Destined for Dreams , a Series

Destined for Dreams

By Ginna Moran

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Nadia Petrov is an outcast in her tight-knit community of people with special abilities. Nadia must invade people’s dreams to survive. She sneaks into sleeping victims’ rooms, slips into their heads, and then turns their dreams into horrifying nightmares.

When a new girl arrives at her compound, Nadia can’t resist giving the girl a nightmare. In the dream world, Nadia discovers Hunter Sullivan, a soul trapped in the girl’s mind. Intrigued by Hunter, Nadia secretly builds a relationship with him in the dream world, and they find solace through each other. 
Unable to accept a love fated for dreams, Nadia must risk losing the safety of her community to help Hunter get back to his body before he’s lost forever. 
Embarrassed and conflicted by who she is, Nadia is an outcast even in her community of people with special abilities. Nadia relies on volunteers—thrill-seekers and horror junkies—to allow her to intrude their dreams. After an incident leaves her feeling more like a monster than ever, she fights to gain control over her ability. Can Nadia win the battle within herself before her humanity is lost forever? 
The Nightmare Inflictor is a prequel short story to the Destined for Dreams series.
Read as a prequel to the first book in the series, it opens the world of the book and enlarges the understanding of one the central characters. Personally, I wish I had run across this novella before I read Destined for Dreams, because it would have heightened my enjoyment of the book. Not reading it first was not a detraction, but would have just been a wonderful addition, and is a personal preference.
I deeply appreciate the fact that Ginna is taking the time to write these short, in depth novellas of the main characters. With each one, the depth and breadth of understanding of the series and the panorama of the story broadens. 
I look forward to continuing the series and watching the story blossom with each new chapter of its tale.

Review:

A new and upcoming young author has burst on the scene with a Young Adult Paranormal offering that leaves you spooked enough to make you think twice about a good night’s sleep.  Ginna Moran has reached into a world filled with people who have genetic special abilities, especially psychological ones.  How does one function in the normal world when you are not “normal”? Well, you don’t very well, especially if your abilities are super paranormal.  The human population of this future earth wasn’t so comfortable with this group of “super” being, either.

With the telling of the story of four young people who seek to find a safe haven in a world that is on edge because of human fear of their paranormal abilities, mistakes happen, lives are lost, and the least likely of people find bonds of friendship and even love as they seek to save the soul of one friend who otherwise will be lost forever.

What strikes me most about this novel is that these four young people, who have very little in common except for their uniqueness, come together in such a tight bond to protect and aid each other as the world continues to close in on them.  Even with their potential deadly differences, they come to care for each other and reach beyond their own fears and concerns as two of the principal characters circumstances continue to deteriorate. 

What each of the characters craves most is to “belong”, to “be accepted”, to be “loved” for who they are.  Though a universal theme, Ginna presents it in such a way, as to be appealing to not just the younger audience she wrote this for, but to a wider audience.  For we all know and understand that longing and need for acceptance and friendship, and can easily identify with the angst and terror that the characters are feeling as the story progresses.

The twisted kink of the love interest being between a soul living in the mind of a Sin-Eater, and a Nightmare Inflictor is truly original.  The only time they can communicate is when the Nightmare Inflictor, enters the Sin-Eater’s dreams to visit and talk to the Innocent Soul that was inadvertently trapped.  The interpersonal dynamics between the four main characters is complex, as the Soul Eater is not aware that the other two girls know about the guy who lives in her head and in turn she is not aware of the Nightmare Inflictor’s ongoing invasion of her dreams. 

I was thankful when I reached the last page of the book, for I knew I would be soon reading the continuing story of this interesting set of friends in a turned-upside-down-world.  Though the story is complex and intricate, the underlying story of the power of friendship and the fight for right is straight forward and powerful.  I see great promise for the entire series, as it unfolds and we come to know and appreciate each of the characters of this debut novel better.

I would definitely recommend Destined for Dreams by Ginna Moran. 

