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Interview with Paris

jl-hendricks

Hello! My name is Katelina, and welcome to the Character Interviews. Using state of the art-mumbo-jumbo author magic, Jo has temporarily bent the laws of fictional space and time to allow various literary universes to converge long enough for me to ask different characters a few questions. Since I spend a lot of time in the Amaranthine series quizzing vampires on what they’re doing, where they’re going and why, Jo thought I would be the perfect interviewer.

Today we have Paris from the sci-fi romance Worlds Away, by J.L. Hendricks

Katelina: Welcome Paris! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Paris: Well, my name is Paris and I have just been abducted by aliens! But, oh my word, are they hot, hot, hot!!!! I guess I shouldn’t complain too much because I have a very able bodied Commander who is taking good care of me now. You see, I used to live on the streets of LA. I was homeless after my parents died and I never was able to get out of my rut. But, I am only 22. My alien Commander, Venay, is in love with me, although a bit over-protective. If you read Worlds Away, by J.L. Hendricks you will see what I mean.

K: Oh wow! I guess we know you’re involved in a romance, then!

P: Yes, I am the soul mate to an alien commander. His name is Commander Venay, but I call him Venay. Some of the other girls tease me about it, but they are jealous. Sheila wanted him if I was going to turn him down, but I think she ended up with the right guy. Venay is a strong warrior who actually has a great moral compass. He isn’t happy with abducting slaves, but he doesn’t know how to change the situation of his people. Letting them die out is not something he can do, so I think he will work with me to change their society for the better and abolish slavery and human abductions.

K: He sounds hot *fans self and looks to make sure her vampire boyfriend isn’t hanging around* Um, anyway, he sounds almost perfect, except for that slave thing.

P: I am still having a hard time supporting Venay because he is responsible for abducting humans and bringing them back to his home planet to be either slaves, or mates. I can understand why he is doing it, his species almost died out due to a disease, but there are better ways to rebuild a society than forced slavery or marriage.

K: Exactly! Though as you said, he isn’t happy about it, so hopefully he will work for change. Since we’re talking about his evolution, how do you evolve during the story?

P: I have always been strong and independent, so I am that way even when I am abducted. At first I choose to be a slave, but then I start to realize that I can make change happen much faster if I agree to be the mate, or wife, of the alien commander. For these aliens, once they meet their true, fated mate, they never love anyone else and will do whatever they have to in order to keep their mate safe. I start out taking advantage of his bond to me so that I can try to free the prisoners he has in his cells. Their intent is to sell them as slaves once we reach their home planet. Well, a lot of the women will agree to be mated to the warriors on the ship, but not all. So over the course of the trip (book) I realize that I have fallen in love with the giant alien. He is over 7 feet tall! And did I mention he is gorgeous? I do try to help keep my people from being used as slaves, especially one girl who is only 18 and hasn’t even graduated high school yet! What were they thinking abducting a kid like that? Some men are just stupid, whether they are aliens or humans, doesn’t matter. I hope to talk the alien government into changing how they view humans, and to stop the abductions, but that is something that will take time. I hope by the end of the series all humans will be free and the V’Zenians will stop abducting my kind.

K: I’m guessing when you got taken they didn’t give you time to pack. If you could have anything of yours from back on Earth, what would it be?

P: Lola. I miss my dog. She is the most loyal and loving pet a person could ever hope for! If you read my story you will learn about how she chose me to be her companion. I really hope that one of our friends is taking good care of her. If anyone reading this can go to the Santa Monica or Venice Beach area, could you look for Lola? She must be missing me something awful by now.

Not Lola, but it is a dog at least.

K: Poor puppy! I’m sure she’s okay, though I’m not sure if anyone reading this can cross into our dimensions…my author would say sarcastically, “Do you think your life and universe are real?”

P: Yes, of course they are! How else could you be interviewing me if I wasn’t?

K: Exactly. Authors have a weird sense of…I don’t know. Megalomania if you ask me. Speaking of authors, if you could say one thing to yours, what would it be?

P: I have two things: 1-don’t make me pregnant! I have too much work to do and no time to care for a baby, especially if I am going to change an entire society. 2-don’t kill off any of my friends! I have read your Eclipse Series and you kill off a lot of great characters, like Xandrie! So please leave my friends alone. And by friends I mean Lisa, Sheila, and their mates. Please!!!! I will gladly do whatever you want if you grant me my two wishes.

K: Do you have an enemy, aside from the whole alien kidnapping thing. Though they sound less like enemies and…*cough* anyway…

P: The Zateelians attack my ship right after we leave the solar system. Well, not MY ship, but Venay’s ship. They have acquired some advanced weapons and attack us which forces us to crash land on a planet that is controlled by the V’Zenians, thankfully. But a few of them get on my ship and try to kill me, but to be fair, they are trying to kill us all. However, I prove to them that I am a force to be reckoned with! Well, I have a laser pistol. Sooo, I guess my pistol is a force to be reckoned with.

K: I need a laser pistol! What is the one event that you think helped to shape your personality?

P: When I was 17 my parents died, I don’t wish to go into the details, it is still a tough subject for me. However, I have survived living on the streets for the past 5 years. All of the things I have had to deal with, like finding dead bodies of other homeless people I knew, and fighting off men who wouldn’t take no for an answer, have all made me the strong fighter I am today. I don’t think I could have survived this current situation if I was still living a fairy tale life with my family. Not that I am happy about it, but it has made me the warrior I am today.

image by Yogendra Joshi via Flickr used under a CC license

K: And it looks like we’re running out of time. If you could say one thing to your readers, what would it be?

P: Keep an eye out for some recruiting opportunities to join the V’Zenians on their home world!

K: Hee-hee! Right? I mean, um…For a final question, if you could have anything in the world, what would it be?

