Stalker: interview, review + giveaway

Sorry, but I could really drool all over this cover. And sleep on it too... A girl can dream, right? ;o)

What do you say to a big tour of this handsome fellow and the attached awesomeness the book is? Come, let yourself be stalked.

INTERVIEW with CLARISSA WILD

What draws you to the darker side of romance and the human soul? 

I just love the realism of it. Everyone has flaws, so I dislike fairy tales where every character is perfect. It's the imperfect characteristics that makes us connect with them :) We can identify with them, and that's important for readers.

What does Stalker mean for you as a writer?

 Stalker is my outlet for badassery :P I just love it when they are bad without redemption, without remorse. I just need that once in a while, an ultimate bad character with no goodness left LOL!

How did you become a writer?

 I didn't actually 'become' one, because I have been writing for as long as I can remember :P I wrote my first little stories when I was six, and I've written about 5 novels in between the age of 12 and 20, so I guess that means I was BORN THIS WAY! #NailedIt. LOL. All jokes aside, I just really love writing :P I couldn't imagine myself not doing it.

Since you started writing and publishing your books, 

have you or your writing evolved in any way?

 Yes! I feel like I've become better at my craft with every book I put out, because when I look back at my previous books I keep wanting to edit the entire thing LOL :P It's always a learning experience, and you never stop working towards perfection <3

How would you describe your books? 

Dark, twisty, explosive, jaw-dropping, hot as hell, unapologetic, dramatic.

How do you come up with the titles for your books?

 I think of a common theme inside the book(s), one that resonates with the entire plot. :) Plus, it has to be catchy ;) 

What's the best fan experience you've ever had?

 Oh, I LOVE it when they send me PMs on Facebook or emails with shouty caps where they cheer on the characters and tell me they loved the book and want to know what happens next. It really warms my heart reading those reactions. That's what I do it for! <3

Do you ever treat yourself after writing a great scene

or when you finish a novel?

 Yes :) Usually, after I meet my daily word count, I take a few hours off to do something I like, be it reading a book or watching a movie (or playing games LOL - I'm an avid gamer). After the book is finished, I usually take a week or two to cool off.

Have you ever deleted scenes from any novels and why?

Only a few. I rarely do this, as I mostly outline my novels very tightly (leaving no room for much change). 

How do you inspire yourself for the most passionate scenes in your books? 

That depends what you mean with 'passionate', but I think you can imagine how ;)

How do you feel about reviews?

 I like them because they help readers look for books that are right for them :)

What are your writing plans for this year?

 I have plenty more books in my head, ready for writing, so you'll see many more coming up. Lots of dark suspenseful books ;) 

The next one is probably Twenty-One (21), you can find more info about it here:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25143793-twenty-one

 STALKER

Author: Clarissa Wild

Publication Date: June 16th, 2015

Genre: Dark Romance (18+)

Buy: Amazon • Nook • Kobo • iBooks • Google Play

F*ck me once, I'll f*ck you twice … then I'll bury you.

No prison can keep me from seeking revenge. Especially when it comes to her.
She, the woman who put me in jail.
I swore that I’d come for her, to claim what belongs to me: Her life.
I’m not a good man. On the contrary, I love to be bad. It’s in my veins. Just like it’s in my veins to ruin her.
She’s an actress, pretending to be a saint, but we both know that isn’t true. One way or another, she’ll pay for what she did.
I will hunt for her. Make her fear me. Make her body mine.
Bad deeds never go unpunished … And I always go out with a bang.

WARNING: This book is a DARK ROMANCE STANDALONE - it has a non-conventional ending. This isn't rainbow sprinkles & unicorn fluff. It's a dark, thrilling journey of two people clashing over love, lust, and hatred. Heed the warning. Contains graphic violence, alcohol, drugs & other disturbing content. 

No Cliffhanger. Stand Alone.

MY OPINON OF STALKER

If I could choose a writer to stalk me, that would be Clarissa Wild. Damn, that mind of hers is twisted, hot as hell and sneaky. And she crafts wild stories of lust and pain that will haunt you long after you finish one of her tales of woe.

