Meet Violetta Flame (Phoenix (The Peradon Fantasy Series Book One) by Daccari Buchelli)

Hi everyone, my name is Daccari Buchelli and I write Fantasy novels. I hope you're all having a good week so far. Today, I'd like to share with you the profile of Princess Violetta Flame, the main character of my novel, Phoenix: Book One of The Peradon Fantasy Series.

Meet Violetta Flame

A unique and beautiful young woman that has harboured guilt for too long. Princess Violetta of the Flame Realm has always been fascinated by magic, but her father's strict rules regarding its use have caused her to become wary of it. Violetta is a vibrant soul that yearns to be free, to lead a life that is entirely her own.

Violetta possesses a love of nature like no other. She adores all living things and seeks to find the beauty in everything and everyone. Her hair, like flowing liquid gold, is seen as a precious commodity. With both beauty and brains, she makes other women look plain.

When Stressed, Violetta seeks comfort from the ancient tree that grows on the Flame Palace grounds. It is said to be the place of her birth and has always welcomed her in its embrace.

Although strong, Violetta often feels the pressure to be an example to others, doing her best to keep her feelings in check. When anxious or embarrassed, it is common for the princess to be seen rubbing the skin of her fore arm, though she tends not to notice this peculiar quirk.

Violetta's most treasured possession is an intricately detailed ball that was given to her by family friend and ruler of the Air Realm, Lord Jork. Like her Father Eagan, Violetta possesses a friendly if at times wilful nature and cares deeply about the people of her Realm. Though sometimes shy, this young princess isn't afraid to be blunt on occasion.

Tip: Be warned. There is more to this young lady than meets the eye. As the story progresses, Violetta sheds her shy persona and becomes more fearsome as her magical abilities grow beyond her wildest imaginings.

I hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about Violetta. She was one of my favourite characters to write. 

Phoenix (The Peradon Fantasy Series Book One)

by Daccari Buchelli30th April 2017
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
292 pages

Publisher: Buchelli Books
ISBN: 9780995768307 print
ISBN: 9780995768314 eBook
ASIN: B06XSL13FD
Number of pages: 396
Word Count: 100,980
Cover Artist: T.L. Mason

No power is greater than the one you’re willing to sacrifice. 

Princess Violetta Flame lives her life according to rule, but those rules require her to pay a heavy price. Haunted by a devastating loss, she longs for freedom. When a handsome ruler takes a special interest in her, she senses greater things lie ahead, but behind the handsome façade lies a dark secret – one that can usurp her efforts and cast her back into the life she detested.

The throne was never promised to Emperor Ryore Frost, but now that he has ultimate power, his world is filled with possibilities. Citizens bow at his feet, but their fleeting adoration is no match for his obsession with the young Flame Princess. As his feelings for the staunchly independent princess grow, a new threat emerges, bent on undermining his efforts and betraying his sensibilities.

When past tragedies, malevolent behaviour, and strong wills collide, which will reign supreme?

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/Gh3dyddZCDw

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About the Author:
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Born in 1993, British writer Daccari Buchelli spends his time focusing on his favourite genre, Fantasy. Having developed an early love of literature, he became determined to create his own magical wonderlands for fellow readers to explore. He spent his teenage years working on several Fantasy novellas, which he has yet to release to the general public.

He has since released the first book in a new Fantasy series, which revolves around young royals and the elemental magic that they possess.

As an active member of the LGBT+ community, Mr Buchelli hopes to help reduce intolerance and bullying by promoting acceptance and understanding of those different to ourselves.

Interview: Rachel Firasek (Curse of the Phoenix)

Today we sat down with Rachel Firasek to talk about her latest release The Curse of the Phoenix. We also talk about other things like her one an only regret in her publishing career, Merman fins and the Coke vs Pepsi debate rages on!

Sharon: Tell us a little about The Curse of the Phoenix trilogy.

Rachel: Well, the Phoenix mythology wraps around rebirth, sacrifice, and the forsaken. So, I created three beautiful women that each have a sorrowful story to tell and give them heroes that will let their love be the catalyst that drives their reincarnation.

Sharon: Sounds beautiful. What will be the heat rating for the trilogy?
Donna: That really does. 

Rachel: I’d rate it a 3 out of 5 heat level. It’s spicy with some sizzle, but not erotic romance.

Donna: In Drowning, your lead likes to cliff dive. Are you a bit of an adrenaline junky?
Rachel: Haha, I’m exactly opposite. I love writing about all the things that I’m too scared to do. My oldest daughter is definitely an adrenaline junkie, but not me. Nope. My feet stay on the ground.

Donna: Oh, dear…*looks at Sharon* should we tell her?

