew up insecure and indecisive. In college, I married a man who evolved into an abusive alcoholic. The story focuses on my coming to grips with having made myself a victim and empowering myself to overcome it. I wrote it for other people suffering through the same circumstances. I wanted to show them how my attitude and conviction made a difference in my life. It’s a book to which many women can relate.
But you also write in different genres. How did this all come together?
Because I had been a journalist, it made sense for me to try my hand at writing a book in the non-fiction genre. It was a cathartic experience. Sort of like taking out the trash or leaving the baggage behind to live in the present instead of the past. Once it was completed, I didn’t want to go back to it. Fiction is the world in which I now live. I am currently writing through the eyes and hearts of dogs. Animals, particularly dogs and horses, have always been my greatest companions. I’ve never been very long without them in my life. I know a lot about them, and I merge that into my writing.
Which genre do you feel most comfortable in – the memoir / non-fiction, or the fiction?
Both really. But, as I indicated, I am focused on fiction currently.
Who or what inspired you for the stories?
For Riding Through It, I wanted to share what I had learned with others.
For Luke’s Tale, my blind Labrador retriever, Luke, was my inspiration. Dogs have such unconditional love for us … and my question is simply, if dogs can love us unconditionally, why can’t we love each other in the same way? I wanted the narrator of the story to be from that perspective of loving unconditionally. And, I really felt a spiritual influence for this book. After I first began it, a psychic that I had never met told me: “The spirit guides around you are urging you to write the book you’ve started on unconditional love.” I was so shocked by what she told me. There was no way she could have known about it. I kept having dreams about the book and its content. Take what you will from this. I am humbled by the fact that I felt divinely guided. If it has meaning to just one person, I will have achieved my purpose.
Believe it or not, unconditional love is the underlying theme for the Snow Blood series. It’s told from a dog’s perspective. No matter his circumstances, Snow Blood ultimately is loyal and devoted. And oddly enough, so are the vampires in the series. They represent a microcosm of beings capable of loving and protecting each other. It makes quite a statement about man’s inability to perfect it, doesn’t it?
Who would you chose to play the people in a movie version?
I don’t see Riding Through It as a movie. I definitely can see Luke’s Tale on the big screen. Bradley Cooper would make a good Ash. I’d want someone delicate but with underlying strength, like Ann Hathaway to be Sara. A big-boned, 80-lb. lab with a loving face should be Luke.
Snow Blood would need to be played by a very wolf-like, white husky with blue eyes. Maybe a number of them. I can see Chris Hemsworth (of Thor fame) as Brogio. For Selene, Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones) or Jennifer Lawrence. Perhaps Theo James (Underworld Awakening and Divergent) as Kane. Travel Fimmel (Vikings) as Apollo and someone like Charlize Theron for Artemis! (A girl can dream!)
What do you like best about writing? What’s your least favorite thing?
Are you kidding? I like the fact that I can write all day, either for myself or my clients. It’s like a gift from the gods! Least favorite? Interruptions when I’m on a roll.
Did you have any say in your cover art? What do you think of it? Tell us about the artist.
Absolutely. Troll River Publications is my publisher. Stephanie is the best. She always asks for my input before approaching her artists and then feedback with the samples. She has a stable of artists with whom she works.
I came up with the concept for Riding Through It. I provide a sketch, and Outskirts Press (the publisher at the time) created it for me.
Stephanie came up with the image for Luke’s Tale, and I fell in love with it immediately. All we had to work out was where to put the type!
The same for Snow Blood. I told her I wanted to focus on Snow Blood’s eyes. When she showed me the photo, she had me. Again, we just had to focus on the fonts.
What is your writing environment like? Do you need silence or music to write?
Music is nice. Don’t need silence. I have an office over my garage, and my computer is next to my window so I can see the world. My husband has a desk across the room. He works from home too. All I ask is that he doesn’t interrupt me when I go into my “zone.” He always can tell when I’m there!
How many rewrites does it normally take you for each book?
With Riding Through It, I wrote a draft, gave it to an editor, got her feedback and threw it in the trash. I started over and probably wrote 6 drafts.
I was very fortunate with Luke’s Tale. I met Lonnie Ostrow, Barbara Taylor Bradford’s editor/marketer. He loved the premise and agreed to edit it. I think after the first draft we did 3 rounds. Then, after my Beta Readers gave me feedback I revised one more time.
Lonnie worked with me on the Snow Blood Series as well. We did three rounds and then after the Beta Readers weighed in, I did one more edit. Hey from 6 on the first to 4 on the next ones … I’m getting better!
