Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Name that Dragon Blog Hunt. Fire of Stars and Dragons by Melissa A. Petreshock.

 Hi all, I have some information on an exciting new release today, as well as an author interview!!! Stay tuned after the interview for an exclusive excerpt and a chance to enter the blog hunt contest.



As the 5th stop in the Name That Dragon Blog Hunt, this post contains a clue. It is your job, as the reader, to identify the dragon described. Please remember your answer to this puzzle, as well as any past and future ones within this tour. You will need to know ALL the answers to enter for the chance to win the Grand Prize of a sterling silver Celtic triquetra on a 16in chain and a pre-order code.


Get to know Author Melissa A. Petreshock!



Melissa A. Petreshock is a full-time writer and member of the Romance Writers of America with past experience in the medical and educational fields, though she has primarily devoted her adult life to raising a family. Born and raised in Kentucky, Melissa spent a number of years in Massachusetts, living outside Boston and in Springfield before returning to her home state where she now resides on a small farm. She enjoys quiet married life and the silliness of her three children, indulging hobbies of music, Zumba, and a minor television addiction in what little free time she finds. Melissa’s interests include causes demanding social change such as mental health awareness and teen suicide prevention. FIRE OF STARS AND DRAGONS is her debut NA Fantasy Romance novel.

Author’s Social Media Links




·         Do you have any advice for aspiring writers? Is there anything you wish someone had told you?

Nothing comes easy in this profession. There’s always more to learn. You had better have a ton of patience or the ability to fake it because you’ll spend a lot of time waiting for things at every stage of the game. Be professional, but be yourself if you want to make good connections. Twitter is the land of the writers. Everyone is there. You never have to feel like this is a lonely profession. Someone else is always #amwriting or #writing there, and when you get to the really ugly part, you’ll find them #amediting or #editing too. Don’t be afraid to reach out.

·         Concerts can be very expensive, who do you think is worth the splurge?

Thirty Seconds to Mars is the only band I’d really go all out for, and we did in December. My husband bought tickets for me as an early Christmas present when they were performing at Bogart’s in Cincinnati. 

·         How do you choose your character names? Do you ever change their names mid-process?

Some of my characters sort of “come to me” with their names already a part of them, whereas others require searching for names with particular means or creating a name out of nowhere to match their personality or specific traits. Once they have a name, I never change it. Their names become a deeply rooted part of who they are.

·         Have you ever read a book that you expected to enjoy but didn’t or, vice versa, read a book that you didn’t expect to enjoy and fell in love with it anyway? Which book?

I thought I would love Jennifer Hubbard’s JUST BREATHE because I absolutely loved her story and writing in THE SECRET YEAR, but I couldn’t get into it, never felt invested in the story or the characters and was disappointed I couldn’t even manage to finish it. On the flip side to that, I picked up THE TRAGEDY PAPER by Elizabeth LaBan and figured I’d give it a shot but didn’t expect I’d be wild about it since it’s not really my kind of genre, though the cover and blurb seemed interesting. I fell in love with it and could not read it fast enough. I was totally absorbed in the story and recommend it to everyone.

·         If you could learn to prepare (cook, bake, etc.) any dish as well as the restaurant that makes it best, what would it be?

Lobster ravioli from Carrabba’s 

·         What is your favorite board game? Card game?

Board game: Scrabble or Clue. Card game: Phase 10.

·         When writing, do you share chapters with friends or beta readers as you go or do you keep your projects secret until they are complete?

My beta team, the All-Stars, receive everything chapter-by-chapter. It helps me with pacing, flow, and continuity since I write fantasy. Things can get very complicated, so I prefer they stay along with me as we go. When I start a completely new project, the only person who knows about it is my sister. Nothing gets to the point of a serious writing project without her approval. If she doesn’t find it interesting then I set it aside to either rework until it’s a better concept or file away as failed ideas.

·         Do you have any special talents? (Singing, dancing, juggling, gardening, etc.)

