Exclusive Interview with Vlad and Iriana from Defender's Blood

 Alex has no idea her life is about to change beyond her wildest imaginings. She is the last in a long line of very special females born for a dangerous task, and she isn't sure she is up to it. Zach, her vampire protector, is just as sure she is.
Demon attacks, angels and even the ultimate, divine intervention, shake Alex to her very core. Can she do this? Can Zach keep her safe? The alternative is unthinkable: demons once more ruling the earth.
Zach has to ensure that Alex puts a stop to this - and quickly!

Defender's Blood Alex's Destiny

This week author, A. K. Michaels, joins us and brings with her two characters from her novel, Defender's Blood Alex's Destiny. We hope you enjoy getting to know, Irina and Vlad.

Q: Hi, there. Can you tell the readers your names please?

Answer: I'm Irina and this is Vlad - we're bonded mates.Q: Nice to meet you both, and how old are you?

Answer: 

Irina: Uhm I'm 25 and Vlad - well, he's a lot older - though he doesn't look it, does he? He's looking good for a centuries old guy ha ha!

Vlad: Hey, little Wolf, you're getting excited again, take a deep breath in baby, that's it, no need to get uptight, it's only an interview.

Irina: I know! But I've never been interviewed before! Well apart from that time I went for the job int he store - and that wasn't really an interview - not really, I already had the job so....

Vlad: Okay, Irina, calm down.

Q: Well, that's okay, Irina, I've never interviewed a Wolf, and I'm a little nervous myself. Where do you live now?

Answer:

Vlad: We live on the Supernaturals Council compound in Arizona, it's miles from anywhere...human...just the way we like it.

Irina: Oh, it's not a compound - it's like a little town, but real safe - Vlad is head of Security you know - he makes sure we're all safe and I can change into my Wolf whenever I want!

Q: What is your job or skill?

Answer:

Irina: I work in the nursery, I love kids.

Vlad: Hmm, my official title is Head of Security, my specialist skills? Got quite a few of those - weapons, explosives, undercover work, I much prefer being on a mission though when I get the chance to kill those f...

Irina: Vlad! Language!

Vlad: Oh yeah, sorry, then I get the opportunity to deal with wrongdoers...that ok, baby?

Irina: Yes, much better. You'll give folks the wrong idea about you.

Vlad: What idea? That I like to rip those 'wrongdoers' to shreds? But I do, can't deny it honey!

Q: Do you have two have family: If so, what are their names and relation?

Answer:

Irina: Vlad is my mate and I don't really have a family in the normal sense but Alex and Zach are like family to me. I love them both sooooo much.

Vlad: I'm centuries old lady! My family died long before your great-grandfather was even born. Now - my friends and Irina are all the family I need.

Q: Well, as Irina said, you look very good for your age, Vlad - not that I'm hitting on him, Irina, I'm married. Anyways, who would you say is your closest friend?

Answer:

Irina: Alex, she's so nice, and brave, and always thinking of others first and she puts up with me. I know I can be excitable and loud, but she accepts me for me, ya know. X

Vlad: Zach, we've been friends for centuries and fought in many battles side-by-side he is one strong Vampire, I know he's always got my back, no matter what.

Q: Are you attached or single? If attached, to whom?

Answer:

Irina: Well, kinda said earlier - we're attached, me n Vlad.

Q: Where did you meet your mate? Or what might your perfect mate look like?

Answer:

Irina: Well, it's not a story I like to go over but Zach and Vlad rescued me - I'd been kidnapped by a rogue Wolf and they found me, that's all I'm saying about that!

Vlad: Come here little Wolf, don't get upset, that's all behind you and you don't have to think about it - DOES SHE?!

Q: Nope, nope, don't you think about that, Irina, just forget I asked. How might those around you describe your personality?

Answer:

Irina: Oh, can we answer each others'? Please? Okay - one word that others would describe Vlad? - Oh yes - Deadly!

Vlad: Thanks, baby, I guess I am rather deadly. LoL! Now, one for my little puppy here - gotta be excitable!

Q: What's the worst thing you have ever done to another being?

Answer:

Irina: I don't want to talk about that! Vlad! I don't have to talk about Amelia, do I?