How do you edit and quality control?
Lonnie Ostrow and Stephanie from Troll River are my quality control peeps. When I write, the words just seem to flow through my brain to my fingers onto the computer screen. I let it roll. Then, I go back and heavily edit it until I am satisfied/proud of what I’ve written. Then, it goes off to Stephanie for feedback and then to Lonnie for heavy editing. He always makes me write more. He’s great at squeezing a lot of detail out of me.
How have you found the experience of self-publishing? What were your highs and lows?
The experience with Outskirts was good. They held up their end of the bargain. But I just didn’t have all the time I needed to do soooo much marketing! When Troll River offered to take me on, I was more than pleased. Yes, it’s like self-publishing, except Troll River does A LOT of marketing for its authors. I get a lot of help getting the book “out there” to readers. Troll River doesn’t just put you on all the outlets and then tell you, “if you want us to market you, that will be $XXXX please.” Troll River takes what it does out of its commission. And TRP has done a lot for me. So, rather than being self-published, I think I am “boutique published.” A bit of a difference.
What is your advice to new writers?
Don’t approach writing from the point-of-view that you are going to have a best-seller and get rich and famous. You might be one of the few lucky ones who accomplishes that. Rather, write because you must. Write because you have stories or information to share. Let the passion for what you write shine through your work. If you do so, you won’t be disappointed at the outcome.
Who are your favourite authors?
John Irving because he writes these impossible scenarios and in the midst of them says something so incredibly profound that I have to stop, back up and re-read and re-read. He often gives me goose bumps.
Stephen King because his descriptions are incredible, and he can make the most common thing so incredibly frightening.
Harper Lee because she wrote one of the greatest novels of all time. Atticus Finch was my hero when I was growing up.
Dean Koontz because his novels are so gripping, and he always includes a dog!
Nicholas Sparks because he is such a romantic writer and his books are perfect for a rainy day.
Garth Stein. I didn’t read The Art of Racing in the Rain until after I wrote Luke’s Tale but I fell so in love with Enzo and the ending took me by such surprise.
Barbara Taylor Bradford (27 best-sellers since 1979) because she is amazingly prolific and her characters are so engaging. She is such an inspiration. And because she has been so generously supportive of my writing and shares Lonnie!
Oh, and not to forget John Grisham. Love him.
Who are your favourite independent writers?
Did you know that many famous authors started out self-publishing their works? They include: Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, John Grisham, Jack Canfield, Beatrix Potter, Mark Twain and Tom Clancy. And then there’s Rebecca Wells who wrote The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. She self-published and then was picked up by a traditional publisher because she had such a cult following.
Right now, I’m into Travis Luedke. He the author of Urban Fantasy Thriller, Paranormal Romance, Contemporary Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction, and Sci-fi. He is fairly violent and sexy, but he does it so well!
What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?
Right now I am reading A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz and Tales of Mystery and Imagination (the works of Edgar Allan Poe. I’ve read them all, but he’s so worth re-reading.) Koontz’s book is in paperback, and Poe’s is hard cover.
What three books have you read recently and would recommend?
The Shepherd by Travis Luedke. (I didn’t expect to get caught up in it like I did.)
Divergent by Veronica Roth
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Who would you say are the biggest influences?
Do you mean other writers who influenced me? First off, my daddy. He told me I had it in me. Then, as far as other writers, Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, Harper Lee and John Irving. I want to write A Farewell to Arms, The Grapes of Wrath, To Kill a Mockingbird and The World According to Garp. But, seriously, besides those four, and all of my favorites listed above, the influence came from within. Oh, I almost forgot. I grew up watching scary movies. I am in love with all the vampire shows, like Dracula, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals and anything vampire. The entire Twilight series was great fun.
What books have you read more than once or want to read again?
I read To Kill a Mockinbird and The World According to Garp about every 10 years. I’ve read everything that Hemingway and Steinbeck wrote multiple times. Oh, and being the good southern girl that I am, I read Gone With the Wind whenever the mood strikes me!
What is your life like outside of writing?
I have a business editing for other authors and ghost-writing and editing for corporate clients. I have 85-lb. yellow lab named Thor and a Siberian Husky name Ty. I own and compete (with a black Friesian named Okido) in Classical Dressage. Yes, I dance with my horse!
What makes you laugh?
My dogs and my horse.
What (not who!) would you like to take to a lonely island?
Books, a bottle of Jack Daniels, peanut butter, a stack of legal pads and a package of ball-point pens (depending upon how long I’ll be there.)
