Journeys: the Archers of Saint Sebastian by Jeanne Roland

 Please welcome Jeanne Roland author of Journeys: the Archers of Saint Sebastian 

Jeanne Roland will be awarding a $40 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Journeys: the Archers of Saint Sebastian

by Jeanne Roland

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GENRE: Young adult crossover historical romance and adventure

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BLURB:

A barracks full of beautiful boys. A girl in disguise, living among them.

It’s the 14th century, and the longbow is king. But in the northern European principality of Ardennes, archery isn’t just the nation’s defense. It’s the national obsession.

MEET THE JOURNEYS

12 young Journeyman archers, the best in the country

2 years of public competitions, in which looks count almost as much as ability

6 will win a coveted membership in the Archers’ Guild of St. Sebastian

1 will become the prince’s new Guardsman

MEET MARIEKE

15-year-old Marieke is as obsessed with St. Sebastian’s as everyone else in Ardennes. Only it’s the middle ages, and girls just don’t become elite archers. Except Marieke's prospects as a girl aren't promising either, after a well-timed kick from a mule has left her with a face that’s badly scarred and ruined for marriage. But when circumstances force her to leave her old life behind and flee to the guild for refuge, there are only two things Marieke really knows about the place. One is that a mysterious accident ended her own father’s time as a Journey. The other?

There are no women allowed inside St. Sebastian’s.

Marieke knows disguising herself as a boy and infiltrating the guild means embarking on a dangerous deception. But it may be her only chance to find out the truth about her father’s past and to stop a murderous plot from coming to fruition. When the dashing young Journeyman Tristan takes her under his wing as his squire, she’s got to stay – at least long enough to help him beat out his brutal arch-rival to win the competitions.

Keeping her identity a secret will be hard. Living in close quarters with a pack of gorgeous boys? That will be harder still. But the hardest thing of all will be keeping the vow she makes for herself: to see Tristan become the next Guardsman, without ever letting him find out she’s a girl - a girl, who loves him.

Part Robin Hood and part Princess Bride, with a pinch of Mulan and a dash of Cyrano de Bergerac in the mix, The Archers of St. Sebastian I: Journeys is a humorous action and adventure saga inspired by late medieval/early Renaissance Belgium and packed with romance, wit, and longbow archery. Perfect for young adults looking for an immersive read and for adults who love young adult themes, Journeys is an escape into the past that reads more like romantic historical fantasy than pure historical fiction.

Unrequited love? Ugly heroines who stay ugly? Friendship, coming of age, romance, adventure, and plenty of archery competitions? A unique setting inspired by the glorious city of Bruges, with a richly imagined world set within the walls of a male-only archers' guild? Journeys: The Archers of Saint Sebastian has it all, so if you're looking for a great escape, don your disguise and join Marieke as she enters the forbidden world of Saint Sebastian's, and prepare to fall in love with the Journeys - that is, the twelve best and most beautiful archers in all of Ardennes, the Journeyman archers of St. Sebastian's.

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EXCERPT:

(Context: 15-year-old Marieke is disguised as Marek, and she’s serving as a squire to the Journeyman archer Tristan at the archers’ guild of Saint Sebastian. She’s in love with him, but she’s sworn an oath never to let him find out she’s a girl. In this scene, she fishes for information on Tristan from his aristocratic friend Gilles, one of the other Journeys competing for permanent membership in the guild).

“Would it be safe to say, then,” I continue, trying even harder to sound casual, and making sure to exclude Gilles himself from my remarks, “that the Journeys, as a group, might not have as much experience, then, as they let on?”

“Gentlemen, Marek,” Gilles says, looking at me reprovingly over his dagger, “do not discuss their sexual exploits.”

I wait. Gilles loves to hear himself talk, and if you just wait him out, he’ll usually talk about anything. It works. After a minute, he laughs. “Well, we all know now there’s at least one with absolutely no experience at all!” He chuckles, remembering Taran’s embarrassment, but I don’t care about him.

“But the others?” I press.

