The Book Nymph Publishing October Issue

Foreword: Thank you for reading The Book Nymph Publishing & Promotion’s October issue. We are dedicated to increasing exposure to indie and traditionally published authors. In this issue you will find exclusive interviews, excerpts, poetry, short stories, and more. Enjoy!

Cheers, Kenya Cooper CEO & Founder The Book Nymph www.thebooknymph.com www.twitter.com/thebooknymph www.facebook.com/thebooknymph

INTRODUCING THE AUTHOR OF THE YELLOW HOODS, ADAM DREECE.

For 25 years, Adam wrote short stories that he only shared with friends and family. Like many people, he put his career first, and writing second. In 2009 when his appendix nearly killed him, he found himself struck with horrific abdominal pain that seemed never ending. Fifteen months later, after a surgery to explore for, and remove, scar tissue reduced the pain to a manageable, chronic level, he started writing a memoir. Nearly six months later, once again back at work but this time with writing always having a place in his life, he found himself hit with sudden, severe asthma. It was as if a switch had been flipped, and Adam found himself once again trying to figure out which way was up.

Two years later, with the memoir going through editing, Adam decided it needed to sit a while. The challenges he’d faced had made him more driven, more focused, more appreciative of the time that he had. With the support of his wife, on November 28th, 2013 he made a plan to be a full time author in five years. On January 4th, he started writing a story at the request of his daughter that became book 1 of The Yellow Hoods.

Adam lives with his amazing wife and three awesome kids. He’s very active on Twitter, and loves engaging with fellow readers and writers. He regularly helps fellow writings.

He lives in Calgary, Alberta.

Where are you from, Adam?

Calgary, but I only just realized that two and a half years ago when we moved here. Of all the places I’ve lived, I’ve never felt so much at home than in the heart of Western Canada.

I grew up in Montreal from about 2 years old, having been born in the UK. Montreal never really felt like home, and so when it came time for university, I leapt at the opportunity to go to one of the top technical schools in the world, the University of Waterloo, 45 minutes outside of

Toronto, and home to Blackberry. From there I went to Silicon Valley, then Toronto, then a short stint in the channel islands, before ending up a couple of years ago back in Montreal raising a family.

Once again, Montreal just didn’t feel right, and we decided to move. From the first day that I arrived in Calgary, I knew I was home.

Congrats on finding your home. Tell us, why do you write?

I usually find writers, like other artists, answer this question by saying they feel compelled to. That’s it a core part of who they are, and that’s absolutely true for me, but there’s a bit more to it.

I feel more like me when I’m doing it. I love the intellectual challenge of pulling together stories that seem so simple on way level, but are layered and complex the further you look into them. There’s nothing like creating something out of nothing that can move people, make them think, or make them wonder.

I totally agree. Creating your own worlds is one of the best parts of writing. Do you remember what inspired you to write your first book?

I always talk about my daughter as my motivation and inspiration for writing The Yellow Hoods: Along Came a Wolf (Book 1). But something that I haven’t talked about as much was how I wanted her to have books that she could read now on one level, read in three years on a different level, and then read again later in life and see it for the first time on all the levels. I wanted girls like her to be able to read books about strong women, and I wanted my sons to read books that had men that weren’t flat and simplistic like the stories I so often run into. I also wanted to provide a legacy

for them whereby they could get to know me, should I not be around to tell them.

I also needed to prove to myself that my ideas were worth doing. I still am the type of person to drop everything and help someone out. The problem is that it started to seem after a while that everyone else’s projects were more important to me, than my own. This weighed on me. I had a half dozen mobile applications I’d written incomplete, I had web projects sitting there half-done, and I felt that sense of having been a fraud, that I thought I’d vanquished long ago, creeping back into my life. I needed to do something for me, that if I did it well, could stand the test of time, and that’s why I returned to my passion for writing and started writing again.

What genre do you typically write?

I write layered young adult science fiction. That comes from a deep understanding of technology and how to relate it to people in simple and intriguing ways, and wanting to write stories that a 12 or 45 year old can pick up and feel was written for them.

The Yellow Hoods is an emergent Steampunk series, meaning that the 1800s type world is in the process of undergoing a technological revolution just as the steam engine is invented. That technological change is part of the backdrop of the storm.

The Yellow Hoods is also laced with fairy tale, but from the perspective of the rhyme Ring Around the Rosie reminds us of the black plague that was a real event, so why couldn’t I take other rhymes and fairy tales and treat those as simplistic ways of remembering something that concretely happened in the world of The Yellow Hoods.

