Interview with Poet Tyler Hall about Atop the Bookshelf

Today we are interviewing Tyler Hall about his poetry anthology, titled “Atop the Bookshelf.”

Tell us a bit about yourself.
To explain myself would require not just a paragraph, nor entire chapter or book, but a library’s worth of volumes. But here are a few facts about me: As of this interview, I am a security officer with a strong sense of justice and truth. I love cats, Japanese Anime, cosplaying, acting (I have written, directed, and starred in a handful of short films), watching ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) videos on youtube, drawing, exploring new places and shops in my hometown of Jacksonville. Along with the annual trips to North Carolina and regular visits to Pop Culture Conventions, one could say I am a man of many tastes and interests. 

Describe your anthology of poetry, “Atop the Bookshelf,” in a few sentences.
“Atop the Bookshelf” is my attempt at the poetry genre. While I see myself as more of a novelist, even the best writers cannot limit themselves to one genre or one format. I believe a writer should be versatile in their craft. That is why I have chosen to write in every type of poetry imaginable and in every genre imaginable. Focusing on one type of poetry or genre of fiction is, in my opinion, self-limiting. 

Who do you think would most appreciate your anthology?
Depends on whom I inspire with my words and who desires to read my work. If anything, Atop the Bookshelf covers every genre, and do I mean every genre! If you like adventure, it’s got adventure. If you like fantasy, it’s got fantasy. If you like a little science fiction, I added that as well! For those who enjoy reading religious texts, I have poetry that covers religion as well! I've even added a few comical poems for those who enjoy a good laugh! In short, there is something for everybody in "Atop the Bookshelf"! 

What first got you interested in poetry?
I would have to say my interest in poetry would stem from the brief, yet vivid descriptions of the events and situations of the overall text.

Your anthology contains a variety of styles, from haiku to traditional rhyming. Do you have a favorite type of poetry?
I cannot simply choose a favorite style as every style has its own strengths and weaknesses. For example, while Haiku is very vivid in so few words, it is also simplistic. Traditional rhyming is considered to be the “standard” of poetry, however it’s very limiting with the constant rhyming. 

Tyler Hall.

Where do you get your inspiration for your poetry?
For me, inspiration would have to come from everything I like. Be it nature, history, art, or what strange things my mind can cook up! If you could see my fantasies and my thoughts, it would outlandish and farfetched! Oh trust me on that! 

I would like to be, for once in my life, the guy who lives in a big palace with a lot of people...a wacky, wizard inventor, a lot of cute girls in legwarmers and oversized t-shirts, a few elves, fairies, ninjas, professional wrestlers, space aliens, a couple of soldiers, cats, super heroes, a robot,, a Christian pastor and a French chef to go along with it...why all this? I do not know! Let's add a library, a film studio, a theater, and a giant kitchen complete with a stockpile of food to go with these people as well! Oh, and did I forget the people in this fantasy live on island which is also its own country among other things? No? Well, now you know! This is just to help you visualize my intense imagination! 

Usually my work does slide between silly; for those moments I chose to be funny, to those moments where I chose to be extremely serious. 

Who is your favorite poet?
I do not have a favorite poet as I am more of a novelist than a poet. However, if I had a number of poets whose works I need to read more, they would include Walt Whitman and Lord Byron. Perhaps there are more, but for the time being, I am going to stick with those two. I also want to read “The Odyssey” in its entirety. 

Does writing ever take you to unexpected places or reveal things you hadn’t thought about before?
Absolutely! There are so places a many writer or reader can visit in words. Perhaps the same can be said about the various peoples, cultures, and nations one can meet in the words of a writer. The sad truth, however, is while these places are amazing, readers and writers alike will never be able to visit these worlds for real. 

And that is not just limited to locales either! Experiences such as meeting someone out of the ordinary or a sentient being who isn’t human! Now that would be an encounter in itself! As I said before about having my life go from mundane to magical, meeting someone like that would be awesome. 

Earlier, I said something about wanting to live in a big house with a lot of unusual characters like ninjas, elves, and a wacky inventor. While something that may never happen to me in real life. In the realm of fiction, however, anything goes. Perhaps I could write a novel about something like that! 

Do you have a favorite poem in your collection?
That’s hard to choose because I love every single one of my poems. If I had to choose which poems were the best write, I would have to choose "Sinking of the Mary Lee" because of its tragic story, "Joker Junction" on account of the hilarious tale behind it, "Sylvester the Firebeard" largely in part of its title character and its events being so life like. (One can feel the heat of the flames and smell the scent of gunpowder!) 

I also enjoyed writing "Tapestries", and "Atop the Bookshelf" (the poem for which the anthology is named for), mainly as they took two seemingly mundane objects and turned them into something worth observing closer. "Sniper", because it depicts a soldier in a battle. "A Man Named Paul", "Judas", and "The Apostle Peter," would have to be listed because they were all in relation to the three men mentioned and their Biblical importance. 

As for "Elizabeth", is a poetic rendition of the Tad Cummins Case. It was one of those poems I knew I had to write because of how the news of that crime affected me. Just as there have been poems and songs written about historical events and people. Which is mainly why I wrote “Orville and Wilbur” as it was about the Wright Brothers’ flight in Kitty Hawk. Lastly, “Aurora Borealis” was written because seeing the polar lights is something on my bucket list.  "A Fan Named Ann" was something I wrote to reflect about a football game where I once provided security. 

Now, the fun poems to write were the haikus and the quatrains. Some were foreboding and others were light hearted and positive. Believe me, those were the best to write! You could see so much in so little words!

I am quite certain there are a number of poems I’ve left out. Time constraints do not allow me the opportunity to explain every poem in Atop the Bookshelf. Yet, I will say that most of my poetry was written because I felt strongly about a topic or something was on my mind.

Now if I had to name one of my poems that had a good premise, yet a poor delivery, would have to be “K’Yakcha”. I wrote it as a means of recapturing the epics of Old akin to “Beowulf” and “The Iliad”. Yet, “K’Yakcha” seems to have missed the mark. Those who read it may say it was reminiscent of those epics, but I just feel it’s not up to par.

Do not get me wrong though, I enjoyed writing “K’Yakcha” because creating a modern day epic was a challenge in itself. However, I feel by its stilted prose, “K’Yakcha” simply doesn’t measure up to the classics. What I will say to my readers is if you are put off by the awkward wording found in “K’Yakcha”, let me just say it helps to think like a translator. Intelligent readers will understand the meaning of my words. 

“Ode to David” was a decent one to write as well. However it is not as good as it should have been. “Oasis”, “Waiting Room”, “A Date with Death”, and various others would also fit in this latter category.  By that, I mean poems that were good ideas, but not the best written. 

