Thanks for stopping by for the Tales of Ferres Blog Tour! I got a special treat for you filled with fantasy stories that will keep you wanting more. Tales of Ferrês is Speculative Fiction author K.M. Jenkins’ first official book in print. The stories are filled with wonder, magic, and fantastical creatures. You won’t miss a thing and will die for more. Don't forget to check out the other blogs too! They make this tour happen and each one has something special to showcase. Sit back, read and enjoy. Also on a special note Tales of Ferrês is discounted to $1.99 until Friday, May 29th, so grab it for the low price while you can. ​

​Author Interview with K.M. Jenkins: 
Welcome K.M., I'm pleased to have you here today.

What was the defining event that made you start writing?
I loved reading books since I was a kid. The books mostly focused around the fantasy genre. But, I would also eat through any genre pretty much. I didn’t really start writing hard core until I was a freshman in college. I was inspired in high school to journey down that road but never took the leap. One day I sat down with my dad and talked about a book idea I had. He was so in love with it he told me to write it and never stop. I decided after that to give it a try. But it was a lot of working in the making so I didn’t start publishing until September of 2018.
 
What made you choose this genre?
I love fantasy. I love reading about knights, dragons, elves, and magic users. Shifters are another big favorite of mine I love to read about. This love is what fuels the books I create and how I create worlds.
 
What’s the basic plot of your book?
The basic plot for Tales of Ferrês is centered around the Forest of Ferrês. Each individual story has different characters but they all have a common denominator, the forest itself. The Forest of Ferrês is a magical land that plays by its own rules. This forest shows its abilities throughout these stories. My characters just get sucked up within the forest without a choice in the matter. 
 Sounds exciting!

What advice would you give to someone wanting to write a book?
I would say write as it comes. It doesn’t hurt to plot out the chapters ahead to get an idea where you want to go but sometimes you just need to let your characters lead the way. Another big thing to think about before you write a book is to find your target audience and build interest before you even begin to write.
 
What are you working on now?
Right now I am working on the next series of short stories that will be a part of the Legendary Tales series. This series of short stories will be stand alone stories that are inside the kingdom of Tarza.
Another big project I am working on is my first novel: Gargoyle Sighted. I release a chapter to my newsletter subscribers each month and so far they are enjoying this book immensely.
 
What do you do when you have writers’ block?
I tend to step back and relax. If I get writer’s block it usually means I’m overly stressed so I just need to find things to do beside write. If that doesn’t work then I will read books until my head explodes.
 
How did you go about developing your cover artwork?
I actually created my own cover. I saw this pre-made cover I loved and thought it would work with my book. The only thing was it wasn’t the best of quality. Loved the concept just didn’t have the final wow factor for me to purchase. So, I started looking around at stock images and thought I would stick with the color scheme. Then work on images to make the cover. I decided to go with tribal symbols for the cover because I thought it would bring character to it. In the end I was happy with how it turned out and got great feedback from my readers.
 Wow, so clever.

What are your writing plans for this year?
This year I am working on my Tales of Tarza short story series and my novel in process Gargoyle Sighted. I want to get Gargoyle Sighted written and ready to go out to subscribers. Then start releasing the stories in my Tales of Tarza series around October or November. It depends on how much writing I get done this summer.
 
What’s your dream job and do you think you’ll do it one day?
My dream job is being an author. I know I am doing it right now but I would love to work towards doing it full time. Right now it brings in some income just not enough to live off of.
 Good luck.  With your motivation, hopefully it will come true soon.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?
I spend time with my kids, watch tv, read books, and take walks around the neighborhood.
 
Quick quiz:
Favourite food: Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Silliest saying: Get up and jiggle with it.
Best holiday spot:
Favourite song at the moment: Let’s Go
With writing, are you a plotter or (seat-of-your) pantser? Both
Star Wars or Lord of the Rings: Lord of the Rings
Best superpower: Super Strength
Number one thing to do on your bucket list: Go to Hawaii’s volcano national park

Thanks K.M. for taking the time to chat with us.  I hope all the readers have enjoyed the interview and will continue on the blog tour.

