Andra Watkins, Author of To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis, Asks One More Question of the Famed Explorer and Opens up About the Best and Worst Experiences She's Had During Her Own Historic Walk of the Natchez Trace

I would very much like to welcome Andra Watkins, author of To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis. Ms. Watkins was nice enough to answer some questions for me about her own historic walk of the Natchez Trace and Meriwether Lewis. Thank you so much for stopping by Emeraldfire's Bookmark, Ms. Watkins, and I wish you all the best now and in the future!

Meet Andra Watkins

I’m Andra Watkins. I’m a native of Tennessee, but I’m lucky to call Charleston, South Carolina, home for 23 years.

I’m the author of To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis from Word Hermit Press. It’s a mishmash of historical fiction, paranormal fiction and suspense that follows Meriwether Lewis (of Lewis and Clark fame) after his mysterious death on the Natchez Trace in 1809.

I Like:

1. Hiking
2. Eating (A lot; Italian food is my favorite.)
3. Traveling (I never met a destination I didn’t like.)
4. Reading (My favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo.)
5. Coffee (the caffeinated version) and COFFEE (sex)
6. Performing (theater, singing, public speaking, playing piano)
7. Time with my friends
8. Sirius XM Chill
9. Yoga (No, I can’t stand on my head.)
10. Writing in bed
11. Candlelight

I Don't Like:

1. Getting up in the morning
2. Cilantro (It is the devil weed.)
3. Surprises (For me or for anyone else.)
4. House Cleaning
5. Cooking

Synopsis of To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis:

Is remembrance immortality? Nobody wants to be forgotten, least of all the famous.

Meriwether Lewis lived a memorable life. He and William Clark were the first white men to reach the Pacific in their failed attempt to discover a Northwest Passage. Much celebrated upon their return, Lewis was appointed governor of the vast Upper Louisiana Territory and began preparing his eagerly-anticipated journals for publication. But his re-entry into society proved as challenging as his journey. Battling financial and psychological demons and faced with mounting pressure from Washington, Lewis set out on a pivotal trip to the nation’s capital in September 1809. His mission: to publish his journals and salvage his political career. He never made it. He died in a roadside inn on the Natchez Trace in Tennessee from one gunshot to the head and another to the abdomen.

Was it suicide or murder? His mysterious death tainted his legacy and his fame quickly faded. Merry’s own memory of his death is fuzzy at best. All he knows is he’s fallen into Nowhere, where his only shot at redemption lies in the fate of rescuing another. An ill-suited “guardian angel,” Merry comes to in the same New Orleans bar after twelve straight failures. Now, with one drink and a two-dollar bill he is sent on his last assignment, his final shot at escape from the purgatory in which he’s been dwelling for almost 200 years. Merry still believes he can reverse his forgotten fortunes.

Nine-year-old Emmaline Cagney is the daughter of French Quarter madam and a Dixieland bass player. When her mother wins custody in a bitter divorce, Emmaline carves out her childhood among the ladies of Bourbon Street. Bounced between innocence and immorality, she struggles to find her safe haven, even while her mother makes her open her dress and serve tea to grown men.

It isn’t until Emmaline finds the strange cards hidden in her mother’s desk that she realizes why these men are visiting: her mother has offered to sell her to the highest bidder. To escape a life of prostitution, she slips away during a police raid on her mother’s bordello, desperate to find her father in Nashville.

Merry’s fateful two-dollar bill leads him to Emmaline as she is being chased by the winner of her mother’s sick card game: The Judge. A dangerous Nowhere Man convinced that Emmaline is the reincarnation of his long dead wife, Judge Wilkinson is determined to possess her, to tease out his wife’s spirit and marry her when she is ready. That Emmaline is now guarded by Meriwether Lewis, his bitter rival in life, further stokes his obsessive rage.

To elude the Judge, Em and Merry navigate the Mississippi River to Natchez. They set off on an adventure along the storied Natchez Trace, where they meet Cajun bird watchers, Elvis-crooning Siamese twins, War of 1812 re-enactors, Spanish wild boar hunters and ancient mound dwellers. Are these people their allies? Or pawns of the perverted, powerful Judge?