P: For my parents to come back to life. But this is real life, for me at least, and people don’t come back to life. So what I want most, is to help the V’Zenians to save their species and to stop abducting humans. I know there are better ways. How many people on Earth would jump at the chance to mate with an alien? Or to come to an alien world to work, not be a slave, but for an actual job with benefits? A ton! They would have to get in line and only the best and brightest would be chosen, but the V’Zenian society would benefit so much from this. Earth would too!

K: Yes! I can see the possibilities! And with that we’re out of time. Thanks so much to Paris for letting me interview her. You can read more about her in Worlds Away, by J.L. Hendricks.

Worlds Away, available on pre-order now for only .99c at Amazon. Price will go up after launch date.
http://amzn.to/2caV2gQ

And a special thanks to J.L. Hendricks for playing along!

If you’re an author and would like your character(s) to be interviewed by me, then check out this very cool page that has all the details:

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/character-interviews/

worlds-away-99c-sale-ad

1 Comment

by Joleene Naylor on September 16, 2016 • Permalink

Posted in Weekend Interview

Tagged Amazon Kindle, author, book, character, eBook, fiction, independent publishing, indie publishing, Literature, novel, promotion, romance, sci-fi, self publishing, writer

Posted by Joleene Naylor on September 16, 2016

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/2016/09/16/interview-with-paris/

Interview with Josh and Cherry

terry-compton

Katelina: Today we have a special two-fer from Terry Compton’s Wanted – in other words, two characters. Please meet…um…

Josh: My name is Josh Gunn. That blue pile of junk over there is Cherry Kang. In case you can’t tell, he’s an android.

Cherry: A very special android. You’ll have to excuse him, he’s still too young to have matured yet. He’s only thirty-two. I on the other hand am over a hundred.

K: You’re both older than me. Since this is a text only interview, would you mind describing yourselves for our audience?

J: 6′ 2″ black hair hazel eyes. Scar on left cheek.

C: 6′ 8″ humanoid shape. Blue skin with lights underneath.

K: The blue skin is interesting, I have to say. Where do you guys live?

J: Right now we’re living on a spaceship or the asteroid city we found.

K: A spaceship could be cool. Are there any other interesting characters in your story?

C: Well, I’d say a rogue Hanami captain would be interesting. We have to find out if we can trust him.

K: I imagine that’s pretty hard to determine. So is this story your only adventure?

J: No, we have a few others and I think we’ll have more.

K: Do you guys have an enemy, or a nemesis?

J: A really stand out enemy or just an enemy?

C: Yeah, he has a tendency to invite trouble when he acts without thinking things through.

J: I do not. I’ll have you know… Oh, never mind. Let’s just say our main nemesis is Lobos. She’s a real piece of work. Works several sex palaces from her spaceships. We’ll shove one of them —

C: Josh, let it go. The readers can see for themselves.

space, the final…wrong story

K: Ooookaaaaay. Are either of you in a relationship? Like, with someone else? I mean, a romantic…

C: He definitely has a sweetie. What she sees in him is beyond me. Humans are just impossible to understand. Her name is Kassie Stevens.

J: What about Lemmy? Isn’t she your honey?

C: Bite your tongue. How you made that crazy Ezrawe a partner, I don’t know. She should be committed but she’s the best ship’s engineer we’ve ever seen. And man can she eat. Don’t hold any food in your hand when she’s around or you might lose your hand.

J: She’s not that bad. He just doesn’t like it because she calls him Twinkles.”

*Cherry shakes his fist at Josh.*

K: *laughs* Twinkles? Oh, because of the lights, right? Or is there something more? Never mind, I bet it’s in the book. Okay, next question, would you kill for those you love, and would you die for them?

J: I already have – umm killed that is. I almost died but that’s a different story.

C: I agree with him.

K: This sounds like an exciting story. What’s the biggest challenge you face in it?

J: Oh, I don’t know. Maybe trying to keep from him and Lemmy from killing each other. Getting a spaceship that’s workable is also a bit of a problem.

C: A bit? Taking two derelicts and piecing them together is a bit? And you in a body cast so all you can do is give ‘helpful’ hints.

J: What can I say? I’m just good.

K: Body cast? Oh my! You guys must be living dangerously. Do you have any family?

J: *frowns* I’d just as soon pass on that.

C: I only have factory made family.

K: Can you give me an interesting fact about yourself?

J: We’re both from 500 years in the future.

K: Oh wow. And with that we’re out of time. Thanks so much to Josh and Cherry for coming in today! You can read their adventures FREE in Wanted by Terry Compton.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N1LNDJA

And a special thanks to Terry Compton for playing along!

If you’re an author and would like your character(s) to be interviewed by me, then check out this very cool page that has all the details:

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/character-interviews/

2 Comments

by Joleene Naylor on September 15, 2016 • Permalink

Posted in Weekend Interview

Tagged Amazon Kindle, author, book, character, eBook, fiction, independent publishing, indie publishing, Literature, novel, promotion, self publishing, writer

Posted by Joleene Naylor on September 15, 2016

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/2016/09/15/interview-with-josh-and-cherry/

Interview with Kin Diego

Hello! My name is Katelina, and welcome to Weekend Character Interviews. Using state of the art-mumbo-jumbo author magic, Jo has temporarily bent the laws of fictional space and time to allow various literary universes to converge long enough for me to ask different characters a few questions. Since I spend a lot of time in the Amaranthine series quizzing vampires on what they’re doing, where they’re going and why, Jo thought I would be the perfect interviewer.

Today we have Kin Diego from… Um… Hang on. What book are you from?

Arts and digital painting by Ven G Books.
Copyright © 2015 by Venancio Cadle Gomani Jr.