Who would you like to invite for dinner?
All of the authors I’ve listed above.
Hot or cold?
Hot.
Salty or sweet?
Do I have to choose? Can’t I have both?
What would your friends say are your best and your oddest quality?
Best quality – loyal; honesty. Oddest – I’m a bit obsessive compulsive, and I can be a little aloof.
What would you chose as those qualities?
I don’t understand the question.
Which songs would you pick to go with your books?
For Riding Through It, I would want Win by Brian McKnight.
For Luke’s Tale, it would be Katy Perry’s Unconditionally
For Snow Blood, I really don’t know. I think because of its uniqueness that we’d need an original soundtrack.
How do you handle criticism of your work?
It’s part of the game, isn’t it? Writers and artists can only create what they know and need to show the world. There will always be those who want to criticize for whatever reason. For the most part, all of my reviews have been 4- and 5-star reviews, but I had one critic who called me out. She said, “how dare you make me cry!” My response: If I am crying on the inside as I write, why wouldn’t you cry with me?” (This was for Luke’s Tale.)
I can only be true to myself and hope that what I write will touch others in a positive way.
Tell us one weird thing, one nice thing, and one fact about where you live.
Weird thing – my daughter says that “spirits” live in our house … but they are good spirits that protect us.
Nice thing – I live in a suburb of Los Angeles. It has a very small town feel, and I know most of the people in our “small town.”
One Fact – I definitely live in “horse country.” Oh, and it also is the porn capital of the U.S.!
What are you working on now?
Another series.
Is there anything you would like us to know about yourself and your books?
My books have been from the heart. They all seem to center around loving others for who they are … and loving self to stay strong. Reviews mean the world to me. They are the only real barometer that I have to know if what I write is connecting to others. I get such a thrill from reading them … even the ones that aren’t so positive. And, I would love more “conversation” with my readers.
For my Coffee Time Romance Interview, click here!
Hi, Christoph! I became a writer at 14. Actually, I began writing short stories when I was about 12. I read one to my daddy when I was 14, and he said, “You are a writer.” That was the day I began in earnest. I started writing a column for my high school newspaper, and I never stopped.
When did you decide to publish your stories?
I got a degree in secondary education and then an MAT with emphasis in English and Journalism. I became a magazine editor and then a magazine publisher and wrote and published articles all the time. I edited a book for an association that sold well, but it wasn’t until 2007 that I published my memoir, Riding Through It.
Tell us about your first book? How did you decide on the characters, plots and title?
Riding Through It is about my personal journey to be a “complete” person. All the characters and the action in the story are based on real events in my life. I grew up insecure and indecisive. In college, I married a man who evolved into an abusive alcoholic. The story focuses on my coming to grips with having made myself a victim and empowering myself to overcome it. I wrote it for other people suffering through the same circumstances. I wanted to show them how my attitude and conviction made a difference in my life. It’s a book to which many women can relate.
But you also write in different genres. How did this all come together?
Because I had been a journalist, it made sense for me to try my hand at writing a book in the non-fiction genre. It was a cathartic experience. Sort of like taking out the trash or leaving the baggage behind to live in the present instead of the past. Once it was completed, I didn’t want to go back to it. Fiction is the world in which I now live. I am currently writing through the eyes and hearts of dogs. Animals, particularly dogs and horses, have always been my greatest companions. I’ve never been very long without them in my life. I know a lot about them, and I merge that into my writing.
Which genre do you feel most comfortable in – the memoir / non-fiction, or the fiction?
Both really. But, as I indicated, I am focused on fiction currently.
Who or what inspired you for the stories?
For Riding Through It, I wanted to share what I had learned with others.
For Luke’s Tale, my blind Labrador retriever, Luke, was my inspiration. Dogs have such unconditional love for us … and my question is simply, if dogs can love us unconditionally, why can’t we love each other in the same way? I wanted the narrator of the story to be from that perspective of loving unconditionally. And, I really felt a spiritual influence for this book. After I first began it, a psychic that I had never met told me: “The spirit guides around you are urging you to write the book you’ve started on unconditional love.” I was so shocked by what she told me. There was no way she could have known about it. I kept having dreams about the book and its content. Take what you will from this. I am humbled by the fact that I felt divinely guided. If it has meaning to just one person, I will have achieved my purpose.
Believe it or not, unconditional love is the underlying theme for the Snow Blood series. It’s told from a dog’s perspective. No matter his circumstances, Snow Blood ultimately is loyal and devoted. And oddly enough, so are the vampires in the series. They represent a microcosm of beings capable of loving and protecting each other. It makes quite a statement about man’s inability to perfect it, doesn’t it?
