AOTW- Sara Brookes

Sara Brookes

About the Author:

2011 PRISM winner, Futuristic category, for Midnight’s Ghost

Sara Brookes is a multi-published author who has always been fascinated by the strange, the unusual, the twisted and the lost (tortured heroes are her personal favorite). She is an action movie junkie, addicted to coffee and has been known to stay up until the wee hours of the morning playing RPG video games. Despite all this, she is a romantic at heart and is always a sucker for an excellent love story. Born and bred in Virginia, Sara still lives there with her husband and daughter. The entire family is owned by two cats, Galahad and Loki, who graciously allow the family to cater to their every desire.

Sara is a member of RWA, the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter of RWA, the Passionate Ink chapter of RWA and EPIC Authors.

 

 Interview with Sara Brookes

A 2011 PRISM winner, Futuristic category, for Midnight’s Ghost; Sara Brookes is author of Midnight’s Shadow, Impulse Control, Flash of Dark and six other books.

Holly: Hello, Sara. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Sara Brookes: Thanks so much for having me here! I’m Sara Brookes and I love, love, love to write about tortured heroes and lost souls who are looking for their true love. I’m addicted to action movies, coffee, and video games—in no particular order. Not to mention, I adore love stories with really hot alpha men and copious amounts of BDSM thrown into the mix.

Holly: How and when did you start writing?

Sara Brookes: I’ve written for as long as I can remember. I just dabbled really, nothing I was overly serious about because I honestly didn’t think I was good at it. When my daughter was born years ago, I stopped completely because I didn’t have the time. But she’s older now and I’d like to say I have more time, but not really. I just make the time now because I found it’s something I love to do.

Holly: You write some D/s novels, a favorite genre of mine I admit. Can you tell us a little about what attracted you to this genre or erotica in general?

Sara Brookes: When I started reading romance novels, I was always disappointed in the “closed door” aspect. They always seemed to skip over the details. I know I have a good imagination and could fill in those details, but I was always interested in the complete story without anything left out. I stumbled across erotica and you see how that ended up. *g*

Holly: What do you think makes a good BDSM or D/s novel? For that matter, whether you are reading about them or writing them; what do you think makes a good Dominate in a novel?

Sara Brookes: Good BDSM books are when it’s clear the author did their research and are comfortable with the lifestyle. If they aren’t in it themselves, they took the time to seek out someone who is in order to ask questions to make themselves as educated as possible. For me, it can’t be about the Dom just trying to push their power around on the submissive. Trust is a huge part of the power exchange that comes with BDSM books and if I’m not convinced the characters have it with each other, then something’s wrong.

Holly: Which comes first for you, the plot or the characters?

Sara Brookes: Both are just as equally as important. There can’t be a strong, significant plot without strong, significant characters. For me personally, they develop together as I write.

Holly: You novel Perfect Limit just came out last month. Can you tell us a little bit about it and how you came up with the two main characters?

Sara Brookes: When I started writing Perfect Limit, my main focus was to be able to show its okay to have flaws, to not be the ideal picture of what a person should look like because people are still going to love and cherish regardless. While, yes, this is some very hot, hot, hot sex & BDSM, there’s a real story with this book. Rayna had a hard life growing up—she was abandoned because of something she couldn’t control—and it still carries with her to this day. Burke, the Dom she’d been with at the club on the planet, knows all about her problem and he’s always left it alone for her to deal with. But that ends the night this story takes place. He’s had enough and wants to do whatever it takes to show her just how special and precious she is…just as she is.

Holly: You have two more books listed on your website as coming soon; No Restraint and Slow Break. Can you give us a little in depth about your two characters and the plot in No Restraint?

Sara Brookes: I’ve found I always love to give my female characters careers that aren’t the “typical” path for women. No Restraint’s heroine, Kegan, is an aeronautical racer (a form of upper atmosphere high-speed racing) who is forced to take a break between races. She heads to the club on Sypricon and comes face to face with Walker. He’s someone who, for the first time in a long time, doesn’t care about her fame and fortune. He immediately decides to show her how letting herself go can make her a better racer.

