Meet the Author...Mysti Parker/Giveaway

Today I'm please to have author Mysti Parker joining us. She's got lots to share with us and is giving away a copy of her Ebook A Ranger's Tale to one lucky commenter.

Mysti Parker is a full-time wife, mom of three, and a writer. Born and raised in Kentucky, writing has always been her first love. After many years of pursuing other things, she began her writing career in earnest in 2009. Look for more romantic tales from her fantasy world of Tallenmere, where magic, passion, murder, and mayhem are a part of everyday life.

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 What motivates Mysti Parker the author? Why do you write?

First of all, thanks very much for having me here. Why do I write? Very simply, writing makes me feel like me again. It’s a creative outlet. For a woman who’s been a full time mom for nearly 10 years now, that’s a very necessary thing!

When did you know you were a writer? Was it always your destiny or did you stumble upon your craft by accident?

I’ve loved writing ever since I was old enough to carry a pencil and paper. I never really thought I’d make a career out of it until 2009 though, when the ideas of my current series came to mind. After getting my first novelette, Let There Be Love, published, I decided it was actually possible and went for it.

What is your favorite genre (m/m, BDSM, YA …) to write and why?

Romance, hands down. I’m a romance-a-holic. To be more specific, I’m really enjoying fantasy romance. It’s fun and challenging to write about two people overcoming the obstacles of love amidst a fantastical setting.

How many hours a day do you devote to writing? Do you have a set routine or do you write when the mood strikes?

Since my three children are still very young, I haven’t been able to devote a set block of time to write yet. I tend to write when they’re asleep or otherwise distracted. This may change very soon, however. My two daughters are in elementary school, and my 3 year old son starts preschool for a couple days a week beginning this month. I plan to devote that time strictly to writing and see if I get more productive.

Tell us about the most intriguing character you've created.

I think Jayden Ravenwing fits that category for me. He’s a prominent character in A Ranger’s Tale and has his own main role in my next book, Serenya’s Song. Jayden is really evolving in ways I didn’t expect as I finish SS. He’s alternately graceful and clumsy, funny and brooding, placid and aggressive. He deals with some serious inner and outer conflicts and doesn’t always win. I’m enjoying his journey, though he’s probably not sharing my enthusiasm!

Who is your favorite author? And, if given the opportunity to meet them, what would you ask them?

I have too many. I’ve long been a fan of Stephen King, Lillian Jackson Braun, and Victoria Holt. If I could ask them anything, it would be “What does it take to become a great storyteller?” Nowadays, I’m reading all sorts of things from independent authors. Some of my favorites are Jenna Petersen, Ruth J Hartman, Anna James, Jack Eason, Gerry Huntman, Louis K. Lowy, Jasmine Giacomo…to name just a few! See my blog for all the authors I’ve interviewed. They all go on my TBR list.

What did you do when you found out your first book had been contracted?

Literally jumped up and down while I called my husband at work. I probably had chocolate too. Celebration requires chocolate.

Has there been a person or influence in your life that has helped you reach your writing goals?

My late mother told me I could do anything I put my mind to. That advice is never far from me, especially when the process gets frustrating.

Do you have any words of inspiration to aspiring authors? What advice would you offer a writer trying to publish?

If you really love writing, don’t give up! You’re not going to become famous overnight. It takes a long, long time to find the voices/techniques that work for you. If you’re trying to publish, know that the publishing world is unpredictably slow. It may take a day or a year to hear something from a publisher or agent you submit to. Don’t take rejection personally. Use it as a springboard to improve.

Tell us about your current release.

A Ranger’s Tale is the first book in my fantasy romance series from the world of Tallenmere. Here’s the scoop:

Blurb:

Once upon a time an elven noblewoman longed to leave her gilded cage. A half-breed former pirate wanted nothing more than to escape his guilty past. Easier said than done...

In the fantasy world of Tallenmere, the high elf, Caliphany Aranea, nearly a century old, has never been allowed to travel farther than a few miles out of the capital city of Leogard. Her father, Sirius, leads the Mage Academy, and after losing his only son, he expects Caliphany to take his place one day. The trouble is, she doesn't want to study magic and doubts she'll ever be as good a wizard as her father. She dreams of leaving Leogard to explore the world and strike out on her own--lofty goals for Sirius' daughter, who also happens to be King Leopold's niece. 

When two brutes at Leogard Harbor attempt to kidnap her while she dreams of faraway lands, half-elf ship captain and ranger, Galadin Trudeaux, comes to her rescue. From their first chance encounter, to the finale, where Caliphany must decide where her heart truly lies, she and Galadin will face more adventure, more love, more heartache, than they ever thought possible. Through it all, they discover the power of forgiveness and of a love that stands the test of time.

Buy Link:

E-Book or Print: http://www.melange-books.com/authors/mystiparker/parkerarangerstale.html

Kindle or Print: http://www.amazon.com/A-Rangers-Tale-Tallenmere-ebook/dp/B004XJ5EI2/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

Print: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-rangers-tale-misty-parker/1029733726?ean=9781612351209&itm=1&usri=a%2branger%2bs%2btale

Also available at All Romance E-Books, BookStrand, CoffeeTimeRomance, and many other online stores!

 Do you have any upcoming projects in the works?

I’ll be working on the final draft of Book Two, Serenya’s Song very shortly. It will be available in April 2012. This story takes us to the small town of Summerwind, where Jayden Ravenwing seeks a quieter life away from the bustle of Leogard and his first love, Caliphany. At the local tavern, he meets Serenya Crowe, who instantly sparks his interest. She's half-elf, half-something else, but she's everything he's ever wanted in a woman. Except, he never expected to fall in love again so quickly, and especially with the wife of the Earl of Summerwind. To complicate matters, a strange portal has appeared on the Crowe property, one which Jayden fears could lead to the death of Serenya and everyone in Summerwind, unless he can find a way to close it.

