Oz Remembered!

Here's a great interview I did on BlogTalk Radio yesterday. Lots of good info
and a few laughs along the way!

Oz Remembered!

Scene 1; Act 3: Guest Author Katie Salidas & Immortalis Carpe Noctem

In our continuing program to feature quality authors of quality books, I am most pleased to present our next guest on the Virtual Book Tour: Guest Author Katie Salidas and her newest book: Immortalis Carpe Noctem

As a fan of Latin, I'm already intrigued by the title, so the contents should be nothing short of spectacular.

Commodo existo nostrum hospes!

Katie Salidas

Immortalis: Carpe Noctem

Bleeding to death after brutal mugging on the campus of UNLV, Twenty-five year old Alyssa, is rescued by the cold and aloof, vampire, Lysander. Taking pity on her, he shares the gift-and curse-of immortality. She awakens as a vampire and is soon devastated by harsh realities of her new way of life: the loss of her friends, her independence, and her humanity.
As if having her humanity stripped away was not enough to make life interesting, Alyssa finds out her “turning”, did not go unnoticed by the rest of undead society. Old enemies; an ancient sect of vampire hunters, known as the Acta Sanctorum, as well as a powerful Vampire mistress, each set plans in motion to destroy both Alyssa and Lysander.
Only by accepting her newfound immortality, seizing the night, will Alyssa hope to survive. She and Lysander must fight together against two sets of enemies bent on destroying them both.

You cannot deny that vampires are HOT in today’s market. Between Urban Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Erotica, and let’s not forget the super popular YA market, vampires are taking over.

Not that I think that is a bad thing. I’ve been a die-hard vampire lover since I read my first novel, The Vampire Diaries, by LJ Smith. I believe I was about 10 years old at the time

There was just something about those creatures of the night that struck me. Vampires, in romance or erotica novels, always seem to be chosen and turned at the peak of their lives. They are at their most virile. Males are hard bodied and don’t have an ounce of flab on them. (Every woman’s dream, right?) They have piercing eyes that can reach into your very soul and mesmerize the pants right off of you. (Not that many of us might mind that… LoL.)

Of course, let’s not forget that they are the ultimate bad boy. And women, we cannot deny that somewhere deep down, there is a lingering desire for the danger and excitement they offer.

The teeth too have their own sex appeal. They are not only phallic on a subconscious level; they represent the very real danger that makes you tingle with anticipation.

Ok, I’m starting to get off topic here. With vampires, I was hooked, plain and simple. And from that moment on I devoured anything, vampire related, I could find.

Combine that love, with a desire to create and that sparked the idea to write my own stories.

But, it’s not enough to just write a vampire story. You have to give a little oomph to it. Like it or not the, “sparkly vampires” that were created in Twilight, show us a perfect example of this concept. Whether or not you like them, Mrs. Meyers did something different. She took an old idea and added a fresh twist. The market is hugely competitive at the moment; so, to stand out, you have to have something to give your audience that they might not get with another story.

Many vampire novels gloss over the change and go straight into “normal” life as a vampire.

But I’ve always wondered… What would it really be like to turn into a vampire? What would it be like to say good-bye to everything you hold dear? What would it be like to hunger for blood? Blood from humans you once considered friends?

Those are the questions I wanted to explore with my novel Immortalis Carpe Noctem.

I wanted to take readers on a front row tour, so to speak, through the changes and hardships faced by a fledgling vampire.

In Immortalis Carpe Noctem we meet Alyssa. She’s your average Twenty-something girl living on her own, working her way through college. In one bad night, her imperfect world goes from bad to worse as she is brutally beaten and near raped before being “saved” by a vampire. Of course I use the term “saved” a bit loosely here as her new life as a vampire isn’t exactly the way Hollywood might have shown it.

Basically I wanted to take the Vampire to a more Human level. They are still to be feared and awed, only now, you might even care for them. See what you think!

The youngest of four children, Katie has always had a desire to entertain. Since, early childhood, she's dreamed up fantastical characters and scribbled them into pages of various journals and notebooks. Taking an interest in vampires at an early age, she devoured every book, featuring those blood sucking creatures, in any genre she could find. She claims that, of all the monsters out there, vampires had always been the most interesting.

It was only natural that a love of reading about vampires, and a love of writing, turned into a desire to write her own stories.

A Las Vegas native, having grown up in the famed City of Sin, Katie loves to feature it as a recurring setting for many of her stories.