Sharon: Nah, jumping out of a plane is completely different from off a dragon. She’ll be fine…
Donna: I don’t know. Jake can make it a little toasty sometimes, but if you say so.
Rachel: You two crack me up. :) Sharon, I may be hunting you down for answers. lol

Sharon: You also wrote Creating Fate (Unspun #1). What is it about writing mythological characters that you love? Do you have more planned?
Rachel: I think that the myths and stories from far ago all have beautiful themes. More than just good VS evil. I like to find the deeper subtext of a myth and break it down and find ways I can use that for my own translation. And as of right now, I do not have any more myth stories in the work.

Donna: What was the hardest book you've written so far?
Rachel: The Last Awakening—the second book in the Curse of the Phoenix trilogy was pretty dang tough. Lots of rewriting was involved, but I think it also became my favorite of the three. Drowning was my deepest book I’ve written to date. I wrote it during my illness and it was an escape from my reality.

Sharon: If you could own any piece of art in the world what would it be?
Rachel: I was in high school when I found this piece: Christina’s World by Andrew Wyeth. It’s absolutely my favorite. I can sit and look at it for hours. There’s so much story in the picture. Has she fallen? Is she sad? Does the house represent a real house, or a home lost? So many options. I really felt in touch with this painting. 

Sharon: I see what you mean…
Donna: Sharon, what an awesome question! The Lady of Shalott by John Waterhouse would be mine. Sharon, what’s yours?
Sharon: PUDDING! *mumbles something asking the questions not answering them*

Donna: Is there one trait your male lead has to have?
Rachel: I like to write a Beta that’s strong. It’s kind of my specialty, but he has be able to stand up and be there when the heroine needs him. Always. I hate it when a hero falls flat of a commitment to his girl. It’s so unattractive. 

Donna: I agree! No flat lame hero.
Sharon: Nope! We want him fully inflat...oh, never mind <G>

Sharon: If you had one ‘do over’ spell what would you use it on?
Rachel: I would have saved my first book I submitted for publication and worked on it harder to capture an agent instead of submitting to small press. It’s my first and only real regret in this business.

Donna: How do you find time to write with three kids?
Rachel: Thank goodness my kids are getting older. It’s hard. I find that my best time to write is at 5:30 am when they are all still sleeping. If I try to write in the evenings, and I catch my two younger ones when they are having phone time or game time, I’m usually okay. Thank goodness I write fast when I do find those minutes. 

Donna: Wow, I can’t even speak at 5:30. I’m in awe of morning people. Have you always been an early bird or did this take some training? Please, tell me your secret!

Donna: Does your husband read your books?
Rachel: Haha! Erm…he hasn’t in a while. He read Piper’s Fury. I think he’d be shocked at how far I’ve stretched my wings. I’m much more adventurous now. *winks*

Donna: Shocked and perhaps delighted?
Rachel: Oh definitely! Although, he’s ten years older than me, so some of my work would probably get me a spanking or an order to let him help with the research:)

Sharon: that would be a different genre...just saying...

Rapid Fire

Donna: Pen or pencil?
Rachel: Pen—it glides

Sharon: I think she just used a naughty metaphor 

Sharon: cut or bruise?
Rachel: Bruise? (That’s probably the oddest question I’ve ever received on an interview—and it’s why I love you!)

Sharon: that’s right and don’t you forget it! <G>

Donna: Sun or shade?

Rachel: Shade

Sharon: Cornhole or croquet?
Rachel: Croquet

Donna: Soup or salad?
Rachel: Salad—I live in TX, it’s almost never the right time for soup.

Sharon: Coke or Pepsi?
Rachel: Coke—if I could have caffeine

Sharon: sigh, and I thought we were friends…
Donna: Sharon, it’s time to just accept the reality that Coke is better! Rachel, we’re scheduling an intervention-- I’m sorry, I mean party, for Sharon if you’d like to come.
Rachel: Sharon, what are you thinking? Pepsi is so not addicting enough.

Donna: Cats or Dogs?
Rachel: Oh, can I pick neither? (Dogs, if I have to)

Sharon: Do you have a favorite pet?
Donna: No furries for you?
Rachel: I like things that live in water—preferably in their own habitat. I have about two dozen sheep, five dogs, a guinea pig, and my oldest has now claimed the neighbor’s cat. So, this city girl is furred out right now :)

SCREEEEEEEECH!

*the interview comes to a sudden stop*

You have two dozen sheep? Okay everyone group hug time!

Sharon: merman or alien?

Rachel: Merman—I want to know where his…ahem…is.