Stalk K.M. Jenkins @ the Following:
Website/Blog:
https://authorkmjenkins.com/
FB Author Page:
https://www.facebook.com/authorkmjenkins/
Become a Dragon Ryder (Street Team):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/401132917085336/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/@authorkmjenkins/
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/kmjenkins_specfictionauthor
BookSprout:
https://booksprout.co/author/3717/k-m-jenkins
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/K.M.-Jenkins/e/B07GDSWDK7
Bookbub:
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/k-m-jenkins


​​

Follow the tour on the following blogs...

Blog Tour Hostess: The Bursting Bookshelf Blog
​

Here's a new release from an author I met online many years ago.  It's Cerberus by A.R. Silverberry.  I took this opportunity to quiz him about the new release.   Strap in for a quick Q&A


The brilliant cover of Cerberus is a real eye-catcher. What inspired it, and who created it?


I really don’t know what inspired it. An artist named Viergacht created it. I found it on the selfpubbookcovers site. When I saw it, I snapped it up, not knowing which book I would use it for. When I settled on publishing an anthology, I knew this was the cover!


How does Cerberus differ from your previous books, The Stream and Wyndano’s Cloak?


They’re all very different! Cerberus is a collection of my fantasy tales for adults and teens: six short stories and three flash fiction stories. Wyndano’s Cloak is a fantasy for children ages ten and up. The Stream is a fable for adults.


How do you think your writing has grown since your earlier stories?


Early on, I loved the feeling of discovering where the story would go as I wrote it. I have an entire novel sitting in a dusty box to prove it! The problem was that the whole thing didn’t hang together, so over time I’ve gradually moved from pure intuition to crafting stories more intentionally. I still want to be surprised, though, and the best scenes are the ones I don’t expect.


Short stories seem to be your preferred style. I see you are in various anthologies on Amazon. Why does the short format appeal to you and do you plan to write any novels in the future?


It’s all up to the muse! I’m finishing up a novella and novel that are paired prequels to Wyndano’s Cloak. An agent requested the full manuscript for a sci-fi novel, and books two and three of that series just need one more draft. So, I’m still very much a novelist. These short stories were penned while taking a break from the above, so it made sense to make a collection out of them.


Here’s a bit about Cerberus:

Nine Timeless Tales of Enchantment
Does Magic Exist? Discover the strange and curious events that unfold when …
· A belligerent bailiff has his fortune told
· A little girl searches for one last spell
· A reclusive actress receives a mysterious knock on her door
· An orphan fights to survive in the shadow of a menacing terror
Don’t stop there … a wizard, a friendless boy, a devil cat, and Shakespeare’s fairy queen lie within. From the boundless imagination of A. R. Silverberry, these irresistible tales conjure up a wondrous brew of MAGIC AND MALICE.

FEATURING SEVEN ALL-NEW STORIES: Cerberus, Tangles, The Willow Sister, Titania, Blaze, and The Mask

Pre-order from Amazon. Book goes live on May 18!

Follow A. R. Silverberry:
Website
Facebook
Twitter

About the Author:
A. R. Silverberry writes science fiction and fantasy for children, teens, and adults. His novels, Wyndano’s Cloak and The Stream, earned numerous awards, including the Benjamin Franklin Award gold medal for Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction. He lives in California, where he explores enchanted forests, searching for pixies and elves. 

We have something special today
a Rafflecopter giveaway where you can win copies of Cerberus and The Stream

He also blames growing up in the 1980s on a diet of Atari computer games and television shows. Onstage, he used to read people’s thoughts; bend spoons, keys and forks; and he predicted newspaper headlines up to a week before their publication (including the Los Angeles Riots of 1992). 
Nowadays, he still performs, but he also entertains people through his stories, which always include an element of the weird and wonderful, the bizarre or the supernatural. 
 
His first book, Twelve Strokes of Midnight, is a collection of short stories, steeped in twists and turns, containing threads he says may lead into his other works and even each other. Each short story in the Devil's dozen coincides with a clock strike, drawing you into the witching hour and the impending horrors watching you from the shadows.