Diego: You go right on ahead and ask Venancio Cadle Gomani Jr. yourself. I’m sure he’ll be happy to tell you the rest of the books I’m featured in from the Crest of Dreams series. But as for my origin story; it’s a comic book named after my military project codename, Zue Beta, and based around the Crest of Dreams world.

K: There we go! Would you mind telling our readers a little bit about yourself?

D: The name’s Diego—Kin Diego and I’m a 21 year old teen super soldier killing machine designed to rip apart anything and everything in my path. I guess you can call me an experiment by the Damiroo military gone wrong. Before my parents were murdered, we lived in a city called Bisenti here in the Mnematode denomination in Damiroo. The only thing I love doing more than my hitting up some rapids and mountain climbing with my buddy, CJ, is taking my motorcycle for a spin. It’s perhaps the fastest machine on two wheels.

K: An experiment? And I thought my author was horrible. Can you tell us a little bit more about this?

D: Of course.Among the few people who survived the ATS-Dc epidemic in El-Versium 20 years ago my parents were one of them, and they gave birth to me. But as a child I wasn’t quite normal; having been born from two people who had been exposed to the virus I kinda grew immune to it—but that came with a few things: I was stronger than most people around me, my focus was sharp, I was a near-perfect human. And that’s when “they” decided to start rounding “us” up (people like me whose bodies had evolved to a super human state). They murdered my parents and thought to carry out experiments on me. They were trying to enhance me further beyond my physical abilities and now I live on borrowed time—whatever they did to me, it’s killing me. My cells and tissue are dying each time I exceed my compensation point and the only thing keeping me alive is a vaccine CJ created for me—what’d I say? Super genius! But whatever it is they did to me, they did it to the rest of the people like me. They chose to wage war against us and now we’re bringing the fight to them. We have to save the rest of the kids they keep locked up in their research facility and prevent them from taking any more of us.

K: You say “they”? Who are they?

D: The very same people responsible for turning me into this “thing” that I am—this violent beastly reflection I see smirking at me in the mirror. We have no leads as to who the real person is that is in charge of the teen super soldier experiments but rest assured we will find them, and when we do there will be bashing and tones of smashing.

K: Wow. I can’t even begin to imagine which is tough: dealing with what they made you, or with all of your past or – what would you say is your biggest challenge in this story?

D: Overcoming my rage. How am I supposed to not want to kill the very monsters that murdered my family, turned me into a reckless killing machine, and keep doing it to who knows how many more children around the world? I want to kill them so very badly, but is that really worth it? They wanted to turn me into a warrior and killer and if I do to them what they want me to do to the rest of the Domiciles then what’s the point of it all? I might as well go back and work for them.

There are a tone other challenges I face, though: dealing with the loss of my family, trying to find a way to stay alive in a dying body, and fighting against an organization I barely even know much about. But I blame Venancio Cadle Gomani Jr. for it all. I swear the day I get to see him I’ll punch him across the face—maybe that’ll make me feel a little better.

K: We could swap. I’ll kill your author if you kill mine. *looks nervous* Um, I mean, uh, we’ll talk later. Moving on, how do you feel you evolve during this story?

D: From the get-go I’m super pissed—but that’s exactly what my enemies want; I’m angry that my parents were murdered, I’m frustrated that I was injected with the newly improved ATS-Dc virus to enhance my body’s physical abilities yet it kills me more and more each time I exceed my compensation point, and I’m…afraid—that I’ll lose against my enemies; that they’ll take me back to the lab and have me lead the rest of their teen super soldier army in war against the other Domiciles; that I’ll die. But as the story goes on I loosen up a little after realizing that I’m not the only person who’s going to affected by this, and if I just sit around alone here in the forest countless innocent people will be killed by even more children that are in my exact situation. So I take up the responsibility along with my super genius buddy, CJ, and we move to taking down the organization spearheading this war and become the leader of the team of teen super soldiers.

K: Wow. What one event do you think really helps to shape your personality and future?

D: In all honesty, I believe it’s my parents’ death. Now before you kids go around and start having your parents murdered, let me explain a little. My world was happy before they died and at one point I always thought the story was all about me—that’s how my parents made it feel. I was their only child. But ever since I lost them I felt this gaping hole inside of me and I hoped to satisfy it with letting out my rage on anything that I feel deserved it. But I was wrong, I realized that the only way I was ever going to deal with it is becoming the man they always wanted me to be: strong, brave, sacrificing my own life for the sake and safety of everyone else around me—being responsible with the abilities that fate has given to me—that’s what drives me.

K: I have to ask, is that a cat hair on your shirt? Do you have pets?

D: One of CJ’s best attempts at keeping me from killing anything in my path was getting me a pet ferret and my only objective was to not kill it. It didn’t matter if I never fed it or didn’t clean it or walk it but so long as I never killed it then I would be a better control over my rage. By the way, the ferret is still alive and I’m starting to take a liking to it.

K: Oh, okay. I only asked because we once had an interviewee with a crazy cat…I didn’t want to relive that! But, anyway, that shows you have a soft spot. Does that extend to romance?

D: Emphatically yes, and I don’t get why! Like I said, I’m punching Venancio across the face for this. I mean really, c’mon? A romance of this magnitude? In the midst of a war that could reduce humanity to ashes again? Really, Venancio?

I have a friend I’ve been wanting to get together with for a really long time now, and she’s kinda a tech wiz. But I’m not just talking about any tech wiz, no this chic has a body of armor she engineered to help me and the rest of the teen super soldiers take down the people behind this madness. And as though that’s not enough, amongst the teen super soldiers is a girl just like me. She’s the one who freed me from my cell and risked her own escape for mine in order that I may go out, get help for the rest of the children trapped inside the facility. She was in the cell right next to mine, so we had a lot of time to talk. She has this insane belief that I’m the one who’s supposed to save the rest of the teens.

