Meet Juli Revezzo

To kick off the new year, fellow Wild Rose Press author Juli Revezzo is here. Last month, Juli's book Passion's Sacred Dance was spotlighted on Saturday Sampler. Now it's time to get to know Juli a little better.

Here's her bio:
Juli D. Revezzo is a Florida girl, with a love of fantasy, science fiction, and Arthurian legend, so much so she gained a B.A. in English and American Literature. She loves writing stories with fantastical elements whether it be a full-on fantasy, or a story set in this world–slightly askew. She has been published in short form in Eternal Haunted Summer,  Dark Things II: Cat Crimes (a charity anthology for cat related charities), Luna Station Quarterly, The Scribing Ibis: An Anthology of Pagan Fiction in Honor of Thoth, and Twisted Dreams Magazine. She is author of The Artist’s Inheritance, Caitlin’s Book of Shadows (of  the Antique Magic series) and has recently released her debut paranormal romance novel, Passion’s Sacred Dance.

She also has an article and book review or two out there. But her heart lies in the storytelling. She is a member of the Independent Author Network and the Magic Appreciation Tour.

Welcome, Juli. How long does it take you to write a book?

Usually three-six months, on a first draft depending on the length of the story.

Have you ever stayed up all night to finish reading a book?

The most recent book I’ve stayed up late for was Sheepfarmer’s Daughter by Elizabeth Moon, but alas, I didn’t finish it that night. I couldn’t stand staying awake another minute and had to get to bed.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I’ve written, in total, 14, at this point. Some are out, some are coming, and some may or may not come out. My favorite? Of the published ones, I’d have to say Passion’s Sacred Dance, at the moment. I’m working on its follow ups and they’re pretty dear to my heart. And the Antique Magic series. Darn, how can I pick? 

Are your stories driven by plot or character?

Usually, they’re plot driven. Sure, you gotta have characters but if I don’t know what they’re doing or why? I usually can’t get the story started.

What are some jobs you've done that would end up in a book?

I worked in a small contemporary art gallery when I was a college student. A version of that gallery was actually the inspiration for Stacy’s gallery in my paranormal romance novel Passion’s Sacred Dance.

If I was a first time reader of your books, which one would you recommend I start with?

I write in a couple different genres so I guess it would depend on the reader. If you’re a romance fan, I say start with Passion’s Sacred Dance. If you don’t mind dark fantasy then one should try my Antique Magic series. There, I’d say definitely start with The Artist’s Inheritance.

Tell us about your latest book.

Passion’s Sacred Dance is my debut novel in paranormal romance, with The Wild Rose Press. It’s about a woman whose history gallery is about to become the latest setting for a mythic battle. If she grants it to the wrong side, the world may face destruction. A sexy, ancient Celtic warrior comes to defend her from their enemies and, well, sparks fly. ;) Does it cross into any other genres? Hrm…I’d say probably urban fantasy—and Stacy has some pretty creepy creatures after her so there might be hints of the kind of dark fantasy I write in Antique Magic.  Here’s the blurb for Passion’s Sacred Dance:

Battling mounting debt, Stacy Macken is determined not to lose her historic art gallery. When Aaron Fielding appears and offers to help, she fights to keep the attraction sizzling between them from clouding her judgment. He may be her savior in disguise--but can she trust him?

Aaron intrigues her with tales of the Tuatha dé Danann, sworn warriors who protect humanity from the monsters seeking their destruction. If Aaron can prove what he claims, she would give up anything to help--even the gallery he claims is sacred ground. But with her property set to stage the next epic battle, she needs answers. An old family diary will confirm the ancient legend is true, if only they can find it in time.

If the battle is lost, the enemy will take control of Earth for the next five hundred years. Stacy and Aaron's budding love might only complicate things.

If readers would like to check it out, it’s available at Amazon, The Wild Rose Press, Itunes, Kobo, and in paperback.

One last question, Juli. Where can readers find you?

