Ladies and gents of the Lair, I would like for you to put together a warm welcome to this "New To Me" Author.... I am pleased to share with you a moment in time with....
Ms. Venita Louise
Title: In Mysterious Ways
Author: Venita Louise
Publisher: .
Length: Novel
Sub-Genres: paranormal/romance
BLURB:
When well-known California Artist, Lang Garret, takes a trip to Phoenix, he has more than his gallery appearance in mind. His plans include a little surprise for his fiancee, Amanda, who is traveling with him. Unfortunately, a twist of fate, a chance meeting, and a chain of unforseen obstacles throw all of Lang's intentions out the window.
Lang and Amanda accept an invitation to join a group visit to one of Arizona's energy vortexes that mysteriously contains a newly formed crop circle. It seems innocent enough, but what begins as a curious adventure for a group of six turns an expected pleasure into a predicament of terror.
The unfathomable energy of the circle has a different repercussion for each individual who enters it. It seems impossible that the gyre could produce a horror, the power to kill, a marvel, the power to heal, and a blessing all at once, but the supernatural occurrences caused by the circle continue to alter their lives long after leaving Arizona. Now Lang and Amanda writhe under the struggle to keep their relationship intact and prevent the energy from annihilating their love.
Lang and Amanda accept an invitation to join a group visit to one of Arizona's energy vortexes that mysteriously contains a newly formed crop circle. It seems innocent enough, but what begins as a curious adventure for a group of six turns an expected pleasure into a predicament of terror.
The unfathomable energy of the circle has a different repercussion for each individual who enters it. It seems impossible that the gyre could produce a horror, the power to kill, a marvel, the power to heal, and a blessing all at once, but the supernatural occurrences caused by the circle continue to alter their lives long after leaving Arizona. Now Lang and Amanda writhe under the struggle to keep their relationship intact and prevent the energy from annihilating their love.
BUY LINKS:
Amazon Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/In-Mysterious-Ways-Venita-Louise/dp/0985123206/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351137408&sr=8-1&keywords=in+mysterious+ways+venita+louise
Barnes & Noble Buy Link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-mysterious-ways-venita-louise/1110599035?ean=9780985123208
Since you are a new to me author, I am hoping to bring you to the light of others! So let’s share!
Why don't you tell us a little about yourself.... Something that we cannot Google about you, lol!
Why don't you tell us a little about yourself.... Something that we cannot Google about you, lol!
Unfortunately, my life is an open book, no pun intended. My bio is on my website www.venitalouise.net which includes a confession of growing up in a dysfunctional family and the personality that I acquired to respond to it. I’m a quirky introvert, a consistent cave dweller, and I couldn’t tell you what my neighbors do for a living. Sad, I know, but I discovered the more mysterious you are, the more curious people become. I am quick to find the humor in life, even the seemingly bad parts which often tosses me into the annoying category. I am diverse in my interests. Art, cooking, writing and music. I sing lead in Meridian, a soft rock cover band that I formed with my husband. We also have an original band, White Smoke and write music together. I have an addictive personality and can become emotionally entangled with a chocolate chip cookie.
Tell us a little about your book?
An episode on the Discovery Channel gave me the idea for ‘In Mysterious Ways’. It was all about crop circles, speculation of how they are formed, what their purpose might be and the scientific information that has been collected.
My book follows a small group of people who investigate a newly formed crop circle in Arizona. The energy they absorb from entering the circle affects each character differently. The main characters, Lang Garret, a well-known California artist and his fiancé, Amanda Howard, a bluesy nightclub singer are the focus of the story and take the reader through the struggles they experience as a couple. The changes the circle creates for the group continue long after leaving Arizona.
How much emotion does it take from you to write
Wow, I’ve never been asked this before. I suppose it does take emotion to write but I have always thought of it as stamina and commitment. Writing takes hours, months, days, weeks and sometimes years. You have to do it because you love it.
What is your favorite part of the book
What takes place when they are inside the circle.
You can only pick 3 words for your main characters what would they be? *to describe your main characters* Three words each? Please, say three words each!
Lang: Creative, Arrogant, Selfish
Amanda: Unsure, Caregiving, Submissive
Which was the easiest character to write and the hardest ~ and why
It was a mix, a hodgepodge of personalities all of which I have to admit to having experience with. I suppose it is most difficult for me to write as the alpha male. All other characters are just fun.
How many books are you shooting for in this series??
I’m not sure if I plan a sequel for this book but if I did I would probably not follow the main characters. I don’t want to spoil the end but there is a great opportunity in continuing the story with their friends, Bob and Ellen.
What are you currently working on?
I’m afraid I’m being a little ADHD and have two writing projects in process. One story is set in the ‘40’s (one of my favorite decades) in San Francisco Chinatown and the other is science fiction.
Do you have anything due to release soon?
In Mysterious Ways will be available in audio in the near future. I am also busy marketing two previous books, ‘Mixed Nuts’, a comedy set in the 60’s and ‘Dead on the Money’, a mystery set in 1946. My husband and I will be releasing a second CD for our original band, White Smoke.
