Mischiefmakers by Maasi J. Smith

I recently proofread Mischiefmakers this late summer. I really enjoyed the story, a mix of horror and fantasy, with some religious undertones, and liked working with Maasi to perfect his book. Below is our interview.




Me--Where did you get the idea for Mischiefmakers?

 Maasi-- Initially I started writing during my hiatus from podiatry school 95-96.  I starting writing a book about growing up in Essex County NJ.  Then my inspiration came the Winter of 95, I was stuck in traffic during a snow storm in Newark NJ.  Sitting there I saw an abandoned building and imagined a very vivid scene.  Realizing how much I liked scary movies, I went home and started to write, 65,000 words 5 months later Mischiefmakers was born…

 

 Me-- Who are your favorite characters in your book and why?

 

Maasi-- My favorite character would be any new evil entity I created to cause havoc within a scene.  I have so much fun creating them.  They become my favorite until I created the next….  Therefore I have many favorite characters in Mischiefmakers.

 

Me--What themes does your book present?

 

Maasi-- Psychological horror/ thriller.  Evil, visible or not is always around

 

Me-- How many books do you have in this series?

 

Maasi-- This is a revised edition of my original 2001 edition.  This is the first book in this series.

 

Me-- What makes you choose to write fantasy?

 

Maasi-- Simply,  I love the boundless imagination you can have with fantasy / horror/ thrillers…  I like scaring people.

 

Me-- What authors influence your writing?

 

Maasi-- Gary Bradner,  Dean Koontz and Stephen King

 

Me--Why do you think fantasy books are so popular?

 

Maasi-- The creativity, you can create your own world and invite your readers into a dark realm of mystery and suspense.

 

Me-- How many books have you written?

 

Maasi-- This is my first novel, second printing, I started a couple of others years ago but never finished.  I plan to start another thriller in the spring of 2014

 

Me--Where do you see the fantasy book market 10 years from now?

Maasi--I see lots more writers in this genre due to the recent burst of these types of TV shows, "walking dead", "true blood", "Dracula", "American horror story" etc... Society loves these creepy scary stories. Writers will rush to write the next best horror/thriller in the hopes of getting a TV deal.


Me--What makes Mischiefmakers different from other fantasy books?

 Maasi--Mischiefmakers if written in the present tense. This is highly unusual, most are written in the past tense. I did this to place the reader directly into the story. I want the reader to feel the emotion just as the character at the same moment. That makes Mischiefmakers different than other thrillers.

BIO:

Maasi J. Smith, DPM, received his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University's School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is also a proud graduate of Hampton University, a historically black college located in Virginia. 

 

Currently, Dr. Smith is a Podiatric Surgeon, who also serves as the Chief of Podiatry for Urban Health Initiatives. In addition, he is a medical contributor to Fox 29's, "Good Day Philadelphia" show and the "Ten O' Clock News." He has appeared locally on both, CBS-TV and NBC-10, as well. Dr. Smith is a frequent guest on a number of radio programs, including the "Tom Joyner Morning show."

 

He had lectured nationally and even created his own foot-care product line back in 2010.

Dr. Smith is the author of, "Mischiefmakers," a spine-tingling tale of sheer, horror, that is now in its second printing. This revised edition is his first novel.

He presently resides in the Garden State with his family.

 

 

MischiefmakersBook.com  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mischiefmakers-October-2013-second-edition/703545962992777

twitter is DrMaasi

Mirror Images: The Darkness of Man by C. Michael Powers

Title: Mirror Images: The Darkness of Man
Author: C. Michael Powers
Genre: Psychotic Thriller/Horror
Length: 260 pages
Release Date: May 2013
ISBN-13: 978-0615766065
Imprint: GrimoireA love story mixed with maniacs and monsters.

Available: Amazon, for Kindle or Paperback, at: http://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Images-Book-Darkness-ebook/dp/B00CB3717O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1366159025&sr=8-2&keywords=Mirror+Images+Darkness+of+Man

Barnes and Noble, for Nook, at: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mirror-images-c-michael-powers/1116009479?ean=2940148122722

 

 

Book Description:

Gabe Cutter, an average paper pusher, has his life ripped out from under him when his reflection in the mirror switches places with him, hell bent on destroying the life Gabe knows, and killing his cheating fiance’. Now, stuck on the other side of the mirror, Gabe must join together with a band of stranded survivors and find a way to get back to his world before his reflection destroys it. Along the way he battles his way through maniacs, monsters, and ultimately his own heart, as he realizes that the woman he’s been trying to save...wasn’t worth the price of admission.

