I can finally show you the cover to my latest novel, WE CRY THE SEA! This is the third in the series that started with THE MOTH AND MOON and continued in THE LION LIES WAITING. This time we see burly gay fisherman Robin Shipp set off alone on a perilous journey across the ocean!
The book is released on 15th March 2021. If you pre-order the ebook format here //ninestarpress.com/product/we-cry-the-sea/ you’ll get it three days early and you can use the code WELCOMEGQ to get 40% off! The code works across the whole site so you could buy all three books as a gift for someone, if you wanted to! You don’t have to but it would be nice, wouldn’t it?
I’ll have info on the print version soon!
Blurb:
After the explosive events of The Lion Lies Waiting, life has returned to normal for burly fisherman Robin Shipp. That is until the innkeeper of the ancient Moth & Moon approaches him with a surprising proposal, and an unexpected arrival brings some shocking news that sends Robin on a perilous journey alone.
While he’s away, his lover, Edwin, anxiously prepares for the birth of his first child with his friend, Iris. Her wife, Lady Eva, must travel to Blackrabbit Island for a showdown over the future of the family business. Meanwhile, Duncan nurses an injured man back to health but as the two grow close, the island’s new schoolmaster makes his amorous intentions clear.
Robin’s search for answers to the questions that have haunted his entire life will take him away from everyone he knows, across a dangerous ocean, and into the very heart of a floating pirate stronghold. Pushed to his limits, Robin’s one last chance at finding the truth will cost him more than he ever imagined.
THE MOTH AND MOON was released in March 2018 and THE LION LIES WAITING came out in December of that year. This book has been a long time coming but I think it was worth the wait.
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Today I have five questions with Valentine Wheeler about NO PARKING
Who is the star of your book?
NO PARKING by Valentine Wheeler
NO PARKING’s main character is Marianne, a divorced 60 year old bakery owner in small-town Massachusetts. She’s lived in the same town all her life and knows everyone in it and all their secrets… or so she thinks.
What is your story about?
It’s about finding your place. And it’s about making space for yourself when you really haven’t in a long time. It’s about taking charge of your life and your happiness, and it’s also about how great baked goods are.
When is it set?
It’s contemporary, but the history of the town is crucial to the story!
Where is it set?
A fictional town to the southwest of Boston. Massachusetts is a small state with very distinct regions, and the towns on the edge between the Boston suburbs and the rural parts of the state walk a really interesting line.
Why this story?
I wanted to write something about older bi women–so few stories feature older queer characters, and bi women especially. I want to be able to see people like me aging comfortably into themselves and not having to struggle with their identity. This isn’t a coming out story. This is a coming home story.
Valentine is a latecomer to writing, though
she’s always been a passionate reader. Through fanfiction she found her
way to an incredible community of writers who’ve taught her to love
making stories.
When she isn’t writing, she’s making bad puns, yelling about television, or playing with her small child.
Her life’s ambition is to eat the cuisine of every single country.
Today’s five questions are with Chel Hylott & Chelsea Lim about UNDERGROWTH!
Who
is the star of your book?
Undergrowth by Chel Hylott and Chelsea Lim
This is a hard one because the sentient carnivorous rainforest is so spooky and creepy itself, but… Mariam—she’s our narrator! She thinks she’s selfish, but when it comes down to it, she’s a survivor. Survival doesn’t preclude compassion.
What
is your story about?
Undergrowth is about deals with the devil and all
the terrible things that can happen when you don’t follow through, but it’s
also about building family when the world around you is falling apart. Oh, and
a planty apocalypse. Can’t forget the
jungle from hell.
When
is it set?
It’s contemporary and set during the spring and the summer.
Where
is it set?
Technically, it’s set in Los Angeles, but honestly? It’s not any LA that
we would recognize. In Undergrowth, LA has been taken over by a sentient
and dangerous rainforest: super smart and violent creatures, plants that can
literally choke the life out of you, and of course, lots and lots of rain. So, not really LA. But kind of!
Why
this story?
Because we wrote it when we needed
family. And it seemed beautiful to make
one like that, on the page, and for each other.
Undergrowth was written by two
friends, Chel and Chelsea.
Chel Hylott is a Brazilian-American living in the UK with her wife and pug. When
she’s not writing, she’s reading Tarot. Find her curled up on her setee reading
when it’s cold and wet, basically all the time.
Chelsea Lim is a writer and teacher living in Los Angeles, which she almost wishes were as green as it is in Undergrowth.
_____________________
The book sounds amazing! Thanks for stopping by to talk about it!
Holden Fay. He’s a fae-vampire hybrid who is looked down
upon for his mixed heritage. He’s a nice guy just trying to make his way in the
world.
What is your story about?
When a series of violent murders rock the supernatural
community, Holden must join forces with witch leader Valerius Blackwood to find
the killer. The fact Val is Holden’s crush only complicates matters!
When is it set?