Featured book:  While He Was Sleeping 
Genre:  Speculative fiction - heavy on paranormal and supernatural 
  
Blurb:
The new supernatural thriller from the author of Dead Cell and Demon Blade. 
 
WHAT IF… 
 You were bullied constantly at school. 
Now you’re in hospital. 
Comatose. 
 
WHAT IF… 
 Your best friend and family discover your secret. 
A girlfriend you never mentioned. 
 
WHAT IF… 
 She is so loyal to you. 
She hunts each bully. 
Terrorises them. 
Mutilates them. 
Kills them. 
 
One. By. One. 
 Until... 
 
 
 
Publish date: 15th March 2020 
Publisher: Chris Johnson 
Available at all good bookstores


Author Interview:
Kasper:  Readers, let me introoduce you to one of the funniest and most genuine authors I've met in the Readers Lounge.  Welcome Chris Johnson. Settle in mate while we launch our levitating interview lounge.
Chris:  Wow!  This is fun.

Kasper:  What was the defining event that made you start writing?  
 I always enjoyed writing and creating stories. My earliest recollection of thinking I’d like to write a book is in the Summer of 1982/1983 and I started a book called Journey To Ekka. I was eleven. A year later, I started another called Hunter; it was about a superhero. Readers of Dead Cell will catch wind of this same hero with a different name: Predator. I "completed" the novel in 1997. Maybe I will publish it one day. 

Show, don’t tell. 
Kill all adverbs and adjectives. 
Aspire to write xxxx words a day. 
Adhere to this target. 
Blah blah blah. 


Don’t hang yourself on every bloody rule. Plenty of better writers, successful writers, too, break those same rules and more. 
 
Yes. A writer must learn their craft, study each tool and how to use it, but then learn how to change things to match. 
 
An analogy: A short guy’s kung fu is different to a lanky guy’s kung fu. Fight to your strengths. 
 
Same for writing. 


Have you ever had reader’s block? 
 
Reader’s block? Never heard of it. 
 
Neither have I had writer’s block, but there are times the “zone” locks me out like a prickly pub owner. But there’s always a reason called life. 
 
Look after your body, your health, and keep your family in order first. Writing comes afterwards... or you may end up like Hemingway. 
 
 
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want? 
 I try a little of both. 
 
Having been an entertainer for most of my life, I know it’s not just about what I like. It helps, but my readers matter too. 

 
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? 
 
Most research happens before I start writing, as I did for While He Was Sleeping. It contains elements of Tibetan Buddhism and mysticism. I researched it thirty years ago when I wrote the first outline. Yet it still helped to check out certain groups online and check other pieces when the need arose. 
 
My technique was similar for Dead Cell. I researched weapons, their drawbacks, and the CIA experiments on psychics. Being a psychic entertainer helped fill things more. And I even asked a doctor friend of mine about some medical instruments. 
 
Research is important but don’t wow the audience with a documentary. The story is king. 
​
 
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex? 
 
Getting inside their heads is the most difficult part. But research helps there too. Ask your significant other, a friend of the opposite sex, etc. Read other stories in that voice. It all helps. 
 
 
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find? 
 
I love this question. No matter what I say, no one will believe me. 
 
No! I don’t. 
 
A couple of people might read themselves (or others) in my stories. That says something, I guess, sort of like the song. 
 
"You’re so vain. You probably think this book is about you..." 


Do you believe in writer’s block?  
 
I believe in crowded minds more than writer’s block. Like I said about reader’s block, it’s merely a sign of an overcrowded mind. Relax. Take a break. Rebalance you’re life. 
​​

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? 
Most research happens before I start writing, as I did for While He Was Sleeping. It contains elements of Tibetan Buddhism and mysticism. I researched it thirty years ago when I wrote the first outline. Yet it still helped to check out certain groups online and check other pieces when the need arose. 
My technique was similar for Dead Cell. I researched weapons, their drawbacks, and the CIA experiments on psychics. Being a psychic entertainer helped fill things more. And I even asked a doctor friend of mine about some medical instruments. 
Research is important but don’t wow the audience with a documentary. The story is king. 
 
