Of Gods & Sorrow by Christine Rains

Welcome, Christine Rains, author of 
Of Gods & Sorrow. 
One of my favorite authors.
Christine is here to share a little about herself and her latest book.

Of Gods & Sorrow 

    

1.    What was your hardest scene to write?

The ending. Endings are always tough for me as a pantser because I don’t know how it’s going to resolve itself. I want the protagonist to win, but I love stacking the odds against them. I want it to be believable and satisfying for the reader, and I want it to resolve itself in a way no one expected. This was especially difficult with Erin’s situation at the end with the cult, but hopefully, I achieved what I set out to do.

2.    What makes you run screaming?

Nothing. I don’t like to run and I’m not a screamer. I’ve always been a face your fears kind of person. Though I give a very wide berth to spiders and snakes!

3.    You’re about to be dropped in a remote spot for a three-week survival test. Where would you go? What three tools would you take?

The Canadian wilds. Not too far north on the tundra, but it’s cold enough as it is. I’d take a Swiss army knife, a fire-starter, and proper clothes. I’ve watched a lot of survival shows over the years, and hopefully, that helps.

4.    What behind-the-scenes tidbit in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?

That I never take detailed notes while writing. I love to have many-layered characters and several crisscrossed relationships and a web of sub-plots, but I store them all in my head. I usually start with the good intention of keeping a notebook of a book, but the story takes off on its own and I just go with it.

5.    If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?

Hm, that’s tough. I want to live in so many places! I would say a cottage in the English countryside near mysterious ruins. Oh, the magic of such a place!

6.    If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Don’t care so much about what other people think about your writing. I hid what I wrote for so many years until I gathered the courage to submit stories to publishers. Sharing a piece of our soul with the world is tough, but it’s more than worth it.

7.    What does literary success look like to you?

This has changed for me over the years. It was once having been published by one of the major presses and being as big as Stephen King. These days, I want to publish stories that I love to read and find readers that love to read them too. I don’t need to be the next Stephen King, but it would be nice to pay off some of our monthly bills with income from my books.

8.    Tell us about the book you’re working on now.

I’ve jumped into a new genre, LitRPG or GameLit. It’s fantasy fiction based on characters who get sucked into the game world they’re playing. Jumanji is a great example. My protagonist is playing a tabletop role-playing game I created called Khthonia. She and her friends must find a way to lift the Specter Plague curse and win the game to get home. It’s a geeky and exciting fantasy with some horror thrown in.

Of Gods and Sorrow (Of Blood and Sorrow Book 2) by Christine Rains

Stopping the undead will seem like child's play when the Cult of Ammut comes calling.

Even after losing most of her adopted family, Erin Driscol continues to console clients at Putzkammer & Sons Funeral Home. Keeping the funeral business working smoothly is no longer the walk in the graveyard it used to be. Grieving demons are fighting in the halls. Eyeballs are showing up in teapots. And a so-called psychic and member of the Cult of Ammut claims Erin's boss Cort is a god. All Erin wants is a friend to lean on and a sense of normalcy. But as the cult kills people and repeatedly attacks the funeral home, she must stand strong or lose Cort to the Lake of Fire.

****

Read My Review HERE:

Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not reading or writing, she's going on adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She's a member of S.C.I.F.I. and Untethered Realms. She has four novels and several novellas and short stories published.

                                    Find Christine HERE: 

*****

Thank you, Christine!

Wishing you all the best on your newest project- LitRPG!

Congratulations on all your success!

 Christine was wondering if you could tell your younger self anything, what would it be?

READING AND WRITING

Yolanda Renée © 2016

I can't resist the colors.

Hi, everyone. I'm at a bit of a standstill when it comes to the NANO challenge, due to other issues popping up, but I'm not giving up. I hope during this last week I'll make good progress, although making 50,000 may not be possible, the story is coming together.

I hope you'll check out Patrick Hatt's guest post over at the WEP blog. He's giving advice on writing. It's great stuff!

Today I'm posting on the Parallels Blog about "Challenging Yourself!" Please visit.

While on a break this week I read Christine Rains first book in her Totem series,

Dark Dawning. 

I loved it. 

Christine is one of my favorite authors. This time she took me back to Alaska with her Polar Bear shifters. 

Ametta Dorn is a sexy, headstrong designer with big plans, and Lucky Osberg is a handsome firefighter with a desire to alter those plans, but a killer is on the loose and family is the target.

