Monday, October 12, 2015

Salem's Daughter by Stephen Tremp

Thank you Susan for hosting me on my Salem’s Daughters Blog Tour. This post I’m spotlighting a particular character named Madelyn, one of the thirteen disembodied witches inhabiting the bodies of cute little kitties that terrorize a bed and breakfast called Murcat Manor. 

Madelyn is the youngest and a very shy girl (compared to the twelve extroverted witches) and has a different and unique gifting. She’s a genius with an incredibly high IQ. Black circles of fur around her eyes look like thick rimmed glasses giving her a nerdy look. She uses tablets and laptops when Bob and Debbie Stevens sleep to research science and technology, helping explain some of the witches magical abilities and increase their gifting. Here’s Madelyn explaining to her sisterhood: 

“With Bob’s touch screen devices, I can touch and swipe and move to any site. And I can key in words. It’s difficult, but I can do it. I punch in the first few letters, and the computer completes the word or phrase—and most of the time it gets it right, just what I wanted. This information age is nothing short of amazing.” 

This is important to the coven as the other twelve, originating in Colonial America in the early 1700s, never progressed past elementary school and had no desire to educate themselves during their previous five lives. 

Understanding E=MC2 is a cinch for Madelyn. She helps Esther, another witch, employ a new trick; creating energy bursts from water vapor in the air. Esther had always been able to cause small explosions but never understood the incredible potential she had. Madelyn teaches her to focus on converting hydrogen from water molecules in the air into helium and energy is released. The result is much smaller than an explosion, but still another very effective toy to help terrorize the guests at Murcat Manor. 

Madelyn also benefits herself from access to the Internet. As the story progresses, certain people begin to make connections that there’s more to these thirteen lazy cats than meets the eye. The witches are locked in numerous deadly battles with these characters and often it’s Madelyn who use logic, not magic, to defeat those who challenge the cats and their mystical powers. 

Madelyn is one of my favorite characters in Salem’s Daughters. It was a challenge to develop her since she doesn’t have an ability like the others, but after much perseverance, I think I ended up with a real winner with the nerdy introvert. 

Short Blurb: A four hundred year old evil is unleashed when the daughters of those killed during the Salem Witch Trials find a new generation of people to murder at a popular modern-day bed and breakfast. 

Stephen Tremp writes Speculative Fiction and embraces science and the supernatural to help explain the universe, our place in it, and write one of a kind thrillers. You can read a full synopsis and download Salem’s Daughters by Clicking Here
Nerdy Me Hard at Work Writing Salem's Daughters

Stephen Tremp posts weekly blogs at his website Breakthrough Blogs

Next Stop: Tuesday October 13th Stephanie Faris for How I Use Kids in Salem’s Daughters. To kill, or not to kill. That is the question (and that's not really me hahaha).

45 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

They say knowledge is power, so she does indeed have one.
That really is an uber-nerd shot of someone.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Stephen - she sounds like my sort of character .. and it looks you got her down to a tee - good 'old' Madelyn ... and clever too .. cheers Hilary

Jo said...

Interesting character Stephen. A nerd witch??? I thought you really meant it was you at first but having seen pix of you elsewhere I knew it couldn't be.

Jay Noel said...

Congrats Stephen!

And that picture took me back. Whoa! Looks like a computer straight out of War Games.

Jay Noel said...

Congrats Stephen!

And that picture took me back. Whoa! Looks like a computer straight out of War Games.

nashvillecats2 said...

Good luck Stephen with your book, sure to sell well.
Yvonne.

Pat Hatt said...

That is quite the nerd shot haha hey, being a nerdy introvert isn't so bad, as long as you don't spend your life in your parents basement

Stephen Tremp said...

Thanks Susan for hosting me! I'll be checking in throughout the day. And thanks everyone for stopping by!

Heather R. Holden said...

Love the sound of Madelyn already. Then again, nerdy introverts are always awesome! ;)

A Beer for the Shower said...

A nerdy introvert trapped in the body of a cat. I like that. Personally, I prefer my own cats not be smarter than me. Or hog my tablet.

M.J. Fifield said...

I love the idea of this character. The whole story sounds like something I'd enjoy. Looking forward to reading it!

TBM said...

Love the nerd picture. Interesting concept for the book. Now I'm looking at my cat and wondering ...

betty said...

Madelyn sounds like an interesting cat. Cannot wait to read book to learn more about her. Enjoyed the picture of you in your creative mood of writing.

Betty

Jemi Fraser said...

Madelyn sounds awesome! :)

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Thanks for being here and sharing today, Stephen.

Arlee Bird said...

Steve,,you had me going for a moment with that photo. That didn't look anything like other photos that I'd seen of you and that computer equipment is a hoot. Still, glad you clarified.

A logical cat. Sounds good to me.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

cleemckenzie said...

Ha! The nerds will inherit the earth or Pluto or something worthy of nerddom. Loved the post. And the cats, of course.

Nick Wilford said...

It's always the quiet ones you have to watch out for!

Chrys Fey said...

The first kitty picture is adorable!

I always love a cool nerd and Madelyn sounds like a cool nerd to me. :D

Stephen Tremp said...

Alex, not sure I'd want my pic taken if I was him.

Stephen Tremp said...

Hilary, of course all 13 cats have to die in the end (no worries as they have three more lives). But Madelyn was by far the most difficult to kill off.

Stephen Tremp said...

Jo, I was thinking a bit of Velma from Scooby Doo.

Stephen Tremp said...

Jay, I remember upgrading from a 286 to a 486 and thought it was so incredible at the time.

Stephen Tremp said...

Jay, I remember upgrading from a 286 to a 486 and thought it was so incredible at the time.

Stephen Tremp said...

Thanks Yvonne!

Stephen Tremp said...

Lee, that pic is a real hoot!

Stephen Tremp said...

Nick, you sure got that right!

Stephen Tremp said...

Nothing wrong with being a nerd
Although often the lines are blurred
People erroneoulsy think you are a turd
But nothing could be so absurd
Word

Stephen Tremp said...

Heather, she was a fun character to develop. She's is definitely unique. No one else quite liker her.

Stephen Tremp said...

Hahaha or drink your beer, although Madelyn probably won;t do that.

Stephen Tremp said...

M.J., enjoy!

Stephen Tremp said...

TBM, be aware of your surroundings (cue Twilight Zone music).

Stephen Tremp said...

betty, I found that on Google images. Poor guy. It's been used so many times by other people such as myself for years. It just won;t go away.

Stephen Tremp said...

Jemi, she is, in her own nerdy way.

Stephen Tremp said...

Susan, always a fun stop and never a dull moment.

Stephen Tremp said...

Cheryl, nerds rule! I should make up Madelyn T-shirts.

Stephen Tremp said...

Chrys, she sure is. What group of time travelling witches living inside cat bodies would be complete without a nerd.

Tammy Theriault said...

Stephen that is so not you because you forgot the suspenders! Congrats on the book!

Stephen Tremp said...

Just like Urkel. Snort!

Stephen Tremp said...

Just like Urkel. Snort!

Alex Hurst said...

A very cute premise! Thanks for sharing it. I love the idea of giving cats the mouse, owl, and bat treatment from the 90s. :)

Shannon Lawrence said...

She sounds like a delightful character! You've got to have a nerd if you want anything to get accomplished, and I like that she uses logic over magic.

Stephen Tremp said...

Alex glad you like the post and thanks for stopping by!

Stephen Tremp said...

Shannon, I struggled finding a balance in the group dynamics of the thirteen witches, and Madelyn provided just that.

Patricia Stoltey said...

LOL -- I knew that wasn't your! Loved the kitty pictures.