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex? 
 Getting inside their heads is the most difficult part. But research helps there too. Ask your significant other, a friend of the opposite sex, etc. Read other stories in that voice. It all helps. 
  
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find? 
 I love this question. No matter what I say, no one will believe me. 
 No! I don’t. 
 A couple of people might read themselves (or others) in my stories. That says something, I guess, sort of like the song. 
 "You’re so vain. You probably think this book is about you..." 
 
Do you believe in writer’s block?  
 I believe in crowded minds more than writer’s block. Like I said about reader’s block, it’s merely a sign of an overcrowded mind. Relax. Take a break. Rebalance you’re life. 
 
 
 Quick quiz: 
Favourite food: Vegetarian. It goes well with steak. 
Favourite drink: Milo 
Silliest saying: He who lives by the sword gets shot. 
Best holiday spot: Byron Bay 
Favourite song at the moment: Do-Wah-Diddy-Diddy (ever since I wrote While He Was Sleeping, it’s stuck in my head) 
With writing, are you a plotter or (seat-of-your) pantser? Mostly a plotter, but if I have a section that I haven't planned out, I pants it out when I get to it. 
Star Wars or Lord of the Rings: Battlestar Galactica 
Best superpower: Tying knots in cherry stems with my tongue 
Number one thing to do on your bucket list: Live, not exist. 
 
Thanks Chris.  It's so cool to learn about you and your works.
Chris:  my pleasure.  Thanks for having me.

Folks, here are...
Chris' Links:

 
While He Was Sleeping 

Available at all good bookstores (personalised signed copies from the author’s website) 
eBooks: https://www.books2read.com/WhileHeWasSleeping 

Paperbacks (signed by author): https://chrisjohnsonauthor.blogspot.com/p/chris-johnsons-personal-bookstore.html#!/While-He-Was-Sleeping/p/167152019/category=0 

Paperbacks (unsigned): https://www.bookdepository.com/While-He-Was-Sleeping-Chris-Johnson/9780994523358 

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisJohnsonAuthor 

Website: https://ChrisJohnsonAuthor.blogspot.com.au 

Twitter handle: @aus_mentalist 


Sponsored link

​

This is a gathering place for all those who love the thrill of magic and futuristic adventures! The Fantasy and Sci-Fi Readers Lounge authors created this group as a way to interact with our readers and introduce them to other authors they may not know but would love to read. We want the group to be fun—a place for new discoveries, friendly chats, and a hangout where we can share our love of books.  
​https://www.facebook.com/groups/FantasySciFiReadersLounge/

My review:  I enjoyed The Heir. 
At first it felt like a normal high school drama to me because the fantasy / sci-fi elements took a while to revel themselves.  I say 'fantasy / sci-fi' for there are definitely elements I'd associate with an urban fantasy in there as well as the sci-fi which comes later in the novel.
Protagonist Sarah has a rather large crush on her best friend Jillian's boyfriend which I thought rather naughty of her.  But as it went along, I didn't see any attachment at all between Jillian and Dan and he totally encourages Sarah's infatuation.  He does come across as rather controlling and I felt she was developing Stockholm Syndrome at one point, developing such a strong connection when he was limiting her freedom.  Don't worry though, there is a reason for his behaviour which is gradually revealed through the story.
With many twists and surprises, I was quickly thrust into what became a smashing sci-fi with strong romance and mystery undertones.
I don't want to give away spoilers but will say that the book really grew on me and when I finished, I contacted the author immediately to arrange delivery of the next 2 books.  I was delighted when they came that very next day.
Thank you, Australia Post.  I don't think I would have lasted the weekend without knowing what comes next.  Do yourself a favour and read this series.

