The Prison of Oblivion Author Liz Vasileva

Book Blurb: Storm Earls is a young teenage girl from London, whose parents work for a hi-tech science company. After her parents get involved in a dangerous project creating the most addictive drug ‘Oblivion’, Storm is sent on a deserted island as insurance for her parents’ continuous collaboration on the project. On the island the young girl’s curiosity takes over her and she begins to uncover facts about her life that up until now she has been oblivious to. Eager to find out more and get back home, Storm takes on a dangerous journey filled with battles against a multimillionaire corporation and the wildlife of the island. Along the way the young teenager finds a lost friend of hers, while making new friendships and even finding love for the first time. But with finding friends comes losing friends. Who will Storm lose and would she ever be able to return to London?

  Author’s bio: Izabel (Izi) Vasileva was born Apr 1991 in Bulgaria, where she grew up surrounded by loving friends and family, who have always encouraged her to follow her dreams and always supported her decision despite the fact how crazy they were sometimes. At the age of 18 she decided to move to UK to study and follow her dreams, that’s when a lot of people she knew told her ‘You can’t do it.’. Izi as stubborn as she stood her ground and told them ‘Just watch me.’, which is what she says every time someone doubts her abilities. In 2009 she moved to Canterbury, where on her own she faced the challenges of being independent and living away from home. She learned quickly to adapt and made many new friends along the way. Books have been a passion of hers for a while. She likes to get lost between the pages of a good fiction. Her favorites are YA novel and the very first book that captured her attention completely was Twilight. After some unfortunate events with one of her friends, Izi finally decided to put the idea, which has been in her head for couple of months, on paper. That’s how Izi’s first novel The Prison of Oblivion was born. The author loves expressing her feeling through her stories, but fully realizes that she needs to write more and learn more about writing before she becomes one of the authors, who readers truly admire. To all the readers the author says ‘If you like fiction and YA novel, give me a chance.’.

 

Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US
Twitter

 

Bobo Blog Tour

 

 

Book Blurb:

Sometimes a weekend can seem like a lifetime to a growing child. He may experience like, fear, anticipation, and other emotions without smooth transition or even realizing it. This is the life of Bobo, a fifth grader, who loves his family, the Superfriends, and chocolate milk. As he introduces himself, get to know him, and you will absolutely love him!!    

Author Bio:

James Gordon is from Chicago Illinois and has one book to his credit, the DJ Gatsby Book Club Children's Book of the Year, Hi My Name is Bobo. Under his pen name G.P.A.(Greatest Poet Alive) he has penned five additional books and garnered several awards. James has crossed over into to the storytelling scene in Chicago and can be seen on the tv shows(Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, Sirens, and Empire).

Buy Link: Hi, My Name is Bobo.: (A Weekend in the Life of a 5th Grader) (Step into the World of Bobo Book 1) - Kindle edition by James Gordon, Becca Wolford. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

https://www.facebook.com/HimynameisBobo

Twitter: @gr8estpoetalive
 

                       