Rating:  FOUR STARS

The Nightmare Inflictor

By

Ginna Moran

Synopsis:

Born half-human and half-nightmare inflictor, seventeen-year-old Nadia Petrov struggles to find balance between her humanity and her predatory side. She must invade dreams to survive, though she hates inflicting terror in people.

Embarrassed and conflicted by who she is, Nadia is an outcast even in her community of people with special abilities. Nadia relies on volunteers—thrill-seekers and horror junkies—to allow her to intrude their dreams. After an incident leaves her feeling more like a monster than ever, she fights to gain control over her ability. Can Nadia win the battle within herself before her humanity is lost forever?

The Nightmare Inflictor is a prequel short story to the Destined for Dreams series. 

Review:

The Nightmare Inflictor was a wonderful addition to the Destined for Dreams Series. The series of vignettes about Nadia's dream sequences, her interactions with her best friend Alyssa, and her coveted short times with her beloved father gave great insight into this puzzling young lady. 

Read as a prequel to the first book in the series, it opens the world of the book and enlarges the understanding of one the central characters. Personally, I wish I had run across this novella before I read Destined for Dreams, because it would have heightened my enjoyment of the book. Not reading it first was not a detraction, but would have just been a wonderful addition, and is a personal preference. I deeply appreciate the fact that Ginna is Qtaking the time to write these short, in depth novellas of the main characters. With each one, the depth and breadth of understanding of the series and the panorama of the story broadens. 

I look forward to continuing the series and watching the story blossom with each new chapter of its tale. 

Interview:

* Where did the idea of an innocent soul living in a Sin Eater's mind come from?

When I was plotting Destined for Dreams, I knew that Nadia had to stumble upon some sort of major secret in a person’s head. One so big, that it would turn her world upside down. So I thought, what would be the craziest, most unexpected thing to discover in a dream? And that’s how Hunter came about. His character was much louder than his host, Jacqueline, so he ended up with his own perspective.

After I knew that Hunter had to somehow exist in someone else’s mind, I thought about all the different kinds or supernatural creatures who could do such a thing. I came across the idea of a sin-eater in my research and tailored Jacqueline’s abilities so she was capable of manipulating souls while also easily hiding who she was and what she could do. I put limits on all my creatures abilities, so they’re not all powerful, and since a sin-eater needs sins to redeem a soul, one who doesn’t carry the burden of major sins would not be redeemable and become trapped as a sort of punishment. Hunter is Jacqueline’s reminder that she’s not all-powerful.

* What drew you to the YA fantasy genre?  

I’ve loved fantasy for as long as I remember. I was a huge fan of Anne Rice as a teenager and actually wrote my first unpublished novel when I was fresh out of high school. My voice was distinctly young adult as were my themes and characters, so that’s how I ended up writing YA fantasy. My voice never grew up. Besides fantasy, I also enjoy writing YA contemporary that deals with themes of self-discovery and overcoming obstacles. Hopefully I’ll be able to share novels across both those sub-genres in YA.

*In the story Nadia struggle's with the perception of her as a monster.  I read your prequel novella, The Nightmare Inflictor.  After reading this, I came to understand that Nadia was half human and half Super.  Can you tell us how this affected her?

Coming from a nightmare inflictor father and a human mother left Nadia straddling both the human world and the supernatural world. Unlike her father who is in complete control over his ability and hasn’t known anything different, Nadia struggles with the constant fight between her humanity and her nightmare inflictor side. She wants the same control over her ability and life like she has when she takes control of a dream world. She despises that she lives off creating nightmares, with possible psychological effects on her volunteers/victims, and knowing her mother succumbed to insanity caused by nightmares, it gives her more awareness of the damage she can unintentionally cause if she lets her nightmare inflictor half take control.

*Destined to Dream is the first book in a series.  Can you tell us about the series and your vision for the series?