My review:
I drank this book down like I was dying of thirst.  Super!
Warning: possible spoilers.  Read book 1 first.​
The Crown introduces us to the exciting world of Veridon where 2 races coexist peacefully.  I did find it intriguing that the apparently weaker race is the one in control and wondered how that came to pass.  You'll have to wait for book 3 to understand this further.
Sarah and Dan have a strong bond now but she discovers that their relationship is forbidden as they are different races and she must choose a consort among 20 suitors, none of whom she likes.  She is determined to change this law but meets with strong resistance from antagonistic chief of the guard who seems to think he is above the rule of the Overlord.  Hmm...who is really in charge here then?
I enjoyed this book more than the first and think I read it in one day.  They are rather short novel but still feel like a complete story.  My only worry was the cliff-hanger ending, so make sure you have book 3 ready to go straight away.
Plenty of romance, sci-fi and courtly intrigue.  The first book felt rather light on the sci-fi but it is much more evident here.  Only downside for me is I would have liked more descriptions of the characters as after reading 3 books, I couldn't even tell you what Sarah looks like. 

My review:
I highly recommend this series.
​Warning: possible spoilers.  Read books 1 and 2 first.
Thank goodness I bought books 2 and 3 together as I couldn't wait to read this one and find out the conclusion.  
The Reign has plenty of action, adventure and intrigue interwoven with romance and sci-fi galore.
I like how there are a couple of characters that aren't obviously good or bad as it enhances the storyline.  I do agree with Susan R. Gerritsen's review that I would have liked more information about the character's emotions and descriptions and not everything was fully explained.  There could possibly be more books to come as while this overall plot arc is nicely wrapped up, the characters and world are so compelling, I'd happily read more.
I did feel that a character reminded me of Snape near the end which I consider a compliment.  I wasn't sure of their motivation and allegiance until the end stage.
I found the book very satisfying and will keep an eye out for more from Lynne Stringer.  Bravo!



​
Here are sponsored links to the series.
I hope you enjoy reading them too.

Here's a fine review from Amazon:

​5 stars
This fifth title in the Turning Points series brings the journey of Gwyn through time to a wonderful conclusion. All five books are immensely readable tales of adventure and romance that also make the reader question what it is we have done to our world. Do we have the courage to create a better future? Can we forgive our violent past and learn to live with love? Can we accept who we truly are and encourage diversity? Jodie Lane has opened us to the questions in her excellent series.
Jim Higgins

Title: Heart and Stomach of a Queen (Turning Point series, book 5)
Published 2019
Blurb: It is Gwyn and Michelle's last chance to save the future as they deal with turning points in Spain under the reign of Queen Isabella of Castile and her daughter, Juana the Mad.
Check it out here on Amazon.com for paperback and book copies:
https://amzn.to/3cjWR8M
Sponsored link
​

Clash of the Titans


Great setting for an epic tale of power struggles between immortals.
I'm a fan of tall ships tales and this is a good one. The settings and characters were painted well in a richly spun story.
I'm keen to read what the God of the Sea does next in his quest to save souls and eliminate the monsters of the deep.

Recommended for fans of tall ships, gods, paranormal, action and adventures.

https://www.amazon.com/Ghosts-Moon-Saga-Outer-Islands-ebook/dp/B078MS397S

Cassandra's featured book today is:
​
· Book title: Fae Princess
· Genre: Urban Fantasy
​
· Synopsis:
A war fueled by hatred. A girl pushed in the middle. Humans and Fae are at war—a war Brinna Rogers wants nothing to do with. She is content living with her parents, going to school, and pretending the streets aren’t filled with fighting. Until she has no choice but to face it. On her way home one damp night, danger strikes, thrusting Brinna down a rabbit hole of change. A binding spell snaps, and she finds out she has been lied to her whole life. She isn’t a human like she thought. Instead, she is Fae, and not just any. Her name is Brinna Blackshadow and she is a Fae Princess. Within moments, she is shoved over the edge of reality, plummeting straight down until she crashes head first into the war. In order to break free, she must strike a deal with the leader of the human army—one that makes guilt rise to the forefront. Because when you strike a deal with the devil, you might pay with more than your soul. Fae Princess is the first installment of The Blackshadow Chronicles. It will appeal to fans of Sarah J Maas’s ACOTAR series and Julie Kagawa’s The Iron Fey Series.

· Publish date: November 23,2018
· Publisher: self
·https://www.amazon.com/Fae-Princess-Blackshadow-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B07JYM9F2W


Author interview with Cassandra Fear:

Kasper: Hi Cassandra, welcome to the Readers Lounge.  We're excited to learn more about you and your writing.
Cassandra: Thank you.  Looking forward to it. 

