Meet The Author, Cris Pasqueralle

Enjoy getting to know, Cris Pasqueralle:

Thank you for joining me today. Tell us in three words, or less, how you would best describe your writing.

Family oriented.

Your book, The Destiny Trilogy, is the first of three in the bestselling series. Share a passage that you’d like for us to enjoy.  

The golden light encircled Jack and Maddie, and when the bird moved in to swallow them in its great beak, a blinding flash split the darkness and the eagle vaporized.

You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author, but can never write again, or write forever, but never have a bestseller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?

Write forever. I always have a story to tell and would never be able to hold them in.

If you could live on a college campus and never leave, or live in a small town but be able to travel, which one would you choose?

A small town would suit me just fine.

Okay, how about in an amusement park or in an airport?

Amusement park, nothing like a roller coaster to get the creativity flowing.

And how about Australia or Scotland?

Australia.

Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?

None that I can think of. I’m a classic rock and oldies man. Give me The Who and Elvis, and I’m good.

Are there any good bands out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?

No.

And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is still The Office)?

I like The Big Bang Theory, but my favorite has to be The Odd Couple.

Is there anything you’re currently working on?

A young adult paranormal detective story, untitled as of yet.

Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?

Don’t really have one favorite author, but would like to find out how H.G. Wells was able to look into the future so accurately.

Lightning round:

Ocean or mountains?  Ocean

Yogurt or ice cream?  Ice Cream

M&M’s or Skittles?  M&M’s

Jimmy Fallon or Stephen Colbert? Neither

Happy or sad ending to a novel? Happy

Beer or wine?  Wine

Flying or driving?  Flying

Hemingway or Twain?  Hemingway

You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take two things with you, as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?

A pen and paper and my children.

You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him/her over to your house or meet at their place of royalty?

Gandhi, I would meet him at his place, and the subject would be world religions.

You can wish for one thing and one thing only, not world peace and no more wishes. What’s it gonna be?

That I always have enough of whatever it is I need.

Pick up one of Pasqueralle’s books today:

Meet The Author, Robert Enders

Enjoy getting to know, Robert Enders:

Thank you for joining me today. Tell us in three words how you would best describe your writing.

Entertaining, fast paced.

Your book, A Long Way From Tipperary, was released in May, 2017. Share a passage that you’d like for us to enjoy.

“Yesterday, on the twelfth day of the seventh month of Year 206 of the New Universal Calendar, Onyx Station was attacked and severely damaged by Azul space forces. I hereby call upon the Galactic Legislature to declare that a state of war exists between the New Magellanic Cloud and the Azul Starclan. We will fight in the intergalactic expanse, we shall fight in extrademensional space, we shall defend our home galaxy whatever the price might be, we shall fight in the nebulae, in the asteroid fields, and in the vast interstellar void.  We shall fight in orbit, in atmosphere, and on the surface of every world where the enemy can be found. I have been speaking directly with President Helgrane and Commissar DeRocha about forming a coalition to defeat the forces of tyranny and genocide.”

You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author, but can never write again, or write forever, but never have a bestseller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?

The first option sounds like death, like I died and then suddenly people decided to buy my books. I want to continue writing for the rest of my life.

If you could live on a college campus and never leave, or live in a small town but be able to travel, which one would you choose?

I actively avoid college campuses. I actually live in a small town, and I am able to travel.

Okay, how about in an amusement park or in an airport?

I have no use for amusement parks. All that waiting in line, overpriced crappy food, and the gross bathrooms. I′m too goddamn old to be excited by rollercoasters.

And how about Australia or Scotland?

I′ve never been to either place. Australia sounds more interesting.

Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?

10,000 Maniacs.  But that′s not actually what I listened to back then. I was more into Offspring and Green Day during the 90′s. I got into 10,000 Maniacs in 2004.

Are there any good bands out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?

