The Other Side of me: Costuming--Star Wars Costumers at Barnes and Noble

A picture says a thousand words. And so, except for a few words here, let the photos above speak their piece. This happened Saturday, June 21st, at the Barnes and Noble 4600 Commonwealth Center Parkway in Midlothian, Virginia. Members of Garrison Tyranus (which is part of the 501st) and two Rebel Legion members (me and Rachel) trooped in costumes we had made at the Summer reading premiere. people with children came, took pictures with us, the kids made masks and had their face painted. There were games and one of the B&N staff read to some of the the children also. No, there is none of me in my jedi costume here--forgot to have someone take one of me.

The first picture is copies of my book, Haunted Richmond, signed, and sitting on the counter. The others are of Tyranus people in costume, or of the one of my husband tying his boot, getting out of it after trooping. The last one is of a little boy who came dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi, with a white beard drawn on the lower part of his face. Isn't he adorable?

Anyway, enjoy.

Welcome Author Kim Richards and Her Novella, Death Masks Virtual Tour Stop

Book available at Eternal Press

Release Date: April 2008
Genre: Thriller
ISBN#: 978-0-9804739-4-0
Page Count: 111
Price: $5.95 U.S.

Blurb:
Bill Cristo takes up walking a per his doctor’s orders to lose weight and improve his health. While at the metro park, he witnesses an assault. The assailant turns on him and he wakes in the hospital with a nasty bump on his head, wondering why he isn’t dead.

The news reports nothing on any attack in the metro park but Bill can’t let it go...not when he realizes there are other young men missing from the same area. He digs up what he can on his own, drawing further attention from the murderer. Will he be able to figure out who the killer is before it reaches his live-in girlfriend?

Excerpt:

“Shhh. Please listen.” Her words dropped to a trembling whisper.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m scared.”
Bill hesitated a moment, thinking she might go on.
“Bill?” She sounded so small and vulnerable. He immediately wanted to reach out through the phone and pull her close. He longed to make whatever it was better.
“I’m here, Hon. What’s going on?” He shut down his computer as he talked.
“Someone keeps calling me.” Once she started speaking, her words came fast and clipped. “At first he kept hanging up. No heavy breathing or anything so I decided it must be those kids next door.”
“He? How do you know it’s a guy?” Bill used one hand to hold the phone and the other to begin stuffing his things into his carry bag.
“Because…” Dampened, low sounds came over the phone.
Oh God, she’s crying.
“Because I know what a man's voice sounds like. This last time, just a minute ago, he said I’m next.”
“Next for what?” As Bill said the words, he’d already guessed the answer. All the clues were in place, the footprints on the porch, the maniac figuring out Bill knew about him, and now the calls to Dix. He didn’t hear her answer.

Author Bio:
Kim Richards lives in Northern California; with wedding plans for May 2009. She writes horror, fantasy, erotica and science fiction, as well as non-fiction chapters and articles. She has seen one children’s story published and Death Masks is her first thriller. For more information on all of her published works, check out her website at www.kim-richards.com

Kim is an avid costumer and amateur bellydancer. She loves her coffee. She works as an editor for MyShelf Reviews and for Eternal Press as an author, editor and marketing manager. You can find her at Facebook, MySpace, Livejournal and Goodreads under the user name Kim_Richards.

Thank you, Kim Richards, for agreeing to an interview on my blog.

1.) What is a death mask?
Throughout the ages, man often made masks of the deceased faces. It is a way of honoring the dead and, before photographs became available, to preserve the visage of the deceased person for the living to view. There are many in museums around the world including some famous people such as Agamemnon, Cromwell, Edison, Newton and Volaire. During my recent trip to Germany I discovered several in museums including the last Teutonic Knight Hochmeister, Archduke Eugen, and two rulers: Frederic II and Frederic Wilhelm IV. .

I made a plaster cast of my own face to use for promoting Death Masks and the detail of the features surprised me. The death masks I had the opportunity to see also had great detail. FYI: the one I did of myself is technically called a Life Mask since I am still living.

2.) What does a death mask have to do with the book?
One thing many serial murderers have in common is collecting something from their victims. In this story the killer makes a death mask of each victim. It’s also intended to be a play on the words since there is something unexpected about the murderer revealed at the very end so the fact that the identity remained hidden is a kind of mask.

