Interview with Lori J Schiele author of "Wiccan Shadows"

Today DarkissReads would like to introduce to you Lori J Schile the author of Wiccan Shadows that was reviewed a few weeks ago. Lori was gracious enough to take the time to do an interview with us.  So let’s give her a warm welcome!

1.      Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I have been reading since I was three and writing stories since age eight. I was, and am, never far from paper and pen. I still write longhand before transferring my work into the computer. “Wiccan Shadows” was my first published novel, although I have had a few short stories and magazine articles previously published.

 I graduated from college as a veterinary technician in 1991 and worked in a 24-hr veterinary ICU for over 15 years before a disability ended that career. I have done some volunteer work with feral cats, as well as at a wildlife rehab.

I have been a solitary Wiccan for ten years. My spirit animal is the wolf.

I live in Philadelphia, PA with seven “special needs” cats, and my boyfriend, Doug.

2.      Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

I had to do extensive research to write this book. The storyline is complete fiction, however, the incantations are all original. The remainder of the rituals were carefully verified for authenticity and should be recognized by any practicing Wiccan.

3.      Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

I have learned something from almost every book that I’ve ever read. Some of my current favorites are Laurell K. Hamilton: the Anita Blake series, Rick Riordan: Percy Jackson and the Olympians series; Ilona Andrews: the Kate Richards series; and just about any wolf or werewolf book I can get my hands on.

My current favorite Wiccan writers are Lupa, Ted Richards, Silver Ravenwolf and the late Scott Cunningham.

4.      Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

I think my greatest challenges in getting published were my own low self-confidence and the fear of rejection. Surprisingly, Imajinn Publishing was only the second publishing company that I approached. After some preliminary discussions, Imajinn was willingly to offer a three-book contract for the Wiccan Sisterhood series.

5.      What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

I specifically enjoyed the sexual tension between Alex and Dan, as well as the shapeshifting scenes. I also liked Alex’s relationship with her familiar, “Rune” who was based on one of my own cats, “Bamf”, who died just before her 20^th birthday. Bamf was a black cat, but I used an Abyssinian in the story because I thought a black cat was too “typical”.

6.      What do you do when you are not writing?

When I’m not writing, I’m often still writing. I’m also constantly reading. Most successful authors will say that in order to write you must read as much as you can. I work with fostering sick and feral cats whenever I can. And I have admittedly become a Facebook junkie.

7.      How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?

One of the difficulties of most small publishing companies is that they offer little to no publicity for their authors. I market my work anyway, anywhere, and anytime I can, using friends and family, word of mouth, posting ads (with permission) in storefronts and medical offices. Social networks, like Facebook, are also a tremendous help as well as online groups which cater specifically to Wiccans and Pagans like PaganSpace, the Pagan/Wiccan Forum, Temple Illuminatus, and Children of Artemis to name a few.

8.      Which of your characters is most/least like you and in what ways(s)?

I believe, as do many authors, that there are pieces of themselves in their characters. Alex and Jen are a loose compilation of me as an adult while Robyn contain parts of me when I was a rebellious teenager.

9.      Have you ever written anything that you thought would be controversial and found it wasn’t?

No, but when I was a naïve teenager, I wrote some things I thought might be controversial and actually were. In fact, I was expelled from school for a specific piece of writing in 11^th grade.

10.  Do you have any exciting news to share with your readers?

“Wiccan Shadows” was voted one of the TOP TEN “Best Beach Reads of 2011” in the June 26^th issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philly’s largest newspaper. 

I am also currently hard at work on “Wiccan Moonlight”, book two of the series. Hopefully it will be released in 2012.

If I may, I would like to thank all of my readers for their rave reviews and tons of support. They have helped a great deal in getting the word out about my book.

Thank you Lori!  Best of luck on your future endeavors!

Interviewed by Witchofthemists

Pagan by Andrew Chapman

Five years ago the world learned the truth as the vampires came out and humanity is no longer at the top of the food chain. Jack "Pagan" Henderson is England's top vampire hunter, fighting on the front lines in the war on the ground, and co-opted into the media as a propaganda tool. He's tired, jaded and dejected, but now he has the chance to take the fight to the vampires. BOOK DESCRIPTION 

Well it has been a while since I have posted a review here. Other projects have demanded my attention, but thankfully I am back to get the word out about new authors. While I was off working on my other projects one book kept me company for a few day that really cried out for a review. That book was Pagan by Andrew Chapman. I enjoyed it so much I got my fellow reviewer Witchofthemist to read it as well. So this review will be a first for DarkissReads, it will be divided into two parts. The first will be my review and the second will be Witchofthemist’s. This is a tough call for any book. We are two very different reviewers with two very different tastes, one male and one female, a Brit and a Yank. So how did the book stand up to being read by very different reviewers? Well to find out, read on:

Darkiss

My first thoughts about this book were “Oh well, another vampire book to add to the horde of similar novels out there. No doubt, a handsome vampire hunter who falls for a beautiful bloodsucker that is misunderstood. A few nasty vampires to give the hero someone to fight and a bit of kiss and cuddle to keep the ladies happy”

Well the book kicked my preconceptions right between the legs. This book is the antidote to all those pasty faced vampire that are so prevalent in the media today. From the start this story has one overall message “Vamps are evil blood sucking monsters and they are corrupting our media to turn us all into sheep.” You get this message from the first page and what follows is an adrenalin fuelled ride that has more bite than a shark with rabies.

The story follows Jack “Pagan” Henderson, an ex-SAS soldier who is now the UK’s leading vampire hunter and poster boy for the “Ministry” and their attempts to counter the vampire propaganda machine. Standing side by side with him is a team of fellow hunters who all share his hatred for the blood suckers, although all for their own reasons.