So now the fight is between the one that’s known me the longest and the one I relate with the most.

Arts and digital painting by Ven G Books.
Copyright © 2015 by Venancio Cadle Gomani Jr.

K: OooOOoooO! Triangle much? Your author is evil.

D: Yeah. That’s why when the series is over I’m going to start looking for a cure for this super human virus that they injected us with that’s killing us. And also I’m leading a troop to look for Venancio and bring him back to me alive!

K: Right? These authors think they’re God or something! We’re just supposed to put up with unbelievable scenarios and horrible things happening! I wish I could just escape to Hawaii or Tahiti sometimes. What about you? if you could have anything in the world, what would it be?

D: That’s a tough one. Well, it would have to be between saving the world from going into a state of total chaos and being normal. I’ve always wanted to be normal, but someone has to save the world and as my dad used to say “if not me, then who else would I trust enough to dump this responsibility on and expect to win?”
I do want to be normal, don’t get me wrong, and I’d give anything in the world to have that. Maybe that way I would have never lost my parents. But I have a responsibility to carry out, and though it’s sad that I lost people so dear to me it would be pointless to start crying around about it and let the world down because of my sorrows. So what I want the most in the whole world, is to win!

K: Not a bad thing at all. Though it looks like we’re getting short on time. If you could say anything to your readers, what would it be?

D: Don’t become a villain, otherwise start expecting a visit from me and it’s not gonna be pleasant.

K: And lastly, any special message for your author:

D: Venancio Cadle Gomani Jr. I swear to God I’m going to punch you across the face

K: Yep, that is about what I figured. Thanks to Diego for stopping by today. You can find him ZUE BETA by Venancio Cadle Gomani Jr. Visit the author’s website at https://cadlegomani.wordpress.com and the Crest of Dreams series Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/crestofdreams/

And a special thanks to Venancio Cadle Gomani Jr for playing along!

If you’re an author and would like your character(s) to be interviewed by me, then check out this very cool page that has all the details:

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/character-interviews/

3 Comments

by Joleene Naylor on January 9, 2016 • Permalink

Posted in Weekend Interview

Tagged Amazon Kindle, author, book, character, comic, eBook, fiction, graphic, independent publishing, indie publishing, Literature, manga, novel, promotion, romance, self publishing, teen, writer, ya

Posted by Joleene Naylor on January 9, 2016

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/2016/01/09/interview-with-kin-diego/

Interview with Rajveer

Today we have Rajveer from Rajveer the Vampire by Barbara G. Tarn.

image by Ajay Goyal from Flickr

Katelina: Welcome Rajveer! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Rajveer: I’m Rajveer of the Guhilas of Mewar, a kshatryia (warrior) of the mighty Chittorgarh, capital of the kingdom at the time of my birth. I’m tall and handsome, with honey-colored eyes and I had the most beautiful wife one could wish for… I was twenty-seven when my physical body died and I became an immortal bloodsucker.

K: Immortal bloodsucker. You make it sound like a bad thing…Though I get it. I’ve had my own issues with the concept. How has it been since you were turned?

R: I’ve had a very lonesome second life. I found a coven, but they’re not family. I made a fledgling, but he’s like a younger brother. I miss the wisdom of the elders. And I don’t seem to be able to fall in love again.

K: So no romance, huh?

R: Since my beloved Charumati died at the siege of Chittor, no. I guess my heart died with my body, but it’s hard to express one’s feelings when one is surrounded by merciless demons.

K: You speak of merciless demons, do you mean your enemies?

R: I can’t call her enemy or nemesis, but the all powerful Mekna is a mighty foe. She can’t kill me, can’t turn me into one of her own, but she won’t let me go either. She wants me to take her to my maker – except I have no idea of where he is…

K: So that would probably be one of the biggest challenges in your story.

R: Yes. Running away from Menka’s coven with my fledgling, Shashank. Impossible.

photo by Jo Naylor

K: What’s the one thing you think helped to shape you the most?

R: Being turned into a child of darkness. I belong to a Suryavanshi clan, we’re sun people. And now I live mostly under the moon… and feed on blood. No wonder I’m so gloomy all the time, right? I don’t need to kill anyone and I avoid drinking human blood, though.

K: That’s something at least. If you could have anything in the world, would it be to go back to who you were or…

R: Just getting away from Menka’s bloodsucking demons and being alone with Shashank somewhere where we could blend in. And we’d move after a few years to some other place so they won’t notice we don’t age. We’d never kill our neighbors…

K: You’re pretty nice for a vampire. Most are happy to kill people off. Just a couple more questions. If you could say anything to your readers, what would it be?

R: *stares at Katelina* I have readers? Are you a witch like Samantha? I thought you were just someone from this century trying to help me fit in…

K: Oh. Um. Well, yes, I’d be happy to help…Um, in the meantime, do you have anything you’d like to say to your author?

R: You mean someone is writing my story? I’m impressed. I didn’t think I was worthy story material…

K: Yes, it is surprising sometimes to find out that people are interested in crazy things like where you sleep, and what you eat, and whether you pee in the middle of night.

R: *looks confused* What?

K: Never mind. Sorry. It’s just stressful being a main character. But you’ll find out soon enough!

Thanks to Rajveer for stopping in. You can preorder Rajveer the vampire from:

Amazon, Apple US, Barnes&Noble, Kobo and Smashwords.

And a special thanks to Barbara Tarn for playing along!

If you’re an author and would like your character(s) to be interviewed by me, then check out this very cool page that has all the details:

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/character-interviews/

13 Comments

by Joleene Naylor on October 3, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Weekend Interview

Tagged Amazon Kindle, author, book, character, eBook, fiction, independent publishing, india, indie publishing, Literature, novel, paranormal, promotion, self publishing, vampire, writer

Posted by Joleene Naylor on October 3, 2015

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/2015/10/03/interview-with-rajveer/

Interview with Kilig

This should have been posted on a weekend but the scheduling didn’t work, so here it is on a Thursday instead!