Blog
http://myimmortalstories.blogspot.com/

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/ksalidas?ref=profile

Facebook Author Fansite
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Salidas-Author/214780936916

Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/katelv

LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=58814031&trk=tab_pro

Twitter
http://twitter.com/QuixoticKatie

GoodReads
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3395431.Katie_Salidas

Immortalis is sold at:

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Immortalis-Carpe-Noctem-Katie-Salidas/dp/0984419608/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268581182&sr=8-1

Smashwords (multi format ebook)
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/10237

Barnes & Noble
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Immortalis-Carpe-Noctem/Katie-Salidas/e/9780984419609/?itm=1&USRI=immortalis+carpe+noctem

Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/Immortalis-Carpe-Noctem-ebook/dp/B003AYF3NW/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

Publisher (Author Signed Copies)
http://www.risingsignbooks.com

Family of Oz progress

It has been 2 weeks since the muse of Ozma struck and I have been busy writing the third and final episode of the Royal Magician of Oz Trilogy, which is titled: Family of Oz.

The writing goes at a furious pace and I am averaging a chapter a night and stand now at 23,004 words and counting.

During this time, I tend to go to ground and forgo all social interaction and activities related to family and friends.

Fortunately, my family and friends know this and understand that I must complete the Royal Command given to me by her Majesty, Princess Ozma, Royal Sovereign and Ruler of Oz.

My goal is to see Family of Oz released sometime early next year. I hope to do so at Magi-fest, the annual gathering of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
This will be the 80th year of Magi-Fest, of which I attended many of them back in the 70's and early 80's.

Add to this, the many and complicated projects I have on my plate and one can understand why I sometimes look and feel overwhelmed.

Nonetheless, I "endeavor to persevere."

Trivia question: Can anyone identify where the above quote, "endeavor to persevere" originated?

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

Scene 2; Act 4: Guest Author B. Swangin Webster & Let Me Just Say This

As the Virtual Book Tour continues on, I am very pleased to present the next author on the chopping block, so to speak.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present for your kind consideration, B.Swangin Webster,


author of Let Me Just Say This and the companion novel, And Again... Let Me Say This.

Ms. Webster, the stage is yours...

First, Let me just say this; thank you for hosting me on one of my stop’s of my Virtual Book Tour, I’m so excited and I hope I don’t ramble to much. A little background about myself: I am a 44 year old woman, Living In Color. Yes, I put my age out there, because I want other over 40 women, to know that you can still live out your dream, no matter what age you are. My name is as unique as I am, and I like to hear people try and come up with what they think it means.

The process I use while writing is nothing spectacular. I normally don’t have a set time to write, it just happens. Sometimes I can be washing dishes or doing laundry, and “Cheryl, Kevin, Rebecca, Dee or Corey” will come up and start talking to me, like they don’t see me doing something!

At first, I thought I was schizophrenic but then I realized; it was my characters telling me that I needed to stop and starting writing. When this happens, I can sit for hours on my laptop and only come up when “they” stop talking.

Currently I am working on my third novel, tentatively entitled, Once and For All. This would be the “series finale” of Let Me Just Say This. However, just like a spin off, there will be a fifth book, involving the characters that you all have grown to hate or love in the first three books as well as some really surprising twists and turns.

My characters weren’t even named until I had to submit it for publishing. They were just Man #1 and Woman #1 and so on. Not until PA (PublishAmerica) decided to publish it, did they actually have a name. After reading through it, I came up with the names. I wanted something universal, so that everyone could relate to it. As far as the title, I always used the phrase, let me just say this, when I get upset and when I was at work one day, I used it and the secretary told me that if I ever wrote a book, I should title it, Let Me Just Say This, and thanks to Crystal, I did.

You can purchase my books at

http://bswanginwebster.webs.com

or www.amazon.com

or go into your local BORDERS store and order it.

Yes I am in BORDERS!

Scene 2; Act 3: Guest Author Cate Masters & Angels, Sinners and Madmen

As our Virtual Book Tour continues on even more, my next guest is Cate Masters, author of Angels, Sinners and Madmen, due out next month.

Take it away Cate!

A Virtual Visit to Key West, Florida

Thanks so much for having me as a guest on your blog, James.

As a history buff, I’m hoping your readers will enjoy a virtual visit to Key West, Florida, during the days of old.