Holly: You also write Male/male erotica, another favorite genre of mine! (I think I have found a new favorite author to explore :) Slow Break, is to be the first m/m novel in your Sypricon Masters series. Can you tell us some about the plot of this novel and your two main characters Jack and Denton?

Sara Brookes: I just finished edits on Slow Break and this is one I really enjoyed writing. It’s not the typical BDSM story as it deals with what happens when a submissive earns a punishment and the Dom delivers. Jack is actually mentioned in passing in Perfect Limit, and it seemed the right time to write his story. He owns and runs a quarry on the planet and because of his position of responsibility always worried about what others would think if they knew he came to the club to kneel before another man. Unable to deal with it, he left without warning. But a tragedy in his life makes him realize he’s missing something and comes back to beg forgiveness. But Denton, his former Dom, isn’t about to just accept him with open arms.

Holly: I know you write m/m/f but Slow Break will be your first m/m novel you have published? But you also mention on your site that you are working on a short m/m paranormal erotic romance.

Sara Brookes: Yes, Ragged Edge was my first m/m/f (which actually has a few m/m scenes!) story whereas Slow Break will be the first solely m/m story I’ll have published. I tend to write stories in groups—several BDSM in a row, then a few ménage, etc—so right after I finished Slow Break, I started the m/m paranormal erotic romance. I just submitted it to my editor, and it’s really early in that process. Right now, it’s about keeping my fingers crossed as I wait. *g*

Holly: Can we expect more books from you in the future along with No Restraint and Slow Break?

Sara Brookes: I’m certainly working to make that happen! I don’t have anything under contract for 2012 yet, but I’m working to change that. I’m currently working on another book that takes place in the same town as Hardware (a m/f contemporary erotic romance w/ BDSM elements). Once I finish that, I’ll move onto another contemporary erotic romance (m/m/f) and two more stories for the Sypricon Masters series, one a ménage and one with a female dominant.

Holly: Where can we purchase your books?

Sara Brookes: Direct from the publishers:

Ellora’s Cave: http://www.jasminejade.com/m-736-sara-brookes.aspx

Decadent Publishing:  http://www.decadentpublishing.com/index.php?cPath=75_135&osCsid=77d6250b5a06f840393da9ee38545f76

Liquid Silver Books:  http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=linda018&category=Sara+Brookes

Or most of the major online retailers:

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Sara-Brookes/e/B003KQUSC6/

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/sara-brookes

All Romance eBooks http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Sara+Brookes

Holly: Do you have anything you would like to say to your readers?

Sara Brookes: Yes! I feel especially lucky to have the fabulous readers I do, and I thank each and every one of them for where I am at this point in my career. I wouldn’t be here without them. Writing is a very solitary profession, so I always love hearing from readers, so drop me a line anytime. If email isn’t your thing, I have a love affair with Twitter and always love to talk to people there as well (http://twitter.com/Sara_Brookes) Thanks again for having me!

Holly: Thank you so much for being here today, Sara!

Books by Sara Brookes

Rebirth series:

Flash of Dark #1

Blood Fever #2

Forged in Fire #3

Star Runner series:

Midnight’s Ghost #1

Midnight’s Shadow #2

Sypricon Masters series:

Impulse Control #1

Perfect Limit #2

Single Titles

Hardware

Ragged Edge

Free Reads

Coming Soon

No Restraint (Sypricon Masters #3) -- Expected Publication Date: November 11, 2011

Slow Break (Sypricon Masters #5) -- Expected Publication Date: December 16, 2011

You can also find books that Sara has in works, here.

Awards

2011 PRISM winner, Futuristic category, for Midnight’s Ghost

You can find Sara at:

Her website

Goodreads

Twitter

AOTW- Kari Thomas

Kari Thomas

About the author

"..I'm a professed Book-A-Holic and have ALOT of books. Okay, I'm confessing here that my TBB (To Be Bought) List growsall the time! It’s an addiction I'm proud to own up to! LOL! I've been writing since I was old enough to understand the words, as my mother taught me to read and write before I started school. I wrote my first "book" (a 5 page story about a cat who loved to get into trouble) at the age of 5 yrs. Then, at 13 I completed a 300 page teen romance mystery. Imagine my disappointment when it was rejected. But that didn't stop me.