3.) Why did you decide to write this book? What inspired you?
I wrote the first draft while living in Ohio, across the street from a metro park. Having come from the wide open spaces of New Mexico, the dense trees of Ohio and steep areas struck me as places to dump a body. Often in the news, people were found days after driving off into one of these areas. I did talk with the park rangers near me and found out they try to keep any assaults or other problems occurring in the parks under wraps so that people will feel safe in coming there.

4.) Why a story about a serial killer? Aren’t those overdone (SPOILER ANSWER)?
I decided early on I wanted my protagonist to be someone different than those you find in a lot of thrillers. Bill is an IT computer support tech instead of a detective or someone with law enforcement experience. His curiosity keeps him on the trail but his lack of experience causes him to make mistakes.

5.) The murderer is female. Her sex isn’t revealed until the last chapter. In the opening scene it is left unclear she is even human.

6.) Why a female murderer? (SPOILER QUESTION)
Women serial murderers tend to be better at killing than their male counterparts. They go for longer periods of time before being caught, with higher body counts for several reasons: they seldom talk about their crimes to anyone, they tend to take choose less violent ways of death, and for women—many of their killings are viewed as mercy deaths and therefore more acceptable to society. For example: the woman whose elderly relatives die in her care. The rest of her family may not realize she poisoned them, thinking they passed on of old age. I find that concept extremely chilling.

7.) Why did you decide to publish Death Masks with an e-book publisher (Eternal Press)?
I find every path to publishing valid in one form or another. My first book came out as under a print on demand format because I had the opportunity to do it free. I do editing for Eternal Press and so took the opportunity when offered to me to try my hand at an ebook. It may not be the best choice for every book but I believe a good one for this story. I prefer to form my own opinions about such things with a little of my own experience.

8.) Tell us about the book trailer for the novella?
My fiance, William Gilchrist filmed it for me using ideas we brainstormed together. The music is from a death metal band from my hometown of Roswell, New Mexico. I wanted a rougher sound since this is not a happy, fluffy story. The neat thing is the band, Children of a Lesser God, and I are working together to promote ourselves. It’s opened up some interesting opportunities. They will be taking touring all summer and Death Masks goes with them.

9.) What else have you published recently?
August of 2007 saw a book called The Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction released from Dragon Moon Press. I wrote the chapters on world building and sub-genres. Presently I am writing a chapter for the same editors on Celtic Magic for a book on writing fantasy magic expected for fall 2008 release.

April 2008 Death Masks came out, and towards the end of the month, an anthology of dragon stories titled, Firestorm of Dragons. Firestorm is from DragonMoon Press. I have a story in this one about what dragons really do with all those maidens who get sacrificed to them.

Then in the fall of 2008, I have an entry in a Twisted Twins horror themed desk calendar. Yep. I got the January 1 spot!! It’s the New Year’s Resolutions of a serial killer (intended to be funny).


10.) What are you working on now?
I have a horror novel tentatively titled, Holy Blessed Homicide, which I am revising. It is also out in submission.

I am also in the first rewrites of a story about the Amazon warrior women from the region of Turkey. It was my 2007 nanowrimo project but I have two more in the series planned. The first of which is brainstormed and the first few chapters written.

14.) Do you have a book coming out? If so what? Do you have a web site? Do you have a blog? My space?

Death Masks is available from Eternal Press. I also have a story out in an anthology of dragon stories by another publisher.

To check out the trailer for Death Masks. The metal band is from my home town, Roswell, New Mexico. You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp2zpDNMfmM

My website is: Kim Richards You can also find me at Myspace, Livejournal, Facebook, Blogger, Good Reads and Writer’s Chatroom. All under the username Kim_Richards.


Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions for my blog. Good luck with your writing.

Here is my review for the novella:

Kim Richards’ horror novella, Death Masks, starts off with a bang, as a jogger is murdered by a killer. Then it switches next to slow, but comfortable, like an old pair of shoes. We get to know the main character, Bill Cristo, learn how he must lose weight, and meet his coworkers and his live-in girlfriend, Dixie. When Bill decides to start exercising, by walking a path in a park near his place, he runs into what he thinks is someone trying to rob a man. When he tries to be a hero, he is forced to the ground and gets a good look at the eyes of the attacker, through the ski mask. His next sight of the unconscious victim reveals the man isn’t knocked out, for his eyes are wide open and showing hopelessness and terror. Bill’s own panic escalates at that point, when something strikes the side of his head and he falls into darkness.
This is the story of an ordinary American man. He has the life through day-to-day today, he’s overweight, he decides to make a change for a healthier lifestyle by exercising, there’s love in his live with a beautiful woman and he works at a job that isn’t specila, but needed to survive. But when Ms. Richards blends in the terrifying circumstances of murder, suddenly Bill’s life is not so ordinary. There’s more at stake than being overweight that might kill him. Murder might kill him a lot sooner than a heart attack. And he’ll learn that everyone around him wears masks to cover their real faces.
This is the kind of murder mystery with the touch of terror that will have you guessing to the end who the killer is. And like Bill, you may be very much surprised, if not horrified. A good summer read, just don’t read it before you go out jogging in the early evening at your local park. Because then you’ll wonder if the rustling in the bushes along the path is really a rabbit.