“Well, if you’re asking me to speculate,” he muses, and I give him an encouraging look meant to tell him that I’m doing just that, so he continues in a gossipy voice. “I’d say it’s probably a mixed bag. At least a few have probably been around the pasture once or twice, if you know what I mean. We’re a pretty appealing bunch, after all. There’s the matter of Jurian, of course,” he says sternly, and I have no idea what he means, “but for most, opportunity is rather a problem. Not everyone has had the advantage of growing up in a manor, with rather obliging servants. Girls, Marek, as you may know, have an unfortunate habit of having so many fathers and brothers. And then, there’s just no accounting for sensibilities. I’d have thought Falko, for example, was a terrible slut. But according to him, he’s sworn a vow of chastity to some unattainable lady, so there you have it. I rather suspect this is a convenient way of explaining his spectacular lack of success, but if Falko can be chaste, then anything’s possible. Speculation is meaningless.”

“A chivalrous oath to an unrequited love. Sounds more in Tristan’s line,” I say leadingly, hoping to turn the conversation to my real objective before the others get back. But mocking Falko’s vow makes me uncomfortable. In a way, I suppose what I did this morning in the chapel could be interpreted as the exact same thing.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Roland hails from Davis, California, where she spent most of her youth lounging at the pool, soaking up the sun, and daydreaming. She had a key ring that read 'I’m running away to join the circus,' and her favorite moment of the day was when the local movie theater went dark, and the slogan 'escape to the movies' appeared on the screen. As an adult, her passions include all things melodramatic and beautiful — everything from classic movies, British romantic poetry, ancient tragedy and epic, to Italian opera. She is now a professor of Classics in a small midwestern town, where she lives with her Greek husband, her fraternal twins, and a Bernese mountain dog named Franco Corelli.

Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L6KZ8D7

Author website:

www.jeanneroland.com

Other websites:

I blog as the Allegorical Traveler about Greek mythology at www.nepenthepress.com

I’m not a big social media person; the best ways to reach me are via my website, or Facebook

Twitter:

@booksbyJeanneR

Instagram:

@jeannerolandwrites

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/jeannerolandwrites

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Jeanne Roland will be awarding a $40 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

RAFFLECOPTER:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4025

You Can Do Anything by Danni Maynard

 Please welcome Danni Maynard author of You Can Do Anything

Danni Maynard will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

You Can Do Anything

by Danni Maynard

 

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GENRE: Children's

 

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INTERVIEW:

1. What or who inspired you to start writing?

My daughter inspired me I suppose you could say, to write my book. She is four years old and as many young girls do, looks up to me to be like me. At this point she sees me do my makeup and my hair and she wants to do so as well. But soon she will notice my work ethic, my passion and motivation for all things aviation. All I ask for my kids regarding their career is that they’re passionate. I’ve even noted passion in their father of late regarding his career. He’s currently a successful Military Lawyer, but is showing interest in changing into the medical field and becoming a Doctor. That in itself is not the interesting part. As a lawyer he goes about his day doing the same old work he’s done for year. However now, his face lights up when he talks about the training required to be a Doctor and he could go about transferring. I love seeing the passion in people. He doesn’t have to give up being a lawyer; he can be that too as well as being a Doctor which is the message my book delivers. 

2. What elements are necessary components for this genre?

Being a children’s book the necessary components are illustrations and rhyming sentences. Children learn from repetitive and rhyming words I’ve learnt. I’ve also been told the most important part of the book is the illustrations. 

3. How did you come up with your idea for your novel?

It was only after searching online for a book that would inspire my daughter to think big, be creative and demonstrate non- gender stereotype roles. Times have changed. I couldn’t find such a book. So I decided to write it.

4. What expertise did you bring to your writing?

I don’t have expertise in in writing however I do in the topic I wrote about. I work as an aviation safety specialist for the Australian Air Force, I supervise research within aviation for two universities, I’m currently doing a PhD and I am also a pilot continuously upskilling to obtain the next pilots license AND I’m a mum of three amazing children. 

 
5. What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

My bio doesn’t discuss my upbringing. I grew up with a single mum who had two children, me and my younger brother. We weren’t well off at all and often would get our clothes from charity stores. My mum was a strong, courageous woman and studied, worked and looked after my brother and I without owning a car. She’d catch three buses just to get into university. My mum’s effort paid off when she bought our housing commission home (Government owned) and then went onto buying four more properties throughout my teenage years. My brother and I didn’t feel we missed out on much, which is a credit to our mum as we didn’t have much. I want my children to know her story and understand that although they have many more advantages in life than I had, they need to appreciate it and make the most of their lives.

