I’m thrilled to have D.R. Grady, author of
The Dragon Chronicles Book 3: Healing here today.
  
A fellow SMP author, D.R. Grady writes Paranormal/Fantasy for YA/NA and releases the final book in her Dragon Chronicles Trilogy today.

I've had the honor to preview this novel and I am very excited to celebrate its release. Will tell more about the book soon, but first let's chat with D.R. Grady!

Welcome and congratulations on your release and final book of the trilogy. Wow! what an accomplishment! What inspired you to write this novel?  
Healing is the final conclusion of the series. So everything needs to be tied up. This is about the world needing to be balanced again. And the dragon and her allies must provide that balance.
I understand how difficult it can be to write a final book to a trilogy...making sure all is in order can be a daunting task...not to mention having to say good bye to characters you've written a series on can be quite emotional.
 
 
Are your characters or plots based on anyone or experiences in real life? Or are they completely fictitious?
They are both. The characters are entirely fictitious, as elves, shifters, gargoyles, and other paranormal beings don’t exist. But the plot throughout the three books are identifiable. From learning your life isn’t going to turn out how you planned it (book 1), to not fitting in (book 2), to finding balance in a chaotic world (book 3).
That is something I love about writing...connectable, real life lessons at our fingertips. Teens through adults will absolutely relate to your characters.

 
Healing is book three of The Dragon Chronicles. Did you plan it to be a three book series or did it develop into one?
This began and finished as a three part series. Some of the characters whose stories I couldn’t delve into because there wasn’t time or space intrigue me though. So could there be a spin-off series? I’m not shutting the door on that possibility!
 I'd love to read a spin-off!
 

When did you start writing and why?
I started writing when I discovered the magic of stringing words together to form sentences, then paragraphs.
 
 
Who is your favorite author?
Jayne Ann Krentz. Her intellect amazes me, and her humor is wonderful. I love how she uses words to spin a tale I am eager to read and re-read.
 
 
Writers are always readers. What genre do you like to read the most? 
Contemporary romance, followed by paranormal, and I have no idea why those two resonate with me!
 
 
What is the last book you read or are currently reading?
Dark Promises by Christine Feehan.
 
 
Fast & Furious questions: Please answer using as few words as possible.
Ready? GO!
 
Favorite Ice Cream? Chocolate
Favorite Super Hero?  Superwoman
Favorite Princess? Katherine, the Duchess of Cambridge
Favorite tv show when you were a kid? Scooby Doo
Food you can’t stand? Seafood
What annoys you? Rude people
Jeans or Sweatpants?  Sweatpants
The day is not complete without… Chocolate
One Word that best describes yourself… Pickable
 
 I'm right there with you on the Chocolate, Scooby Doo and Rude people!
Thanks, D.R. for stopping by and congratulations again on release day for Healing.

Here’s a little info on D.R. Grady
D.R. Grady lives with her husband near Hershey, PA. She adores chocolate, laughing, collecting bags, books, and shoes, and writing stories that resonate with others.

And Now....Enjoy an excerpt from The Dragon Chronicles Book 3: Healing

“Marissa, are you okay?” Ewain’s voice reverberated above her, but he sounded like he spoke through a long tunnel. She grasped the edge of the bench to keep upright.

But remaining vertical proved difficult since dizziness added disharmony to her fuzzy brain, upset tummy, and clammy sweat. The fusion of those factors was important. How so kept escaping her though, like a mischievous kitten intent on not being caught.

“Marissa?” The questioning note in Ewain’s voice was still evident, but accompanied by alarm now. She wished she could reassure him, but her tongue grew too large for her mouth.

Words wouldn’t form, even if her brain could have conjured them, which it didn’t seem capable of. She wanted to speak, to reassure him she was fine, but due to current evidence, her state of health might be questionable.

Shaking her head did nothing more than allow the hank of hair behind her ear to escape and tickle her face again. She couldn’t summon the energy to tuck it back into place. The action also called to attention the sudden, massive headache now clamoring in conjunction with her other alarming symptoms.

Symptoms. That word meant something. Usually it was involved in the diagnosis of an illness. Illness. A state of unwellness. Unwell—an accurate definition for how she felt.

When her final thought sluggishly formed, she finally admitted there might be a problem. But by then the black spots swirling in front of her eyes finally surged into full-on blackness, and she gave in to the encroaching darkness.
 