The Destined for Dreams series will follow Nadia and Hunter and their journey in navigating a world that leaves them star-crossed. As the series progresses we’ll get to see Nadia and Hunter manage life outside of the dream world and also get to see where Hunter comes from. It’ll definitely be a rollercoaster ride for all my characters. Besides Nadia and Hunter’s story I also have planned two companion series which will take place in the same Destined for Dreams world with different main characters, but don’t worry, some of the favorites will still make appearances.

*What is the title of your next novel that will be released?  What is the premise? When will it be out?

The next novel in the Destined for Dreams series is called Destined for Despair and will be out in early March. Below you can find the book blurb.

Life isn’t easy for seventeen-year-old Nadia Petrov once she’s in love Hunter Sullivan, a boy whose mother is on the board of the Human Preservation Agency, an organization determined to kill people with special abilities like her own. Desperate to experience a forever love, Nadia and Hunter risk their lives to be together even though the discovery of their relationship will not only destroy it, but will kill them in the aftermath.

A swell in HPA activity in a nearby city puts Nadia and Hunter on edge. Nadia finds her world falling apart when someone she loves is captured by the HPA and held prisoner in their termination facility.

Nadia and Hunter’s relationship must survive the ultimate test when Nadia, with the help of her friends, plans to cross enemy lines on a rescue mission to free her loved one. Faced with a heartbreaking decision, Nadia must decide if her love for Hunter is worth the fight or if she should accept that their life together is destined for despair…

About:

Ginna Moran started writing poetry as a teenager in a spiral notebook that she still has tucked away on her desk today. Her love of writing grew after she graduated high school and she completed her first unpublished manuscript at age eighteen.

When she realized her love of writing was her life’s passion, she studied literature at Mira Costa College in Northern San Diego. Besides writing young adult novels, she was senior editor, content manager, and image coordinator for Crescent House Publishing Inc. for four years.

Aside from Ginna’s professional life, she enjoys binge watching television shows, playing pretend with her daughter, and cuddling with her dogs. Some of her favorite things include chocolate, anything that glitters, cheesy jokes, and organizing her bookshelf.

Ginna is currently hard at work on her next novel.

Links to Books by Ginna Moran at Amazon.com

Destined for Dreams

The Nightmare Inflictor

Hunter's Curse

                   Advance Order:

Destined for Dispair - Book 2

   

INTERVIEW WITH LISA VERGE HIGGINS

Interview with

Lisa Verge Higgins

Before I start the interview with Lisa Verge Higgins, a noted award winning author, I want to introduce her a little.  I have had the opportunity of participating in book club reads, through Barnes & Nobles, of Lisa’s first three Women’s Fiction books, then under another venue hosted by The Reading Frenzy and Debbie Haupt, participated in her fourth book read. 

When you are reading a book over a month and discussing it at length with multiple women and the author things can get lively.  They did.  Lisa’s intellect and sense of humor quickly came out as at times keyboards burned with interactions between the participants and Lisa as we discussed the foibles of the characters in the book.  Shared laughter and tears made the circles on many occasions because we could identify with Lisa’s characters.  They could have been us or our husbands or boyfriends.  We all came to love Lisa dearly and the reading group grew with the reads, but few left.

It is with great joy, and much pride that I am privileged to introduce Lisa Verge Higgins you.  I hope that you get to know her in this interview and come to love her as much as I have, as you read her books.  And now for an interview about Lisa’s favorite book (and one of mine) and other tidbitsl

Lisa, welcome to Blogging Under the Shade Tree and Shade Tree Book Reviews.  We are so glad to have you with us today.  Could you tell us a little about your favorite novel, The Proper Care and Maintenance of Friendship?

I’d love to!  Proper Care is about adventurer Rachel Braun, one of those crazy live-in-the-moment women who arranges, in the event of her death, to have pre-written letters forwarded to her best friends—letters that challenge them to face their biggest fears.  Sarah, an international relief worker, is compelled to track down the only man she ever loved. Stay-at-home mom Kate must confront her fear of heights by skydiving and soon finds that her new hobby is affecting her once-tranquil marriage. And Jo, a media mogul voted “least likely to breed,” is given the most terrifying assignment of all: caring for Rachel’s orphaned and grieving little girl.