After a bloody confrontation with the Judge at Lewis’s grave, Merry and Em limp into Nashville and discover her father at the Parthenon. Just as Merry wrestles with the specter of success in his mission to deliver Em, The Judge intercedes with renewed determination to win Emmaline, waging a final battle for her soul. Merry vanquishes the Judge and earns his redemption. As his spirit fuses with the body of Em’s living father, Merry discovers that immortality lives within the salvation of another, not the remembrance of the multitude.

Coming to Amazon on February 5, 2014!

This particular author interview is slightly different from recent ones that I've posted, Ms. Watkins was kind enough to answer my three questions by video. She took the time to answer these questions while making her own modern-day historic trek of the 444-mile long Natchez Trace. Thank you very much, Ms. Watkins, and congratulations again on your incredible achievement! :)

My first question actually became the 36th Reader Question that Ms. Watkins answered:
Emeraldfire's Bookmark: If you had the chance to ask Meriwether Lewis one (or two things) about anything at all - what would it (they) be?

My second (compound) question actually became the 39th Reader Question that Ms. Watkins answered:
Emeraldfire's Bookmark: What was possibly your best day spent during such an incredible experience? What was your worst day spent during such an experience?

May you read well and often

Holly Cook - The Sea Wife

21. The Sea Wife by Holly Cook (2003)
Length: 309 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Started: 6 March 2014
Finished: 6 April 2014
Where did it come from? From Bookmooch
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 18 February 2014
Why do I have it? I like historical romance and Holly Cook is a new author for me.

When Myles Dampier rescues her from drowning during a shipwreck, Sabina Grey initially believes him to be like the mythical selkie, a legendary seducer from the deep who meant doom to foolish maidens. However, Myles Dampier was no myth, but a flesh and blood Englishman - one who might resemble a hardened pirate, but acted more like a solicitous nursemaid. A man who Sabina fell in love with and married on the high seas.

Yet once they returned to London, Myles became a virtual stranger. He'd returned from exile in Australia in order to avenge himself against those whom he was convinced had stolen his youth. And he was determined to use any means necessary - even his lovely new wife - to do so.

But the man who had saved Sabina's life would not - could not - destroy her spirit or her heart with his obsession for vengeance...of that Sabina was certain. This time, she vowed, she would rescue him. She would show him that punishing the sins of the past, wasn't worth sacrificing the love in his future.

I actually wasn't too sure what grade to give this book. I really did enjoy reading the story, but I also was somewhat perturbed by the actions of some of the characters. Overall, though, I would give The Sea Wife by Holly Cook a definite A! I will certainly keep my eyes open for more books by this author.

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Blog Tour For The Education of George Washington by Austin Washington From May 5, 2014 to May 30, 2014 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am extremely happy to announce that Austin Washington will be touring the blogosphere to promote his Nonfiction/History book The Education of George Washington. This virtual book tour is being hosted by Pump up Your Book and will last from May 5, to May 30, 2014!

The Education of George Washington Blog Tour Information: 

Meet Austin Washington

Austin Washington is the great-nephew of George Washington. He earned his masters and did post-graduate research focusing on colonial American history, and is a writer, musician, entrepreneur and global traveler. He returns to an old Virginia family home whenever he can. 

Austin’s first book takes a common criticism of his academic writing - “You’re not writing a newspaper editorial, you know!” - and turns it into a virtue, taking a subject dry and dusty in other’s hands and giving it life. He has lived abroad much of his life, most recently in Russia, and visits friends from Sicily to Turkey to Bangladesh and beyond. His earliest influences as a writer were Saki, Salinger, and St. Exupery, although in more recent years he has got beyond the S’s. As for historians, he is partial to the iconoclast Gibbon, who wrote history to change the future.

His latest book is the nonfiction/history book, The Education of George Washington.

For more information, see author Austin Washington discussing his book in a video on his web site at www.austinwashington.com and also on You Tube at: http://youtu.be/1m6OvGRye9U.

Connect and Socialize with Austin!

Website * Youtube

About The Education of George Washington:

In Austin Washington’s new book - The Education of George Washington - readers will learn all about President Washington’s true model of conduct, honor, and leadership, including the actual historic document that President Washington used to transform his life from a poorly educated child of a widowed mother, to the historic, curious, highly influential and awe inspiring figure he became and remains today.

Purchase Your Copy From Amazon!