Review of The Nightwalker by Thomas Tessier, A Friend's Story Published and More

First, a good friend, Susan Schwartz got her short horror/dark fiction, "I Thought You Did" published at HorrorBound Magazine. You can read it at
Horrrorboundmagazine/SusanSchwartz . Then I want to let you know to come back tomorrow for the virtual blog tour stop of author Kim Richards and her novella, Death Masks. I will have a review of it, plus you can see the book cover, the author's bio and more. Then on Tuesday, June 24th, I will blog about what I did yesterday, along with my husband and members of the local 501st garrison, Tyranus and another member of the Rebel Legion. For a hobby, my husband and I do costuming: making and wearing costumes at conventions and at events. My husband as a Star Wars stormtrooper and me in jedi garb trooped with the others at Barnes and Noble in Midlothian, Virginia's Summer Reading event. There'll be pictures also. So be sure to cone back Tuesday.
Today, I am giving a quick review of two novellas in one book, The Nightwalker by Thomas Tessier. The Nightwalker is a werewolf tale. Never too sure if the main character, Bobby Ives, is becoming a true werewolf, or slowly falling deep into the descent of madness, Tessier takes this story with possible traditional people in the werewolf tale and moving them up to the 1970s and twisting them around.
Bobby is a Vietnam vet, now living in London, England. He exists on vitamins and hardly much else. His body may be getting healthier, but is his mind though? That's the question. Or is he cursed, maybe since birth, with the Vietnam war helping bring out the beast within you. A truly good story, it will make you think and wonder: how far beneath our human self is our beast waiting to awaken?
The next story, The Dreams of Dr. Ladybank, is the terrifying decent into madness. There is the gay man, Tony, who hears a voice and not sure if another side to himself or maybe broadcasted from elsewhere he becomes a female hooker to attract men, especially Snake, who we learn is also seeing the same shrink, Dr. Ladybank, that Tony is seeing. In more ways, this story is scarier than The Nightwalker, for this is truly the beast we all fear, waiting to get its hooks into us.
If ypu need a fast, scary read, then these two novellas in one book will give you something to read. Just be sure to read them during the day, surrounded by people. Otherwise,at night, these two 'beastly' stories just might hook your fears even more.
Get this book at http://www.amazon.com/Nightwalker-Thomas-Tessier/dp/0843960450/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214151935&sr=8-1

Did Article, Plus Featured at TrueGhostStory.Com

I am featured up at http://www.true-ghost-story.com. There's a link to an article I wrote about investigating Cold Bluff Battlefield back in April.

Ghost Hunting-Orbs in My Photos

Friday the 13th I went ghost hunting at the Poe Museum with other members of VASPER (Virginia Society of Paranormal Education and Research: http://ghosts.meetup.com/644/boards/ ). At one point, by Poe's childhood bed in one building, I dared anyone to touch me as I held out my EVP (digital voice recorder). Suddenly, my hands grew freezing cold. Later in the last room my group did tour of, a loud sound came from upstairs. The guide said it sounded like something fell, but it sounded more like a door slamming to me. Nothing in my pictures, though I haven't checked my DVD I recorded on my camcorder yet. Though I thought I heard something strange on my EVP, but I am waiting for my CD of digital wave that I ordered from Aamzon to come so I can upload the whole EVP to computer. Want to hear the Cold Bluff Battlefield one from April as that is the one the weird and wild stuff happened, including loads of orbs on the pictures I took. You can see the ranger in picture with orbs around him. Second picture is large orb in room at Berkeley Plantation. And last one is of my front yard on Frdiay the 13th.

Though a hobby more to me, it is an interesting one that I enjoy doing.

Beware! It's Friday the 13th!