Who would you chose to play the people in a movie version?
I don’t see Riding Through It as a movie. I definitely can see Luke’s Tale on the big screen. Bradley Cooper would make a good Ash. I’d want someone delicate but with underlying strength, like Ann Hathaway to be Sara. A big-boned, 80-lb. lab with a loving face should be Luke.
Snow Blood would need to be played by a very wolf-like, white husky with blue eyes. Maybe a number of them. I can see Chris Hemsworth (of Thor fame) as Brogio. For Selene, Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones) or Jennifer Lawrence. Perhaps Theo James (Underworld Awakening and Divergent) as Kane. Travel Fimmel (Vikings) as Apollo and someone like Charlize Theron for Artemis! (A girl can dream!)
What do you like best about writing? What’s your least favorite thing?
Are you kidding? I like the fact that I can write all day, either for myself or my clients. It’s like a gift from the gods! Least favorite? Interruptions when I’m on a roll.
Did you have any say in your cover art? What do you think of it? Tell us about the artist.
Absolutely. Troll River Publications is my publisher. Stephanie is the best. She always asks for my input before approaching her artists and then feedback with the samples. She has a stable of artists with whom she works.
I came up with the concept for Riding Through It. I provide a sketch, and Outskirts Press (the publisher at the time) created it for me.
Stephanie came up with the image for Luke’s Tale, and I fell in love with it immediately. All we had to work out was where to put the type!
The same for Snow Blood. I told her I wanted to focus on Snow Blood’s eyes. When she showed me the photo, she had me. Again, we just had to focus on the fonts.
What is your writing environment like? Do you need silence or music to write?
Music is nice. Don’t need silence. I have an office over my garage, and my computer is next to my window so I can see the world. My husband has a desk across the room. He works from home too. All I ask is that he doesn’t interrupt me when I go into my “zone.” He always can tell when I’m there!
How many rewrites does it normally take you for each book?
With Riding Through It, I wrote a draft, gave it to an editor, got her feedback and threw it in the trash. I started over and probably wrote 6 drafts.
I was very fortunate with Luke’s Tale. I met Lonnie Ostrow, Barbara Taylor Bradford’s editor/marketer. He loved the premise and agreed to edit it. I think after the first draft we did 3 rounds. Then, after my Beta Readers gave me feedback I revised one more time.
Lonnie worked with me on the Snow Blood Series as well. We did three rounds and then after the Beta Readers weighed in, I did one more edit. Hey from 6 on the first to 4 on the next ones … I’m getting better!
How do you edit and quality control?
Lonnie Ostrow and Stephanie from Troll River are my quality control peeps. When I write, the words just seem to flow through my brain to my fingers onto the computer screen. I let it roll. Then, I go back and heavily edit it until I am satisfied/proud of what I’ve written. Then, it goes off to Stephanie for feedback and then to Lonnie for heavy editing. He always makes me write more. He’s great at squeezing a lot of detail out of me.
How have you found the experience of self-publishing? What were your highs and lows?
The experience with Outskirts was good. They held up their end of the bargain. But I just didn’t have all the time I needed to do soooo much marketing! When Troll River offered to take me on, I was more than pleased. Yes, it’s like self-publishing, except Troll River does A LOT of marketing for its authors. I get a lot of help getting the book “out there” to readers. Troll River doesn’t just put you on all the outlets and then tell you, “if you want us to market you, that will be $XXXX please.” Troll River takes what it does out of its commission. And TRP has done a lot for me. So, rather than being self-published, I think I am “boutique published.” A bit of a difference.
What is your advice to new writers?
Don’t approach writing from the point-of-view that you are going to have a best-seller and get rich and famous. You might be one of the few lucky ones who accomplishes that. Rather, write because you must. Write because you have stories or information to share. Let the passion for what you write shine through your work. If you do so, you won’t be disappointed at the outcome.
Who are your favourite authors?
John Irving because he writes these impossible scenarios and in the midst of them says something so incredibly profound that I have to stop, back up and re-read and re-read. He often gives me goose bumps.
Stephen King because his descriptions are incredible, and he can make the most common thing so incredibly frightening.
Harper Lee because she wrote one of the greatest novels of all time. Atticus Finch was my hero when I was growing up.
Dean Koontz because his novels are so gripping, and he always includes a dog!
Nicholas Sparks because he is such a romantic writer and his books are perfect for a rainy day.