The Education of George Washington Book Publicity Tour Schedule:

Monday, May 5 - Guest Blogging at The Writer’s Life
Tuesday, May 6 - Book Featured at Confessions of a Reader
Wednesday, May 7 - Book Featured at Cheryl’s Book Nook
Thursday, May 8 - Interview at As the Page Turns
Friday, May 9 - Book Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views
Monday, May 12 - Guest Blogging at Bibliotica
Monday, May 12 - Book Review at The Most Happy Reader
Tuesday, May 13 - Book Review at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
Wednesday, May 14 - Guest Blogging at The True Book Addict
Thursday, May 15 - Interview at Virgina Beach Publishing Examiner
Friday, May 16 - Guest Blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner
Monday, May 19 - Book Review at Deal Sharing Aunt
Tuesday, May 20 - Interview at Between the Covers
Wednesday, May 21 - Guest Blogging at I Heart Reading
Thursday, May 22 - Interview at Beyond the Books
Monday, May 26 - Interview at Literarily Speaking
Tuesday, May 27 - Book Review at Blooming with Books
Tuesday, May 27 - Book Review at My Devotional Thoughts
Wednesday, May 28 - Book Review at Mary’s Cup of Tea
Thursday, May 29 - Book Review at The Book Connection
Friday, May 30 - Book Review at Splashes of Joy

May you read well and often

Book Blast For The Soul of the Sun by Genevieve Crownson

Hello Everyone! I hope that you're all having a wonderful day today. I am delighted to welcome Genevieve Crownson, author of the young adult fantasy The Soul of the Sun to Emeraldfire's Bookmark. Ms. Crownson will be going on a Virtual Book Tour with Pump up Your Book! lasting through the end of June. This is also my fourteenth Book Blast post ever, but I still hope that I do The Soul of the Sun by Genevieve Crownson justice.

About The Soul of the Sun:

“The hands of time turn on the face of the sun. Only you can move them. If the Watcher controls the hands of the clock he can go anywhere, past or future - and destroy our planet.”

Since the days of ancient Greece, the Argos dynasty has kept a secret, a mystery passed down through their descendants from generation to generation, in the hopes that the forces of good can stop the evil destruction of planet Earth.

Margaret Ingall is harboring that secret. Time is running out for the descendants of the Argos. They know a great healer and time traveler will be born of their blood. But the only person that knows whom they will call “the soul of the sun” is Margaret’s sister, Abigail. Before she can reveal the healer’s identity, disaster strikes…

Evil stalks them, watching and waiting to find out which member of her family has the ultimate power. Is it Margaret’s own child? Or her beloved granddaughter? Or even herself? Their only clue is a powerful protective amulet that will lead them all in a cat-and-mouse game to discover secrets as ancient as time.

If the Watcher discovers the truth before they do, all will be lost.

Fate, time and love weave together in their struggle to fulfill their destiny. Will Margaret’s fears sabotage her family’s protection? Can the healer accept her gifts in time? And once the soul of the sun is finally revealed, will it be too late?

Her power is incredible. The sacrifices required of her are immense.

Will it be enough to stop the Watcher?

Purchase Your Copy From Amazon! 

Meet Genevieve Crownson

Genevieve Crownson graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelors of Science degree. A love of writing led her to pen her debut novel, The Soul of the Sun. This is book one in her highly anticipated trilogy, The Argos Dynasty. She currently lives in beautiful Charleston, SC with her family and beloved four-legged friends.

You can find her at www.genevievecrownson.com.

The Soul of the Sun Excerpt:

The rain fell in sheets around me, it was gloomy and depressing, but I didn’t feel a drop. I was completely encased in light; I was a moving, breathing, flaming yellow orb that no one could penetrate.

I watched in amazement as my broken leg instantly healed and the torn pajama fabric cinched itself back together. My jaw pain ceased. I closed my hands over the amulet, now humming with intensity. In a split second, I was vibrating with the same power.

The wind picked up and the sky loomed black. The moon lay dark behind an inky sky and somehow strange chanting words flowed out of me. Lava hot and fraught with meaning, they rose to a fever pitch.

Every word was a part of me, part of my being. Words from another time, Tanga’s time, slipped from my lips as though it were my native tongue. It was the inscription on the amulet, of that much I was sure.