 Why did you choose The Proper Care and Maintenance of Friendship as your favorite of all your novels?

Honestly, I feel a little uneasy confessing that I have a favorite among seventeen novels, but I admit I suffer from “Precious Firstborn Syndrome.”  Proper Care was my very first novel of women’s fiction, and it’s particularly special to me because it was almost never born. 

Some of your readers may know that after my wicked past writing romances, I took a ten-year hiatus to raise my three daughters.  When I finally picked up my pen again, what came out of that rush of inspiration was the story that would become Proper Care.  A decade had passed since I’d been involved in the publishing world and many of my contacts had moved on, so like many mothers coming back into the workplace, I had to start anew.  I tried to sell the story for two years, getting lots of nibbles but no real bites.  Demoralized, I’d decided to dust off my chemistry degree and look for real work.

As sometimes happens in these instances, the Universe intervened.  I happened to see an opportunity to attend a speed-pitching session with a local writer’s group. To make the meeting would require an immense amount juggling and shuffling—a mother of three active girls always works on Saturdays.  I almost didn’t go, resigned that it Wasn’t Meant To Be.  But I took a deep breath, gathered the last of my heart, and with the generous help of friends willing to take over my schedule . . . I just did it.  It was there that I met my future editor, who loved my pitch and bought Proper Care within a week.

It’s no coincidence that in One Good Friend Deserves Another, Friendship Makes The Heart Grow Fonder, and even Random Acts of Kindness, my characters tend to leap off of cliffs (or bridges, or rocks). It’s one of the major themes: Great change often involves leaps of faith, and a willingness to break through fear in order to grow.

A chemist? Seriously?

Yeah, I know! When I first started writing novels, I was still studying for a Ph.D in organic chemistry. I loved teaching and research, but at the time I wanted to do something creative, too.  So I started writing a novel on the side.  Within a year I shocked my lab-mates by selling that book, and then over the next few years I sold more.  Eventually, I had to make the difficult decision of choosing between being a chemist or a writer.  It was one of those leaps of faith.  I’ve never regretted the decision.

As an interesting aside, my eldest daughter has a degree in physics, and she just sold three science fiction novels to Random House!  The first, Equation of State, is coming out in August 2015.  So the nut doesn’t fall very far from the tree....

Do you have any interesting anecdotes about writing the book?

Because Proper Care is quite different from my earlier books—which were all sexy, adventurous romances—this was the first of my novels that I allowed my (older) teenage daughters to read. 

After my middle daughter finished the book, she told me, quite bluntly, that it “made her curious about my sex life.” 

I said, “Honey, I’m your mother.  I don’t have a sex life.”

 

Where do you get your ideas?

I suspect there’s an “idea miasma” around us at all times, and those who are attuned to it—writers, painters, musicians—pull inspiration from the webbing all the time.  We take it this source for granted, which is why the question always pulls us up short.

One thing is for sure:  Women’s lives and women’s friendships are themes that thrum through all my stories, mostly because at this stage of life those issues have become close to my heart.  The books that I’ve been writing about lately involve a group of twelve women who went to high school together in the little Adirondack town of Pine Lake.  I’m having a wonderful time focusing on a small community of women who have been scattered about, and are only now starting to realize the importance of old friends.  Random Acts of Kindness is the first in the series—about a woman-in-distress who commits an act of generosity that comes back to her in ways she could never have expected. 

I dedicated that book to my mother, who took in foster children while I was growing up.  At various times in my childhood, there’d be six or seven kids sleeping in our little cape house. I just took this for granted. I didn’t really understand the magnitude of her generosity and kindness until I was older and had kids of my own.  Now I stand in awe of what she did for so many souls.

What are you working on now?

I’m thrilled to announce that my next book, Senseless Acts of Beauty, is now available for pre-order in anticipation of its March 10, 2015 publication date. Senseless Acts of Beauty takes up the story of two more Pine Lake women, one of whom is the notorious Tess Hendrick whose fate was left a mystery in Random Acts of Kindness. 