Vlad: No, you don't. It's okay, baby, it's none of their goddamn business! If you want someone to answer the question, I will! Worst thing I've ever done? Do you have a year to listen cause I can tell you I've done many bad things - but to bad folks -Supers who have gone rogue, who're killing you fragile humans - bad things - I'm not sure you want to know what I've done - you probably wouldn't sleep tonight! Is ripping a throat out of someone bad enough? Or pulling a still beating heart from someone's chest? Or physically detaching someone's head from their body? Done them all...and more!

Q: I got the picture. Let's just get through this interview and hopefully I come out in one piece. Do you have any enemies? If yes, who are they, and why are they your enemies?

Answer:

Irina: Uhm, no, don't think so.

Vlad: Not sure, don't think so, I've killed them all.

Q: What is your favorite thing to wear to bed?

Answer:

Irina: Really? Uhm, nothing.

Vlad: Stop giggling, there's nothing wrong with that - it's so much nicer when we're naked - oh yeah, I don't wear anything either.

Q: Dang! I've gone from freaking freezing from being scared shitless, to needing a fan. Anyone else hot in here? No? Okay. If you could change one thing about your appearance, what would it be?

Answer:

Irina: I would love curly hair like Alex - her hair is amazing!

Vlad: You're gorgeous just as you are, Irina. Me? Shit, no idea, I don't really think on stuff like that - what with me keeping folks safe! Irina, these questions are just stupid! Who the hell cares about what we want to change! You're perfect and don't ever think you're not.

Q: Have you ever killed anyone, if so, who? In a mumble, I think I know the answer Vlad will give.

Answer:

Irina: Yes.

Vlad: Duh, hundreds - no probably thousands over the centuries and no I don't have their names and addresses and no Irina isn't answering. You're upsetting her and I don't like it - not one bit!

Q: Shit, can someone call my husband? Look we're almost done, Mr. Vlad, sir. What is your moral code, if you have one? And no one has to answer any question they don't want to, kay?

Answer:

Irina: I just want folks to get along and I try hard to do that. I will stick up for folks I love though - even if it's not really in my nature.

Vlad: Yes, I have a moral code! I kill those that hurt others - simple - well sometimes I try to bring them in for trial but hey if they fight then what am I supposed to do?

Q: Do you believe in true love?

Answer:

Irina: Yes.

Vlad: Absolutely, Irina is mine and will be for eternity.

Irina: Hey, don't look at me like that - we're not alone. Vlad, shh, don't, behave.

Q: What kind of home do you live in?

Answer:

Irina: We have a lovely detached house, with two bedrooms, and a great back garden that leads right out into the woods so I can just open the door and go Wolf whenever I want!

Vlad: I've got all my toys and gadgets - some aren't on the market yet - I've helped our R & D come up with some stuff and I try them out before we consider going mass market. I do like my gadgets.

Q: Describe the scenery around you.

Answer:

Irina: There's a large forest on our back door, and it leads to some lovely little lakes and picnic areas, I'll run Wolf and Vlad just uses his Vamp speed to keep up with me. I love the fact that we don't need to worry abuot any humans being around, sorry, if that's rude but we can truly be what we are there and that's something I treasure.

Vlad: Yeah, what Irina said.

Q: Do you believe in an all-powerful being that created life as we know it?

Answer:

Irina: I'm not sure I used to - now - uh, uh - I mean - for goodness sake an Angel appeared to help Alex!

Vlad: That's a sore point for us Vampires.

Q: Do you worship, if so, how, and if not, why not?

Answer:

Irina: Yes, sort of, I pray n stuff but don't go to Church.

Vlad: No, absolutely not.

Q: Are there any rules you have no problem bending?

Answer:

Irina: I try to stick to our rules and laws - they're there for a reason.

Vlad: I don't have a problem with bending or breaking - rules, laws, whatever.

Q: If I knew I was gong to die tomorrow, I would...

Answer:

Irina: Cry cause I wouldn't be with Vlad anymore, that's a horrible thing to ask!

Vlad: Can I say fuck? No? Okay - I'd take Irina to bed and make her sceam my name over and over - that polite enough for you? I mean, come on - she's one sexy little Wolf - what else would a guy do on his last day!

Q: Your favorite thing to eat is...

