Categories
Fiction Author

Tatum James Interview

Greetings readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors and welcome to The ToiBox of Words. I’m your host Toi Thomas, author of Legend of the Boy, In the Window, and Other Short Stories, and today I have a treat to share. A while back, I had the pleasure to interview a wonderful author named, Tatum James. A good time was truly had by all, and here’s how it went down.

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Toi: Hi there, Tatum! It’s so wonderful to have you here at the ToiBox Blog. I’m excited to learn more about you and your work.

Tatum: Hi, Toi. I’m excited to share my work with you today.

Toi: So tell me, who is Tatum James?

Tatum: Tatum James is an up and coming author. I say up and coming but so far I have self-published 3 novels. Identical Sins, Diary of A Broken Doll, and Diary Of A Broken Doll 2. I’ve always loved writing and storytelling and finally, I am sharing my love.

Toi: Well before we dive into your special message today, let’s get to know you, the person inside the author.

IMDB

Toi: Who is so you and why?

Tatum: I’m so Gabrielle Union’s character in Being Mary Jane.

Toi: What makes you geek out?

Tatum: Harry Potter! I admit I am a Pot head.

Toi: What was your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?

Tatum: There was a book called Wonder by Rachel Vail and The Sideways Stories From Wayside School.

Wikipedia

Toi: In terms of interviews, whose brain are you just itching to scratch?

Tatum: I would want to interview Donny Hathaway. I love, love, love him and I have so many questions.

Toi: Now that we know a little more about you, the person, let’s learn about you, the author, and dive into your special message.

Toi: So, whacha got for me today?

Tatum: My favorite thing that I’ve ever written on a whim my book Identical Sins. It all started as part of a Facebook challenge.

Amazon

Toi: So who’s starring in this 2-dimensional script read of Identical Sins?

Tatum: I would say Lola is the main character. She’s reserved and practical, just trying to make a way for her and her daughter, you know? The total opposite of her bold and outgoing twin sister.

Toi: What’s so special about this story that’s going to reel in the readers?

Tatum: It’s different than anything that I’ve ever read. Most readers report being surprised and not being able to put it down interested in where it all will lead. It’s kind of a romantic suspense. I loved reading it after putting it down for a while. I was like what’s going to happen next?

Toi: Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?

Tatum: I don’t have a method to my madness. I usually come up with names and a plot and go from there. In my best work, I don’t even know what’s going to happen next. I wing it. That keeps it fresh. To set the mood I listen to music and get plenty of snacks. I’m working on the 3rd installation to Diary of A Broken doll, about halfway done.

Amazon

Toi: What author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how?

Tatum: I loved E. Lynn Harris and still find myself reading or listening to his work.

Toi: Now this is where the questions get a little kooky; are you ready?

Tatum: I don’t care, man.

Toi: If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Tatum: Anyone that knows me, knows that it’s the Temptations movie.

Amazon

Toi: When the soundtrack of your life is playing in your head, what songs express your glee and what songs bring out your rage?

Tatum: Fantasia’s No Time For It seems to express my joy and makes me feel carefree. I try not to listen to anything with negative connotations but that’s the best music right. Donny Hathaway’s live version of Stevie Wonder’s Superwoman makes me cry.

Toi: Let’s play zombie urban survivor. What 3 things do you need to survive a black-out in Central Park the day zombies attack?

Tatum: Tennis shoes, a gun, a car I would assume. I’ve never been to Central Park but I would be wanting to get out of there.

Toi: What’s the most fun experience you’ve ever had, to date?

Tatum: Playing charades on the beach with some of my best friends.

Toi: Last question of the day; here we go.

Toi: Not that you can see into the future, but in your opinion, what does the future hold?

Tatum: In 5 years I will be an established author with an extensive catalog.

Toi: Thank you so much, Tatum, for spending time with me today.

Tatum: Thanks for having me Toi. It was fun.

Okay readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. For more from Tatum James, check out this link:

Purchase link for Identical Sins: Amazon.com

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This post contains some affiliate links. Please see the about page for more information.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Categories
Fiction Author Virtual Book Tours

RIFTMAKER blog tour & author interview #steampunk

Greetings readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors and welcome to The ToiBox of Words. I’m your host Toi Thomas, author of Legend of the Boy, In the Window, and Other Short Stories, and today I have a treat to share. A while back, I had the pleasure to interview a wonderful author named, Phoebe Darqueling. A good time was truly had by all, and here’s how it went down.

Be sure to stick around at the end to learn how you can get a FREE copy of The Steampunk Handbook.

Toi: Hi there, Phoebe! Good to have you here at the ToiBox Blog. I’m very excited to learn more about you and your work.

Phoebe: Glad to be here, Toi. I’m ready to share.

Toi: So tell me, who is Phoebe Darqueling?