 Ahhh! A cliff hanger...I won't tell what happens. I will say Healing is an exciting tale, combining fantasy, paranormal, YA/NA, and sweet romance. I highly recommend Healing and the entire Dragon Chronicles Series to Teens and Adults who love adventure, romance, and a touch of 'Harry Potter'.

How do you can contact D.R. Grady?
Click on your favorite social media below.
​
Website
Twitter @drgradybooks 
Amazon Author page:
Facebook Page D.R. Grady 
Google+  D.R. Gradybooks   
 
Check out all of The Dragon Chronicles
Book One: Learning
Book Two: Shifting
Book Three: Healing

Just received an email from my editor...the sequel to Souls Entwined has been approved! Here's a sneak peak---

In Souls Entwined, Sam Daggett and Gretta Dobbs travel through time to unlock the mysteries of her cursed ring. 

Souls Estranged continues the story with their return to present time with Sam’s memory of their adventure intact and Gretta’s memory erased. With a curse of bad luck at hand, will Sam be able to rekindle Gretta’s love, or will evil place a wedge between them, distancing them forever?  

Souls Estranged focuses on Sam and Gretta’s lives and how they deal with being cursed. The scene is primarily set in the mountains of Virginia. Short sections take the reader to death row in Indiana, the streets of New York City, the spiritual realms of purgatory, and a peek into the depths of Tartarus. The two spirit characters from Souls Entwined, Roxana and Katarina, work diligently to seek out spirits who can help break the curse while attempting to protect Sam and Gretta from danger.

The curse of Bad Luck follows Gretta and tragedy strikes within the first pages. Despite placing himself in danger, Sam swears to protect her at all costs. With flashbacks of memories filling her mind, Gretta begins to understand that no one around her is safe and takes matters into her own hands.

I love to read Young Adult/New Adult books! Add a little Mythology and I'm hooked! 
Today I welcome Bethany Averie, author of
Immortal Dreams Book One: 
Divine Love. Click on the cover to see on AMAZON!
Thanks for being my guest today, Bethany. Tell us a little bit about your book.
Laney Alberts should be enjoying her senior year of high school. Instead, she’s mourning the death of her beloved father—her hero. Even after a year without him, she still feels directionless.

Things take a complete one-eighty when she literally walks into Jason Magnus, the hot, new guy at school. He’s different from anyone she has ever met, and intrigues her in ways she never guessed possible.

But, there’s more to Jason than Laney realizes. Before she knows what’s happening, she’s thrown into the world of Immortals. To prevent a goddess bent on world domination from destroying both the human and Immortal worlds, Laney and Jason must embrace the Fates’ destiny for them.

Human and Immortal collide in this, the first of the Immortal Dreams Trilogy.

Love realistic fantasy and mythology---this book has both!

What inspired you to write this novel?
My critique partner, Tess St. John was instrumental in me writing it—she told me to try my hand at YA/NA novel writing and so I found an unfinished novel in my files, loved the premises, made it over, and voila! DIVINE LOVE was born. What inspired me was the idea of dreams, romance, and adventure—and of course, Greek mythology, which I love.

When did you start writing this book? How long did it take you?
I started…sometime in late 2012. In my 5 secrets I reveal it took me around 6 to 6 ½ months to write. The only novel that’s taken me less time than that to write is Book Two of this trilogy.
 
Are your characters or plots based on anyone or experiences in real life? Or are they completely fictitious?
I make a point not to purposely pull any events from real life—especially since I write Fantasy/Paranormal novels. However, my characters will often have aspects of my personality—or like something I like, but that’s just because it’s something I know very well, it’s not to make them anything like me. If anyone I know recognizes aspects of their personalities or see any parallels that is totally coincidental. I don’t ever do that on purpose.

Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
That’s a tough question, but I’d have to say the main characters—I can’t pick one of them because it feels unfair. I like Laney Alberts because despite the fact she comes across kinda shy, she’s actually very strong and doesn’t take crap from anybody—not even Jason. I love that she’s able to put him in his place, and can stand up to insane goddesses bent on world domination, but still love her father deeply and care about her friends and mother.

The other main character, Jason Magnus, I like because even though he can come across as really arrogant (and sometimes a jerk) he’s got a big heart, and a truly romantic/tender side. I love seeing that (and sometimes his attitude reminds me of my husband LOL! But I TRULY did NOT base Jason after my husband or anyone else I know. I just developed the character the way that felt right for the story).