Answer:

Irina: Pie! The dinner does an amazing apple pie and I love it!

Vlad: What else is there for me to say but my mate's blood.

Q: Anything else you'd like to add?

Answer:

Irina: No, thanks for having us.

Vlad: Can we please go now, Irina?

Book Details:

Name of Novel: Defender's Blood Alex's Destiny S

eries/Number: Defender's Blood #1

Author: A K Michaels

Price: FREEEEE

Readers can buy the book here:

http://authl.it/B00GVB3NQA?d

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id824756739

Website: http://akmichaels.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AvaKMichaels

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/AKMichaelsauthor/1380235792229218

Thank you A. K. Michaels for an enjoyable interview with Vlad and Irina. I'm very thankful to have made it out alive! Please, drop by her site, like her Facebook page, follow her on Twitter, and of course, check out her book, Defender's Blood Alex's Destiny.

Plung Right in and Meet Billy!

Billy Frank has just one goal in life; to restore his family honor by winning the most dangerous horse race of all, the Suicide Plunge. With little time to train and riding a horse that has just recovered from a serious injury, Billy figures he has nothing to lose..except his life. Can Billy overcome the apparent betrayal of those he loves the most? Can he conquer the stigma of being an 18 year old Native American growing up in a white man's world? This high octane novel is a fast paced adventure that will keep the reader in suspense until the last page is turned. 

 Meet Billy

Thank you for allowing me to interview you. I hope this will give everyone a chance to get to know you.

Tell us your name.

Billy Frank

Nice to meet you, Billy. How old are you and where do you live?

18 Colveille, Washington

Where were you born, Billy?

Colville, Washington

And where do you live now?

Colville, Washington

Billy, you are a man of few words and one who doesn't travel much. What's your job?

Packer for a hunting guide.

Do you have a family, and if so, what are their names and relation?

Father; Burt, Mother; deceased, Uncle; Blake

Who's your closest friend?

Samson, my horse.

Are you attached, or single? If attached, to whom?

I have a girlfriend named Carolyn.

Who do you get along with best/worst in your family?

I don't get along well with my father, but get along very well with my uncle.

What might your perfect spouse look like?

I like women with blond hair. As of now though, I have no spouse.

How might those around you describe your personality?

Quick to anger but faithful to those I love.

What's the most embarassing thing that has ever happened to you?

My father's actions!

Hm, I am betting we can find out what he did, in your book.

What or who do you care about most in the world?

Carolyn, my girlfriend.

That's sweet, Billy. What is the worst thing you have ever done to another being?

I spurned Carolyn when she needed me the most.

Do you have any enemies, and if yes, who are they?

Cougars!

Oh for a second I thought you meant older women! But I understand you actually mean the animals! What do you look like, Billy?

I am a dark haired, ruggedly handsome Native American male.

How would other people describe how you look?

Handsome and mysterious.

What would others say your best feature is?

My tattoos.

What's your pet peeve(s)?

Rude people, and people who don't understand or agree with my culture.

Have you ever killed anything/one?

Only animals to eat.

Me too, Billy. What is your moral code?

Treat people as good as they treat me.

Do you believe in true love?

Yes!

Have you ever lost someone/thing important to you? If yes, who or what?

Yes, two very painful losses, but you will have to read the book about me to find out.

What kind of home do you live in?

Mobile home

Describe the scenery around you.

Beautiful; hills, mountains, trees.

What types of plants are there where you live?

Pine trees.

Sounds gorgeous. What is your favorite part of where you live?

The beauty of the outdoors.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Right here in, Colville, Washington

I somehow thought you might say that.

Do you believe in an all-powerful being that created life as we know it?

Yes, I believe in the Great Creator.

Do you worship, if so, how, and if not, why not?

I worship by myself, usually when I am alone in the woods.

What is the most important rule in your world?

NEVER judge a book by its cover!

Where do you go when you die?

Heaven

Are there any rules that you would bend?

Maybe a few when playing cards, but in general I do not bend rules.

A favorite quote from you is?

"You can take the man out of the Marines but you can't take the Marines out of the man."

Your skill is?

Horses and horse racing.

If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, you would...

Go for a ride!

Your favorite thing to eat is?