Mya Blog Tour

Blrub Modern love can be a headache. Just ask Annie Morgan, who, recently divorced, finds herself in the middle of the proverbial online dating jungle. Making a deal with her best friend, Annie agrees to go out on exactly five online dates out of seventy-six potential suitors. Shane Nicholls was jaded, he had his heart broken and never got over the hurt. Now, convinced that all women are trouble, he avoids drama at any cost. Funny thing is, drama seems to find Shane around every corner. Can Annie, a romantic at heart, find love online or will she find love at first sight the old-fashioned way, by awkward, chance meetings with Shane Nicholls? Through a number of obstacles and heartache, Annie and Shane find that love at first sight really does exist if you truly believe.
Johnny’s was packed. Standing on line to place her order, Annie took in her surroundings. Just as the owner, Johnny, was coming over to take her order, something caught Annie’s eye. The guy near the window, he seemed familiar somehow. Where had she seen him before? He was eating dinner with a pretty brunette. He lifted his head to look at Annie as their eyes locked. On no! It was the guy from the mall, the one she bumped into. She quickly spun around, knocking right into the waitress who was carrying a tray of soft drinks. Soda soaked her shirt and dripped onto the floor. The waitress was clearly annoyed and appeared like she would have loved to tell Annie off. Instead she rolled her eyes and ran to get a towel. If Annie thought she was embarrassed before, it was nothing compared to how she felt now. Every eye in the place was on her, including the guy from the mall. Helpless to do anything else, she grabbed some napkins and bent down to sop up some of the mess. “It seems you have a knack for causing a scene everywhere you go.” It was his voice. The voice that filled her head with inappropriate thoughts, with longing. What was she thinking? Did she dare look up? His gaze was a magnet, forcing her to meet his eyes. His eyes were a warmer brown than she had remembered, drawing her in. “I...uh...” “I’m joking. Here, let me help you with that.” He grabbed the napkins from her hand. The heat between them jolted her back. She moved quickly, surprised he could evoke such a reaction from her. Nobody had ever made her feel so exposed before. What was going on here? Annie felt foolish. “I’m Shane. Shane Nicholls.” He extended his hand to her. They must have appeared to be quite the sight, bending over to clean up the mess while shaking hands. “Annie.” Annie remembered her new rules of safety in the dating world. One of them was she would not reveal her last name or any other personal information until she was sure the guy wasn’t a stalker or anything. “Annie. It suits you, I like it.” Annie had almost forgot about the woman waiting for Shane at the table near the window. She glanced over and took in a tight-lipped woman. It hit Annie that this woman was not the same stunning woman from the mall. Hmm, she had met his type before. This guy had “player” written all over him. She quickly brushed herself off and excused herself. “Hey, Annie. Wait.” He reached for her hand. Annie forgot all about placing her order and made a beeline for the door. She didn’t look back. Well, Annie figured, it looked like it would be Chinese food tonight.   At First Sight Playlist Soul Sister- Train Drops of Jupiter-Train
A Thousand Years- Christina Perri
Here Without You- Three Doors Down
Hanging by Moment- Lifehouse
You and Me- Lifehouse
You and I -Lady Gaga

Blurb

Mia Dennsi is a beautiful young woman who has experienced a challenging childhood. As an out of work teacher, Mia accepts a position for home-schooling a troubled, misunderstood teenager. Mia makes it a priority to help Cassidy overcome her challenges and reach for her dreams. In the process, Mia experiences healing of her own; she is faced with issues she must now come to terms with. Mia finds a rare friendship in Jamie, her caring and attractive neighbor. The relationship starts off as friendship, but will Mia let this healthy friendship bloom into something more or is she destined to a repeat the vicious cycle of making the same mistakes over and over again? Through the various twists and turns of Mia’s love life, she is forced to make a decision that will affect her entire future. The reader cannot help but root for this character to succumb to true love and happiness.
I would have done anything for that girl. Anything. I have dreamed of Mia, I have waited for Mia. I have loved Mia. I can’t trust Mia. I can’t get my hopes up again, only to be crushed by her. I couldn’t stand it. She doesn’t allow herself to be happy. What has happened in her life to cause her to reject the people who love her, who care for her? I remember the first time I ever laid eyes one her. The way she bumped into me, how embarrassed she was. I swear to this day that she is the most beautiful creature I’ve laid eyes on. Her slim build, dark hair and striking eyes. And that smile, that smile still warms my heart. I went to see my grandma in Maine for the weekend once I realized that I was falling in love with Mia. My grandmother and I have always been close. She has been there for me through thick and thin ever since I was a child. I grew even closer to her as I was growing up, finding my way in life. For some reason, I always found it easiest to share my feelings with Grandma, the two of us like kindred spirits. My feelings for Mia scared the life out of me. I told my grandmother that I didn’t want to risk getting hurt again and that Mia seemed so unsure of herself. She offered me a piece of advice that I will hold true to my heart forever: She placed her hand over my heart and said, “Go where there is love, surround yourself with love.” So I did, I went to Mia and tried to tell her how I felt, only to be brushed off with news of Josh coming back into the picture. I’m happy with Danielle, she’s smart and she’s beautiful. Yeah,I’m going to give this a chance, I would be a fool not to. But...I think...she’s not Mia.
My heart can’t take She has the power to hurt me, and I can’t survive that again. Questions for main character, Mia:

1. Q: I see that you’re a special education teacher. How did you first decide to pursue that career?

A: Mia: I guess you could say that I grew up with a lot of alone time. As an only child whose father left when I was small and being raised by a mom who was wrapped up in her career as a fashion designer, I vowed that I would help others who may be faced with challenging situations. My best friend, Sarah, has a brother named Billy who has learning disabilities. I have a special place in my heart for Billy and love spending time with him and Sarah. Some of my best memories include the times I spent with them. I have always wanted to make a difference in the lives of others and now I have that chance.