Phoebe: I’m a globe-trotting vagabond who currently hangs my hat in Freiburg, Germany. I write curriculum for a creativity competition for kids. I work with authors and academics as an editor. I love Steampunk and write/blog my obsession on SteampunkJournal.org and give talks at conventions. I was part of a collaborative novel called Army of Brass and I’ve published some short stories. My first solo novel, Riftmaker, came out 2/14 from Our Write Side, followed by No Rest for the Wicked 3/28 from Black Rose Writing. And yes, releasing 2 novels in 6 weeks is it’s own brand of insanity…

Toi: Well before we dive into your special message today, let’s get to know you, the person inside the author.

IMDB

Toi: What makes you geek out?

Phoebe: I’m a HUGE fan of space operas and futuristic settings. The Expanse, Altered Carbon, Star Trek (except for Discovery, not a big fan of that one…), Star Wars, Firefly, Dark Matter… I love them all. I am sure I will get around to writing my own someday.

Toi: What was your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?

Phoebe: A Wrinkle in Time and The Giver both had a big impact on me as a kid. My mom also read Jurassic Park to me and my brothers on a road trip. Much of it went over my head, but I think that helped spark my interest in science and science fiction.

Toi: Now that we know a little more about you, the person, let’s learn about you, the author, and dive into your special message.

Amazon

Toi: So whacha got for me today?

Phoebe: Riftmaker is the story of a boy and his dog, only their roles get reverse because they travel through a rift in space and time that spits them out in different bodies. The world on “the other side” never discovered fossil fuels, so they land in a steam and clockwork powered city. They are separated, and Buddy the dog, now in a human body, has to find his boy. There’s lots of strange creatures that only exist in that world, but just like in our world, people are the real monsters…

Toi Thomas: So who’s starring in this 2-dimensional script read of Riftmaker?

Phoebe: Buddy’s mind is expanding throughout the story as he becomes more human, but his unique point of view can sometimes lead to accidental wisdom, and the change gave him quasi-magical powers. He meets Adelaide the first night, then accidentally throws her life into chaos when he reveals a secret she’s kept her whole life. The secret effects her best friend Jeremy the most, and as with many an angsty teen, he doesn’t handle the situation very well. Unlike the rest of the cast, Olivia has lived a privileged and sheltered life, but she yearns for independence and adventure.

Toi: What’s so special about this story that’s going to reel in the readers?

Phoebe: There are lots of books about shapeshifters, but it’s always humans to become something else. Riftmaker offers a different twist on this trope by having an animal who becomes human. It’s also urban fantasy that doesn’t have the usual suspects involved. So anyone looking for a fresh take on fantasy in an urban setting will be in for a treat.

Toi: Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?

Phoebe: Riftmaker poured out of my brain completely organically. I only knew about Buddy and Adelaide when I started, then the world was populated by the people they met and who they needed in their lives to tell their stories. In my more recent series, Mistress of None, I am using real history as my backdrop, so I am a lot more detail oriented. The world of 1871 USA is all accurate in No Rest for the Wicked and my WIP, which is Book 2 in that series. On the other hand, ghosts are real, so it’s got supernatural elements, but I use historically accurate “science” (AKA crackpottery) to explain it.

Terry Pratchett Amazon

Toi Thomas: What author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how?

Phoebe: I’d say when it comes to using a fantasy scenario to address social issues, Terry Pratchett definitely influenced me for Riftmaker. In No Rest for the Wicked, I think all of the Joss Whedon shows I’ve watched played a role because there’s comedy folded into the drama. Now, I can’t imagine writing something that doesn’t have some banter in there.

Toi: Now this is where the questions get a little kooky; are you ready?

IMDB

Phoebe: Cool beans.

Toi: If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Phoebe: That’s a tough one, but I think I’d have to say The Fifth Element. I already rewatch it regularly, so it’s not much of a stretch to imagine only watching it forever. It’s a great story by a great cast, and the soundtrack and cinematography are both fantastic.

Toi: When the soundtrack of your life is playing in your head, what songs express your glee and what songs bring out your rage?

Phoebe: I sing to myself pretty regularly, so in a way, I do have a soundtrack. I did a lot of musical theater in my teens and early 20s, so I sing show tunes and songs that I used to audition. In terms of music I listen to, most doesn’t have words. I LOVE Lindsey Stirling, Beats Antique, & Caravan Palace, which all mix old and new styles and world music.

Toi Thomas: What’s the most fun experience you’ve ever had, to date?

Phoebe: It’s a little cliché, but I think I’d have to say my wedding. We had days of events leading up the ceremony, like my husband’s family came out to our lake cabin to mingle with my family, and we a dance lesson for the wedding party on my parent’s driveway with hors d’oeuvres and wine. Everyone got along so well and we laughed together so much, that I was completely relaxed and able to have a wonderful time at the reception. There were so many memorable moments that week, it’s impossible to choose just one.

Toi: Last question of the day; here we go.

Toi: Not that you can see into the future, but in your opinion, what does the future hold?