Perhaps it is best if I let my readers decide which poems were my best and which poems were my worst.

Can you tell us a bit about your writing process?
I love writing at night. I do not know why, but there is something about its tranquility that appeals to me. The same can be said about writing on a rainy day. Another tactic which helps is listening to music and ambience to help with visualizing a scene or dialogue.  

What was the most challenging aspect of writing poetry?
The most challenging part of poetry is showing the most with the least amount of words. I've had to remove words which felt out of place. Another challenging aspect of poetry is the plot, theme, and subject matter. I've even had to remove poems from "Atop the Bookshelf" because I felt they were not good enough. 

What do you hope readers will gain from reading your anthology?
That would ultimately depend on what my readers desire from my words. Some of my readers are probably seeking entertainment. Others are most likely desiring a deeper meaning. 

How have readers responded to your anthology so far?
Sadly, there have not been many readers. One of the many tragedies of being a writer is not having any readers. More than fame and riches, a writer should be more concerned with gaining readers FIRST and FOREMOST.

In ten years, where would you like your writing career to be?
I would like to have at least some of what I desire to create to be published by this time. Believe me when I say that would be a major advancement in my career.  

As of this interview, I am working on creating my facebook fanpage so fans of my work can congregate and keep up with the latest about my work. 

How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
I am divided on the issue of ebooks. For me it is a two-edged sword with its pros and cons. For the pro side of ebooks, they are environmentally sound in reducing the consumption of resources. However, when it comes to the cons, one of the most upsetting attributes of ebooks is how they are reducing the concept of brick and mortar book stores. 

For me, going to a physical location for books and tests is more appealing than computerized ebooks. I say this because of the personal interaction with fellow readers and aspiring authors. 

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
I cannot further disclose much about what I have in the works. The reason being is I have learned it is best not to announce your plans or goals. It is mainly because if I were to do that, I would be less motivated! For any future projects I have in store, one will have to wait and see!  

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your anthology?
I choose not to disclose that as I would rather let my readers discover for themselves. To say much more would ruin it for my readers.

More Information
Buy "Atop the Bookshelf" on Lulu.

Catelyn Critchfield-Wilson, Author of Finding Eleanor

Today we are interviewing Catelyn Critchfield-Wilson, author of the regency romance / historical fiction novel "Finding Eleanor."

Tell us a bit about yourself.
 I'm 21 years old I'm married and live in San Antonio, Texas with my husband, Taylor,  and my dog. I'm studying English and creative writing and I have one year left before  I graduate. Finding Eleanor is my 1st book I've published but I've been writing since I was in 4th grade. I'm a triplet, the youngest of 5 children, and I grew up mostly in Australia.

Describe the plot of your new book, “Finding Eleanor,” in a few sentences.
Eleanor is a young woman who loves poetry and writing, but her father does not approve. When her father unexpectedly inherits a title, she is unable to pursue her dreams. She meets her neighbor, Martin, who seems to understand her like no one else. When her family discovers something she has been hiding, the pair must decide what to do.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
I feel that most women would appreciate this book because it looks at things that women had to deal with in the past, but we get to see how far we've come, and to appreciate all the choices that we have now. Plus, a little bit of romance never hurt anybody.

Overcoming oppressive cultural realities is a major theme in your book. Was this something you always knew you wanted to incorporate into your story? Or was it something that evolved as you wrote?
The day to day reality for women in the regency era was a lot harsher than what we experience now. While books like Pride and Prejudice obviously show part of the struggles women had and how they had to get married, have a male relative support them, or they would have to be begging on the streets; I wanted to show this with a more relatable character who has a little bit of a more modern feel. 

I didn't just want to write a romance I wanted to include what it would have really been like for a woman back then and how if you didn't get married, especially if your parents didn't provide a dowry, you would have been In deep trouble. Also wanted to show how Eleanor doesn't just accept what's handed to her.

Tell us about your protagonist, Eleanor.
Eleanor is a 19 year old woman who grew up, not necessarily in poverty, but definitely without a lot of comforts. She always loved poetry and was able to study more than a woman would have usually been able to, because her father wanted to provide a way for her to make money either as a governess or a school teacher.

Eleanor also speaks her mind, perhaps a little bit more than other people would like. She isn't afraid to tell people when they've done something wrong, and at times that can get under some someone’s skin.

Eleanor’s life changes dramatically when her father becomes the Earl of Bowland. Tell us about what this transition is like for her.
Eleanor's transition from being the daughter of someone who was little more than a farmer, to being the daughter of an Earl was really hard for her. She knew she wouldn’t be able to pursue her passions because everybody was watching, and that was the hardest part for her; dealing with people who were in the higher circles of society, who paid attention to every little mistake, particularly the ones women could make, and use it against her and her family.

Martin is an interesting character who must make complicated decisions. Can you share with us a bit about his challenges? 
Martin's challenges arise chiefly from his brother. He was never supposed to inherit the title from his father, but when his brother was disowned, he’s forced to pick up the slack and care for his mother, two younger sisters, and a younger brother all of whom completely depend on him. He has to protect his sister's reputations, especially because of how his older brothers immoral actions reflect badly on them, and could affect them in the future, leading to little or no prospects of marriage. This leaves him a bit jaded. He’s quick to believe the worst in people as you're able to see in the story when it comes to Eleanor.

Eleanor is torn between her own desires and her duty to her family. Can you elaborate on Eleanor’s societal obligations and how she feels about them?
A woman's social obligation, especially a woman who is the daughter of someone with a title such as an Earl, is expected to make a marriage that will reflect well on the family, especially because dowries are involved. That means money is involved and women are expected to marry above their station in order to have a comfortable life and provide for their children. So as the daughter of an Earl, she needs to marry someone who at least matches him in rank or is at least rich enough to make rank matter a little less.

Her actions also reflect directly on her sister Lucy, as she is unmarried, and if she were to make a poor match, or do something that is deemed unacceptable by society, her sister would suffer by it, simply by being related to her.

What drew you to the regency romance / historical fiction genre?
I've always love the genre. I started reading Pride and Prejudice when I was I think 12. So when I found that people wrote about the era as modern writers, I thought it was really wonderful to include things that and are familiar to us now, while still remaining true to the era, and using it as a good setting, as well as a way to discuss pertinent problems.

What inspirations contributed to “Finding Eleanor”?
I usually draw inspiration from the people around me. It's hard to make a person seem realistic from scratch, without real character flaws, funny habits, or things like that. Also, just things like Pride and Prejudice, the idea of daughters needing to make suitable marriages was a big influence to me because it is so important.

Is there an author that had a major influence on your writing style?
I have to say Jane Austen because she's the master of the genre, obviously,  and I especially like the way she uses irony and wit with her characters to make certain situations stand out more and help you pay attention to them.