Phoenix and Vanessa are a couple made in hell. Fresh from prison, he exacts a  cruel, sickening, merciless revenge on the woman who betrayed him. Humiliation, pain, torture and guilt, all come out in full force as he plays his games on her without remorse or even a glimpse of redemption.

In an unapologetic style, the author dishes out a real psychological battle of wills where two broken souls fight to survive each other. While the lustful, hateful present unfolds, there are episodes from their past as they grew up and their traumas were being planted.

Expect plenty of depravity and male domination. Brace yourself for unexpected mind-screws.

Vanessa, rich, a liar, a no-angel full of secrets. She's trapped with a monster and their back-stabbing history together. I was so engrossed that I wouldn't let it go and stop reading. I had to know what horrible things he would do next, listen to his taunts, marvel at the words she would utter to resist him. I hoped that there would some light at the end of this dark, dark tunnel.

I read Stalker in two sittings, and only because at three in the morning I just had to make a stand in the name of my health. Phoenix and Vanessa's rotten romance consumed me with all their lies, knots, layers and beautifully erotic madness. I loved every word of hatred, every gasp of pain and every slap on my awareness when a new hidden truth hit me in the face. There's even an amazing surprise that I can't mention that 's tied up with Phoenix becoming a trained killer that really had me yelling and cheering out loud.

Before I could rest with what I thought was the ending, more twists came up. Though I'd rather it have a bit more detail between the last drama and the very ending, my conclusion about this book is that's simply awesome. It's like living through hell and enjoying it. So, if you like dark romance with more twists that a coiled rope, you'd better start reading Stalker right now. Now.

Favourite Quotes:

Her body is my playground, and I'll use it whatever way...
The princess locked up in a tower, captured by the monster... and he has an appetite for pretty girls.
The more we love a persona, the more we can hate them when they do us wrong.

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/qUGGDjpYdEo

KILLER

(The Prequel)

FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon

ABOUT THE TRICKY MASTERMIND

Clarissa Wild is a New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author, best known for the dark Romance novel Mr. X. Her novels include the Fierce Series, the Delirious Series, and Stalker. She is also a writer of erotic romance such as the Blissful Series, The Billionaire's Bet series, and the Enflamed Series. She is an avid reader and writer of sexy stories about hot men and feisty women. Her other loves include her furry cat friend and learning about different cultures. In her free time she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, reading tons of books and cooking her favorite meals.

Want to get an email when the next book is released?
Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/FdY71

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Amazon | Fan Club

GIVEAWAY TIME

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, book buddies :o)

The V Girl: exclusive interview + giveaways

My dear book buddies, there are novels that really linger in our minds long after we turn the final page. THE V GIRL is one of those stories that caught my imagination with the premise, fascinated me with the narrative and then just stayed with me. It will stay with me. Because it's impossible to forget.

I am impressed by the novel that Mya Robarts has penned for all its ideas, messages, emotions and wit. I am also grateful that I could read it and review it, and then had the chance to sate my never-ending curiosity with an interview with the author. This is the kind of things that makes all the hard work a blog entails so completely worth it.

All my emotions are poured into my review here, though I've been able to read the final ending to the story a bit later. This novel keeps pulling at all my strings. Its raw emotion shines through all the grit and grim of abuse, fear and hostility of this not-too-far-from-reality kind of world. I've enjoyed getting a rewarding closure to this intensely gripping story. I cheered for Tristan and Lily, I was aghast when I thought their time would never be and I felt horrified at all the violence and cruelty depicted because it's sadly too easy to believe. I highly recommend it to anyone who craves a dystopian story for a mature audience full of plot, true emotions, action, wit and gritty romance.

The V Girl by Mya Robarts 

Publication date: June 20th 2014

Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult

Goodreads 

ROMANTIC DYSTOPIA FOR MATURE YA READERS YOUNG NA READERS

In post-apocalyptic North America, rape and sexual slavery are legal. Lila Velez, desperately wants to lose her virginity before the troops visit her town, and can take it away by force. She makes plans to seduce her only friend, Rey, the most attractive man in her town. Lila does not love him, but he is the only man who has shown her true affection, an affection she is willing to take as a substitute of love.

