10 Questions for Sharon Ledwith

Sharon Ledwith is the author of the middle-grade/YA time travel series, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS,available through Musa Publishing. When not writing, researching, or revising,she enjoys reading, yoga, kayaking, time with family and friends, and singlemalt scotch. Sharon lives in the wilds of Muskoka in Central Ontario, Canada,with her hubby, a water-logged yellow Labrador and moody calico cat.

Sharon is also blessed with my favorite Musa Publishing cover ever. So gorgeous. I love this cover. I love it so hard and long and...cough...YA. Right. YA fans. I'm better now. Ignore the Interviewer in the corner. How about some Musaling Monday questions?

1. First the easy one. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Honestly,I have to admit I was a late bloomer when I decided to jump ship from my lifeas a graphic trade business owner into the murky waters of the writing world. I didn’t start writing seriously until 1995. That’s when I took two college courses that changed my life. The first one was called Planning your Novel, which was an introductory workshop for, Writing your Novel. I met a couple of wonderful would-be writer gals, and we formed a writing circle after the classes were done. Years of practice, patience, and perseverance has beamed me up to where I am now, and trust me, it’s a pretty awesome place to be!

2. If you were a superhero, what would be your power?

Okay, I used to imagine I had bionic powers when I was a girl. Really. Thewhole Steve Austin scenario. The funny thing is that one of my characters in myThe Last Timekeepers series kind of has a creepy bionic connection. So, WTH –I’ll go with the whole bionic gal super hero type power.

3. Would you wear a cape and tights?  Describe your costume and give yourself a cool super name.

No capes! Did you not see The Incredibles? Definitely no capes! Tights maybe a bit of a stretch (no pun) since I hate wearing panty hose. Unless all skin imperfections are hidden! As for my costume – let’s face it, The Six Million Dollar Man and Bionic Woman never wore costumes, and they did just fine keeping they’re identity secret. Though, with today’s surveillance the way it is, I may stash a black leather suit and mask in my car trunk just in case, and call myself Bionic Babe. 

4. Pimp it if you’ve got it. What’s new or next for you?

Besides promoting The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, I’m currently working on the prequel to the Last Timekeepers series, entitled The Legend of the Timekeepers. I also have a completed manuscript of the second book in the series entitled, The LastTimekeepers and the Dark Secret, but there’s the fun job of revising itinto Jordan Jensen’s point of view.
Here’s the blurb for The Last Timekeepers and the Arch ofAtlantis:

When 13-year-old Amanda Sault andher annoying classmates are caught in a food fight at school, they're given a choice: suspension or yard duty. The decision is a no-brainer. Their two-week crash course in landscaping leads to the discovery of a weathered stone arch in the overgrown back yard. The arch isn't a forgotten lawn ornament but an ancient time portal from the lost continent of Atlantis.
Chosen by an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers--legendary time travelers sworn to keep history safe from the evil Belial--Amanda and her classmates are sent on an adventure of a lifetime. Can they find the young Robin Hood and his merry band of teens? If they don't, then history itself may be turned upside down.

5.What evil villain would be your archnemesis?

Belial. He’s the evil entity in The Last Timekeepers series. He’s one nasty magus.

6. Would he have a cape and tights?

No, but he would wear a long robe. Tights would just make him look silly.One can do a lot of mean things to someone wearing a robe. Especially if I use my bionic arm to hang him up in a tree.

7. What author or book influenced you the most as a writer?

Hmm, I would have to say Diana Gabaldon, author of the wonderful and well-plotted Outlander series, definitely inspired me to go with the time travel genre. J.K Rowling is another author who rocks my reading world.

8. What was your favorite meal as a child? Do you still like it?

Whenever I went to a restaurant as a little girl, I would always order the same thing: hot dog, fries and corn. Always. And yes, I still love it! Though, I tend to lean more toward steak now!

9. Your arch nemesis has attacked yourhometown, oh noes! You are in Marrakesh settling a zombie uprising. The fastestway to travel is this:

Does your hometown die while waiting for you to hop a commercial flight?

Hell, no! I’d be there to save the day pronto. Love snakes and snails. Actually have eaten both too, but that’s for another interview.

10. Instead of truth or dare, we are justgoing to jump right to the rejection haiku. I enjoyed reading them so much thatI’m making them a regular feature. Hey, rejection is one of the great universalcommonalities as a writer. So, write us a rejection haiku. Please? (see thatlast part was a question. Sneaky, right?)