In 50 years, ″Katy Perry or Taylor Swift?″ and ″Adele or Meghan Trainor?″ will be common questions in author interviews. But if you are asking about bands and not solo acts, I think Imagine Dragons has the potential to be the band that college kids in 2067 will pretend to like. I only like a couple of their songs, but I think they will get better over time. There are other bands that I like better, but Imagine Dragons is what I think people will still talk about.

And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is still The Office)?

Family Guy. It′s not because I look like Seth MacFarlane. It′s the only show on network TV that can make me laugh. It very hard to make me laugh. People will try to tell me jokes and I will just stare at them.

Is there anything you’re currently working on?

″Unauthorized Reading Material″ It′s a novel about private security.

Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?

John Scalzi. Ii I could ask him one question, I would ask ″Will you plug my book?″

Lightning round:

Ocean or mountains?  Mountains strike me as safer.

Yogurt or ice cream?  Ice cream. Yogurt is gross.

M&M’s or Skittles?  I usually favor chocolate. Sometimes I might get Skittles.

Jimmy Fallon or Stephen Colbert?  Stephen Colbert. I think you have to be drunk to find Fallon funny.

Happy or sad ending to a novel? Happy ending. If I′m going on a long journey, I want to go someplace nice.

Beer or wine?  I don′t drink.

Flying or driving?  I′ve been flying a couple times and I enjoyed it very much. The TSA has made it an unbearable hassle to fly now. Pre-9/11: flying. Post 9/11: driving.

Hemingway or Twain?  Neither. Stienbeck.

You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take two things with you, as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?

Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, a mud wrestling ring, and a video camera.

You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him/her over to your house or meet at their place of royalty?

Cleopatra. We would talk about her turn-ons and turn-offs. She would come to my house when my girlfriend wasn′t home because I have AC.

You can wish for one thing and one thing only, not world peace and no more wishes. What’s it gonna be?

Immortality. It means even more time to write.

Robert Enders on Twitter

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Robert Enders Online

 

Defending Jacob, by William Landay

This book left me with mixed emotions. Had it not been for the surprise and intriguing ending, I would have been more disappointed. The dialogue was the biggest problem for me in this book, with much of it feeling forced, particularly the teenage portions. I feel like there was so much more potential with the story, yet I was constantly annoyed by the way the main characters spoke. I give it 3.5 stars, but I feel like I’m being generous.

Meet The Author, C. K. Phillips

Enjoy getting to know, C. K. Phillips:

Thank you for joining me today. Tell us in three words how you would best describe your writing.

Creative

Suspenseful

Believable

Your book, The Survival Initiative, was released in June, 2017. Share a passage that you’d like for us to enjoy.

We stepped up our pace and were almost sprinting. We turned a corner and were stunned by the scene in front of us. Miami Police blocked the roads. Behind them, we could see heavy dark smoke and flames shooting into the sky. It was bedlam and people were running everywhere. The sounds of sirens mingled with the panicked screams of people scrambling away from devastation that just a short time ago had been a modern mall. Looking closer, we saw emergency personnel carrying stretchers to waiting ambulances, which, as soon as were filled, left the scene with sirens blazing. We heard the thump, thump, thump of numerous news helicopters circling overhead.

You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author, but can never write again, or write forever, but never have a bestseller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?

Best selling author

If you could live on a college campus and never leave, or live in a small town but be able to travel, which one would you choose?

Small town and travel

Okay, how about in an amusement park or in an airport?

Amusement Park

And how about Australia or Scotland?

Australia

Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?

Hootie & the Blowfish

Are there any good bands out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?

Dave Matthews Band

And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is still The Office)?

Last Man Standing

Is there anything you’re currently working on?

Yes. Research for a 4th novel un-named as of now.

Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?

Clive Cussler: As an unknown indie author from a small town, what steps would you recommend I take in order to get reviews and increase recognition?

Lightning round:

Ocean or mountains?  Ocean

Yogurt or ice cream? Ice Cream

M&M’s or Skittles?  M&M’s

Jimmy Fallon or Stephen Colbert? Stephen Colbert

Happy or sad ending to a novel? Happy

Beer or wine?  Wine

Flying or driving?  Driving

Hemingway or Twain?  Twain

You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take two things with you, as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?