What people are saying...

"A delightfully intriguing story, "Mirror Image" captured my attention at the very beginning with its superb reader's hook, and maintained my interest and intrigue throughout. Author C. Michael Powers deftly explores the inner personality and integrity (or lack of same) in his multitude of characters. He also cleverly illustrates how a chance encounter, or a wish slipping from the tongue without thought, can lead to danger, trouble, even fatality. Very fast-paced action and plotting keep this paranormal urban fantasy rolling on. Think of a boulder rolling downhill in an avalanche and you will get some idea of the pacing and implacability of this story."

- Mallory Anne (Amazon)

 

 

About the Author:

C. Michael Powers (Christopher Powers) started writing at the age of 16 when his dad and younger brother were out fishing, and he was left alone, with only his thoughts, his sleeping grandfather, and an old typewriter. Since then he hasn't been able to stop. Recently, he has focused his attention on contemporary fantasy; dark, action packed stories, the kind he’d like to read himself. Now, living in his wife's beautiful country of Panama, with she and their four kids, he's finally finding time to write. Living in Panama has given him the opportunity to write freelance about retirement locations all over the isthmus, and has even given him some time to work on his true passion...fiction.

 Where to find C. Michael Powers.

My author website is: www.cmichaelpowers.com

Facebook is: www.facebook.com/CMichaelPowers

Twitter is: https://twitter.com/CMichaelPowers

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6585488.C_Michael_Powers

My profile at GMTA, where you can also find other great writers, and maybe even submit your book to GMTA is at: http://www.gmtapublishing.com/authors4.html

 

 

Mirror Images Excerpt 1

The woman in the closet was in her mid-thirties. Her hair was stuck to her forehead with sweat and mascara ran from her eyes, which robbed her of most of the beauty she usually possessed. The darkness of her hiding spot stole the rest. Moonlight seeped in through the slotted closet door casting an eerie, bluish light on her eyes, which darted left and right nervously. Her bottom lip trembled and she breathed heavily in and out trying her best to keep her composure and remain quiet. She had no idea where the man had come from. All she knew was that he bore a slight resemblance to her husband. Thinking back to just a few minutes ago, she couldn’t figure out how things had gone wrong…horribly wrong.

Isabella Manner had been in her kitchen slicing apples for a pie. She’d barely heard the doorbell over the sound of the salsa music playing from her smartphone that sat on the counter. She stopped swaying her hips and turned down the music, listening carefully for what she’d thought she heard. It rang again. It wasn’t very late in the evening, but past the usual visiting hour, and it wasn’t often that they had visitors in the first place.

“Joshua, who’s at the door?” she called out.

Joshua, her fourteen-year-old son, was too busy playing video games as usual, so she was forced to shout at him a little louder, in Spanish nonetheless. She hated resorting to that out of fear that her son would think of what little Spanish he heard as the “I’m in Trouble Language.” Kids these days didn’t have the patience to learn the language of their heritage. The Spanish did the trick and Joshua climbed lazily up from his spot on the rug and reluctantly dropped his game controller into his twelve-year-old sister’s lap. She beamed with happiness at the thought of having a go at the game console. Joshua quickly put an end to her hopes as he called out over his shoulder, “Touch it and you die.”

Joshua approached the door as nonchalantly as any other rich suburban kid with few problems would. He had, however, been taught to peek out the window before opening it at night.

“Umm, there’s some dude with a hood over his head out there, Ma.”

Isabella leaned out of the kitchen and looked at her son.

“Is it your father?” she asked.

Joshua flipped on the porch light and the man outside winced and hopped out of the light, but not before Joshua caught a quick glimpse of his face. His nose was crooked and he had a strange grin. His body was cloaked in a black jacket.

“Dad’s not cool enough to have a tattoo on his wrist. He does kinda looks like dad though,” Joshua informed his mother.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Isabella asked.

“I don’t know. Come see for yourself,” he replied.

Frustrated, Isabella stormed out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her jeans. She peaked out the window and saw the man. He stood with his head down, hidden in the shadows.

“Can I help you?” she called out through the door.

“Is Dennis home?” the man asked. 

His voice was strange. It sounded as if a ton of phlegm was rattling around in his throat.

Isabella looked at Joshua, who shrugged his shoulders. She wasn’t sure whether she should admit that her husband was working late, or at least that was his excuse. She knew the truth, but really did hope that this time her husband was honest about ending the affair he’d been having with “the woman.” They’d fought long and hard about this one, and finally he’d sworn his loyalty to Isabella and promised to ditch the tramp.