Groan. This is truly torture. I’ll get you, my pretty! Here it goes:

 My hand smacks my head
Nix. Nada. Nothing. No good.
Chin up and move on.

Nice! Okay, for those who want to cyberstalk Sharon, you can find her at her website, blog, Facebook page, The Last Timekeepers Series Facebook Page, or on Twitter. That's a lot of places to stalk her, but she's there. Promise.

You can buy that book with the gorgeous, gorgeous cover at the Musa Publishing store, on Amazon, or Barnes and Noble.

10 Questions with Cornell DeVille

Up next for Musaling Monday is the very creative Cornell Deville. His writing began in Mrs. Carmichael's third grade class. Cornell's first creation, Flipper the Fawn, was good. Very good. At least that's what Mrs. Carmichael said and he figured she should know. She was the teacher. At that very moment he decided to become a writer. Of course life insisted he detour through the world of corporate business before giving him the go ahead to write, but here he is now. I think Mrs. Carmichael was on to something.

1. First the easy one. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

 I am a child of the Baby Boomer Generation. I have vivid memories of the 50s and 60s. I love that nostalgic era and everything associated with it — you know, rock and roll, muscle cars, black and white television.

2. If you were a superhero, what would be your power?

 That’s easy. Invisibility. Being invisible allows you to know things, and see things, that others think are secret.

3. Would you wear a cape and tights? Describe your costume and give yourself a cool super name. 

No cape and tights for me. I would probably wear a teal leisure suit. My superhero name would be Antimatter Man.

4. Pimp it if you’ve got it. What’s new or next for you?

 Two things. First, the release of a Limited Edition print version of Cannibal Island. I’m looking forward to seeing that and giving some away on my blog. Second, well, I can’t talk about that yet.

*Interviewer note* Oh, a tease. I see how you are.

5. What evil villain would be your arch nemesis?

 The horrible and evil Deleto is my arch nemesis. He’s the guy who erases my computer files after I write the next chapter.

6. Would he have a cape and tights?

Yes he does. But he doesn’t wear them all the time. Sometimes he’s dressed just like a normal office worker. At night, when he does his dirty work, Deleto dons a black cape, and he keeps it over his face so that no one knows what he looks like.

7. What author or book influenced you the most as a writer?

A Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne was very influential for me. I read it when I was twelve or thirteen years old, and I loved it. Also, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, was another one I enjoyed. I think both of those books may have been responsible for portions of Cannibal Island.

8. What was your favorite meal as a child? Do you still like it?

My favorite meal as a child was my dad’s fabulous barbecued ribs. I still love barbecued ribs, but they just don't taste the same as the ones my dad made.

9. Your arch nemesis has attacked your hometown, oh noes! You are in Marrakesh settling a zombie uprising. The fastest way to travel is this:

 Does your hometown die while waiting for you to hop a commercial flight?

 I don’t worry about commercial flights or any other type of transportation. In addition to my invisibility power, I can fly at supersonic speed. So my homies in Skullhaven are never in any danger.

**Interviewer note** Skullhaven is a lucky place. Except for the name.

10. Instead of truth or dare, we are just going to jump right to the rejection haiku. I enjoyed reading them so much that I’m making them a regular feature. Hey, rejection is one of the great universal commonalities as a writer. So, write us a rejection haiku. Please? (See that last part was a question. Sneaky, right?)

Your manuscript sucks

Please revise and send it to
Anyone but us

Nice! I suspect many magazines feel that way about me. Folks, you can find out more about the murky depths of Cornell's brain at his blog, or check out his website. You can snag your own copy of Lost in the Bayou or Cannibal Island at Amazon or the Musa Publishing Website. If you're brave enough to talk to Cornell in person, you can contact him at his Facebook page. Seriously, don't be scared. Just because he talks about danger and villians and all doesn't mean Cornell himself is someone to fear. Much.

 

10 Questions with Susan Rae

So, here we are again for Musaling Monday and I flubbed it. This post is late due to technical difficulties on my end. Mostly that I am a luddite living in the technoage. Now, onto to Susan.

Susan Rae received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Columbia College, Missouri with
a concentration in Creative Writing. Romantic suspense is a natural to her, because it allows her
to combine her love of a good mystery with a passionate love story. Her first novel, Heartbeats
earned numerous awards, including Best First Book by First Coast Romance Writers. Freefall
is Susan’s second novel. When she is not writing, she enjoys golfing and traveling around the
country seeking out new settings for her novels with her husband and her empty nest puppies,
Ginger and Nikute. Please visit her at www.susanrae.com.