Sharon: *blinks innocently* where his what is Rachel?
Donna: Is she asking where his fins are?
Sharon Did you know Jason Mamoa is playing Aquaman? Now his ‘fins’ I want to find…
Rachel: le sigh…

Donna: Movie theatre or home theatre?
Rachel: Movie Theatre. 

Donna: With a nice big fountain Coke : )
Sharon: *making gagging noises*

Rachel: This was really fun and a really great interview. Thank you so much for hosting me!!!

Curse of the Phoenix
Book One: The Last Rising
After paying two millennia’s penance to Osiris, world-weary Phoenix Ice has had enough. Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn’t how she imagined spending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last. But when she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic plane crash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great…or that she’ll end up back in his life for her next assignment.

Now that Turner Alcott has survived the worst, finding a wife and mother for his son matters more than ever before. When the mysterious Ice comes into his life, Turner knows she’s the one—but love is the last thing Ice wants. If he wants to win her heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.
Book Two: The Last Awakening
For three hundred years, Arabella’s life has been one meaningless death after another. In a cruel twist of fate, Osiris gifts the phoenix her mortality and long-gone voodoo magic with a warning that she must save her next soul within a week without using magic, or she’ll lose her power forever.

Ex-soldier Greyson Meadows desperately wants to be freed from the nightmares and guilt that haunt him. Confronted by a waif of a woman who forces him to face the truth about his past, he runs fast and hard, fighting the need to prove himself worthy despite his perceived failures.

When Ari becomes the target of her own magical blunder, the weak will find strength and the strong will fall. One will have to give up everything so the other can have peace, but will love’s magic withstand the loss?

Book Three: The Last Beginning
Though she’s always hated being a phoenix, Sadie has to admit immortality has its advantages. She’s seen and done more in the last 150 years than she’d ever dreamed of, but she can’t get past the fact that Osiris has done nothing but manipulate her and her fellow phoenixes.

Or that, when her last incarnation as a phoenix comes to a fiery end, the fire slowly begins to consume her body.

Sun god Osiris is ashamed of his role as ruler of the Underworld, but he unless he can figure out how to save Sadie, that’s exactly where she’s going to end up. Permanently. Terrified he’s going to lose her, he takes her on a hunt for The Book of the Dead, which is the only way he knows he can save her—even if it means she’ll hate him forever.

About the Author:

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Rachel Firasek spends her days daydreaming of stories and her nights putting the ideas to ink. She has spent a dull life following the rules, meeting deadlines, and toeing the line, but in her made up worlds, she can let the wild side loose. Her wonderful husband and three children support her love of the written word and only ask for the occasional American Idol or Swamp People quality hour. She has a philosophy about love. It must devastate or it isn’t truly worth loving. She hopes that you all find your devastating love and cling to it with all your heart. After all, romance on the edge is better!

Interview: Keri Arthur Fireborn Book Tour + giveaway

Today we have the amazing and very busy Keri Arthur to talk about Fireborn, the first in a new series. What had her delving into the phoenix mythology? What would she do with an invisibility cloak? And does she prefer Pepsi or Coke? Read on my flock...

Sharon: For those who don’t know, tell us a little bit about your new series and Fireborn.
Keri: Fireborn is the story of Emberly, a phoenix blessed (or cursed) with foresight. When she sees the death of the man she once loved, she steps into alter fate. In the process, she becomes involved in not only the investigation of her boss’s murder, but the efforts to recover his stolen research--research that could forever change the human race--before it falls into the wrong hands.

behold the fantastic!

Donna: The cover for Fireborn is fantastic. Did you have any control over it or were you just pleasantly surprised? More importantly did you strike the pose on the cover when you saw it?
Keri: I didn’t strike a pose, but I certainly did a happy dance! I was asked for suggestions and/or scenes that would work for the cover. There’s one scene where Emberly goes to the rooftop of her building and shifts into firebird form, and that’s basically a snapshot what you’re seeing on the cover. The fabulous Tony Mauro did the cover, and if you go to his website (http://tonymauroillustration.com/galleries/book-covers/ ) and scroll down, you can see the full picture; that’s actually Melbourne in the background!