In the mid-1800s, wreckers enjoyed their heyday. When my family vacationed on the tiny island years ago, a visit to the Shipwreck Historeum piqued my interest in the wreckers and led me to write Angels, Sinners and Madmen, a historical adventure romance.

Freya’s Bower will release the novel on July 27: http://www.freyasbower.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=246

As implied in the name, wreckers made their living by salvaging cargoes from ships sailing too close to the reefs lying near Key West.

From the top of the lookout tower, people heard the cry: Wreck ashore! Wreckers scrambled to their sloops. Battling time and nature herself, these men would race to the sinking ship during fierce storms to save the

passengers from watery graves.

Then they would reap their reward by hauling up sunken cargo – including textiles, fine pewter, cotton, lumber, whiskey – most any cargo imaginable.

My family and I climbed to the top of the tower, and it’s a wonderful view. Despite the heat, I imagine many on watch spent pleasant hours up there.

In walking the streets of Key West, it’s not difficult to imagine Hemingway trodding the same path. His home is preserved for visitors,

but that’s another tale.

The home that most interested me was the oldest wreckers house. Its rooms look today the same as they did in the 1800s.

Mosquitoes were legendary in those days. It made me wonder how effective the linen screens might be.

No cooking was done in the main house due to the intense heat. During our visit, the hotel pool water warmed to 105 degrees, so I can only imagine how residents suffered in the 1800s. An outbuilding housed the summer kitchen, where servants prepared the food.

The entire house was maintained as an exhibit, complete with descriptions such as the one above of daily life on the island. Elements I absorbed for use in my novel.

Here’s an excerpt from Angels, Sinners and Madmen:

Acutely aware of his presence beside her, she suspected he had the same effect on other females. “It sounds like your days are very full, Mr. Langhorne.”

He halted, his gaze intense. “Will you never call me Sam? I may be older than you, but not so old to warrant such formality.”

His sudden seriousness took her by surprise. Using his name implied an informality—a familiarity–she wasn’t quite ready to allow. Then again, he’d brought her up from the depths, his strong arms leaving an indelible impression on her skin, one she felt even now. How much more familiar could one get? “Sam.”

He continued walking. “Thank you, Livvie.”

He said it naturally, as though he’d called her that all her life.

She glanced behind them, then ahead. “This is not a quicker route. In fact, I believe it will lengthen our walk.” These streets were new to her. The houses appeared larger, maintained better than those on Duval Street, at least at the end where the Crowells’ boarding house stood.

His brows furrowed as he pressed his lips together. “Hmm. Is that a fact?”

The stern look she tried to affect gave way to a smile. “So. Tell me about Philadelphia.”

“It’s a bustling metropolis where small-minded people live.” His tone had a sharper edge, and he avoided her gaze.

“City life doesn’t suit you?” Livvie’s curiosity got the better of her, one of her father’s chief complaints.

“Not when I could be here instead. The choice between spending my days there, devising means to outwit others, or here, in the glorious sunshine, my life mine to live as I see fit–well, it was the easiest choice I’ve ever made.”

“What do you mean, outwitting others? Were you a thief?”

He laughed. “In a manner of speaking.”

So willing to share certain parts of himself, so reticent to share others. What secrets, she wondered, did Samuel Langhorne hide?

She scrutinized him. “You are a puzzle.” More likely a Pandora’s box, and the temptation to open it grew.

Here is the book trailer:

Cate Masters writes fantasy/dark fantasy, historical, contemporary and speculative fiction, described by reviewers as “so compelling, I did not want to put it down,” “such romantic tales that really touch your soul,” “filled with action scenes which made it a riveting story,” and “the author weaves a great tale with a creative way of using words that makes the story refreshing to read.”

The proud mom of three adult children, she currently lives in central Pennsylvania with her husband, Lily the dog, their dictator-like cat, Chairman Maiow, and dozens of characters inhabiting her imagination.

Visit Cate online at www.catemasters.com, http://catemasters.blogspot.com or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

Scene 2; Act 2: Guest Author Tasha Nicole Wright & When a Tattered Past Catches You

As our Virtual Book Tour continues on, my next guest is Tasha Nicole Wright, author of When a Tattered Past Catches You.

Take it away... Tasha!

How you came up with your books/characters?