First the easy one. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I have always been writing something since I was in grade school when I penned a melodrama for the Girl Scout Drama badge—short stories, news articles, poems, novels.  I like writing romantic suspense because it lets me combine a spicy romance with an intriguing mystery—the best of both worlds, in my opinion. And not so much different, really, than that melodrama I penned all those years ago!

2. If you were a superhero, what would be your power?

Flying.  I’d love to soar over the mountains, lakes, and cities, observing all life has to offer, before I swoop down to Earth to do my thing.

3. Would you wear a cape and tights? Describe your costume and give yourself a cool super name.  I’m not sure about the cape and tights.  Instead of a cape, I think wings—the kind where you extend your arms and bring them out, like bat wings, very dramatic. They would also let me do a lot of gliding, like an eagle, except, unlike an eagle’s, they would be red, my favorite color.  As for the tights, maybe...but under a short skirt.  A cool name?  I don’t think of myself as cool so much... I think I’d like something dramatic, to go along with the outfit.  I’ll have to think on it.

4. Pimp it if you’ve got it. What’s new or next for you?

My second novel, Freefall, was just released by Musa.  Freefall is a steamy romantic suspense written in the same vein as my award winning novel, Heartbeats.  When Kate Reynolds’s brother’s plane crashes on takeoff from Milwaukee’s Timmerman Field, Kate flies from San Francisco to be at his bedside and comes face-to-face with suave pilot/mechanic Everett Larsen. His gray gaze ignites in her a passion as powerful as a jet stream, but it also sparks a memory…one she can’t quite reel in.   As for DEA agent Everett Larsen, he has come to Milwaukee seeking answers to his former special ops buddy’s plane crash, but he is unprepared for the torrent of emotion he feels when he sees Kate—after his wife’s death, he thought himself no longer capable of such emotion.  He is afraid to love again; but when Kate gets too close to the truth, he is even more afraid to lose her.

 Fans who have read Heartbeats will be pleased to know that Drake McGuire returns in Freefall to help in the investigation.  I have to admit, I’m partial to the setting in freefall.  The intrigue takes us from a small airfield in the Kettle Moraine Forest to the beautiful vistas and waters of Door County, Wisconsin, one of my favorite places to visit.  You can read an excerpt from Freefall at www.susanrae.com.

As for what’s coming in 2013, I will have two new novels out with Musa Publishing.  ICE Blue and TRUE Blue are both romantic suspense novels that continue the story of the DeLuca family which I began in Heartbeats.

 
**Interviewer's note** You had me at "steamy", Susan. You had me at "steamy."

5. What evil villain would be your arch nemesis?

I’m afraid I don’t do evil villains per se. I think my arch nemeses would be all those real, tortured villains that may appear to be good on the outside, but hide the evil deep within themselves until they perpetrate their evil acts on some unsuspecting person—or worse yet, on a child.  However, given the definition of nemesis, I have to say, it is the evil itself that invades these people that would be my arch enemy, as it seems that no matter how many you take down, there is always one more out there to take his/her place.

 

Would he have a cape and tights?

No, he or she would look just as normal as the next person, which would make them even more evil.

 

7. What author or book influenced you the most as a writer?

I have been influenced by so many writers, but if I were to pick one, it would have to be Louisa Mae Alcott.  When I read Little Women as a preteen, I realized I could be a writer, too, like Jo.  I totally related to Jo.  She was a tough young woman who didn’t take no for an answer.  I even got to play her in our school’s eighth grade production.  Talk about typecasting. Yes, Jo is a fictional character, but I believe she is Alcott’s own vision of herself.

 

8. What was your favorite meal as a child? Do you still like it?

Spaghetti.  And yes, I still like it, but a much more authentic Italian version of it with sausage and meatballs that I make from my husband’s family recipe.

 

9. Your arch nemesis has attacked your hometown, oh noes! You are in Marrakesh settling a zombie uprising. The fastest way to travel is this:

Does your hometown die while waiting for you to hop a commercial flight?

First of all, I don’t see how a snake is going to get me from Marrakesh to my home town.  Second, I am so much larger than the snake, I don’t see how that would work either, unless I could take some pill like Alice in Wonderland and shrink down to the size of that snail.  Third, I have the super power of flying; I don’t need the snake!