2. Q: Why did you decide to home-school a high school student? Do you prefer this type of position as opposed to having your own class?

A: Mia: It’s funny, I’ve always thought that I would teach younger students, elementary school age. However, it seemed that there were always budget cuts and my positions prior to this involved maternity leave positions in which the teacher always returned. It’s discouraging that jobs are so hard to come by in today’s economy. The last few years, I supported myself by subbing and waitressing at a restaurant in town. Just as I was losing hope, I received a call asking if I wanted to home-school a high school senior. Imagine that! I never thought that I would work with teenagers, and as a matter of fact, I thought about declining the interview right there on the phone. Something inside of me told me that I had nothing to lose, so I decided to show up for the interview.

3. Q: Why was the student being home-schooled? Why couldn’t she finish her senior year at the high school?

A: Mia: Well, that’s a very good question and that’s exactly what I wanted to know. The question was met with an abrupt, vague answer. I was told that the young teen was troubled and that she couldn’t get along with other students at the school. Of course, I delved deeper and eventually discovered that this girl was being bullied and that nobody believed her side of the story. Cassidy’s self-esteem was crushed and I promised myself that I would help this girl believe in herself. I wanted to look deeper into the bullying situation and try to help Cassidy cope with her feelings.

4. Q: It sounds like you have a very rewarding career. Can we talk about your personal life? Is there a boyfriend in the picture?

A: Mia: I haven’t had much luck in the romance department. Past boyfriends haven’t always been the best choices for me. I suppose you could say that right now I’m kind of torn between a guy that I had a huge crush on and a neighbor whom I’ve become close friends with. I’ve never been friends with a guy like my neighbor before, Jamie is everything that a woman could ask for. Q: But? A: Mia: It’s complicated, let’s leave it at that for now. The thing is, I don’t want to lose Jamie as a friend. Q: It seems that you have a lot to think about. The choice seems clear to me, what’s the issue? A: Mia: Like I said, it’s complicated, but I can’t imagine my life without Jamie.

5. Q: I see. Let’s move on. I’m curious to see if you helped Cassidy. If there’s one thing that you have learned in life that you could advise someone who is going through a rough time, what would it be?

A: Mia: I don’t think that I’m an expert on giving advice, but I can tell you this, be kind to yourself, believe in yourself and hold true to your dreams. I have a lot to learn myself, but I feel that I’m getting there, if you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else is going to. Hold your head high and keep your focus, that’s what I would say, don’t let anybody crush your dreams.   Where There is Love Playlist Moody Blues- Your Wildest Dreams Roy Orbison- Pretty Woman The Rolling Stones -Wild Horses
Against the Wind- Bob Seger Arms Wide Open- Creed  
Mya O’Malley Bio Mya O’Malley was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City, where she currently lives with her husband, daughter and three step-daughters. The family also consists of two boxers; Destiny and Dolce and a ragdoll cat named Colby. Mya earned an undergraduate degree in special education and a graduate degree in reading and literacy. She works as a special education teacher and enjoys making a difference in the lives of her students. Mya currently has two new releases: At First Sight, a contemporary romance about dating in the modern world, published by Astraea Press, and Where There is Love, a contemporary romance in which a woman struggles with past obstacles, ultimately faced with whether or not she will open her heart to love. Where There is Love is published with Solstice Publishing. Mya is excited to say that Astraea Press will be releasing her contemporary holiday paranormal romance titled If You Believe on November 25, 2014. Due to be released late January is The Calm After the Storm, published by TouchPoint Press. This novel is a contemporary romance taking place in the setting of Hurricane Sandy. The story revolves around the idea of a utility worker from Georgia falling in love with a woman in New York. Mya’s passion is writing; she has been creating stories and poetry since she was a child. Mya spends her free time reading just about anything she can get her hands on. She is a romantic at heart and loves to create stories with unforgettable characters. Mya likes to travel; she has visited several Caribbean Islands, Mexico and Costa Rica. Mya is currently working on her sixth novel.