Who was your favorite character to write?
My favorite character to write would have to be Albert who is Martin's best friend from childhood. He’s just a very genuine person who's gone through similar things as Martin, but has perhaps learned to handle them, without allowing himself to feel like the universe is punishing him.

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
I'd like to think I changed a lot since my elementary school days when I first learned about creative writing and how to write a story. Being a creative writing major has also helped a lot, to learn more about my skills and to improve them, I think I've gotten better at making characters more realistic and using them to drive the story forward.

Are there any aspects (e.g. character building, world building) of your writing that you've been practicing?
I've been practicing a lot with my characters, making them feel like real people. I never want a reader to question why a character did what they did, and not understand the motivation. It’s one of the things a teacher told me to work on, and I've been doing my best to make 3 dimensional characters.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
To write more books of course! I've been writing for so long I can’t imagine stopping now. I'd love to write more historical fiction novels, as well as dabble in other genres such as young adult.

How have your readers responded to “Finding Eleanor” so far?
The initial response to reading my book has been very positive so far. Many readers say that they like Eleanor, and can relate to the situation she's in, especially with her family, and that the struggles she faces with pleasing everyone around her, speaks to them.

 One of my friends said she really like the romance aspect because it felt real and not forced.

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
I used to hate editing because it used to hurt my feelings, because I'd spend so many hours working on a book only to have it ripped to shreds. but now I understand how important it is and no one can write a very good book the 1st time around. As long as you have an open mind when you're editing and making changes you'll be able to have a much better finished product than what you could have done by yourself.

Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?

The only time I've ever had writer's block is when I'm told I have to write something, either for a class or whatever it may be, because I'm used to choosing what I want to a write, and working on it. So I'd have to say the only time I've struggled is when I'm told to write a short story, because I can never condense a plot into less than a 100 pages.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
I've already started writing my next book it's another historical fiction, regency romance novel, and is based around an artist who wants a grand tour and a former soldier returned from the East Indies.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Just a fun little fact is I set the story in Lancaster in Lancashire, England and that is a real place. I've used a couple of landmarks and if you ever want to visit where I set the story, you can!

Book Description for "Findign Eleanor":

A Regency Romance to take you to another place and time, overcoming oppressive cultural realities, finding love and watching it dwindle away, out of reach but never out of mind, or out of heart. Maybe it is your turn to Find Eleanor!!! Maybe it will help someone find You.  

Catelyn paints a brilliant picture from an era near the Bronte's and from a world of customs and etiquette not far enough removed to be unseen. Look at a love story from within the numbers of the Ton.

More Information
Buy "Finding Eleanor" on Amazon.
Like the author on Facebook.
Follow the author on Instagram.

Gemma Snow, Seduction En Pointe

Today we are interviewing Gemma Snow about her erotic romance novel, "Seduction en Pointe."

Describe the plot of your novel, “Seduction en Pointe,” in a few sentences.
"Seduction en Pointe" is an erotic dalliance set in Paris, where two people of differing backgrounds, personalities and lives come together over shared hurt and common desires.

Television star and all around bad boy, Nicco Castillo, is sent to Paris to learn ballet for the upcoming season, and so his producers can keep an eye on him. There, he meets Isabelle La Croix, his infuriatingly beautiful and icy instructor, who doesn’t trust performers as far as she can throw them. Over the course of their class, however, Isabelle and Nicco find common ground in their past loves and pain and the erotic needs that drive them. Though it’s difficult for both of them to trust, or ever love, again, they are deeply drawn to each other and, in the end, might just find that they’re both willing to fight for a shot at forever.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book? 

"Seduction" has a high heat rating, but it was very important to me that the erotic elements were deeply ingrained in the characters’ personalities and relationships, and not just there for the sake of a little titillation. I think anyone who loves the idea of a Paris affair, redemptive love or scorching heat between two people finding themselves, will enjoy it.

Tell us a bit about the main character, Nicco Castillo.
I loved writing Nicco. I think of the two main characters, he went through a much larger and in-depth development process. In the beginning, I knew I wanted a bad boy who liked to tease and flirt and didn’t take anything seriously, but the first iterations came out a little cardboard and two-dimensional. The deeper I got into writing Nicco, the more I understood that his behavior was rooted in hurt and a sense of losing who he was over his time spent in Hollywood. I think it’s a universal theme to struggle with a sense of self, and exploring Nicco’s journey to finding who he is, against a background of so much pomp and masquerade as Hollywood, was a satisfying and important.

What can you tell us about the relationship between Nicco and Isabelle?
So I’m all about the love/hate tension, and I knew from the start that "Seduction" needed that element, though it took awhile to figure out exactly why. For Isabelle, Nicco is a stark reminder of her ex-husband, who publicly humiliated her with his affairs. Nicco is a playboy, though a lot of that is his defense mechanism to deal with his own hurt, at his ex-boyfriend’s unfaithfulness, which Isabelle doesn’t find out until later.

A lot of their relationship is about seeing past what’s on the surface—Isabelle and Nicco both wear masks to cover up what’s been done to them, and when they eventually crack through, they see the people below. Playing around with the elements of performance, both artistically with the acting for Nicco and the ballet for Isabelle, and erotically, with this shared exploration into voyeurism and exhibitionism, was a huge element of that dropping the mask theme.

You have an interesting background, having an education in both journalism and creative writing. How does this impact your writing style?
My background in journalism has proven invaluable to my creative writing. Journalism has its own elements of creativity, but for the most part it needs to be polished, logical and organized, which helps temper some of the creative wildness. One of biggest crossovers is the interviewing process. When it comes down to it, both journalism and creative writing are driven by character, people, human stories. I can take what I’ve learned from writing articles and interviewing people and apply it to these fictional characters, which I believe helps create realer and better-rounded characters.

Tell us about your creative process, from initial idea to published manuscript.
Well, it’s supposed to be straightforward, but it never is. I’m a plotter. I like outlines and character charts and research notes and storyboards. I think that’s an element of the journalism showing through there. But no matter how prepared I think I am, things can change at a moment’s notice.

"Seduction" is a great example of that. I published an erotic short two years ago, and began playing with the idea of giving the different couples their own stories, so I went in with the intention to make "Seduction" a short story. Well, the press with the short folded and I suddenly was no longer bound to the original story—around when I realized that my book was way bigger than I thought it would be. So I rewrote it. And rewrote it. And rewrote it. I ended up with four major revisions of this book. The character of Giancarlo, Nicco’s best friend, changed a dozen times. I gutted the whole thing down to the names. Seeing the final product is as much a labor of love and sheer stubbornness on my part, as it is creativity, patience and determination on the part of my editor, Rebecca, who stuck by my side and guided me through really rough waters. Some books come easier than others, but they all have their stories.