I don’t particularly think so, but my 3 kids are completely amazed that at 37 I can still do cartwheels and have done so in the middle of our living room to prove it.

·         What is your go-to cocktail?

Vodka and cranberry juice

·         What was your favorite subject at school?

English. I also really enjoyed French but don’t remember any of it.

·         Please describe your perfect day.

My perfect day, if not writing, would be an early autumn day around 70 degrees so it’s not too hot, not too cold, and a Saturday. We’d have our best friends over for a BBQ and beer on our back deck to enjoy the view and relax while the kids played. (We own 10 acres in the country, mostly wooded, no neighbors visible from our house.) In the evening, we’d have a campfire in the far back of the yard under the trees and roast marshmallows then probably stay up till some crazy hour playing games like Things, Taboo, and Scattergories.
My favorite days always involve the whole “family”- my husband, our three kids, our two best friends, and their two kids. We have a great time together.

·         Please share a favorite line from your newest book.

From FIRE OF STARS AND DRAGONS, I could choose so many different lines or types of lines. It runs the gamut from deeply dramatic to hilarious to sensual and sexy to swoony romantic and everything in between, but this is one of my favorites:
“Human females … confounding creatures, quite bewildering more often than not, Cedric. Cait is a conundrum wrapped in an enigma regarding the oddities of reactions garnered by various things she encounters. Do not ask me to explain her.”
From my current WIP, the sequel book to FOSAD, BLOOD OF STARS AND GODS, right now one of my favorite lines is this:
“Then fight, and hold nothing back. If what you have defies words then it stands to reason it defies rules as well. I don’t know where the line is any better than you, but just as surely as the sun will rise from the east each morning, Cait will rise and knock you on your ass if you push too far.”
You might get the theme there. I like lines about Cait’s character. She’s a great heroine for many reasons.

Get to know Fire of Stars and Dragons! 

Following the death of her vampire uncle, twenty-one-year-old Caitriona Hayden finds herself in the midst of a trio of quintessential alpha male suitors in 22nd century sovereign America where human females should be seen and not heard.

Theo Pendragon claims her as his ward, ordained to guard her through to a long-awaited destiny unbeknownst to Cait, but finds more than he expected when passion ignites within the dragon for the first time. Always drawn to the pursuit of knowledge rather than the heat of desire, powerful demigod Dante cannot deny everything his future holds in Caitriona. America's monarch, ancient vampire Corrin, has no interest in the frivolity of love, yet marrying Cait could be the answer to his continued survival.

Soon, Cait goes from studying for college exams to choosing a husband in seven days, knowing the consequences are eternal, the love undying, and the bond timeless.


The star of my post is the dragon, Claaron. He is described as handsome, snarky, and great fun. (Sounds like my type for sure!) Though he is definitely a bit of a bad boy, readers learn quickly that he has a heart of gold.This dragon earned the nickname of "Scary Dragon" after surprising Cait in her own home while doing security rounds
 

Excerpt from FIRE OF STARS AND DRAGONS.