Do you feel like you have a specific writing style?

For 25 years, ever since I handed my first short story to a friend, I’ve been told that I have a very particular way of writing, of seeing people and seeing events. I’ve been told that I write video and movies, that it doesn’t feel like literature. That my wording and description frequency changes depending on the pace and mood of the moment, that I use those to help slow down or speed things up.

I also layer meaning and intent my writing, a lot like poetry. I want someone who reads quickly to be able to re-read my works and enjoy them again and again on different levels, while meticulous reader can see all the hints and nuance that I’ve placed in there. Someone once said it was like the band The Police who were highly skilled musicians who played songs with only 4 chords. It sounded simple on one level, but was incredibly complex. It’s a complement that I carry with me to remind me, in those moments where I’m wondering why I’m doing it, that it’s part of how I write.

How long does it usually take you to write a book?

I wrote my first book in a month, my second book took about two and a half months. The third book has a concrete deadline, so I’ll need to finish in by end of November which will have been three months. It’s an aggressive schedule, especially with a full time job and family with three kids, but I thrive on that need to get it done. It forces me to sharpen my thinking and motivates me to prove that I can bend reality and produce what I need to, at the level that I’m capable of.

One month? That is truly impressive! What do you do to conquer writer’s block?

I listen to different music, I discuss the storyline with my wife or daughter.

I flip tasks, such as editing a part so that my brain doesn’t have to be creative at that moment. If I feel completely drained and burn-out, then I take the pressure off and do something fun, maybe take a couple of nights off. I try to remind myself that I’m doing this because I want to, because I love to, and not because I have to.

What can you tell us about your favorite character from your book?

My favorite character from Breadcrumb Trail (Book 2) is Marcus Pieman.

He is that special genius who is not only able to see how the world could be a better place, but is able to bring it about. He sees how to move the giant machine of societies and technologies to bring about the future that he wants. He isn’t evil, he’s driven. He’s devoted to creating a better world, but he’s also got a naïve blindspot, or so it seems. To create massive change, you have to be ruthless and paranoid, and we’ll see whether or not he truly is that in All the King’s Men (book 3).

What actor or actress would you like to see play your character in the movie adaptation I’d love to have Stanley Tucci as Nikolas Klaus, Malcolm Macdowell as Marcus Pieman, Scarlet Johnansen as Richelle Pieman, and Jamie Campbell Bower as Hans.

As for the Yellow Hoods, I’d love to see someone like a younger version of Nathalie Portman for Tee, but for the rest, I’m stumped at the moment.

That is a fantastic character list! I cannot wait to see the film. Who is your favorite author and what is it about them that inspires you?

The author that really struck a cord with me long, long ago, was Aldous Huxley and his book Brave New World. I don’t know what he was like as a man, but the story was compact and contrasted so well with George Orwell’s 1984, that is really stuck with me. They were two books with the same principal ideas, written one before and one after WWII. There was something about Huxley’s way of describing the world and the states of the characters that just flipped a switch in my mind. I seek to do that in my writing as well.

What book are you reading now?

The book I’ve been listening to lately is non-fiction, it’s called Zero to One

by Blake Masters and Peter Thiel. It’s essentially about technical startup companies.

I see my writing career as a startup company, and being a technologist myself, I seek to incorporate as many of the ideas from various other knowledge domains to help me become the best author that I can be.

What are your current projects?

I am working on The Yellow Hoods: All the King’s Men (book 3) and have planned out most of book 4 and the finale book 5, after which I’m planning on jumping to a series that takes place in the same world ten years later.

I have a couple of side-books in the world of The Yellow Hoods that feature some favorite characters, like the Cochon brothers, intended as oneoffs. I also have some Dieselpunk and other science fiction works that are sketched out and I wonder when I’ll slot them in.

By the end of this calendar year, I will have written and published 2 novels from start to finish, and written a third that will be published next spring, plus I write a short story that’s been submitted for an anthology. If I can keep that pace up for the next couple of years, I’ll definitely have built up an excellent head of steam.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Nothing. Once again I had crazy timelines, I had incredible stress at work while everything was going on, but I brought the book together and at a level that I was happy with. The early readers have reacted extremely well to it, so clearly I hit the mark.

I try my best to make the best story I can deliver and then I don’t look back.

I listen to the feedback and I’ll make my next story that much better.

Can you share a little of your work with us?