I stretched my glowing hands out to Thomas.

“I call on you Lady Isis. Protect Me.
For I am the one, the Soul of the Sun.
I plead with you and your son Horus to give refuge.
Patroness of Nature and Magic bring all my power and your power together to glorify what is right and true in this world.
Honor your name and those we safeguard from harm. Let time be taken from no man.
Amen.”

He was laughing at me.

“You stupid little twit, did you honestly think that would work? You think that I can’t take what’s mine?”

As he spoke, I chanted the same words, repeating them over and over. I saw fear cross his face just for a moment when he realized I was using the amulet’s power. A brilliant beam of light continued to radiate from my core.

It was strange, the light now shone gold instead of blue. It must have changed when it sealed together. I continued to watch and to my astonishment, he became transparent and, with a puff of smoke, evaporated into the heavens. I could hear his heart-rending screams echoing through the ocean’s storm. Drained completely of energy, I crumpled, exhausted, onto the sand.

May you read well and often

Blog Tour For Life in the Palace by Catherine Green From May 6, 2014 to May 16, 2014 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am extremely happy to announce that Catherine Green will be touring the blogosphere to promote her young adult Fantasy book Life in the Palace. This virtual book tour is being hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer and will last from May 6, to May 16, 2014!

Ms. Green is also doing an awesome giveaway - she is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash to one lucky winner at the end of her Blog Tour. Be sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form below, and I wish you all the very best of good luck in taking part!

Life in the Palace Blog Tour Information:

Meet Catherine Green

Catherine Green writes fantasy books featuring religious characters in a brazen attempt to make the people in faith communities seem less weird. She lives with her husband, children and three marginally neglected goldfish. When she’s not writing, or pretending to be one of her characters on Facebook, she has been known to cook dinner.

Connect and Socialize with Catherine!

Website * Goodreads * Twitter * Facebook 

Connect and Socialize with 'Chloe' and 'Seth'!

Chloe on Facebook * Seth on Facebook

About Life in the Palace: 

After a lifetime in the shadow of her sister, Chloe is severely phobic of the chronically cool. Seth is everything she avoids; a pre-med philosophy major who works in a bar, plays in a band and is so good looking that grown women stare at him in the street. But it’s hard to say no to your soul mate. Thinking she’s maxed out her supply of destiny, Chloe settles down to enjoy the happily-ever-after.

Tal says that she’s one of The People sent from heaven to maintain the cosmic balance. Chloe assumes this is code for ‘I’m a pamphlet distributing, incense burning, religious weirdo.’ Actually Tal’s main extracurricular activity is fighting the forces of Oblivion. The People never need to hide what they are because no one ever believes them. Until Chloe does.

Chloe sets out to help Tal and The People as much as she can as an outsider. Seth says as long as no one wears their underpants on the outside Chloe can do what she likes. What he doesn’t say is that he’s also one of The People, although non-practicing. But as the Final Battle draws nearer, Chloe realizes it’s time for Seth to go collect his regulation sword. The only thing standing in his way is her. Seth says he’ll give up his place in heaven to stay with her. Chloe must choose between Seth’s soul and her own happiness.

Purchase Your Copy From Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

Blog Tour Giveaway of $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends May 22, 2014.

Terms and Conditions:

• Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash.
• Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded
• No purchase necessary.
• You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you.
• The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
• This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified.
• The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
• Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author.
• VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Life in the Palace Book Publicity Tour Schedule:

May 6th - Guest Post at I am a Reader, Not a Writer

May 6th - Spotlight at Cherry Mischievous

May 6th - Spotlight at Angels With Attitude Book Reviews

May 6th - Interview at Mythical Books

May 6th - Spotlight at Cassandra M’s Place

May 7th - Spotlight at The Loopy Librarian

May 7th - Spotlight at Christy’s Cozy Corners

May 7th - Spotlight at Sweeping Me

May 7th - Spotlight at Margay Leah Justice

May 8th - Review at Hope To Read

May 8th - Spotlight at Mama Papa Barn

May 8th - Tens List at It’s Time To Read Mamaw

May 8th - Spotlight at Books Beside My Bed

May 9th - Spotlight at Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys

May 9th - Review at Crazy Four Books

May 9th - Review at A Casual Reader’s Blog

May 9th - Spotlight at MAD Hoydenish

May 9th - Spotlight at Mary’s Cup of Tea

May 10th - Spotlight at 3 Partners in Shopping; Nana, Mommy and Sissy Too!