Food & water; My wife Cindi and grandson Tyler.

You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him/her over to your house or meet at their place of royalty?

I would like to sit down with Leonardo da Vinci to discuss all his scientific concepts that were so far ahead of his time. I would want to go to his place to view all his drawings/concepts.

You can wish for one thing and one thing only, not world peace and no more wishes. What’s it gonna be?

That my wife would regain good health.

K. Phillips is a (mostly) retired educator who is an avid reader. COMES THE AWAKENING was his first novel and introduced the series featuring Phil and Cyndi Kent along with retired special forces agent Bill Lander. Phillips’ second book in the Kents/Lander series was ECHOES OF SKELETONS PAST. He has now completed the third in the series: THE SURVIVAL INITIATIVE. Although he implies no comparison to them, he points to Cussler, Baldacci, Brown, and Grisham as some who have inspired him to write. He lives with his wife in Southeast Tennessee and welcomes your comments here, C. K. Phillips Email.

C. K. Phillips on Facebook
C. K. Phillips on Twitter
C. K. Phillips on LinkedIn

 

The Body Reader, by Anne Frasier

This book was a bit of a mixed bag for me. Frasier kept my interest, and she did have unique twists throughout. The story overall, however, was simply good, not great. It’s definitely worth the read, but somewhat predictable at times. I’d give it slightly under 4 stars as I would have liked to know more from the lead character’s kidnapping, rather than her life afterwards.

Meet The Author, Chassis Albuquerque

Enjoy getting to know, Chassis Albuquerque (like the body of a car, and the place in New Mexico):

Thank you for joining me today. Tell us in three words how you would best describe your writing.

Humorous speculative fiction

Your book, “The Sundial Salesman” was released in November 16, 2016 Share a passage that you’d like for us to enjoy.

The phone rang. It kept ringing but I didn’t pick up, picking up the phone so soon now would be like an atheist admitting God existed. And that’s the last thing you want to do, admit anything – more shrewd advice from my father, January Johnson, my father who liked everything to be precise but with a degree of flexibility varying from circumstance to circumstance depending on how guilty he may be.

“Just remember, all that maths and geographic stuff’s a bunch of shit, the shortest distance between any two points is always by dishonesty – always,” he’d tell me. Then he’d disappeared – where’d he gone that time? Jail. I’d just assumed that’s where all father’s went.

You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author, but can never write again, or write forever, but never have a bestseller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?

Option 2 for me, my goals are very small and writing is such an important part of who I am: A very minor writing of very minor standing.

If you could live on a college campus and never leave, or live in a small town but be able to travel, which one would you choose?

Small town and travel.

Okay, how about in an amusement park or in an airport?

Hmm, very interesting. Both have appeal, however, the airport is a way out, maybe see some other amusement parks?

And how about Australia or Scotland?

Scotland. Our families would not survive the trip to Australia to see there one and only grandchild.

Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?

Yeah! Counting Crows for sure, Nirvana, Pearl Jam – this is a long, long list, man…

Are there any good bands out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?

Hmm, very tough question – I think because of budget constraints I’d say: Kings of Leon, James Bay, Stereophonics – oh, and The Black Keys, The White Stripes?

And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is still The Office)?

Easy: Seinfeld, The Office (British version please), Fawlty Towers, Extras

Is there anything you’re currently working on?

Currently I’m about to finish my fourth book – a take on the Detective genre, Detective Wolffe Gunstormer’s called in for tough, unusual cases (preventing communists from taking over the world with a deadly wormhole machine but also: Being commissioned to find the President’s golf ball, providing evidence to the Church God exists for). Full of one-liners and popular with the ladies, his motto is: The best way to get to the bottom of anything is always by Force. Or bribery. Whichever’s easiest.

Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?

Knut Hamsun. He really made me aware for the first time about “voice” and his was very strong. Don’t forget, he was writing in the late 1880’s – 1950’s, very advanced, modern writing for back then. Unfortunately, he was – apparently – a Nazi sympathizer.