It's an exciting journey through the wilds of Alaska with Ametta and Lucky and a host of shifters. Christine weaves her tale of the paranormal and romantic suspense with mystical native lore that only adds to the adventure. 

A page-turning mystery that does not disappoint.

***

Blurb for Dark Dawning

It’s a dark day when someone murders one of their own.

Shifters across Alaska are going missing. When up and coming interior designer Ametta Dorn rescues the gorgeous Kodiak shifter Lucky Osberg, she comes into the crosshairs of two relentless hunters. While Lucky sets his sights on wooing her, the killers seek to not only capture her in her powerful polar bear form but to also take her skin.

To prevent her murder and the deaths of other shifters, she must work with Lucky to track down and stop these merciless hunters. After all, their enemy’s plan for shifter skins is something much more terrifying than collecting mere trophies.

     Silent Whispers

It’s not only the dead who whisper upon the wind.

An ancient totem pole has gone missing, and its pieces are scattered across Alaska. Restoring the seven totem tokens may be the only way to save every shifter in the world.

Kinley Dorn, a geeky architect with a heart of gold and a polar bear shifter, jumps at the opportunity to help her family find the lost pieces. Their idea of “helping” involves staying indoors to research online. Work leads Kinley to sexy lynx shifter Ransom Averill. He coaxes her away from the safety behind her computer and into the path of a rampaging giant. Terrifying as the monster might be, she must brave its mountain because the owl totem is calling to her through silent whispers.

                     Cloak of Snow

No one messes with Saskia Dorn’s family and gets away with it.

The same murderous shifters who had hunted her sister have attempted to steal a magical totem pole. Since the pieces are scattered across Alaska, Saskia, a polar bear shifter, takes her search to the tundra for any signs of the lost totems.

Instead she finds Sedge, the latest reincarnation of the old Inuit Bear god, who just happens to be the man who broke her heart.

They come across a small native village tormented by the Jinxioc, evil gnomes with an appetite for human flesh. Sedge declares he will rid the people of the menace, believing a totem token is nearby affecting the devils’ behavior. At his side, Saskia battles to save the tribesmen, but it could mean sacrificing herself.

Have you finished NANO, are you almost there? 

Is turkey on your menu this week, and did you heed Pat's writing advice?

Are you a Christine Rains fan?

Either way, it's a great weekend to curl up with a good book and the

Totem Series might just be it!

Happy Reading

&

Happy Thanksgiving!

DESPERATION HOLLER

ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS
of the

DESPERATION HOLLER
2015 HALLOWEEN CHALLENGE

Thank you, to all the wonderful writers who participated in my Halloween Interview and Flash Fiction Challenge. I enjoyed reading all the interview answers, and gaining insight into each author's horror background and Halloween secrets.

But my favorite part was the flash fiction challenge that required them to use the same 100 word begining to write their stories. They then took the character of Jerry and gave us a Halloween tale of horrific dimensions, and Jerry found himself in hot water quite a few times. Thank you, for your excellent flashes!

Thom Futrell, author of Empty Graves made Jerry an Arch Bishop, did that save him from the evil of the night?

Christine Rains, the author Of Blood & Sorrow had Jerry's mother, a truly evil witch needing a soul to release the fiends of Halloween. Would Jerry escape her clutches?

Julia Press Simmons, author of The Bloody Mary Coven made Jerry an avenging angel, and he fought evil with a smile, and I think a cigarette in his mouth, but did he succeed?

Shannon Lawrence the author of The Blue Mist insisted Jerry was the "one soul to lead them all." What did she mean by that?

Cathrina Constantine author of Don't Forget to Breathe had Jerry ready to take his revenge on the witches, but did he succeed?

DeAnna Knippling, author of Alice's Adventures in Underland had a treasure hunting Jerry descending into the darkest of basements. Did he find his treasure?

Tara Tyler, author of Simulation had Jerry planning vengeance on the witches using all the rules, but did following the rules work in his favor?

Nancy Lynn Jarvis, author of The Widow's Walk League had Jerry providing the children for the witches pies, and fulfilling her deepest desire for mincemeat pie.

Ann M. Noser author of Dead GirlRunning had Jerry trying to turn his witch of a sister straight, but was she willing?