It’s set in the modern era. To be exact, in 2017.
Where is it set?
The action takes place in London, England.
Why this story?
Back in 2017, I was watching a lot of supernatural TV shows
while also rewatching NBC’s Hannibal, and they all kind of blended together in
my mind to create this story! Holden and Val came to me as characters first,
and the rest of the plot slotted into place from there.
Blood is Forever
Asta Idonea
NineStar Press
74,000 words
MM/Paranormal Romance/Murder Mystery
Sometimes catching a murderer means risking one’s heart.
As a fae-vampire hybrid, scorned by all, Holden’s life has never been easy. The one bright spot is his job testing blood at supernatural crime scenes. It’s routine work, until the day he finds a victim he can’t read.
When one murder becomes two, and then three, it’s clear there’s a serial killer on the loose—one with a penchant for collecting hearts. Finding the bad guy could cement Holden’s career, but he’s drawing a blank. And it doesn’t help that the expert his boss calls in to assist him is the man Holden’s been crushing on for years.
With lives hanging in the balance, Holden and Val must solve the case before the killer strikes again. But will they come out with their hearts still intact?
You can watch my interview with DUBLIN CITY FM here:
We discussed my writing and in particular my new novel THE LION LIES WAITING. From how I went about building the world of the book to the way it builds upon events in THE MOTH AND MOON.
You can buy both novels using the following links:
For this instalment of W5, I’m delighted to welcome JP Jackson!
Who is the star of your book?
James Martin is the protagonist of Magic or Die. He is more
of an Anti-hero. At the beginning of the book, he’s drunk, living in a studio
apartment, lost – just a mess of a human being – when he gets a call from the
CMRD (Centre for Magical Research and Development). That call changes
everything and drags James back through haunted memories he’d rather not face.
The facility that once saved him now threatens to destroy him.
What is your story about?
Magic or Die is about a few things. Survival, becoming
part of a team, learning to trust others, and finding out how to let go.
When is it set?
The story takes place in the here and now – but in an
alternate reality where a percentage of the population is born with
magical/supernatural abilities.
Where is it set?
I’m always careful to ensure that my stories are Canadian
based. But I’ve never really said exactly where the story takes place. It could
be Edmonton, (where I’m from) or maybe Calgary, or Saskatoon, or…Somewhere on
the Canadian Prairies. That much is certain. I toyed with the idea of it taking
place in Vancouver – but Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver always get all the
action and I wanted to spread the Canadiana love around.
Why this story?
I have a serious love of all things dark and magical. If it looks like it might eat you or maybe help you…that’s my jam. There’s not really enough Urban Fantasy/Paranormal books out there that dance on that fine line – The Sookie Stackhouse series – the books the TV show True Blood were modeled after, are close. Those were written by Charlaine Harris. She has another series called Midnight Texas. Love both of them…but I wanted something edgier, a little darker, and of course, where the main characters were LGBTQ+. Both of those series have gay and lesbian side characters, but I’m tired of being the side character. I want books where we’re the heroes.
Magic or Die is the first book in a series, and each book will progressively get a little darker. Hopefully, someone will get eaten. ;o)
Blurb: James Martin is a teacher, a powerful Psychic, and an alcoholic. He used to work for the Center for Magical Research and Development, a facility that houses people who can’t control their supernatural abilities, but left after one of his students was killed, turning to vodka to soothe his emotional pain. The problem is he still has one year left on his contract.
When James returns to the CMRD to fulfill the rest of his contract, he finds himself confronting the demons of his past and attempting to protect his new class from a possible death sentence, because if they don’t pass their final exams, they’ll be euthanized.
James also discovers that his class isn’t bringing in enough sponsors, the agencies and world governments who supply grants and ultimately purchase graduates of the CMRD, and that means no profit for the facility. James and his students face impossible odds—measure up to the facility’s unreachable standards or escape.
J.P. Jackson works as an IT analyst in health care during the day, where if cornered he’d confess to casting spells to ensure clinicians actually use the electronic medical charting system he configures and implements.
JP Jackson
At night however, the writing happens, where demons, witches and
shape shifters congregate around the kitchen table and general chaos ensues.
The insurance company refuses to accept any more claims of ‘acts of the
un-god’, and his husband of 21 years has very firmly put his foot down on any
further wraith summoning’s in the basement. And apparently imps aren’t
house-trainable. Occasionally the odd ghost or member of the Fae community
stops in for a glass of wine and stories are exchanged. Although the husband
doesn’t know it, the two Chihuahuas are in cahoots with the spell casting.
J.P.’s other hobbies include hybridizing African Violets (thanks to grandma), extensive travelling and believe it or not, knitting.
I’m delighted to welcome back M.D. Neu for this instalment of W5!
Who is the star of your book?
I kind of have three stars.
Todd Landon is human, living and working in
the United States of America. His life is similar to those around him: home,
family, work, friends, and a husband.