What are your feelings about sequels? Is this a possibility for your novel?
Depending on the novel, sequels can be fun, and there are definitely sequels to DIVINE LOVE. It’s Book One in the IMMORTAL DREAMS TRILOGY.  Book Two, ASTRAL LOVE, is supposed to release probably sometime in October. Book Three, IMMORTAL LOVE, is likely to release sometime in January 2015.

When did you start writing and why?
I’ve been writing so long (since I was a kid) that I can’t remember when I started. I remember when I first started getting serious about my writing—that was probably when I was about 21 or 22. I took a correspondence class from the Writer’s Digest School. I worked on several things, but nothing felt right. Then probably in 2008 I worked on All’s Fair In Love & Lion (published in July 2013 from Soul Mate Publishing), so there were several different times when I got serious about writing, but when I wrote All’s Fair In Love & Lion was when I honestly decided to look into publishing and being a professional writer.

Who is your favorite author?
I have so many favorites, I just can’t name one. Generally a writer becomes my favorite when their writing just grabs hold of me and sucks me right in. People like Lesley Livingston, Katie McGarry, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Christie Craig, Kim Lenox, Shanna Swendson, Rick Riordan, Kerrelyn Sparks, Tess St. John, Laura Childs, Lurlene MacDaniel, Josephine Angelini (STARCROSSED Trilogy), CS Lewis, CC Hunter, Lauren Oliver (DELIRIUM), Jessica Day George (her Princess books), Lynn Kurland (MacLeod/de Piaget books), Syrie James (NOCTURNE), Julie Kagawa, Shakespeare, and several others have done this for me.

Any fan of CS Lewis’s NARNIA novels knows the awe and wonder of entering Narnia…imagining all that snow and Aslan (I actually mention Aslan in All’s Fair In Love & Lion).

Nothing is more fun than chick-lit mixed with fantasy, with adventure and romance…which is why I’m completely into Shanna Swendson’s ENCHANTED INC. series (there’s 7 books—hey like NARNIA!)

I love anything that fires my imagination or anything where the writing just grabs me. If you can do that, I’m a fan. 

What is the last book you read or are currently reading?
There’s a novel I’m reading that I’m not ready to reveal (it’s an ARC—Advanced Reader’s Copy) because I’m on that author’s street team. However, I’m reading a Graphic Novel (think Japanese Anime) series called ALICE 19th by Yu (Pronounced YOU) Watase (WAH-TASS-EE) that I’m really enjoying. She has a nice mix of fantasy, contemporary, and romance in her work. I loved FUSHIGI YUGI. (Yes, I like Japanese Anime—quite a bit, but I usually only follow the romantic, but not too graphic ones—I also love it when they have fantasy involved—like ROMEO X JULIET, INUYASHA, FUSHIGI YUGI, and a few others).

The last thing I read was a novella by Julie Kagawa. I’ve really enjoyed her IRON FEY series.

Sounds like good reading! I just finished Divergent. My kids told me that I HAD to read that series! My son and I are also big Rick Riordan fans!

Want to know 5 Secrets behind Divine Love? Check these out!

1.  Immortals. I have a whole slew of Greek gods and goddesses running around in this Trilogy, including in Book One (Divine Love). Most people know that. What they don’t know is which ones. You’ll see appearances from Zeus, Athena, and the Fates—just to name a few (there’s far more than I listed here). I won’t give away who the goddess that’s bent on world domination is, though—got to leave some mystery!
2.  Cars. I’m no car aficionado, but I do know what looks good to me. I got to spend some time on the Corvette website to research Jason’s car. Let me just say, once I got on the Corvette website, there was no doubt in my mind it’s exactly what Jason Magnus would drive.
3. Music. During one of the scenes in Divine Love, I mention a  song playing softly in the background. I don’t mention which song it was. So here it is: Meat Loaf’s I Would Do Anything For Love.
4. Playlists. I do have playlists for Laney and Jason for this novel and the other two. I’m considering posting the playlist for DIVINE LOVE at some point in the future. There are a couple of mentions on my Facebook page and website. In the novel itself I mention what is Jason’s ringtone for his phone and what is Laney’s ringtone for her phone—and those are on the playlists.
5. Timeframe. It only took me about 6-6 ½ months to write Divine Love. Until I wrote Astral Love (Book Two, to release in October 2014), that’s the shortest amount of time it took me to write a novel so far.