“I’m Dennis’ brother, Nick,” the strange man outside added.

“Your dad doesn’t have a brother,” Isabella said to her son.

“He didn’t have a girlfriend either until last week,” her son said with a roll of his eyes.

She fought back the urge to slap him. She’d been flying off the handle lately, and she knew that in reality, her son was just angry with his father. Instead she glared at him.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean it,” Joshua added. “He does kinda look like Dad though.”

Isabella had met all of Dennis’ family, as far as she knew. Something didn’t feel right about this man on her front porch. She moved over to the door and peered through the peephole.

Isabella wasn’t the smallest of women, but when a grown man lays his size thirteen boot heel right into the middle of the door, even the strongest of women is bound to topple backwards. The doorframe shattered and the door crashed inwards on her. Isabella screamed. She struggled to keep her balance and in the process stepped sideways on her foot, popping her ankle. Hot liquid rushed up her leg as she howled in pain and crumpled to the floor.

 

 

The Mirror by Candace L. Bowser

Title: The Mirror
Author: Candace L. Bowser
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 294 pages
Release Date: June 2013
ISBN-13: 978-0615832197
Imprint: Libertine Press

Available at Barnes and Noble, and Amazon

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Description:

Adrianna Bristol stood before her grandmother's antique mirror and stared at the black velvet cloth covering it. She just couldn't believe her nana was gone. The mirror had hung in that exact same spot for the last twenty years, never once had it been moved from the alcove. Adrianna remembered the stern words of her grandmother when she was a child. Annabel Bristol had told her, "promise me Adrianna that you will never uncover the mirror. No matter what it may whisper to you, you must never remove the cover."

Adrianna laid her hand against the cool velvet which covered the glass. As she walked away the mirror whispered to her, "you belong to me now. You belong to me." A four hundred year old curse has plagued the Bristol family since the 1600's. A curse born out of a love so rich and a betrayal so deep, that time itself has no power to stop it. Only Adrianna has the courage to find the truth behind the curse and set her family free. But will the Mirror release its darkest secrets?

 

 

 



 

 

 

Candace Bowser

An avid writer, Candace works nearly every day on one of her manuscripts. Though she predominately composes works of horror, she also writes mystery, suspense, and adventure. During the 1990’s she was a featured columnist for PRS in Kansas City. In 2011, Candace was honored by being voted one of the Top 20 Most Prolific Authors by AKG mag.. Her books are an unusual blend of historical places and events, along with fictional and non-fictional characters, which she seamlessly weaves into the story .Originally from south-central Pennsylvania, she currently resides in Kansas City with her husband Todd.

 

http://www.candicelbowser.com

www.facebook.com/candace.bowser

Twitter: @LilithofSumeria



 

Interview with Author Ritu Lalit of Chakra: The Witch Way Chronicles

Ritu and I have known each other for over a year. I was her beta reader for Chakra: The Witch Way Chronicles and got to read the book before she sent it to her publisher. Her novel is fast-paced with diverse and memorable characters and introduces non-Indians, like myself, to the fascinating culture of India.


Me--Where did you get the idea for The Witch Way?

Ritu--India has a culture of goddess worship, which slowly got taken over by patriarchal beliefs. I am fascinated by goddesses and powerful women. Plus, I meditate a lot, even though I do not follow any formal religion. Spirituality, and the kundlaini is what works for me. So I wanted to write about that.

Me--Who are your favorite characters in your book and why?

Ritu--Mickey is my favorite. He is naughty, irrepressible, and has a knack for being at the wrong place at the right time. I like him.

Me--What themes does your book present?

Ritu--I wish I could say "Women Empowerment" but I am not writing for social causes. I have just penned down a story which is set in a fantasy setting, but has certain real elements like corrupt leaders, bad cops and dangers women face in South Asia.

Me--How many books do you have in this series?

Ritu--I plan to write two more...but only if the first one succeeds. I am already halfway through the second of the series.

Me--What makes you choose to write fantasy?

India has a rich heritage of fantasy tales. I love reading them. Sadly we do not have many fantasy writers currently. It is not a popular genre in India. I started writing what I want to read.

Ritu--What authors influence your writing?

Too many, but I would say Bradley Marion Zimmer, G.R.R. Martin, J.K. Rowling, Arthur C Clark and Isaac Asimov are my favorites.

Me--Why do you think fantasy books are so popular?

Ritu--They aren't not in India, even though Harry Potter is. Fantasy works me, because I like magic, and also because it is so richly imaginative a world that it gives me joy.

Me--How many books have you written?"

Ritu--I have three published books out in the market.