Venison

I had that marinated and grilled once. It was very good.

My only regreat is...

Treating Carolyn poorly one time.

Well, thank you, Billy, for taking the time to answer my questions. You seem like a very level-headed, interesting young man, and I hope some folks will take a moment to check out your story.

Check out my book!
It is called “Suicide Plunge”

Here is the synopsis:

Billy Frank has just one goal in life; to restore his family honor by winning the most dangerous horse race of all, the Suicide Plunge. With little time to train and riding a horse that has just recovered from a serious injury, Billy figures he has nothing to lose..except his life. This high octane novel is a fast paced adventure that will keep the reader in suspense until the last page is turned.


Suicide Plunge
Series/Number: ISBN: 9781311292674
Author: Philip W. Arnold
Free at Smashwords. 99 cents at Amazon

To connect with Phil Arnold you can email him.
Email: Parnold@gvsd.net
 

Exclusive Interview with Val, from Sandra R. Campbell's, Dark Migration

Seanna Raines is on a journey of self-discovery. Only her search does not include college applications or finding a cool summer job. After killing Samuel Bolvayne, the ‘man’ she fears and loves, Seanna is not looking for who she is, but rather what she will become. Samuel spent countless lifetimes trying to forge a companion like himself, but his previous attempts were considered failures. Until Seanna. She is his first true success… and his ultimate undoing. Now, without Samuel to guide her, Seanna is lost. To survive, she needs to find out what her transformation means: super strength, the ability to smell human emotions, and an ever-increasing need to devour human souls. Seanna travels to Samuel’s earthly homeland, along the coast of South Africa, in search of answers. Here, she encounters several of his failed experiments, who claim to know the truth. These abominations lead her into a sinister world of chaos and destruction, where the birthplace of evil is revealed. Seanna clings to the last piece of her humanity while struggling to accept her feelings for Samuel and what she has done to him. Just as Seanna embraces her fate, she is forced to choose between life as an immortal with the one she loves or sacrifice it all to save a world that does not deserve saving.

    

Interview with Val

Hello, what is your name?

Val Okhovat

And, Val, how old are you?

Age is an insignificant record of a soul’s existence. I am wise beyond human comprehension.

Who is your closest friend, Val?

Attachments are unnecessary. However, I will admit there is a feisty girl who is growing on me.

I see. And who or what are you care about most in this world?

I care for little, other than fulfilling my blood oath. If I fail to do that, I will be no more.

What’s the worst thing you have ever done to another being?

Every single night I strive to do my worst.

Do you have any enemies?

I am the enemy.

Yes, well, I bet you are. Okay, let's try something a bit lighter. What’s your favorite thing to wear to bed?

Nothing.

How would other people describe how you look?

Big and scary.

I don’t doubt it. What would others say your best feature is?

My fangs.

They are quite…impressive. Have you ever killed anyone?

Too many to count.

What kind of home do you live in?

Africa is my home today, a small bungalow near the Indian Ocean.

Oh, that sounds rather cozy, if not a bit removed. Do you believe in an all-powerful being that created life as we know it?

I do the bidding of those who aided in the creation this world. The Dereltego are the essence of all life.

A favorite quote from you is…?

“Ignorance is never an acceptable excuse.”

Your favorite thing to eat?

You.

Well, on that note, I think it best we end this interview. I hope you’ve already eaten…Thank you, Val, for participating and allowing me to interview you. Val and I hope you, as readers, enjoyed learning a bit about him.

Sandra R. Campbell’s book, Dark Migration.

To read more about this character purchase a copy of Dark Migration [Book 2 of the Butterfly Harvest series] By Sandra R. Campbell Print - $14.99, Digital - $4.99 at Amazon, Barnes & Noble

To learn more about Sandra R Campbell and her series Visit her website: http://sandrarcampbell.com/

Follow her on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Dead_Sassy

Like her fan page on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/butterflyharvest

Five out of Five Stars for Vampires of the Cheapeake Series Book 2

Review by: Bella Doerres on April 25, 2014 :