On my blog I have three chapter samples of book 1 and 2 of The Yellow Hoods, as well as a few of my early works. I’m slowly posting more of my short stories from over the past 25 years to show other writers where I was back then, versus where I am now, as well as to entertain people with some of the better ones.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

It’s getting all of the plot lines to coherently weave together. Sometimes there are plot lines, or scenes, that I love but just can’t come together with the others, so I make a note of those for potential use in something else, and move on.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

The first is FINISH IT. As I was saying to the audience of a panel I was on, the worst crime a writer can commit is fussing over something until the end of their days. Write the story, polish it up, and then get it in other people’s hands. Treat that a rocket that’s been fired, don’t pull it back in.

You’ve got to learn to manage that fear of being judged, that fear of “but it’s not perfect”, it never will be. But if you don’t get your story in other people’s hands, and hear what they have to say, then you will never really grow.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

It has been an amazing experience for me to get to know some of my readers at the conventions that I’ve been to, and on Twitter. The passion that people have for my stories really moves me. It’s amazing to hear about tweens or teens and their parents or grandparents reading the same books,

enjoying the same base story but on completely different levels, and having something they can bound over and look forward to more of, together.

One woman told me that until she read my first book, she didn’t know what people were talking about when they would say they could get lost in a book.

Some writers don’t build real relationships with their readers, I’m one of those that do. If you find yourself reading The Yellow Hoods, I’d love to hear from you.

Connect with Adam Dreece Today: Author of emergent Steampunk series The Yellow Hoods Young Adult written for everyone

Book 1 - Along Came a Wolf at Amazon, Amazon.ca, Kobo, Smashwords, The Yellow Hoods Store Book 2 - Breadcrumb Trail at Amazon, Amazon,.ca, Kobo, Smashwords, The Yellow Hoods Store

Blog: AdamDreece.com Twitter: @AdamDreece

Seeds of a technological revolution have started to sprout in this old world, about to change it forever. A secret society, long thought crushed, makes its first move against its unsuspecting, benevolent opponent.

Master inventor Nikolas Klaus has seen some of this coming, and has quietly broken the rule of keeping his secret society's knowledge and skills from the younger generations.

He knows that the day will come when they will be needed, but has underestimated how soon.

Tee, Elly, and Richy shed their innocence and are forced to stand as the Yellow Hoods to overcome life- threatening dangers unleashed as secrets of Nikolas' past are revealed.

Will Nikolas' secrets cost him the life of his granddaughter?

Are his efforts too little, too late?

"A gripping read. Lots of fun for kids and adults both. A wonderful mixture of action, mystery, and whimsy that leaves an impression on you long after you've turned the last page."

"I was always envious of people who could get drawn into a good book.

Now, I am one of those people."

"This book is well written and the character development is phenomenal.

I'm not just talking about the main characters here--I mean ALL of them."

LAWRENCE BOARERPITCHFORD SHARES HIS WRITING PROCESS. GO ON... ENJOY THE MAGIC!

Authors are awash with writing processes. Those who teach creative writing teach “the process” of writing, and those who write articles advise the reader on “the process” of writing, and in particular writing fiction.

There are those who advocate the use of outlines, and those who discuss free-writing; those who write using chronological order, and those who write out-of-order chapters as they come to them. There’s processes for short stories, and novels, screenplays, plays, and television scripts. My “process” for writing fiction you may identify with, but I’ll wager that yours is as unique to you as mine is to me.

As an author I write fiction because I love telling stories. I’m no genius, and certainly won’t be remembered for my groundbreaking prose, but hopefully my audience will remember that they had one hell of a rollicking good time reading my adventure stories. As I’ve matured in my style of writing, I’ve grown aware that I have a “process”. My way of composing a story, be it a novel, novella, short story, screenplay, or other, is relatively the same; it starts with an idea. I have ideas all the time for stories. As I reflect on my past, I’ve done this all my life. Perhaps it’s related to true delusion, or just an overactive imagination, who knows, but it is constant and pervasive within me. So, an idea comes to me, and I sit down at my computer and begin. I begin putting down what I see in my imagination. I, for lack of a better term, spew out the raw thoughts in as coherent a foundation of sentences as I can. Oh, it’s flawed alright; misspellings, character confusions, lack of continuity, corny or anachronistic phrasing. I write a few pages, or even a chapter, then I step away. I take some time to think about the protagonist, and what direction I want the story to flow in.