May 10th - Review at redpillows

May 10th - Character Interview at Laurie’s Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews

May 11th - Interview at Cuzinlogic

May 11th - Spotlight at Paulette’s Papers

May 11th - Spotlight at Stacy Claflin, Author

May 12th - Review at A Leisure Moment

May 12th - Spotlight at Sher A Hart: Written Art

May 12th - Interview at BookHounds YA

May 12th - Spotlight at Hearts and Scribbles ~ Jennifer Faye

May 13th - Review at Sheenah Freitas

May 13th - Review at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark

May 13th - Interview at FLY HIGH!

May 13th - Spotlight at Deal Sharing Aunt

May 13th - Spotlight at Bound 2 Escape

May 14th - Review at Reading List

May 14th - Guest Post at Lori’s Reading Corner

May 14th - Tens List at Hott Books

May 14th - Review at Tifferz and Her Sisterz Book Reviewz

May 14th - Spotlight at From the Bootheel Cotton Patch

May 15th - Review at A Thousand Lives Lived

May 15th - Spotlight at Shout with Emaginette

May 15th - Review at Bonnie Gets A Say

May 15th - Interview at Books Direct

May 16th - Spotlight at CBY Book Club

May 16th - Spotlight at Kelly P’s Blog

May 16th - Spotlight at Little Whimsy Books

May 16th - Spotlight at Katie’s Clean Book Collection

Life in the Palace Excerpt:

Chloe watching a battle at the nursing home (Chapter 11)

I considered protesting that I wasn’t trying to do any Service, I just liked spending time with the elderly. I was about to give some bland response she would have seen straight through, when Tal saved me by walking through the door guitar in hand.

She smiled when she saw me, “Oh good, you made it. We’re in for a treat today. Gal and Dava came today too.” 

Her brother and the chick with the mousy brown hair that was at their house for the Dinner wandered over to the little stage area. In actual fact, it was just where Marian had cleared away some of the chairs, but it was as close to a stage as any one was going to get in the activities room. Gal pulled up two extra chairs for them and they took their places. Jov waved hello at me as he took his place. 

Marian seemed to have disappeared so Cale just started playing. It was the same opening number as always, the one that seemed like a prayer. Now that the music and the setting were familiar, I felt brave enough to try sliding my mind with Tal’s. I couldn’t get a clear picture. There were swirls of pink and sunflower yellow. Something beautiful was happening but I couldn’t tell what.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mrs. Hols staring at me again. After a minute she seemed to make a decision. “They’re thanking He Who Gives for life and for enabling us to make the Service,” she whispered. 

I guess she really wasn’t deaf because she pitched her comment exactly right for me to hear clearly but for no one else to overhear. I nodded and smiled. I didn’t want to say anything and break my concentration. 

When the song ended, it felt like a curtain had dropped over the stage. As Dava began singing the next song, it was obvious that we had changed scenes. Her voice was spectacular. The notes seemed to weave higher and higher as Tal, Noy and Jov harmonized and Gal strummed the guitar. I didn’t recognize the language. The song itself sounded as old as time. The melody flowed up mountains and across oceans. I was almost lulled to sleep. In contrast, Mrs. Hols was remarkably alert. I vaguely wondered if I’d eaten too much lunch. Another thirty seconds and I’d have been asleep. Later it occurred to me that was the point. Just as my eyes closed, the attack came. 

It started with a feral snarl somewhere to my left. For a second I saw Tal still strumming her guitar, Dava and Noy were still singing, and Cale’s hands didn’t even pause on the piano. Like a badly developed photo superimposed on their calm performance, I saw each straighten and clasp their weapons for battle. Dava pulled an arrow from the quiver on her back as a bow materialized in her hands. Behind her Tal gripped the hilt of her sword with both hands. Cale readied his spear. A low rumbling that was almost more threatening than the original snarl announced the enemy getting closer and closer. This beast was in no hurry to attack. A matching snarl from the right made it clear that they were in no hurry to attack. 