*  What other writing have you done?
The sequel to Fae Princess, Fae Queen, and The Secrets of Orendor Series Books 1 and 2 are all out, along with some of my first books available on Amazon through Limitless Publishing. I have a lot more planned, though, it’s just finding the time to get them done.

*  Do you have another job outside of writing?
I work as a freelance editor and book cover designer, as well.
Oh wow.  That is such a cool job for an author.

*  What advice would you give to someone wanting to write a book?
Just write. Don’t go over it and over it and nitpick everything until it’s written and your either write “The End” or “To be continued.” Also, never let anyone tell you that you aren’t good enough. You are. You can be. Put the work in. Find out what works for you and what doesn’t. Read a lot and learn from those authors. And write another book, and another, and another. Eventually, you will be a pro.
Great advice.

Best superpower: X-Ray vision because, well, wouldn’t it be hilarious to see right through people?
Number one thing to do on your bucket list: See the English Countryside.

Kasper; Thanks Cassandra.  I do hope all those dreams come through for you.  Especially the X ray vision LOL.  It's been a lot of fun picking your brain today.  Thanks for sharing with us.

Cassandra: My pleasure.


​
Readers, before you go, please check out Cassandra's Links and her books:
​
Website: www.cassandafear.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CassandraFearAuthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14953008.Cassandra_Fear
Instagram: @cfear_27
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cassandra-Fear/e/B01DR0T4FQ

Today Aaron would like to share with us, his latest release.

Book title: Etherno: Rise of the Dragongirl
Genre: Science-Fiction (anime-inspired sci-fi/comedy with an urban-fantasy feel)
Synopsis:
Onin’s life is changed when he meets a mysterious new student with a fiery dual dragon nature. Then the secretive alien Matari recruit him and his friends to track down the body-snatching Natas. Between the aliens, the cute new girl, and his idiot roommate, can Onin manage to graduate college?
Scholarship student Onin thought magical school would be easy.
Sure, his roomie’s a little flakey and one of his classmates tends to sneeze herself into the wall, but that’s par for the course. Onin’s even made a connection with cute (and oddly warm) newcomer, Kasai.
Then the alien Natas start possessing humans and targeting the magically-gifted. Now it will take all of Onin’s wits and his magical classmates’ help to stop the invasion and discover the true endgame of the Natas.
Thankfully, they have a fiery half-dragon ally. One who seems curiously connected to quiet Kasai…

Publish date: January 31, 2019
Publisher: Independently Published



Kasper interviews Aaron DeMott

Hi Aaron, come down off your dragon there and join us on the Fantasy Sci-Fi Readers Long.
Aaron: Do you mind if I ride along-side it?
K: No worries at all.  Great to have you here.­


So, let's kick into some questions.  What other writing have you done?

I’ve also written Psygens and Space Cats: A New Threat. It’s a space opera about humans with PSI abilities who meet tiger-like aliens...

Woah.  Alien tigers, that's different...and possibly a bit scary.  (Kasper covers her face with a cushion).

What makes your writing unique compared to others in the genre?

I’ve always loved sci-fi, but most of it starts to feel sort of Star Trek inspired, after a while.


I wanted to have something with a bunch of fun technology, alien planets, races, and cultures, but do it in a more anime-inspired genre-blending type of style. And I wanted it to be funny.


So Etherno is science-fiction/comedy with an urban-fantasy feel to it, but more in the style of a Japanese light-novel.
I love these ideas.  You're so creative.

What made you choose this genre?
​
When I was a little kid, we’d watch Star Trek (The Original Series) re-runs on Sunday afternoon. I liked the characters, the adventure, and the fun technology.
I’ve also watched too much anime, and fell in love with the way the stories are told. In Etherno, I get to play with both fun tech, and crazy characters (…and poke some good-natured fun at various tropes along the way.)

I don't think 'too much anime' is a thing.  Right?

How do you develop your characters?

Some of them just come to me. The idea will pop in, and I’ll daydream (uh, I mean, research) more about them, pop them into various scenarios, and see how they react.