Tess has a secret: For fifteen years she has been furtively following the life of the daughter she gave up as an infant for adoption. But when Sadie runs away from home determined to find her birth mother, Tess has no choice but to hunt down the desperate girl in the one place she dreads—Pine Lake, where a terrible, buried secret threatens to destroy them both.

My editor and critique group have said that this is the most emotionally intense novel of the group.  I just finished proofreading the pages before it goes to press, and I still well up with happy tears when I read the ending.

As always, Lisa, you have been generous in sharing with our readers some of true meat of your work.  I personally look forward to once again reading your next offering to women’s fiction.  Each of your books, to date, have spoke to this reader and blogger.  You are a true joy to visit with.  Thank you for being here.

Awwwww.... thanks so much!  The pleasure has been all mine! 

Connect with me!

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3466934.Lisa_Verge_Higgins

 In the coming weeks look for book reviews at Blogging Under the Shade Tree

and Shade Tree Book Reviews for books reviews on all of Lisa’s Women’s fiction collection.

THE MERKABAH DECEPTION - Book Two

The Merkabah Deception

By

L.Z. Marie

I know I am in trouble and have found a compelling story series when, as soon as I have completed the current book that I am reading, I am online purchasing the next book in the series.  This is the quandary I have found myself in with the discovery of the Merkabah Series by L.Z.Marie.  The first book in the series, The Merkabah Recruit was a well written novel in my personal favorite genre (historical-thriller-romantic -woman’s-fiction—kinda, well a little of all the above).  As with any great first novel in a series, it left me panting and begging for more.

The second novel in the series, The Merkabah Deception utilized The Recruit as a diving platform to send me deep into the muck and mire of the ancient gods and demons ongoing battle of the spiritual world.  Much to my consternation and surprise, the battles are not so ancient and they continue to throw the clueless populace of planet earth into the middle of the fight, with us mere humans never knowing we are fodder for the battle.  With every turn of the page Ms. Marie sweeps you into new waves of angst and terror as she takes you through the streets and back country of the mountains and Amazonian Country in South America.  Just as you think you are sitting down to a quiet dinner to crash and recover from the day, you are ripped from your seat and into another whirlwind of the unknown.

The academia of the heroine professor (as well as that of L.Z. Marie) is evident all through the book. This is demonstrated in their minute detail and knowledge of the history of the area.  Ms Marie’s extensive study of the ancient histories and religions keeps both Daphne’s and the readers’ heads spinning as they try to stay out of the path of the dangerous Cryptivitas’, Brujos, and Witches that show up to bring down destruction and mayhem on mankind.  

  

The Nephilim mentor and protector assigned to Daphne, the heroine, has been declared taboo and off-limits by the powers that be. In spite this, an undeniable smoldering attraction continues to brew between the two of them.  A warfare of a different kind and on a different level leaves the Daphne and her Nephilim hero both breathless, exhausted, and distracted.  How will they ever survive it all and get the work-at-hand taken care of?  Will their smoldering passions ever be allowed to flame and light their world? 

A book to read and read again. 

You can find The Merkabah Series books at Amazon and Barns & Nobles.

Meet D.S. Schmeckpeper Author of Destiny's Wings

Today we want are featuring D.S. Schmeckpeper and their wonderful first novel of the epic series. Not only is it their first novel in a series, it is their debut novel. 

Synopsis

Celeste is tired. She just wants to be left alone.                          .   

For centuries, the half-blooded elf has hidden herself away from the world and lived in isolation. Things have been peaceful, quiet. But some have a greater calling, a destiny. When the humans unwittingly set about a plan to release the source of all evil back into the world, Celeste is called upon by an old ally to stop them, and to keep all of Altierra safe. 

Now she must face her past as she and her allies travel across the continent to save a world she has been apart from for eons. Will even her angelic birthright and druidic powers be enough to stop the rise of the last god?