Lila’s coping mechanism to her mother’s violent attack is her secret. A secret that will bring her closer to Aleksey Fürst, a foreign, broody man that she distrusts because his links to the troops and his rough, yet irresistible appearance. He offers Lila an alternative to her plans, a possibility that terrifies her…and tempts her in spite of herself.

All the while Lila will have to find a way to live in the constant company of death, slavery, starvation, sexual abuse and the danger of losing the people she loves the most.

Due to strong language, violent scenes and sexual content, 

this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

INTERVIEW WITH MYA ROBERTS

What was the first seed that sparked the story that would become The V Girl?

I was doing research for another novel, when I came across testimonies that made my skin crawl because they described the cruel reality of mass rape.  The one that disturbed me the most came from a woman whose country was invaded by several foreign armies. She was fourteen or fifteen at the time. When the Army of her own country was about to regain the control of her town, her mother made provisions so both of them could avoid rape, even though the girl didn’t think this was necessary. Mother and daughter prepared themselves for the soldiers’ arrival by shaving their heads, and the girl acted the role of a very sick girl, hoping the soldiers would spare her. 

When the soldiers finally came, it turned out the mother had been right all along. Their schemes worked and the soldiers didn’t rape this girl, but they raped other girls. How did the mother know that certain precautions were needed? It was clear to me that abuses from the troops were not only known, but also expected. The fact that the mother knew that this would happen;  the fact that they did not make these provisions around the soldiers of the foreign army, but around the soldiers of their own country, had an impact on my emotions. I thought, Wouldn’t the girl try to lose her virginity to a guy of her choice as part of her preparations? That was a story that deserved to be written, and I wanted to write it myself.

Did you have trouble writing any of the scenes

(the action scenes or the most emotional ones)?

Writing the action scenes is extremely hard and I’m rarely satisfied. I write them, discard them and rewrite them repeatedly. Another challenge is putting my characters through such dramatic events and situations. I’m emotionally attached to all of them, even the antagonists, and writing their suffering becomes uncomfortable. During certain scenes, their level of anguish and pain is so high that their emotions rub on me. I also had trouble writing Chapters forty-eight and forty-nine. At the same time writing those chapters was cathartic because I had a similar experience when I was ten years old. I never told anyone until I became an adult, and by writing a scene like this, I was able to have some kind of closure. 

How did you manage to balance the disturbing themes with the romance

or the dystopian sense of pushing for freedom in an unjust society?

The romance wasn’t central in the earlier drafts of the book. But my readers, my editor and my own heart responded well to it, so I ended up increasing the time for the romantic storyline. I love YA dystopian books that present a romantic subplot, but more often than not I finish the book thinking: I need more romance. The first draft was brutal and violent, and there wasn’t a romantic counterpart to create balance. But I added more pages of the romantic and emotional attachments. That allowed me to develop the characters more, and to add a bit of humanity to this disturbing world. I like it better this way. I had the chance to add swoon-worthy moments and a little bit of comic relief, by presenting a love story limited by the circumstances of the war,.

How long did it take you to get the plot rounded and

what kind of message did you want to convey?

It took months to get the plot rounded. Lila’s storyline ends in The V girl, but the political context was so intricate that I’ll need more books to develop the world building and give resolution to the war storyline. The ending was extremely difficult to write because the book was going to be published in two parts, and I took out around fifty thousand words from the original draft.

I tried to convey the feeling that even under the darkest, most difficult circumstances we can allow ourselves to hope and love. No matter how dire the situation is, there’s always some level of hope. The V girl world is so bleak and at times it seems that everything is lost, but if we don’t lose our humanity, we can find the motivation to hope and love.

Did you have to do any research and what kind?

I looked “rape during war” up in Google, and found eighty-seven million results. I had plenty of material to read. Besides, I read plenty of books and saw documentaries about the topic. Mass rape is something that if you don’t see it, you don’t believe it exists and yet it has been an unfortunate occurrence since forever. I also found useful information in RAINN.org, a site for rape survivors. I dedicated the book to them.

