Release Day Blitz Sidewalk Flower

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Interview with Brian Tashima Author of Secret of the Songshell

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Interview with Charles O'Keefe Author of The Newfoundland Vampire

What inspired you to become an author?

Two things, my friend Shannon published a book back in 2006, so that gave me some ideas and encouragement. Second I realized that I had a ton of ideas, fantasies, characters and most importantly a story I wanted to share with the world, so two with some more encouragement from friends I finally got my but in gear and I was published in April of 2012.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I write mainly in third person-past tense mainly (which means I say things like “he said” a lot). I do a descriptive style and I try hard to immerse the reader in the story by providing all the details I think a person would notice as part of the world.

Do you write in different genres?

Right now, I have only written in the horror genre.

How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

Well since the main character, Joseph, lives in Newfoundland (as do I) it seemed natural to call it “The Newfoundland Vampire”. Since that’s what he is, not to say there aren’t other Newfoundland Vampires in there as well. I didn’t want anything complicated or overly mysterious, so this seemed like both the simplest and the best way to describe the book.

Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

I like to come up a title right away. I’m all about planning ahead whenever possible.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Yes, it’s the choice we make that matter most, actions speak louder than words.

Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true life experience, someone you know, or events in your own life?

Yes, yes and yes, Joseph (the main character) is me as I was at 23 (minus the vampire part). So he does things that I did, the friends he has are based on my own friends, he goes to places I have been and the D&D chapter in particular is almost exactly how my all-time favorite session went. Aside from him Cassandra is loosely based on a real person, Catherine Mandeville Snow (the last woman hanged in Newfoundland, Canada) and other characters are also based on people from history and others still alive today (you’ll have to read it find out more).

What books/authors have influenced your life?

I dearly loved the book “The Mists of Avalon” by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I think it gave me a greater appreciation for female characters in literature (and women in real life) along with history and religion. Ernest Hemmingway has also had an influence on me, I dearly love cats, tropical places and while I’m a happy person I can glimpse a little into the idea that writers have to suffer, to at least experience the ups and downs of life in order to put feeling and emotions into their work.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Stephen King, while some of his books I hate he is an example of a determined writer who has succeeded on his own terms and continues to be a pioneer and prolific writer through thick and thin.

What book are you reading now?

I am reading “The Imagination Journals” by Darren Hann, it’s a collection of fantasy/sci-fi short stories by a friend of mine.

What is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?

I just sent my editor the second book in my vampire series, tentatively called “Killer on the Road” and I’m taking a little breather while I wait for her to get back to me. With any luck you’ll be able to get book 2 sometime in the summer of 2013.

Thanks so much for having me, excellent questions, it was fun!

The Newfoundland Vampire
Book One

Charles O’Keefe

Genre: Horror/Paranormal/Vampire

Publisher: Penumbra Publishing

ISBN: 978-1935563853

ASIN: B007TRWUCS

Number of pages: 224

Word Count: 86,737

Amazon US    Amazon UK     Amazon Canada    Amazon Kindle

Amazon UK          Chapters

Book Description:

Like every other geek alive, Newfoundland native Joseph O’Reily secretly wants to be a superhero. At thirteen he fantasized about being a vampire, and ten years later he’s still fantasizing – but mostly about a beautiful redheaded woman who has eyes only for him. The one thing different about Joseph’s adult fantasy is that, amazingly, it comes true one night when he goes to a local university pub. Cassandra Snow, literally the woman of his dreams, invites him to her place for an evening of personal pleasure. Of course he’s not going to say no. But when strange things start happening afterward, Joseph quickly learns that not all dreams should come true.

About the Author :

Charles O’Keefe lives in the beautiful province of Newfoundland, Canada, with his wife and two feline ‘children,’ Jude and Esther. He works as an inventory manager and enjoys many hobbies and activities that include writing, reading, watching fantasy/science-fiction movies and television shows, gaming, poker, walking, acting, and of course fantasizing about vampires.

www.charlesokeefe.com

http://p45crok.wordpress.com/  

http://twitter.com/#!/TheNLVampire   

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=826155483  

Guest blog by Erzabet Bishop

Christmas and bondage... ah what could be better? Nothing like a little roll under the Christmas tree to make the season bright. Add a few spankings and a creatively placed candy cane and you'll have me dreaming of sugarplums and flogger-wielding reindeer.

Oh yes, the Milk & Cookies & Handcuffs anthology from Storm Moon Press was the perfect catalyst to tell Jonas and Holly's story. Writing about BDSM and the holidays was a whole lot of fun. I thought about it for weeks. I hung Christmas lights and garlands in my writing space, trying to come up with a story that was original. Scouring books, I thought up naughty things to do with holiday paraphernalia (that was way more fun than it should have been). Then, it hit me. What about a lust demon with a penchant for Christmas ornaments? And, of course, said lust demon (Jonas) needed a smart aleck friend to give him endless Hell. Enter Mallory, a succubus with flair and a habit of saying just what's on her mind.