1. What are your ambitions for your writing career?

I have many ambitions for my career as a writer. I wish to promote the books that I already have published so that I can share my stories with others. The use of social media has been tremendously helpful to me, now I would like to expand my reach to my local area as well. I would be thrilled to participate in book signings, visit with local libraries and other venues. I would also like to continue to write more books because I have so many ideas that I want to see come to life in print. I have learned a lot during the writing and publication process already, but I feel that there’s so much more information out there to gain. One of my goals is to connect with more authors and collaborate on many aspects of writing. I think it would be great to attend more author events and conferences to mingle with fellow authors.

• Which writers inspire you?

The list could go on and on. There are truly so many talented authors that have inspired me to write my own stories. Nicholas Sparks is right up there, he writes touching love stories that have great plots that stay with you long after you have finished reading his books. I guess you could say I have eclectic tastes in books, many years ago I was a huge Dean Koontz fan, I also enjoy reading James Patterson, Jodi Picoult and Lisa Jackson. In a way, all of these authors have inspired me.

• If you could say give advice to one of your characters who would it be and what would you tell them?

It would have to be Mia in Where There is Love. Without giving away too much of the plot, I would advise her to give herself a break and look at all she has accomplished. Mia is a strong, beautiful character that struggles with her past. I would tell her that she can do anything she puts her mind to and that she deserves happiness.

• What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?

My latest book is a young adult fantasy story about a young teen who feels that the grass is always greener everywhere else. I had so much fun writing this story as it was my first real young adult novel, my other novels fall into the genre of contemporary romance. The hardest thing was to think about my main character’s age and try to convey the thoughts of a young teen throughout the text. Also, the story’s setting focuses on an underwater village filled with mermaids. It was challenging to place my characters in the ocean and portray the actions of these characters from this setting. My antagonist in this book was complicated, however, she was also a lot of fun to create. Overall, withstanding some challenges, I had a great time creating this story. I think it’s important for authors to challenge themselves, that’s how we grow as writers.

• Tell us about the cover/s and how it/they came about.

Oh, I love my covers! I’m so excited to display my covers while marketing and showing others my books. My cover for At First Sight is perfect for this story. The cover is fun and flirty, it portrays my characters perfectly. My main character, Annie, reluctantly tries online dating after her divorce while holding out for the idea of love at first sight. The cover has a computer mouse in the center of the beautiful cover. My publisher, Astraea Press, provided the cover for this book and the designer, Cora Graphics, was wonderful to work with. They asked for descriptions of the characters and setting, the theme of the book and feedback from me. I loved that cover immediately. The cover for Where There is Love, published by Solstice Publishing, is another perfect fit for my book. I selected Classy Designs to create the depiction of my main character, Mia, and the setting of my story. I communicated my thoughts for the cover with Classy Designs and I was excited to see the final cover meet my needs. Classy designs was flexible and easy to work with. I think it’s so important to have a cover design that catches the reader’s eye, I’m pleased to have covers that I’m so proud to speak about.
Mya O’Malley Links Where There is Love Amazon Trailer: Where There is Love
AT FIRST SIGHT Amazon Barnes and Nob Kobo iTunes Smashwords Trailer- At First Sight Social Media Amazon Author Page Mya O'Malley-Website myaomalley. Author's Blog Facebook Pinterest Twitter Tumblr

The Retired Tooth Fairy Blog Tour

 

Blrub

We all know who collects the baby teeth; but, who collects the teeth when someone older, like Mommy or Daddy, loses a tooth? The retired tooth fairies do! “The Retired Tooth Fairy” follows the misadventures of one of these fairies. And her name is Bea. When the head fairy, Ms. Floss, gets swamped, she enlists the help of The Retired Tooth Fairy. Bea happily accepts her request and starts on her journey. But collecting these teeth will prove to be no easy task. Bea will have to risk being discovered by humans in order to return home before the magic of her "Youthful Dust" fades away. Will she make it home in time? Find out as you join Bea on her misadventure.    

