Please welcome my friend and fellow MuseItUp author,
Mary Waibel...
What was your favourite book as a child/teenager?
A Wrinkle in Time bu Madeline L'Engle
Who was the first author or what was the first book you read that introduced you to the genre that you most enjoy writing in?
Probably the above, although I'd have to say Nora Roberts and Lisa Shearin's writing have also influenced me.
Do you believe in love at first sight? And if so have you ever been so afflicted? Did you do anything about it? (Did you go for it?)
LOL! I guess you could say yes. My husband and I met on a blind date, so while it may not have been love at first site, clearly something was there!
Is there a particular word you overuse or writing technique that your editor(s) ride you about?
Yes. And as soon as I fix it, I pick a new one. THAT was the first one, then it became JUST. In my current WIP, my CP has pointed out that things are constantly “DANCING” on my MC. [Sigh.] One of these days I won't overuse words...NOT!
Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? (Or do you even believe in it?) If so, how were you able to overcome it?
Sadly, yes, and usually it's my own fault. For me, writer's block comes when I've made a character behave in a manner they would not. And until I find where I've gone wrong, they pout and throw temper tantrums, and my writing grinds to a standstill.
Showers, changing laundry, and driving seem to be the times I get the “Ah-hah!” breakthrough moment. Usually I just let the problem simmer in the back of my mind for a bit, then when I think about the scene as I'm doing one of those tasks, everything falls into place and I can move on.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
In all honesty, I love where I am, but if I had to pick, I'd say the Acadia area of Maine, or the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. (Maine would be my first choice, as I do prefer a cooler climate!)
If you could bring one of your own characters to life, who would it be and why?
It would probably be Brody (or more properly, Prince Broderick). Of all that I've written, he's my favorite. He's funny, loyal, and has a heartbreaking story.
What are you reading right now?
I just finished TALL DARK AND KILTED by Lizzie Lamb. I'm going to start CITY OF ASHES (book 2 of The Mortal Instruments) by Cassandra Clare soon, and I need to read ENDER'S GAME, by Orson Scott Card before the end of this month for a BOTM read. (My taste in books, like my taste in music, is wide and varied!)
When you read, do you prefer a stand-alone or a series?
I like both. I'm a sucker for a trilogy, and oddly enough, I usually like the second book the best. (I also have a habit of getting series out of order from the library, usually getting the second book first, so this might account for that anomaly.)
If you were to do a reality show, which one would it be?
Hmm. Not really big on reality shows, but I can sing and play instruments, so maybe 'America's Got Talent'.
What is the craziest, most exciting, or most dangerous thing you’ve ever done?
Well, on our honeymoon, we climbed Dunn's River Falls- a waterfall in Jamaica.
In college, I went up for a nighttime flight over Lake Erie, in a small prop plane. I got to hold the yoke and fly the plane for a minute.
I also got to have x-rays of my head taken while on our honeymoon. No, I didn't fall down the waterfall. Sadly, I fell in the shower and hit my head- they had to make sure I hadn't fractured my skull, as the bone behind my ear seemed depressed further than it should be. Note to self-shower tiles are slippery when wet!
Name a celebrity, athlete, musician, etc. you’d most like to get naughty with.
Oh! When I was a teen, I really liked Jim McMahon, from the Chicago Bears (probably because he was such a bad-boy!) My teenage self sould have picked him.
As an adult, I'm not sure who I'd pick, as I enjoy 'getting naughty' with my husband.
What is your favourite way to promote or connect with fans?
Twitter. I've been learning to connect with other authors and readers on twitter. It's a great way to chat with people and connect.
Favourite movie?
Robin Hood; The Three Musketeers; The Scarlet Pimpernel (the 1934 one with Leslie Howard)
Dream Vacation?
A trip to Bavaria. I really want to see Castle Neuschwanstein. Of course, a side trip to Ireland or Scotland would be nice, too.
Dream Car?
Porsche 911 Carrera, red with a whale tail.
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour?
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup
What can readers look forward to next?
I'm hoping for at least 2 more books in the Princess of Valendria series (the 3rd one has been submitted- just waiting to hear back!) and then maybe some side adventures in that realm
I'm editing the first book in a paranormal romance with faeries and sorcerers, and just started the first book in a trilogy base on a D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) type world and quest. I'm also playing with some adult romance novels. (As you can see, my muse doesn't like to sleep!)
Please tell us about your newest release.
Charmed Memories is the second book in the Princess of Valendria series. It follows Princess Kaylee's brother, Trevor, as he searches for his missing princess. He discovers Bri, the Woodland Guide and girl he loves, might be his missing princess, but she has no memories of her past. They set out to recover her memories, putting them both in grave danger, as Bri's lost memories hide more than her identity.
Charmed Memories:
A prince vows to prove the girl he loves is his missing princess by recovering her lost memories.
Prince Trevor has always placed duty to his kingdom above the desires of his own heart. But when his betrothed is lost at sea, he finds himself torn between honor and love.
After four years of searching for the missing princess, he begins to secretly long for Lady Bri, the Woodland Guide he works with each day. But the law says he must marry a princess, and Bri is barely a noble.
When Trevor learns that Bri shipwrecked at the same time and place as the princess, he begins to believe he has finally found his bride-to-be. But his happiness is short lived. Bri has no memory of her past, and the princess wasn't the only girl who disappeared from the ship.
Desperate to prove Bri is his princess, Trevor unwittingly places the two of them in grave danger. Buried in Bri's memories are deadly secrets someone wants kept from the light of day, and learning who she is may cost more than either is willing to pay.
Excerpt:
“I can't believe my luck.” He brushed a finger over her cheek, barely touching her, yet her skin burned at the contact. “All this time searching for you, and you were right by my side.”
He set his palm on her cheek and leaned in, brushing his lips over hers.
She gasped and jerked away.
“What are you doing?”
“I thought that was obvious.” He moved closer, his mouth grazing her cheek. “Here, let's try again.”
She knew she should turn away, but she had longed for this moment for so long. Her eyes drifted closed as his lips touched hers, soft as a butterfly on a flower. He slid his hands into her hair, tipping her head, deepening his kiss. She trembled at his touch. Frightened by these unfamiliar feelings, she pulled away, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
“This is wrong.”
“No.” He reached for her, but she stepped away, the incoming waves swirling around her ankles. “I've waited two years for this moment. There's nothing wrong with it.”
“Two years to kiss me or Elsbeth?”
“Both.”
She moved past him, sloshing through the water. When she felt she was a safe distance away, she turned back, hands on her hips. “I'm a shipwreck victim with no memory of my past.”
“You're Elsbeth. I know it. I can feel it.”
She threw her arms in the air. “You don't know that. How could you?”
“Bri—”
“No. You need to listen. For two years you've stolen bits of my heart. I never told you of my feelings, knowing we had no future together. But now you think I might be your princess and that makes it right for you to kiss me? How dare you insult me that way?”
“But, Bri, if you are Elsbeth, we have a future together.”
“That's one mighty big if, Your Highness.”
“I'm willing to stake my crown on it.”
“But what will you do if I'm not her? Do you choose another or choose me?”
“I'm bound by contract—”
“Which we both know became void when your princess disappeared. I'm not ignorant, Your Highness. I know how contracts work.” She waved a hand in the air. “We don't know who I am. The only one who does is a mermaid, and she can't speak to us."
“No, she isn't the only one. Your family will know you.”
The pounding of her heart was the only sound she could hear over the roaring surf. “You mean to take me to Delphine.”
“Of course. You need to go home. To see your family. To remember.” He moved closer with each word.
Bri's entire body trembled at the thought of crossing the sea. “No.” She shook her head so hard her vision blurred. “I can't do that. The mermaid said not to look for my family. It isn't safe.”
He pulled her close. “Surely the danger has passed after all these years. And I promise to keep you safe.”
She hesitated, then leaned her head on his shoulder, absorbing his strength. “If you have any feelings for me at all, you'll find another way.”
“Have feelings for you?” He tipped her head up until her gaze met his, then feathered his fingertips over her cheeks. “Of course I have feelings for you, which is why we have to go to Delphine.”
Turning away, she stared out at the waves, wishing there was another option. If only they didn't have to cross the sea, but she knew there was no other way. She had always wanted to learn who she was. Her family had only told her they found her on the beach, the lone survivor of a shipwreck. With no memories of her past, she had turned to building her future, but not a day went by that she didn't wonder where she came from and who she had been. Should she cast this chance aside, just because she was afraid to sail?
“Fine. I will do whatever I need to learn who I am. Now, we need to settle whatever this is between us.”
“What do you mean?”
“There is no us.” Tears trickled down her cheek. “There can't be. Not until we know who I am.”
“You're Elsbeth.”
“Stop! You keep saying that because that's who you want me to be. Yet earlier today, you turned away from kissing me.”
“Because it wasn't fair for me to kiss you, knowing nothing could come of it.”
She gaped at him, stunned at his words. “Not fair? You think it fair to have kept your feelings from me?”
“You're one to talk, Bri. You were going to run away because of your feelings for me.”
She laughed, mirthlessly. “Because I didn't think you felt anything more than friendship for me. I couldn't say anything to you. You're the crown prince. I'm barely a noble. What would you have had me say?”
He shoved a hand through his hair. “I don't know. I never said anything as it seemed wrong to do so. How could I tell you I loved you then marry another?”
She shook her head. “If you had asked me, I would have given you my love, knowing we had no future together. I find it very telling you chose not to act on your feelings until you wouldn't have to give up anything for me. I wonder, did you not think me worth the cost?”
Author: Mary Waibel
Title: QUEST OF THE HART, A Princess of Valendria Novel
CHARMED MEMORIES, A Princess of Valendria Novel
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing
Release Date: April, 2013; August 2013
Buy Links:
MuseItUp Publishing:
Amazon US:
Amazon Canada
Amazon UK
Bio:
Mary lives with her husband, son and two cats. When she isn't twisting fairytales, she enjoys reading, playing games, watching hockey, and camping. Her debut novel, Quest of the Hart, is available from MuseItUp Publishing and major retailers. Charmed Memories, a companion novel, will be available from MuseItUp Publishing in August 2013
You can find Mary Waibel at:
@mewtweety14(twitter)
Blurb:
Quest of the Hart:
A reverse Sleeping Beauty tale where the princess goes on the quest to save the prince.
Princess Kaylee has never had to fight for anything. Her entire life has been arranged, even her marriage. But when Prince Devlin falls under an enchantment, she finds she is willing to do anything to save him, even if it means fighting a dragon.
Devlin's own sister, Princess Arabella, is behind the deadly plot. She wants the throne and will use any means necessary to gain it. Her perfect plan unravels, leaving Devlin caught in a magical sleep that is slowly spreading through the kingdom of Breniera. All Arabella needs to finish her spell and claim the crown is a drop of Kaylee's blood, but obtaining the single drop is proving more difficult than expected.
To save her betrothed, Kaylee embarks on a quest to find an ancient sword and gather a drop of dragon's blood, while trying to stay out of Arabella's traps. But Arabella's traps aren't the only danger. Time is everything. For once the last inhabitant of the kingdom falls asleep, the spell will be sealed, and not even true love's kiss will break it.