After attending College and studying Child Psychology for my Major, I decided what I REALLY wanted to do was WRITE. I blame it on my too-active imagination. With a confusing array of characters and ideas always running through my mind, I had no choice but to sit down and try to make sense out of each one. My first 'official' book wrote with publication in mind, was TEMPTATION UNLEASHED. I worked on and off with it for several years. With a dear friend (who was also writing her own book) I made the commitment to write each week. Together, we managed to complete
our books and learn as we went along. I submitted and.... WOW...was immediately accepted! I was on Cloud Nine!


Unfortunately, the publishing company went bankrupt later that year due to
mismanagement and my "baby" was held in bankruptcy court as an "asset" for almost a year. Then, when my Rights were finally returned, I submitted to Samhain Publishing and it was accepted there. It received a new Cover (a 'wow' done by well-known Cover Artist Natalie Winters) and as they say: "The rest is history!"  It continues to be a BEST Seller and I'm still so proud of my first baby!  Later, I published 2 Shorts, Epilogues, for the Secondary Characters. "The Christmas Chapter" is Gavin and Lena's Love Story, and "Soul's Choice" is Riana’s Love Story.  Contact me for a FREE copy.


To read full bio on author go to her website here.

Interview with Kari Thomas

Kari Thomas is an author of paranormal romance with title such as, Temptation Unleashed, Hunted Mate, Prey for the Wolf and eight other titles.

Holly: Hello, Kari! Would you care to tell us a little bit about yourself?

Kari Thomas: Along with being an Author, I'm also a Freelance Editor and a Book Reviewer for several major publishing houses (Brava, Avon, Signet, etc). Anything to do with Reading and Writing makes me a happy camper!

Holly: On your bio it says you are a professed bookaholic, something I highly understand! When did you first realize that you where a bookaholic?

Kari Thomas: When I was a child I always asked for books as gifts. When I started noticing that I couldn't go a day without reading, then I started obsessing over what books I didn't already have. Okay, so I was an unusual child! LOL!

Holly: You wrote your first book a short story you said about a cat that loved to get in trouble when you were five. I know I am not the only one who is going ‘wow’ at that. Do you still have the story, I wonder? If not do you know what ever happened to it?

Kari Thomas: Sadly, the story didn't survive the many hurricanes I went through over the years ('m a native Floridian though I now live in the Southwest). But I do remember the little female cat go into so much trouble that a little boy cat had to rescue her eventually. Ahhh, my first romance!

Holly: At 13 you completed a 300 page teen romance mystery, which you go on to state was rejected much to your disappointment. I am curious; did you go on to try to get it accepted later on after the first rejection or when you were older maybe?

Kari Thomas: I was so disappointed that I hid it away in my closet. Of course, it later became a hurricane victim too when we lost our entire house. I still remember the characters and what it was about. Maybe some day I'll try re-writing it.

Holly: Your first novel that you published was Temptation Unleashed, would you tell us a little bit about it and where you got your inspiration for it from?

Kari Thomas: My first baby! It's still my Bestseller even today. I was co-writing a fantasy with a friend (we were experimenting and learning to write at the same time) and I kept having this hero pop into my head. He wouldn't stop bothering me. Turns out he was a Cougar Shapeshifter and head of an unusual shifter family (each member was a different animal). I kept trying to think of a perfect heroine for him and kept throwing out ideas. Until it finally came to me: Why not make the heroine something that he hates? A Witch. And why not make the heroine hate his kind? She's deathly afraid of animals. Their story and conflict was born. They shared a niece who is half shifter and half witch and both want custody. But first they have to fight the temptation of their feelings for each other AND fight an Evil intent on destroying the shifters.

Holly: After you wrote it and it got accepted immediately but then the publishing company that accepted it went bankrupt and you didn’t get your rights back to it for almost a year. What where your feelings at the time; sadness, loss, anger?

Kari Thomas: It was a horrible experience to go through. I was so excited about my first book and then disaster strikes and all the excitement is drained away. But I did learn a valuable lesson --and that was to thoroughly check out each publisher I ever want to submit to before I submit. I will never go blindly into a publishing agreement again without knowing for certain that the company is strong AND honest. I recommend that to every author.