Sharon: What sparked (see what I did there?) the idea for a series about Emberly, a Phoenix? And clever name for a Phoenix by the way <G>.
Keri: And you have no idea how long I scrolled through baby name sites looking for a suitable name <g>. Basically, I just wanted to write something other than vampires and werewolves, so I spend a lot of time on many different myth and legend sites. The idea of a phoenix--capable of being born time and again out of the ashes of its past--snagged my muse’s interest, simply because of the story lines and history it could offer a character. Plus, there’s not a lot of stories out there at the moment that feature a phoenix as the main character :) 

Donna: I noticed on your blog that you are continually apologizing for not blogging enough. Do you think that sometimes with all the social media outlets now, it might be too much of a good thing? How do you keep up?
Keri: Well, I think it’s obvious I don’t, hence the constant apologizing! Lol. I’m also really bad at answering fan email, which is why I have a warning on my website that while I look at emails, I don’t always answer them. It generally depends on where I’m at with my writing, and how busy I am. I tend to concentrate more on Facebook and Twitter (and Google plus when I remember it), simply because they’re just so much easier to check and reply to. Plus, I’ve been blogging for so long now I think I’ve run out of interesting things to talk about!

But yeah, I do think the constant pressure to maintain a media presence can be dangerous, simply because it becomes a time-sink. In the end, the only thing that really matters is writing a book that people want to read, and if Facebook, Twitter and whatever else becomes the next big thing gets in the way of that, then writers need to step away.

Sharon: If I let you borrow my invisibility cloak for a day what would you do?
Keri: Good question! And I’m not really sure...it would be nice to get some great close up shots of the wildlife around here without them getting spooked and running before I could take a shot. But it would also be nice to tag around after some of my favorite actors, just to see what they were like in real life:)

Sharon: *snickers* Uh, huh...you mean like what kind of shampoo Chris Hemsworth uses, cause that is something I would like see...

Donna: You've got a really great site. I loved the Aussie Speak section. Do you have any funny miscommunication stories?
Keri: There was one time when I had to fill a hire car up in the US. Here in Oz, when the pump clicks, it’s generally just a warning you’re getting close to full; we ignore it and go to the second or third click. The pumps I used in the States weren’t like that, so when I ignored the click, it overflowed everywhere. I couldn’t find a bucket of water to wash down the car or disperse the stuff on the concrete, so I went inside and asked for a bucket of water to wash down the petrol. The attendant looked at me blankly; I explained it again, still a blank look. So I said, you know, that stuff you put in the car that runs the engine--I spilled it everywhere. “Ah,” he said, “You mean GAS!” LOL. In Oz, gas is LPG--liquefied petroleum gas, which is actually a gas, and used in heating as well as to run cars. 

in case anyone was confused when Keri mentioned Oz

Sharon: what in the world is chicken chippies? (yes, I stalked your twitter feed)
Keri: Chicken chippies is slang for chicken chips -- potato chips (or crisps in the UK). Australian’s often get confused in the US when we see chips on the menu, because here it also means hot chips (fries). So when we see burgers and chips, we’re expecting hot chips (fries) not a packet of potato chips! (That is a really weird custom, you know. Lol) 

we will be serving these babies down in the dungeon afterwards

Donna: Culturally, what do you think is the biggest difference between the U.S. and Australia?
Keri: I actually don’t think there are many major differences, although I do think the Australian sense of humor doesn’t always translate well in America. And, of course, the gun culture here is very different--Australian’s certainly don’t think it’s their right to carry guns on their person. Our government bought in strict gun regulations after the Port Arthur massacre in the mid 1990’s (in which 35 people died). As a result, there have been no massacres since (there were 11 in the decade before the new rules came in), although there are still gun-related crimes (bad guys will always get guns, no matter how strict the rules).


The main differences are only minor though; for example, while we Aussies love our pets and are more than happy to take them with us to beaches, parks, and on camping holidays, we would never (and indeed are not by law allowed to) take them into supermarkets, restaurants (unless there is outdoor dining), hotels, clothing stores or on public transport (unless it’s a certified guide dog). The serving size of food is also vastly different--we have much smaller servings here in Oz.


Sharon: Got any TV shows you are looking forward to this Summer and Fall?
Keri: I’ve got a lot of shows I have to catch up on--Castle, Game of Thrones, and Arrow, just to name a few. But new show wise, I’m looking forward to Constantine, The Flash, Forever, Gotham, and NCIS New Orleans (because I love the city and enjoyed the NCIS intro episode). 

Sam will always be Flash to me...no judging!

Sharon: You like going to craft shows, are you a crafty person? What do you like to buy/make?
Keri: I actually don’t make anything myself, but I love hand-made stuff, be it jams, honey, art, or clothes. It not only supports home producers, but it generally either tastes better than anything you could buy in the supermarket, or is totally different to anything you’d find in a clothing store.

Rapid Fire 

all together now...awwwww!

Donna: Platypus or kangaroo?
Keri: I’d have to say Kangaroo, simply because they’re everywhere where I live. And baby roos are very cute.