My question: “How could you, man?” because he was such a great writer who influenced people like Hunter S. Thompson, Charles Bukowski, the Beatnik guys and so on.

Lightning round:

Ocean or mountains?  Mountains

Yogurt or ice cream?  Ice cream

M&M’s or Skittles?  Neither

Jimmy Fallon or Stephen Colbert? Who???

Happy or sad ending to a novel? Both

Beer or wine?  Neither

Flying or driving?  Driving

Hemingway or Twain?  Twain

You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take two things with you, as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?

Laptop with solar power gear, and my very supportive wife, and our little baby girl.

You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him/her over to your house or meet at their place of royalty?

Winston Churchill – pompous sounding but he delivered.
Have to be our place.

You can wish for one thing and one thing only, not world peace and no more wishes. What’s it gonna be?

I wish we were here:

Apart from referring to himself in the 3rd person, Chassis Albuquerque suffered from a speech defect as a child – when he spoke, he continuously lied, and to counter this habit, was given a typewriter by his parents, and began to write. Often asked where his creative process comes from, well, as with most things these days, it’s China. Quite religious about writing, he always writes facing south, usually toward Spain…

Chassis Online

Chassis on Facebook

Meet The Author, Cerynn McCain

All the way from the Pacific Northwest, please welcome, Cerynn McCain:

Thank you for joining me today. Tell us in three words how you would best
describe your writing.

Um… Dark, Fantasy, Intricate.

Your book, Inhibited, was released on April 5th, 2017. Share a passage that you’d like for us to enjoy.

“Living souls don’t belong to anyone.” He hissed at The General, and his fire burned the cabin around us. “She’s not yours to own.” “She’s been mine since birth.”
The General lunged at the flaming man, but he danced out of the way of the knife. Fire poured from his hands, and consumed The General. Fire wouldn’t kill him, but it slowed him down. The General’s eyes met mine as his sick laugh rose over the flames.
“You will be mine. I found you once. I’ll find you again.”

You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author, but can never write again, or write forever, but never have a bestseller. Which scenario
sounds more tempting?

Keep writing, I would go insane if I couldn’t write.

If you could live on a college campus and never leave, or live in a small town but be
able to travel, which one would you choose?

Small town and travel. I already live in a small town, and I love it, so that wouldn’t
be hard.

Okay, how about in an amusement park or in an airport?

Amusement park. I’m really not a fan of airports.

And how about Australia or Scotland?

Scotland! Oh I’d love to go to Scotland.

Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie &
the Blowfish)?

I’m not really a music person, so I don’t think I know any 90’s bands. I’ve probably
heard them, but I doubt I could name them.

Are there any good bands out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?

Again, not really a music person, so I’m not sure.

And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is still The Office)?

Friends. I have the whole series memorized.

Is there anything you’re currently working on?

I’m working on the sequel to Inhibited.

Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what
would it be?

It’s a tie between three. Frank Peretti. Karen Kingsbury, and George R.R. Martin. I
would ask what inspires their stories. They’re all complex and unique, and I just
want to understand!

Lightning round:

Ocean or mountains? Mountains. Preferably with a view of water, but mountains all the way.

Yogurt or ice cream? Chips and Salsa. I don’t like yogurt or ice cream.

M & M’s or Skittles? Still Chips, I don’t like sweets.

Jimmy Fallon or Stephen Colbert? Jimmy Fallon.

Happy or sad ending to a novel? Sad Endings stick with you longer. If it breaks my soul, I love it.

Beer or wine? Coffee. But if I have to pick, I would say I don’t know, I haven’t really had either.

Flying or driving? Driving. But someone else driving so I can write.

Hemingway or Twain? Twain. I grew up with Twain and wasn’t intruduced to Hemingway until much later and have a hard time getting into his stuff. It’s all good, I just struggle.

You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take two things with you, as well as
two people. What and who are you bringing?

Survival Kit and a Knife, with my mom who’s a nurse, and my friend who’s a
Marine.

