Dissecting characters

Usually while I'm doing a book blitz or launch, I get asked a question. "If this was made into a movie, who would you like see cast in the roles?" I get why. It helps the reader with familiarity while reading. Usually it's hard for me to cast but with Amethyst Chronicles, it's been a little easier.

Let's take a look, shall we?

Scarlett Johansson as Ember Wilson. 

I know what you're probably thinking. Black Widow? Yep. Anyone who as seen her as Natasha Romanoff in the Marvel movies or in Lucy will understand. Scarlett is attractive but not so much she's threatening. She is believable as a skilled, no-nonsense fighter. And she knows how to hang with the boys.













Liam Hemsworth as Major Liam Ross

Major Liam Ross is a tough cookie who meets more than his match when he meets Ember. He manages to overcome her hard exterior and sees a side she never shows anyone. He's a proven leader and ready for anything. I believe Hemsworth showcases these qualities and he's not bad to look at either.






Chris Pine as Michael Lewis

Although it would be a real shame to see his baby blue eyes turned deep purple, Chris Pine would be the perfect second-in-command for our tough as nails heroine.
















Stephen Amell as Bryan Morris

Morris is the best tech guy the ISC had ever seen. Smart, quick on his feet, and crafty. May not always make the best decisions, but knows how to follow orders. He has a good sense of humor and is more than capable in a firefight.















David Wenham as Alexander Nova

In Amethyst, Nova is a pilot and, in my opinion, has some of the best lines in the book. Readers of my Mirror series could see similarities between him and Seth. Lord of the Rings fans would remember David as Faramir.
















Liam Neeson as General Tom Blanchard

The moment I saw the General in my head, I saw Liam Neeson. He's the perfect man to control Earth's military and wouldn't back down to Ember, no matter how mad she is. He has the strength to do what he feels is right.















Kristen Bell as Laura Blanchard

Laura isn't a main character, but she does play a role in the relationship between Ember and the General. She's beautiful and sweet, although a bit flighty in nature. She's part of the reason the chip on Ember's shoulder is so big.














So that's my cast. Do they match up to the image in your head or have I hit the mark? Sound off in the comments!

Buy links:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OZN21MS
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/amethyst-chronicles-kg-stutts/1120687312?ean=2940046383669

Meet the book: The Color of Dreams

The Color of Dreams

Synopsis:

Chicago detective Julie Carter has dreams she can't shake. When her most recent dream comes true, and her husband Aiden is killed, Julie must work with Detective Scott Jordan, the man who broke her heart years ago, to find Aiden's murderer. Secrets unravel as Scott and Julie clash. But who killed Aiden? The truth will rock the foundation of the precinct.

Behind the book:

The first book I ever wrote was Mirror Image, a sci-fi romance story about a woman who finds out she's a clone. The story came to me in snippets as a dream. I went to bed every night hoping to continue the story then I started to write it down.

In October of that year, my best friend was talking to me about NaNoWriMo. NaNo is a writing challenge to write a 50,000 word book during the month of November. I was intrigued. I was still very wet behind my ears so anything to improve the quality of my writing, I was all for. Plus I'm never one to back down from a challenge.

But what should I write? Do I begin the second book in the Mirror series? Instead, a different thought occurred. Mirror Image was based on a dream. What if I wrote about a woman whose dreams came true, but not in a way we would expect? The Color of Dreams began to form. Julie, my no-nonsense detective born and raised in Chicago, saw dreams in black and white, sans one color. These dreams always comes true. The color she sees holds significance to the story. When she sees her husband murdered, she sees red. I did a lot of research about dreams.

Blue represents devotion, tranquility, and/or openness. Green represents fertility, growth, and peace. Pink means happiness, sweetness, and love. Read more at this link: http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamthemes/colors.htm

The subject is fascinating to me, but to Julie, it's natural. She never second guesses why she sees things in her dreams. I hope to explore the dream concept with a sequel sometime next year.

Buy links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MR0N1V6
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-color-of-dreams-lazyday-publishing/1120147329?ean=2940150508811
Website: http://kgstutts.com
Blog: http://kgsuttts.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KGStutts
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/KGStutts

Interview with Rachel Trautmiller

 Today, I interview romance author Rachel Trautmiller.

1. What made you decide to start writing? Was this something you always thought you’d do?

Thanks for having me today! I was given a journal for Christmas at a pretty young age (old enough to pen an incomplete sentence about what I did for the day). That journal carried me through to poems, English papers and then my first story—a historical romance set in California in the 1900’s.