Today we have Kilig from the twisted (in a good way) mind of Barbara G. Tarn. Hello, Kilig, can you tell us a little about yourself?

KiligCindifel: Kilig by Cinzia Di Felice (official cover)

Kilig: I’m a tall, dark-haired man like most southerners. I was born in Godwalkar, once upon a time capital of the Kingdom of Gajendra, now capital of the Genn territory. It has an Assassins’ Guild with very specific rules and I joined them at fifteen, first as apprentice, now – twenty-some years later – as full-fledged assassin. I am merciful death – and you don’t see me coming.

Ka: Wow. That sounds a little terrifying, though not necessarily in a bad way (I hang out with vampires, after all). How have you evolved through all of that, besides becoming deadly I mean?

Ki: I was a street-smart but naive young man madly in love with his acharya – or teacher – and became a lone wolf. Then I fell in love again… and that’s where trouble starts. I should have kept him at arm’s length. Assassin is a lone profession and you shouldn’t attach yourself to anyone.

Ka: So what’s you’re biggest challenge in the story? Fighting enemies, or falling in love?

Ki:It’s actually falling in love. I’d been a loner for fifteen years when that gorgeous young man, Saif’s son no less, was bestowed on me. I knew I shouldn’t have surrendered to his unconditional but kind of childish love.

KiligMarurenai: Kilig by Marurenai (cover of Saif & Kilig)

Ka: Who is Saif, if you don’t mind my asking?

Ki: My first love, Acharya Saif dumped me when I was twenty and still madly in love with him. I thought I couldn’t survive without him. But I did, and became the man that I am today – independent, reliable and complete.

Ka: So now you’re in a relationship with his son?

Ki: Try resisting a handsome young man who stares back at you with his father’s green eyes… Of course Hakeem is different from Saif, he’s younger and rasher, but when he offers himself with his adoring stare… could you kick him out of your bed? Really? (on a side note, you being a woman, he wouldn’t really function with you, but that’s another story…)

Ka: I guess we could always just watch TV and eat popcorn. Um.. no, Jorick, I didn’t mean anything by that *cough* Moving on quickly, do you have any particular enemies?

Ki: Not really. Saif, had one – his former apprentice, Abhaya the Fearless. I met the guy once. But twenty years later he killed Saif and was going to kill me too… So I had to defend myself.

Ka: I understand that! What is the one thing you want most in the world?

Ki: Live happily ever after, if there’s such a thing. Unfortunately things are changing around me – a guilds’ war, a pacific invasion – and there isn’t much I can do about it. Add to that that my young lover is a tiny bit (read: A LOT) jealous…

KiligWendigo: Kilig&Hakeem by Elephant Wendigo (cover of Male Lovers of Silvery Earth)

Ka: Ha ha! Jealousy! Yes, it’s so annoying, isn’t it? Jorick is always… well, never mind. This is an interview about you, not me. If you could say one thing to your author, what would it be?

Ki: You could have helped Hakeem to change, you sadist!

Ka: Your author is a sadist too, huh? What is it with them? We’re running out of time, but if you could say something to your readers, what would it be?

Ki: If you’d like to hear about the love life of a supposedly cold assassin… please note that my relationship with Hakeem is for adults only. But me and Saif… sometimes I fear it was more father-and-son than lovers, sigh.

I’m Kilig the Sword and the “omnibus” will be out in January with a bonus story. In the meantime you can check:

Saif&Kilig is now out on Amazon, Kobo, Smashwords, DriveThruFiction, Apple and Barnes&Noble!

Kilig&Hakeem is now live on Amazon, Kobo, Smashwords, Apple, Barnes&Noble and DriveThruFiction.

and If you’d like to meet some of my friends, check the free story Guisarme (available also in Wyrd Worlds 2).

K: Thanks so much, Kilig, and you;ve saved me the time of my usual link sharing. If you want to know more about Kilig and his friends, check out the links above. And then grab the newest one at Amazon, Kobo, Apple,Barnes&Noble, Smashwords and DriveThruFiction!

And a special thanks to Barbara Tarn for playing along!

If you’re an author and would like your character(s) to be interviewed by me, then check out this very cool page that has all the details:

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/character-interviews/

4 Comments

by Joleene Naylor on January 8, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Weekend Interview

Tagged Amazon Kindle, author, book, character, eBook, fiction, independent publishing, indie publishing, LA, Literature, novel, promotion, radio, romance, self publishing, short story, writer

Posted by Joleene Naylor on January 8, 2015

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/2015/01/08/interview-with-kilig/

Interview with Pio

Today we are interviewing Pio from Jan Marie’s angelic romance novella Angelic Confessions.

Katelina: Welcome Pio! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Pio: I have never thought about myself much. I am an angel and my service, my existence is to my Lord. Also to Aye.

K: Since you’re an angel you’re beautiful. Can you describe yourself for the folks reading this?

P: I have dark black hair and deep blue eyes.

K: That’s not very detailed, but as you said you don’t think much of yourself, but let’s try one more personal question, how do you evolve during the story?

P: You could say I go from the obedient servant to a bit of a rebel by falling in love with my boss’s daughter, but there is a secret in that.

K: Oh! A romance!

P: Yes I am with Aye.

K: What is it that attracted you to her?

P: I would have to say her stubbornness. I have fun breaking through her walls she puts up at times.

K: Do you have any enemies in the story?

P: That would be my love’s twin brother. We are enemies in that we both have interest in Aye.

K: I see. So is your biggest challenge dealing with him or something else?