6. As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

I’m not sure if I’ll write another book. I’ve enjoyed the process; however I have a PhD to finish first. It doesn’t take much to distract and result in procrastination when it comes to research. So I try not thing about the possibilities of another book.

7. If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?I would be the mum of the young girl. I am in a position to encourage and teach her children on all the possibilities and encourage passion.

10. When did you first decide to submit your work?Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step? 

I started writing my book during lockdown because of Covid 19 in Melbourne Victoria. I submitted my book pretty much straight away expecting my editor to come back with essentially instructions for a rewrite. To my surprise, very little was changed. 

11. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

My worst advice was from a couple of people whom I told about the book I wished to write. They started overwhelming me and telling me it’s a big challenge. Lots of research is needed. Planning is required. It will take about two years. It nearly killed it for me. I don’t like being overwhelmed, rather just encouraged. I wasn’t deluded in thinking it’s easy, but I like to stay positive and enjoy what I do, otherwise I won’t do it.

12. Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I did outline my book. I had specific points I wanted to get across. I dot pointed those points and then came up with a rhyme for each point to ensure I didn’t forget any.

BLURB:

 

The most inspiring people in the world started with a dream that a lot of other people thought wasn't possible. By setting their minds to something and working hard, they proved that their dream was achievable. Dream big and be what you want to be.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

Last night I had a dream of all the things I could be: a pilot, a lawyer, and a captain at sea.

In my dream was my brother, he was there too. He was a dancer, a nurse and a vet at the zoo.

My mum told me, when Great-Grandma was small, boys only did boys things and girls couldn’t at all.

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Danni Maynard grew up dreaming big and wanting to break the stereotype of what women were 'meant' to be. She is a lecturer in aviation, a pilot and is working towards her doctorate in, you guessed it, aviation. Danni is still dreaming and has turned her attention to encouraging young minds of today to dream along with her. She is a strong believer in supporting kids to pursue their passions no matter what the world tells them they can or cannot do.

 

She brings this passion to her daily life as a mother of three amazing children who are constantly reminded that they are allowed to imagine a life that encompasses fantasies, aspirations and ambitions. This attitude to life was shaped by her mum, who is a powerful and supportive role model in Danni's life and sculpted her to be an independent and strong-minded thinker. Danni also dedicates time to Women in Aviation – Australian Chapter to educate and inspire young girls about the fascinating industry that is aviation and the opportunities it presents to women.

 

CONNECT WITH DANNI MAYNARD

 

WEBSITE: https://dannimaynardbooks.com/ 

 

 

 

PURCHASE LINKS       

            

AMAZON.COM

https://amazon.com/dp/0228842018

            

BARNES & NOBLE

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/you-can-do-anything-danni-maynard/1139180888

            

BOOK DEPOSITORY

https://www.bookdepository.com/You-Can-Do-Anything-Danni-Maynard/9780228842019

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

Danni Maynard will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3980

Letting Go For Love by Kris Francoeur

 Please welcome Kris Francoeur Letting Go For Love

Kris Francoeur will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Letting Go For Love

byKris Francoeur

 

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GENRE:   Contemporary Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

Dot Murphy is not living the life she had planned.

Married at eighteen to her first love, her life had seemed perfect until the only man she had ever loved was killed in a tragic car accident, leaving her alone to raise their two young boys.

Years later, Dot meets the one man to get under her skin emotionally and hormonally, Sebastian Boone. Boone falls hard for the auburn-haired mom and artist, but she is hesitant to do anything that will take her total focus off her boys.

Can Dot trust Boone enough to allow him to fully be part of her world? Can she love him, body and soul, and still be the mom she wants to be? Is their love strong enough to survive?

 

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EXCERPT:

 

Dot sat on the edge of her bed, her feet dangling above the cold floor of her room. Was she really getting up this early on Thanksgiving? God, a day to sleep in as long as she wanted seemed like a fantasy. She was so tired.

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

My name is Kris Francoeur, and I am an author, educator, speaker, wife, mom, grandmother, and farmer living in Vermont.  I love to spend time with my family, travel, hike, kayak, knit, spin (fiber), garden, cook, and love time with my bees, alpacas and chickens.