What's one thing that you enjoy about writing?
I enjoy it when the characters seem to take over and begin to determine the direction of the story.
Since we're cover hussies....what was your first impression of your cover
Elaina Lee was the illustrator of the In Mysterious Ways cover. When I saw it I was dazzled by the colors and the characters were just as I pictured them. I love the cover.
What do you prefer ebooks or paperbacks
I don’t have a preference. I have books all over my house, e-books on my i-phone and in my computer too. I have loved reading ever since I learned how.
Is there a genre you would like to write but are a little apprehensive to try?
Yes, science fiction, which might explain why I have two projects in the works. When I start feeling intimidated by the science fiction I’m working on, I rush over to 1940’s Chinatown.
Okay.... personal time!!!! Oh yeah, I go there... Hahah...
If you thought you were safe... Nah... Forgot it... Not a chance! We will start off slow and easy, I promise!
What is on your night stand/dresser?
If you thought you were safe... Nah... Forgot it... Not a chance! We will start off slow and easy, I promise!
What is on your night stand/dresser?
An unopened cassette, (yes, cassette) of how to overcome procrastination, Burt’s Bee’s lip balm, and that infernal alarm clock from hell.
What are you listening to you right now?
My husband’s snoring.
What are you reading right now?
Well, I could be a smart ass and say I’m reading your questions but I just finished reading, Lame Excuses by Alle Wells.
What is your favorite season?
Hmmmm, California doesn’t really have seasons. It can be cold in June and hot in December, but I love the autumn when the leaves are orange and gold and cuddling up next to the fireplace is ever so comfy. Then again, I love the smell of a barbeque in the summer and the way the wet cement smells after it rains in the spring. No, I don’t have a favorite season.
And what has been your best b-day present
My husband is a real sweetheart when it comes to celebrating birthdays but I’m just happy to be with him.
Hard and Quick Time! Don't think... Just answer! Okay, before we go this route, I will get us a refill on our drinks... I will be right back...
You know you do... Quickie time... Think fast....
Are you a quickie kind girl?
You know you do... Quickie time... Think fast....
Are you a quickie kind girl?
No. I think, move and create in slow motion.
Dark or Milk Chocolate?
Milk Chocolate
Whipped or Melted?
Melted. The gooier the better.
Straight up or with a twist - sex?
My only choices? I don’t mind mixing them up but with lots of kisses.
What's ur fave drink - in a glass or on him?
Anything with caffeine in it, including him.
Spank or Flogger?
I’m a lover not a spanker.
Junk or Health Food?
I love a healthy balance of Junk and Health food. I guess that would be Hunk food. J
Ties or Chains?
Neither.
Leather or Lace?
Both.
Soft or Hard... Bed, where was your mind?
My husband is the only one who knows my sleep number.
Control or Be Controlled?
Only on the remote.
Hot Wax or Whip Cream?
Looking at candles and playing with whip cream.
Vampire or Werewolf?
It’s got to be the warm furry mammal.
Twitter and/or Facebook? Pinterest or not?
Twitter is fun, like reading license plates, lots of pictures to look at on Pinterest but I guess I’m more of a Facebook girl https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venita-Louise-Author-Musician-Performer-Artist-and-Speaker/116709158348877?ref=ts&fref=ts
EXCERPT:
“It was the darndest thing, I tell you.” Fred scraped his chair back from the oak table, got up and walked over to the window. “I been camping and hiking hundreds of times, and I ain’t never seen nothin’ like that.” He bent in front of it to catch the warm breeze that fluttered the tan and yellow cotton curtains. He turned to give Andy a perplexed look.
Andy ignored it, got up and went to the rustic built in buffet, and poured himself a cup of hot coffee.
“Okay Fred, you saw lights.”
“Brighter than any lights I ever saw before.” He stepped back and resumed his seat at the table. He swallowed hard as his eyebrows knitted. “They had to have flashed for a good stretch of time.”
“You want a cup?” Andy offered.
“Yeah.” He laughed quietly. “I sure ain’t gonna kick the caffeine today. I’m free of all of Patsy’s nagging for at least a week while she’s off visiting her mother. Quit caffeine, quit carbs, watch your cholesterol, she tells me! Geez, she has me on so damn much fiber I think I have driftwood floating in my colon.”
Andy chuckled. “What else did you see?” He set the mugs on the table.
“Well, like I said. There was the bright lights, and I felt a heat-like energy running through me.” He brushed his hands slowly down the front of his shirt to demonstrate. “I remember looking at my watch and the second hand was stopped, so I started to count. One miss-sippy, two miss-sippy, I got all the way to forty-seven miss-sippy before they took off as quiet as a whisper.” He pointed to the ceiling. “Not sideways, but straight up.” He blew the top of his coffee and took a cautious sip. “Strange thing is Patsy said she didn’t see anything. She was inside the tent reading her book. When I told her about it, she said she was afraid I’d fallen off the wagon.”