 

Your readers can find me at http://julidrevezzo.com

On twitter: @julidrevezzo

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julidrevezzo

Thanks for being here, Juli. Best wishes for 2014.

 

Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a peaceful, prosperous 2014.

 

Looking Back at 2013

As the year comes to an end, newspapers and television reports give us the "best" and "worst" of 2013. In world news as well as our personal lives, we tend to remember more of the bad than the good. Or maybe it's our Puritan ancestors still whispering in our ears that to talk, or write, about our accomplishments violates the 11th Commandment (Thou shalt not brag).

We made all those resolutions--or set goals--back in January. How long did they last? Many of mine fell by the wayside. A few went beyond expectation. And some events happened that I never anticipated.

Here's a few of my best and worst of 2013:

Best: built a house and moved close to our grandchildren
Worst: packed the contents of a house where we lived for 14 years; unpacked hundreds of boxes and tried to find a place for everything

Best: welcomed two great-nephews into the family and a new nephew-in-law
Worst: lost another uncle

Best: released two books--Switched Resolution and One Red Shoe
Worst: haven't finished The Chameleon, an Outer Rim novel (soon, I hope)

Best: invited to be a regular contributor to 2 blogs--The Roses of Prose and Paranormal Romantics; joined a monthly blog hop, Insecure Writers Support Group; blog "tours" for new releases
Worst: coming up with new topics (LOL)

Best: discovered Doctor Who
Worst: watching Doctor Who episodes (ad nauseam, according to Hubs--who gave me Seasons 6 & 7 on DVDs)

Best: supportive family, friends, and readers
Worst: (none)

There are many more events that I've either forgotten or didn't share. I've worked hard to further my writing career, yet dropped everything to play with my grandkids or go to a movie with Hubs. I'm trying to find balance in my life. Not always successful, though. On the whole, I've been very blessed.

And I still haven't done anything with hundreds (thousands?) of photos still in shoeboxes. Maybe in 2014.

Free Short Story

I did something I haven't done since high school--back in the Dark Ages. LOL I wrote a short story. It is part of an anthology by The Roses of Prose authors called An Unexpected Holiday. We all started our stories with the same sentence: This was the last place she/I ever expected to spend Christmas.

The first part of my story, Christmas in Space, began Saturday. Here's the link: http://rosesofprose.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-in-space-by-diane-burton.html   

The story concluded on Sunday.
http://rosesofprose.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-in-space-by-diane-burton_29.html

I hope you enjoy Christmas in Space and the stories by the other authors as well. 

Best wishes for a great 2014.

After Whorl: Bran Reborn by Nancy Jardine

Diane-

my sincere thanks for inviting me to share details of my latest historical romantic adventure, After Whorl: Bran Reborn, Book 2 of my Celtic Fervour series. After Whorl: Bran Reborn continues the story of Brennus of Garrigill who appears in Book 1 The Beltane Choice. Brennus was thought to lie dead on the battle fields at Whorl, but this was not so…

(Book 3 of the series After Whorl: Donning Double Cloaks continues the tale of Brennus (also known as Bran) and Ineda of Marske, and will be published sometime around March 2014)

Blurb:

Ravaged by war

…AD 71. After the battle at Whorl, Brennus of Garrigill is irrevocably changed. 

Returning to Marske, Ineda finds her grandmother dead, though Brennus is not. Snared by a Roman patrol, they are marched to Witton where he is forced to labour for the Roman IX Legion. 

Embracing his new identity as Bran, Brennus vows to avert Roman occupation of northernmost Brigantia. Ineda becomes his doughty spying accomplice, though sometimes she’s too impetuous. Trading with the Romans lends excellent opportunities for information gathering. Over time, Bran’s feelings for Ineda mar with his loyalty to Ineda’s father. 

When she disappears, and cannot be found, Bran enters direct service with Venutius, King of the Brigantes. 