“No. She. Is. Mine.”
Those words ring in my ears. I want them and fear them. He’s a dragon. What that means in this situation, I’m not even sure. Do dragons marry? I can’t say with certainty his claim implied marriage. He did promise to protect me. It occurs to me my hand is still on his, contact I initiated just before his declaration. I move it to my lap, and his retreats to the back of my chair, but there’s a definitive sense of disconnection, touching him appealing to my body with as much natural ease as breathing.
For the first time, Dante speaks, voice smooth, a softened Scottish lilt dripping off his every word. “Perhaps this would be an excellent time to offer a relatively neutral solution to our conundrum over Caitriona’s situation.” He said nothing during court, sitting, absorbing everything, a picturesque view on the dais, flawless fair complexion, dark as night hair, and striking blue eyes.
Dante is every bit his goddess mother’s son, the epitome of beauty.
Cedric leans forward in his chair, hands folded together on the table. “What did you have in mind?” If I had to guess, I would say he sounds relieved Dante offers another option. I suppose a dragon eating his son isn’t a pleasant idea.
The demigod stands and paces in a small circle, brows knit together in contemplative focus, coming to an abrupt halt, turning and meeting my eyes. He says nothing, staring, and the entire room buzzes, strange electricity in the air.
His gaze rises, beyond me. “I will marry her, Theo.” And I’m certain my heart stops. “You trust me, do you not?”
“Are you all insane?” I scream, slamming my hands on the table, jumping out of my seat. So much for remaining quiet. “I refuse to sit here feeling like I’m being auctioned off to the highest bidder.” I sure as Hades do not want to deal with Neglected Dependent Services, but this is ridiculous. Why the king involves himself on a personal level in my situation is beyond comprehension.
King Corrin glares daggers at me, or past me to Theo, but I’m damned sure he’s not happy about a woman rebuking anything he says. However, Dante smirks as he watches my outburst. Behind me, the dragon clears his throat.
“I do believe Miss Hayden makes a valid point to be considered.” He places his hand on my shoulder, encouraging me to sit again, and I do so, grudgingly. Across the table, the king’s brother buries his face in his hands, but he’s not laughing. “While it is understandable the monarchy cannot abide by the breaking of sovereign laws, Miss Hayden is indeed a woman of means. At our ages, it is quite conceivable to liken her wealth and social stature to noble ladies of eras past, one whose suitors would vie for her affections, for the right to win her hand in marriage.”
While I’m somehow seeing this whole situation going in reverse, dragging me into the damned dark ages worse than society already, there might be a light at the end of the tunnel this dragon walks through. Choices. Women of means had choices back then. I for one would like them back.
“A duel?” The monarch’s eyes brighten, displaying his fangs in a Cheshire grin.
Sir Oliver grimaces. “I doubt a duel is quite the answer, Sire. Regardless of your expertise as a swordsman, even my skill is negligible over Theo’s.”
The room quiets until Evan sits back in his chair, its squeaking breaking the silence. “I suggest vying for her affections in the most literal sense. I’ve said before I disagree with arranged marriages, but if she must choose amongst you then at the very least, allow she find the most happiness.” He plays with the wedding band on his finger. “Is it asking too much she have the opportunity to perhaps marry out of some measure of love?”
Whether his concerns fall to his brother trapped in a loveless marriage or my best interests, I don’t venture guesses, but I appreciate his disapproval.
“Would it most please Miss Hayden, I am agreeable to such a compromise,” states Theo, though his tone declares him anything other than agreeable.
Dante nods, remaining in his apparent standard state of existence, thoughtful and contemplative. “As am I.”
With an irritated huff, King Corrin drops back into his chair. “Fine. It is agreed.” His icy stare stays on me as he speaks. “But she must be moved to a secure location where she remains of equal accessibility. Aside from her safety quite lacking, from this point forward, regardless of who ultimately gains victory, I declare her status as betrothed and under the protection of the clan. Should Miss Hayden be incapable of making this decision for herself within seven days, sovereign law prevails, and I shall either choose her husband or relinquish her to NDS.”
“Seven days! What? And you expect me to leave my home? No! Not in Hades’ name will I do any such thing.” Refraining from calling the king insane, out of his mind, or gone mad, I’m adamant in this, but Theo rests one hand on my shoulder calming me, his touch desirable in its soothing effect.
My request to live as an independent woman was a long shot, to say the least. … And NDS is a worst-case scenario for someone in my position. This … I release a quiet exhale and nod in compliance. This is better than the alternatives. None of these men need the wealth or power of Hayden Holdings. I’m not a wrung in their social ladder. Choosing between the king, Dante, and Theo Pendragon … I should be thankful, not insolent. Most women would kill to be in my designer shoes.

 
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2 comments:

  1. Thanks for hosting a stop on the blog hop, Ana! I had great fun with this interview! :-)

    ReplyDelete

Hi! Thanks for reading and commenting.