When I write, it's as if my characters speak out to me. They have their own personalities and they

say what they want.
I develop each character as they speak with one another and maintain their

personalities throughout the book.
I don't have a particular method in determining what I will write about. I will pretty much sit down and begin writing something and after the first two paragraphs I will see what direction I will take the story.
Many times I will have a block with naming a character so I tell my boyfriend, Kendrick Choice, about the character. The character's age, sex and so on and he will give me a name.
I try to stay away from using the first name, middle name or last name of people I know so there will not be any situations where they feel as though I am using their life or their experiences in my work.

Synopsis

Tough willed, strong as nails Willa will do whatever it takes to provide for her family even if that meant putting her life in danger or on hold. Living the street life meant not allowing anything or anyone to get close enough to hurt or destroy her. But, after the death of her mother she is forced to return home and confront a past she tried to erase from her memory.As Willa confronts a tragic past she also has to confront something else, her long lost love, Damon. Living the street life and becoming the head woman in charge was something Willa did with ease but there was always something or someone missing in her life. Will Willa let down her guard and allow Damon back into her life again or will she continue to live the street life?

When a Tattered Past Catches You is available through the following websites just by clicking on them and making a wish...

www.Amazon.com

www.BarnesandNoble.com

www.Borders.com (pending)

Her website is http://authortashawright.webs.com

Munchkins, Tornados, Oz-Stravaganza! 2010, oh my!

As the title implies, Oz-Stravaganza! 2010 was an adventure beyond belief and almost beyond words, but I'll do my best to convey the joy and happiness that was Oz-Stravaganza! 2010.

Several months ago, I was invited by the Oz-Stravaganza! 2010 committee to attend this event as a featured author in Author's Alley. This was, as told to me, a new addition to the already well-known and established Oz-Stravaganza! event. This was to be the 20th anniversary of the first Oz-Stravaganza! and I was assured that a splendid time was guaranteed for all. As the months wound down to mere hours, my wife and I made preparations to attend. I was pleased that Shadow Demon of Oz, my second book of the Royal Magician of Oz Trilogy was going to be available for the festival.
As we live in Indiana, we chose to make the trip in 2 days and do a little sight seeing. After a night in Erie, Pennsylvania, we made our way into New York state, did a little jog north of Buffalo and found some little waterfall that seemed of interest.


Turns out there were two to be seen...


Of course, it's Niagara Falls and this was our first time here. What a sight!

Still though, our final destination was Oz and we soon made our way across New York state, despite the irritating toll roads that nickled and dimed us to death!


Once in Chittenango, it became very apparent that we weren't in Indiana anymore.


Our first stop was Chittenango High School for the opening program of Oz-Stravaganza! 2010. Upon pulling into the parking lot, our first sight was a familiar one, the Beast of Anfuso!


If you want further details about this legendary beast, you'll have to ask Dennis Anfuso as he is the caretaker of the beast. We also saw a wonderful sight that my wife Amanda, creator of the legendary Potato Soup really enjoyed.


Once inside, we were greeted by the Cowardly Lion.


Dorothy...


... and the Tin Man!


After our initial set-up, we had the opportunity to meet Joshua Patrick Dudley and his friend, Laura Coleman.


His exuberance and enthusiasm was quite infectious and I found him to be a credit to Oz. Ahhh, the joys of youth!

After a time, we decided to pack up and attend the evenings festivities. This included a rather unique performance by Marc Baum and friend (I didn't catch his name; Sorry about that) in tribute to John Fricke and his twenty years of devoted service to Oz-Stravaganza!


I now know a new word for future use. It's "Fricke-riffic!" It was very apparent the love and admiration these folks have for each other and it made my wife and I feel nice being in the presence of it. John Fricke also did a very nice introduction of all the authors of Author's Alley and made us feel very welcome. After that came a wonderful stage appearance by the Munchkins, all of whom told wonderful stories and recollections of The Wizard of Oz.


Jerry Maren did a wonderful performance of "We Represent the Lollipop Guild" and got a standing ovation from the crowd.


Although there was a performance of The Royal Historian of Oz and The Woman Behind the Typewriter-Family Vignettes with L. Frank & Maud Gage Baum, performed by Robert & Claire Baum, along with fireworks afterward, the day's journey had done it's worst to us and we retired to our hotel, The Craftsman Inn.