It's Friday the 13th once again. For many reasons, people feel this is a day of bad luck. Not so for me, 13 is my lucky number. Over the years, I've won prizes and money with this number. Heck, I own a black cat! Tonight, I even go ghost hunting with Virginia Society of Paranormal Education and Research at the Poe Museum down in Shcokoe Bottom. Hopefully, I'll catch Chris Semter of the museum to get some myths about Poe for my myths and legends of Virginia book.

The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobia, a word derived from the concatenation of the Greek words Paraskeví (Παρασκευή) (meaning Friday), and dekatreís (δεκατρείς) (meaning thirteen), attached to phobía (φοβία) (meaning fear). The term is a specialized form of triskaidekaphobia, a simple phobia (fear) of the number thirteen appearing in any case.

Both the number thirteen and Friday have been considered unlucky:
In numerology , the number twelve is considered the number of completeness, as reflected in the twelve months of the year, twelve recognized signs of the zodiac, the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve Apostles of Jesus, etc., whereas the number thirteen was considered irregular, transgressing this completeness. There is also a superstition, thought by some to derive from the Last Supper, that having thirteen people seated at a table will result in the death of one of the diners.
Friday, as the day on which Jesus Christ was crucified, has been viewed both positively and negatively among Christians. The actual day of Crucifixion was the 14th day of Nisan in the Hebrew Lunar calendar which does not correspond to "Friday" in the solar calendar of Rome. The 15th day of Nissan (beginning at Sundown) is celebration of Passover.

In the 20th century, only did the superstition receive greater audience, as
Friday the 13th doesn't even merit a mention in E. Cobham Brewer's voluminous 1898 edition of the Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, though one does find entries for "Friday, an Unlucky Day" and "Thirteen Unlucky." When the date of ill fate finally does make an appearance in later editions of the text, it is without extravagant claims as to the superstition's historicity or longevity. Though the superstition developed relatively recently, much older origins are often claimed for it, most notably in the novel, The Da Vinci Code (and later the film), which traced the belief to the arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday October 13, 1307.

There is even said by a doctor that 21 million Americans have a fear of Friday the 13th in this day and age. It has been proven that the number of hospital admissions due to vehicular accidents was significantly higher than on "normal" Fridays. Does it keep most of them from ventruing out to work and more? No. Though I wouldn't be surpirsed if they carry a rabbit's foot in their purse or pocket, or something that they believe is lucky for them.

Whatever the case may be for those today, what do you believe? What plans are you making to do today for the 13th--stay home safe and sound or go out as usual? Do you believe in the 13th being a unlucky day or not?

Recap of Life Through Literature…Where Characters Come to Life” Festival

As you see from the photo, I spoke at the Life Through Literature…"Where Characters Come to Life” Festival given by the Petersburg Library. Held in Popalor Lawn Park in Petersburg, Virginia Saturday, May 31st, it was at 2:30PM, and the day very hot and humid. But I enjoyed talking to the audience and answering questions posted to me. I talked about Haunted Richmond, Virginia, telling some of the stories in the chapters and even about doing ghost hunting with Virginia Society for Paranormal Education and Research and Central Virginia Psychic Development and Paranormal Research. Afterwards, my husband and I drove home, but not before checking out the two tables they had full of books the library was giving away for free to anyone.

Thinking Outside of the Box

Never say a yard sale isn't a new way to sign books, but also to give out business cards to people. I did the Starfleet Atlantic Sci-Fi Yard Sale Saturday, June 7th in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Before, when my husband and I go down to do this we just sold yard sale items. This year, istill brought some yard sale stuff, time, also my books I have stories and poems publsihed in, along with copies of Haunted Richmond, Virginia and Beyond the Four Walls chapbook, plus promo. Today, at this moment, Haunted Richmond, Virginia is #39 on Amazon.com.
I not only sold a copy of Beyond the Four Walls (which the cover artist, S. L. Wickham, was there, sellig her art work) signed the cover for the person who got it, but I also sold what I had left of downloads of my erotic paranormal romance novella, Beast Magic I wrote as Sapphire Phelan on CDs and a copy of Haunted Richmond too. The space didn't cost me anything being a member of Starfleet Atlantic, I still spent time with good friends, had a super lunch of cookout burgers and hot dogs and more, and maybe got more people to know about me. One of those people was somone who works for a local Barnes and Noble, who says she would give my cards (both pen names) to her manager as they love local authors. Artist S.L. Wickham herself may have have a chance now to get her works in a local gallery, thanks to a customer who bought three of her prints. Keep your fingers crossed for her too, and do check out her link in this blog to check out her myspace site.