In eighth grade we were given a project in English class. Write a short book detailing your life and what you hope to accomplish in the future. We were asked to note our top three dream jobs. Doctor, counselor and writer were among my choices. I’m happy to say that I made a dream come true with my debut novel, Linked. 

2. How do you come up with your characters or story ideas?

I have to give my characters the credit, here. They pretty much run around in my head, showing me what they’d like me to know. In a sense, I’m like my readers, figuring out the details as I go. An idea will usually start as a basic theme. A little mystery, murder, mayhem with enough romance to warm your heart—that’s where my characters come in. I get to figure out who they are on the ride that entails my books. They keep me pretty busy. 

3. How do you get inspired to write?

Often, I’ll listen to music. Any genre, whatever strikes the mood for the scene I’m working on. Reading a really well written and engaging book always makes me want to write. I love reading pretty much any genre, but romantic suspense is my all-time favorite.

4. What do you do while having writers block?

If I’m stuck, a drive or a jog might do the trick. Anything that will get me out of my head and into my character’s world. The characters often reveal their secrets at inopportune times (in the middle of a diaper change, a root canal, in line at the grocery store)! I’ve learned to keep paper handy!

5. What kind of stories do you write?

Romantic Suspense is my favorite to read and write. There’s a little bit of everything, in my opinion—no over saturation. I’ve got to hand it to the writers of other genres, however, I’m not sure I would have a story without my murder-mayhem twists. 

6. Who’s your favorite author(s)?

I wish I could name them all! Here’s a few with their recent releases: Karin Slaughter (COP TOWN), Lisa Gardner (CATCH ME), Julie James (IT HAPPENED ONE WEDDING), Catherine Bybee (NOT QUITE SERIES) and Sally Bradley (KEPT).

7. How long have you been writing?

A long time. Probably about ten years collectively. My husband bought me my first laptop in 2004 after I hogged our only desktop non-stop. He surprised me with that and a ton of books detailing the publishing process. He’s a keeper and my biggest supporter. J I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the wonderful employer I had at that time. Any downtime we had (after our work was complete) could be spent doing whatever we wanted within the office (within reason, of course!). Sometimes, we played games while waiting for patients, other times I wrote and my co-workers read. 

8. What are your other stories about?

Linked is a timeless story of perseverance in the face of unspeakable evil, forgiveness after years of neglect and love in the hopeless cause. It unites childhood friends, Jordan and McKenna, after a tragedy separated them ten years prior. Throw in some new murders and add the combustible ignition of unsung desire and you’ve got a couple desperate to complete their jobs with the FBI without acknowledging the very real desire between them. Did I mention they accidentally get married in Las Vegas? Whoops! Don’t worry, this won’t spoil your appetite to discover how this duo is LINKED. Available on Amazon. www.amazon.com/dp/B00NZ8FAZO

9. What are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on book 2 in The Bening Files, Disconnect, set to release early 2015. Ever had someone know your deepest, darkest secrets? When that person finds Amanda Nettles, a detective with CMPD, she’ll do anything to protect herself and the people she cares about. Sounds easy, right? But what happens when that same faceless menace starts killing innocent people and you’re the only one who knows the truth? Find out in February 2015!

10. What do you do when not writing?

I enjoy time with my family and friends. I love football (SKOL VIKES!), reading, playing with my adorable daughter, date night with my hubby and relaxing at home. I love animals, swimming, music (anything my husband plays) dancing, movies and anything to do with crime (TV shows, books, articles).

Feel free to follow me and my characters. You can find us here:

www.facebook.com/rachel.trautmiller

www.rtrautmiller.wordpress.com

www.pinterest.com/rtrautmiller

@rtrautmiller

Euphoria/Dysphoria

Euphoria/Dysphoria

Michelle Browne and Nicolas Wilson

 

Genre: Science Fiction/dystopian biopunk

 

Date of Publication: 11/20/2014

 

ISBN:

ASIN:

 

Number of pages: 252

Word Count: 63,000 words

Cover Artist: Katie de Long

 

Book Description:

Execution above or extinction below...

“Please help me. I'm pregnant.”

A chance encounter with a fugitive has turned Christine's life into a nightmare.

Survival is hard enough in the poverty-stricken streets of the Lower Blocks, and this woman is far from the first to flee the Engineers who oversee the City. But now Christine's a target: hunted by the aristocracy, her future uncertain, and past laid bare. And a person with Christine's powers can't afford to be caught.

Humanity built the Foundation to elevate themselves from the poisoned earth, but Christine and Ilsa must choose whether to descend to hell below, or remain in hell above.

From post-apocalyptic authors Nicolas Wilson (Homeless), and Michelle Browne (The Underlighters) comes Euphoria/Dysphoria, a biopunk dystopia.

 

Excerpt:

           Christine knew that with an Engineers’ blood on her hands, she’d be in for it. That was Three for her, for sure. More likely, she would be immediately taken, due to the severity of her transgressions. No reason to play it safe; best-case scenario, she’d probably have to hide out for months to work through all of the changes needed to disguise herself. She thought of the other grey-market acquirers she knew and wondered which of them liked her enough to shelter her.

She cursed the woman running alongside her and herself for getting drawn into this in the first place. It was too late now—she could only hope that she could make her downfall have as great an impact as possible by seeing Ilsa through this. Tearing her mind from the future, she looked at for exits. No time to worry and fuss. She just had to keep moving.

 

 

About the Authors

 

Michelle Browne:

Michelle Browne is a sci fi/fantasy writer from Calgary, AB. She has a cat and a partner-in-crime. Her days revolve around freelance editing, jewelry, phuquerie, and nightmares. She is currently working on the next books in her series, other people's manuscripts, and drinking as much tea as humanly possible.

She is all over the internet, far too often for anyone’s sanity, and can be found in various places.

http://scifimagpie.blogspot.ca/

https://www.tumblr.com/blog/scifimagpie

https://www.facebook.com/SciFiMagpie

https://www.facebook.com/SciFiMagpie

http://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Browne/e/B00BGWZRCW

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/scifimagpie

 

Nicolas Wilson:

Nicolas Wilson is a published journalist, graphic novelist, and novelist. He lives in the rainy wastes of Portland, Oregon with his wife, four cats and a dog.

Nic's work spans a variety of genres, from political thriller to science fiction and urban fantasy. He has several novels currently available, and many more due for release in the next year. Nic's stories are characterized by his eye for the absurd, the off-color, and the bombastic.

For information on Nic's books, and behind-the-scenes looks at his writing, visit www.nicolaswilson.com

https://www.facebook.com/NovelistNicolasWilson

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6553776.Nicolas_Wilson

https://twitter.com/NicolasWilson

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00AZNYO4U

Tour giveaway

5 ebook copies of Euphoria/Dysphoria and swag packages containing a pendant, bookmarks, etc.

Open to shipping within the US or Canada only.

Rafflecopter coming soon

 

 

 

 

10 Questions

In honor of Amethyst Chronicles: Winter's Kiss releasing, I decided to take a closer look at my protagonist, Ember Wilson. Reader's have been describing her as intense and hardcore. Now we're going to peel off a layer and take a deeper look.

10 Questions with Ember Wilson.

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Happiness is an illusion. There's no such thing as perfect happiness.

2. What is your greatest fear?

I don't have any fears. No man, beast, not even death.

3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

In myself? No. In others? Weakness.

4. What do you most dislike about your appearance?

Anything I disliked, I have changed. Yes, I dye my hair black for a reason. My eyes are purple instead of blue. Genetically, I am superior. I like how I am. I wouldn't change it for anything now.

5. Which living person do you most despise?

It's a long list. Dr. Clayton Rudo tops that list. He's only slightly above General Tom Blanchard.

6. What is the quality you most like in a man?

Strength and brains. He needs to be a good lover or he's not allowed in my bed. I would want a man who can enjoy what he has and not try to step on my toes.

7. What or who is the greatest love of your life?

First off, I don't use that word. Ever. Second, my team. They are my family. The only ones I need.

8. If you could go back in time, where would you go?

I've been reading the old journal entries of Dr. Madison Brooks. I think she is fascinating. To have achieved so much, and a clone too. I would love to go back in time and meet her. See what the Intergalactic Security Commission was like in its early stages.

Early stages? The ISC was forty years old when she joined.

Yeah, but it wasn't public. She brought it out of the shadows and helped it become the global governing body it is today.

9. What would you consider to be your best skill?

It's hard to gauge unless you've seen me in action. My fighting skills are unparalleled. A blaster is right at home in my hands.

10. And last question. How would you like to die?

Ah! Finally a good question. I want to die fighting and I'll take the bastard I'm fighting down with me.

Blurb:

Amethyst is a secret team of genetically enhanced humans which is Earth’s greatest defensive weapon. Leading the team of super soldiers is Ember Wilson, a tough woman with a huge chip on her shoulder. The team gets their name from the after effect of the Genesis Project which turned their eyes and even their blood purple.

For decades, Earth has been ravaged by unpredictable weather which began to cause crops to fail. Most of the planet’s food sources have deteriorated. Dr. Clayton Rudo has proclaimed he has the means to save the soil. He has created a weather machine to regulate and help replenish. But Ember knew the truth. He didn’t want to save the planet. He wanted to control it. Amethyst destroyed the machine, but was placed in stasis. Two years later, Rudo recreated the device and has frozen Washington, DC.

General Tom Blanchard brought Amethyst out of stasis to work with an elite Air Force team, led by Major Liam Ross. Tensions between Ember and Liam rise as they butt heads. Can they work together before Earth is completely under ice?

Buy links:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OZN21MS/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/amethyst-chronicles-kg-stutts/1120687312?ean=2940046383669

Amethyst Chronicles

So proud to say Amethyst Chronicles: Winter's Kiss is now available! It's on sale this weekend for $.99. Grab your copy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble The price goes up to $2.99 next week!

Amethyst is a secret team of genetically enhanced humans which is Earth’s greatest defensive weapon. Leading the team of super soldiers is Ember Wilson, a tough woman with a huge chip on her shoulder. The team gets
their name from the after effect of the Genesis Project which turned their eyes and even their blood purple.

For decades, Earth has been ravaged by unpredictable weather which began to cause crops to fail. Most of the planet’s food sources have deteriorated. Dr. Clayton Rudo has proclaimed he has the means to save the soil. He has created a weather machine to regulate and help replenish. But Ember knew the truth. He didn’t want to save the planet. He wanted to control it. Amethyst destroyed the machine, but was placed in stasis. Two years later, Rudo recreated the device and has frozen Washington, DC.

General Tom Blanchard brought Amethyst out of stasis to work with an elite Air Force team, led by Major Liam Ross. Tensions between Ember and Liam rise as they butt heads. Can they work together before Earth is completely under ice?

Check out my previous blogs with excerpts here and here

This is a novella, but it has plenty of action, romance, and laughs. Ember is one of my favorite characters to write for. A true badass and warrior. Nova and Morris will have you laughing. And you will root for Lewis and Ross.

I'm currently writing the second in the installment, out in April. Please make sure you join us for the party this afternoon https://t.co/21FLVdvlgq I'm having a few guests stop by for a giveaway and there will be free books given out! Join us!

Release: Kacey Hamford

Title: Taking A Chance
Genre: Romance
Author: Kacey Hamford

Synopsis:
Rose has spent her whole life living in her sister’s shadow; boys have always preferred her sister Amelia. Amelia has always achieved the best grades, the boys would flock to her and good luck seem to just follow her around.

When Rose meets Jacob, she feels as though her luck is starting to change. He is everything she could wish for and more; he is not only gorgeous and clever, but he wants her, not her sister.

Jacob and Rose begin dating, but the course of true love never runs smooth and it’s not long before Jacob is hiding things from Rose. Will his secrets destroy their relationship, or will he finally open up to Rose? Or will Amelia destroy them before he has the chance?

Join Rose and Jacob on their rollercoaster journey.

When the highs are so good, does it make it worth enduring the lows?

Add to TBR:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23443636-taking-a-chance?ac=1 c=1

Buying links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1wrqE1K

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1zm3vkN

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1EybSdT

 

Author Bio:
We are two thirty-something females, living in Cornwall, England.

We both have full time jobs and manage to squeeze writing in around very busy lives.
Last year we joked about writing a book, and in December we actually started writing! On 12th March 2014 we pressed the ‘publish’ button and didn’t breathe for a whole several minutes!
We have now written four books, ‘Rocking Esme’, ‘Rocking Scarlett’, ‘Rocking Marcy’ and ‘Rocking Ashton’ and we also have a million other book ideas which we are dying to write!

When we first started writing, we didn’t tell anyone- not even our other halves! We decided to tell them about a month before publishing, then about a week before publishing we told our friends and family.

We both love reading, and since buying Kindles, reading has become much more of an obsession and we have both discovered authors we had never heard of. Some favourites are… Jennifer Foor, Aurora Rose Reynolds, Kirsty Moseley, Kelly Elliot, Terri Anne Browning, Diane Chamberlain… the list is endless!


Stalker links:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/253843834800924/ 
https://twitter.com/ckhamford