Character Interview

Double Decker Books: Today, I would like to welcome a “fairy” special guest. Today we have an interview with a tooth fairy!
Teenage Girl: Pssst… (waves arms frantically) Excuse me…sorry.
Double Decker Books: I am sorry Miss, but I am in the middle of an interview.
Teenage Girl: (shakes head) I need to tell you something important!
Double Decker Books: Okay, what is it?
Teenage Girl: I am that Tooth Fairy’s granddaughter, Adelia. And I have some unfortunate news!
Double Decker Books: What is wrong?
Adelia: My grandma is a little…well…tied up at the moment. She is going to be late.
Double Decker Books: Oh no! What happened?
Adelia: Well, she went to take on an assignment before coming today and she said she got caught in the strings of a dental office’s blinds. So, she is a little tied up right now. My Mom is heading over there to help her out of her predicament.
Double Decker Books: Yikes! Is she okay?
Adelia: Yes, she is not hurt or anything. But like she may not be here anytime soon…ya know.
Double Decker Books: Geez, that puts a damper on this interview. I guess we will have to wait.
(Adelia whips out sparkling dust and sprinkles it above her head. She shrinks down to her normal fairy size and flies over to the chair next to the interviewer.)
Adelia: Is there anything I can help you answer?
Double Decker Books: You know what, I am sure we could ask you a few questions—as long as you don’t mind.
Adelia: I would love to help out! What do you got?
Double Decker Books: Alright, well, how is life in your world?
Adelia: Oh it is absolutely awesomely cool! There are a lot of similarities between our worlds--with the exception of magic. Oh…and flying. And being super tiny. But if you take away those, we live normal lives just like you! We go to school, hang out with friends, take a stroll in the park, and play Flossy Ball. Our buildings are made out of melted down teeth, and we have a set of rules to follow.
Double Decker Books: Yes, that sounds very much like life here. But may I ask, what is Flossy Ball?
Adelia: Flossy Ball is the best game in the world! We get in teams of seven. One side pitches the Flossy ball over to the Picker. The Picker catches the ball, throws it in the air, and smacks it with their wrists. Once the ball is in the air, the Picker runs to the other end of the field. The other team must catch the ball and then tag the Picker before she scores. If they tag her before she reaches the goal, then she must pick a satchel of fairy dust and sprinkle it over her head. Each satchel contains both good and bad magic. If she picks a good one she can get super speed, but if she picks a bad one, she may be temporarily turned into a rabbit until her team scores. The first team to score 21 points wins. It is awesome!
Double Decker Books: Now that sounds like a unique game.
Adelia: Oh it is! I LOVE it!
Double Decker Books: Now Adelia are you in the book “The Retired Tooth Fairy”?
Adelia: Of course! My grandma gets in soooo much trouble. I had to go and rescue her again. My Mom and I tend to do that a lot! My silly Grandma!
Bea: I heard that!
Adelia: (runs over to Bea and gives her a hug) Grandma! You are here!
Bea: Yep! I made it. It was such an exciting morning. Oh dear!
Double Decker Books: Hello Bea! I am glad you finally made it. What happened?
Bea: I volunteered to pick up some adult teeth from the dental office down the street. I entered the building through an office window, but I did not see the string hanging down. I ran right into it and got a little tangled. After several moments struggling, I freed myself, but I landed into a plastic jar full of cotton balls. The dental assistant didn’t notice I was there, and she closed the lid to that jar. I did not know how I was going to get myself out.
Double Decker Books: What did you do?
Adelia: Where was your magic pack?