So next time, you the author or you the artist think, Why should I do a yard sale?, think outside of the box. It's another venue to sell your work and get your name out. Go beyond the bookstores or Amazon, beyond the galleries, and who knows what might happen. After all, it's a way to find out. Right?

Review of Ghosts of Hollywood by Marla Brooks

Purchase this book at Schiffer Books/Ghosts of Hollywood

I grew up in California, and been to Los Angeles and Hollywood many times. Living in Virginia since 1985, I thought that this book would be interesting to read and it was.
With a past that reaches way back before the Spanish came to California, L.A and Hollywood has its share of ghosts and legends as much as Richmond, Virginia does. I had always stated that both California and Virginia are both very haunted states, due mainly to being settled not only by Native Americans, but by English settlers here and the Spanish on the West Coast. Blend Hollywood with a haunted Hollywood with movie stars and films being made, and you get an eclectic pot of ectoplasmic hauntings and weird stuff going on.
Living out there until 1985 I have heard some of the stories I read in the book, others I found out later, but there was still plenty of wonderful ghostly tales for me to read and discover.
Some favorites were Bela Lugosi’s daily walk past the intersection of Hollywood and Vine, how some of the ghosts from Hollywood Forever cemetery still visit the Paramount Studios next door, the Hollywood Wax Museum chapter, and the Hollywood Ghostly Urban Legends chapter. But I also enjoyed reading about all of the ghosts in here, including many that Marla and her friends encountered themselves. It’s a good book for October reading. It is also a great summer beach read, as you lie in the sand and sun yourself. Summer, Winter, Autumn or Spring, true ghostly tales are always good year round. This book is no exception.
So the next time you have the chance to go to California and tour Hollywood, buy this book and take a tour of a different kind. Yes, you can always take the normal tour of Hollywood stars’ homes or Universal Studios, or even eat at some of the places you seen in movies and TV shows. But why not do something way out of the norm and visit many of the haunted places that flavor this city, using this book as a guide. You just might see movie stars all right, just of the supernatural kind.
As it has been said, “All the world is a stage and the people merely actors”, and in Hollywood it seems that ghosts of celebrities never stop performing, especially for the living.

I give this book 4 dragons.

I'll Be At The “Life Through Literature…Where Characters Come to Life” Event in Petersburg, Va. May 31st

I'll be at “Life Through Literature…Where Characters Come to Life” event in Petersburg, Virginia Saturday the 31st, talking about Haunted Richmond, Virginia at 2:30PM., at the Authors Pavilion. The address is Poplar Lawn Park, 351 S. Sycamore Street, Petersburg, Virginia.

For more information on the festival: 804-733-2387 ext. 21. The festival itself is Noon to 8PM on Saturday and on Sunday, June 1st, 1:00-6:00PM.

Interview with Romantic Suspense Author Kathleen Mix

I am interviewing romantic suspense Author Kathleen Mix today. Secret Stranger is perfect for that beach read, now with summer almost upon us. Enjoy the interview and do leave Kathleen comments.

Where to buy my book:
Secret Stranger is available for download at my publisher’s Web site (http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=605)
and all major online sites. The Wild Rose Press product page(above) includes a link to buy from Amazon in print or Kindle® versions.
The print version of Secret Stranger, ISBN #1-60154-137-6, is available at Barnes & Noble, Borders, and most other places books are sold.

Bio:
Kathleen Mix began writing while living aboard a sailboat and roaming among the islands of the Caribbean, Bahamas, and South America. Her non-fiction sailing and travel articles have appeared in several regional and national magazines. One is included in the collection, The Best of SAIL: Commonsense Cruising published by Sheridan House.
A few years ago, while anchored in the Virgin Islands, she started her first novel. The entire manuscript of A Trade Wind Season was written aboard her sailboat. The book was published in 2002 by Avalon Books.
Kathleen’s latest book is Secret Stranger, a romantic suspense set on a remote island in the Bahamas. Her next book, Deadly Paradise, is set in the Bremuda Triangle and will be released in late 2008. Kathleen earned an engineering degree from the University of Connecticut and is a former Coast Guard licensed charter captain. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Virginia Writers Club, and President of Virginia Romance Writers.