Garth Stein. I didn’t read The Art of Racing in the Rain until after I wrote Luke’s Tale but I fell so in love with Enzo and the ending took me by such surprise.
Barbara Taylor Bradford (27 best-sellers since 1979) because she is amazingly prolific and her characters are so engaging. She is such an inspiration. And because she has been so generously supportive of my writing and shares Lonnie!
Oh, and not to forget John Grisham. Love him.
Who are your favourite independent writers?
Did you know that many famous authors started out self-publishing their works? They include: Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, John Grisham, Jack Canfield, Beatrix Potter, Mark Twain and Tom Clancy. And then there’s Rebecca Wells who wrote The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. She self-published and then was picked up by a traditional publisher because she had such a cult following.
Right now, I’m into Travis Luedke. He the author of Urban Fantasy Thriller, Paranormal Romance, Contemporary Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction, and Sci-fi. He is fairly violent and sexy, but he does it so well!
What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?
Right now I am reading A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz and Tales of Mystery and Imagination (the works of Edgar Allan Poe. I’ve read them all, but he’s so worth re-reading.) Koontz’s book is in paperback, and Poe’s is hard cover.
What three books have you read recently and would recommend?
The Shepherd by Travis Luedke. (I didn’t expect to get caught up in it like I did.)
Divergent by Veronica Roth
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Who would you say are the biggest influences?
Do you mean other writers who influenced me? First off, my daddy. He told me I had it in me. Then, as far as other writers, Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, Harper Lee and John Irving. I want to write A Farewell to Arms, The Grapes of Wrath, To Kill a Mockingbird and The World According to Garp. But, seriously, besides those four, and all of my favorites listed above, the influence came from within. Oh, I almost forgot. I grew up watching scary movies. I am in love with all the vampire shows, like Dracula, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals and anything vampire. The entire Twilight series was great fun.
What books have you read more than once or want to read again?
I read To Kill a Mockinbird and The World According to Garp about every 10 years. I’ve read everything that Hemingway and Steinbeck wrote multiple times. Oh, and being the good southern girl that I am, I read Gone With the Wind whenever the mood strikes me!
What is your life like outside of writing?
I have a business editing for other authors and ghost-writing and editing for corporate clients. I have 85-lb. yellow lab named Thor and a Siberian Husky name Ty. I own and compete (with a black Friesian named Okido) in Classical Dressage. Yes, I dance with my horse!
What makes you laugh?
My dogs and my horse.
What (not who!) would you like to take to a lonely island?
Books, a bottle of Jack Daniels, peanut butter, a stack of legal pads and a package of ball-point pens (depending upon how long I’ll be there.)
Who would you like to invite for dinner?
All of the authors I’ve listed above.
Hot or cold?
Hot.
Salty or sweet?
Do I have to choose? Can’t I have both?
What would your friends say are your best and your oddest quality?
Best quality – loyal; honesty. Oddest – I’m a bit obsessive compulsive, and I can be a little aloof.
What would you chose as those qualities?
I don’t understand the question.
Which songs would you pick to go with your books?
For Riding Through It, I would want Win by Brian McKnight.
For Luke’s Tale, it would be Katy Perry’s Unconditionally
For Snow Blood, I really don’t know. I think because of its uniqueness that we’d need an original soundtrack.
How do you handle criticism of your work?
It’s part of the game, isn’t it? Writers and artists can only create what they know and need to show the world. There will always be those who want to criticize for whatever reason. For the most part, all of my reviews have been 4- and 5-star reviews, but I had one critic who called me out. She said, “how dare you make me cry!” My response: If I am crying on the inside as I write, why wouldn’t you cry with me?” (This was for Luke’s Tale.)
I can only be true to myself and hope that what I write will touch others in a positive way.
Tell us one weird thing, one nice thing, and one fact about where you live.
Weird thing – my daughter says that “spirits” live in our house … but they are good spirits that protect us.
Nice thing – I live in a suburb of Los Angeles. It has a very small town feel, and I know most of the people in our “small town.”
One Fact – I definitely live in “horse country.” Oh, and it also is the porn capital of the U.S.!
What are you working on now?
Another series.
Is there anything you would like us to know about yourself and your books?
My books have been from the heart. They all seem to center around loving others for who they are … and loving self to stay strong. Reviews mean the world to me. They are the only real barometer that I have to know if what I write is connecting to others. I get such a thrill from reading them … even the ones that aren’t so positive. And, I would love more “conversation” with my readers.
For my Coffee Time Romance Interview, click here!