Andrew Chapman is a Brit now living in the US and the book takes place in the UK with all the main characters being Brits as well. The book has a very British feel to it with a few references that non Brits may not understand. The story couldn’t be any more British if it came wrapped in a Union Jack. So I wonder how this novel will translate Stateside. Saying that I enjoyed this book very much, in fact I read it and bought Crusader” the next in the series the same day. The story had me enthralled from page one while the characters jumped out of the page and straight into my imagination. This is the stuff of adolescence dreams; guns, monsters and sexy sidekick.

What else could a guy want for a bit of entertainment were you don’t need to engage your brain, in fact leave your brain on the shelf as your senses will be taking your imagination for a ride.

This isn’t great literature, but it is pure, unadulterated fun with a huge slice of excitement on the side. I read to be entertained and that what Pagan does with ease. Andrew Chapman is an author who has won a place on my “must read” list of authors. If you are tired of vampire novels were the vamps are the underdog or you want a bit of boys own excitement then you can’t go wrong with Pagan. I am giving it an enjoyable 4.5 stars. Watch this space for a review of “Crusader” coming soon.

Witchofthemist

When Darkiss first suggested I give”Pagan” by Andrew Chapman a go, I wasn’t sure. Sure I knew he was really enjoying the book but would I?  We don’t always land on the same page when it comes to books. But I thought sure I will give try with Darkiss’s last words dancing around my head “You being a Yank, you might not understand the British humor” lol.

I absolutely LOVED this book.  Pagan is such a huge shift from your normal Vampire books out on the market. Vampires in Pagan’s world are the bad guys, and Pagan and his crew are there to clean up the mess and protect the world even when the world thinks that they are wrong.

Be prepared for a very exciting ride, this book has everything; action, suspense, passion and GUNS lots and lot of Guns. Which was a bit confusing as I tried to figure out and picture just want each gun in Pagan’s arsenal looked like? Honestly though, Andrew Chapman does a suburb job creating the characters and bringing you into their world. There wasn’t one character that I could not identify with on some level. I found myself getting caught up in the strong bond between Pagan and fellow vampire hunters that is forged through many battles and is a constant theme throughout the book.  The action and battle scenes were very exciting and more than once I was on the edge of my seat, only to feel my heart in my throat as the relationships played out. 

My favorite part of the book is Marie’s story. I loved the relationship between she and Pagan, and how they both try and figure out how loving and fighting side by side each day is going to work.  One thing I found very interesting is that in most vampire books I have read, the author goes to great length in describing what the Hero looked like.  However, in this book Pagan was left entirely to my imagination based on the author’s ability to portray his integrity, strength, sensitivity and the “never going to lose” attitude that Hero’s should have. 

So for all of my fellow Yanks, who may or may not get the British humor, it is well worth the read. There is something in this book for everyone and for .99 cents for the Kindle version you can’t pass this up!  With that said I give this book a 4.5 stars. I am looking forward to reading Crusader the second book in the series. 

  













Andrew Chapman Facebook Page

Andrew Chapman Blog

Hidden ( Marchwood Vampire Series # 1) by Shalini Boland

Book Description


A paranormal romantic adventure, Madison Greene is in foster care until one day she inherits a fortune, she inherits a house, and she inherits a cellar full of danger. Alexandre Chevalier lives in 19th century Paris. On an archaeological expedition, he discovers a lost underground city where his life changes forever. 


For each of them life is finally starting. Little do they know it's closer to ending. Something lies buried which is meant to be forgotten. A Pandora's Box that should remain shut. But Madison and Alexandre have never been any good at following the rules. They are about to find everything they've ever desired and everything that could destroy them. Falling in love has never been so dangerous.


Hidden is the first book in the Marchwood Vampire Series by Shalini Boland. This story is a breath of fresh air in the young adult paranormal genre. Spanning centuries and continents, this lively story takes us on an intriguing journey of discovery and horror that you don't want to end. The story follows Madison Greene and her brother Ben, as their lives take a dramatic turn for the better. Moving out of foster care into their own home and immense wealth. But along with the wealth comes responsibility and intrigue.  In this tale we see the past merge with the present in a chilling and exciting way, as Madison searches for answers and finds them from the most unexpected person ; Alexander Chevalier whom just happens to be a vampire.


The characters within the novel come to life and jump right off the page, I found myself easily immersed in the story from the late Victorian era of  Alexandre's journey to Cappadocia, where he and his family unlock pure evil, then submerged into Madison's world of dealing with the present. The characters have depth and are very well rounded, along with the supporting characters that bring more insights and comical humor to the story.  The love story is very well portrayed and done tastefully and well suited for a young adult audience. I found myself once again caught up in the feelings of first love. 


This book is extremely well written and I was very impressed with the author's ability to tell two stories in completely different styles of writing; late Victorian for Alexandre's story, and present day for Madison's. She did a fantastic job and both stories flowed well throughout the entire book to merge into a great ending.  One of the things I really enjoyed about this novel, was the author's ability to create terrifying and chilling scenes within the book. She led me through my own imagination as my mind brought up images of what was taking place. Much to my surprise I might add since I love gritty detail. The author also had a way with humor as the characters interacted in a truly comical way when Alexandre a Victorian Noble tries to find is way in the modern world.


All in all this book was a great read and I recommend it to anyone who loves a good vampire story. This is a unique tale that stands out among the rest due to the author's wonderful storytelling and her fresh new perspective on Vampires. I am looking forward to reading the next book in series  "Thicker than Blood, Book 2"   I give this book 4.5 Stars!


                                           4.5 Stars!

Shalini Boland can be found on the web :
http://www.shaliniboland.co.uk/

Trailer for Hidden :

Reviewed by Witchofthemists.