When they came into view, I realized that my hands were trembling. This was no species that walked the face of the earth. It was big like a bear with a face like a wolf, but no wolf was that big, no bear that light on its feet. Its fur was jet black, only emphasizing the double row of bared teeth. The jaw looked large enough to snap a person in two. With heads cocked to one side, they stopped about five meters away and looked the defenders up and down. 

Tal was white with fear. Jov looked like he was about to throw up. Apparently they had never seen anything like it either. I could tell they were thinking what I was thinking: how the hell were they going to defeat these things and still walk away? I remembered what Tal had told me, if you die in the Palace, you die in the physical world too.

Am I just supposed to sit here and watch them die? 

I looked around wildly and nearly fell out of my chair. When I took my focus off the immediate battle scene, I was still in the beige walled old age room. The elderly were all still sitting there in their chairs; some of them were still clapping. Mrs. Hols was muttering something under her breath. I stared at her. 

She looked up, “Just keep clapping, dearie. We don’t want Marian to notice anything funny going on.” 

Anything funny going on? My friends were about to be mauled to death by some quasi-mythical beasts and we were worried about Marian getting the wrong impression. 

I opened my mouth to say something.

“Don’t worry love, we’re on it.” 

If I had retained power over my body, I might have slapped her. Instead I just watched. I hadn’t noticed that she was holding a small book in her hands. I looked from the book to her face. 

She paused for breath and said quickly, “Supplications. They need more firepower.” 

I felt pressure building in the seat next to me. Mrs. Hols spoke faster and faster, her wrinkled hands flicking the pages as she went. After a lifetime, that was probably no more than half a minute, I thought I saw an ax head hover in front of her. 

I looked back to the battle. The beasts were inching closer. Suddenly two things happened, the color returned to Tal’s cheeks, and she seemed to grow taller. At the same time a heavy wooden stick with a double headed axe appeared in her hands. I didn’t dare look at Mrs. Hols, but it seemed like the extra firepower had arrived. The others now also brandished new weapons. Presumably, all of the other elderly were busy doing what they could.

My heart began to beat again. Now they might actually win. At least they might walk away from it alive. Do those things ever just retreat? I’m not sure if I missed the signal but one the beasts leapt in attack. Dava shot off her arrow, hitting the left beast in the eye. It didn’t pause for a second. Noy was closest to its giant paws. As the thing bore down on her, she ducked and rolled under it. Tal swung the pike and the axe lodged behind its left ear. She jumped to the side, retrieving her pike and swinging wildly again as soon as it was free from the beast’s flesh. Noy had disappeared but as the beast reared suddenly in the air, I saw her roll out from underneath it, a bloody dagger in her hand. 

On the other side, Dava seemed to be holding the beast at bay with a barrage of arrows. Cale flexed his muscles and hurled a spear into the side of the attacking animal. I counted five other spears still lodged in its hide, making it look like a really angry pincushion. Gal held a large sword, but he could hardly get close enough to use it. Jov was creeping around to the side of the snarling animal. Just as it looked like he might get close enough to attack - it wheeled around and sent him flying with one flick of its head. Jov landed awkwardly and seemed unable to get up again.

Even with the extra firepower, it wasn’t working. They were only just managing to hold them at bay. Do they just keep going until they drop from exhaustion? A quick glance around me showed that the elderly were still doing their thing. For every spear Cale threw another arrived in his hands but it didn’t seem to be enough. My mouth was dry and I had to remind myself to breath. 

Would You really let them die here with everyone watching? What about Marian? What would happen? Would they just drop dead here in the middle of the activities room? Would they do an autopsy? How would anyone explain away five young people just dying in the middle of the afternoon? 

I didn’t want to watch the battle, but I couldn’t draw my eyes away. They were going to get massacred and I was just sitting and watching. As I felt despair washing over me, something changed. At first I didn’t see him, I just saw the shift in their posture. I registered surprised and relief.

“About time,” Mrs. Hols whispered under her breath. 

Soon I saw what they were all looking at. The beasts moved closer to each other and further away from the approaching horse. I skipped that horsy stage when I was younger, but this thing was certainly not My Little Pony. Its hazel flank glistened, standing at least as tall as the black beasts. It moved with the calm of a body builder breaking up a playground fight. The beasts still snarled but the edge had gone out of their menace. 

