C.A. Masterson

Award-winning author C.A. Masterson loves stories of any genre. Multi-published in contemporary to historical, fantasy/ dark fantasy to paranormal/speculative, she sometimes mashes genres. Visit her at http:// paintingfirewithwords.blogspot.com or look for her romance stories as Cate Masters at http:// catemasters.blogspot.com and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.

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Welcome to C.A. Masterson

Welcome to Uncaged! Your latest book, Empire of Air and Shadow released recently. Can you tell more about the book and the series?

Thanks so much for having me at Uncaged! Empire of Air and Shadow, released in the summer of 2021, is the first in a YA speculative duology. Set in an alternate world, the story follows two girls struggling to survive. I just typed “The End” for book two, titled An Oath of Blood and Secrets. After revisions, I’ll send that book off to an editor. I hope to release it in May.

What is the most difficult scene for you to write? What is the easiest?

This story especially had been in my head for several years, so the characters kept developing and acting out scenes until finally I had to start writing. I generally have no trouble with first drafts. Revisions can be fairly painful.

Do you have a favorite character you’ve written? Has there been a character that’s been hard to write about?

That’s like trying to choose a favorite child! I am finding the characters of Empire of Air and Shadow challenging but their journey is so gratifying. I like to round out every character with positive and negative traits to make them relatable, and the two main characters of this story have to deal with extremely difficult situations, some pulled from real life. For instance, wives in Papua New Guinea are often beaten or maimed by disapproving husbands, so Mina’s mother is a healer who treats such women.

How do you come up with the title to your books?

With great difficulty. Honestly, titles are often the last thing I write because they have to hint at the genre and encapsulate the story. Only one story started with the title, which simply popped into my head one morning: Death Is A Bitch.

What behind-the-scenes tidbit in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?

I’m very private, but nothing too shocking. I’ve loved to write since I turned double digits. I wrote romance as Cate Masters for several years. I do tend to get grumpy if I can’t fit in writing time. Stories demand to be let out of my head.

Which comes first, the plot or the characters in the planning stages?

For me, every story is different. I’ve written detailed outlines that require constant revision as characters hijack the story. Scenes often play out in my head like movies, so I write them down and sometimes must patch them together. Usually I start with a basic idea of the story’s beginning and where the characters will end up.

What are some things you like to do to relax when you aren’t writing or working?

Outdoor gardening to make our yard attractive to wildlife (though I’ve yet to see a screech owl in the nesting box). I’m always composing pictures in my head, and have a ton of photographs. Lots of dif-

ferent crafts, from beading to painting to embroidery, some of which I sell in my Etsy shop, Pansy Dreaming. We also love to travel, and hope to be able to do so again soon. On our last trip, we visited the stunningly beautiful island of Vieques and I would love to return there someday.

If you could have one all-year season, which would it be and why?

I love living in central Pennsylvania, and look forward to each change of seasons. If I had to pick only one, then autumn, when the flowers are so lush and nature’s colors so vivid. Plus, Halloween is huge in our house, with decorations up all month, and since the pandemic, we’ve held a Halloween Hunt in the yard for the grandkids that has grown to epic proportions.

How many hours a day do you write? On average, how long does it take to write a full novel?

I don’t write every day, but tend to binge-write. I’d say at least a year to finish a full-length novel because I revise several times. I began the current two-book story I’m writing about five years ago.

Do you prefer ebooks, audiobooks or physical books? Are you reading anything now?

After the initial ebook phase, I’ve cycled back to physical books, though audiobooks are great for the car or while working on crafts.

What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you?

Just that I appreciate you! Authors need encouragement to keep writing. I’d love your feedback, reviews, or comments.

Enjoy an excerpt from Empire of Air and Shadow

Empire of Air and Shadow C.A. Masterson YA Fantasy

Atop the Kabellak Mountain, in The Blessed Heights, Tayari Thorne trains to become a Favored One, a title of distinction bearing no freedom. A man would choose her, keep her, provide for her—until he tired of her. Home was one privilege she would not know. Below in The Dregs, in the shadow of the mountain, Amina Emezi readies for the day when she can escape her parents’ home, and escape the Dregs, dependent on no one else. Home would be the place of her choosing. Neither realizes the fragility of her existence. Neither could guess how their lives would intersect, and change course unalterably on the same day.

Excerpt

When Tayari Thorne stepped out of her family home for the final time, Kabellak Mountain trembled beneath her feet. The thunder in the mountain echoed the thunder in her heart. She couldn’t tell if she was causing the mountain to shudder, or its rumblings were shaking her to the bone. She only knew her world was shattering. Her body’s every sinew braced for the crack she was certain would follow. The goddess who ruled Kabellak would split the ground beneath her feet and swallow her hard, swallow her whole, swallow her endlessly. She made her footsteps as light as she could to pass without notice of the goddess, but the guards’ heavy march gave them all away. Since the announcement days earlier, Da could barely look Tayari in the eye. Grief stiffened his face. He made excuses to move as far from Mama as he could inside their small cavern. Mama spoke of The Preparatory Quarters in breathless awe, hand to her chest as she beamed at Tayari. Such good fortune, she said, that a spot had unexpectedly opened up just as Tayari had passed twelve summers. Such an honor, she said, for Tayari to be chosen. At Da’s glance, Mama went back to her sewing with a defiant little smile. When Tayari argued she’d rather they had chosen someone else, Da repeated that it was an honor. Who, she asked, would teach her what she needed to know? Tell her stories of the Time Before? Tuck her blanket around her? This morning the Guide appeared at their domed entry, and Tayari saw something else in Da’s face. Fear. As if he, too, had thought of Tayari’s leaving as a distant possibility, but payment had come due on their promise. A hard truth. The woman in a silken dress of grey fog made no greeting, didn’t introduce herself, but Da recognized her. “You’re the Guide.” He spoke as if he hadn’t quite believed she’d appear. “It’s time.” That’s all the woman had said, her face a mask of steely indifference though her gaze swept over Tayari, but lingered on her long, unruly hair. One glimpse of the two guards who flanked her, both identical in expressionless demeanor, and Da’s fear became contagious to Tayari. She trembled as the pair looked past her as if she were invisible. She threw herself into her father’s arms, whimpers blocking his murmured urges to be happy. He held her away from him and nodded, but locked behind his grim smile was a well of sorrow so deep, if he loosed his tears, she would drown. The Guide repeated with greater urgency, “It’s time.” Mama fluttered around the room like a trapped bird. She rushed to Tayari and pressed a small pillow into her hands. “A remembrance.” The woman snatched away the pillow and tossed it to the ground. The Preparatory Quarters, the woman said in a voice that could turn water to ice, would give Tayari all she needed.

| FEATUrE AUTHOr |

Never had she wanted a pillow more than when her mother cradled it against her belly, the soft place Tayari wanted to bury her head. Da nudged Tayari toward the woman. Remember our stories, he said. She should always be brave and strong. Their love would go with her. Tears magnified his eyes. From the stove, Mama clasped her hands as if in prayer. “Make us proud.” Then they led her out. Once in the tunnel, the Guide lifted her skirts, muttered that no decent person would live in such disgusting conditions, with animals. Animals that fed those in the royal compound, Tayari wanted to argue, but when she glanced back, her mother waved her forward. The Guide swept ahead, arms waving to scatter the chickens. The guards advanced toward Tayari, and forced her in the same direction. A nudge sent her ahead. A harder nudge sent her into a stumble. A yank pulled her up. It was then that the mountain first rumbled. Tayari’s legs became stone. No rocks dislodged from the wall, but Kabellak would surely crumble apart. The guards, oblivious, pushed her along. At the mouth of the corridor, the Guide whirled on her. “Keep up, girl.” The snapped command loosened Tayari’s legs a little. Before today, she looked forward to an entertaining walk with her parents into the large cavern. The people of Ward Three gathered for market, to chat and on special occasions, to dance and sing. Hewn into the walls of stone hung balconies of homes larger and more beautiful than Tayari’s small cave. There was nothing entertaining about today. Kid goats scurried behind their mother, and the Guide kicked at those in her path. Tayari turned to comfort them, but another shove made her scramble for her footing. “Defiance will bring you nothing but pain.” The guard pointed. Tayari walked. Fear kept her movements timid and stiff. A swarm of questions buzzed in her head, none answerable. Already, the swish of grey fabric was a fog in her vision. The tap of The Guide’s footsteps was the rhythm that carried her along. In this manner, they passed through Ward Three. Mothers withdrew to the shadows on their balconies. Tayari’s stomach tightened at seeing their shielded faces, and how they clutched their young daughters close. The way Mama had spoken of the Preparatory Quarters, Tayari had expected cheerful waves along the way to Initiation. This was all wrong. She didn’t belong with these strangers. The image of Da’s sad face was more powerful than that of her mother shooing her forward. Tayari whirled to run back to her family, and slammed into the stiff uniform of a guard. The other stood beside him, two unyielding towers who blocked her path. Both carried weapons. The Guide waited only long enough to say, “This way.” Tayari had no choice but to follow, though her heart pulled her toward Da. He was probably sitting in their story chair, alone but not waiting for her. She was not meant to return.