After Whorl: Bran Reborn is available in print and ebook formats from:

Amazon UK   http://amzn.to/1bNcpNk

Amazon.com http://amzn.to/1jaYWFw

And in ebook formats from:

Crooked Cat Bookstore  http://bit.ly/1fFq9vb

Barnes and Noble  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/after-whorl-nancy-jardine/1117532118?ean=9781909841321

And other ebook retailers

After Whorl: Bran Reborn book trailer video 

http://youtu.be/RFJ_lvMBKvg

Here’s a little bit from the beginning to tide you over till that copy is yours…

 “Fóghnaidh mi dhut! I really will finish you! I have you now, invading scum!”

            Another couple of whacks would have the shield gone. The Roman auxiliary’s arm already showed signs of fatigue as Brennus slashed below the man’s chain link protection, his full power backing each blow of his long Celtic sword. The man was brawny, a practised opponent at the edge of the tight cluster of Roman bodies, but was much smaller than he was and rapidly weakened. Brennus knew the advantage he had. A drained grin slid into a grimace of pain as his sword jarred on the Roman gladius when the soldier’s stab interrupted another of his blows, the impact juddering his weakened elbow, an injury sustained with a previous combatant.

            “Diùbhadh! Scum!”

            The gladius flashed upwards. To reach his head the angle of the auxiliary’s attack had to be higher than the usual, demanding a different force to succeed, and the Roman just did not have the strength any more.

            A cry of frustration emerged from the Roman, the clenched teeth an indicator of the man’s tenacity as the gladius prodded forward yet again. Brennus understood none of the man’s tongue, the battle ground not the place for meaningful talk, but the intent was clear.

            “Come! Come forward! A ghlaoic! You fool!” Brennus’ hollering taunts and crude ridiculing gestures gained him a little ground as the auxiliary broke free of the rigid formation, desperate to gain conquest over yet another Celtic adversary, the shorter gladius slashing and nipping at his chest but not quite breaking the skin.

            The tight group of Roman soldiers had been almost impossible to breach; their raised cover of shields an impenetrable barrier. He had been toying with and provoking this particular soldier for long, long moments. Yet, even with his superior strength, he knew he could not sustain such weighty combat for much longer either, before he would need to retreat to regain his reserves of vigour – though only a little more wearing down of the man’s resistance should be enough. He knew that from an earlier experience. Drawing breath from deep inside he slipped back a pace, and then another as if giving up the pursuit.

            “Come forward, you piece of Roman horse dung! You demand the blood of the Celts? Let it be so! Have mine!”

            Powerless to resist the lure the Roman soldier surged at his bidding, his shield swinging, his gladius jabbing. One last twisted swipe of Brennus’ longer Celtic sword detached the blade-nicked shield from his foe and sent it sailing aside. Abruptly unguarded, the auxiliary pulled his gladius in front of his rippling mail in a futile attempt to cover his chest.

            “Too late!” Brennus’ snort rang out as he whacked the soldier’s fist with his shield when his opponent readied his blade for another stab. It was enough: all the leverage needed to topple his foe. Witnessing the Roman’s slithering attempts to right himself he allowed an exultant smirk to break free, knowing victory would be his over this particular rival. “Death to all of the invaders!”

About the author:

Nancy Jardine lives in the fantastic ‘castle country’ of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, with her husband. She spends her week making creative excuses for her neglected large garden; doesn’t manage as much writing as she always plans to do since she’s on Facebook too often, but she does have a thoroughly great time playing with her toddler granddaughter when she’s just supposed to be ‘just’ childminding her twice a week.

A lover of all things historical it sneaks into most of her writing along with many of the fantastic world locations she has been fortunate to visit. Her published work to date has been two non fiction history related projects; two contemporary ancestral mysteries; one light-hearted contemporary romance mystery and a historical novel. She has been published by The Wild Rose Press and Crooked Cat Publishing.

You’ll find Nancy at the following places: Amazon UK author page    Amazon US author page   Blog    Website   Facebook  Goodreads   About Me   LinkedIn   Twitter @nansjar  Google+ 

 Nancy is giving away a FREE e-copy of After Whorl: Bran Reborn to a lucky commenter. Be sure to leave your email address.