Sharon: Coke or Pepsi?
Keri: Neither by choice (I’m a water or tea woman) but Pepsi if I had to drink one 
Sharon: YES! *balloons and sheep fall from the sky. Sharon looks at Donna* You've got to clean that up :P

in case you don't speak Aussie

Donna: Forest or swamp?
Keri: Forest. Less mozzies.

Sharon: ship or plane? Keri: Depends on where I was going, but plane if I wanted to get there relatively fast (Australia is a long way from anywhere. Lol)


Donna: Vanilla or Chocolate?
Keri: Vanilla if a milkshake, Chocolate if hot


Sharon: fried or baked? 
Keri: Baked. Always. Unless we’re talking chips (fries)


Donna: Early bird or night owl?
Keri: Early bird


Sharon: rainbows or storms?
Keri: Both?

Donna: Chocolate milk or hot chocolate? 
Keri: Hot Chocolate. Always

Donna and I would like to thank Keri for talking with us today. She also has a flock load of other series for you to try, including the Dark Angels series.

Fireborn
Emberly Pearson isn’t just a phoenix who can take on human form at will, she’s also cursed with the ability to foresee death. So when her dreams reveal the death of Sam, a man she once loved, she does everything in her power to prevent it from happening. But in saving his life, she gets more than she bargained for.

Sam is working undercover for the Paranormal Investigations Team, and those who are trying to murder him are actually humans infected by a plague-like virus. Now all those infected must be eliminated.

But when Emberly’s boss is murdered and his irreplaceable research is stolen, she needs to find the guilty party before she goes down in flames…

About the Author:
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Keri Arthur, author of the New York Times bestselling Riley Jenson Guardian series, has now written more than twenty-eight novels. She’s received several nominations in the Best Contemporary Paranormal category of the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards and has won RT’s Career Achievement Award for urban fantasy. She lives with her daughter in Melbourne, Australia.

Sheep Book Review: Stone Cold Seduction by Jess Macallan

When a regular night of Robin Hood-ery results in the manifestation of some, um, unusual paranormal abilities, perfume-maker Elleodora Fredricks realizes the normal world she lives in isn't quite... normal. And neither is she, thanks to her father, king of the shadow elves. Not only is he evil incarnate and the reason Elle moonlights as a burglar-someone has to take care of all his victims-he's stolen her memories.

And only reading her fate can fix that.

Good thing she's got a trio of hotties willing to help her find said fate, but only if she gives them something in return. Saving her oracle BFF's fiance, falling in love with the gargoyle, and making up for breaking the phoenix's heart ought to be a piece of cake for the princess of the shadow elves.

If only the king didn't want his daughter dead...

Jess has crated a new and captivating world full of Shadow/Light Elves, Oracles, Phoenixes :swooning: and Gargoyles :swooning yet, again. This is the first book in the Set In Stone trilogy. I am a big fan of trilogies because you get a complex story with closure in sight. The second and third books come out March and April 2012 so there isn’t a long wait and considering the cliff hanger on this one I am glad.

The story is fast paced at breakneck speed, but it is at the expense of creating characters without much depth. In the case of this story I didn’t mind so much because it is so entertaining! The main character, Elle, thinks she is just an ordinary girl until she starts to exhibit some unusual abilities. She finds out her memories have been tampered with and she is actually the daughter of the Shadow Elf King and in a whole lot of trouble. I love Elle’s attitude. She is written with just the right amount of clever snarkiness.

Now let’s talk about smoldering alpha males (you knew I would). Elle is being pursued by two OMG perfect lovers. First there is Jax, a gargoyle shifter. Gargoyles serve the Shadow Elves. Who knew they could be so sexy? When Jax turns to stone he is more like a smooth Greek statue that is just as flexible as his human form, but can crush you without much effort. He can also turn specific *parts of himself to stone at will (hubba, hubba). Elle is his fated mate and he will have you swooning with the way he loves her, but he has some very dark secrets that Elle might not be able to forgive.

Enter, MacLean. He is a Phoenix shifter and they serve the Light Elves. Elle is also his fated mate (I know, lucky damn girl) and she was once engaged and very much in love with him, but her evil father has stolen all her memories of this supernatural world she is part of and sent her to live as a human. Elle has fallen in love with Jax, but her memories of MacLean start to come back. This is setting up a tumultuous love triangle that will leave someone with a broken heart. The author has said Elle will end up picking one over the other by the end of the trilogy and that the one who is dumped will get his own story, hopefully with a HEA! At this point I want her to pick Jax, but I think MacLean will shine in the next book leaving the reader and Elle with a very difficult choice.

This is quick, light, entertaining reading with all the right PNR and Urban Fantasy elements and is well worth your time.

3.5 Swooning Sheep

Visit Jess's website here