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We have a cat, Mrs. Katz. She was rescued out of a dumpster. She’s 16 years old and has a bad attitude.

BARBARA MONAJEM & Rosie & Earl

I have attached two pet pics. Most of our cats arrived at our house as stray kittens. The little black one is Rosie. She is now full grown, is very affectionate and has lovely soft fur. However, she has a loud, annoying meow! The grey one is Earl. We rescued him from the nearby park, where he had been abandoned. He grew up to be a big cat with a sweet little meow.

C.A. MASTERSON & Lily & Binx

I love this! Lily is our sweet rescue pup, a mix of terrier and Australian cattle dog who has been a joy for the past 12 years. She loves, loves, loves our grandkids, and any babies who visit. Our cat has had many names, though I like to call him Chairman Maiow but the grandkids call him Binx after the cat in Hocus Pocus. Our daughter brought him home in 2003, so he’s an old man of 18 now. The two animals get along well, even when Lily steals the cat food!

AUTHORS AND THEIR PETS

Pets and companions come in many shapes and sizes. From furry to feathered to hairy and scaley - there is a place for all of them. Authors have a special relationship with their pets - whether they remind them to get up and take a break or they inspire their writing. Meet the critters that share their love and devotion to Uncaged Feature Authors.

JADE MARSHALL & Lesnar

We have three cats in our household right now. Both of my daughters have a cat, and then we have a family cat. Sabbia was two years old when my oldest daughter adopted her. Sabbia is an anxious girl who loves to climb and follow everyone into the bathroom for pets. Poor baby takes antianxiety meds every day, but she’s doing pretty well these days. A year ago, Mabel was found in a field with a badly broken tail and a severe respiratory infection. Her tail had to be amputated, but she recovered and was taken in by my youngest daughter. Mabel is super fluffy and soft and enjoys knocking everything she can off tables. Mabel also gets bored a lot and frequently gets after the other two cats for entertainment. Oscar is a tuxedo cat. He’s thirteen years old now, and does a lot of sleeping these days, although he goes outside whenever he can. He’s a calm, sweet boy.

ELIZABETH ROSE & Banshee NADINE MILLARD & Dash & Dumbledore

I am not a grandmother yet since neither of my boys is married, but I do have the cutest granddog that I like to brag about. Her name (not of my choosing) is Banshee. It’s probably a perfect name for her since she has issues with barking at other dogs. She is a rescue dog, and I should have known from the moment I heard her barking at the turkeys on the other side of the fence at the pound that this was going to be a problem.

That said, she is not violent at all, but very loveable.

She is part blue heeler and cattle dog and likes to round everyone up when she decides it’s time to play with her. Her favorite toy ever is a rubber ball. She can jump about five feet in the air and flip a full side-ways circle like an acrobat just to catch it. She loves lounging in the sun in my secret garden when I’m writing, and of course chasing squirrels and chipmunks around the yard.

Okay, I admit I spoil her, but after all, she deserves it. This is Dash, our rescue dog. When we lost our beautiful Samoyed we had a doggy shaped hole in our lives so when we met Dash, a Pitbull/ Labrador cross we absolutely fell in love with him. He. Is. Crazy. Like, crazy. He is SO strong and he no idea. He’s the goofiest, silliest, but most loving dog and he is utterly adored by us all! And this is Dumbledore. Dumbledore came into our lives when his mama who was a stray had kittens in my friend’s back garden. As soon as I saw Dumby I knew we needed to have him. He loves cuddles on HIS terms and he definitely rules the roost. With us and Dash!

JEN NASH & Zinnia

This is the lovely Zinnia – I adore this little Nubian dairy goat. She’s the apple of my eye and is only two months old but has the run of the house, until I get something more secure for her outside. I love Coyotes but I’m rooting for this