Bea: My magic pack slipped off and was laying on the counter outside of the jar. So I went with the only option I had—I kept ramming into the side of the jar until it slid off the counter. Then I flew up as fast as I could so the jar floated instead of crashing into the floor. But when I placed it down, I realized I didn’t have the energy to tip it on its side.
Double Decker Books: Oh no, did you get trapped?
Bea: Yes! And I was buried underneath a mountain of cotton balls!
Adelia: Is that all of the fuzzy white stuff in your hair?
Bea: (picks out a piece of fuzz from her hair) Oh dear! I thought I had removed it all.
Double Decker Books: So how did you get out?
Bea: I had to wait for one of the dental people to enter the room and accidently kick over the jar.
Double Decker Books: Well, I am glad you got out of that okay and you weren’t hurt.
Bea: Why thank you! You are so sweet!
Double Decker Books: Adelia mentioned that she and her Mom have to save you a lot. How often does this happen?
Bea: Ha ha, more than I like to admit!
Adelia: Grandma, it happens every time you go out to complete a case. I think the Sprites get most of their jobs from your…um...mishaps?
Double Decker Books: Who are the Sprites?
Bea: They are our Peacekeepers…
Adelia: …and magical mistake fixer-uppers!
Bea: They enforce the fairy laws, and keep us safe from bad fairies.
Double Decker Books: In other words, they are like police officers?
Bea: Yes, that would be your equivalent to our Sprites.
Double Decker Books: Interesting! Now please tell me, why do you collect adult teeth?
Bea: I am retired from being a tooth fairy. It is too hard climbing into children’s rooms, squeezing underneath pillows, and being chased by various family pets.
Adelia: Believe it or not, frogs are the animals we fear most!
Double Decker Books: Frogs? Why?
Bea: Because frogs think we are flies. They try to eat us on average 100% of the time.
Double Decker Books: Okay. I guess I can see why now.
Bea: To get back to your question, adult teeth are left in open places. They are easier to collect. Well, they are supposed to be. I haven’t had much luck with them.
Double Decker Books: How did you feel when that one tooth rocketed into the air while you were tied to it?
Bea: It was terrifying! My Magic Puffballs were expired, but I didn’t realize it until afterwards. Instead of instantly shrinking the teeth so I could carry them, they shot through the air. I was not expecting to be yanked through the air by a rocketing tooth! All I wanted to do was conserve my energy before my Youthful Dust ran out. I won’t be trying that idea again.
Double Decker Books: I would be terrified too! I just have one more question. How did you like having a story written about you, and are there plans for any more stories featuring you?
Bea: I loved it! It was a great experience for me. I enjoyed sharing my experiences with everyone and having a chance to connect with people who I have visited for years. It’s hard being a Tooth Fairy. I always wanted to stay behind and talk to the kids, but, you know, I had a job that required me to go from place to place. It was rough. The next story picks up right after this one and is titled, “The Retired Tooth Fairy in Lilly’s Adventure”. You get to learn more about our fairy world. It is a lot of fun!
Double Decker Books: Well, it was a pleasure meeting the both of you today!
Bea and Adelia: It was a pleasure meeting you as well!
Double Decker Books: (glances at the audience) Let’s give Bea, The Retired Tooth Fairy, and her granddaughter, Adelia, a round of applause.
(Crowd Cheers)
Adelia: (pulls out a pink satchel, hands it to Bea, and whispers) Here’s some Youthful Dust Grandma!
Bea: (takes the satchel and whispers) Thank you Sweetie!
Double Decker Books: (turns away from the crowd and faces the fairies) Thank you for the wonderful interview!
Bea: You are welcome! We had a lot of fun! Happy Brushing!
Double Decker Books: Happy Brushing! Try staying out of trouble.
Bea: I will try!
(Bea sprinkles the Youthful Dust over her head and does a quick dance before her and Adelia fly off stage.)



