Blurb:
The Gingerbread Man- A Scrumptious Erotic Fairytale
by Lynn Hubbard
Once upon a time there was a girl named Penelope. Food was scarce those days, and she had to walk miles looking for roots or berries to eat. After a long, hot morning Penelope was tired and hungry. A delicious scent led her to a cabin deep in the woods. She followed it in anticipation of having all her needs filled.
The Legend of M’Rith
by Miriam Newman
By 1844, an increase in the human population of Ireland has forced Fae inhabitants from their lush green homes in the East to the spare, bare terrain of the West--except for one. M’Rith, half fairie and half elf, has been bidden by her Queen Mother to remain in the forest, promising her a mortal man to love. Kieran, the village blacksmith, has lost his wife and lives in the same painful solitude as M’Rith, but he is a worker of iron that can mortally wound a fairie lover.
To Adventure
by Jae El Foster
There is a black plague crossing from kingdom to kingdom, placed upon a slumbering princess by her wicked stepmother, and only with true love’s kiss can the spell be lifted. Will the plague encompass all before that kiss can be sealed, or will the power of true love make itself known to the handsome Prince Harold, providing him with the adventure of a lifetime?
Excerpt from To Adventure:
“I thank you for your time, but I must depart now. I have my horse with me, and it is going to storm soon.”
“That thunder does not mean rain,” she said in a cryptic tone.
“Well, I cannot chance that. Thank you again.”
Prince Harold turned from her and walked to the curtain. This time, Madame Howell did not stop him. He pulled the curtain open and stepped outside, looking up to the sky. Surely enough, the sky was clear, the moon was full, and thousands of stars glistened down upon him.
He saw the young man with the scruffy beard standing alone by the fire. Letting his encounter with Madame Howell remain behind him, locked inside that tent, he approached him.
“Hello again,” he said, stepping up to the young man. “I never did get your name.”
“That is because I never told it to you,” the young man answered.
“Well… may I know your name?”
The young man looked at him and smiled. His smile was less than comforting though. It made Prince Harold uneasy once more.
“I have been called many names,” he told him in a voice that was uncanny and dark. “My favorite has been Mephistopheles.”
Refusing to lose his smile, Prince Harold backed away slowly, placing his hands up before him. “I have heard that name,” he said in a nervous tone. “I think perhaps you shared in too much of the wine tonight, but regardless of that fact, I must be going. My horse awaits me.”
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Jae El Foster, thanks so much for stopping by. Tell us a little about yourself.
Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
How did you get started writing?
It has always been in my blood. In fact, it’s safe to say it is in my genes. Both of my grandfathers were talented storytellers, my brother has a hand in the comic book industry, and my father was a preacher that wrote some of the greatest sermons. However, I am the only novelist in my family, and that took years of practicing the trade through poorly constructed to beautifully crafted short stories and poetry. But if we take genes, hard work, and the drive to write and we put all of that aside, the one truth that remains is that reading is what got me going. Great pieces of fiction in all genres that opened up my mind to a world of endless imagination. D.H. Lawrence, Ira Levin, Walt Whitman, Robert Bloch and Nathanial Hawthorne are some of the literary inspirations that have greatly influenced my writing.
What was the inspiration for your contribution to the anthology Enchanted Fairy Tales?
It was a new challenge. I had never fully tackled a fairy tale at that point, and it helped knowing that I would be in the company of other authors. That was my inspiration for joining the anthology. My inspiration for my contribution – ‘To Adventure’ – varies so greatly, but I wanted to honor and pay tribute to some of the greatest fairy tales of all time, and still I wanted it to be original. I also wanted to incorporate some of the stigmas afflicting our modern day society and demonstrate these stigmas and prejudices in an eye-opening manner for this land… far, far away. ‘To Adventure’ will be a personal favorite of mine for undoubtedly many years to come, as I feel that I tackled what I hoped in a just and meaningful way.
What’s a genre you haven’t written in yet that you’d like to?
I am just starting on a long-form science fiction book – a first for me. I’d also like to write a comedy. I’m somewhat known for my dark humor in most things that I write, but I’d like to dedicate the time to write a stand-alone comedy, even if it has the potential to bomb. But hey, it could be great, right? Only time will tell. Right now, I have several things in production and post-production and a list a mile long of book ideas that I’ve collected throughout time. We’ll see what gets picked when I’m ready to start the next new thing.
Are there any genres you won’t read or write in? Why?
Cheesy, overtly mushy books just kill me. I can’t write that. I just can’t. Every time I try, I want to ax my protagonist and be done with it. It’s just not my style. When it comes to reading, I’m like most authors – my time to dedicate to reading is so limited that I have to pick and choose. Normally, I pick and choose crime thrillers or horror novels.
When I write, it depends on the story that has come to me. I’ll try most any genre as long as it entices me. I’ve learned that westerns are not where my skill sets are. Whether reading or writing, I have issues with first person novels. I feel that it makes me too intimately close with the narrator without having gotten a chance to know the person first. I have written one one in first person – ‘Elisabeth’s Holiday Gift’ – and you will be able to read it in November’s The Greatest Gift of All anthology from DCL Publications. Like I said earlier, I’ll write how the story wants me to write it, and ‘Elisabeth’s Holiday Gift’ demanded to be written in first person. It’s a terrific story, but it’s not generally a road I would generally consider taking.
What are you up to now? Do you have any releases planned, or are you still writing?
At the end of September, DCL Publications released my novel Beauty Within, also a fairy tale and one with such twists and excitement that I think everyone would enjoy it. It’s a terrific love story, but there is so much magic and fantasy in it that it crosses genres nicely and forms what one reader told me is a ‘modern day classic.’