I grapple with plotting – plotting the course of the story to a logical and pleasing end. When I say pleasing, I don’t mean pleasant. I mean that the ending fits the story, characters, and resolves in a way that lets the reader feel that the climax of the tale has terminated without contradiction. So,

there I am with a page (or chapter) and a head full of thoughts. I try and envision the ending of my story; who gets what, why, when, and where?

For me, without this wrap-up figured out, I will stall, virtually hung up in the process.

Once the end is known to me, I set to filling in the middle, but in a chronological order. I write chapter one, two, three, four… well you get the idea. Each chapter is like a mini novel. Each chapter has a beginning, middle, and end. Each chapter ending leads into the next chapter. If the book is part of a series, then the last chapter will lead into the next book. If not a serial, the last chapter is only the tie-up of the story. Once I’ve come to the end, I stop. I take a break for a while. I work on other projects. After a month or so, I begin the arduous part of reading what I created. This is very laborious, and as I go along I make changes to the draft. I wade into the work hacking this out, changing this, rewording that. As I do, I find the broken bits of logic, lack of continuity, misspellings, clichés, and bad phrases. I hack with impunity. I may junk an entire chapter, half the book, or completely rewrite the whole thing. This part takes months of painstaking effort. When I come to the end, I stop. I put the work away for a little while. I work on another project. Eventually, I come back, and read it again. If it seems relatively coherent, I’ll send it out to some beta-readers to get their take on it. If they tell me it’s a good read, I’ll then put it out on www.absolutewrite.com (The Absolute Write Water Cooler web site) on the share your work forum, and see what those who don’t know me and are free of favoritism have to say. Sometimes it’s very constructive, sometimes it’s down-right ego-neutering.

Depending on the un-bias reviews compared to the potentially bias review by my beta readers, I decide if the project needs an overhaul or is good to go onto the first phase of editing. This first phase is just the cleanup, the seek-and-destroy of as many spelling and grammatical errors as possible.

Once done, it goes under the microscope again. I then reread it again.

Correct any errors I notice, improve any rough sentence structures for easier reading, and see if the story is matching with the plot correctly. At this point I’m ready for independent editing to take over. Editing can take a while depending how fast the editors can do the copy edit, the content edit, and the final edit. I make the correction as they come, and only if they make good business sense to me. After the editing, it’s off to the formatting. The book is formatted into e-book and paperback formats.

After formatting, comes the cover art. I do my own, and make several mockups of what I am thinking would capture the essence of the book, and be appealing to the perspective buyer. After I get feedback on the covers, I go with the one that is the most appealing, and I’m at an end of the Lawrence BoarerPitchford creative writing process, and onto the creative marketing process.

I’m sure that there are some of you out there that read this and said – “That dude is crazy,” or “Hey, that’s like what I do,” or even “Why did I read this?” Nonetheless, the fore mentioned “process” is what I do, and if you’re a writer of fiction, or thinking of doing so, or an avid reader of the type of fiction I write, I hope that you found it illuminating. Buy a Lawrence BoarerPitchford novel/novella and reap the benefits of going on a raucous adventure while never leaving the comfort of your living room – if indeed you have a living room.

Visit Lawrence BoarerPitchford!

www.BoarerPitchford.com

INTRODUCING AUTHOR, A.J. ADWEN

Allison was born and raised in the mountains of Oregon, birthed of the crisp, clean air and rainy forests. She now resides in Oklahoma City, though she is still thoroughly attached to her home and finds much inspiration for her stories whenever she has a chance to return. As the spouse of a police officer and a full-time photographer, she is on her toes 24/7.

In 2013, she was a recipient of the Oklahoma Next Generation award: an award given to thirty individuals under the age of thirty in the state who have proven to be innovative and inspiring leaders in the arts, entertainment, business, media, and other areas of impact.

Often told that she has her head in the clouds, she couldn’t deny it even if she wanted to. Allison began dreaming up stories long before she was old enough to write them. She enjoys a variety of genres, including YA, romance, historical romance, fantasy, dystopian, and anything else that hooks her interest. She prefers to write books that tell gripping love stories in heart-wrenching, real, inspiring ways. Her stories are deep and raw, taking the reader into a world that is richly intricate. Readers often say that they are swept away and left reeling when they have finished the last page.

Allison loves to interact with her readers, and she does her best to respond to every email she receives.

To learn more about her, visit her Facebook page and follow along on her writing journey!

Connect with A.J. Adwen www.AuthorAJAdwen.com Check out A.J. Adwen's Books on Amazon!

A QUICK FIRE Q&A WITH AUTHOR, KIRSTIN PULIOFF!

Q. Coffee of tea?

A. Coffee

Q. What historical figure would you like to meet?

A. Jesus

Q. If you woke up in an abandoned castle, what would you do?

A. Oooohhhh… first I would try on any abandoned princess dresses (I can dream right?) and then tour every room, check out the view from the towers, and enjoy the gardens.

Q. What is your favorite dish to cook? Or order in a restaurant?

A. To cook… well, I’ll be honest. I’m not a big fan of cooking. I do it to prepare healthy food for the family, but it’s not ‘a joy.’ Favorite food to eat out… Dessert

Q. Which actor would play your favorite character from your books?

A. Oh… I love dream casts. If I were to cast for my upcoming YA release, Dreamscape: Saving Alex, I would cast Jennifer Lawrence as my main character, Alexis Stone.

Thanks for stopping by, Kirstin!

Interested in learning more about our guest? Check out her interview and writing challenge on www.WriteLikeAWizard.com

Check out our Kirstin's Books on Amazon!

Check out Kirstin Pulioff's World! She loves to connect with readers. www.KirstinPulioff.com

INTRODUCING AUTHOR, STEPHANN IBRAHIM! **AUTHOR FEATURE**

Stephann Ibrahim is a writer of many genres including mystery, romance, fantasy, and children’s literature. At the young age of five she knew that writing would be her calling. After ghost writing for several small publications and pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in English, she decided to follow her dream of writing novels and novellas. Her goal is to captivate the mind of readers and allow them to get lost in another world just by reading. It has been a long term aspiration for Stephann to give readers the same wonderful reading experience she received not only as a child but also as an adult. She believes that everyone needs a mental escape even if it is just for a few hours. When’s she not substitute teaching, she spends her days writing. Stephann currently resides in Maryland with her husband.

Buy Hearts of Larceny & Connect with Stephann Ibrahim!

Jordan Thatcher is a man eater. According to Detective Angelo she is not only a man-eater but also a serial killer leading her male acquaintances to horrifyingly gruesome endings and leaving their bodies at the scene literally heartless.This rookie Detective is determined to prove her guilt, but there's a few kinks in his case. All of the evidence is circumstantial and his interrogation with the elusive Jordan Thatcher has Detective Angelo second guessing his investigation. With Jordan's agreement to provide information regarding the victims as well as her involvement in crimes of a lesser degree can the rookie detective solve the case of Highland Massacres? Will he find the evidence he needs to put perp behind bars? Most importantly, will Jordan's corporation not only lead Detective Angelo to another prime suspect but also to the missing hearts of the victims? This twistical dark story will take readers on mentally thrilling ride

Connect with Stephann Ibrahim on Twitter: @stephannibrahim

A QUARTER INCH FROM MY HEART BY, KEVIN HALL BOOK REVIEW BY, THE BOOK NYMPH 5 out of 5 stars A poignant account of the author’s tumultuous, yet endearing encounter with an interesting man that enriched his life, A Quarter Inch From My Heart is a story that goes beyond the surface of human attraction, but explores the deeper emotions, fears, and spirituality of a man seeking true companionship.

Deeply engaging, Hall tells the story with such care and attention to detail that the reader will effortlessly find that they are utterly gripped from the first page to the last.

The story begins with the tragic loss of one of Hall’s closest childhood friends, and gives us an enlightening glimpse into the school-age days and events that shaped him into the position he finds himself in his mid-forties.

Facing a question of his sexuality, and the subsequent look at the value of his current friendships, the author struggles with a desire to have someone

that loves him unconditionally.

As he does so much for others, on top of his study to obtain his Masters, working, and being an active member of his church, Hall recounts the story of his time with Maurice, a chance encounter during his vacation to New Orleans.

Instantly intrigued by this character, a charming African-American man, with a veiled past, Hall has little warning that this new acquaintance will have such a profound effect on his life, or all that he will learn about himself from this experience.

A chance encounter indeed, and yet Hall once again finds himself reacquainted with his New Orleans friend after Hurricane Katrina ravages the city of their meeting. Miles away, in New York, they meet again.

Surprise, and joy, overcomes Hall when they meet once again, and his quick decision to let Maurice stay with him sets off a chain of events that will keep the reader in suspense. Times of joy, sorrow, fear, and anger seem to dominate their relationship. Hall essentially welcomes stranger into his home and has to suffer the consequences, which are both draining

and rewarding at various times.

“I was beginning to wonder when the caregiving would end for me, and what kind of stress all of this was having on my own health. Plus, a few dollars here, a few dollars there- it was all adding up to growing debt for me. Was I pulling him up or was he pulling me down?” Hall asks himself this question after more than a year of dealing with the constant turmoil Maurice has introduced to his life.

What does this stranger- now friend and companion really have in his past? What demons does he continue to fight, and sometimes lose against?

What can Maurice teach Hall that he never expected?

These questions are answered after several ups and downs between the two men, in ways that will both warm and tug on the reader’s heart.

Hall’s patience, generous nature, and trust are tested in ways he never anticipated after their first meeting.

The story is weaved expertly, with carefully placed flash backs, and foreshadowing that when combined with the ever frustrating and powerful story of a man’s quest to find love, do God’s will, truly explore and discover himself, and ultimately deal with one of the biggest challenges that one could imagine.

When a near stranger contacts the author in New York City after Hurricane Katrina, Hall decides to invite him in as a roommate until he "gets back on his feet." That never happens, and over two and a half years, as the relationship deepens, the questions about the new friend's past only grow in number.

The author battles between compassion and tough love, between trust and suspicion. Through all of this, Hall also examines his own past and the difficulties he overcame that gave him strength.

This memoir invites us to ask: Having experienced an almost fatal wounding of our hearts, can we still open our hearts to allow in the love that heals? Can we find hope that transcends the tragedies of our lives? This memoir invites us to ask:

Having experienced an almost fatal wounding of our hearts, can we still open our hearts to allow in the love that heals? Can we find hope that transcends the tragedies of our lives?

AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, PAULA J. KNIGHT

Where are you from?

Glen Dale, WV Why do you write?

Probably because I am driven to share experiences with people What inspired you to write your first book?

A friend of mine was diagnosed with HIV and I was afraid I would forget him so I started a journal. That turned into the first book, UNTIL I SEE YOU What genre do you typically write?

I started with adult contemporary romance but have moved on to romantic mysteries Do you feel like you have a specific writing style?

Hahaha!

According to definition, I am a pantster! I have a concept but I don’t outline. I just sit down and open a vein, so they say.

How long does it usually take you to write a book?

The first book took three years, but I would say now it is about 6 months from concept to finish.

What do you do to conquer writer’s block?

I really believe in Stephen King’s mantra that there is no writer’s block.

When you are stuck it is because you don’t like where the story is going.

Go back to where the block began and change it.

What can you tell us about your favorite character from your book?

I really love the nerdy hero, Carlton Barr. He is not what he seems and definitely is aligned with the saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover.’

What actor or actress would you like to see play your character in the movie adaptation I think that Johnny Galecki from “The Big Bang Theory” is perfect for Carlton.

Who is your favorite author and what is it about them that inspires you?

Oh boy. This is a loaded question. I have so many. I would have to say

Diana Gabaldon, who’s works have stayed fresh for decades. She isn’t afraid to offer a powerful heroine.

What book are you reading now?

Owen’s Daughter by Jo-Ann Mapson What are your current projects?

I have two irons in the fire right now. I am halfway through the second book in the Talia V Deadly Romance series, Rare Rosaries, which takes place in Malta and Milan. I am also working on a children’s book for my granddaughter.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

No. I think it is my best work.

Can you share a little of your work with us?

Definitely! Here is a short excerpt from Rare Rosaries:

They enjoyed the closeness that the small dance floor provided. In order to not bump into or step on someone’s toes, they were required to be very intimate, their bodies brushing against each other with every step. Talia had not felt this secure in a very long time. Carlton’s arms were a welcome change from spending every night in Paris alone. She, however, was still not willing to pay that price for the loss of her freedom.

When the boat pulled into the dock the crowd drifted in the direction of the exits. Carlton and Talia hung back, savoring their time together. As they neared the gangplank, Talia pulled on his sleeve.

“What now, Carlton? Back to the villa?”

“No, as much I would love to take you back to the villa, I need to take you to your car and see you home. It wasn’t my intention to have a carnal lunch with you earlier today, but you instigated it, my dear. I have wined you and dined you this evening and that is the end of it for now. Perhaps I will see you again before you leave for Paris. But for now, I feel the need to leave you wanting more, not less, of me.”