I LOVE Meat Loaf (I Would Do Anything For Love), Corvettes, and Mythology! Thanks for giving us the behind the scenes look at Divine Love!
Here's a little bit about Bethany:

Bethany Averie is the second-to-the-youngest of eight children. As a kid, she loved fairy tales, especially Cinderella and Beauty & The Beast. Bethany still loves fairy tales, Greek & Roman Mythology, and romance. She resides in the Lone Star State with her real life hero, and a shadow who calls her 'Mom'. When not writing, Bethany enjoys time with family and friends and dreaming up new worlds

AND now an excerpt from Divine Love Immortal Dreams Book I
Four days of separation and then hit with her goddess look, Jason had to do something. He glanced up and down the hallway, then gave his hand a jerk. The commotion around them ceased. Students paused in mid-stride. Teachers froze in their tracks.
Laney stopped short and whirled on him, her face a mask of shock. “Did you stop time?”
“Yep.”
“Why?”
“Because otherwise I couldn’t do this.” He pressed her up against the lockers as his mouth swooped down upon hers.

Where To Find Bethany Averie:

Website: http://bethanyaverie.wix.com/authorbethanyaverie

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WriteByBethany

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BethanyAverie.Author

IMMORTAL DREAMS Trilogy Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Immortal-Dreams-Divine-Love-Astral-Love-Immortal-Love/261760734019743?ref_

Blog:  http://writebybethany.blogspot.com/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7169678.Bethany_Averie?from_search=true

Email:  bethany.averie@gmail.com

Buy links for Immortal Dreams Book One: Divine Love:
Bethany Averie’s Website: http://bethanyaverie.wix.com/authorbethanyaverie#!books/cnec

Soul Mate Publishing:  http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/divine-love/

Amazon:

I read Divine Love Immortal Dreams Book One and LOVED it! Great book for Young Adults, New Adults, and fans of mythology/sweet romance! Cannot wait for the next book to come out!

Victoria Adams is with me today talking about her New Adult novel, 
A Guy and A Girl.  Welcome Victoria!

The New Adult genre is relatively new. When did you start writing A Guy and A Girl?
I started this book when my daughter was 7. She's now 27. But that doesn’t mean it took me 20 yrs to write it. Life got in the way. I put the finished story away, wrote a bunch of other things, and suddenly it was time to get back to this one.

Are you a full time writer? If not, what fills your day?
That's a yes, but not in the way you mean it. Do I do this professionally as a living? No because I'd starve to death. Sales have not been spectacular. I'm writing in a genre that's select and is only beginning to be known. A lot of people think New Adult means – new erotic. But NA just means more grown up YA. SO there are growing pains. But that aside, plot ideas, scene changes etc are always going through my head whether it's 2 in the afternoon or 2 in the morning.
I write New Adult (my characters are 18 and 20 years old) and I constantly tell people that the romance level is SWEET in my MATURE Young Adult or New Adult novel.  Yes, it is tricky!What fills my day? Well today I made a strawberry jelly roll, with fresh picked strawberries – yum – but --- you knew there'd be a but—I dropped the whole thing upside down on the kitchen floor! What a mess. So what fills up my day? Life.
YIKES! I may have considered the 5 Second Rule---I love fresh strawberry anything!

Are your characters or plots based on anyone or experiences in real life? Or are they completely fictitious?
My characters in this book aren't based on anybody, but they are compilations of students I taught. In my first book, Dancing in Circles, Robert was based on the boy who sat in front of me in English class.
Love it! I taught elementary students for 7 years before I had my own children and then have been teaching preschool ever since. I still remember many of my past students and use their names for characters in my books:)

Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
Hunter. He has the most to lose if he messes up this relationship. Chelsea is determined to make him love her despite his stubbornness and all the difficulties I threw at them.

What are your feelings about sequels? Is this a possibility for your novel?
My first book, Dancing in Circles, turned in a sequel and then a trilogy! But I dubt this book will. And as to writing a 5 or 6 book series, I have no idea how those authors do it.

Who is your favorite author? Favorite genre?
My favourite author is Agatha Christie. My favourite genre is mystery – particularly old English mysteries. I love the feel of the stories and the settings and even though I own every one of her books and have read them a dozen times, I still love to settle down with one on a cold Sunday, next to my wood stove with a  hot chocolate and get lost in a more simpler time.
 