Phoebe: I’m in a strange position that makes actually planning things nearly impossible. Chances are good that I’ll be in Germany for a while, but it all depends on my husband’s job prospects. As an academic, he has to go wherever the jobs happen to be at the time he’s looking, so I have to be pretty flexible. Which is why being a writer is so perfect!

Toi: Thank you so much, Phoebe, for spending time with me today.

Phoebe: Thanks for having me, Toi. It was fun. Before you go, be sure to get a FREE copy of The Steampunk Handbook by signing up for my author newsletter.

Okay readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. For more from Phoebe Darqueling, check out these great links:

Website: PhoebeDarqueling.com

GoodReads: Phoebe Darqueling

Facebook: Phoebe Darqueling

Twitter: @GearTurns

Instagram: @phoebedarqueling

Purchase links for Riftmaker: Books2Read | Amazon

This has been a

This post contains some affiliate links. Please see the about page for more information.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Categories
Fiction Author

Rhiannon Lee Interview

Greetings readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors and welcome to The ToiBox of Words. I’m your host Toi Thomas, author of Legend of the Boy, In the Window, and Other Short Stories, and today I have a treat to share. A while back, I had the pleasure to interview a wonderful author named, Rhiannon Lee. A good time was truly had by all, and here’s how it went down.

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Toi: Hi there, Rhiannon! It’s so awesome to have you here at the ToiBox Blog. I’m excited to learn more about you and your work.

Rhiannon: Hello, Toi. I’m happy to be here.

Toi: So tell me, who is Rhiannon Lee?

Rhiannon: Rhiannon Lee is my romantic alter-ego. She writes detailed adult scenes without batting an eyelash, and is much more extroverted than I am. I created her originally, so I could separate my writing from my art, and she’s become a very important part of me, because well, she is me, but a bit more outgoing and shameless.

Toi: Well before we dive into your special message today, let’s get to know you, the person inside the author.

Wikipedia

Toi: What makes you geek out?

Rhiannon: I adore science fiction and fantasy anything. It can be mainstream, but I really get into movies and shows that require you to use your imagination to gain the full effect of them. One of my favorite shows is Farscape.

Toi: What was your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?

Rhiannon: Piers Anthony was my author of choice for many years, and I still love his work. I would order every book I could find of his, and have it sent to my local library.

Toi: In terms of interviews, whose brain are you just itching to scratch?

Rhiannon: I would love to hang out with Neil Gaiman for a day, and just observe him. I think that would be even better than an interview. He’s one of the most interesting people, and he creates amazingly unique worlds.

Toi: Now that we know a little more about you, the person, let’s learn about you, the author, and dive into your special message.

Amazon

Toi: So whacha got for me today?

Rhiannon: Hellfire and Kittens is the first book in my debut series. It’s full of action, interesting creatures, hot guys, and a sassy independent heroine who is thrown into a strange world that she must learn to navigate while discovering that true love really does exist. Even if it is a bit unexpected and unconventional.

Toi Thomas: So who’s starring in this 2-dimensional script read of Hellfire and Kittens?

Rhiannon: Lucy is the main star of my Queen Lucy series. She’s hilarious in an often cheesy way, and her brain creates funny headlines to go with the situations she finds herself in. When she’s thrown into a different world (literally), she keeps her humor, and starts to figure out who she is as a person, and allows herself to open up to the possibility of love even though she’s been through some serious heartbreak in the past.

Toi: What’s so special about this story that’s going to reel in the readers?

Rhiannon: It’s unique, and the most frequent comment I receive from readers is that they’ve never read anything like it before. I wanted to make a world where anything was possible, and I think people can sense that when they read my book.

Toi: Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?

Rhiannon: I’m currently working on several projects. Book three in my Queen Lucy series, but also a book that deals with a created post-apocalyptic world and a woman who thinks the near extinction of the human race is her fault. It’s also in the Romance genre.

Toi: Now this is where the questions get a little kooky; are you ready?

Rhiannon: Yep.

Toi: Let’s play zombie urban survivor. What 3 things do you need to survive a black-out in Central Park the day zombies attack?

Rhiannon: Leather outfit (bite proof), a machete, and water.

Toi: Last question of the day; here we go.

Toi: Not that you can see into the future, but in your opinion, what does the future hold?

Rhiannon: I plan to keep writing, and improving my craft. My goal is to keep writing in the Romance genre, but to also branch out into my first love, which is science fiction or fantasy.

Toi: Thank you so much, Rhiannon, for spending time with me today.

Rhiannon: Thanks for having me. This was fun.

Okay readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. For more from Rhiannon Lee, check out these great links:

Website: http://RhiannonLeeAuthor.com

Facebook: RhiannonLeeAuthor

Purchase links for Hellfire and Kittens: Amazon.com

This has been a

If you liked this interview, also consider checking out my video interview with the author, Joanne Lipford at Youtube.com.

This post contains some affiliate links. Please see the about page for more information.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords