Thursday, January 13, 2011

Guest Author Interview: Stephen Carpenter












Please welcome today's guest author Stephen Carpenter!  Stephen is the author of Killer, and The Grimm Curse.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Stephen: 
I began writing in the 7th grade. I was fascinated by Poe, Shakespeare, and popular authors. I began by trying to write plays, then I started writing short stories. But I later gravitated toward writing screenplays, which is how I've made a living.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Stephen: 
I came to the fantasy/paranormal genre through my interest in Stephen King on my own, and later, through my son, after reading so much of Harry Potter, Twilight, etc.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Stephen: 
As pedestrian as it sounds, my one supernatural talent of choice would be the ability to stop time. I would get a lot more done, and be more rested, and thus, better looking. But mainly, I would be able to live out the fantasy of the famous Twilight Zone in which Burgess Meredith finds the stopwatch that stops time at will.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Stephen: 
I hope people like The Grimm Curse (Once Upon A Time Is Now) because they can find a contemporary re-telling of the famous fairy tales we all grew up with. It's one thing to think of Little Red Riding Hood in a forest long, long ago...it's quite another to think of her as a high school girl in a red hoodie who is stalked by a football player from the Wolverines, from a rival high school. It's all about reinvention.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Stephen:
  I would cast unknown actors for the simple reason that I am tired of the same old faces all the time. Aren't we all?























The Grimm Curse (Once Upon A Time Is Now) by Stephen Carpenter.

Fifteen year-old Jake Grimm is the last living descendant of the Brothers Grimm, who wrote the famous fairy tales in the 1800's. But Jake grew up with foster parents in Los Angeles, never knowing his true destiny until he ran away from his unhappy foster home, to the place of his birth--Woodland--a small town nestled deep in a Northwestern forest.  In Woodland, Jake discovers that the famous fairy tales are all real, and they are happening today. And Jake, as the last living Grimm, is the only one who can stop the witches, big bad wolves, and evil stepmothers who are all alive and well, and about to wreak havoc in the small town of Woodland, following the death of Jake's great-uncle Eustace.  But these fairy tales creatures are not like those in the old stories. Woodland is a modern place, and the creatures Jake battles seem like completely normal, modern people--to everyone but Jake. Only Jake can see them for what they really are, and, together with his friend and apprentice, Madeleine, he must fight to prevent the evil that is all around the unsuspecting teens at Woodland High.

Thank you Stephen for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

1-11-11 Spirit Storm Release Day!

Today, 1-11-11, is the official print release of Spirit Storm by E.J. Stevens.  Spirit Storm is the second book in the Spirit Guide Series and takes readers on a suspenseful, paranormal adventure filled with thrilling mystery and young adult romance.























Spirit Storm (Spirit Guide, #2) by E.J. Stevens.

Spirits of the Dead are coming...

Yuki is about to face an army of lost souls on Samhain, the night of Halloween, when the spirits of the dead roam free. Yuki will need all the help she can get from her friends. But will Calvin be there for her when she needs him the most? 


Available in ebook editions at Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and other fine retailers.

Now available in print at Amazon and other fine retailers.  Available at international retailers later this month.

Sacred Oaks Press
Print edition:
ISBN13: 9780984247530
ISBN: 098424753X
Kindle edition:
ASIN: B004G5ZUB4
Other ebook editions:
ISBN-13: 2940011153006
ISBN: 0011153008

Read a free excerpt of Spirit Storm at Goodreads.

Check out the official Spirit Guide series website for giveaway updates and more!

Coming October 2011...Legend of Witchtrot Road (Spirit Guide, #3) by E.J. Stevens.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Guest Author Interview: William O'Brien












Please welcome today's guest author William O'Brien!  William is the author of Peter: A Darkened Fairytale.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

William: 
Articles - 20 years ago.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

William:
  I have always had a strong interest in the paranormal- it made sense to write a magical book.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

William: 
Hmmm... Maybe I already have supernatural gifts.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
 
William:
  The book has a very surreal and magical storyline with many unusual characters. For lovers of strange fairytales- A MUST READ!!!

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

William: 
Very difficult to answer - there are so many excellent actors & actresses. Anthony Hopkins and Christina Ricci would be wonderful as they are so versatile.























 Peter: A Darkened Fairytale by William O'Brien.

In a quiet sleepy place nestle a few tiny houses, a bridge, and a handful of shops.  Unknown to Peter, on one particular morning - the morning of his tenth birthday will reveal more than just the usual collection of presents.  Stumbling into a secret place, he travels through many hidden worlds and embarks upon a fantastic journey.  Hally the lifelongian, Arnica the maiden, Wind Sail the white witch and a beautiful elf called Slip will all guide him on his quest.  Searching through the Purple Forest, Peter makes haste to rescue a friend, which proves more difficult than Peter could ever imagine.  The gentle tale soon finds its way into some very dark places as the evil Cirinian and her followers try to thwart Peter's progress. Guards, ghosts, spirits and vampirism add to the unknown dimensions that Peter encounters.

A creation of surreal places and characters, Peter: A Darkened Fairytale is an exciting and imaginative fantasy trip from the beginning to end.



Thank you William for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about William O'Brien and his books, please visit his website.