                                                                                                        She never asked to be a hero.        

                                                                                                        Destiny can be funny that way.

             

Next, Dottie and Steve and shared a short excerpt from the novel that we can read.  

Arcus glared down at her. “Too easy.” Then he turned and started back for the bar. Before he could reach it, however, the door flew open and in walked three of the strongest looking men Arcus had ever seen. They shoved roughly past Arcus and marched straight for the table with the two girls and Joseph. Arcus stepped out of the way and waited. “Hey, you!” The man in front had brown hair and a full beard, and a ship tattoo on his upper arm. He pointed angrily at Joseph. “Yeah, I know it’s you. Joshua or Joseph or something like that. I know what you did – Sam told me! Now you’re gonna die!” “Excuse me, gentlemen.” Arcus had snuck up behind them and was standing with his hands behind his back. “What seems to be the trouble here?” “This doesn’t concern you, boy,” one of the other two men snarled. “Oh, but it does,” answered Arcus. “You see, this man may be an idiot, but he’s my friend, and I’m not going to stand idly by while you kill him. If anyone will kill him one of these days, it will be me.” “Thanks, Arc.” “No problem, idiot. Now, what did you do this time? Shall I guess that Sam is a girl?” “Umm…that would probably be a safe bet. Though, honestly, I don’t remember anyone named Sam,” said Joseph. “Why does that not surprise me?” quipped Arcus. “What do you mean, you don’t know who Sam is?” shouted the leader. “Sam is my girl, and you... you...” “Rocked her world?” Joseph grinned mischievously, and winked at the blonde and redhead, who had already backed away to another table, and were observing the proceedings with curiosity. “Was that really necessary, Joseph?” Arcus questioned, as the leader roared in fury. The leader lunged for Joseph, who ducked under the man’s arms, laughing. Arcus whipped his hands out from behind his back, and fire blazed up and down his forearms. He reached for the other two goons and slammed their heads together, scorching their hair. They bellowed in pain. The two girls and most of the other patrons all got up and rushed to the opposite side of the room, to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. The bartender cursed and demanded they break it up. The bystanders shouted taunts and cheers at the group, though to Arcus, the sounds all merged and then vanished altogether as he focused his magic. The man on the left pulled out a dagger, while the one on the right swung at Arcus. He absorbed the hit with his burning hands, which then flickered out. Then, he glared at the one with the knife. “Stop moving,” Arcus hissed in a hypnotic voice, and the spell immediately took effect as the man froze in place, still holding his knife awkwardly. He then turned to the other goon. Joseph ducked another swing, and then another. He dodged a vicious kick by hopping toward the table. The leader was clearly becoming more and more enraged. Finally, he found purchase and punched Joseph square in the nose, which shattered. Blood sprayed everywhere. Joseph lost his rhythm, and fell hard onto the table. He raised his arms to block the assault, curling in on himself. The man hit him hard in the ribs with his elbow. Joseph held up a shaky hand to cast a small, glowing bolt of energy at his attacker, which struck him in the face, just under his left eye. The man grunted in pain, but didn’t pause in his assault. Arcus shoved both of his hands flat against his remaining attacker’s chest. Lightning flashed from his palms and the man fell onto a chair without a sound. The chair crumbled to pieces under the onslaught as the smell of ozone filled the bar. Arcus turned to the leader. “Are you sure you don’t want to rethink this plan while you still have a chance? Take a look at your men; you are clearly outmatched.” Copyright © 2014 by D.S. Schmeckpeper

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  An Interview With the Authors

About this author

D.S. Schmeckpeper (a.k.a. Dottie and Steve Schmeckpeper) live in Florida, USA. They are a husband and wife team who work together to create the Land of Destiny series. Both have loved the Fantasy genre for many years and have wasted way too much time playing fantasy-based games. Dottie was a vocal performance major in college, before she decided a liberal arts major was not for her. Ironic, huh? They have two wonderful twin boys, who are three at the time of this publication. They are the light or their parents’ lives. Steve does the artwork and comes up with many of the story concepts. Dottie brings the ideas to life. When not working, writing or drawing, the pair love to take their children to Florida’s many amusement parks, and can often be found 

                                                                                    there.                                                                                                

 Hello   Dottie and Steve Schmeckpeper, can you tell us a little about yourself? Were you a reader when you were growing up?  What kind of books did you read then?  Do you still read those types of books or has your taste in reading changed over the years?