Holly: Did you keep writing right after it happened or did you have a hard time?

Kari Thomas: I kept writing and then submitted my second book HUNTED MATE to Black Lyon Publishing. This is a wonderful publisher and her reputation is spotless.

Holly: From what I can tell the last book you published was in 2010 in November and that was the anthology you participated in, Just One Bite: Volume three. Can you tell us a little about your story in the anthology?

Kari Thomas: It's the perfect (PURR-FECT!!) story for Halloween. "Purr-fect Timing" is about a witch who is being punished by the Coven for a huge mistake and she ends up getting a Halloween treat that shocks her. It's also FREE from ARe (All Romance Ebooks)

Holly: Why paranormal romance?—though you do have one contemporary I believe called, Hold Onto the Night.

Kari Thomas: I love the limitless possibilities that the Paranormal genre has. You can build your own world, make your own rules, and Readers love those "extra special heroes". "Hold Onto The Night" is my only Contemporary but I think the hero in this one is just as sexy as any Alpha I've written in my other books. This is a very sensuous story about a one-night stand that turns into something more.

Holly: Do you ever think you might branch into contemporary again or even YA or any other genre beside paranormal romance?

Kari Thomas: Anything is possible! I have a very active imagination and can't write fast enough to get all the stories out. I'm even considering a few Non Fiction books too.....!

Holly: You have other titles that we have not touched on, Her Heart His Soul, Spell-Kissed, Under a Shifter’s Moon, Soul’s Choice; just to name a few. Where can we purchase your novels from?

Kari Thomas: SPELL-KISSED www.blacklyonpublishing.com

     HER HEART HIS SOUL www.bookstrandpublishing.com

     UNDER A SHIFTER'S MOON www.blacklyonpublishing.com

     HUNTED MATE www.blacklyonpublishing.com

     PREY FOR THE WOLF www.eternalpress.ca

     SEDUCING THE HERO www.eternalpress.ca

     HOLD ONTO THE NIGHT www.allromanceebooks.com

     TEMPTATION UNLEASHED www.samhainpublishing.com

     SLOAN'S WITCH Amazon, Barnes and Noble, ARe, Smashwords for ONLY 0.99!!

And two FREE Stories associated with Temptation Unleashed: "Soul's Choice" and "The Christmas Chapter" are available by sending me an email.

Holly: Are you working on anything at the moment? Do you have plans for future novels?

Kari Thomas: I'm into chapter twelve of my next Paranormal Romance but will have to put it on hold for a few weeks while I do Final Edits on my next Release (SURRENDER HER TOUCH) due out Dec 7 with Eternal Press. And I'm working on another Short that I plan to Self Publish like I did with SLOAN'S WITCH. (BTW, Sloan's Witch is a Sequel to Spell-Kissed but can be read alone).

Holly: Do you have anything you would like to say to your readers?

Kari Thomas: A HUGE THANKS for all the support and your wonderful emails. I went through a very difficult time this past year and was out of the writing scene for a long time. But my Readers kept buying my books, kept posting great Reviews, and sent me emails. You're all so precious to me!

Holly: Can you name us a few of your favorite books—one bookaholic to another? ;)

Kari Thomas: LOL---that's putting me on the spot! Hmm. How about a few classics? "Gone With The Wind", JRR Tolkien's "Lord of The Rings" books.......

Holly: Thank you so much for doing this interview with me; it is a pleasure to have you on my blog, Kari!

Kari Thomas: A BIG THANK YOU, Holly, for giving me this opportunity!

Books by Kari Thomas

Spell-Kissed

Under a Shifters Moon

Hunted Mate

Temptation Unleashed

Her Heart His Soul

Seducing the Hero

Prey for the Wolf

Hold Onto the Night

Short Stories

Sloan’s Witch--Sequel to Spell-Kissed, but can be read alone.