Last Friday, my newest release hit the digital shelves. Restive is a stand-alone sequel to my 2012 paranormal romance hit Restless. It follows best-selling romance novelist Nicola Trammel as she sets off on a whirlwind book tour, only to end up stranded on a tropical paradise island. As she seeks a way off the island to reclaim her life, she begins to form a bond with the natives, and a romance springs between her and the island’s king. However, there is a darkness in the jungle, and it has Nicola’s scent. Restive is a passionate, exciting adventure that I am quite proud of, and it offers an ending that I guarantee no reader will ever forget. Restive, although it is a sequel, is written in a way that allows it to stand on its own two legs for new readers that might not have read the original. The original, by the way, it still available digitally, and excerpts for both, as well as Beauty Within, can be found on my website.
Beauty Within and Restive have one thing in common. Both of these books hold a clue within their pages that will lead one reader to a grand prize in Jae El’s Fandom Hardcore Easter Egg Hunt. This competition has clues spread out through several of my releases, and the first reader to find all the clues will win the Easter Egg, which will contain signed books, a t-shirt, a gift card, and other fun stuff. Full details on how to participate are at www.jaeelbooks.com/contests.
This week, we will see the publication of my ‘greatest hits’ compilation of horror stories in the anthology Under Timmy’s Bed. This collection features many of my previously released scary tales with a variety of never before released ones that will make your toes curl and your hair stand on its end. Under Timmy’s Bed will be available digitally this Friday and in Print in December. Visit www.jaeelfoster.com/newreleases to read samples and for purchase links.
In November, The Greatest Gift of All from DCL Publications will find my story ‘Elisabeth’s Holiday Gift’ among a great variety of tales from some DCL alumni as well as some new talent to the publishing house. It’s sure to be exciting! DCL is known for having great winter holiday anthologies, and this one shall be no exception to that.
Aside from these fantastic upcoming releases, readers can look forward to the long-awaited publication of Fortune from DCL Publications. Fortune is the story of a carefree, immensely wealthy man and the spicy gypsy woman that leads him on the greatest adventure of his lifetime. I’m proud of it, and I think readers will find it enjoyable.
2019 will bring the arrival of my most epic horror novel in fifteen years – She Rises at Night. This is the story of Bob and Karen, an unhappily married couple from Connecticut that buys an old farmhouse in England in an effort to rekindle their relationship. Without giving more of the plot away, I will say that this is the first – and will be the only – time that I utilize both zombies and pagan witchcraft.
Fans of my Shaded Whisperings series will be excited to see the releases of the installments ‘Madhouse’ and ‘Barren’ arrive in the next year. She Rises at Night was intended to be a Shaded Whisperings installment, but the sheer length of the book escalated it from the novella length requirement and took it into novel status. Also within the next year, my science fiction/horror novel that I hinted at earlier – White Padded Room – will be set for publication.
Aside from that, I’m just kicking back and enjoying some Netflix.
Alright, now for some random, fun questions. Favorite color?
Mediterranean Blue.
Favorite movie?
Sister Act.
Book that inspired you to become an author?
Leaves of Grass, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Psycho, Rosemary’s Baby, The Scarlet Letter.
You have one superpower. What is it?
The power of influence and subliminal suggestion. I used to think invisibility would be fun, but with the power of influence and subliminal suggestion, I wouldn’t need invisibility.
You can have dinner with any 3 people, dead, alive, fictitious, etc. Who are they?
My parents and Julianne Moore. I bet she has great dinner conversation.
Last question: Which of your characters are you most like and how/why?
Madame Howell. She appears in both ‘To Adventure’ in Enchanted Fairy Tales and in Beauty Within, although her role is very different in both and her appearances are unrelated. As for why? Well, who do you think taught the Madame how to read tarot cards in the first place? (wink)
That’s all from me, thanks for taking the time to stop by!
Thank you for having me! It’s truly been a pleasure! Thank you to everyone who has stopped by. Please feel free to ask any questions you might have, and I’ll respond to each throughout the day. Thanks also to DCL Publications and to Goddess Fish Promotions for putting on this great, fun virtual book tour!
Always remember to do good things!
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Miriam Newman:
Fantasy poetry driven by myths and legends has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I was published in poetry before catching the romance writing bug. I bring that background to my writing along with a lifelong addiction to horses, an 18 year career in various areas of psychiatric social services and many trips to Ireland, where I nurture my muse. My published works range from contemporary fantasy romance to fantasy historical, futuristic, science fiction and historical romance. Currently I live in rural Pennsylvania with a “motley crew” of rescue animals. You can see my books at www.miriamnewman.com.
Lynn Hubbard:
Lynn Hubbard is a Historical Fiction author. She has been writing for over ten years and has eight books. Most of which are westerns. Lynn is fascinated by the Old West and her books portray when life was simpler. When, people worked hard, and sweated to make an honest living. And when justice wasn't always blind.
Jae El Foster:
Jae El Foster is an author with whom you question going to bed with at night, but you dare to venture beneath the sheets with him anyway. As the venture concludes, you are perhaps romanced by it, or perhaps you are frightened by it. Don’t worry, because you are always satisfied by it. Despite the title or genre of the book, Jae El sets out to please you with climatic and unexpected conclusions that will make you tremble with emotion. Hop aboard the Jae El train and give it a good ride.
D’Vorak launched himself off the rooftop, took to the air, and sniffed the wind. He soared like a ghostly specter, blending in with the night. On the streets below, the people never glanced up as he glided above. Perhaps that was why they didn’t know their world was dying. They were too involved with what was right in front of them to view the larger picture.