It took me a while to realize the most unusual thing about the approaching horse; it had a rider. In all the times I’d seen the Palace through Tal’s eyes, the animals had been the forces of the Adversary. The regal figure in robes rode the glistening horse like a farmyard pet. His sword was blinding as he drew it from beside him. With a tiny twitch of his heel the horse surged forward. With one swoop, the head of the first beast lay on the floor and the return thrust finished off the second. As suddenly as it had started, it was over. The hood of the rider’s long mauve robes covered his face, but he seemed to bow to Tal and the others before he too disappeared.

My head pounded as the pictures snapped back into one and the activities room returned to being the only thing I saw. Gal wiped his brow, Tal shot me a smile of relief. Dava held one long note as she ended the song I hadn’t heard, continuing in the present. The elderly clapped with extreme enthusiasm. Their shining eyes made it clear they were acknowledging a job well done in more ways than just singing.

May you read well and often

Blog Tour For Guardians Inc.: The Cypher by Julian Rosado-Machain From May 5, 2014 to July 31, 2014 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am extremely happy to announce that Julian Rosado-Machain will be touring the blogosphere to promote his young adult Fantasy book Guardians Inc.: The Cypher. This virtual book tour is being hosted by Pump up Your Book and will last from May 5, to July 31, 2014!

Mr. Rosado-Machain is also doing an awesome giveaway - he is giving away a $100 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner at the end of his Blog Tour. Be sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form below, and I wish you all the very best of good luck in taking part!

Guardians Inc.: The Cypher Blog Tour Information:

Meet Julian Rosado-Machain

Julian Rosado-Machain has enjoyed pizza in three continents, worked in graphic design, armored vehicles, built computers, handcrafted alebrijes and swears that he has seen at least one ghost.

He lives in San Diego, California. And enjoys the sun with his wife, three children and cat.

His latest book is the YA fantasy adventure, Guardians Inc.: The Cypher.

Visit his website at www.guardiansinc.com.

Connect and Socialize with Julian!

Facebook * Goodreads

About Guardians Inc.: The Cypher:

Guardians Inc.: The Cypher is two stories in one. A glimpse into a multinational company that is in reality the oldest of secret societies, one that spans close to seven thousand years of existence, weaving in and out of history, guiding and protecting humanity from creatures and forces that most of us believe are only mythology and fairy tales.

The other is the story of Thomas Byrne, a young man thrust into secrets he shouldn’t be aware of and dangers he shouldn’t face but, that he ultimately will, for he is a Cypher. The only one who can steer humanity’s future.

The ultimate conspiracy theory is that Magic is real. Kept in check by technology but, every five hundred years the balance can shift and, if it does, technology will fail and those creatures we’ve driven into myth will come back with a vengeance.

To protect the present, Guardians Incorporated needs to know the future, and to unlock the future they need a Cypher.

This is the first book of the Guardians Inc. Series.

Purchase Your Copy From Amazon!

Pump Up Your Book and Julian are teaming up to give you a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive the $100 Amazon Gift Card.
• This giveaway begins May 5 and ends August 1.
• Winner will be contacted via email on Monday, August 3, 2014.
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

Guardians Inc.: The Cypher Book Publicity Tour Schedule:

Monday, May 5 - Book Featured at Virginia Beach Publishing Examiner

Monday, May 5 - Book Featured at Inside BJ’s Head

Tuesday, May 6 - First Chapter Reveal at I’m Shelf-ish

Wednesday, May 7 - Book Review at Bound 4 Escape

Thursday, May 8 - Interview at The Writer’s Life

Monday, May 12 - Book Featured at Laurie’s Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews

Tuesday, May 13 - Interview at As the Page Turns

Wednesday, May 14 - Guest Blogging at The Book Faery Reviews

Thursday, May 15 - Book Review at The Gal in the Blue Mask

Monday, May 19 - Book Featured at Cherry Mischievous

Tuesday, May 20 - Guest Blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner
Tuesday, May 20 - First Chapter Reveal at Pump up Your Book

Wednesday, May 21 - First Chapter Review at The Children’s and Teens Book Connection