Purr-fect Timing—Free in Just One Bite, Volume Three anthology
The Christmas Chapter
Soul's Choice

Anthologies

Just One Bite, Volume Three—Free

Coming soon
Surrender Her Touch--Expected Publication Date: December 7th 2011 from Eternal Press 

Awards
*2009 BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE AUTHOR award
Spell-Kissed
*2010 BEST ALL AROUND BOOK AWARD

Under a Shifters Moon

*2009 BEST SHIFTER BOOK AWARD

*PNR Reviewer Top Pick
*PNR Top Staff Top Pick

Hunted Mate

*2008 Golden Rose BEST Erotica Winner

Temptation Unleashed

*BEST SELLER! FIVE ***** Stars/Roses/Flames Reviews

Her Heart His Soul

*2009 BEST ALL AROUND BOOK AWARD

You can also find Kari at:
Goodreads
Her website

Kari Thomas has offered to giveaway a CD of four eBook short stories!


Giveaway Details

• Giveaway is open to US only.
• Giveaway will run from October 3rd 2011 - October 17th 2011
• Giveaway winner will be chosen randomly and announced on October 18th 2011
• The winner will have 48 hours to contact back before another winner will be chosen.
• One entry per-person please!
• If you enter, you are acknowledging that you read and accept the giveaway/contest policy.
• Giveaway is provided by the author.

To Enter

• Go to the giveaway post.

AOTW- David A. Santos

David A. Santos

About the author:

David "Das" Santos Was born in Chicago to Puerto Rican parents. They moved to Wisconsin when he was only five months old. He was raised in the 7th Day Adventist Church and has been helping the youth grow closer to Christ by joining local clubs such as Pathfinders and JAHWI (a Spanish organization for the youth) As an active youth in his church, He continues to work for Christ and hopes his books will be a blessing to the readers.

Interview with David A. Santos

David A. Santos is the author of The Hopeless Christiantic.

HP: Hi David, would you care to tell us a little about yourself?

David A. Santos: No. Kidding, Well what’s there to tell? I’m 27 No job, no school no money..end of bio! Actually I am Puerto Rican and a Christian.

HP: How did you start writing? Was The Hopeless Christiantic the first thing you ever wrote?

David A. Santos: I started writing in about the First grade for spelling. Seriously I wrote a manuscript a few years ago. A real religious one. But it would have gotten me kicked out of every church. Looking back at it I’m glad it wasn’t published.

HP: Can you tell us a little about your novel, The Hopeless Christiantic?

David A. Santos: Well it is about a guy in high school who is forced to go out with one girl against his will, but has feelings for someone else and has to get to her before his friend does. Trust me it wasn’t easy keeping this book religious. It is a romance comedy.

HP: What inspired The Hopeless Christiantic?

David A. Santos: Boredom.

HP: In your about me on Goodreads you name is David "Das" Santos. In the novel the main male character in you books name is Das, is this just coincidence or is some of this novel based on fact?

David A. Santos: Coincidence. See. The book was written in first person and since Das is a nickname and not my legal name I figured I’d use it to better connect with the character.

HP: Is there a message that you would like readers to obtain from your novel?

David A. Santos: There are so many little messages in this book. It’s like watching an episode of Full House! Mainly do not judge someone by appearance. 13 or 23 people always judge and in this book Das falls victim to that, but learns a valuable lesson. No matter how many times we say “don’t judge a book by its cover.” People do. I wish for one week everyone could be blind and you’ll see how quickly they’ll find love.

HP: Do you think you will write any other novel; are you perhaps working on anything at the moment?

David A. Santos: I am working on a “sequel” I am also working on another fiction story, my second book should be out soon entitled “Down the Drain and Out the Gutter: The Story of my life.” One of the funniest things I have ever written and I am also working on another book based on my life. All these books are humor.

HP: Do you have anything you would like to say to your readers?

David A. Santos: Buy my books and get a free cookie! Actually yes. This is a religious book, all my books are religious. Please do not open one of them expecting to see me worship Satan. Do not complain like others “Oh I don’t believe in God so I will rate it a 0.” No, if you read something religious have an open mind or at least an unbiased mind. If I had a dime for every time someone complained that Im Christian I could buy Las Vegas!

HP: If you could go any place in the world, where would it be and why?

David A. Santos: If I’m still stuck on this planet what’s the point? Honestly I don’t care where I am. God will always be with me….course having a cute girl with me wouldn’t hurt either! I’d probably go to the North Pole. Cuddling is much better when you’re not sweating all over the person.