1.)Please tell us about your latest book.
Secret Stranger is a romantic suspense set on an isolated Bahamian island.
The heroine, Kelly Salinger, has moved to tiny Half Moon Cay hoping to find a sanctuary where she can heal the scars of a violent past. When she finds an injured man unconscious on her beach, she takes him into her home to recover.
Clay McCarthy awakens with amnesia and is desperate to discover his identity. But every clue to his past indicates he's been pursuing a life of crime.
Kelly and Clay are as different as silk and stone. The only thing they have in common is that they are trapped on a small island with a gang of dangerous international jewel thieves. Opposites do attract, but Kelly and Clay must find a way to overcome their differences and work together if they’re to stay alive.

2.)What can we expect from you in the future?
My next romantic suspense, Deadly Paradise, will be released as an ebook later this year by The Wild Rose Press. It will be available in print early 2008.
Deadly Paradise is about a desperate mother’s search for an airplane missing in the Bermuda Triangle and the brash charter pilot who agrees to help her, not knowing he’s putting his life in danger.

3.)How do we find out about you and your books?
You can find information about me and my books on my website, Kathleen Mix , or at my publisher’s website, Wild Rose Press .

4.)How may readers contact you?
My email is myth_writer@hotmail.com

5.)How would you describe the genre in which you do most of your writing?
Romantic Suspense. The Wild Rose Press classifies the romantic storyline as spicy.

6.)What motivated you to start writing this book?
Secret Stranger resulted from a scary experience while cruising in the Bahamas.
One afternoon while anchored near a deserted out-island in an area known for modern-day pirates, I began imagining the dark side of paradise and saw how vulnerable someone living on a remote island could be. Worry plucked at my nerves and marred a blazing tropical sunset
The next day, I wrote Kelly Salinger onto fictitious Half Moon Cay and let her believe isolation equated to safety. Then I added some devious guests who would force her to confront her worst fears in order to survive.

7.)What kind of research do you do?
I do some fact checking online, but I prefer to go to the library and bring home stacks of books about everything from guns, to private investigating techniques, to lock picking. True crime stories are wonderful sources. I read, read, read, anything and everything.

8.)Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?
At a minimum, I write every morning from 9 to noon. I outline extensively before I begin a book, so I usually know what I want to write before I begin any scene. Of course, my outline isn’t cast in stone. I often modify it if the actual writing sparks a better idea.

9.)Where do your ideas come from?
A variety of places. A person, a snippet of conversation, and an item on the news have all sparked stories. Reading is a great catalyst for my imagination.

10.)Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?
No one in particular. I read mystery, sci-fi, romance, non-fiction, you name it. I hope I’ve taken a little knowledge and inspiration from the great writers in every genre.

11.)How long have you been writing – have you always wanted to be a writer?
I always wanted to be a writer, but didn’t begin writing until I quit my job and moved aboard a sailboat. I began writing non-fiction articles for sailing and travel magazines as a way to support my wanderlust. When I became bored telling the truth, I turned to writing fiction.

12.)What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
Nothing beats the thrill of holding your published book in your hand!

13.)Among your own books, have you a favorite book? Favorite hero or heroine?
Every book I write is my favorite book while I’m writing it. And every hero and heroine is my favorite for that time, too. I get deeply involved in each story, and I live my characters’ pain and fears. When the book is finished, I’m sorry to see them go.

14.)Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.)
I’m an avid sailor and former Coast Guard licensed captain. My husband and I lived aboard a sailboat for over twelve years. During that time, we traveled the entire Eastern seaboard and followed the chain of Caribbean islands all the way to mainland South America. We backpacked through Venezuela before returning to the U.S. by way of Curacao and Bonaire. Our visits to the Bahamas and Virgin Islands inspired my latest books.
My education is in science and math. I have a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Connecticut.

15.)Any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?
Never give up. Persistence is the key to getting published.

16.)Tell us about your website, MySpace, Blog, any urls so the readers can find out more about you.
My website is http://kathleenmix.com/. There’s a little bit of everything there. By all means, please stop by to read excerpts from my books, browse some of my non-fiction sailing and travel articles, and see pictures of my sailboat.

17.)Now for something fun.
Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate

Erotic or inspirational? Erotic

Favorite color? Green

All time favorite actor? Sean Connery

Actress? Julia Roberts

All time favorite book? Gone With the Wind

Favorite TV show? Jeopardy

Favorite movie? Star Wars

What makes you laugh out loud? Old I Love Lucy TV shows

If you could go anywhere in the universe where would that be? St. John’s, U.S. Virgin Islands

A secret fetish? SorryI never reveal my secrets. I like to keep people in suspense. :D

Review of Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

I went and saw "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" alone on Friday, May 16th. After dropping my son off at work, I rsuhed over to the Commonwealth 20 Theater, now owned by Regal Cinemas. The theater was filled, but lucky for me, the seat I usually get waited for me, vacant.