You’ve written a few books and have a new one on the horizon. Have you noticed you tend to gravitate toward certain themes?
I do! So I write under two pen names, because of the heat level, and I write several genres, including historical and erotic. But across the board, it’s really important for me to write unique, independent and powerful women, and men who support them as they are. We often hear of the “strong female character” and I think that can be very limiting, in the sense that women can be leaders and role models for a thousand different reasons, and strength of character can show itself in a myriad ways.

For instance, Isabelle is an introvert and her power comes from keeping herself together through everything that happened with her ex-husband, an internalized and quiet sense of power and self. I’ve also written heroine pirate captains who show a much more obvious sense of strength. In my upcoming release, "The Lovin’ Is Easy," my heroine, Madison, comes across as a tough city girl, but her real freedom and independence can be found when she admits to herself that maybe it’s that very thing that’s been holding her back.

Women come in all shapes and sizes. Juliette Marillier is a master of writing heroines both within and outside of traditional female roles, and how they succeed and ultimately save the day by playing to their individual strengths and passions. I strive to make my heroines as real as possible, with faults and foibles, because we don’t need ‘strong’ women’, we need ‘real’ women.

Along the same line, it’s really important to me that the books I write are sex-positive and accepting. "Seduction" is all about understanding a deep-rooted desire and coming to grips with it alongside your partner. "The Lovin’ Is Easy" is a ménage relationship, which Madison has to come to terms with in order to move forward. Erotic romance continues to struggle against stereotype and condescension, I’m sure you’ve heard the term mommy porn before, but really it’s just another way to undermine women’s sexual desires. Women like sex, lots of varied and unique types of it, and being part of a community that cultivates a safe and accepting environment for people of all ilk to explore what calls to them is a fundamental reason for my entering this genre.

What is the most difficult aspect of writing for you?
It tends to be editing. I like to work on several stories or series at a time, largely because I can spend awhile letting a plot just saturate, ‘meeting’ my characters, so to speak, so that when I start the book it’s easy writing. One thing I’ve come across lately, in both "The Lovin’ Is Easy" and a current work in progress, "Leather and Gold" is that they’ve actually been doubled in size. That’s a really unique challenge, and one with a lot of pitfalls where continuity and character development are concerned, but in the case of both of these books, the longer version was undoubtedly the better version, so it ended up being well worth it.

Otherwise, I’d say the marketing elements. We can’t write if we can’t sell, but marketing, especially social media, can end up taking an incredible amount of time and at the end of the day, we’re supposed to be writing.

Tell us a bit about what we can expect from you for your next project.
Yes! So "The Lovin’ Is Easy" comes out at the end of September and is available for pre-order on the major retailers and early download through Totally Bound. Unsurprisingly, that’s part of a four book series (I love writing series!) set at the Triple Diamond Ranch in Montana, and I just finished up the first draft of book two! "The Lovin’ Is Easy" is the story of city girl Madison Hollis, who inherits a ranch from an uncle she’s never met. When she goes out to inspect the place for sale, she meets the two ranch managers, Christian Harlow and Ryder Dean, and ends up on a whirlwind of desire, family history and personal journey.

I’m also working on "Leather and Gold," which is historical BDSM. One of my favorite elements of writing historical is the built in tension, stemming from propriety and the rules of society. Adding this heavily erotic element into that has been a unique and fun challenge.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
"Seduction en Pointe" is fun! I know it seems a little serious and erotic and dramatic, and there are parts that are, but I think we all have a Paris love affair fantasy, and this book plays to that. The city is a huge part of the book, and is there any better place in the world to fall in love than Paris?

Thank you so much for hosting me, and for reading! I hope you enjoy "Seduction en Pointe!"

Where to get "Seduction en Pointe"
Seduction en Pointe on Amazon

Seduction en Pointe on Barnes and Noble

Seduction en Pointe on Google Play

Seduction en Pointe on Kobo

Seduction en Pointe on Loose ID

Connect with Gemma Snow on Social Media

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Howard Kaplan, Author of The Damascus Cover

Today we are interviewing Howard Kaplan about his spy novel "The Damascus Cover" (The Jerusalem Spy Series Book 1), which will soon be a feature film released in theaters 2017, starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Sir John Hurt.

Tell us about yourself.
I was born in Los Angeles and attended Berkeley as an undergrad.  I spent my junior year abroad in Jerusalem and with a friend visited Lebanon, Syria and Egypt so I began to see both sides which has been a lifelong goal to grasp how both sides of this conflict felt.   I have one son, 24, an English major who graduated from Oberlin College who as of late wonderfully been teaching me some things about writing.

Describe the plot of your novel, “The Damascus Cover,” in a few sentences.
"The Damascus Cover" is a plot within a plot.  There’s a surface story about a rescue of children from Damascus.  Then there is an underlying story unknown to the protagonist as he races through Syria and everything starts to go wrong.  He slowly learns it is intended to go wrong and there’s a twist near the end of the story that actually didn’t come to me until I was a good deal into writing it.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
I seem to have two kinds of readers:  those who love thrillers and those interested in learning something about the Middle East as my novels come with a good deal of history snuck in between the action.

What inspired you to write an espionage novel?
When I was 21 and 22, I made two forays into the Soviet Union to smuggle out manuscripts on microfilm.  At the time anyone leaving the USSR could not take unpublished writings with them as they were considered “property of the state.”  I was arrested and interrogated for four days though I had no incriminating documents on me.  I met some people in the espionage business along the way so I began to write about what I’d learned and seen in fiction form.

Kaplan as an extra on-set in Casablancas.

Much of the story is set in Damascus. What makes Damascus an ideal setting for the story?
Damascus is the oldest continuously inhabited city on the planet.  It’s actually an oasis, 50 miles from the Mediterranean, a desert oasis rung by a river with about every manner of fruit trees.  I spent some time in the city and did deep research to bring the city alive to the reader as it’s such an interesting place.

In “The Damascus Cover,” protagonist Ari Ben-Sion takes up a mission that he normally would turn down. What compelled him to accept the mission?
Ari is a man who has made a huge mistake that cost the life of a younger spy.  He’s plummeted from being at the top of his game and is desperate not to be put out to pasture, so he will accept about any mission.  He does not realize the head of the Israeli Secret Service uses Ari’s weakness to create a greater mission.

Tell us a bit about the relationship Ari and Kim.
They are strangers who meet, both with secrets, who unburden to each other but are mindful at the same time not to divulge too much.  Ari’s marriage has come apart and like with his mission he is trying to grab again at life.

“The Damascus Cover” is the first book in the Jerusalem Spy Series. What can readers expect from the rest of the books in the series?
The second book, "Bullets of Palestine," has already been published and the series will continue from there with those characters though the head of the Israeli Secret Service will continue through the series.