Currently, I have published three romance novels with Solstice Publishing, and have one that will be released by Willow River Press in January 2020. My first three romances are written under the pen name of Anna Belle Rose, and they can be purchased in paperback format through my Book Store page on this website, or in e-book or paperback on Amazon.

www.authorkfrancoeur.com

https://www.amazon.com/Kris-Francoeur/e/B07HP7ZGWD

Twitter: @KFAnnaBelleRose

Instagram: author_krisfrancoeur_aka_abr

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18490380.Kris_Francoeur

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/authorkfrancoeur

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

 

Kris Francoeur will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4014

Candles & Honey Cookies: A Tale of Hanukkah by Shari Elder

 Please welcome Shari Elder author of Candles & Honey Cookies: A Tale of Hanukkah 

Shari Elder will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Candles & Honey Cookies: A Tale of Hanukkah

byShari Elder

 

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GENRE:   Historical Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

Tamara is trapped. Her father betrothed her to a man she does not like, let alone love. And she can't forget the brazen shepherd who dared to look in her eyes.

Natan fell in love with Tamara the first moment he saw her. But the daughter of the high priest cannot marry a shepherd.

When Natan is arrested for practicing their religion, forbidden by the new king, he escapes and asks Tamara to hide him. After stealing a night with him, she helps him escape to join the brewing rebellion fighting for their freedom to worship. Tamara leaves a candle in her window to light his way home and sneaks honey cookies to him to sweeten his burden, her own small rebellion to her arranged marriage.

Only a miracle can save the rag-tag rebels from the conquering army and change a culture to allow Natan and Tamara to be together.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

Natan—if she could choose her husband… But her father would never accept a shepherd who also worked as a lowly temple guard to help feed his family. The high priest’s daughter married a priest.

 

She saw him glance around, then he faded into the wall. Then she heard pounding on the door. Without thinking, she grabbed a candle and ran downstairs, wanting to be the first one to answer. The servants were in bed, but they would waken to the racket. She picked up the pace, reached the door first, and opened it quietly.

 

Natan’s eyes narrowed into slits. “You live here? This is the house of Boaz?”

 

She nodded, scorched by the anger in his gaze. “What are you doing here?”

 

She heard the slap of sandals against the ground. “We’re close,” a gruff voice shouted in the distance.

 

“Hide me.” Those eyes, black as midnight, drilled into hers until she squirmed. Her heart beat faster. He stank of sweat, rotted food, and the copper of blood. She breathed through her mouth to prevent herself from gagging. She should say no. Her father would never allow it. She would put her father and everyone in the house in danger.

 

“Please,” he whispered, his breath hot against her skin. She shivered, even though it was summer.

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Hello, I’m Shari. By day, I crawl out of bed, mainline coffee, walk the dog, miss my kid who has gone off to college, and save cities within the four walls of my office. Usually by email.

At night, the other Shari emerges.  With a glass of wine by side, I curl up on the couch with my computer nestled in my lap and let my imagination play until stories take shape. I also periodically text my kid, just to make sure myself she’s not plotting world domination, then I pull out my alter ego, who definitely is.  As my alter ego, I save cities in a cape and spangled tights, wander space and time on a surfboard, fly over the Himalayas on feathered wings, make six-toed footprints in indigo talc snow on the sixth planet in the Andromeda galaxy or eavesdrop on Olympian gods while pretending to whip up a bowl of ambrosia. 

 

In all these wondrous worlds, romance and passion blossom. I can't resist a happy ending. And I am particularly prone to writing happy endings for those who have given up on ever getting one. 