I loved it. Darker and even better than the first one, with ferocious battle scenes, and may I say, Ben Barnes as Caspian made my heart beat. Caspian is the latest royal descended of Tumerians who came and conquered Narnia not long after the 'four kings and queens of old' return back to 1940s England. He had grown up on stories of the magic of Narnia at his tutor's knee. And not long after his father's death, his tutor helps him to escape as it became apparent that after the birth of his own son, Caspian's uncle has plans to kill him and take the throne. Caspian takes the horn that Susan left behind and blows on it to call them. The four children, Susan, Lucy, Edmund, and Peter return to find a Narnia a thousand years in the future. They help the Narnians who have been hiding all this time and Caspian to defeat bis uncle.

If you have younger children who may be frightened, then I would suggest the parents go and view it first to see if thior child can handle it. Like I said earlier, it is much darker and more older in tone. The battle scenes are intense and the visuals are spectacular. I can't wait for the third one.

I give this film 5 dragons.

Two New Reviews for Haunted Richmond-Interview too

Two new reviews of Haunted Richmond. One is at: http://www.bookpleasures.com/Lore2/idx/0/3595/article/Haunted_Richmond.html

Front Street Reviews is the other one. Click on the Nonfiction link at left side and then the Haunted Richmond link. Beneath the review is link to my interview too.

Virtual Tour Stop of Dyan Garris

DYAN GARRIS BIO:
For many years Dyan Garris has been counseling clients in order to help them move forward in their lives. She is clairvoyant, clairaudient, and clairsentient. In addition, Dyan is also what is known as a voice recognition psychic and trance channel. This means that she can help her clients via telephone, which is how she conducted her readings throughout her career.
Dyan is the author, developer and artist of Voice of the Angels – A Healing Journey Spiritual Cards. This is a thirty card deck of angel cards based upon scenes from A Healing Journey Guided Fantasy. Each hand illustrated card has its own channeled message in rhythmic quatrain verse from the angels. Free angel card readings are available on her main website. A journal is available separately as an integrative tool for use with the cards and a meditation journal is available for use with the CDs.
Dyan writes the Daily Channeled Message which posts on her website. Recently she authored The Book of Daily Channeled Messages which is a compilation of inspirational angelic messages to be used for daily guidance or as a bibliomancy tool.
Her book Voice of the Angels Cookbook – Talk To Your Food! Intuitive Cooking is an adventure in opening one’s creative centers and communicating with your food so it can transform from raw ingredients into what truly nourishes you on every level.
In 2005 she created a CD series of instrumental music and meditation for Automatic Chakra Balance™, self-healing, relaxation, and vibrational attunement of mind, body, and spirit. Each CD is available separately, as well as together in a gift basket, and contains several tracks of relaxation music plus a guided meditation on the last track. The CDs have earned the National Health & Wellness Stamp of Approval.
Her new CD of instrumental relaxation music “Release” was released in late September 2007. Dyan’s music can be heard nationally and internationally on numerous radio stations. “Release” recently charted at #3 on Music Choice’s cable TV music channel Soundscapes and is currently nominated for New Age Reporter’s “Best Relaxation/Meditation Album of the Year” and “Best Cover Art.” “Illusions” recently charted at #1.
She is a frequent radio guest on the Jay Grayce show at Tribeca Radio in New York City and has been interviewed by numerous other radio hosts. Recently, Mystic Pop Magazine interviewed her for their January/February issue. Living In Style TV featured her products in their 2007 holiday show.

Dyan Garris is the author of Voice of the Angels Spiritual Cards, The Book of Daily Channeled Messages, Talk To Your Food! Intuitive Cooking, and Fish Tale of Woe – Lost at Sea. In 2005 she created a series of music and meditation CDs for healing, Automatic Chakra Balance,™ and vibrational attunement of mind, body, and spirit.
Media Inquiries: Margarita Miranda-Abate, margarita@mmastrategiccommunications.com

INTERVIEW:
Do you believe in psychic ability?
As a clairvoyant counselor, yes I do believe in psychic ability. Everyone has intuitive ability. We weren’t just dropped off here without a way to communicate. However, psychic ability is different than intuitiveness. We’ve come to lump the term “psychic” in with empathic ability, intuitive ability, tarot card reading skills, mediumship, etc.

Can you tell us a little about what you found out about this subject?