Do you plan to write more stories based in the same world, 

maybe continue the timeline?

I’m writing more books based on this world featuring different characters as we speak.  Some of The V Girl characters are secondary characters in them. What I’ll write first will depend on the readers feedback. I want to know what they’d love to see in future books.

Can you see yourself as not being a writer in the future?

No. Reading and writing are part of who I am. I'll always write stories even if I decide to keep those stories to myself and never publish them.

Mya, thank you so much for this wonderful interview! :o)

Oh, my gosh, that face! Those eyes...

Purchase Links

US

http://www.amazon.com/The-Girl-coming-age-story-ebook/dp/B00L6MFXWG

Kobo

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-v-girl

UK

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Girl-coming-age-story-ebook/dp/B00L6MFXWG

Canada

http://www.amazon.ca/Girl-coming-age-story-ebook/dp/B00L6MFXWG

Germany

http://www.amazon.de/The-Girl-coming-English-Edition-ebook/dp/B00L6MFXWG

Australia

http://www.amazon.com.au/The-Girl-coming-age-story-ebook/dp/B00L6MFXWG

Spain

http://www.amazon.es/The-Girl-coming-English-Edition-ebook/dp/B00L6MFXWG

France

http://www.amazon.fr/Girl-coming-age-story-English-ebook/dp/B00L6MFXWG

Italy

http://www.amazon.it/Girl-coming-age-story-English-ebook/dp/B00L6MFXWG

India

http://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B00L6MFXWG

ABOUT THE MASTERMIND

I am a bookaholic and regret nothing.

I spent years trying to become a contemporary dance choreographer. Eventually I realized that I enjoyed writing my stories rather than creating dances for them.

I am obsessed with books that present damaged characters, swoon worthy guys, controversial topics and happy endings.

Amazon Author’s page.

http://www.amazon.com/Mya-Robarts/e/B00L7DXTF2

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8108373.Mya_Robarts

Twitter

https://twitter.com/MyaRobarts

Tumblr

http://myarobarts.tumblr.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/MyaRobartsBooks

Amazon Author’s page.

http://www.amazon.com/Mya-Robarts/e/B00L7DXTF2

Newsletter 

https://tinyletter.com/myarobarts

Love the cape!

GIVEAWAY TIME

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, book buddies. And don't forget to read this amazing book ;o)

Hate or love in disguise? Review plus interview

Book buddies, I'm so pleased that I found out about this author and her next serial. It just looks so amazing! Please, welcome AINSLEY BOOTH and her naughty-and-clever Horus Group stories. Let's start with Cole Parker first.

That provocative title startled me at first, but I can honestly say the snappy & good-humoured writing style helped the story as much as the premise itself.

We have a family steeped in political and sexual scandal, and one of the daughters refuses to suffer the consequences. Despite her attempt at freedom, she can't deny her off-limits attraction to the man hired to protect the family from paparazzi and social ruin.

Through the perspectives of both Hailey and Cole, we get to know the situation, their undeniable chemistry and the details of their lives. It's feisty, hot, funny, and highly enjoyable.

Let's talk about the characters. I liked Hailey because she's curvy and she speaks her mind. Cole, on the other hand, is strong, handsome and drives like James Bond! He's also a man of dark secrets. How can you say no to a literary man like that?

Lots of obstacles prevent them from turning their illicit lust into a straight forward relationship, so they fight it with anger, ill-advised taunts and shoves. All the while Cole's job makes him act cold and hot in turns. Wow, I can't stress enough how wonderfully arousing were those encounters when they exchange snarky retorts and scorching sexy times.

One thing that made the story even more interesting was that Cole is resisting Hailey because his life is full of dark deeds. He know she deserves better, she is better. So he pushes her away only to need her even more. Even though they act as if it's all casual and meaningless, something else stirs between them. I loved that struggle, and Hailey's secret thoughts.

Then, I was freaked out when the last chapter threw a big surprise to my face. I was panting for various reasons at that moment! That cliffhanger was worthy of a thriller. I need my second dose about now.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Thank you so much, Ainsley, for taking the time to sate a reader's curiosity about your work. I'm so glad :o)

What prompted you to choose such a colourful title for your story?