 

Author Links

Web:                    http://sharielder.com

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Shari-Elder-Stories-541817856021514/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/ShariElder/e/B01IMME7K6?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000

Goodreads:         Shari Elder (Author of Race to Redemption) | Goodreads

Twitter                 @ShariElderBooks  or https://twitter.com/sharielderbooks

Bookbub     https://www.bookbub.com/authors/shari-elder

Pinterest     https://www.pinterest.com/ShariElderBooks/

 

 

EBOOK BUY LINKS

Wild Rose Press: https://www.thewildrosepress.com/book-post/candles-and-honey-cookies-a-tale-of-hanukkah

Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Candles-Honey-Cookies-Hanukkah-Christmas-ebook/dp/B09FXH52F7/

Barnes and Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/candles-and-honey-cookies-shari-elder/1140147025

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

 

Shari Elder will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4004

The Falls by Colleen McMillan

 Please welcome Colleen McMillan author of The Falls

Colleen McMillan will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

The Falls

by Colleen McMillan

 

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GENRE:   Supernatural/Thriller

 

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INTERVIEW:

2. What elements are necessary components for this genre?

            This genre is difficult to pin down. It's part mystery, part horror novel, partly a book about grief and how it can destroy a family. For a good mystery, I think it's important to seed the novel with clues, so the reader doesn't feel cheated or duped by the reveal or ending. For horror, an element of unease is absolutely necessary. I enjoy suspense, that feeling that you know something horrible is about to happen but there's no way to stop it. Like watching an accident occur right in front of you. When delving into a layered topic like grief, you need to pull from your own experience as well as be conscious of how others experience it. No one goes through the same “steps” while grieving, and they often do things that aren't good for them. A character experiencing grief shouldn't be completely on the ball, unless that's the charater you're going for, someone who can compartmentalize. Just know who your characters are and what they would do in a given situation.

3. How did you come up with your idea for your novel?

            This novel has been brewing since my early twenties. I started writing short stories about a small town where a lot of weird stuff happens. I wanted the stories to be interconnected, like in Sherwood Anderson's Winesburg, Ohio, which was a big inspiration for the novel. Stephen King's town of Castle Rock also inspired me. A place that might seem idyllic but has a dark underbelly.

5. What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

            I'm a massive geek. I adore fantasy and science fiction, particularly Star Wars and Harry Potter. I'm actually a podcast host on two podcasts, Bohemian Geek Studies and Yet Another Star Wars Podcast. I'm currently (gently) berating my friends to watch anime that I enjoy.

6. As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

            I've been working on an idea I've had for a long time, a YA concept. I have a lot of the characters figured out, the world I want them to inhabit, some of the plot. That is currently my next project, though that could change at any moment. The Fallsis technically a sequel story, though I always wanted to tell it first. I might get started on the prequel to that. I envisioned a quartet of works, each corresponding with a season. The Fallsis set in the spring, and its prequel would be summer. I have ideas for winter and autumn but nothing concrete.

9. Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?

            I haven't been part of a writer workshop for a while now, but I loved doing them. In undergrad and postgrad, it was important to hear other voices, to get good and bad critiques. It really prepares you for the rejections that come with putting your work out there. They make you take good, long looks at your writing and how you can improve. You can get inspiration from unlikely people. But you do need to find the right group for you, because getting into a group of yes-people is just as bad as one filled with jerks who are only there to tear other writers down. 

10. When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

            I tried querying agents almost the second I finished my first novel. I knew I couldn't just launch my manuscript at publishers and hope for the best, so I tried to get an agent. I got a few interested emails, but none of them panned out. I self-published and thought that might be enough. I could keep writing and self-publishing. Enter my mom. We were at a book festival, checking out some panels and such, and she approached a publisher who was presenting at the festival. After talking animatedly with her, my mom called me over, very loudly. I was so embarrassed, but it was easy to talk with the publisher. She liked my ideas and asked if she could look at my work. After about a month of hemming and hawing, I decided to give it a try. What was the worst that would happen? I'd get rejected. That had happened plenty of times, so I sent her my first novel. And now we're on my second!

11. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

            I've gotten so much advice over the years. The worst I ever received was from an ex-boyfriend. He said my work was too descriptive and that I should never write male characters. Luckily, I ignored him. As someone who wants to write fantasy or other genre work, description is very important to world-building. And if I never wrote male characters…that's just preposterous. 

            The best advice I received was from my undergrad creative writing professor. She told me that writers who get published aren't necessarily the best writers. They're the ones who didn't give up. There were so many talented writers in my undergrad and postgrad, some of them much better than me, but they didn't keep going. People choose what lives they want to live, and I wanted to be a writer. So I followed my professor's advice and just kept going.

