Guest Author: Elizabeth Mueller

Please welcome Elizabeth Mueller today as she talks about the characters in her upcoming release, Darkspell, and also take a glimpse into the writer behind the story.  Let's start with a few questions and don't forget to enter Elizabeth's super, wonderful contest for prizes a little bit out of this world.

How do you select names for your characters and do any of those names have a special meaning or origin for you?

I love the name Alex. In my opinion, it has that sexy, rugged feel to it. As for Winter, it feels fragile, beautiful and light. I do what feels right as I write.

You write YA. Are you hoping to provide a momentary escape or do you hope your readers receive something more from reading your novel?

I’m aiming for both! Though our trails weigh us down to the point of devastation, there is always hope. Always. I just love the freeing emotion of triumph after hardships.

Tell us something about your villain and what makes him or her interesting?

Ooh, the villain. He is a twisted, evil thing that shapeshifts into a demonic creature. He rules by magic and great power. Nothing stops him from hunting Winter down once he discovers her secret. Or had he always known?

Most readers want their heroes and heroines to take the high road. Can you give us an example from your novel where this happens?

Alex is forbidden to form a romantic relationship with Winter because of his obligation to his coven and her. He respects both, but can’t help his love for her. I show it through his obvious conflict that only appears to Winter as anger.

Writing for publication can be an uphill battle and often frustrating especially for someone as busy as you. How do you motivate yourself and what kept you going until you sold that first book?

My love for writing and the therapeutic escapism it provides me is potent enough for motivation. Going back over and over for revisions can be trying, especially when I would like to see results and get moving to the next book.

I would have to say that it is my sense of purpose. It feels like the right thing to do, to get my first book published. Getting there is a drive for me like waking up. It’s an integral part of who I am. If I stop, it would be like giving up on being a mother to my four children.

I won’t do that.

Can you give us a blurb about your novel and tell us when we can purchase it.

Winter Sky believes she is everything ordinary . . . until she is kissed by Alex Stormhold.


As seer of Stormhold Coven, Alex is sworn to be Winter’s protector against the darkness that hunts her. Violently thrust into a magical realm she always thought impossible, she stumbles upon a disturbing secret of her own.

Will love prove thicker than magic?

Darkspell’s release date is fall of 2011! You can keep up at my website. Here are the places where you can buy my books in the near future at: Amazon.com, the TreasureLine Books online bookstore, Barnes & Noble ebook and paperback, ebooks: B&N, Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Borders, Diesel, Sony, and Scrollmotion.

You will be able to order/reserve a personalized copy through my website soon!

Please join me in my celebration for Darkspell’s fall release all July long! A pre-book launch party if you will. Click here for details.

Thank you for visiting today, Elizabeth.  I hope all my followers will take time to enter the contest.  Leave a comment here and on Elizabeth's blog.

Droughts

Large parts of the country are suffering from devastating droughts causing irreversible damage to this years' crop of fruits and vegetables.  Here in the northeast USA we had way too much rain in the spring but the last two weeks have been rather dry. I'm doing some watering nearly every day to help my plants survive though I'm leaving the poor lawn on its own.  I'm doing the minimum of care needed to keep my greenery alive during this minnie drought.

Writers sometimes enter droughts also.  Sometimes the muse abandons them or perhaps the world sticks its relentless turning into the time a writer sets aside to be creative.  Hopefully the drought lasts only a short time

Elizabeth Mueller's Promo Tour

Would you like a chance to win some fabulous prizes and meet a special lady at the same time?  Do you want a chance to visit some new blogs and make new friends and followers? Do you want to learn more about the craft of writing at the same time?  Keep reading.


Join Elizabeth Mueller in her celebration the entire month of July for Darkspell’s release this fall!

The darkness sends his followers, the Watchers, to haunt Winter Sky, but Alex Stormhold battles to keep her safe from the prowling evil. Rather than being dragged into the dark's destruction, Elizabeth Mueller will provide a way for you to protect yourselves.

These are the *talismans that you could win:

Nox Arcana's Shadow of the Raven for the FIRST WEEK

Canvas Wall Scroll Tapestry: 12"X 17" for the SECOND WEEK

Dragons Sculpture Bookends: 4"X5"X8" for the THIRD WEEK

My favorite: 13" tall. Dark Shadows Lamp for the FOURTH WEEK

Here's how to enter so you can avoid the Shadoweaver's clutches:

It is your charge to haunt the resident bloggers--listed below--that are hosting Elizabeth Mueller for the week. Go here to answer the questions posted into the contact form every Saturday:

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♥ Each correct answer will equal one entry.

♥ Every comment in the blogger's post will equal one entry.

♥ Every follower on Elizabeth Mueller's blog will have 2 entries: a must to qualify for 2 entries: please let her know that you're following her!

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She will announce the winner Sunday evening on her blog!

Do you see Mr. Ole Dark Shadows Lamp there? He likes to pretend that he's the venomous Shadoweaver who seeks Winter. Could it be because he looks so much like him?

Elizabeth will enter every person who dares to display his blog button. Just cut and paste the html code from her grab button on her sidebar to your sidebar for a second chance at the lamp.

♥ In order to qualify, you MUST leave comment in this post with your blog address stating that you've posted the button to your sidebar to make it easier for the Watchers to seek it out.

In other words, Elizabeth is giving 2 lamps away!

Enter the daring bloggers:

**July 1 Sue Roebuck
July 4 Charlene Wilson
July 5 S. B. Niccum
July 7 Roland Yeomans
July 8 Deirdra Coppel
July 11 Alex J. Cavanaugh
July 12 M. S. Hatch
July 13 Tristi Pinkston
July 14 Susan Gourley
July 18 Jo Schaffer
July 19 Konstanz Silverbow
July 20 Melissa Kline
July 23 Lisa Turner
July 25 J. D. Brown
July 27 & 28 Anastasia V. Pergakis
July 29 Michele Bell
July 30 Rebecca Carlson

*this is all make-believe in the spirit of my debut novel, nothing has been placed under any kind of spells and the Shadoweaver lives within the boundaries of Darkspell.

** first official Contest Saturday starts July 9th!