The title came first, actually, and then the cover. I sat on it for a few months until I figured out the story behind it. 

How long is this serial and how did you plan it?

It's a 3 book serial, and I didn't plan it so much as just start writing. Cole and Hailey are the ones that dictated the three book length.

What are you most excited about in this serial?

I love the cliffhangers. I love them so much, which is really interesting, because I come from a contemporary romance background, where cliffhangers are off-limits.

I loved this first glimpse into the Horus Group. 

Do you plan to write stories about other members?

Yep, I have stories for Tag, Wilson and Jason (in that order). Cole and Hailey's story will be wrapped up at the end of their three part serial, but the story of The Horus Group is just beginning. And each of those guys need to find love in their own twisted way.

How would you describe your writing routine?

Pretty ordinary, actually. I take my kids to school, then go to Starbucks, set up my workspace: computer, notebook, coffee, timer... and then I get my freak on. ;) LOL

Actually, I write with a bunch of other authors, in an online chat room. We do writing sprints all day long. It's amazing.

I really enjoyed your writing style: passionate, funny and intense. Do you rewrite and edit a lot, or does the story come naturally?

I revise as I write, so what I finish at the end of a day is usually what the final draft looks like for my editor. Revisions happen after the book is done (tightening, clarifying, etc.), but I don't write multiple drafts of a book.

Tell readers how you prepare/inspire yourself for the steamy scenes.

Pinterest and Tumblr for inspiration, and the preparation...well, really, they just happen like any other scene. Mimi Strong once told me to start with foreplay (good tip for anyone :P), and really, when you think about it like that -- don't think "I've gotta write a sex scene today", but "I'm going to write a lingering look or some unspoken tension", that's much easier.

How do you balance plot and eroticism?

The trick for me is not thinking about them as two separate things -- I don't have a plot, with sex interspersed throughout. I start with a story that has a sexual conflict or motivation at its core, and allow the action of that plot to develop naturally. Another author gave me a great tip early on--don't write sex, write foreplay. If you do that, then the sex writes itself, because it's starting on an authentic foundation.

Can you tell us a couple of romance books you've loved?

I'd love to! Two of my all-time favourites are Nina Lane's Arouse and Megan Hart's Dirty, and recently I devoured Alisha Rai's A Gentleman on the Street and Kati Wilde's motorcycle club trilogy. Highly recommend all of those!

What are your writing plans for this year?

Hate F*ck: part two and HF: part three are what I'm working on right now, then my contemporary romance alter-ego gets most of the writing calendar time over the summer. Next up for me is Wilson's story in The Horus Group -- hope to have that out in the fall! 

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO | iBOOKS

Part two coming end of March 2015

 part three coming end of April 2015 

Future Horus Group books to be announced…

Isn't this good news? :o)

Find the author here!

To Live Forever: adventure and immortality + cool interview

It always gives me a kind of emotional ache when I read about people's almost-success ending in death before achieving it. Not being able to grab your true dreams in life lingers in everybody's mind as if they affected them too in a way.

INTERVIEW

1 What kind of readers will this novel appeal to?

If you like immersive, action-packed stories that turn pages, with a focus on the relationships between well-drawn characters, put To Live Forever at the top of your reading list. Reviewers consistently say they couldn’t put this book down. New York Times Bestselling Author Cassandra King endorsed it as a book unlike any other.

2 What is the best thing of writing about life after death?

I can write with an unfettered imagination. We don’t know what happens after we die, making anything I create a possibility. It removes some of the restrictions of life and allows me to imagine without boundaries.

3 Name three surprising aspects of this novel.

1. It doesn’t follow a conventional formula, making many of the twists true surprises for the reader. 2. I’ve read the end hundreds of times, and I still cry, not because it’s sad. It’s the happiest ending I could have imagined. 3. I’ve been surprised by the number of people who loved To Live Forever when they thought they’d hate it.