You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose,
what would you talk about, and would you rather have him/her over to your house
or meet at their place of royalty?

Queen Victoria. Her place. We’d talk about queenly things. Research for my books.

You can wish for one thing and one thing only, not world peace and no more
wishes. What’s it gonna be?

To be who God wants me to be in the lives of others.

Pick up a copy of Cerynn McCain’s debut novel, Inhibited, today.

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Meet The Author, Jan Maher

Enjoy getting to know, Jan Maher:

Thank you for joining me today. Tell us in three words how you would best describe your writing.  

The extraordinary ordinary.

Your book, Earth As It Is, was released in January of 2017. Share a passage that you’d like for us to enjoy.

While Anne was asking Mrs. Hesher the secret to making a hearty, lump-free sauce so she could surprise Charlie with biscuits and gravy for supper that night, Charlie was sitting at Anne’s dressing table, reminiscing about his mother’s dress and fox fur. He couldn’t know that Mrs. Hesher was dabbing a big of cologne behind Anne’s ears, counseling her with a wink and a twinkle in her eye to woo her husband with the scent. He couldn’t know she was sending Anne on her way home at that very moment.

You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author, but can never write again, or write forever, but never have a bestseller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?

Write forever, definitely.

If you could live on a college campus and never leave, or live in a small town but be able to travel, which one would you choose?

Small town. I’ve already chosen!

Okay, how about in an amusement park or in an airport?

I would go bonkers in either one. I’m an introvert and I need quiet and fresh air.

And how about Australia or Scotland?

Scotland.

Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?

You realize I’m 71, right? That said, Pearl Jam came out of Seattle, where I lived for decades, and their members did a lot of good in the community with their money, so I’ve always appreciated them for that. In our house, Weird Al was probably the one we most agreed on across the generations. I remember liking some of Rage Against the Machine.

Are there any good bands out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?

I don’t know enough of the contemporary music scene to answer that, but I bet we’ll still be talking about the Beatles in another 50 years.

And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is still The Office)?

Colbert.

Is there anything you’re currently working on?

A sequel to my first two novels, and a collection of short stories.

Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?

Toni Morrison. I would ask her what question she would most like to be asked.

Lightning round:

Ocean or mountains?  Ocean

Yogurt or ice cream?  Ice cream

M&M’s or Skittles?  No

Jimmy Fallon or Stephen Colbert? Colbert

Happy or sad ending to a novel? Happyish

Beer or wine?  Wine

Flying or driving?  Train

Hemingway or Twain?  Twain

You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take two things with you, as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?

My spouse and my nephew (who is studying wilderness survival); a blank journal and a good knife.

You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him/her over to your house or meet at their place of royalty?

Vaclav Havel, my house, to talk about courage and creativity in times of repression and how he managed to become the world’s first playwright president.

You can wish for one thing and one thing only, not world peace and no more wishes. What’s it gonna be?

Planetary health.

Jan Maher’s novel Earth As It Is is published by Indiana University Break Away Books. Other writing credits include a novel, Heaven, Indiana; plays Ismene & Intruders,  and Most Dangerous Women: Bringing History to Life through Readers’ Theater. She holds a PhD from The Union Institute and University in Interdisciplinary Studies and is a senior scholar at the Institute for Ethics in Public Life, State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Her website address is http://www.janmaher.com. She is on Twitter and Facebook as well.

Speak Easy, Speak Love, by McKelle George

Beatrice planned on a quiet summer, studying for her medical school entrance exams at her uncle’s home on Long Island. Little did she know her cousin Hero has been running a failing speakeasy out of the basement with the help of a handsome bartender, a talented blues singer, and a strangely enticing novelist.

Daring car chases, underhanded dealing with seedy crooks, and lavish parties are daily occurrences in the reckless underground world of 1920’s prohibition. And with a rival gang gunning for them and the cops close on their heels, it’ll be the most dangerous summer of their lives.

But there’s always time for a little romance…

This sparkling retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing is an uproarious battle of wits with a 1920’s twist.

Pick up the new book from, McKelle George.