Books by David A. Santos

The Hopeless Christiantic

Coming soon

Down the Drain and out the Gutter: The Story of my Life--Expected Publication Date: October 10th 2011

You can also find David at:

Goodreads
His website
Twitter
Facebook

David A. Santos is giving away one (1) copy of his up coming release, Down the Drain and out the Gutter: The Story of my Life, at Goodreads.com

Book Description


"Everyone has a story to tell. Many authors have a book about themselves, but David did not want to write a typical book talking about hardships. His life certainly isn't boring, but He wanted to write something fun and entertaining for the readers.

Get a rare humorous look into the life of David A. Santos. He talks about issues in school, college, unemployment, Vitiligo, girls and how God brought him out of depression and what he did to make his life better."

• Giveaway Details (from what I could glean from Goodreads)
• Open to US
• Ends on October 20th 2011

• To Enter, of course, go here to Goodreads.

AOTW- June Ahern

June Ahern

About the Author:
June Ahern, born in Glasgow Scotland and raised in San Francisco, is from a large family of Celtic storytellers. Her talent for storytelling is found in her debut novel, The Skye in June, about a Scottish family that emigrants to San Francisco in the 1950’s.. Ms. Ahern’s first published book, The Timeless Counselor: The Best Guide to a Successful Psychic Reading (originally titled A Professional Psychic Reading as Alternative Counseling, 1990) is a complete consumer’s guide to a psychic reading. Both books are receiving an overwhelming five star reviews. Ms. Ahern lives on the California coast with her husband, cat and horse and is writing a new novel.

Interview with June Ahern

HP: Hello, June. Would you care to tell us a little about yourself?

June Ahern: What I've been aware of about myself is, people are of interest to me. That is their culture, religion, history, music and dance. Also, with my love for animals I am most curious about their ways of communicating and how they do it, not only with each other, but with humans. My interests add to self-examine and opening my imagination for writing. Nature inspires me and daily outings have contributed to my personal growth as well as creating clarity of purpose and calmness to act upon goals. Coming from a large family and rather wild family of Scots, I have a great love for laughter, dance, and exploration. I endeavor to remain optimistic and inspiring and helpful to others, if I can.

HP: From what I understand you was born in Glasgow Scotland and then immigrated to San Francisco California. Maybe it’s only me, but I have always loved the idea of going to Scotland. Can you tell us a little about what you remember from your time living there?

June Ahern: Scotland is a small country with a long history of strong willed people. You would see rolling hills to stark craggy mountains and lots of water - waterfalls, lakes (or lochs), streams and the likes. And golf courses, of course! To your question, surprisingly, I remember more than most think a child of six and younger would about Scotland. Perhaps that is because our move to the U.S. was such a pivotal time in my family’s history. We lived in Glasgow, a crowded town (now called a city), but I vividly remember the area we lived: our flat's layout and especially recall playing out in the close, or as it is referred to in the U.S backyard. . It was a large common area where many children from the surrounding tenement houses played. My elder sister would put on shows where she'd have a lot of kids sing and dance. The fun we had! The washhouse where, because I was the youngest, had to sit on an upturned washbasin. So many memories with my brothers and sisters are stuck in my head. Most, fun. One of the worst memories was when my younger sister was kidnapped. Although I was only four, the emotional state of my parents and older sister stick in my head also. She was brought home within 24 hours.

1990's edition

HP: Do you ever think about going back?

June Ahern: Gladly I go “home” to visit my many cousins and see parts of Scotland I’ve missed.  I've been back four times now and am due another visit. The last time was in '06 to honeymoon. My eldest sister and mother were visiting at then also. And new husband was gracious enough to invite my sister to travel with us to the Isle of Skye where I was doing some research for my novel. . What an incredibly beautiful and magical isle it is! My sister and I planned for years to travel together to see our old home in Glasgow and Skye. Again, funny travel stories and it was an extra special time because my sister died a couple of years. My cousins in Scotland are preparing a book tour, and radio shows guest spots for me so another trip is a must!

HP: “In the early ‘80’s she became a Wiccan.” This line in your bio on your website really caught my attention. I have always been fascinated about the subject and was wondering if you could tell us what it was that converted you to Wiccan.