4 What's the most unusual thing you discovered when researching for this novel?

In initial drafts, the Judge was a caricature villain. I really struggled to bring him to life. It was only when I searched for Meriwether Lewis’ true enemies in life that I uncovered a person for the Judge to be, someone from history who was abominable, yet managed to work for the first five Presidents of the United States. He even led the United States Army and simultaneously took over a million dollars as a spy for the Spanish crown. The man who became the Judge lived life with delicious perniciousness. Beyond history geeks, he’s a man who’s been totally forgotten. I hope my novel has given him new life, because we can only live forever if we’re remembered by the living.

5 How did you become a writer?

My consulting practice virtually dried up in the economic downturn. I was bored, frustrated and forty, a lethal combination. :) I started writing a blog to give myself a creative outlet. While I  never got my break that turned me into The Bloggess, I built a respectable following. I used my blog as a daily writing exercise and finally saw a way to write a novel: a piece at a time.

I still have difficulty calling myself a writer, by the way. I’ve taken a total of one creative writing class in my life. I don’t have an MFA. I don’t hang out with other writers, unless one counts my online community. I don’t know how to do many of the things that are standards for writing school. But several literary people have told me that’s what makes my voice stand out. I don’t do what writers would be taught to do in specific situations, because I don’t know those rules. My ignorance forces unexpected combinations of words and evolutions of plot. I hope some of it works.

6 What is one of your best experiences with fans?

Gosh, I’ve already had so many. But I think I would have to say when readers were willing to spend money and travel hundreds of miles to walk part of the Natchez Trace with me.

That answer requires an explanation.

To launch To Live Forever, I became the first living person to walk the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway from Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN. I walked 15 miles a day, 6 days a week, for 34 days, dodging vehicular traffic at speeds of up to 70 miles an hour. (Note: There is no walking trail. The Trace is a highway today.)

To Live Forever is set on the Trace, a 10,000-year-old road and one of the oldest things we have as Americans. I thought it might be fun to walk the Trace and take readers into the world of the book.

Fun. Ha. Shows how stupid I am. I almost died on my walk.

Several readers read To Live Forever and wanted to walk portions of the Trace with me. People came to Tennessee from as far away as Massachusetts and New York, and I even entertained the possibility of having a reader from Canada. It was moving to realize that To Live Forever made people enthusiastic enough about the Trace to want to experience it for themselves.

7 What are your writing goals for the rest of 2014?

I am writing a memoir about my Natchez Trace walk. It’s called Not Without My Father, because my eighty-year-old dad went with me for five weeks. We had an unforgettable adventure together in the twilight of his life.

Not Without My Father is about my walk, but it’s also about taking the time to make memories with the people who are important to us before it’s too late. I almost didn’t have that opportunity.

Advance reader copies of Not Without My Father will be available October 1, 2014. If any reader is interested in obtaining an ARC for advance review, contact my publisher at publisher(at)wordhermitpress(dot)com. Click here to see Word Hermit Press’ ARC guidelines: http://wordhermitpress.com/inquiries/review-copies/

Thanks so much for hosting me on Literaria. Your questions were a fun challenge.

Thank you for your wonderful words! :o)

Publication Date: March 1, 2014

Publisher: World Hermit Press

Formats: eBook, Paperback
Genre: General Fiction/Paranormal

Is remembrance immortality? 

Nobody wants to be forgotten, least of all the famous.

Meriwether Lewis lived a memorable life. He and William Clark were the first white men to reach the Pacific in their failed attempt to discover a Northwest Passage. Much celebrated upon their return, Lewis was appointed governor of the vast Upper Louisiana Territory and began preparing his eagerly-anticipated journals for publication. But his re-entry into society proved as challenging as his journey. Battling financial and psychological demons and faced with mounting pressure from Washington, Lewis set out on a pivotal trip to the nation’s capital in September 1809. His mission: to publish his journals and salvage his political career. He never made it. He died in a roadside inn on the Natchez Trace in Tennessee from one gunshot to the head and another to the abdomen.