Monday, May 26 - Interview at Beyond the Books

Monday, June 2 - Interview at Blogcritics

Wednesday, June 4 - Book Review at Cheryl’s Book Nook

Thursday, June 5 - Book Featured at Fallen Over Book Reviews

Monday, June 9 - Book Review at The Road to Here

Tuesday, June 10 - Guest Blogging at The YA Lit Chick

Wednesday, June 11 - Interview at Blogcritics

Monday, June 16 - Book Trailer Feature at If Books Could Talk

Wednesday, June 18 - Book Review at My Tangled Skeins Book Reviews

Thursday, June 19 - Book Featured at Maureen’s Musings

Monday, June 23 - Interview at The Dark Phantom

Wednesday, June 25 - Book Review and Guest Blogging at Words I Write Crazy

Friday, June 27 - Book Featured at The Busy Mom’s Daily

Monday, July 7 - Interview at I’m Shelf-ish

Tuesday, July 8 - Character Guest Post at As the Page Turns

Wednesday, July 9 - Book Review at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark

Thursday, July 10 - Guest Blogging at CBY Book Club

Monday, July 14 - Book Review at Mary’s Cup of Tea

Tuesday, July 15 - Guest Blogging at The Writer’s Life

Wednesday, July 16 - Interview at PUYB Virtual Book Club

Thursday, July 17 - Book Feature at Plug Your Book

Monday, July 21 - Book Review at Ashley’s Bookshelf

Tuesday, July 22 - Interview at Between the Covers

Wednesday, July 23 - Guest Blogging at The Story Behind the Book

Thursday, July 24 - Interview at As the Page Turns

Monday, July 28 - Book Review at Blooming with Books

Wednesday, July 30 - Book Review at Cindy’s Love of Books

Thursday, July 31 - Book Review at A Room Without Books is Empty

Thursday, July 31 - Book Tour Highlights at PUYB Virtual Book Club

May you read well and often

Reading Wrap-up For March at Emeraldfire's Bookmark

Hello everyone out there and I hope that you all had a terrific reading month for yourselves. I am known as Emeraldfire around the Internet and this is my new personal reading blog.

Anyway, I started out March with about two hundred unread books lying around the house and ended the month with...umm...uncountable amounts of books unread. All of the books that I acquired this month came from authors and Amazon.

Let me try to break down the influx for you:

Changes to the TBR pile

Read from my TBR pile (Yes! I am a reading machine :))
- Gnome Wars: A Short Tale by Barbra Annino
- All Things Slip Away by Kathryn Meyer Griffith
- Loving in Time by A. E. Kirk
- Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency by Dan O'Brien
- 25 Years in the Rearview Mirror: 52 Authors Look Back by Stacy Juba
- Accidentally Married to...A Vampire? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Added to my TBR pile (oh well, you win some and you lose some! :))
- To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Merriwether Lewis by Andra Watkins
- A Comedy of Erinn by Celia Bonaduce
- Moonless by Crystal Collier
- The Soul of the Sun by Genevieve Crownson
- Faith Departed by Elizabeth Maddry
- Life in the Palace by Catherine Green
- Icefire by Patty Jansen
- The Witch's Salvation by Francesca Pelaccia
- She Speaks to Angels: An Angel Thriller by Ami Blackwelder
- Dumah's Demons by Ami Blackwelder
- Midnight: Century of the Vampires, Books 1-3 by Ami Blackwelder
- Autumn in Carthage by Christopher Zenos

Taken off my TBR pile and sent to a new home (Yay! Happy Dance! :))
- Gnome Wars: A Short Tale by Barbra Annino
- Dakota: A Spiritual Geography by Kathleen Norris
- All Things Slip Away by Kathryn Meyer Griffith
- Daisy Miller by Henry James
- Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency by Dan O'Brien
- Loving in Time by A. E. Kirk
- Anyone Can Die by James Lepore
- 25 Years in the Rearview Mirror: 52 Authors Look Back by Stacy Juba
- Accidentally Married to...A Vampire? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
- The Mill on the Floss by George Elliot

Well, there it is...the breakdown! All in all, a very good reading month for me, considering. Here's a further breakdown:

Books Read: 6

Pages Read: 1,006

Grade Range: A+! to A!

So, there you go! The reading month that was March. I hope that you all had an equally good reading month; if not a little better. :) See you all next month! :)

May you read well and often