When you pick up a book at the store or library, what makes you select it? What makes you put it down?
Embarrassed to say - I haven't browsed in a bookstore in so long. My mother, a retired librarian, would be horrified at that answer.
With the popularity of e-books I should adapt that question:)

What is the last book you read or are currently reading?
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban: Malala Yousafzai, Christina Lamb – FABULOUS. Terrifying, but fabulous. I'd recommend this to anyone and everyone. Should be required reading.

Fast & Furious questions: Ready? GO!
Favorite Ice Cream? Chocolate
Favorite Movie? The Bird Cage
Favorite Princess? Me
Favorite tv show when you were a kid? Flipper
Food you can’t stand? Liver and Onions
What annoys you? Stupidity
Jeans or Sweatpants? Jeans
The day is not complete without… Love
One Word that best describes yourself…Unique


FLIPPER!!! Loved that show:)
Thanks, Victoria for the interview!


Check out the blurb on A Guy and A Girl
After an ugly past forced Hunter Connolly to escape to Europe, the talented hockey player is back in North America and determined to land a position with a professional team. But he can’t hide from his past forever, especially when his beautiful classmate, Chelsea, forces him to reexamine his life. Soon, hockey is not his first priority anymore.

Chelsea Henderson is a bright co-ed working towards her dream of being a professional dancer. She forms a unique friendship with one of her father’s newest recruits and would love nothing more than to take it to the next level. However, there’s just one small problem. He doesn’t know she’s his coach’s daughter.

Amid the deceptions, danger lurks closer than they could ever imagine. Will fate contrive to rip the young lovers apart? Or will Hunter and Chelsea have their shot at love?

And now...enjoy an excerpt from A Guy and A Girl

"Good, now that everyone is here, welcome. Today is a get-to-know-each-other day. I don't like impersonal classes where no one knows each other. I feel a class should be like a team. Since you'll be criticizing and analyzing each other's works, you should get to know one another. Let's go around the table, starting with you." He pointed at Chelsea who sat directly in front of him. "Name. Major."

"Uh...I...uh...I hate going first." A flush trickled up the side of her neck.

Out of the side of his mouth, Hunter whispered, "Better you than me."

She glanced at him. "That was supportive."

Hunter's heart skipped a beat.

 "My name's Chelsea, and I'm taking this and a Composition and Repertory class."

"I speak for all of us when I say - a what?" Hunter looked at her sideways.

"A dance credit."

"Do you wish to be a dancer?" The professor folded his hands and placed them on the table. Chelsea blushed and nodded. He pointed to the person on Chelsea's right.

"My name is Steven Francis, and I'm pre-med."

Hunter listened as several other students listed themselves as pre-med, pre-law, business administration and economics. He shook his head. I'm so in the wrong place. But with Chelsea being here, this class could be liveable. At last it was his turn. "Hunter Taylor, and I don't have a declared major."

"What do you do?"

"I play hockey. I'm trying out for the Vipers."

The other five girls sat up taller, fixed their hair and smiled.

"At least our two dreamers are sitting next to each other." A smirk spread across the face of the pre-law student.

Hunter glanced at the table then back at the pre-law student. "You don't dream about becoming a lawyer? You don't dream about pleading a major case in front of the Supreme Court?"

The classmate refused to make eye contact with Hunter.

"Everyone has dreams." Hunter jerked his thumb towards Chelsea. "Chelsea's and mine may not be academic ones, but they're just as hard to achieve as yours are. Don't put me down 'cause I want to be a hockey player. I may have to hire you to represent me when I negotiate my deal."

"An interesting mix of students." The professor scanned the group with eyes lit up with humour. "A dancer, a few lawyers, doctors, business people and a hockey player who can defend himself against a lawyer."

"I play offence. We're the aggressive ones."

Here’s how you can contact Victoria

Blog – Victoria's Pages of Romance – http://victoriaadams.blogspot.com

FaceBook - http://www.facebook.com/victoriaadams.romancewriter

Facebook Author Page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Victoria-Adams/244325918978641

Facebook - Circles Trilogy Page - http://www.facebook.com/CirclesTrilogy?ref=hl

Twitter – http://twitter.com/_VictoriaAdams

Website - http://victoriaadamsromance.wix.com/victoria-adams

Google+ - Victoria Adams

Wattpad - http://www.wattpad.com/user/VictoriaAdams

Plus – Triberr, Amazon Author, LinkedIn, SocialOmph, Goodreads etc


Buy links:

A Guy and a Girl – exclusively at Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L2GRD1U


Thanks again, Victoria for joining me here today!