P: Protecting a girl that can get into more trouble without trying. Her innocence makes her prime target to be taken advantage of.

K: I see. What event do you think has had the most impact on your life?

P: Falling in love with Aye.

K: I kind of expected that. You’re a bit of a sarcastic character aren’t you?

P: Yes, yes I am.

K: I got that general impression. But then I spend a lot of time with sarcastic characters. Sometimes I’d like a vacation. What about you? If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?

P: To become human and be with Aye.

K: Now that’s sweet! It looks like we’re running out of time. Real quick, if you could say anything to your readers, what would it be?

P: Angels are nothing like you think.

K: And do you have a message for your author?

P: Thank you for telling our story.

K: And with that we’re out of time! Thanks to Pio for coming in. You can find Angelic Confessions at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Angelic-Confessions-Book-Jan-Marie/dp/1492207772

Special thanks to Jan Marie for playing along.

If you’re an author and would like your character(s) to be interviewed by me, then check out this very cool page that has all the details:

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/character-interviews/

2 Comments

by Joleene Naylor on April 6, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Weekend Interview

Tagged Amazon Kindle, author, book, character, eBook, fiction, independent publishing, indie publishing, Literature, novel, promotion, romance, self publishing, short story, writer

Posted by Joleene Naylor on April 6, 2014

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/2014/04/06/interview-with-pio/

Climbing on a Soap Box

English: Amazon Kindle DX Graphite displaying Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I’ve been working on this post for a couple of weeks. Some of the delay has been real life issues, and some because I’ve been trying to figure out exactly what I want to say.

Recently, Amazon announced that they were removing all ‘abuse’ and ‘incest’ pornography. On the face this includes rape erotica and other taboo stories, unfortunately it’s not only erotica getting taken down, but books that have “suspicious” titles or descriptions. I could give a long list of non-erotica authors (with non-erotica work) that has been targeted and taken down, meaning they are losing sales until they can get Amazon to acknowledge that – whoops! – they made a mistake, but there’s more to this issue than the collateral damage.

Of course, it should be easy to stay in Amazon’s guidelines, and anyone who hits that publish button knowing that they have broken those rules should be prepared for removal, right? Sadly, Amazon’s guidelines are pretty hard to nail down. the site itself says this:

Pornography
We don’t accept pornography or offensive depictions of graphic sexual acts.

Offensive Content
What we deem offensive is probably about what you would expect.

Isn’t it nice how much wiggle room that gives them? Obviously, incest rape is offensive and needs to be removed, right? Then why has Amazon NOT removed many of VC Andrews’ titles? As someone whose read all her early books, I guarantee that not only is there incest in nearly every book (including father/daughter, half-brother/half-sister and even full brother/sister), but rape in several of them. Of course, VC Andrews (or whoever the guy is who writes them now) has a big advantage.

They’re NOT self published.

And that, of course, makes the books – and many more like it that are traditionally published –“legitimate” books as opposed to the so-called “offensive trash” of the self published world. “They should just get rid of all that self-published crap that clogs up the market and outsells their traditional books.”

Indy authors were outraged by this, so what did many do? Why, they put out a call to battle, a challenge to arms, and suggested that all of the “legitimate” indy writers with their “legitimate” books should band together and take a stand against this erotica. “They should just get rid of that dirty crap that clogs up the market and outsells their own, non erotica, books.”

Sound familiar? It’s like watching them turn into the very thing they purport to hate.

The principle argument for removal, and for the hallelujah chorus as books are axed, is that erotica books don’t belong on Amazon where innocent children can see them and become forever scarred. They belong in adult stores next to the adult movies and adult toys, which of course Amazon doesn’t sell . (If you follow the links you’ll note both are sold on Amazon and as freely accessible to minors as those ebooks).

I can’t help but wonder how long it will be before that joyful choir is singing a different tune. Today it’s those erotica books that “cheapen” all self-published writers, but tomorrow it may be the horror novels, the serial killer stories, or the religious books that get removed because they “offend” someone.

Or maybe, it will be YOUR book.

I only hope if it is, that someone shows you some support instead of suggesting we should disown your non-legitimate work and wish you good riddance.

You note when paypal demanded Smashwords take down books, Mark Coker went to bat for erotica authors. What has Amazon done? makes you wonder why we’re all so fast to publish there and buy from them…

Here’s a really good article on the whole thing – http://www.the-digital-reader.com/2013/10/13/amazon-bn-whsmith-now/#.UnB-CI0jIeo

How one author’s science fiction noir novel fell victim to the online erotica purge (deathandtaxesmag.com)
Kobo: There Are Some Books We Won’t Sell (the-digital-reader.com)
This is Not The First Time That Amazon Has Removed Adult Content Without Warning or Good Reason (the-digital-reader.com)
Lessons for independent authors from the Great Erotica Panic of 2013 (bostonwriters.wordpress.com)
Amazon Burns Me at the Stake (jtpetersauthor.wordpress.com)
SmutTalk: Censored! (kdwestwrites.wordpress.com)

22 Comments

by Joleene Naylor on October 29, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Random Yacking

Tagged amazon, Amazon Kindle, self publishing

Posted by Joleene Naylor on October 29, 2013

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/2013/10/29/climbing-on-a-soap-box/

Interview with Asantra

Today we are interviewing Asantra from Jennifer Priester’s novel Mortal Realm Witch: Learning About Magic.

Katelina: Hello Asantra and welcome! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

A: I am a protector witch like my mom, DWW. I have white hair with black hair tips, fangs, yellow eyes, and other than this I look like anyone else. Because I am a protector witch I can turn into an animal. This animal is what I protect as well as what I can turn into naturally without the use of magic.

K: What animal do you turn into?