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

What I find challenging is also what I find exhilarating! I love doing research because I want my readers to feel like they are there with the characters. I spend a lot of time authenticating my story.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

If you think you might want to try writing, do it! I never thought I could write a novel, no less 5 (So far)! Go with your gut! Trust yourself! It is a very cathartic ambition. GO FOR IT!

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I am nothing without you! I love to hear from my readers and I take your suggestions and ideas very seriously. I have incorporated many suggestions from you in the past. Thank you!

Connect with Paula J. Knight

www.Facebook.com/LoveintheIsles

Allow The Book Nymph to introduce the lovely, Glenda Horsfall, who has penned the seductive novel, Playing for Keeps.

Glenda Horsfall was born and brought up in the beautiful city of Edinburgh.

From an early age she was an avid reader. She became engrossed in reading romance novels in her early teens and promised herself that one day she would sit down and write her own.

That dream has now been achieved with the publication of her first novel 'Playing for Keeps'. A tale of Domination and submission, the story is also a romance with a Happy Ever After ending!

Glenda now lives on the Fylde Coast of England with her own hero. She has a grown up son and three beautiful grand-daughters.

Having worked for many years as an Accountant, she loves being able to let her creative imagination run wild as she creates romantic stories for you to enjoy.

PLAYING FOR KEEPS

Matt is worried! Their relationship is in trouble. Cassie has been begging him to add role-play to their lovemaking, but the kind of role Cassie wants him to play leaves him cold. When he discovers her stash of erotic romance novels, he comes to suspect that what she really wants is dominance.

Matt takes Cassie away for the weekend to celebrate her birthday. She is disappointed that the ‘highlight’ of the weekend is to be a costume party. A costume party is not the kind of role-play she’s fantasized about. She is surprised when she realizes it will be a party for two and that Matt has actually taken her to a BDSM club.

Cassie agrees to be his ‘love slave’ for the weekend and promises to obey all her ‘Master’s’ commands.

Matt is surprised at her enthusiasm and is turned on by her ready acceptance of his domination.

At last, he understands her desire to role-play and Matt indulges her fantasies, along with a few of his own. However, the weekend away has changed their relationship and has taken them in a direction he hadn’t foreseen. Now he’s wondering if they can survive the changes.

Playing for Keeps is available on Amazon

LYRINIAN BLADE THE CHRONICLES OF KOA BOOK THREE K.N. LEE

Chapter 1

“Out of the black smoke and red sparks of flame, she emerged like a beautiful creature from my darkest nightmares. I remember my eyes widening with fear and disbelief, because I’d seen her before, but only in my dreams. But, Remi, I’ve never felt such fear in all of life. It was as if she could see me through all of those soldiers. This was a war. A bloody, devastating war, and she knew who I was, and she was coming for me.”

Essie’s voice broke and she closed her eyes. The buzzing inside her head subsided only when she focused on the memory of her latest dream.

“Go on, Essie, tell me more,” Remi said, holding the glowing pen in

the air before them. All of Essie’s words were being swept away and stored within the Ivory Tower’s lower vaults. The Ivory Tower was more than a prison, it stored precious secrets.

It stored prophecy.

Essie nodded and rested her head of purple hair on her pillow. She closed her eyes and continued dictating her dream.

“Such beauty was astounding. I’ve never seen someone with her features. Wild blue hair that whipped around with the rough winds, and fierce green eyes that seemed to glow in the Disc Moon’s dim evening light.

She was small, but I felt no shred of doubt that she was the most powerful being on that battlefield. Hordes of creatures tried to swarm her, but she had a team of soldiers making a path for her. Everything was chaos, Remi.” Essie paused.

The air was warm in her chambers. She swallowed. “Until she pulled out that sword. The entire field went silent when she held that sword into the air. And then, she flew.”

Remi stopped writing. He withdrew the glowing Netherworld pen and lowered his violet eyes to Essie’s face.

“What did the sword look like?”

Essie opened her green eyes. “It was black, but became engulfed in a red glow, the instant the girl pulled it from its sheath.”

Remi’s pale face was unreadable, but Essie could feel that something was wrong. She sat up in her bed and pulled her knees into her chest.

“What’s wrong, Remi?”

“What did the girl’s eyes look like? Were they round like yours and mine, or were they thin?”

Essie thought back. “They were thin. I’ve never seen anyone with eyes like that before, only in books. Books with humans in them.”

Remi shot to his feet. He clicked off his glowing pen and stuffed it into his side pocket.

“What is it? Did I say something wrong?