As a child, I was always into reading. I wasn’t exactly a popular kid, but I was definitely one of the nerdier ones. Teachers occasionally tried to take my books away from me, only to discover me reading from my desk with my book on the floor, holding it open with my foot. Eventually they all gave up. At ten years old, I would read anything from “Sweet Valley Twins” to “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton to the “Dragon Knight” series by Gordon R. Dickson. I’m happy to say that as an adult, I’ve moved on from SVT, but the others I would still read today.

·       Can you tell us a little about Destiny’s Wings?

It is book 1 in the Land of Destiny series. It is an epic fantasy, featuring elves, angels, dragons, cat-people, and many other fascinating races and creatures on an epic battle of good versus evil.

·       Who was your favorite character in the book?  Why?

As for which character is my favorite, you do realize that is like asking me which of my children I love the most, right?

“Celeste” is my main character, she is everything I wish I was. She may not be perfect, but she tries her best and makes decisions that she feels are best for everyone, even when it hurts her. I love her heart and her strength.

“Arcus” is my redemptive character.  Though he had a traumatic start to life, he tries to adapt to whatever life throws his way. He is the ultimate contradiction, pairing the destructive power of an elemental mage with the calm peace of a nature-wielding druid. He has darkness, so much darkness inside, but attempts to rise above his setbacks. I love his potential and his drive.

“Theri” (Therinsalla) is just fun. She is the heart and soul of the group. The only one there without an agenda of some sort. She’s just happy to be along for the ride. I love her spirit.

I love the rest too, for various reasons, but this answer is getting kind of long…

·       Could you share your favorite scene with us?  What made this scene really click for you? 

·       Sort of early on, there is a chapter that has Celeste and Tarnelius discussing their past and the mistakes they have made. At the exact same moment, Arcus is torturing and interrogating an orc.  I love the contrast between the two scenes happening simultaneously.

·       If you are like most of the world, English Literature was not your major in college, and writing has not been your career since you graduated from college.  So, what did you study in school and what interesting careers have you worked in?  Did these jobs influence your writing?

·       I was a vocal performance major. In layman’s terms, I was a singer. I also dropped out because I decided Liberal Arts was not for me. Ironic, right? Singing has been a constant in my life, but never really a career. Among other things, I’ve worked as a waitress, a game store clerk, a retail customer service rep, and currently work as a pharmacy technician. None of those influenced my writing... Well, maybe a game store clerk. A little. For the last year or so, I have been a beta reader for several authors and occasionally a proofreader. Those definitely influenced my writing.

·       Finally, if you could sit down for a private dinner with any great writer that has ever lived, who would it be?  What would you most want to talk about?

·       There are a couple of writers I would LOVE to sit down for dinner with… but I speak to them regularly anyway, so we could talk about anything. I love both K.S. Haigwood and Ella Medler, and would give anything to meet them. One day we will, I’m sure. If you were referring to a writer I do NOT have regular access to, then I’d have to say either Margaret Weis or Tracy Hickman. They were the co-authors to the Dragonlance series; my favorite fantasy series ever. I’d love to ask them, well, most of the questions you just asked me. What inspired them? I know that, like me, they got most of their characters from playing Dungeons and Dragons… but what kept them going for so many years and so many books?

Dottie, Steve, thank you for joining us to visit and to share a little bit about yourself and about Destiny’ Wings.  It is a joy to get to know a little about the author behind the pages.  We look forward to seeing you again.  You can find my review at  (Goodreads)