  

10. Instead of truth or dare, we are just going to jump right to the rejection haiku. I enjoyed reading them so much that I’m making them a regular feature. Hey, rejection is one of the great universal commonalities as a writer. So, write us a rejection haiku. Please? (see that last part was a question. Sneaky, right?)

No, like lava, boils

raises the temperature of try

to do...succeed.

If steamy suspense is your thing (and if it isn't, what is wrong with you? Seriously?), you can pick up Susan's books from the Musa Publishing store, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble. Susan has just started a virtual blog tour. For more details, check out her website. Go get you some steamy suspense today. That's not an order, more like a friendly suggestion by a mom with your best interests at heart. Why are you still reading this post and not Susan?

You're still here? Fine. Leave a nice comment for Susan and go read her books.

10 Questions With Vera Jane Cook



So, this week we move from Annie down under to NYC, from Annie's beach ideal to glamour. Meet Vera Jane Cook, writer of award winning Women's Fiction.  Jane worked in the professional theatre for over a decade until a bizarre mid-life crisis forced her into corporate life at the age of 45. Jane is presently an account manager at Triumph Learning and manages the great states of California and Kansas. Triumph Learning publishes Coach products, as well as Buckle Down and Options.  She lives on the Upper West side of Manhattan with her long term partner, her Basenji/Chihuahua mix, Roxie and her two pussy cats, Sassy and Sweetie Pie.

1.     First the easy one. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I live in New York City, which I'm sure explains my paranoia. My first published novel, Dancing Backward in Paradise won an Eric Hoffer Award and an Indie Excellence Award in 2007 for notable new fiction. I have three novels published with Musa and a re-release of my first book in November of this year, also with Musa. I began writing novels later in life and now it's a passion, must write to exist. My dream is to buy a house in the country- a very literary cottage with intense gardens, retire there and write all day. Oh, of course, my books will be selling so I can afford the dog food, cat food, my own food and the mortgage.

2.     If you were a superhero, what would be your power?

 I'd be able to travel in time.

3.     Would you wear a cape and tights? Describe your costume and give yourself a cool super name.

Cape and tights? Heavens, no. I'd have on a long beautiful flesh colored gown designed by Dolce & Gabbana. My name? Oh, something like Vanessa the Valliant

4.     Pimp it if you’ve got it. What’s new or next for you?

I have just completed my third southern fiction novel, my second women's fiction novel, my first spec fiction and beginning the sequel to Annabel Horton, Lost Witch of Salem. Hoping this year's marketing plan will light a fire under my books.

5.     What evil villain would be your arch nemesis?

Count Dracula, he's evil but there is something very sexy about him as well.

6.     Would he have a cape and tights?

 My arch nemesis would just wear a cape, tights are for nerds. He'd definitely dress in Victorian attire. I like ruffled colors on men.

7.     What author or book influenced you the most as a writer?

 There are so many, and I mean many but I love Anne Rice, Nelson DeMille, Anita Shreve, the Bronte's, Nabokov, Oscar Wilde, Tennessee Williams, The Well of Loneliness, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Caleb Carr, A Tale of Two Cities, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, and I could go on and on until I turn another year older……..

8.     What was your favorite meal as a child? Do you still like it?  

Chicken Soup, still love it but it's never been as good as since I was a child.

 

9.     Your arch nemesis has attacked your city, oh noes! You are in Marrakesh putting down a zombie uprising . The fastest way to travel is this:

Does your city die while waiting for you to hop a commercial flight?

I'm afraid so, you won't find me with ten miles of that baby.

*Interviewer's note* But if your super power is time travel, you can go back and fix it! Awesomeness! 

10.  Instead of truth or dare, we are just going to jump right to the rejection haiku. I enjoyed reading them so much that I’m making them a regular feature. Hey, rejection is one of the great universal commonalities as a writer. So, write us a rejection haiku. Please? (see that last part was a question. Sneaky, right?)  

I never really understood haiku nor think I can write it, but here goes:

rejection settles in backyard puddles

and dries away.

welcome sun



You can learn more about Vera Jane Cook's fascinating (and stylish!) journey to becoming a novelist at her website, http://www.verajanecook.com. She also blogs at Reading Out Loud. You can find her novels everywhere quality ebooks are sold including at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and of course the Musa Publishing store.

10 Questions with Annie Seaton

So, it's another Monday Musaling here. I'm very excited to welcome Annie Seaton.  Annie lives on the edge of the south Pacific Ocean on the east coast of Australia. Recently retired from the world of full time work, she is fulfilling her lifelong dream of writing, and had instant success! Her first two books were both published on the same day!