A special thank you to Walter P. Honsinger who sent a ghostly tale, The Tomb, based on a true story. The Tomb is set in New Orleans and a graveyard where the characters spent the night during a Voodoo ritual.

~~~ ~~~
INTRODUCING JUDGE 
WENDY ELY

Today I'm also excited to introduce editor, Wendy Ely. The judge for my Halloween flash fiction contest. I knew I couldn't choose a winner, I loved them all, but Wendy volunteered and I was delighted. I met Wendy on Facebook and she's done a beautiful job on several of my writing projects.  Thanks, Wendy!

Wendy started her writing and editing career in January of 2008. Since the start of her career, her passion for the craft has only grown stronger. Not only does she have the drive to perfect her own books she wants to help other busy authors as well. She has several years of freelance editing experience, and recently attended advanced grammar classes in college. Wendy has extensively studied the craft of writing, and is a USA Today bestselling author.

Wendy feels she succeeds when her client succeeds. And claims that editing should be as creative and as enjoyable as possible. Her goal is to provide fast, friendly, and efficient service while working with her clients. 

I can attest to her speed!

She also knows that no author is the same, so she'll tailor an editing plan specifically to you. Wendy uses her passion for the craft along with her education to give all her clients the best editing experience that she can.

I highly recommend Wendy's services!

Check out her website

http://creativemanuscripts.blogspot.com/

or send her an email:

creativemanuscripts@gmail.com

~~~~~ ~~~~~

And now without further delay

the winners of the

2015 Halloween Flash Fiction Contest are:

1st place & the winner of a $10 Amazon Gift Card

Shannon Lawrence

The Blue Mist

Wendy says, "The author used great imagery in her writing. It had a great mixture of humorous dialogue and an interesting twist."

CONGRATULATIONS SHANNON!

2nd place & the winner of a $7 Amazon Gift Card

Thom Futrell

Empty Graves

Wendy said, "The story flow was well done. It kept me entertained and the ending was a shock."

CONGRATULATIONS THOM!

3rd place & the winner of a $5 Amazon Gift Card

Christine Rains

 Of Blood & Sorrow

Wendy said your piece showed, "Clever writing and was enjoyable!"

CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTINE!

For all authors who participated Wendy is kindly

offering a discount on her editing services –

$25 off any manuscript over 100 pages.

CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE!

AND THANK YOU AGAIN

YOU MADE MY HALLOWEEN A REAL TREAT!

OF BLOOD & SORROW

MY SECOND VICTIM THIS HALLOWEEN is

CHRISTINE RAINS

And it's her birthday!

Happy Birthday, Christine!

Thanks for agreeing to be part of the fun.

Without further ado here is Christine's

Halloween Interview & Flash Fiction Challenge

1.      You're born on Halloween and have the ghostly evil super powers of one of the following: The Ghost from Poltergeist, The Frankenstein Monster, The Mummy, The most Evil of Witches, The Devil himself, Freddy Kruger, Pumpkin Head, Michael from Halloween, or Jason from Friday the 13^th. Alternatively, if you prefer, pick one of your own. Otherwise, tell us which one you would choose and why? No friendly ghosts allowed! You're to wreak havoc in this scenario!

I would have the powers of the most evil of witches. I have the bump in my nose and the mole. I should get the powers to go along with it! Witches look just like the every day person. I'd blend in and none would suspect a timid woman of such awesomely wicked deeds!

2.    The Zombie Apocalypse is going to occur this Halloween and for 48 hours, the world is thrown into chaos. Live through it and consider yourself lucky, you've been warned. What is your first step, especially as no one else knows or believes you? Do you leave family behind and seek shelter to ride it out, or do you try to save your family? How and why?

I would save my family, of course. I must have a child to pass on my awesome witchy powers to! Real zombies are slow and I have a strong stomach. Chop, chop, chop! I'd find us a secure place with lots of food stuff to hold up like a school cafeteria. The most frightening part of this question is that I have thought about it before and made a plan!

3.    Because of the time of your birth, (see the 1^st question) the angels have decided to forgive your sins and are offering to remedy one evil that now exists in the world, but only one! Which would you choose and why?

I don't know if this counts as one, but I'm making it one because the angels won't argue with me about it: crimes against children. No person may ever commit any horrible act upon a child ever again. How much better would our world be if our children were truly cared for and safe? Then imagine those children growing up and what wonderful things they would do without the weight of childhood horrors upon them.

4.    Why is Halloween your favorite holiday, or not your favorite, and if it isn't why did you participate in this query? Come on; tell us your biggest most secret Halloween fantasy!