I’ve been clairvoyant my entire life. Clairvoyance is the ability to see what is not here yet, rather than energy that is already here, such as what color car you have, what the name of your beloved is, how many children you have. These things you already know. It isn’t astounding for someone to be able to read energy that is here or has been here previously. Clairvoyance is ability that sees into the future. It is predictive rather than intuitive. However, if you understand the concept of time as multi-dimensional rather than linear, clairvoyance isn’t that mysterious.. Really, I’m just a bringer of information.

Is there ways one can develop their own psychic abilities?

Yes. One can learn to quiet the chatter of the conscious mind and tune in on something other than the physical. This is easily achieved through mindful meditation. One can pay attention and listen to that intuitive voice we all have instead of dismissing it as nonsense.


In channeling one’s own psychic self, do you feel this will soothe their soul, make them more at peace with themselves if they hadn’t been before?

Any time we can connect with that special something that is greater or beyond what we think we see here in this earthbound realm, we can achieve a sense of peace.

Can you give us your own psychic journey that led you to create your own tools, so that you could help others make changes in their own lives?

I’m laughing. My psychic journey is too long of a story for here. I grew up in a time when these things were not considered as acceptable as they are now. The tools I’ve created are a set of tools that I was asked to create for others. It all began with the guided meditation “A Healing Journey.” From that came the deck of angel cards, which I drew and developed in 1993/1994. The cards are all scenes from that journey. And there is a journal that goes with those. It’s integrative healing. Everything I’ve co-created came from those three things.

But you want the deeper, more interesting story, don’t you? I have more than one of those, but here is the story of how the creation of the spiritual “toolbox” came to be:

Years ago I designed and manufactured Austrian crystal jewelry for healing and chakra balance. And I also designed those big, bright, glitzy crystal earrings worn by beauty pageant contestants. I was doing a lot of stone on stone designs which required the use of glue. To get the glue off of my hands I used the solvent acetone.

After a few years of pouring acetone all over my skin, my body started reacting and I became very ill and had to close up shop. Actually, when I say very ill, I really was quite near death. I won't bore you with the details, but suffice it to say I was in complete and total physical agony. My whole immune system went down. The best way to describe it is "defenseless.

"One evening when the house was very, very quiet, the moon was shining brightly through the window, and everyone else was slumbering peacefully, I had a visitation by Spirit. I had been praying for death to come quickly and mercifully. I could take no more. I looked over near the chair and there I first sensed a presence. This was warm, pure light and emanating a sense of pure love and humor. Could this be the angel of death?

I remember being sort of irritated at the humor, because I didn't find anything even remotely funny about my physical condition. I was like a pathetic crumpled up little heap. Then to my utter amazement I saw this presence very clearly, rather than just sensing it. Light filled the entire room and outlined the figure. And then Spirit spoke to me.

"I have something for you to do. Do you want to do it?"

"Well, I can't really do anything like this, now can I?" I said a bit sarcastically.

"I have something for you to do. Do you want to do it?" Spirit repeated the question patiently and with mild amusement.`

"Yes. I want to do it."

"Are you willing to follow the directions and take everything that happens on faith?"

"Yes, I can do that." Yes.

Spirit smiled at me. And I felt the love and comfort of the entire universe. I weakly smiled back.

"You're going to get better now."

“What?” Doubt filled my every pore.

"You're going to get better now. I have something for you to do, and you said yes."

With that, Spirit left quietly and softly, leaving me with the light of the moon and a feeling of being loved more than I could have ever imagined. I sat in stunned silence and complete wonder. Was I so far gone that I was hallucinating?

The next day I did not get better. In fact, I was worse, which I didn’t think was even possible. Certainly I had imagined the whole thing. This went on for three days. On the third day, I felt something shift and change and I was able to eat a few small bites of food. Toward the end of the week I was able to walk a little bit. Something had definitely changed. And so began the healing process, little by little.

Over the past few years as Spirit and I have built Voiceoftheangels.com and everything on it, I remember that evening every single day. Often in life we must take things on faith, even if they make no sense to us or anyone else at the time, and even if they look different than we expect them to look. Sometimes we just need to follow the directions.

And absolutely nothing can happen if we are not first willing to say "Yes."

Say "Yes" to your life because Spirit has something for you to do.

Give us a blurb about Voice of the Angels.

Voiceoftheangels.com is a co-creation and a reflection of pure Love. I hope that everyone that visits there feels it too.

Thank you, Dyan, for taking time to stop at my blog and doing this interview.