“The Damascus Cover” will soon be a major motion picture. What can you tell us about the upcoming movie?
The film adaptation stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Olivia Thirlby (Juno, Goliath) as Kim and Ari.  There is great chemistry between them.  I was on set in Morocco for some of the shoot.  The head of the Israeli Secret Service is played by Sir John Hurt, who recently passed after an illustrious career.  We are beyond lucky to have had him with us.

Thanks for speaking with us about your book and the upcoming motion picture adaptation!

An excerpt from the opening of "The Damascus Cover":

DOV ELON sat in the dirt in his cell leaning against the whitewashed wall. The cubicle, three feet by five feet, was windowless. The air stank of urine. A can, his washbasin, lay on its side in one corner. A thin blanket covered the mound of damp straw piled in the other.

Dov’s eyes rested on the food trap in the door. Not long before he’d heard the banshee cry of the muezzin beckoning the Muslim inmates to prayer. He assumed a bowl of jasmine tea would soon be pushed through the food trap, but he wasn’t sure. The previous day he’d been transferred from Tadmor Prison, near the ancient Greek ruins of Palmyra in the north, to Sigin al-Mazza, on the outskirts of Damascus.  He didn’t know if his new guards would feed him regularly or at random intervals. So he waited, listening for approaching footsteps, not moving—for every shift in position arched pain through his bruised body. After a while he closed his eyes. The minutes fell away. There were no sounds. The silence hummed in his ears.

Learn More about "The Damascus Cover"
Buy The Damascus Cover on Amazon
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IMDB page for The Damascus Cover

Janie DeCoster, Author of Men @ Play

Today we are interviewing Janie De Coster about her novel, "Men @ Play."

Tell us about yourself. 
Janie De Coster love of reading is what inspired her to take a step into the writing world. She pens stories of real life drama.She likes to travel, shop and spend quality time with her husband, children and grand children.

Describe the plot of your new book, "Men@Play," in a few sentences.
 The plot of Men@Play is to high-light issues of mental illness as well as fidelty as it plays out in the prestigeous world of two best friends.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Anyone who have been or presently in a relationship that presents itself with the issues mention above.

What inspirations contributed to this book?
I always inspire to write about real life situations and I like to shine a light on what is relevant in peoples lives.

Who was your favorite character to write?
I would say Donavan Lattimore. He is a complex man who relishes in controlling his life as well as others.

Tell us a bit about the relationship between the two main characters, Donavan and Winston.
Donavan and Winston are the best of friends and they have each other's back always; Although Winston carries the greater load since he is the one that cleans or cover up Donavan's messes.

Both Donavan and Winston, despite both being married, have continued their player lifestyles. Is this because they are unsatisfied in their marriages? Or is it just part of who they are?
 No. the men have lovely wives who they love dearly. As for Donavan, he finds himself still in love with his high school sweet heart. while Winston loves playing the field. Both men have entitlement personas due to their wealth and fame.

What was your favorite part about writing this book?
 I had fun in watching the character's unfold and lead me into telling their story.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
 Yes, my favorite is Kimberla Lawson Roby and Eric Jerome Dickey

More Information 
Buy 'Men @ Play' on Amazon
Visit Janie De Coster's author website
Check out Janie DeCoster's GoodReads page

Teiran Smith, Author of Rooter

Today we are interviewing Teiran Smith, author of the new adult romance "Rooter."

Describe the plot of your new book, "Rooter," in a few sentences.
Sophie is infatuated with Rooter, the "vicious criminal" next door. After a series of rescues and Rooter saving her life, they embark on a passionate romance. But there are those who will not leave them be. Mike, Sophie's roommate is obsessed with her and Candace, Rooter's crazy ex-friend-with-benefits refuses to let him go without a fight. When Sophie is accused of committing an unforgiveable crime, Rooter ends the relationship and Mike's obsession turns deadly.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Anyone who enjoys a romance filled with angst, drama, and sexual tension, will probably enjoy reading Rooter.

What inspirations contributed to this book?
I wanted to write a story with fiery, flawed, yet lovable characters dealing with real life situations. There are so many cookie cutter romances out there where the characters are super likeable, and sweet, and kind. That's not always real life. Life isn't always sweet.

Author Teiran Smith.

Tell us a bit about the main character, Sophie.
Sophie has been through hell in her short life. All she really wants is a normal life and to know real, unconditional love.  She's much more self-conscious and unsure of herself than she even realizes. Her mother, and only family, never truly cared for her and committed suicide when Sophie was in high school. Her first and only boyfriend stole her virginity by raping her. The only constant, loving presence in her life is her best friend, Miranda and he family. But Miranda's parent's have both recently passed. Sophie now lives with Miranda and her brother Mike. But things are complicated between the three of them since Mike is in love with Sophie, but the feeling isn't mutual. She's completely enamored with Rooter. Her interest in Rooter only makes things more complicated and tense.

Rooter is a self proclaimed bad boy, so even though he's crazy about Sophie (to the extent of learning everything he possibly can about her) he refuses to bring her into his dangerous world. But after coming to her rescue a number of times, he finally gives in and admits his feelings for her. But he has a past and connections that he can't just cast aside. He really tries to do right by everyone although it often times causes more trouble than good. And despite his huge heart, Rooter is seriously flawed and complicated and at times infuriating.

What drew you to the new adult romance genre?
I love the new adult genre. The very first new adult story I read was Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. I was instantly hooked. I've been writing New Adult stories before it was ever a genre. So to find books by Colleen Hoover and Jamie McGuire was like finding buried treasure! And it gave me the confidence to publish my work.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
Definitely Jamie McGuire, Colleen Hoover and Katy Evans.

Tell us about your creative process, from initial idea to published manuscript.
My creative process is so haphazard. Something will spark an idea and I just run with it. I don't do drafts, but I do make notes about scenes and dialogue to use throughout the story. I write by the seat of my pants but usually always know my beginning and ending before I start. Once I start writing, I just let my characters take me on their journey. Then, I polish the story in editing. The most difficult part, by far, is writing the book's blurb. I suck at writing blurbs!
 
How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
I think it's a good thing, ultimately. They are convenient and affordable. Hard cover books and even paperback can be very expensive. I think being able to buy ebooks affordably has increased the number of books that are being read. Additionally, it has helped make indie authors more visible. Ebooks have completely changed the game in my opinion.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
I just want to be writing and publishing new stories. Hopefully I will have published several books by that time in both the new adult genre as well as literary fiction.

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
I love writing! Everything about it. I detest the editing process. Everything about it. Ha!

