PSB: Crescent Moon Press Day–Part 4

Crescent Moon Press authors were really excited by the Paranormal Spring Break and eight (8) of them wanted to participate! To keep it manageable, authors were paired two by two an interviews each other! On this post, you’ll be able to see: Jean Murray & Penelope Marzec.

Penelope Marzec’s Interview with Jean Murray

THE HUMAN REALM, HIS BATTLEFIELD.

Asar, the Egyptian God of the Underworld, has been tortured and left soulless by a malevolent goddess, relegating him to consume the very thing he was commissioned to protect. Human souls.

DEADLY SECRETS BETTER LEFT UNEARTHED.

Lilly, fearless commander of the Nehebkau huntresses, is the only things standing in the way of
the goddess' undead army unleashing hell on earth.

Now an empty shell of hatred, Asar vows to kill the goddess and anyone involved in her release, but fate crosses his path with a beautiful blonde huntress who has a soul too sweet to ignore. But Lilly has a secret—one she is willing to sell her soul to keep. If the Underworld god discovers her role in the dig that released the goddess, she will lose everything, including his heart.

1. Your novel, Soul Reborn, is based on Egyptian Mythos? What attracted you to use this in your novel?

Ancient Egyptian culture and religion offers so much untapped potential for storytelling and plot development. Who isn’t fascinated by the pyramids, pharaohs’ tombs, Book of the Dead, mummies, myths of curses and undead armies and the idea of an afterlife? Now put all that in present day, the conflict writes itself. After five thousand years of apathy, the Egyptian gods have awoken to reclaim their place among the Pantheons and the world. A key. A tomb. A goddess. A curse on humankind.

2. If an Egyptian god offered to grant you one power, what would it be and why?

I would want the power to heal. As a nurse, there were so many times I wish I could heal those that were suffering catastrophic illness (ex. Cancer), especially when their will to live was so strong. I think that is why my heroine, Lilly, has such strong nurturing skills that grow more powerful from her involvement with the hero, Asar (God of the Underworld). Healing power would have some serious drawbacks, not unlike what my heroine faces: saving and healing those that might be better off dead or undead in her case. With any extraordinary power I think it would be very difficult to make the decision on who to save and who not too. By what moral fiber would you choose?

3. What have you learned about ancient Egypt in your research?

Wow, that is a huge question. I could write another book about it. Oh yeah, I already am (Soul Awakened). No seriously, I think the most interesting thing I discovered were the translations of the sacred texts (Pyramid Texts, Book of the Dead, Demonic Magical Papyrus). Egyptian demonic spells could cure or curse an individual. The other thing I found of interest is their concept of an afterlife, which I use heavily in Soul Reborn. It got me thinking about what I would do in a second life. The chance to be reborn at least once, taking all the lessons I have learned from my previous life. Knowing what I know now, what path would I take? I think it would be interesting to find out. Try something new and unexplored or be with loved ones in the paradise isle of the underworld.

4. What is your favorite Hero 'type' and why?

Reluctant. I love the hero or heroine that has to grow and make the decision to come to the rescue. Bad guys that have that moment of clarity and choose the altruistic course are my absolute favorite. In Soul Reborn, Asar is hell bent on fulfilling his promise of vengeance against the goddess who stole his soul. His journey back to righteousness is full of pitfalls, but sometimes the sacrifice is worth its reward (his heroine, Lilly).

5. If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be and why?

“Full of surprises.” As my sister told me the other day, just when you think you know someone after 35 years, you find out your sister is writing vampire and paranormal novels. I think I stunned everyone I knew, even my best friend who I’ve known since 1st grade. Yes, writing creatively was a severe departure from current career as a Navy nurse and a surprise to my family and for myself for that matter. I love to read fiction and there were times that I was just too busy to delve into my fetish. To pass the time during long trips, I would think of story plots in my head, like a TV miniseries playing in my brain. A few years ago, I decided to write them down and before I knew it I had several full manuscripts. Soul Reborn will be my debut novel, released in March 2011 from Crescent Moon Press.

Jean Murray’s Interview with Penelope Marzec

When Ula's druidess is kidnapped by the evil Balor, the Irish princess must leave her secret cottage to seek help. And who better to help her locate the druidess than the Irish Wolfhound who just happens to be owned by the handsome man who saves her virtue at a pub?