June Ahern: My first attraction was the roles for females in it. Growing up Catholic, females play a small role in decision-making and with the rituals and ceremonies, such as Mass and for me that is not equality. There are many positive things I learned through my Catholic religious training that is still used in Wicca: great faith in a Divine Source, connect with angels, guides (saints in Catholicism) as well as the use of props, such as candles, incense, flowers as well as hand and body movements to create an energy. But Wicca a greater connection to nature and with my love for that, Wicca suits me.

HP: From what I understand you have used your, and I again quote from your bio from your blog “intuitive and psychic ability to work with law enforcement through helping with cases and speaking with the victim’s family to give them a sense of peace through their loss.” Can you tell us a little about this and what it’s like to be able to help people on that level?

June Ahern: I am greatly honored if I can help and perhaps relieve some pain, for a person suffering. Although I no longer offer my skills for this, the experience was satisfying. One doesn’t not want to give hope to the family that all is well, so I would have to chose my words wisely when revealing information given my spirit. Usually the victim was not alive. It can be disturbing to feel the energy of a person who is in great fear, being hurt and ultimately killed. The spirit of that person comes across very strong. Especially sad was two cases involving children. One case was a missing child found to be living with his mother who had taken him without permission. That was more of a legal battle. Anther case involved a theft, and the items were recovered. Working with the police, now that can be very difficult as they are fact finders and suspicious of everyone. But in a few cases I made some friends with the law enforcers, which I’ve kept to date.

HP: As a Life Coach, Intuitive Arts Mentor, teacher and author, you must have a very busy schedule, how do you do it all and a bigger question why? I mean did you set out to do all of this in your life, or is it something that just happened over time?

June Ahern: Ha ha. I ask myself this often, why? The IAM (Intuitive Arts Mentor) really just happened. It started in the 1960’s as a strong interest in parapsychology, religion, philosophy, and psychology. After a serious car accident I began to have visions for people and talk to the dead. People heard about my abilities and a profession or purpose was created. The Life Coach is a perfect add on. I never have encouraged nor will allow a person to be dependent upon psychic readings with me, but I did want to continue to work with people to fulfill their goals and karma hence Life Coaching. What a thrill it is to work with clients on this level! Teaching classes and workshops: love to teach, love to give information - the keys, that is, that open the doors to the subconscious mind. Mystery of life surrounds us and we can tap into it. I’ve been writing since I was young and won an award in the eight grade.  My first book, The Timeless Counselor, was written because a friend encouraged me to do it. And the novel, had to get that story out!  And, I do more with volunteering and such, but I am slowing down.

HP: Your novel The Timeless Counselor/A Complete Consumer's Guide to a Psychic Reading, came out in eBook format, January 6th 2011. Can you tell us a little bit about this novel and what inspired you to write it?

June Ahern: It actually was first printed in 1990 under a different title, A Professional Psychic Reading as Alternative Counseling and shortly after it came out in paperback (self-published on a dime), I thought of the now title. Now it is under a new title with a new cover and includes new chapter and also my ESP (fun) Quiz. A friend encouraged me to write it and after repeatedly informing people about what a psychic reading is, can give you, how it happens etc, it was wonderful to put it in writing. So many helped me get it in print. Yes, it is an eBook and the paperback of the newer version is due out this Fall although I have a limited amount of first editions available.  At the New York Whole Life Expo, where I was a featured speaker, it was the best selling book for an unknown author.

HP: Your other novel or kind of a biography I should say (?), was recently, in 2008 if I am not mistaken, redistributed in paperback BookSurge Publishing. How much real life is in this book and how much fiction

June Ahern: I think of it more as a story set in an autobiographical framework. Originally I wrote it as a screenplay and did so to honor four of the six sisters who share my Wiccan practice. An author friend encouraged me to write a novel because screenplays are more attractive from a book. I asked, “How long will that take?” It took two and half years. A lot of real life of many I know are in this story. I did a lot of research and interviews to “hear” and “feel” stories in the book. The fiction is, my mother was not blonde, my father, hard as he was, had a great sense of humor and adventure and I had brothers who were miffed they weren’t include in the book. If they read it carefully they would have read they are.  I did not recognize my psychic abilities as a child. I hope that helps the reader understand it is not an autobiography.