"It's twisted." Mallory sniped out, her tone coolly disapproving. Grabbing Jonas by the arm, they trudged down the main street of the Old Towne shopping district, dodging tourists and rabid consumers on a mission. "You have lost your mind. Here? Seriously?" Holiday music piped through the air and the smell of chestnuts roasting wafted towards them. The Carver Hills Old Towne Winter Carnival was in full force and it warmed Jonas' soul to see it. Throwing caution to the wind, he let out another burst of energy and sent it spiraling into the crowd. What could it hurt? He was here on a shopping expedition of his own and it wasn't for the latest transforming doll or gadget. Nope. Lust. Just a little. He was hungry. Lust was, after all, his personal vice of the seven deadlies. It really didn't matter the form. It was usually sex that got people into trouble, but any old lust would do. And right now, he was indulging in a little proclivity of his own. Christmas. Twinkling lights. Tacky reindeer yard ornaments. Tinsel. Garlands. Ah, the things you could do with a garland. A little tricky rope work and a willing partner and you had yourself your own little version of a bondage Christmas carol. A happy smile tilted up the corner of his mouth. It was funny as Hell, really. A lust demon with a fetish for Christmas ornaments.

Let's play a little game, shall we? This or That with Jonas, Mallory, and Holly!

1. Sushi or pizza Mallory: "Yes please." Jonas: "Jeez, Mal. No way. Pizza." Holly: "I second that, Jonas. Pizza! With lots of cheese."
2. Christmas or Halloween Mallory: "I'm a demon. Halloween of course!" Jonas: "You would say that, Mal. Give me twinkle lights and gingerbread any day of the week." Holly: "I love them both, but I have suddenly developed this new, um, fetish for Christmas trees and red ribbon." Blushes bright red.
3. Apple cider or appletini Mallory: "I love a good fling at a bar. Bring on the appletini's and don't hold back on the studly young appetizers." Jonas: Rolls eyes. "Apple cider." Holly: Laughs out loud at Jonas' expression and grins at Mallory. "You two." Shakes her head. "I have never tried an appletini but I like apple cider just fine."
4. Vanilla or Kink Mallory: Grins broadly. "I'm a succubus. What do you think?" Jonas: Looks over at Holly and smiles seductively. "Oh, I think a bit of kink, don't you?" Holly: Giggles and hugs Jonas. "I couldn't agree more."
5. Floggers or good old fashioned knot work Mallory: "Flogger. Definitely." Jonas: "You mean I have to choose? I like them both. So much potential." Holly: "I don't know. I kind of liked it when you tied me up with the ribbon." Grins at Jonas and waves a red ribbon at him.

Taking a journey with Mallory, Jonas and Holly was a whole lot of fun. Mallory's wit and audacious behavior is just what I imagine a succubus could become after walking the earth for centuries. Jonas is world weary but finds happiness in the sights and sensations of Christmas. When he meets Holly in the bookstore and holiday shop, the pieces fall into place for a kinky romp underneath the mistletoe.

The little minx behind the counter just stared at him, speechless. He towered over her, a petite redhead dressed in a tight fitting red sweater that left little to his overactive imagination. He couldn't see much of the black slacks she had on, but if the rest of her looked as good, he was in for a treat. The waves of lust emanating from her were like a homing beacon to the gnawing hunger in his gut. He felt it burn through him while he was basking in the glow of the holiday lights. The force of feeling behind her emotion was staggering and he held onto the counter with a death grip to avoid leaping over it and taking her right there. The sound of holiday carols playing in the background mixed with the heady scent of baking cookies and spiced cider made his heart happy. "Is it for sale?" The smile in his eyes burned bright with a sensual flame. He notched it up a little, just to see what she would do. The game was on.

Thanks for having me on the blog today! I hope you enjoyed getting to meet Mallory, Jonas, and Holly. May you have a wonderful holiday season and many nights of kinky reads with Milk & Cookies & Handcuffs! Erzabet Bishop has been in love with books since she could sound out the oddities of Dr. Seuss. Inspired by the life size cutouts of Dracula and his bride that adorned her wall as a teenager, she has been reading and writing fiendishly ever since. She has been published in the Coming Together: Hungry for Love anthology, and her most recent short story is part of Storm Moon Press' Milk & Cookies & Handcuffs. Under her real name, she reviews music, is an aspiring YA author, blogs about books, and can be found watching monster movies with her husband, crocheting strange looking objects, working at her job at the bookstore, or chasing around one of her furry children and insisting they behave. They don't often listen. Erzabet can be contacted via e-mail at erzabetwrites AT gmail DOT com. 

Check out her erotica reviews at her review blog and find her on Twitter @ErzabetBishop.