What do you have in mind for your next project?
My next project is the second book in the Double H Romance series, told from Rooter's POV. It will be released in Spring 2016.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
I don't do sweet (in large doses anyway). There is plenty of foul language, some violence, and while Rooter isn't an erotic romance, there is some explicit sexual content. So if you have delicate sensibilities and are offended by any of those things, it may not be the book for you. But if you enjoy angst, drama, highly emotional situations, passionate characters and romance, give it a try!

Book blurb for "Rooter":

Sophie is obsessed with Rooter, the “vicious criminal” next door. After her jealous roommate, Mike, catches her chatting with him, he attacks her in a fit of rage. Rooter comes to her rescue and Sophie quickly falls for him. When she’s attacked yet again, Rooter swoops in and saves her and finally admits his feelings for her. But his secrecy, controlling tendencies, and crazy ex-friend-with-benefits threaten to tear them apart. When she’s accused of committing a brutal crime against Rooter, will he be there to save her when Mike’s infatuation turn into a deadly obsession?

More Information
Buy "Rooter" on Amazon
Check out Teiran Smith's website

Alesia Matson, Co-Author of Raven's Tears

Today we are interviewing Alesia Matson, co-author (with Michael Matson) of the urban fantasy novel "Raven's Tears."

"Raven's Tears" is on sale during August 2015! Get your copy here.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Michael and I are currently living in far northern California. He retired for the third time in 2013, and I for the second time, and rather than growing old and bored and bad-tempered and maybe stabbing each other before we hit our 60s, we thought we might try writing, instead. So far, it’s worked out fairly well.

Describe the plot of “Raven’s Tears” in a few sentences.
Two people who’ve been lying for most of their lives fall for each other. Somewhere amid the deceptions and betrayals, they have to find what’s true about themselves, and each other, before her past catches up with them both. Set amid all the fantasy trappings of the world of Menelon, the book’s protagonists must ask - and answer - the question: What wouldn’t you do for love?

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Anyone who likes strong, smart characters falling for each other in a metropolitan setting. If you like crime dramas and police procedural elements in your stories, you’ll find something to like in Raven’s Tears, and especially anyone who’s ever wanted to read those stories in a fantasy setting - magic, swords, elves, dragons -  is going to find a lot to love.

What inspired you to write a book with elements of both fantasy and romance?
Michael and I are role playing gamers from way back, and we’ve always most enjoyed books that had all the elements of the kinds of games we liked to play. We’ve also always written - most of our courtship was conducted via the written word, actually - so fantasy role playing and romance blurred into fantasy romance when we put together the plot for this series. It’s much more difficult to market, but the feedback has been so positive that we know we must be on to something.

Who was your favorite character to write?
Angelique Blakesly, the eponymous “Iris” of the story. She’s a woman who had a crappy hand dealt to her early in life - horrid, really - and has had to make some pretty crappy choices in order to deal with it.  On top of it all, she’s dealing with the onset of some symptoms of a mental illness while concealing her secret identity as a high-stakes burglar AND falling in love with a man who’s just as twisted up as she is, in his own way. It’s been a high-bar challenge for a first book/series, but I’m enjoying it a whole lot.

What was it like to write on a husband-and-wife team?
=heh= About what you’d expect, really. Adding to the fun is the fact that Michael and I are polar opposites in almost every way except in being deeply committed to our art. So, we disagree a lot, and we fight about the story and what’s best for it, but always because we’re both so passionate about it. Then we resolve our differences, kiss, and make up - and yes, the whole world looks brighter in the aftermath of one of those fights.  In the end, I do believe that the catalytic nature of our relationship makes it into our books. We’d like to think that this energy drives our stories - and so far, our readers seem to concur.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
Many. My husband’s more a prosaic Tom Clancy guy, while I’m reading Salman Rushdie, Patrick Rothfuss, and Neil Gaiman. Robert Heinlein was a seminal influence in my writing style, and Molly Ivins, though she considered herself a journalist, taught me so much about how write with humor - and that iconic southern grace which I’ve yet to master.

How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
We’re all for them. Ebook readers provide access to stories for people who otherwise wouldn’t get it - like the homeless, or the disabled - as well as giving readers access to large - I’m talking VAST, here - libraries of books of all genres and perspectives. In my opinion, anything that increases the overall readership of books is going to be good for the book industry. Whether or not it’s good for the art of storytelling remains to be seen.

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
I don’t like editing for grammar and punctuation. I adore brainstorming the plot, creating the characters, setting up the backdrop. I’m all right with the rewriting phase of editing, where I’m revising drafts, adding material, taking it out - that’s a bit of fun really, like sculpting the story from raw clay - but the nit-picky stuff I only love when I pay a proofreader to do it.

Tell us a bit about the “Raven’s Tears” promotion in August.
We’re giving readers one last chance to buy into “The Raven & The Iris” trilogy - and the world of Menelon as a setting - at a deeply discounted price. For the month of August, the price of the ebook only drops to $1.99. Then, in November, the second book in the series will be published, and we’ll run a 3 day give-away for it on Amazon and on MetaphorPublications.com as part of the launch party.

The next book in the series, “Dead Man’s Trigger,” comes out in November. Without giving too much away, what can you tell readers about it?
When the narrative resumes, a bit of time has passed, while nothing much on the outside has appeared to change. However, there’s so much going on just beneath the surface, and we take the reader deep into the seamier side of Fernwall - and the two protagonists - as the consequences of their choices mount. In “Raven’s Tears,” the reader met Angelique Blakesly; in the sequel, Raven and the reader get an extended introduction to Iris. I can’t tell you much more than that without “going spoiler,” but I can promise you that with the continuation of the story, we push these two to the breaking point in order to make them face the truth about each other, and about themselves.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
This ebook has a secret mission: It also serves as an introduction to the fantasy world of Menelon. You’ll find clues to that mission throughout the whole ebook  - they’re active links that, if tapped or clicked, take you to an entry in our wiki that will give you more information on the subject! So, you can learn more about the Clocktower than we could spare words to include in the books, and about Guardian Paladins, Fernwall, and much more. Some of the secondary characters in the books have entries too, and we’re constantly adding new material to that database for our readers’ enjoyment. What’s more, we’re opening up the world as a setting to other writers, and possibly to role playing gamers as a setting for fantasy games. The wiki can also be accessed through Metaphor Publications’ website -- https://MetaphorPublications.com -- but you’ll need to create an account to access it from there. If you’ve got aspirations to write fantasy but haven’t had the time and energy to build your own setting, you might give ours a look. There are other ebooks that are set in Menelon available on our website, including a free short story, and lots of ways to get in touch with us here if you like what you see!