HP: Are you working on anything at the moment?

June Ahern: I am and very excited about it. The project began as a screenplay – again - for a Scottish actress. Unfortunately the project was delayed until recently when I decide to write it as a novel. The new life sprung forth from that decision is incredible. Again, a Scottish immigrant coming to San Francisco but at a later and very poignant time in history: The Summer of Love 1967. It’s has a more adult theme: sex, drugs, rockin' roll and murder. Such a jolly good time will be had!

HP: Where can we purchase your novels?

June Ahern: My first choice for paperbacks would be through my website www.juneahern.com for a personally autograph for The  Skye in June and The Timeless Counselor in the first edition. The Skye in June can also be found Amazon.com or Createspace.com Both books are ebooks Amazon and smashwords.com.

HP: Do you have anything you would like to say to your readers?

June Ahern: Reading is a wonderful gift. One can learn so much through books such as other places, cultures, history, and share in adventures.  For example in my novel allows a reader to learn about the Scottish culture and some words and also life in San Francisco circa early 1960’s. Reading, more than the visual media, encourages one’s own great imagination to open.

HP: What do you do in your free time?

June Ahern: What’s that? I walk, swim and have playtime with my husband, grandchildren, family, friends and horses.

HP: Thank you June for interviewing with me!

Books by June Ahern
The Timeless Counselor: The Best Guide to a Successful Psychic Reading (originally titled A Professional Psychic Reading as Alternative Counseling, 1990)
The Skye in June

Articles
Married to a Witch
Religion: Fair and Equal?
A Pagan Wiccan Death Ceremony
All the above and more articles by June Ahern can be found at EzineArticles.com

RecognitionJune Ahern's has received overwhelming five star mentions for her novels on Goodreads, Amazon and Smashwords.

You can find June at:Her Blog
Her website
Her sf coaching site
Facebook
LinkedIn
MySpace
Twitter

June Ahern has offered to giveaway four copies of her novel and how to book in either paperback (The Timeless Counselor is under old title with the 1990's cover) or eBook format; The Timeless Counselor: The Best Guide to a Successful Psychic Reading and The Skye in June, to four (4) winners!

To Enter:

• Go to the giveaway page.

Book Description:

"The Timeless Counselor: The Best Guide to a Successful Psychic Reading is a complete consumer's guide to a psychic reading – the key to receiving the greatest benefits from a reader.You will learn that you can grow and heal spiritually, emotionally and physically from a reading as well as how to recognize and avoid unethical readers - choose one best suited for your needs and interests - how to prepare questions to get a more detailed answer from the reader - how to use the information attained successfully to fulfill your goals and much more. This book is also a wonderful source to learn about the psychic realm as you learn how psychics receive their information and then have the opportunity to learn about your own ESP through the author's ESP Quiz. Read this book before making an appointment with a psychic. It is the key to a successful psychic experience."

Book Description:

"June MacDonald’s fate is sealed the day she is born when her mother, Cathy, defies her husband Jimmy by giving their new daughter a pagan name instead of a Catholic saint’s, as is their tradition. The decision forever sets the MacDonald family on a course for disaster, and no one can foresee that June will grow up to threaten their strong religious beliefs. After a family tragedy the MacDonald family emigrates from Scotland to San Francisco, California, in the hopes of a new beginning. There, young June begins to have visions. They haunt Cathy, revealing her secret past in the Scottish Highlands. June’s religiously rigid and abusive father will not tolerate the visions. That doesn’t stop June’s feisty nature or curiosity about her psychic abilities and interest in witchcraft. The family is on the brink of imploding when June and her three sisters come of age in the 1960’s Haight Ashbury scene. Their father’s declaration seems to be coming true: “Doomed to hell, every last one of you.” In order to save June,"

Giveaway Details:

• Giveaway is open to US only!
• Giveaway will run from September 19th 2011 - October 3rd 2011
• Giveaway winner(s) will be chosen randomly and announced on October 4th 2011
• The winner(s) will have 48 hours to contact back before another winner(s) will be chosen.
• One entry per-person please!
• If you enter, you are acknowledging that you read and accept the giveaway/contest policy.
• Giveaway is provided by the author.