A: For me and my mom, this animal is a white wolf, although we protect wolves in general regardless of color or wolf species. When I turn into a wolf the ends of my hair go up to cover my ears so when I am really a white wolf with black ear tips.

K: So if you’re DWW’s daughter then you’re not in the first book?

A: I first appear in Book Four of the Mortal Realm Witch series, Mortal Realm Witch: The Adventures of DWW2. I am also going to be in the unnamed Fifth book in the series as well as the book, Tales of Young Asantra: The Second Mortal Realm Witch Series Companion. While I might not appear for a while, you can still learn about my mom and her adventures in: Book One, Mortal Realm Witch: Learning About Magic.

K: What kinds of things do you do throughout the series?

from flickr under CC by Sweetie187

A: In my younger days (Tales of Young Asantra) I was a superhero called Wonder Wolf, I created two dangerous creatures from potions, I search for a Horsebat for a familiar and have some fun with them, I meet my soon to be familiar, Screetche, a Double X Bird from X Island in the World of Islands located in the Other Realm, I turn some mortals into cats, I meet and live with a genie, and a lot more. Later (In The Adventures of DWW2, which actually comes before Tales of Young Asantra for the order they are best read in.) I travel into space, let some dangerous creatures loose in the Mortal Realm and have to catch them, explore a secret lab, get captured while in my wolf form by animal control, get controlled by black magic, teach sorcery, get caught by witch hunters, and that’s just some of it!

K: Wow! That sounds really exciting! How would you say you evolve through all of this?

A: I learn to be more patient, control my emotions, be responsible, learn to get along with others, and I become a hero. At the start I am a stubborn, independent, adventurous, and often troublemaking, witch. I don’t like mortals and don’t get along with them. I like to get out of doing work whenever possible and if I can use magic to do something I will. All this later changes but first I become the biggest villain in the series. (I actually do this more than once.)

K: Is there a moment that you think really defined who you are?

A: The time black magic took over my life. Until I was being controlled by black magic I didn’t know exactly who I was. The things I did during this time, upon looking back at them, made me realize who I wasn’t and helped me learn who I was.

K: You’ve mentioned your mother, but who is your father?

A: I want to tell you but I’m not sure my mom would approve. If you want to know read Mortal Realm Witch: The Adventures of DWW2. All I can tell you is that my dad is someone who first appears in one of the first three books in the Mortal Realm Witch series but I can’t tell you which one.

K: Your mom was vague about it too when I met her. Speaking of her, do you share the same enemy?

A: Yes, Sampson. He became my enemy from the moment I learned that he hated something that I was and wanted to destroy it. When he told me he didn’t know this about me. Until then I didn’t think that he was too bad. I actually kind of liked him.

K: I guess it takes all kinds. You’re not involved in a romance with him or anything?

A: No! Not with anyone else, either. I’ve been too busy being everyone’s enemy to even think about something like that.

contentment by Jo

K: Sounds like a tough life. Sadly, we’re running out of time, so let me ask you, if you could have anything in the world, what would it be?

A: I don’t think there is anything. For once in my life, I think that I have everything that I want.

K: And with that we’re out of time. You can find Asantra in Mortal Realm Witch series. For right now there’s only one bok available, The Mortal Realm Witch: Learning About Magic available at

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mortal-Realm-Witch-Learning-About/dp/193878300X/

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mortal-realm-witch-jennifer-priester/1111957728?ean=9781938783005

Also check out the website for more info: http://www.mortalrealmwitch.com/meettheauthor.html

And a special thank you to Jennifer Priester for playing along!

If you’re an author and would like your character(s) to be interviewed by me, then check out this very cool page that has all the details:

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/character-interviews/

3 Comments

by Joleene Naylor on June 1, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Weekend Interview

Tagged author, book, character, E-book, eBook, fiction, independent publishing, indie publishing, kindle, Literature, Mortal Realm Witch, novel, promotion, Realm, self publishing, Witchcraft, writer

Posted by Joleene Naylor on June 1, 2013

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/interview-with-asantra/

Interview with Turtle

Today we are interviewing Turtle from Jennifer Priester’s novel Mortal Realm Witch: Learning About Magic.

Katelina: Hello Turtle and welcome! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Turtle: I am a witch living in the Other Realm with my familiar. I have brown hair and green eyes. The first time I appear in the series is in Book Two, Mortal Realm Witch: The Magic Continues (avail. this Spring.)

K: I have to admit I am kind of relieved to be interviewing someone whose human after last week’s fish fiasco!

Turtle: Fish?

K: Yes. I interviewed someone named Sampson. Very single minded guy – well, fish. Do you know him?

T: Yes. Sampson is the closest I have to an enemy, although my experience and time with him was very short. He became my enemy while he was my familiar and kept getting himself in trouble. He once scared away my mom’s friends when he broke out of his cage. He did it on purpose because he thought it would be fun. Another time he taught me how not to use magic by actually having me do the wrong thing before telling me that it was what I shouldn’t do with magic. That one I couldn’t fix myself and had to get help from the Head of the Witches Council to get rid of what my magic had created.

K: He sounds like a pain in the you-know-what. Dealing with him had to be a challenge.

T: Yes. I would say that either learning how to deal with Sampson as a familiar or the challenge brought to me by the witch hunters was the biggest challenge I faced.

K: I thought as much. How would you say you evolve over the series?

T: I begin by expecting others to tell me what to do and I am not always confident in my abilities. Over time I learn to be much more independent and confident, although I still often look to others for their advice and opinions.

K: That’s always a good thing to learn.

orange fish by Jo

T: And actually, I believe having Sampson as a familiar played a big part in this. I’m sure it would bug him for me to say I learned a lot from him since he wasn’t trying to teach me anything.

K: So the evil fish did some good, then? That’s an odd thought. Okay. Moving on, I don’t suppose you were involved in a romance at all?