 She writes across genres: steampunk, historical  and paranormal romance, romantic suspense, but her favorite genre is contemporary romance.
. 
Annie’s working life was spent in education from early childhood through  to teaching trainee teachers at university. She has worked as librarian, teacher, technology consultant and university tutor.  She has now retired and spends her days writing down all the stories in her head.  

When she is not writing she can be found in her garden or walking on the beach... or most likely on her deck overlooking the ocean, a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc in hand as the sun sets. If you don't already know this, you haven't seen the pictures on her blog. I have a serious case of location envy. Her garden, home and dog are gorgeous.

 Hi Marguerite

Thanks so much for having me visit. It is so nice to have a quick visit to the States as it is mid winter and freezing over here in Australia... so some cyberwarmth is good!

Awesome! I forget you guys are topsy turvy to our seasons here. Enjoy a little of our sunshine.

1.                     First the easy question. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I live with my husband, and ‘Bob’ the dog and two white cats, Boy Cat and Girl Cat in a house next to the beach in a small coastal town of New South Wales. Our two children are grown and married and when I’m not writing I love spending time in my garden walking on the beach and spoiling our two wonderful grandchildren.

I started writing just over a year ago after wanting to write all my life! Happy to say I now have three books published and one (Holiday Affair) has been on the Amazon best seller list for three months! Blind Lust, my favourite story has just been released by Musa Publishing and I hope it follows the same success! 

2.                     If you were a superhero, what would be your power?

SuperSpeed, speed, speed.

The mantra is our household is... if it wasn’t for the last minute nothing would get done in this house. That’s because I am always doing three things at once and the important things have to be done quickly if they ever get done.

 

Would you wear a cape and tights? Describe your costume and give yourself a cool super name.

Absolutely. I wear a cape and tights most days! SuperNannie.

3.                     Pimp it if you’ve got it. What’s new or next for you?

Blind Lust, my latest release is the story of a three hundred year old witch who has to choose between lust and love, thanks to a pesky Cupid. I absolutely loved writing it and as I always wanted to be a witch, I could pretend I was Lizzie! And of course there is a very hunky warlock for eye candy.

4.   What evil villain would be your arch nemesis?

Daryl Van Horne  (Jack Nicholson in Witches of Eastwick)

5.   Would he have a cape and tights?

I would love to take on Jack in a cape and tights. We got a glimpse of his butt in Something’s Gotta Give!

6.  What author or book influenced you the most as a writer?

Anya Seton  wrote historical novels in the 1950s  and Katherine is my favorite book of all time. I didn’t consciously choose my pen name to model hers. Annie is my real name and I chose Seaton because I write in a town by the sea. It wasn’t until someone commented that it reminded them of Anya Seton, that I picked up the connection!

7.  What was your favorite meal as a child? Do you still like it?

 

My husband thinks it is gross that I ask for Curried Sausages and Eggs for my birthday dinner

each year...like my Mum used to cook for me.

9.      Your arch nemesis has attacked your hometown, oh noes! You are in Marrakesh settling a zombie uprising. The fastest way to travel is this:

Does your hometown die while waiting for you to hop a commercial flight?

Oh yes... it would. I hate snakes and snails, almost as much as I hate spiders... and flying commercial runs a close third.

10.   Instead of truth or dare, we are just going to jump right to the rejection haiku. I enjoyed reading them so much that I’m making them a regular feature. Hey, rejection is one of the great universal commonalities as a writer. So, write us a rejection haiku. Please? (see that last part was a question. Sneaky, right?)

Self promo alert... I have not had a rejection as a writer! It must have been all those years of practice. So unrequited teenage love that left me free for true love... sweet???

Spring love at fifteen

Thank God for the rejection

Summer love stays true

Want more Annie? Of course you do! You can visit her at her website http://annieseatonromance.com. She also blogs at http://annieseaton.blogspot.com/. She tweets as @annieseaton26 and facebooks, too. So there you go. Plenty of stalking opportunities for you (and Annie is so very stalk-worthy. Just trust me on this.)

Wanna buy some Annie? ZOMG! She's not for sale. What are you a pervert or something? Oh, her books? Yeah, you can buy those. Blind Lust is available at Musa Publishing and Amazon. She has two other books out, Winter of the Passion Flower and A Holiday Affair. So what are you waiting for? Go get you some Annie!