Me--Where do you see the fantasy book market 10 years from now?


Ritu--Unlike other genres that get dated, fantasy and science fiction do not get old. So well written fantasy and sci-fi will always endure.

Me--What makes The Witch Way different from other fantasy books?

Ritu--It uses the premise of Chakras or energy points in the body, which are closely linked to our endocrine glands, which, if used properly give the adept unlimited power to use the five elements.

BIO

Ritu Lalit is a Gold Medalist from the Guwahati University in B.A. English Literature (Hons) and has done her masters in English Literature from the University of Delhi. She has been writing since her teens, and has short stories published in CBSE textbooks and in various anthologies. She has three novels published, A Bowlful of Butterflies (Rupa&Co.) long-listed for the Crossword Book Awards, her second book, Hilawi (Popular Prakashan), a fantasy thriller is a national best seller, and her third, Chakra, Chronicles of The Witch Way has been released recently and is much acclaimed.

Excerpt

 

“Guruji, they are all gathering,” twelve-year-old Sumant, his cheeks covered with a fuzzy growth of beard, peered through the flap of the tent and informed the old man.  He was skinny and looked as though he had recently shot up in height, and his clothes had not kept up.

The man addressed as Guru, or Teacher, sighed and stood up, his old bones aching.  There was a time when he had considered the weather a non-issue.  It had just been a matter of mind over body.  But age had caught up, and he realized that even Japas could feel cold.  It was freezing in the desert; he peered out of the tent at the full moon.  He had read somewhere that the full moon in January was known as the Wolf Moon.  How apt, he thought as he stepped out, his aged joints creaking.  He felt a slight unease arising from his base chakra.  He inhaled deeply and said, “I smell danger.  This peace among them will not last the night, I know it.”

Sumant grasped his hand, “Then stay inside, Guruji; don’t conduct the homa.”

Guru Tapan smiled sadly and ruffled the young boy’s curly hair.  “You stay back, Sumant.  You have a young one to watch over.”

The boy looked reluctant.  “Sumant, if I do not come back, take Mickey and leave.”

“Where do we go to, Guruji?”

“Delhi… to Sulochana Mohan.  I have spoken to her.  She will watch over you.  Remember, the power is strong in you.  Keep doing your chakra exercises, and see to it that the little one does them too.  Promise me.”

“I promise, Guruji.”

Tapan Japa looked at the sand dunes around them.  The atmosphere was still as though brooding.  Something was going to happen tonight; he felt it in his bones, in his Kundalini.  “Go, Sumant; go hide in one of the cars with the child.  I will find you later.”

 

Find Ritu at her:

Blog
Website
Twitter
LinkedIn
Google+
Facebook

Email Address: Ritu.Lalit@gmail.com

Check out the book on AMAZON
 

 

The Harry Potter Spinoff--Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Quick Overview of Harry Potter

People just can't get enough of Harry Potter, the wizard who starts out as a sweet little boy and grows into a pensive, hunky teenager, who has a scar on his forehead put there by some green-skinned wizard with cat eyes. Did I also mention that Harry goes to a school for witches and wizards at age 11 to learn how to use his inborn magic powers, yet the school doesn't teach any math, science, English, or history. Not even P.E.! Harry has a 5th grader's academic education at best!

Really?? This is our hero and villain? And 8 movies weren't enough, now we have a spinoff, and yet more talk about another spinoff following this first spinoff.

How can anyone like this? How could I love it? Magic castles; a world of witches and wizards with their own society, education system, and laws; great evil stalking poor Harry since the time he was born to the time he defeats Voldemort (the green-skinned wizard with cat eyes) 17 years later, etc.. That's why.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

The world of Harry Potter is emerging on the big screen again through a new spinoff, called Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which J.K. Rowling is writing herself. Set 70 years before the Harry Potter events, the story follows Newt Scamander and his adventures. If you've read the Harry Potter series, you might recognize Newt's name: Harry was required to buy the textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, authored by Newt Scamander. Today Warner Bros. announced the brand-new film, proclaiming that it was the first in a series. A few familiar characters and creatures from the other movies are supposed to turn up in this new series.

J.K. Rowling said that she would only come back to the wizarding world if she got an idea she was really excited about. "And this is it," she says.

Instead of London, Newt Scamander's story will start in New York. Other than the laws and customs of the magical world, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will in no other way resemble the events of  the Harry Potter series.

This new movie will be the first produced from a screenplay that Rowling has written. All the other movies were adapted from her books. Miss Rowling is really exercising her writing skills!

I don't know about you all, but I'm looking forward to this new movie!