Shay Devlin wants nothing to do with the beautiful Ula--especially not once he realizes she's out to steal his unruly dog, Bran--but there's no way he and his geise will allow him to turn her out into the snow, alone and unprotected. Too bad everything about the mysterious dog snatcher tempts him to break every rule of his sacred code.

Though their love is forbidden--for prophecy says Ula will marry a man with black eyes and Shay's are blue--they battle the druid who wants not only Ula, but the kingdom she is destined to rule.

1. Kiss of Blarney delves into Celtic lore. Why did you choose that theme for this story? And where did you get your information?

My great-grandparents came to this country from Ireland. My great-grandfather was from Roscommon and my great-grandmother came from County Mayo—she came as a domestic worker. However, she met and married my great-grandfather here. They had nine children—the oldest was my grandfather. He and all his siblings reminded me of leprechauns.

I developed my interest in all things Irish due to them. I’ve read several books on Irish myths and legends, but my favorite is Celtic Myths and Legends by T. W. Roleston.

I wrote Irons in the Fire first, which also involves some Celtic lore, but there is so much material I had to write something else and so Kiss of Blarney was born.

2. However, your setting for Kiss of Blarney is contemporary. Why didn’t you write it as a historical?

Don’t druids still exist? Aren’t there dragons in south Jersey? Once on a camping trip in the sandy wilds of the Pine Barrens, I was reading at night as I sat at the picnic table with the Coleman lantern. I heard an animal scream, the lantern went out and a deep, frightening hush blanketed the area. Even the crickets and the locusts quieted. I held my breath, figuring I was about to meet the Jersey Devil. Fortunately, he didn’t stamp into the campsite, but I’ve never forgotten the fear of that night.

Myths, legends and lore from the olden days still influence us in modern times. It was fun have Ula experience the contemporary world.

3. What is your favorite holiday?

I like St. Patrick’s Day, which is one of the reasons I chose that day for the setting of Kiss of Blarney. St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect holiday because there’s no real fuss involved. The only requirement is to wear something green. Cooking is simple—a corned beef dinner is all boiled in one pot, and served with plenty of beer. I enjoy listening to Irish music and watching parades where there are bagpipers wearing kilts. It’s a day for telling jokes and laughing— and remembering my leprechaun ancestors. It’s a day for believing in fairies and magic—and dragons as well.

4. Your hero is plagued by his strict code of behavior—his geise. What are these rules?

Shay is as much tortured by Ula as he is by his geise, a set of magical obligations which he considers archaic. The idea of geise intrigued me. Each Irish king had his own set, tailored specifically for him. These taboos are peculiar to Celtic legends and often are the turning point in several tragic Irish legends. Misfortune and even death befall those who break the code.

Since the geise are open to some interpretation, Shay believes he can manipulate the circumstances and remain safe. But Ula entices him, and he cannot resist her. He winds up breaking every single one of his geise.

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Great job you guys! Thanks!

Both Penelope & Jean would like to offer copies of their books!

• two (2) winners will get one of the two books
• Open to US Only

• To enter, just leave a comment telling me which book you’d prefer to win
  (you can enter for both)

• Don’t forget to include a way to contact you!

  If you want to earn an extra entry, spread the word and provide a link in a different comment =)

• Tweet: Crescent Moon Press is in the house! 20 books to win! http://bit.ly/edVDTi http://bit.ly/eYkikr http://bit.ly/gGcTUc http://bit.ly/eM97Ei RT

Ends April 6th, 2011.

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Crescent Moon Press would also like to offer a grand prize of 4 bundles of three electronic books, in the format of the winner's choice.   Any book off their website, electronic version only.

• Open to Internationally
• To enter, just FILL THE FORM

• If you want to earn an extra entry, spread the word and provide a link in a different comment =)

Tweet: Crescent Moon Press is in the house! 20 books to win! http://bit.ly/edVDTi http://bit.ly/eYkikr http://bit.ly/gGcTUc http://bit.ly/eM97Ei RT

Ends April 6th, 2011.

Posted by Tynga at 00:14

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Tynga is a 32 years old mom of two, from Montreal, working as a lab technician in an hospital specialized in heart disease. In her free time, she enjoys reading all things Paranormal and photography.

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