       


Author Bio: Jaclyn M Bartz is a lifelong artist and writer, with humbled healthcare background. Life took an unexpected turn which led her to her ideal career as a children’s book writer/illustrator. As a child, she spent her days writing stories and drawing pictures. Even though she loved these activities, Jaclyn pursued a career in the dental field. She wanted to be a dentist specializing in geriatric care. But destiny had other plans for her. After suffering a string of personal tragedies, literally weeks before becoming a licensed dental hygienist, Jaclyn jumped at the chance to write and draw for children. Now equipped with her love of art and writing, and her knowledge of patient education and oral healthcare, she is finally able to pursue a career as a children's author while doing the things she enjoys most. And she has never been happier.  


Opening Question Tell us a little about yourself and your background?  

1. I have been drawing and writing since I was a small little tyke. My influences were comics, games, and cartoons that I loved as a child, and I wrote my own stories about those characters. As I grew older and as my talents developed, my free time was focused on creating my very own dynamic characters in short stories and graphic comics. Although it seemed my artistic journey should have been a straight path, there were several obstacles that forced me to take the long road—which actually has been a blessing to my career.

After facing a setback before becoming a licensed dental hygienist, I ended up tapping back into who I was born to be—a writer. And years later, I have just published my first book, The Retired Tooth Fairy, I am getting ready to publish my next book, and have created my own publishing company, Green Owl Publications. Additionally, I am an independent blogger and book reviewer who frequently volunteers with the Midwest Book Review. When I am not writing, I am creating artwork such as album covers, custom tattoos, and graphic images. Life is busy and I am blessed to have the opportunity to do what I love. Q1. Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?  

1. Bea, “The Retired Tooth Fairy”, was inspired by a conversation with my daughter after she had lost another tooth. When she asked me about who collects a mommy or daddy tooth, the character just jumped out of my mind and took a breath of light with each giggle we shared. She is not an ordinary tooth fairy—so I had a lot of fun filling in her personal story. Bea is short for Beatrice (which means traveler) and is also a representation of my last initial (“B” for Bartz). She is the first fairy—that I know of—whose purpose is to collect the often neglected adult teeth. They should be the easiest teeth to collect; however, Bea always finds herself in trouble when going out on her “adventures”. What I love about her is her ability to keep trying no matter how difficult her situation appears. She often uses her creative problem-solving skills to get out of her messes, even though they tend to lead to even bigger obstacles. She always maintains her kindness toward others and embraces her limitations with humor and grace.

  Q2. Where do your ideas come from?  

1. My ideas come from two places: life and my imagination. There are things in life that will spark the creative candle in my head and force it to burn with the brightest light possible. I have no fear of exploring concepts I have never experienced. I am an empathetic personality. I can place myself into various situations and do my best to understand the emotions that are felt. I guess it is my way to try to get a grasp about the world around me. It is actually a unique gift because it helps me visualize and feel those deep feelings as if they are happening when in fact they are not. I used to think I was weird to be able to do that until I met some other artists who have the same creative quirk. My imagination helps me to explore things that are not of this world. These are the ideas that explode from the “what ifs” or “why nots”. I love twists on things or to make something up that no one has ever seen or heard. My sketchbooks are filled with all kinds of different things—from space beings to magical creatures and strange worlds. I love Surrealism—think Salvador Dali—because it emphasizes moving beyond that creative box and exploring the outermost depths of the imagination. I try not to limit where my ideas take me. Art has no boundaries.

  Q3. How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?  

1. I have grown immensely throughout the years. I love taking a look at my older drawings and writings. They remind me how much I have learned and how far I have come. I mean I went from stick figures to photorealistic and graphic art. My writings went from flat plotlines to fully dynamic worlds full of complex characters. It has been a magnificent transformation thus far and I know I still have more to room to expand my creative wings. I love learning, so I spend a lot of my free time researching and trying new techniques to push myself as an artist and to expand my craft. I look forward to seeing where my art will take me in five, ten, and twenty more years.

  Q4. Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors.  

1. I read a lot! Between educational, entertainment, and books I receive for reviews, I probably read several books a week. My favorite authors are Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and R.L. Stein. Even though they are a different genre, I really admire the talent they possess. I love Stephen King’s descriptions, Dean Koontz’ plot twists, and R.L. Stein’s versatility.

  Q5. If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?  

1. I would have loved to been the author of Bunnicula! It was just a genius idea. For those of you not familiar with this book, it is about a vampire bunny who drains the juice from vegetables. It was written through the point of view of the house pets and was a delight to read. It was one of my many influences when I was younger and helped spark my love of reading and writing.

    Closing Question Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it? I do let my books stew. I like to have a fresh pair of eyes to look it over. This way I am able to season it with interesting content while trimming out the fat. But I repeat this process a few times before sending it off to be professionally cooked and packaged.  

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