Was it suicide or murder? His mysterious death tainted his legacy and his fame quickly faded. Merry’s own memory of his death is fuzzy at best. All he knows is he’s fallen into Nowhere, where his only shot at redemption lies in the fate of rescuing another. An ill-suited “guardian angel,” Merry comes to in the same New Orleans bar after twelve straight failures. Now, with one drink and a two-dollar bill he is sent on his last assignment, his final shot at escape from the purgatory in which he’s been dwelling for almost 200 years. Merry still believes he can reverse his forgotten fortunes.

Nine-year-old Emmaline Cagney is the daughter of French Quarter madam and a Dixieland bass player. When her mother wins custody in a bitter divorce, Emmaline carves out her childhood among the ladies of Bourbon Street. Bounced between innocence and immorality, she struggles to find her safe haven, even while her mother makes her open her dress and serve tea to grown men.

It isn’t until Emmaline finds the strange cards hidden in her mother’s desk that she realizes why these men are visiting: her mother has offered to sell her to the highest bidder. To escape a life of prostitution, she slips away during a police raid on her mother’s bordello, desperate to find her father in Nashville.

Merry’s fateful two-dollar bill leads him to Emmaline as she is being chased by the winner of her mother’s sick card game: The Judge. A dangerous Nowhere Man convinced that Emmaline is the reincarnation of his long dead wife, Judge Wilkinson is determined to possess her, to tease out his wife’s spirit and marry her when she is ready. That Emmaline is now guarded by Meriwether Lewis, his bitter rival in life, further stokes his obsessive rage.

To elude the Judge, Em and Merry navigate the Mississippi River to Natchez. They set off on an adventure along the storied Natchez Trace, where they meet Cajun bird watchers, Elvis-crooning Siamese twins, War of 1812 re-enactors, Spanish wild boar hunters and ancient mound dwellers. Are these people their allies? Or pawns of the perverted, powerful Judge?

After a bloody confrontation with the Judge at Lewis’s grave, Merry and Em limp into Nashville and discover her father at the Parthenon. Just as Merry wrestles with the specter of success in his mission to deliver Em, The Judge intercedes with renewed determination to win Emmaline, waging a final battle for her soul. Merry vanquishes the Judge and earns his redemption. As his spirit fuses with the body of Em’s living father, Merry discovers that immortality lives within the salvation of another, not the remembrance of the multitude.

READ AN EXCERPT

Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | Barnes & Noble (Nook) 

Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

About the Author

Hey. I’m Andra Watkins. I’m a native of Tennessee, but I’m lucky to call Charleston, South Carolina, home for 23 years. I’m the author of ‘To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis’, coming March 1, 2014. It’s a mishmash of historical fiction, paranormal fiction and suspense that follows Meriwether Lewis (of Lewis & Clark fame) after his mysterious death on the Natchez Trace in 1809.

I like:

hiking

eating (A lot; Italian food is my favorite.)

traveling (I never met a destination I didn’t like.)

reading (My favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo.)

coffee (the caffeinated version) and COFFEE (sex)

performing (theater, singing, public speaking, playing piano)

time with my friends

Sirius XM Chill

yoga (No, I can’t stand on my head.)

writing in bed

candlelight

I don’t like:

getting up in the morning

cilantro (It is the devil weed.)

surprises (For me or for anyone else.)

house cleaning

cooking

Author Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google+ | Pinterest

Natchez Trace Walk

The Natchez Trace is a 10,000-year-old road that runs from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. Thousands of years ago, animals used its natural ridge line as a migratory route from points in the Ohio River Valley to the salt licks in Mississippi. It was logical for the first Native Americans to settle along the Trace to follow part of their migrating food supply. When the Kaintucks settled west of the Appalachians, they had to sell their goods at ports in New Orleans or Natchez, but before steam power, they had to walk home. The Trace became one of the busiest roads in North America.

To launch To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis, I am the first living person to walk the 444-mile Natchez Trace as the pioneers did since the rise of steam power in the 1820′s. From March 1, 2014 to April 3, 2014, I walked fifteen miles a day. Six days a week. One rest day per week. I spent each night in the modern-day equivalent of stands, places much like Grinder’s Stand, where Meriwether Lewis died from two gunshot wounds on October 11, 1809.

*

Do you like paranormal adventures bases on true characters, book buddies?