As odd as this will sound, our fondest memory of Oz-Stravaganza! 2010 came during this evening at our hotel.
Once we checked in and settled down, we decided to grab a bite to eat at the Oz-pitality room down the hall, which was made available to us as guests of Oz-Stravaganza! 2010.
My wife and I had started making up a plate of goodies when the door swung open and the 5 Munchkin guests who we had seen only an hour before at the high school came bounding in, full of energy and life and looking for a snackipoo.
As I was surrounded by Munchkins, I looked up to see my wife absolutely dumbstruck by the whole event. She had hoped to see these fine folks and was pleased at the evenings performance earlier but, here we stood, surrounded by Munchkins and feeling like Dorothy in Munchkin City. Everyone was polite, cordial and quite entertaining in their excitement.
I introduced myself and my wife to these wonderful people and they returned the introductions with joy, happiness and genuine affection. Several paid my wife lovely compliments and we left them with our head in the clouds and over the rainbow.
For the next several hours, we couldn't even think of sleeping as we were quite giddy at our chance encounter with these wonderful legends of Oz.

The next morning, my wife was not feeling well, so she chose to stay in as I made my way to the Oz-Stravaganza! 2010 grounds and my date with destiny.
After a brief set-up, I soon found myself ready for the days events.

Here we see the Three Stooges of Oz.


They are as follows from left to right: Moe (Dennis Anfuso), Larry (James C. Wallace II {me}) and Curly (Phillip John Lewin).

The day was hot, humid and somewhat wet on several occasions, although not overwhelmingly so. I went around and took a few shots which I share with you now...

Here is The Magic of Mike Carter, who performed a magic show with "Ozzy" twists and did caricatures for the audience.


The main vendor area...

The Tin Woodman playing a game of Chess with a local inhabitant...

Here is Aadon Blu's Pinwheel Peace Garden. I've made a special connection with these people and intend to do something very special in my 3rd volume of The Royal Magician of Oz Trilogy; Family of Oz. In the coming months, I'll speak more of this but I am very moved to have met these people and shared a bond with them.
I thank Blair Frodelius for his kindness in making me aware of them and their cause.


Next on the agenda was the parade. I was pleased to be in it as I have never been a special guest in a parade before.

Here we come upon the corner onto downtown...

Now we make the turn...

... and downtown now lies ahead of us...


The rest of Author's Alley finally make their appearance!


After a long day of talking to fans of Oz, children galore and parents alike, we turned in for the day and wondered what Sunday would bring...
How little we knew what awaited us in the morning...


Looks like something went through town this Sunday morning...


I wonder what it could be???


Oh... I don't know... Maybe a.....

Tornado!!!!! Or so I've heard....

It was raining at 9am, Sunday morning when we decided to finish up a movie and wait out the rain. If not, we would have been in Glinda's Royal Tent when it went bye-bye. Instead, we chose to leave at 10:30am and what we found down the road was mesmerizing.
My wife was, by now, in the full throes of an allergic reaction to something. What, we know not? We have been told it was Pine Bloom. In Indiana, we call it Pine Pollen and it comes a month earlier. Nonetheless, it's quite effective in its rage.


What was it we were watching, you may ask?

Those who know me know that I subscribe to the Serendipity Effect.

Behold Oz and the Serendipity!

After a tour of town and conversations between us and others, I decided to take my wife home to attend her medical needs. Her needs, as creator of the legendary Potato Soup, are paramount and she must be preserved at all costs. Those who understand, understand.

On the way out, Serendipity once more prevailed.

We found ourselves at the Land of Oz & Ends shop where I ran into Jane Lahr.


It was a pleasant send off from a very pleasant person who made me feel part of the Oz world. She was not alone in this endeavor however. I also ran into Julienne La Fleur there and swapped books with her. Lessons from Oz looks to be a promising read, when time permits. She was also very kind and supportive.

As an educator and former museum professional, I would offer my most sincere compliments to Marc Baum, Barb Evans, Colleen Zimmer and every other Oz person on site. We saw nothing that would indicate any issues or problems visible to the general public. Any hiccups were just that... Hiccups. When I needed a Gator to move stock, it was matter of minutes from request to completion of said task. We were frequently asked for our needs, including food and water. We were consulted and opinions were requested regarding improvements, though few are needed. I felt welcomed and appreciated. I am impressed.

My only regret for the weekend was that time and circumstances did not permit me the chance to meet and speak with John Fricke. Otherwise, my wildest expectations were met and exceeded.

I sincerely hope that I will be invited back for next year's festivities as we had a wonderful time in the Land of Oz.

My report to Princess Ozma will be very complimentary and I'm certain her Majesty will be pleased that her realm has been so warmly and fully represented.

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma