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​Wow, it's been a while since I last posted here on Author Interviews. 
I can't think of a better way to start off a new post than to bring back
one of my favorites.
​Everybody please welcome back, Farloft.

AS:  Oh, look at that bow. That's downright handsome, Farloft. How have you been doing? So glad to have you back again.  Come here and give me a huggle. 
F:  Things have been going really good Alexia; thanks for having me back. It's always exciting to come see you.  *Sniffs the air.
AS:  Farloft, you've been a very busy dragon since we last chatted.  Let's see, the last time you were here, your new book, ​Farloft's  Storybook, had just been released.  I bet you had a lot of fun working with Theresa on that one, right?  What's different about this book compared to the others you starred in?
F:  This is my first pre-school book. It is 9 short stories with coloring pages. Just imagine, a book you can color in and not get in trouble for it… It has also been beta read by 6 year old's. It was so much fun to work with Theresa on the stories and Bluekite Falls on the illustrations. I think they make a great team, with my inspiration of course.  *Grins
AS:  I think your idea of presenting a story book to kids that they can color in is absolutely ingenious.  I have to say, Farloft, you are smarter than the average dragon.  *grins toothily. 

AS:  Also, you and Theresa had just came in from an extensive vacation.  Have you been out since then?
F:  Our vacation was a whirlwind tour. Since then, Theresa and I settled down and wrote my next Farloft Chronicle, “A Gathering of Dragons”. I am very excited about it. The book is a great adventure involving me going on a quest with a gryphon friend, Snow. We are out to gather other dragons to help defend my human friends and their kingdom against the enemies from Baldar. I have a picture of him. Isn’t he a handsome bird?   *cranes neck to see behind Alexia, looking for goodies.

​AS:  That sounds like one awesome adventure, Farloft.  We humankind could always use a friend like you and Snow.​
Nice picture of Snow.  He is handsome and I bet he's a good friend, too.  What special link do you have so that our readers can obtain a copy of A Gathering of Dragons?
F:  You can visit theresasnyderauthor.com and be sure to look around, there's an adventure for everyone.  And I have something special for our readers today, too, Alexia. 

 AS:  You brought something for us?  Wonderful, can hardly wait to see what your surprise is.  All of your books are wonderful adventures.  I know you recently had a birthday, January, right? What's special about a dragons birthday?
F:  I love birthdays. I celebrate mine with the rest of the dragons on International Dragon Day, January 16th. I am over 1,000 years old, but I never get tired of enjoying my birthday with friends and family. I drag it out as long as possible, leans in close.
You know, I love treats. Especially good tasting treats.  *looks around furtively for Alexia’s usual tray of treats.

AS:  You and I both love snacks. What's your favorite recipe?
F:  I like anything from main dishes to sweet treats. *looks expectantly at Alexia and licks lips. I especially like Theresa's Blooming Apples recipe.  Next time I come to visit Alexia, I'll join you in the kitchen and we'll make some. I love apples and I'll bring some from Theresa, she picks them right off of her tree in the garden.  They are the best!  And of course, I like your treats, too, Alexia.  *eyes roam towards the stage kitchen.
AS:  Farloft, That's a great idea; we'll definitely make plans for this in the very near future.  And I'm glad you like my treats.

AS: I'm sure you and Theresa have had a lot on your plates lately. Can you give us an update on the movie they were supposed to be working on for you?
​F:  I still have my paws and claws crossed that something will come of this exciting venture, but as with all things in the human world, unfortunately, it has been put on hold with the advent of the Covid pandemic.
AS:  Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed with both of you; they simply must pull themselves together and get through this.

AS:  ​I love your pics.  You are quite photogenic.  Let's change speeds here for just a moment. 
As you know, the whole world has groaned under the burden of this Covid-19 sickness. What are your thoughts about this? Are dragons susceptible to catching human sickness like this Covid disease? How did you and Theresa manage to steer clear of this dreadful thing?
F:  I consider myself extremely lucky because dragons of my clan cannot catch or transmit human germs. I can still hug Theresa and she can still be comforted by me. I am keeping her safe at home. She is lonely because she is such a social creature, but Watson, her cat, and I are doing our best to keep her company.
AS: Awe, that is so sweet of you Farloft. Be sure to give Watson and Theresa a big hug from me. He's such a fun cat. I enjoy watching him on Theresa's video's that she posts.

AS: I spoke to some kids recently. I told them I would be having you over for a visit and I asked them if they had any special questions they would like to know about you.  I'm sure you remember playing with Cooper and Jackson up at Tom and Erica's cabin in the mountains that Christmas, Sara's  5 year old twin boys.  Are you ready for this?
F:  Indeed!  *straightens up and sticks chest out, ready for the challenge.
AS: Alright, Cooper wants to know if you ever get sick or have a toothache and have to go to the doctor?  I think he has to go see the dentist.
F:   Well, dragons don't get sick very often. 
AS:   He also asked what size of shoe you wear? He couldn't help but remember how big your footprint was; he had a lot of fun playing with you that Christmas. 
F:  I don't wear shoes, silly boy. I have to have my claws available to make landings on questionable and shifting surfaces. 
AS:  Jackson asks if you like to go swimming and if you have a favorite pair of swimming trunks.
F:  I love to swim, but I don't wear any clothing. I find it very cumbersome to walk or fly with cloth hanging off of me.
AS:  Jackson also wanted to know if you take baths and whether you have a rubber duckie to play with.  He asked me to give you this one from him.  He said it's really sad when you take a bath and you don't have a duckie to play with, he wanted to make sure you had one.
F:  I love the water and keeping clean is very essential to the aerodynamics of flight. So, yes, I do take bathes regularly.  In fact, I have a thermal pool in my lair which is heated by the vents of the semi-dormant volcano I live in but, no I do not have a rubber duckie.  I had one once, but it melted from the heat of the pool.  I will place this little duckie in another room closer to the front of my lair.  Please send my kind regards to Jackson for me. 
AS:  Very nice, good answers.

AS:  Alright, Farloft.  You mentioned earlier that you brought something special for our readers today.  What do you have for us?
F:  *Rubs paws together excitedly.  Theresa and I would like to know what our readers would like to read from us next.  And here are the following options that we are considering:
1) A book about my mate Clearair's background as a shapeshifter and dragon hunter
2) A book about Anna and James' adventure into Theresa's modern world.
​3) A book about Anna's first love. 
AS:  Oh wow, so you are giving the audience a chance to indirectly participate in your next book?  What an awesome idea.  I love it.  So, I tell you what. I'll post a survey at the bottom so anybody that wants to be a part of this can submit their selection.  ​This is really cool, I'm excited. 

AS:  Now, as I understand it, you still give away free books. Tell us about this?  
F:  I have a coloring contest that anyone can enter. I pick a winner a month and send them my ebook. If they have read any of my series already, then I send them the next one in the series FREE.  Here's a link, come visit me sometime. I like making new friends.  *Looks around, continues to sniff the air.
Theresa, my scribe, also has my first chronicle "James & the Dragon" permanently FREE on her site and on all purchasing platforms. Readers can download the book and see if they like it. Of course, who wouldn't like to read about a dragon???  *sticks out chest with pride
AS:  Farloft, you are not only smart, you are the most fun and generous dragon ever. And who wouldn't want your books; everyone enjoys your adventures. I enjoy your adventures and your stories are definitely at the top of my to read list.  

AS:  Farloft. I have a surprise for you, too.  You see, Theresa called me and well, we sort of hatched the idea to celebrate you now having seven books in your series by presenting to you your favorite apple treat from Theresa. 
She gave me the recipe the other day, and I made a big dish just for you.  I'm just really sorry that she couldn't be here with us but in light of Covid, it's probably better this way.  I'll definitely want to get her out here as soon as possible.
It's incredibly awesome that she now has 26 published books. This is nothing short of amazing! Congratulations to you both on such accomplishments. 
F:  Wow, Alexia, you made this just for me?  I'm honored.  *licks lips as servant brings out the dish along with a table of other treats and drinks.  *balloons are released with pictures of Farloft on them and confetti falls from the ceiling. 
You are amazing, too, Alexia.  *huggles.  Thank you so much. 
I, too, think it is amazing that Theresa has 26 books published.  The only thing she lacks is wings, and sometimes I think she has them when I read her books.   
AS:  Farloft, you are really sweet.  I'm so glad you had some time to stop by; it's been a long time.  I always look forward to your visits. Thank you again, give my love and hugs to Theresa and Watson. 
F:  Thank you for having me over again, Alexia.  Goodbye everybody.  Take care and stay safe out there. 
******
If you'd like to read about Farloft's Christmas with Tom and Erica you can click here.  Don't forget to submit your request below for Farloft and Theresa's next writing adventure.  I also want to remind you that Theresa's books are available everywhere in e-book and paperback.  Visit Theresa today to learn more.
As a special thanks to you for dropping by, if you submit a request for Theresa and Farloft, I'll email you a real recipe, edible for human consumption, for Theresa's Blooming Apples; save some for Farloft, lol.  This stuff is so delicious. 
​See you next time!!!

The survey is no longer available. If you submitted your suggestion, please know that Theresa and I appreciate you so much.
​Follow Theresa on Twitter @Theresasnyder19 and check out her newsletter freebies at instafreebie.com/free/R9IQH

I have the awesome privilege of bringing to you my visit with internationally read, fantasy / sci-fi author, Michael Lackey.
Michael is quickly garnering a healthy fan base for his notable work in The Bad Seed, book one in his Battle for the Heavens series.  
And also for his new book, The Key of Knowledge, of The Keys of Lazarus series, which will be out this April.
Grab something to drink and get your pen and paper ready because Michael has a special surprise for you.
Please make welcome, author, Michael Lackey.​​

AS:  Hello Michael, and welcome.  Thank you for stopping by.
ML:  It's my pleasure. Thank you for having me.
AS:  Michael, you are turning the fantasy / sci-fi world upside down with consistent 5-star reviews.  And you quickly captured international attention, and all off of your first book, The Bad Seed.  How did you feel when you received your first 5 star rating?
ML:   In shock! Lol, I didn't believe they were really talking about me. It was surreal that people actually like my story.
AS:   As a child, your imagination was quite vivid and colorful.  Did grammar / literature assignments in school come easy for you?
ML:   ​In high school, yes. Before that I barely got by lol.
AS:   Did you write mini stories for your friends or family back then? 
ML:   I never wrote when I was younger. I loved stories of all kinds, but never explored writing them myself. Movies had my number. I wanted to be a stuntman! I would make bike courses with ramps and through trees.
AS:   Now, having met you, I can see you flying through the trees, valiantly.  
Are your books family oriented or for the slightly older?  
ML:   My books are written in a way anyone of any age can read them, understand them and love them. I love J.R.R. Tolkien and George R.R. Martin, but Tolkien is harder to understand even for some adults, and Martin, although the stories are good, I wouldn’t want a teen reading them.
AS:  I love children's stories; I think it is so important for those who have the talent to provide our children with an endless supply of opportunities to read.
So, you are married and have a small family.  Did you ever tell your stories to your children at bedtime? 
ML:  I am married and have a daughter. I would read stories to her as a child, but never my own.
AS:   That's awesome. Now, Michael, before we dig into your awesome novels. You have a surprise for our readers.  Won't you tell us about this wonderful opportunity.
ML:   I will be giving away a free e-book from Amazon to one lucky person who reads this blog. Leave a comment below stating your favorite fantasy character, and the winner will be chosen from that list.​

AS:  An e-book giveaway, that makes a wonderful gift. 
To leave your comment, click on the light blue comments link either at top or bottom of the post. 
​Thank you for sharing this with us.
In book 1, your world of Amundiss was turned upside down.  Tell us about it.  
ML:   Amundiss is my version of Earth. Think of it as a planet from our galaxy that hasn’t been discovered yet. It is a place where knights and lords are common place and magic is used by the skilled.
​
AS:  On a good day, would you describe Amundiss as a sleepy little town or if we could move there, what could we expect?
ML:   If you are used to your Kindle or iPad I do not suggest you move there, lol. Amundiss is a medieval world filled with work and play from a time our world has forgotten.
AS:   Does the name Amundiss have a special meaning?  When did you first create Amundiss, as a child, teen, or later in life? 
ML:   Nope. I basically pulled Amundiss out of a hat. Just started making sounds! Now, my wizard’s name is interesting. His name is Benzoete. If you look closely at the ingredients on a Dr. Pepper bottle you will find his name. 
AS:   Oh wow, a Dr. Pepper bottle.  Well, alright then.   
In another interview you were asked which of your characters was your favorite. Here, I want to ask which one would you say you relate to the most and why?
ML:    Ooooh, good question. I would like to say Gabriel, the king. He is level headed and passionate for his people, willing to do whatever it takes to protect them… like a family. Family is everything. You watch over them and protect them even when they don’t really give you a reason to.
AS:   Awesome answer.    
How old is Amundiss and what do you like most about it, the people, culture, give us a 3d explanation, haha.
ML:   Amundiss is as old as time itself. The Gods and their children formed the universe and planets to govern over. Beautiful mountains filled with gold and treasures that the dwarves just adore. Rivers and bountiful forests suited to the elven kind. Major cities and commerce where human and some elf share. Farmlands filled with luscious vegetation for all. And that’s just on the continent or realm of Cyreus. You will learn more about the lands across the Chaotic Sea in book two. 
AS:    I'm hooked already.  When can we expect more from this series?
ML:    I am working on book two right now. I hope to have it finished this year with a release in 2019. The title is Shadow Gate.
AS:   Well, congratulations on the overwhelming success of The Bad Seed.  

AS:   So, you have book one out and you have pumped out another book, The Key of Knowledge.  Now, this book starts a new series you’ve entitled The Keys of Lazarus.  Was there a special event or something that prompted this series?
ML:    My father was a minister my whole life. I lost him in May of last year. I was doing some soul searching while beating my head against a writer’s block wall from Shadow Gate and the biblical story of Lazarus came to mind. I lost my dad and in the story of Lazarus he had died. Four days later, Lazarus came back, and I still was without my father. One thing led to another and had me asking, “What happened to Lazarus after he was resurrected?” I found myself reading the bible; John Chapter 11, which is also the prologue of my book.
AS:    Well, our condolences for your Dad.   
Set us up.  Where are you taking us and what can we expect in The Key of Knowledge?  
ML:    The Key of Knowledge is set in the year 2058 on our Earth. A beautiful immortal tyrant has taken over the world and plunged it back into the Victorian era (because that was her favorite time period) and ushered in the steampunk age. She calls herself the Countess and can control the bodies of the dead that she used to fuel her immortality.
AS:    Wow.  Now, from book 2, what can we expect from your characters?  Witt, supreme intelligence or strength, perhaps a bit of humor?
ML:   The characters in The Key of Knowledge are a diverse group of must be heroes. I call them must be because they have the ability to end the reign of the Countess, and only them. It is steampunk so expect unusual gadgets and tinkers, along with robots powered by steam.
AS:   Oh, gosh, the suspense is getting hot folks. 
In either book, if one of your characters could be your best friend, which one would it be, why?
ML:   That’s a hard question. I love them all so much. In The Bad Seed it would be Antoine, because he is fearless and loyal. In The Key of Knowledge it would be James, because he is a guy that tells you exactly what he thinks and will be by your side against all.
AS:    Wonderful, sounds like an all star cast.  We could all use friends like that.​

As:   Michael, what do you think sets your books apart from other fantasies out there?
ML:   I call my books Fantasy for a new generation. It is exactly that. Kids need to read, but if they can’t understand and love what they are reading they will put it down. So, I don’t dumb it down, I just tell it in a more understandable way.
AS:    No wonder you have gained an international audience.   
Will you venture into other genres? Which one(s)?
ML:    I am kicking around the idea of a children’s book… and that scares me so good lol.
AS:   What is the best secret you've heard about or tried for writer’s block?
ML:  Haven’t found anything I like yet! That’s how I got started on The Key of Knowledge. The writer’s block for that story line was so strong, I was forced to go into a different direction.
AS:   Sometime, that different direction is all we need to pick up pace again. 
Rejection is something we all face. What advice would you offer new and young writers?
ML:   Never give up, never surrender. Your stories are something special from you. Keep pushing, keep writing and above all else… DO NOT GIVE UP!
AS:   My sentiments exactly.  After all, where would we be if we give up, right. 
What future titles can we expect from you?
ML:   Future titles? Well, for right now I’m going to just give you the titles to make you wonder what they are about, lol.
Shadow Gate, Once Upon A Night’s Wish, The Key of Love, Knights of Nebula.

AS:   Your titles are very interesting. We will all be on the edge of our seat waiting for your next books to come out.
Michael, thank you again for dropping by. It has been fun and exciting to explore your fantastical worlds and to get to meet some of the cast. It has been a real pleasure.
ML:   Thank you again for having me!  I want to invite everyone to visit my website at Michael Lackey. Follow me on instagram @mikelackey23 and Twitter @supes23. 
I love to interact with my followers, feel free to ask me questions directly or on posts.
Also, I have been known to giveaway signed copies on my social media as well!!
​It was a blast to do this interview, Alexia. I look forward to talking with you all again.

AS:   We look forward to more from you as well, Michael.  This was a wonderful visit.
Visit Michael for details on how to obtain your copy of The Bad Seed or his new book The Key of Knowledge which will be released in April; please leave reviews when and where possible for authors.
Just want to remind everybody, leave a comment stating your favorite character in the comments section below to be entered into Michael's e-book giveaway.  The drawing will be held on April 7th, so get your comments in before then.  The winner will be contacted by Michael. Remember, to post a comment, click the light blue comments link below or at top of post. 
Thank you all for stopping by.
​Happy Spring everybody.
​Alexia Stevens

​Jenny has worked as an artist, author, and marine biologist, studying creatures of the dark abyss and diving on coral reefs. She lives in Georgia with her family and rescue pets.
And let me just tell you, this award winning author has put so many details in her stories but it does not crowd out the story itself. I love the detail she puts in her worlds, strong action, peppered with vivid details, recipes, landscapes, sense of danger and urgency; this author has it all.  Take a look.

Book two, ​​"Dragon Lightning" the mini-saga continues and includes author experiences.  Jenny says, "When dragon Arak squirms through a miserable water crawl in a cave, that’s me. When Scree-the-octopus skims above a coral reef or a ship is caught in a fierce storm, that’s me."
Dragon Lightning can be read as a stand-alone book. It's layered for readers age 9 to 99.  ​"Dragon Lightning" won a Pinnacle Award for Best Science Fantasy and a SIBA award for Best Children's Book. It's an upbeat story suitable for all ages. ​

You can learn more about Jenny by visiting her website  or follow her on facebook and twitter.  

Wow, this year has really gotten away from me.  I've not progressed enough on any of my writing projects to even mention them and now the end of the year is upon me.  I can only describe this year as a blur.
But I want to take a minute out of this crazy hectic year to reflect on this 2017 year.
Personally - I've gained two new grandsons. What more could a granny want, right! I couldn't be more thrilled. Just need more time to spend with them; lol.
As a writer - I'm so thankful for the talents of multi-genre author and editor,
Theresa Snyder, who has given me a mountain of suggestions to work into my current projects, a smorgasbord of creative tips that just makes sense. I think of it as a drag and drop system - I'll just drag an idea and plug it in here and another one there.  
Going forward - I'm looking forward to a new year - fresh start on everything, including my writing. I also have a small handful of ideas about my characters that are still in the development stage for my website, but hopefully, with great anticipation, I'll be able to get them out this next year. 
Also, starting this December, I will no longer post a personal blog, only author interviews when available. Instead, you can sign up to receive my newsletter. It's free with no obligations and you can opt out at any time. I believe if you are new to writing, the newsletter will help you develop as a writer. 

If you have read this far, thank you so much for taking the time. I wish you and your family a blessed and very happy Thanksgiving. 

​Alexia