T: Contrary to what readers might believe, no. Taron and I were just friends, we were never romantically involved.

K: Oh really? Who’s Taron?

T: Taron is a wizard who is one of my closest friends. We had many adventures together before I moved from the Mortal Realm to the Other Realm. Even though some mortals were now allowed into the Other Realm, unlike DWW’s friend Sam who came with her, Taron felt more comfortable in the Mortal Realm and because of this he lives there. I still see him sometimes. Besides living in the Mortal Realm he is married to a mortal and has a girl, Sky, who is a wizard like himself.

K: Oh. Do you think that if one of you had chosen differently, you’d have ended up together?

T: There is a strong possibility that if Taron had chosen to live in the Other Realm, or I the Mortal one, we would have been romantically involved, but even so neither of us regrets the decision we each made and both of us really love the lives we currently have.

K: And with that we’re out of time. You can find Turtle in Mortal Realm Witch: Learning About Magic available at

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mortal-Realm-Witch-Learning-About/dp/193878300X/

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mortal-realm-witch-jennifer-priester/1111957728?ean=9781938783005

Also check out the website for more info: http://www.mortalrealmwitch.com/meettheauthor.html

And a special thank you to Jennifer Priester for playing along!

If you’re an author and would like your character(s) to be interviewed by me, then check out this very cool page that has all the details:

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/character-interviews/

1 Comment

by Joleene Naylor on May 25, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Weekend Interview

Tagged author, book, character, E-book, eBook, fiction, independent publishing, indie publishing, interview, kindle, Literature, novel, promotion, self publishing, Taron, Witchcraft, writer

Posted by Joleene Naylor on May 25, 2013

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/interview-with-turtle/

Interview with Sampson

Today we are interviewing Sampson from Jennifer Priester’s novel Mortal Realm Witch: Learning About Magic.

Katelina: Hello Sampson and welcome! Can you tell us a little about yourself? Wait… Sampson? Why is there a goldfish bowl sitting here? Is this someone’s idea of a joke?

Sampson: *Ahem*No. I am Sampson. Currently I am a Goldfish but previously I was a warlock. I live in the Mortal Realm in a fish tank.

K: Um… Okay. Last week we talked to a warlock who is currently a dog, so I guess a goldfish… eh. Why not. I suppose I shouldn’t ask you any questions about fish food or whether you swim in your sleep or… *stops as Sampson gives her a dirty look* Never mind. Let’s start with which books in the series we can find you in.

S: The first book in the Mortal Realm Witch Series that I appear in is Book One: Mortal Realm Witch: Learning About Magic. I am then in books two, three, four, and five, although my role in five is hardly big enough!

K: That’s often a complaint of second string – erm, I mean side characters, heh-heh. Moving on, how would you say you evolve during the series?

S: I am a villain that becomes more villainous!

K: I guess it’s safe to say you have enemies?

S: I have two main ones, DWW and Asantra, both of which keep ruining my plans, and another witch, Turtle who would never let me have any fun! Oh, and then there’s Trom who turned me into a mouse as a punishment the first time I got caught. There’s also DWW’s friend Sam and the chocolate Labrador Retriever, Max, who helped DWW interfere with my plans the first time. I also probably have others that I can’t currently think of.

K: Sounds like you’re, um, picked on. Yeah. I suppose the biggest challenge you face-

S: Isn’t it obvious? I keep trying to take over the Realms and someone is always getting in my way!

K: Right. I’m no psychiatrist, but was there some tragic event in your past that made you this… power hungry?

fish by Jo

S: I don’t know, I think I have always been this way, but some believe it is because I always got whatever I wanted as a kid. At least back when I was a kid people knew who was in charge!

K: I don’t imagine there’s in point in asking you whether you have a significant other?

S: Of course not, I’m in love with power, nothing else!

K: So the thing you want the most in the whole world is-

S: To control it!

K: I’d ask what you’d do with it, but I don’t think I want to know. It, um, looks like we’re running out of time. If there’s one piece of advice you could give your readers, what would that be?

S: If you are going to take over the world don’t tell anyone your plans in advance.

K: Um… right. Do you have a message for your author?

S: Since you won’t let me kill my enemies would you mind doing it for me, or at least turn me human again! Oh yeah, and give me a bigger role in Book Five, or better yet give me my own series where I am in charge!

K: And with that we’re out of time. You can find Sampson in Mortal Realm Witch: Learning About Magic available at

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mortal-Realm-Witch-Learning-About/dp/193878300X/

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mortal-realm-witch-jennifer-priester/1111957728?ean=9781938783005

Also check out the website for more info: http://www.mortalrealmwitch.com/meettheauthor.html

And a special thank you to Jennifer Priester for playing along!

If you’re an author and would like your character(s) to be interviewed by me, then check out this very cool page that has all the details:

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/character-interviews/

4 Comments

by Joleene Naylor on May 19, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Weekend Interview

Tagged author, book, character, E-book, eBook, fiction, independent publishing, indie publishing, interview, kindle, Literature, novel, promotion, Sampson, self publishing, Witchcraft, writer

Posted by Joleene Naylor on May 19, 2013

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/2013/05/19/interview-with-sampson/

Eternal Night : Amaranthine Gender Swap

When Kaden meets the beautiful but strong Johanna, he doesn't know he's entering a world of eternal night; a world of vampires. Is it worth the death, pain, and nightmares to stay by her side? Enjoy all the books in one long saga.

This is NOT the gender swap previously published on Patreon.

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Joleene Naylor

An independent author, freelance artist, and photographer for fun who loves anime, music, and writing. Check out my vampire series Amaranthine at http://JoleeneNaylor.com or drop me a line at Joleene@JoleeneNaylor.com

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