An excerpt from "Raven's Tears":

“Bishop-Florian security is tight for this exhibit,” Louis had told her, stretching out the floor plans for the venerable old building over his desk. “They’ll have attack dogs, of course, and extra guards besides. That’s nothing new,” he’d smiled; a mirthless expression, but Angel had already become engrossed in the drawings in front of her.

She had always been a quick study. It had been one of the qualities that had originally endeared her to him. The woman who greater Fernwall knew as Lady Angelique Blakesly, in fact, possessed a suite of talents that had once made her a desirable apprentice in the slippery, chaotic world of post-war Püran-Khir: keen intelligence, fast reflexes, good instincts, decent strength, and cold-blooded fearlessness when faced with a challenge. Happily, these were also traits that made her an even more valuable “associate,” lacking a better term for it, in the confines of peaceful, civilized Fernwall. Louis had watched her avidly, almost greedily, as she pored over the drawings, delighted with what he saw. Angel’s mind was taking in the information before her at a phenomenal rate, memorizing and collating data with an ease that surprised anyone who might have mistaken such loveliness for shallowness.

This job was much more challenging than any she had previously attempted. Still, he had few doubts she’d succeed. Any woman who could successfully deceive the entire noble class of Fernwall and keep that web of lies intact for years could certainly figure out how to infiltrate a museum and take whatever she wished. In this case it was a mere bauble, a necklace crafted by dwarven smiths so far back in history, humans had no clear record of it. The necklace, ‘Mâgun-Zak,’ had been a gift to the royal family of Vin-Nôrë from their dwarven neighbors, and was quite literally priceless. The metal wasn’t silver, but niobïtan. The centerpiece was molded and etched to resemble a raven’s head and wings, bejeweled and shining iridescently. Each stone, tear-drop cuts scintillating like the source of light itself, were “flawless” by human standards. When one looked closely, one saw that each delicate link in the interlocking chains had been etched with countless dwarven rune-letters, reputedly a prayer to Eldar their ancient God, to bless the wearer with health, protection, good fortune and long life.

Louis didn’t believe any of it. But then, Louis had lost his faith in a lot of things long before the Great War was over, and had resigned himself to the reality that most people stubbornly insisted on clinging to theirs. What he believed in today was power—and money, because money was the fuel every engine of power required. To that end, he’d once recruited a very young girl in a very bad place, raising her up into what had become a very interesting
and lucrative partnership.

“Angelique Blakesly” was a fiction, of course. A cover, suitable for hiding her true purpose in the city: gathering information, from the inside, for the high-stakes thefts he selected, and directed. A quite lovely fiction, he mused, watching her complete her first study of the floor plans. Louis understood young Vincent Sultaire’s fancy for her. He didn’t quite understand what she saw in Sultaire; but then again, a woman’s mind was always a mystery. He’d resigned himself to that, too.

“You’ve studied The Spider’s methods,” he’d then said, puzzled at her
extended silence. “Do you know how you’ll do it, yet?”

More Information 
Buy "Raven's Tears" on Amazon

Eli James Summers, Author of The Winter Experience

Today we are interviewing Eli James Summers about his gay romance novel "The Winter Experience."

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m not really the most fascinating person, even if I do pretend I am. I’m a normal homebody gay male. I enjoy spending my time writing, watching netflix or having an impromptu dance party at work. I’m currently working three jobs and saving up money so I can go back to school and get a degree in something that peeks my interest. Right now, that looks like it might be accounting. If I could write for a living, that would be something amazing. I love writing, so that could be something that makes absolutely everything awesome. For now, I’ll let my dreams live on while I work with numbers. Although, if I can have my five year old dream of being a police car, that would be pretty sweet; I won’t even lie. I’ve always had a crazy imagination.

Describe the plot of your new book in a few sentences.
Mattie Hawkins moves from a small town to a much larger city where he meets Morgan Winters, whom he falls in love with. They set out on a journey of love, self-acceptance and cute romanticness. Although like life itself, sometimes things don’t turn out exactly the way you intended it to.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Probably other hopeless romantic gay boys. I also feel like fangirls of gay love would also feel the love in this book.

What inspired you to write a story about two teenage boys navigating romance and growing up together?
I’ve written a few stories that have had the main character as adults, seeing as that’s where I am in my life. But I wanted to do something fun and so I decided to have characters that were younger in age, when you didn’t really have to worry about normal household things like bills, having a job or having a family.

One of the protagonists, Mattie Hawkins, moves to Saskatoon and experiences a very different environment from what he was used to before. How does his experience at Saskatoon differ from where he lived before?

Author Eli James Summers.

Well, the biggest difference would definitely be that he met Morgan Winters *laughs*. He went from a very unproductive community, one that judges based on something as simple as sexuality to a community that embraces his differences and loves him exactly for who he is. It sort of happened to me when I went from elementary to high school. 

Describe the protagonists, Mattie and Morgan.
Opposites would be the simple answer. Mattie is the serious, get-to-work and make the money kind of guy. He did have a lot more fun after meeting Morgan but he is the cynical one, the one that would much rather just go day by day getting the best marks he could and getting some super serious job somewhere in the corporate world. Morgan is care-free, he just lives each day like it’s the last. He’s not worried about people or their opinions or really what happens tomorrow, he’s a very for the day kind of guy.

Were you able to draw from your own high school experience in writing this book?
My high school experience was nothing like this book, I don’t know where these ideas came from. In high school, I ended up being the school’s clown, always putting on a show for everything. Most high schools have their “cliques,” where people hang out with other people like themselves. I never had a clique, I just hung out with everyone. I liked something about everyone.

Who was your favorite character to write?
It’s very hard to pick your “favourite” character as an author, they are all your favourite because they are all your babies. Each one of my characters has given me something to think about, given me somewhere to go and think about where they need to be. If I was to choose one of my favourite characters, I would have to say Julian Coufe, the best friend of the main character who wasn’t actually meant to be a main character. He was supposed to just kind of be there, but then I saw the spark between him and Jenny and I knew I had something special, he just grew in my heart and he just seemed so amazing to write.

Tell us a bit about your creative process, from initial idea to finished manuscript.
I’m a hot mess, that’s probably how you could describe my “creative process”. I don’t really have one, an idea springs into my head and I just run with it. *laughs*

How long have you been writing?
I wrote poems and short stories for school when I was thirteen, but when I turned seventeen it really took off for me. I had been watching “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” for a few years and I loved vampires and monsters and the whole idea of there being one girl in all the world to pretty much save it. So, that’s where my first ever novel idea came from. I guess you could say I’ve been a writer for 12 years.

