Author Interview: Lorrie Struiff

Today I have a post from guest author Lorrie Struiff. Welcome, Lorrie; what have you got for us?

Hi Melissa,

Thank you so much for hosting me today on your blog.

I’d like to let the readers and authors read what happened to Fat Phil Phillips the day he couldn't resist an interview.

~~~~~~~

“This is Newsy Persons at BTGN with all your oldies but goodies coming at you. Oh jeez, wait a minute, folks. I see the co-star of the Call on the Dead series, Phil Phillips, outside the window. Maybe he’ll give us an interview.” Newsy waves him in. “Great. He’s coming in folks, sit tight.”

The door opens. Phil peeks around the door. “Uh, are you waving at me?”

“Yes, yes, come on in, have a seat. You’re Phil Phillips, right?  Of the new COD series?"

“Yeah. Who’re you?”

Newsy settles back in his chair. “I’m Newsy Persons. You never heard of me?”

“Nope. ’Fraid not.”

“Well, I’m so fascinated with your co-star role in the previews of the upcoming series, would you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

 “Me?” Phil smiles wide and his chest puffs. “Really? Me?” He glances around the studio. The chair squeaks when he sits. “Sure, I don’t mind. I have some time.”

“Tell us a little about the star of the series.”

“Well, I’m the pres--”

“No, no, I mean Winnie Krapski.”

Phil shoots Newsy an angry look. “I thought you wanted to know about me.”

“Well, ahem, of course I do, Phil. Tell me what you do in the series.”

“I’m the president of our chapter in the world-wide organization of the COD club.” Phil slicks back the thinning hair on top of his head. “I recruit members who get the gift, assign them districts, and make sure they’re doing their jobs right.”

“What gift?”

Phil shakes his head. “I can’t tell you, it’s a secret.”

“Can’t tell me? We’re going to find out soon enough. Come on, you can tell me."

“Nope, Sorry, it’s a secret. I can’t tell you.”

"You’re a stubborn man, Phil. With a club named Call on the Dead, there has to be a big story behind it."

“Sorry, can’t tell you that either.”

 Newsy sighs. “Well then, tell us a little bit about Winnie?”

 “I can’t tell you, but I will say this. She is one bossy woman. When I go with her to a job, she has an evil knack of getting me into more trouble than I ever imagined. She always jumps before she thinks. Bam! Right into the thick of things. I've been shot at, gotten punched, froze my behind off and had to bail her out of jail. All because she can’t keep her big yap shut.”

Newsy leans forward. “You dislike her that much?”

“Naw, don’t get me wrong, she’s okay. In fact, we’re good friends. I just wish she was smarter, not so ditzy, and would stay out of trouble."

“You mean she’s whacky?”

“I can’t tell you that. You’ll have to indulge in the series to find out.”

“All we've learned is that you’re president, Winnie is whacky, bossy, stupid, and can’t stay out of threatening situations that she drags you into."

“You got it.”

“You’re not giving our listeners much to grab onto here.”

 Phil scratches his head and gives Newsy a puzzled look. “What do you mean listeners?” Phil’s eyebrows lift and his eyes go wide. “You mean we’re live? On the air?”

Newsy eyes the microphone between them on the table. He gives Phil a slow grin. “I can’t tell you that.”

***

Don’t worry, readers. You can find out for yourselves. The COD (Call on the Dead Club) is out now. Stories 1 & 2 are in the first volume and the newly released COD 3 is out now. At only 99 cents per download, don’t pass up the chance to get your two.

Mr. and Mrs. Bickerson are in a fatal highway accident. Both Phil and Winnie work their last requests. Strange that the dead couple want their requests kept secret from one another. Why? What are they hiding?

Winnie works the request and ends up in more danger than she can handle.

Yep, Winnie is in deep poo again. Find out more here.

   

Winnie went to the funeral home to pay her last respects to her dead bingo friend Cora. There Cora lay in her casket, and there Cora sat on a chair near her casket. Winnie fainted.

***

Come and meet Winnie Krapski who hugged a cherry tree during a lightning storm. The bolt slammed her, splitting the tree in half. The near-death experience bestowed her with a gift–-one she’d rather not have.
Drafted into the C.O.D. Club (Call on the Dead) by Fat Phil Phillips, her mission is to grant the newly deceased’s ghost one last reasonable request. Can Winnie honor her oath?

Well, she tries. But, not before she stumbles into situations that almost get her killed. She’s one spunky broad. Follow her adventures here.

Thank you for reading.  If you have time, please leave a comment. I love comments.

Other sites where you can find me. Have a peek.

Amazon, my download buy page:   http://www.amazon.com/Lorrie-Unites-Struiff/e/B0046DA65Q/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1357417814&sr=1-2-ent

Blog: http://lorriejuly.blogspot.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/lorrie.struiff

Pintrest: https://pinterest.com/811lms/

Author Interview - Micheal Brookes

Today I am happy to interview Michael Brookes, who is making a blog tour to promote his new book. 

Michael, you’re releasing your latest book, Conversations in the Abyss. Please give us a brief overview of the book and how it relates to your last book, The Cult of Me.