Mirtoff Esmi is the first of her clan to be
the Leader of the Nentraee. Her sole focus is to find them a home before their
fleet of ships can no longer carry the last survivors of their dead world. With
her brother, niece, and Faa (her companion animal) supporting her, she carries
the weight of her world on her shoulders.
Mi’ko Soemu remembers the Nentraee home
world for both its failures and its triumphs, which is why he holds the
position of Vice-Speaker, supporting the efforts of the Nentraee Leader. He is
father and husband first and will do what he needs to do to ensure his family
and his fellow nentraee are safe and make it to a new world.
What is your story about?
The story is about a race of aliens coming
to earth in need of our help. It’s about how we deal with this new reality when
it throws all that we believe into question. Will we show our best selves or
will we let our fear of the other destroy our first contact with an alien race?
When is it set?
The story is set in modern times.
Where is it set?
The story is set both on the alien ships
and in San Jose, California. There are of course other locations, but these are
the main locations.
Why this story?
I wanted a story that showed a non-typical
hero, someone who could be any of us. Not the typical action hero. I wanted to
flip the switch on what it means to be a hero. Plus, I really, really, really,
wanted to write a space opera.
Blurb:
A little blue world, the third planet from the sun. It’s home to 7 billion people with all manner of faiths, beliefs and customs, divided by bigotry and misunderstanding, who will soon be told they are not alone in the universe. Anyone watching from the outside would pass by this fractured and tumultuous world, unless they had no other choice. Todd Landon is one of these people, living and working in a section of the world called the United States of America. His life is similar to those around him: home, family, work, friends and a husband.
On the cusp of the greatest announcement humankind has ever witnessed, Todd’s personal world is thrown into turmoil when his estranged brother shows up on his front porch with news of ships heading for Earth’s orbit. The ships are holding the Nentraee, a humanoid race who have come to Earth in need of help after fleeing the destruction of their homeworld. How will one man bridge the gap for both the Humans and Nentraee, amongst mistrust, terrorist attacks and personal loss? Will this be the start of a new age of man or will bigotry and miscommunication bring this small world to its knees and final end?
BUY LINKS:
A New World-Contact:
A New World: Contact is the first book in the series
M.D. Neu is a LGBTQA Fiction Writer with a
love for writing and travel. Living in the heart of Silicon Valley (San
Jose, California) and growing up around technology, he’s always been fascinated
with what could be. Specifically drawn to Science Fiction and Paranormal
television and novels, M.D. Neu was inspired by the great Gene Roddenberry,
George Lucas, Stephen King, Alice Walker, Alfred Hitchcock, Harvey
Fierstein, Anne Rice, and Kim Stanley Robinson. An odd combination, but
one that has influenced his writing.
Growing up in an accepting family as a gay
man he always wondered why there were never stories reflecting who he was.
Constantly surrounded by characters that only reflected heterosexual society,
M.D. Neu decided he wanted to change that. So, he took to writing, wanting
to tell good stories that reflected our diverse world.
When M.D. Neu isn’t writing, he works for a
non-profit and travels with his biggest supporter and his harshest critic,
Eric his husband of twenty plus years.
Cate, a badass bisexual teen girl, immune to the zombie virus.
What is your book about?
The apocalypse, which Cate and her sister Melody must brave together in order to find their scattered family. Along the way, they find that not all zombies are just zombies. Many, in fact, are more like people than anyone could have guessed.
When is your book set?
THE END is a contemporary novel.
THE END by M. Rose Flores
Where is your book set?
All along the west coast of the United States.
Why this story?
I had a boy in my head. A skinny, melancholy foster kid with brains for days and a smart mouth that sometimes got him in trouble. His name was Marco. Cate came almost immediately after, a spunky closeted teen girl who was still looking for her place in the world. They were two friends, torn apart by the apocalypse. The rest fell into place.
Blurb:
On Cate Mortensen’s seventeenth birthday, her family is scattered in a fight for survival, and she and her sister Melody are catapulted headfirst into a world where their phones are just hunks of plastic, they must scavenge for every bite, and they sleep with weapons in their hands. Traveling alone, and then not so alone, they follow the route their family planned to Alcatraz Island where the hope of safety and a real life awaits.
After more than a year on the road, Cate has found three things to be true. One: Zombies are a thing now. Two: Not all zombies are just zombies. Three (the game changer): Cate is immune to the infection.
THE END by M. Rose Flores is available now from NineStar Press, Amazon, and other booksellers
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
M. Rose Flores has enjoyed writing since she learned how to string
letters together. She grew up in the vast green Pacific Northwest of the
United States, which with its dense forests, four seasons, and
proximity to the ocean made a perfect setting for The End. When
she isn’t writing on her computer or in a notebook (though scraps of
paper and the palm of her hand will do in a pinch), she works as a
professional dog trainer and loves every part of it, even the copious
amounts of drool. She believes everyone should be represented in
literature and all other media. The End is her first novel.
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