How do you think you’ve evolved as a writer since you first started?
Grammar! *laughs*. I’ve learnt how to make my emotions and the creative thoughts I have in my head come out much better. My dialogue has also had an uplift. When going back and reading those stories I had back in the day to today, you can totally see the huge difference a few creative writing classes can make.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
David Levithan is one of the biggest. His book, “Boy Meets Boy” was so well written but it didn’t bog you down with all the writing. It was light and fluffy, a really beautiful thing. It inspired me to leave some things to the reader’s imagination.

How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
Ebooks have given indie authors something they never had before; a voice. It’s become a market for authors who might not have the means or type of book publishers are looking for to get published in their own ways. I also look at the environmental aspect of ebooks, it’s much better for the environment to have books on an electronic device then in paper format. I am definitely pro-ebook.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
I would like to have a steady income coming in from writing, not be world famous or anything but I would like to have a good fanbase. I’m not really into fame and fortune, but if this does happen by some weird creative force, I don’t think I would complain. I’d be able to support the LGBT community with donations a lot better!

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
Writer’s Block is absolutely the worst thing an author can have happen to them. Here you are, having a great time writing the best book in the world one minute and then the next, BAM! You’re sitting there with a blank word document, wondering if you might be able to actually put words down on the page. It’s a terrible thing. Other than that, I love writing. It’s freedom of expression for me, I couldn’t ask for more.

Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
Music, that is the one greatest piece of advice I can give someone. If I’m ever in a pickle and don’t know what to write, I just turn off the computer and listen to music, sometimes it can get the juices flowing and words out of your head. If I’m having trouble writing, I also just go for a walk or do something else. The worst thing you can do when having Writer’s Block is to force words out, the story will be terrible if you do. Don’t ever give yourself a deadline, you’ll never reach it.

Do you write with a computer, typewriter, or pen and paper? Why do you use this tool?
I use a computer, it’s just easier to change ideas and whatnot. Sometimes I write a chapter and re-read it to see what I like about it and I can’t find a thing. It’s much easier to just backspace the whole thing them rip out the paper and start again. Plus, again it is better for the environment then throwing paper out everywhere. *laughs* I’m an environmentalist author, have you ever heard of that before? I think I might be a new breed.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
I’m currently working on the third book of the Seasons Experience Collection, which would be “The Fall Experience” but I do have other ideas floating around, so it could be something completely different.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
If you’re looking for cute romance, boys falling in love with other boys and the journey they go through when they do fall in love, this is the book for you. It’s a cute, fluffy story about life, love and loss.

As a special for those reading this interview, you can get a free copy of “The Winter Experience” by going to the designated book page (right here) and putting in the coupon code, MM95J on checkout. This is only available on smashwords, so you must have an account with them.

An excerpt from Book #1 of the Seasons Experience Collection:

Prologue
I looked down at the photographs pinned throughout the scrapbook. I ran my fingers throughout the pages, remembering everything about the boy in the pictures. I never thought in a million years Morgan Winters and I would have ever started something as exciting as we did. From the tennis practices to the video game sessions in our underwear, I was in love with every part of his life. I loved every minute I spent with him, and I never wanted to leave his side no matter what.

I looked down to see the first picture we ever took together…  it was the first day of high school. Everyone was nervous to meet new people, start at a new school, and get new teachers, but Morgan seemed cool and collected with his camera in hand and a smile on his face. He had no worries. He wasn't interested in the future. He was only interested in what was happening right now, in the present.

It was a cool September day, and summer had left us behind as fall moved in quickly. It had gone from the blistering heat of the summer sun to the cool air of fall. I had a sweater hugged tightly to my body, and my fingers were getting slightly cold as I walked through the courtyard to the main doors. I looked up at the seven story building, not knowing how the hell this was a school and not an apartment block. I turned around to say goodbye to the open air of the world and say hello to the cramped hallways of Levitt High School. Sighing, I turned on my heels and went to open the door, only to touch the hand of someone beside me.

I quickly pulled away and turned to who the hand belonged to, and my heart stopped right there. I could feel my breath hitch, and my lungs wanted to burst. The boy standing beside me was gorgeous, well at least gorgeous in my eyes. His mousy brown hair clung tightly to the sides of his face, and he was wearing some ripped up skinny jeans and a red band tee-shirt. A small hoodie clung to his figure as headphones bounced with his movements. I found myself staring at this boy as a small smile danced across the thin lips of his face.

"S-sorry. I'm n-new here." I cursed at myself for stuttering. That's not how I normally talk, but I found it hard to find words with this boy staring at me. I quickly moved backwards, letting him open the door, but he just stood there and stared at me, that beautiful smile never leaving his face.

"It's all good. So you're in grade 10 are you? I'm in grade 12, so this will be my last year at Levitt." The way he talked seemed so effortless like he wasn't scared of anything. I was jealous. I wanted to be as carefree as that, but here I was, staring at this boy and trying to think of something cool to say.

"Oh. Out with the old and in with the new." I caught myself, and red started to form on my cheeks as his smile started to grow. "I mean, not that you're old. You're only in grade 12, but you know... I'm new to this school, and you're about to leave and that I guess makes you old. Not old as in grandpa old, because why would you be in school if you were as old as a grandpa? Why would you even be alive, y'know? Not saying nobody’s grandpa is alive..." I was rambling, and I really hated when this started happening. God dammit I probably sounded like an idiot.

"You're cute, did you know that? Here, I'm on the yearbook committee, let's get a picture of the new and the old, shall we?"

Without any further words, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and put the camera in front of our faces.  He quickly snapped a picture before I even had time to fix my hair. I stood there with a dumbfounded look on my face, trying to think of what to say next, "Do I get a copy of that?"

The smirk returned to his lips, "What are you going to do with it? Masturbate to my beautiful face?"

I was now all shades of red, trying my best to not giggle or something really stupid. I looked up at him, and I saw his eyes, they were dancing and glistening with amusement. I wanted so badly to look into his eyes as I kissed his lips and put my hand through his hair. It was at that moment, I think I fell in love with Morgan Winters. I think it was that moment that I wanted nothing more than to be with him every day of my life, until the end of my life.

"Hey, Morgan, who's the new kid?" I heard a boisterous and deep voice call from behind us, and I turned to see another boy jogging to us. I turned back to Morgan, who was not going to be taken away from me by one of his friends. What if I never got to see him ever again? Well, of course, I would see him, because we go to the same school, but would this be the last time I was ever able to talk to him? I didn't think I would ever get this close to him again.

"I never did get your name, kid. I'm Morgan Winters. You are?"

I thought for a second, trying to think of a cool name, but decided on my own, "Mattie."

"Well, I'll see you later, Mattie."

He walked into the school, and I suddenly realized I never answered him. I swung open the door and yelled inside, "I'll only do that if you want me to, Morgan." I saw him turn around, the same devilish smirk on his face."I'll have one by the end of the day for you. Maybe I'll have to print an extra copy for you."

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