Andy suppressed his amusement and peered at him over the top of his mug. “So you were the only one in the area to see the lights.”
“Ah, come on, I didn’t imagine it,” Fred said with frustration building in his voice. “My damn dog was anxious as hell, runnin’ in circles and markin’ territory to beat the band. I know by the way he was acting, he saw it.”
“If only Charlie could talk.” Andy grinned.
Fred snorted into the top of his coffee, blowing a few drops onto the table.
“Look Fred, I’m not saying you imagined it. Maybe it was a police helicopter checking out the area, looking for a suspect or something.” Andy had known Fred for over ten years, and during that time he had never given him cause to think he suffered from an overactive imagination or paranoia. Still, his bizarre account of mysterious lights and watch-stopping heat was a bit much for him to swallow, no matter how detailed it was.
Fred laughed without humor. “Don’t you think I know a helicopter when I hear one? There was no sound at all,” he said, as he wiped up the coffee with the sleeve of his shirt.
“What do you want me to do?” Andy asked. “I didn’t see it. I believe you saw something, but there could be a very logical explanation for what you saw.”
“Come out there with me, I want to show you.”
Andy shrugged. “There’s nothing to see now. The lights are gone, right?”
“That may be true,” he said, as he reached in his shirt pocket.
“But look at this.” He produced what looked like a bent piece of a weed and held it out.
“So?” Andy took it from his fingers and examined the stem. “You pulled a weed.” He shrugged.
“Look closer,” Fred said and placed his elbows on the table to lean forward. “See the blow holes?”
“Blow holes?” Andy frowned.
“Yeah, all the juice in the plant has been forced out from the inside like it was heated in a microwave or somethin’.” Fred pointed to the area he was referring to.
Andy leaned back in his chair and twirled the stem between his fingers. “I’ve seen this before, the sun does it.” He gave him a deliberate smile. “Arizona is about ten degrees hotter than hell. You know that. It isn’t unusual for a plant to react this way.”
“Maybe so.” Fred took it and held it over his head at arm’s length and squeezed one eye shut to get a more focused view. He sighed, brought it down to eye level and gave Andy a peculiar glance. “But it doesn’t get hot enough in this area for this to happen, and only the plants in the twenty foot radius looked like this.”
Andy tipped onto the back legs of his chair and went silent. He folded his arms and studied the plant stem.
“You know what else?” Fred asked grimly.
“What?”
“Patsy said I was outside the tent a good half hour, but I could only account for a few seconds.”
“I’ve never heard of a crop circle in Arizona,” Andy said skeptically and brought his chair down on all four legs with a thump.
“I’m telling you,” he waved an arm in a circular motion, “some of the plant stems were flash burned right onto the rocks.” He laid the stem flat in the palm of his hand. “But only inside the circle,” he muttered.
“Okay, Fred.” Andy sighed. “I’ll go with you, but it will have to be tomorrow. I have clients to pick up this morning.”
Fred released a breath and slumped in his chair. “Thanks, Andy.” His expression turned edgy.
“What’s that look for?” Andy asked.
Fred shrugged. “I feel as nervous as my dog does when he knows he’s goin’ to the Vet.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I come from a very interesting family, actually a bunch of mixed nuts. At a very early age, I assigned myself a very important job within the family. I had the need to keep everyone laughing and developed the knack to do it, similar to the skills of a rodeo clown. I was good at it too. I can still see them in my mind’s eye, with tears of laughter rolling down their cheeks, doubled over and holding their stomachs.
Through the years, I have studied several avenues of creativity. My first love was art, and I spent many years rendering portraits for the almost rich and famous. I quit sketching people after a time though because I was slowly becoming a cosmetic surgeon. “Make my nose smaller, straighten my teeth and give me more hair.” Consequently, pet portraits became my specialty. Doggies don’t give a hoot if their hair is thinning or they have freckles on their nose.
In the year 2000, I discovered a new passion. Writing. I adore a mystery, a good romance and lots of action. However, the ghost of the rodeo clown still lives in me and finds ways to thread humor throughout. The things I find funny can appall some people. Dark and dangerous may be lurking out there, but I can always find some piece of humor in the worst of situations. That in itself can be quite annoying. I still haven’t decided if I want to write Romance, Mystery or Horror. Not a good thing, but I’m hoping one day to capture all three in one story.
Although I still write and dabble in art, I am fulfilling a lifelong desire of performing music, quite a stretch for the autumn chicken that I am. I perform in two bands, Meridian which covers classic rock over several decades, and White Smoke, a band that formed between myself and BJ Saidi. He is not only a talented musician, songwriter, and producer, but also the love of my life.
A friend once gave me a quote that has been on my refrigerator for twenty years. It’s author is unknown but I have found it encouraging in every aspect of my life. It says, ‘Use the talents that you possess; for the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except the best.”
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venita-Louise-Author-Musician-Performer-Artist-and-Speaker/116709158348877?ref=ts&fref=ts
And remember... Always keep it Dirty, Smutty & Hussy