Remi glanced over his shoulder. His long black hair was braided into a long braid that reached the floor. He gave her a lingering look, as if unsure if he should tell her exactly what was so troublesome about her latest prophecy.

Essie felt her skin tingle with fear. She’d never seen this reaction from Remi. His violet eyes held such worry that she couldn’t keep from wringing her hands.

Remi looked past her, and out her window at the far end of her sleeping quarters. “I am not certain if I should even tell you. You are too young to know of such things.”

Essie pulled her covers off and stepped onto her cold floor with bare

feet. Waves of purple hair spilled over her shoulders. She stepped towards Remi.

“But they are my dreams,” she said. “My prophecy. Why should the meaning of them be kept from me? I am not too young. I am seventeen and almost a woman.”

Remi shook his head as he looked at her innocent face. Essie knew he loved her like a daughter, and yet her father kept her prisoner, just like every other prophet to ever be cursed to be born in the Netherworld. “You have a lot to learn, dear girl.”

Essie closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around Remi’s waist. She hugged him and pressed her cheek to his abdomen. “Then stop keeping things from me, and teach me.”

Remi pulled her out by her shoulders and held her at arm’s length. “I

will, Essie. I will tell you the tales and truths of your aunt, the half-blood princess of Elyan, Koa.�

Catch up on The Chronicles of Koa Series Today!

Download Netherworld: The Chronicles of Koa Book One & Dark

Prophet: The Chronicles of Koa Book Two on Amazon, Barnes & Noble,

and Kn-Lee.com

Ben leads a routine life: Oregon state agency office job, distance running, and avoiding traffic when it’s possible.

Once the sun sets, however, his life takes an extraordinary turn.

He is in a relationship with a vampire who has not drawn breath since she was a young noblewoman in Birmingham, England, during the seventeenth century.

Although their love is pure and true, Tabitha has a terrible secret that she cannot bring herself to divulge. As Ben learns the hard way, there are rules for all—humans and vampires alike. He must decide how far he will go to protect his loved ones when an ancient undead adversary of Tabitha’s intensifies an already bloody vampire power struggle.

Will he be able to make it?

This book shows how two people from uncommon backgrounds find each other and defy fate. The lovers’ struggle is not only brought about by their differences but also by the painful past of Tabitha. Her nemesis is fast catching up with her, and sooner, she needs to decide how to best use her cards and snatch the victory. She cannot do it without Ben’s support.

Holamn’s characters are remarkable and his plot is craftily weaved, bringing the readers into a breathtaking journey before a satisfying conclusion.

About the Author: Michael W. Holman is a bachelor who has spent his entire life in the Pacific Northwest. He lives in Salem, Oregon. His favorite activities include distance running, reading fiction, and playing strategy board games with his nearby immediate family members on Friday nights. He's currently writing the sequel to "Resolve And Retribution," which is his first novel.

Book description: By day, Ben Hammonds leads a routine life: Oregon state agency office job, distance running, and avoiding traffic when it's possible. But once the sun sets, his life isn't so ordinary. He's in a relationship with a vampire who hasn't drawn breath since she was a young noblewoman in Birmingham, England, during the seventeenth century. Although Tabitha loves him, there's a secret she can't bring herself to divulge from that era. As Ben learns the hard way, there are rules for all-humans and vampires alike. He must decide how far he'll go to protect loved ones when an ancient undead adversary of Tabitha's intensifies an already bloody vampire power struggle.

And he must do it within his own hometown. www.ResolveAndRetribution.com

Introducing Author, Jeané Sashi!

Have you noticed that everything you do and everything that you go through in life is a story waiting to be told? Whether it’s fiction, fantasy, romance, humor, mystery, or non-fiction; your story can be told. Get the words out of your head…just write.

Jeané has been writing since she was in high school.

Although she kept diaries, just as any teenage in high school, she didn’t realize her writing potential until she entered and won the Mayor’s Essay Award.

She critiques and edits the writings of fellow authors. She herself is the author of two novels, “Intimate Moments” and “The J Spot”.

Jeané is also a Certified Motivational Life Coach & Speaker ; Certified Book Editor & Freelance Writer; and has a Chocolate Sweet Tooth Connect with Jeané Sashi: www.JeaneEBennett.com

A Few Words from The Book Nymph Thank you for viewing this month’s issue. We hope you enjoyed reading about our fantastic clients. They would greatly appreciate if you visited their websites. Have a fantastic month, and we look forward to sharing more exclusive content in November!

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