Halloween is absolutely my favorite holiday. I love dressing up, and even more so, I love seeing other people in costume. The one day of the year where we can haunt our neighbors and run alongside our supernatural friends in the dark. My biggest Halloween fantasy is to have my whole family wear themed costumes. But too bad my husband has no interest. He's the Scrooge of Halloween! Can I zap him with my witchy powers?

  Now the fun part: Finish the story. I've given you the first 100 words. Provide us with the rest, but please hold the number to 750 words or less. The winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card. The contest will be judged by author, Nancy Lynn Jarvis. The winner will be posted on Halloween!

DESPERATION HOLLER

Jerry sauntered along Desperation Holler Road that earlier echoed with the excited shouts of ghosts and ghouls as the children scrambled from house to house in colorful and frightening costumes.

Dusk dissolved into the blackest of nights as the little monsters disappeared into the shelter of the brightly lit houses with their chocolate goodies.

Jerry smiled, even suppressed laughter, because he knew there was no refuge, not in Desperation Holler on this most evil of Halloweens.

Concealed by the dark limbs of deformed trees and invasive ivy, the innocuous little cabin looked abandoned, but Jerry knew better. 

The witches' abode . . . never changing. The roof sagged as if a giant had sat upon it and fetid fungus grew between the poorly stacked logs. Home.

Jerry pushed open the front door and strode in. “Hello Mom! I'm back.”

A tiny flame flickered in the darkness followed by a dozen more. A squat woman with tangled red hair and a long dress made of skins rushed forward. She hugged him around the middle. “My boy! So happy you came. So happy... What happened? You looked wretched. Too clean.”

Chuckling, Jerry gave his mother a squeeze and gestured to his clothes. “What these? Clothes of the mundanes. Thought I'd dress up as one of them tonight.”

His mother cackled and a raspier laugh joined in. A second woman shuffled out of the shadows to embrace Jerry. “You always make me laugh, darling. We miss you.”

“Nana.” Jerry hugged her and swung her around like a child. Her frizzy white hair tickled his chin. “I miss you too. But there is so much misery to make in the world. This town is too small for me.”

“Not tonight, though, eh?” Nana coughed and flicked her hand to the great stone fireplace. A roaring fire ignited, heating the contents of the cauldron. The witches hurried to gather ingredients from a nearby table.

“I couldn't miss tonight. Not this Halloween.” Jerry rubbed his hands together and knelt before the fire. All those children thinking the monsters were just make-believe. Tonight they would learn otherwise.

“We counted on it.” His mother raised a cast iron pan and smashed it down upon Jerry's head. A sickening crunch was followed by a meaty thud as he toppled over to the floor. She nudged him with her toe to make certain he was dead. “He's too clean.”

“Don't matter. Rub some grave soil and spider venom on him if you want. It'll be all the same when we cut him up and put him in the pot.” Nana handed her daughter a butcher knife. “Our desperate soul.”

“So desperate to wreak evil, to please us, and yet never quite making it. I blame his father. He tasted too much like chicken.” Jerry's mother sighed. “At least he's good for something. Tonight his soul will release the fiends that will bring living nightmares to Desperation Holler.”

“Stop yakking and start cutting.”  

*****
CHECK OUT CHRISTINE'S LATEST!

Blurb:

Erin Driscol works the perfect job consoling fellow demons by feeding off their grief at Putzkammer & Sons Funeral Home.

When fledgling vampire Nicolas Reese comes to Erin for help, she learns the truth behind the legends and hides him from his sire and the vampire hunters who seek him. But when the Putzkammers begin to die one by one, Erin is caught between her act of kindness and the need to save her adopted family. Only by facing her own personal demons can she stop the slaughter and still rescue Nicolas from his dark fate. 

*****

Christine is a writer, geek mom, and ghost hunter wannabe. She grew up in a tiny, creaky house beside a cemetery. She spent her days playing amongst the gravestones and battling the closet monster at night. When her little monster is in school, she hides in her cave writing. She's a proud member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. She has one novel and several novellas and short stories published. Find out more about Christine at http://christinerains.net/

THANKS, CHRISTINE!

Excellent answers and what a

great flash - Poor Jerry!

Help Christine celebrate her birthday, 

leave a birthday comment

and you could win a copy of 

Of Blood & Sorrow!

*****

Just curious, have you signed up for the 

WEP - Flash Fiction Halloween Challenge?

Youthful Frights vs Adult Fears

Why not - you'll miss all fun!

CONGRATULATIONS!
SHANNON LAWRENCE
YOU'VE WON A COPY
OF BLOOD & SORROW!