12. Do you outline your books or just start writing?

            I'm a huge outliner. I like structure, having a framework. I still get surprised while writing, and I have to change my outlines sometimes, but having the support behind the story id preferrable to me. 

13. How do you maintain your creativity?

            I read a lot. And watch a lot of television and films. I think it's important to read and watch work by other creators. There might be a limited number of stories to tell, but there are millions of ways to tell them. I never get tired of seeing new ideas, new characters, even if they're following established tropes. A good creator will find a way to make it their own.

15. Are your plotting bunnies, angels or demons?

            Ha! My plot bunnies are angels who slowly fell down to the demon realm, almost as though they didn't realize it was happening. The best part about a new idea is that it's exciting and fresh in your mind, but it can also pull you away from finishing the project you need to complete. I love getting new ideas, and I write them all down. The problem with ideas: I usually get them at inopportune times; in the shower, in a work meeting, finally falling asleep. Those are the demon ones.

 

BLURB:

 

Every small town has secrets...

...most won't get you killed. Maddie Decker escaped Sterling Falls just after high school and never looked back. She was sure nothing could convince her to return. Until an urgent message from her high school best friend arrives begging
Maddie to come back before he dies changes everything.

Maddie can't refuse.

Once there, tattered relationships and long forgotten memories are pushed aside when a mysterious presence appears, Maddie uses her professional training to help discover who is killing the residents of Sterling Falls, even if no one wants her there.

Can Maddie survive the homecoming she never wanted?

 

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EXCERPT:

 

When they reach the paddock, the gate is open, ripped apart. Boards lay shredded on the ground, splinters everywhere. It looks as though a tornado tore through, demolishing the wood. The ground is destroyed as well, mud and grass everywhere.

 

They get out of the truck, and the smell hits Charlie like a hammer. Alpacas are very clean animals, and their manure is not as pungent as other livestock, but the scent of twenty animals all emptying their bowels at once will knock a person flat. There is also a whiff of metal in the air, like copper or iron. Charlie runs through the decimated gate.

 

Flies buzz around the paddock, their wings beating a rhythm in Charlie's head. The insects settle on the bodies, feeding in clusters. They swarm, forming vaguely alpaca-shaped lumps so the animal fur looks black.

 

They are scattered around the paddock, but Charlie isn't sure if all twenty bodies are there. The ground is stained dark red with pools of blood. Limbs are scattered, as if each animal exploded. Some of their necks are twisted completely around, and bowels litter the area. Something tore each of their bellies open and spread the organs; half-digested hay and grass steam in piles near some of the bodies. Charlie has a horrible thought of nightmarish pinatas spilling morbid candy.

 

He walks into the paddock toward the nearest body, pinkish white and brown. He thinks it might have been the pregnant one. Her eyes have been removed, and her tongue dangles from an open mouth. Her body is shredded, and Charlie has a view inside her torso, but there is no baby. He leans closer and touches her leg near the hoof. She is cold. The blood is sticky, and he tries to wipe it on his jeans, but the maroon color spreads.

 

He takes a step back, leans over, and pukes.

 

Jemma runs over to rub his back, and when he's thrown up everything from his stomach, Charlie screams.

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Born and raised in Minnesota, my writing focuses on the Midwestern United States. I've been a writer since I could pick up a crayon, pencil, or pen; there are more than a few stories about my macabre grade school writing interests, to which I just shrug. You can't blame a second grader for wanting to set a scary scene!

 

I attended the University of WI, River Falls for my undergraduate degree and completed my Master's degree in creative writing at the University of Kent, Canterbury, in the UK. For my dissertation research and inspiration, I lived in Canterbury, Paris, and Edinburgh. Paris is my second home and favorite city, so don't be surprised if it turns up in my work.

My two most influential authors are Stephen King and Flannery O'Connor, and my dream is to establish a Midwest Gothic tradition.

I currently live in Minnesota with my jerk of a cat, Duncan. I love living in the most beautiful state in the country, but I always feel Europe's pull...

 

https://www.facebook.com/ColleenMcMillanAuthor

https://twitter.com/ColleenWritesMN

https://www.amazon.com/Colleen-McMillan/e/B07Z55JWP1

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13357673.Colleen_McMillan

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

 

Colleen McMillan will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4013