In The Cult of Me we met a man who grew up with the ability to enter people’s minds and bend them to his will. His ability makes him useful to certain factions and he helps a secret church organization kill Lazarus, an immortal attempting to bring about the apocalypse.

He steals Lazarus’s miracle, gaining immortality, but only to discover that the miracle has a harsh price. An eternal fire burns within his flesh. For his crime he is imprisoned within the walls of a monastery. Seeking escape he delves deep inside his own psyche and hides at the border between life and death. There he discovers some of the secrets of the universe.

He also learns that the apocalypse is coming and once again he must stop it.

Your story spans 2 books so far and is poised to have a third. What was your process during the planning? Did you know the story was going to span multiple books, or did you write the first one and then realize you wanted to continue the story?

I knew that the story would span a trilogy, but only a rough idea of what would occur in each book. I conduct an extensive planning process before writing each book. The next one is going to be the trickiest. I have an idea of where it should end, but it might be a bit obvious so I’ll need to think of something different.

Writing about the Apocalyptic destruction of the entire universe seems like a daunting task. What was the inspiration behind your story?

The story is inspired by ‘Paradise Lost.’ For me, John Milton’s book is the greatest story ever told and there are aspects that interest me and made me think of writing a story based on the same events, but with a modern twist.

Your story concerns the classic battle between good and evil, between the forces of God and the forces of Satan. What influence, if any, did your religious background have on your writing?

In the book good and evil isn't quite as clear cut as it first seems. I've always had an interest in theology and religion in general.

Your stories tend to have a dark side to them. What authors and books have had the most influence on your writing?

For horror I think Clive Barker is probably my biggest influence, along with other classic authors like James Herbert. I also read a lot of science fiction, in fact Ian M. Banks is the author of my favourite novel  - Excession.

How would you define “success” for a writer?

For me hearing people reading my books and enjoying them.

What would you like readers to take away with them after reading your books?

I like to think that my stories encourage questions as well as provide entertainment.

You work as a producer for a game development company. Are the creative processes for gaming and writing similar or different? Do you find the two formats complement each other in any way?

There are similarities between the two. It depends greatly on the game, for the latest game we’re working on, Elite: Dangerous, the game is more about the setting than a linear narrative.

What other projects can we expect to see from you in the future, or are already out there?

I have a first draft that I need to work up. I've also been asked to write the official novel for our new game.

Is there anything you’d like to add?

I’d like to thank you for hosting this interview and taking part in the blog tour. I’d also like to thank my readers and I hope you continue to find my work worth reading.

How can readers connect with you?

Blog: http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Brookes/e/B008OGD8KG/

Twitter page: http://www.twitter.com/TheCultofMe

2013 TFOB

The TFOB is coming! The TFOB is coming!

The what? What the heck’s a TFOB? (And no, it’s not that thing on your pocket watch. Oh, you don’t have a pocket watch?)

No matter. The TFOB is ….

the Tucson Festival of Books!

This is the eagerly awaited and most exceptional book festival in all of Southern Arizona. In its second year, the TFOB became the third largest book festival in the country with over 100,000 attendees. In this, its fifth year, there is just no telling how many folks there might be, but it’s a celebration of books and reading the likes of which you have never seen.

And no wonder. With over 275 exhibitors and 450 authors, it’s a bibliophile’s paradise. There are workshops, panels, discussions, presentations and literary activities for the entire family. Some of the many well-known and featured authors this year are Pulitzer-prize winner David Wood, “Pearls Before Swine” cartoonist Stephan Pastis, John Sayles, and R. L. Stine. In addition to the recognizable names, there are hundreds of lesser-known but just as hard-working authors that are available to meet with folks for a friendly chat. I believe I can speak for most of them when I say that meeting our readers and talking with them face-to-face is extremely gratifying and great fun.

So when does all this happen? March 9-10, 2013 at the University of Arizona Mall in the center of town. Events start as early as 9:30am and go until 5:30pm both days. There is food, music, lots of free stuff and fun for all. If you’re in the neighborhood, I hope you’ll come on down. If you do, stop by the Author’s Pavilion West and say hello. I’ll be there from 9:45-11:45am on Saturday morning.

See you there!