Vampires of the Chesapeake Rees Morgan

By D. A. Rhine

D. A. Rhine takes us again into the Vampires of the Chesapeake and this time she tells us the story of Rees Morgan. He is employed by Kian in his escort business and is his best friend. Like Kian he has left behind his human existence and the memories of his human wife still haunts him. Rachel McCready, a young widow, is trying to raise her two sons alone and support herself on her paintings.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<SPOILER ALERT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

She and Rees are going to find themselves thrown together by an elder vampire that has come to the Chesapeake to create havoc for Kian and the ancient one doesn’t care who gets hurt in the process. Rhine takes us into a suspense filled romance that will have you as spell bound as it did me. Rees is given an ultimatum by an ancient to turn the young mother or she will be killed by him. Rees is unsure how to respond and knows that he and Kian have to explain it to Rachel, shall we say, delicately. Rachel does not believe in vampires, she finds Rees to be attractive and she has been alone long enough. When her late husband’s ghost turns up giving her cryptic messages through her eldest son she begins to think she is going mad and then when she discovers what Rees is proposing she knows that this can’t be real. Terror haunts her and she is filled with doubt and fear. How is she going to deal with the world of vampires and two young children? What Rees proposes is life changing to say the least and what is happening with the attraction between them? When her ghost husband appears she knows that insanity is not far behind.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<END SPOILER>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Read this and find out how romance can develop in the strangest ways and working through terror can really change a person’s heart. Will Rachel be willing to accept the bite of the vampire? I loved this and hope there will be more Vampires of the Chesapeake. A five star read that will most definitely keep you reading.

To Find and Compare Tips for Using MS Word

To Find and Compare

April 25, 2014

Recently, I've been formatting my fiction manuscript in MS Word 2007 for various distribution channels and have done a lot of copying and pasting, which can create errors. After all of this copying and pasting, I figured I needed to read through my text again to make sure I hadn't forgotten to paste anything, or hadn't accidentally duplicated something. But I wasn’t looking forward to re-reading my manuscript for about the thirtieth time. And in all honesty, it’s probably more than thirty times. There were two tools in MS Word that helped cut my proofreading time down considerably.

The Find Feature

Okay, so I've known about this for a while, but only recently come to appreciate its usefulness. Let’s say you decide to change the way you spell a character’s name. I’ll take my character in book two, Rees, as an example. (I actually had to do this.)

I changed my mind and don’t want to spell it R-H-Y-S anymore, but R-E-E-S. The thought of reading through the document to find all cases of his name makes me shudder. So, instead, I’ll use the ‘find’ feature.

1. Click on Find.

2. Choose Find in the drop down menu and then choose the Replace tab.

3. And type in the word you need to change in the box. In my case, it’s Rhys.

4. If you want to go incident-by-incident, just click ‘find next’ and then hit ‘replace’. But to make it faster, click ‘replace all’. A bit of warning—hitting ‘replace all’ will replace any example where the letters are consecutive in the same word. For instance, if you also had the word ‘TREES’, somewhere in your writing, this feature would also highlight and change ‘trees’ to ‘Rhys’.

Compare

When I needed to arrange my manuscript into a 6x9 Word Template, I did a lot more copying and pasting. In a template, it usually has filler words to show you where the text goes. If you don’t delete or paste over all of these words, you end up with nonsensical text woven into your story. Not fun!

The neat thing about ‘compare document’ is you can find large chunks of text that don’t belong in your writing.

To do this, you’ll need to go to the ‘Review’ screen in Word.

1. In the top bar, third from the right side, is the ‘Compare’ button. Click it and choose compare.

2. It will ask you which documents you want to open. You’ll need to open an earlier version that you know is clean, and then open the piece you’re working on.

3. Four screens come up in MS Word Compare: the original document, the new document, track changes, and the new document in center screen.

4. Scroll through the center screen, and notice Word highlighted, in red, anything different from your original. When it compared my manuscripts, it highlighted all the filler text, and I was able to delete each instance. You can also use the track changes screen on the far left and then click on the ‘Next’ or ‘Previous’ buttons to the left of the ‘Compare’ button on the main bar to move through each change. If you want to accept the change, click ‘Accept’ or if not, ‘Reject’.

Hopefully, this might make someone’s editing less tedious. If this helped you, let me know, or if you have your own tips, share them in the comments below.

Happy writing!

Dee

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at www.freedigitalphotos.net