The Big Bad Wolf, a Cosy Chat with YA Romance Author, Anna Katmore

I’m an Austrian lass—totally uncomplicated and up to anything fun. I grew up in Vienna – not by free will but because my parents decided to move there when I was only 4 years old. I. Hated. The. City. Everything about it. So right after graduation I moved back to the country side, where I settled down with a nice husband and an awesome laptop. (The laptop came first!} I’ve been a storyteller all my life. Already in kindergarten, I came up with the most exotic fantasies and tales. My teacher back then called me a liar. Today, I call it the cornerstone of my writing career.

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Cosy Chat with fantasy author Sandra Hurst: Yketa

A mythmaker at heart, Sandra Hurst has been writing poetry, fantasy and science fiction since her school days in England. Hurst moved to Canada in 1980 and was deeply influenced by the wild lands and the indigenous cultures that surrounded her. Y’keta, her first full length novel, is set in a mythical land reminiscent of pre-historic earth. An ancient world where legends walk and the Sky Road offers a way to the stars. A member of the Alexandra Writers Centre Society, the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association, and The Mythopoeic Society, Hurst works to build fantasy worlds that allow her readers to join her in exploring the depths of human interaction in a mythical game of ‘what if.’ Her first novel, Y’keta is long-listed for the prestigious Aurora Award, for best Canadian fantasy novel (Young Adult) and the American based RONE award for break out fantasy novel. She now lives in Calgary, Alberta with her husband and son, both of whom she loves dearly, and has put up for sale on e-bay when their behaviour demanded it.

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A Thin Slice of Heaven, Cosy Chat with author, Patricia Terrell

The castle in A Thin Slice of Heaven is fabulously atmospheric. As someone who picks up the energy of buildings, it really ‘felt’ like a real creepy castle. Is it based on a real place? And if so, how much did the place inspire your story?

Thank you for having me here today, Martha! I am a huge fan of your work. While researching my ancestry, I made several trips to my ancestral home at Glencull, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The area inspired the village in A Thin Slice of Heaven as well as the castle. The potato famine was inspired by a visit to the Ulster American Folk Park and Museum at Omagh, County Tyrone. Whenever I visit Ireland, I feel the energy and history there almost as if I am being transported into the past. It is truly a magical and mystical country.

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Neverland, A Cosy Chat with Romance Author Anna Katmore

In Neverland you look at the story of Peter Pan, from a very different perspective, casting Captain Hook, or Jamie, as the romantic lead. What gave you the idea?

Martha, you know me. 😉 Nothing gave me the idea, actually. In fact, it was someone. Jamie Hook himself. I’m telling you and your reader this, because I know you’ve got experience with energies and will understand when I tell you that I sort of channelled the story. The idea, the characters, the book. And it wasn’t on purpose, either. It was in a moment when I watched Peter Pan with my son a long time ago that suddenly one very charismatic and insisting energy tapped on my shoulder.

Writing always happens like that for me. I don’t just invent stories. I always wait for the moment when a great energy out there stops by and says hi. They feel almost as real to me, as the person next to you feels to you. I get their thoughts and intentions in form of emotions and images in my head. James Hook—the one I wrote about—is a character in a different dimension, if you like to look at it that way. And he broadcasted his story on a frequency that connected with my reception. I was a tremendously lucky girl that he chose me to tell his story.

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Win a Signed copy of Award Winning Werewolf Novel, Oath Breaker

Today we have our last giveaway, a signed copy (?) of award-winning Werewolf novel, Oathbreaker, from author Shelley Wilson. Shelley is a bit of a superwoman penning both exciting YA fiction and bestselling, motivational self-help books. She has also just landed a fabulous, 10 book publishing contract with ….. and an Apple fiction award. I really loved Oathbreaker and it flew onto my kindle just when it was needed, at a moment when I couldn’t find anything I liked.

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Win a Signed Paperback of Fantasy Novel, Messenger

Today I have linked up with fantasy author and inspirational speaker Kate Tremills to offer a signed copy of Messenger, the first book in her Great Lands Series. Kate Tremills writes beautiful and spiritual novels that explore far-off worlds, mythology, and even modern day Manhattan. But now she is also traveling in a new direction and bringing us wonderful inspirational ideas and teachings on creativity. Creativity is something Kate knows a lot about, from her novel writing, to her time as magazine writer, to her L.A. screenwriting career. She has approached the process from every angle and has a wealth of information and encouragement to share.

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Gothic Fairytales Up For Grabs

Today I have linked up with gothic author, editor and screenwriter, Kathryn Cottam, to give away two signed paperbacks. The first is The Shoemaker, a dark, gothic retelling of the Elves and the Shoemaker. As a bonus, Kathryn is also giving away Three Tales of Red, a short story collection that explores red riding hood from three perspectives, Red Riding Hood, the wolf and the huntsman. This is written by Kathryn, Roberta Cottam and Kate Tremills. Not all fairytales are cute and cuddly. Kathryn writes intense, gothic fairytales that are definitely for grown-ups.

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December Giveaway

Christmas is a time for giving and connecting, so this week I have a wonderful Christmas giveaway for you, that spans both my Facebook Pages, The Story Cave and The Curious Mystic. For four days this week, I will offer one giveaway. On three of the days there will be a signed book from my wonderful collaborators, Kate Tremills, Kathryn Cottam, and Shelley Wilson, who recently won an Apple Award for her YA story, Oathbreaker. On the other day I will offer a free half hour tarot reading with me, which will be done over Zoom. If you would like to find out more about my Tarot readings, please do check out my Services section, and some of the general readings in my blog.

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Do you re-read books?

There are certain books I love so much, I go back into them for a visit. The characters are like friends I want to see again. The places feel so real I’m sure I’ve been there before.
My favourites for rereading are The Catch Trap by Marian Zimmer Bradley, a love story about flyers in a circus, (trapeze artists, Twilight, and of course Harry Potter. As a child I read my copy of the BFG by Roald Dahl into tatters, and the beautiful A Little Princess by Frances Hodgeson. What was it about those books that I loved? Well the characters were the main thing. When I finished them I didn’t want to say goodbye. I have been known to restart a book immediately for that reason. The world and life they took me into was pure magic, enveloping me in a completely different reality.

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Cosy Chat with author, Kathryn Cottam: Fairytales

Kathryn Cottam is the author of the Ferrybone fantasy series which includes The Shoemaker and the forthcoming The Queen’s Cage. She is currently writing a romantic comedy series with her sister Roberta which will launch in October 2017.

On amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Kathryn-Cottam/e/B00F83PS6K
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathrynAnneCottam?skip_nax_wizard=true
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathryncottam/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KathrynCottam

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