Others I have to work on a little more. In Etherno, for example, Onin and Kasai just came to me (a scene where they wake up on a couch together and have no idea how they got there.) They’re both kinda shy introverts, though, so I wanted to have an extrovert to kinda push them a bit. That’s where the idea for Tannin came from. I also thought it’d be kinda fun if Tannin was Onin’s room-mate, ‘cause they’d drive each other crazy :)


Do you have another job outside of writing?

By day, I’m a Linux Systems Administrator. So I’m literally a certified nerd. ;)
So jelly.  That sounds like a good one.

What are you working on now?

I’ve working on sequels for both Etherno, and Psygens and Space Cats. The sequel for Etherno is about ¾ of the way done. In that, Onin and the gang to to Nekotia, the home planet of the catgirls… what could possibly go wrong?
Hopefully this should be out in a few months.


The sequel for Psygens and Spacecats is technically done, and I’m happy with the good-guy’s stuff, but the antagonists arc… well, it needs work...


How did you go about developing your cover artwork?

I’ve love to say I did it myself… but, uh, I can’t art :(

​Fortunately, I’m friends with another author who can art, and she’s got her own cover design business at bsquirreldesign.com. I wasn’t really sure what concept I wanted for the cover, but they’re great at working with me to come up with something I love. I wanted something with dragons, the main character, and a sci-fi feel to it, and I think they nailed it.


They also did the cover for my other book, Psygens and Spacecats. That one was a little more tricky to get the space opera with cats feel to it.

Your friends sure are clever.

What’s your favourite pet?
​
Cats! (I have three American shorthairs at the moment: a ginger tabby, gray tabby, and a calico.)


I think this one’s kinda obvious if you’ve read anything I’ve written ;) Psygens and Space Cats has, well, alien cats, and Etherno has catgirls. That wasn’t on accident. :)

I kinda like you didn't play favourites and say just one :)

I read this cool book and then spoke to the author about it and she said she had a personal connection to parts of the main character.  That makes it all the more special for me.  Knowing that they have both overcome similar challenges.  I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did.

Dragon Blood by Katie Cherry, published 2019.

Synopsis:  The path of her destiny is written within her blood.
Myra is a carefree twenty-two year old who prefers to stay out of trouble. Unfortunately, all it takes is one night, one decision, and her life changes forever.
On her way home after a night out with friends, Myra runs into the Denver Demons—a dangerous gang of men known for their glowing eyes thought to be simple colored contacts. It’s only after being kidnapped that Myra discovers who and what they truly are. Mutts. Half human, half dragon, and they want something from her—something hidden in her blood. Turns out she’s a mutt herself, and they need her dragon power in order to become stronger.
Saved by a group of dragons determined to fight the Denver Demons, Myra is dragged into a world that should have belonged to fantasy. Now she must decide whether she wants to return to her human life, or embrace the dragon inside her.

 Review:  You had me at dragons.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book that dragons are living amongst us and anyone could be one.  Turns out it’s not actually everyone, only a select few, but I hope I’ll turn out to be one of the lucky ones who turns into a dragon.

Young Myra has no idea of her destiny but feels that something in her life is not quite right.  Luckily, she meets a group of people who are privy to the big dragon mystery and can help her explore their world.

This short novella starts a little slowly but builds nicely and I found it quite satisfying.  The support characters don’t get a lot of time or development, but I think it could be the beginning of a great novel or series.  Myra and Rhys are cute together. I smiled when she thought he smelled like a forest after rain, but that obviously is attractive to Myra.  She seems like a real sweetheart.

I enjoyed the way dragons were portrayed and also the experience of flight.  One of those abilities I wish I had.
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The ending was good, and I didn’t want it to stop.  Good news, so many of us enjoyed the novella that Katie Cherry is now making a series.  If you liked it too, please check them out.

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Katie Cherry's deets:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1275626482623759/
Instagram: @katiecherryfantasy
Amazon Dragon Blood: https://amzn.to/2sbQAd3
Amazon Dragon Soul: https://amzn.to/378Cqbp