Where can readers connect with you?

 Visit me at http://www.mystiparker.blogspot.com/ Goodreads, Facebook, or  Twitter (@MystiParker)

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Paperback, E-book, or Kindle, 186 pages

Published January 29th 2011 by Melange Books

ISBN

9781612351

 "Elves, wizards, and hot romance!" ~Lyn Horner, author of Darlin' Druid

“…I was completely surprised by how involved I became in the story. The fantastical world created by the author became very real to me and as a reader that is a very good thing.” ~ Wendy Mitchell, You Gotta Read Reviews

“Mysti Parker has hit one out of the ballpark …I thoroughly enjoyed visiting this world and this story which I read in a single sitting - I couldn't put it down.” ~ WildAboutBones, Goodreads Reviewer

 Excerpt from Chapter 12:

               "Cap’n! You better come see this!”

                Damn, that coffee smelled good. I set the cup down. “What is it?”

                “A stowaway, Cap’n.”

                I followed him out, where Bob held a kicking, squirming woman. My jaw dropped. “Cali?”

                “We found her below, Cap’n,” Shyler said.

                “Let me go!” Cali yelled. “Your captain knows me; he’ll vouch for my innocence.”

                Some more of the crew began gathering around to have a good laugh. Cali’s face glowed red, and I stepped toward them. Bob held her tightly, clasping her arms behind her.

                I raised an eyebrow. “Well, you are a stowaway. Not exactly innocent, are you?”

                Shyler snickered, his squinty eyes bouncing from me to Cali. “Looks like this one got attached to ya, Cap’n. You’ve never had ‘em sneakin’ aboard.”

                Cali’s mouth fell open. “I am no such woman. Let me go!”

                “Let her go, Bob.”

                He obeyed, and Cali stomped up to me, glaring me right in the eye. “Take me to Faewood!”

                The crew laughed again. I had to join in that time.“Faewood? No, I think you’d best go back to where you belong. Shyler, turn about!”

                “We’ll be headed leeward, Cap’n.”

                I kept my eyes on Cali. “We’ll have to sail against the wind, which will put us off schedule, but we don’t have much of a choice now, do we?”

                Bob and some of the others ran to adjust the sails, while Shyler ran back to the helm.

                Cali’s face filled with panic. “You can’t do that.”

                “Oh, yes, I can. You don’t belong out here with a ship full of sailors. I don’t know what you were thinking.”

                She pinched her lips together and jutted her chin out. “I thought I would find some compassion, someone who could see my dilemma.”

                My brow hardened. “What dilemma? What I see is a woman who’s bored with her comfortable life and decided to traipse off and find adventure. You’ll have to find someone else to provide your amusement.”

                “That’s what you would see, wouldn't you? You don’t even know who I am.”

                “Oh, yes, I do. I know you’re the king’s niece, and I know I’m taking you back home before we all hang.”

                “How did you find out?”

                “It doesn’t matter. You’re going back, and that’s final.”

                As the boat began to turn, it jerked portside. Cali stumbled, and I caught her. She felt good in my arms, until she wrenched herself away from me. Her blue eyes clouded with fury. She backed away to stand near the rigging. When she held her hand palm out, I watched a ball of fire appear, spinning like a cyclone.

                I crept toward her and reached out one hand. “Cali, what are you doing?”

                She stepped farther from me, her hand dangerously close to the main mast. “You will take me to Faewood, or I will incinerate this entire ship.”

                Some of my crew saw what was happening and began to run toward her. I threw up my hand to stop them. “Have you gone mad? What do you think you’ll do if the ship burns down? Swim? In case you didn’t notice, we’re a long way from shore.”

                “I don’t care anymore. I’ll go down same as you.”

                I stared at her, confused by my own emotions more than anything. On one hand, I was furious that she’d put me in this situation, but on the other, she seemed desperate. If the sea didn’t drown her, then hopelessness would. I growled and turned to where Shyler stood frozen by the wheel.

He and some of the others had drawn their weapons.

                “Return to our course,” I shouted to Shyler. “Head for Faewood.”

                “Aye, Cap’n.”

                Cali lowered her hand. Bob sprang forward, but I caught his shirt. “Leave her be. I’ll escort her to my cabin. We’ll take her to Faewood and leave her there.”

                Bob glared at me. He was about as wide as he was tall, and his usually jolly eyes flashed with fear. “This won’t look good for any of us, Cap’n.”

                “I know. But, we were heading there anyway. I want all sails unfurled. The sooner we arrive, the better.”

                Bob sheathed his sword. “Aye, Cap’n, but it’s unlucky, I tell you, having a woman on board.”

                “Hopefully she won’t be with us long.”

                I motioned toward my cabin, and Cali went in. She stood by the table, tapping her fingers. My coffee cup had slid off and lay broken on the floor. A stream of brown liquid ran under the table.

                “Figures.” I bent to pick up the pieces. Cali fetched a towel.

                “Thank you,” she muttered.

                As I tossed the broken ceramic in the trash, I asked, “Tell me, what is so god-awful bad about your life that made you want to hijack my ship?”

                Her chin quivered. “My father…”

                Indignation got the best of me. I still smelled the coffee I hadn’t had a chance to drink. “Oh, that again. Yes, your father is a difficult man. So what? That’s what fathers are supposed to be like, with daughters like you, especially.”

                She turned and buried her face in her hands. I felt like an ass. I grasped her shoulders. “I’m sorry.”

                Given half the chance, I would have held her in my arms. Instead, she shot away and turned angry, wet eyes toward me. “Take me to Faewood and leave me alone!”

                If I had met a more exasperating woman, I didn't remember it.

                “Fine! But, you’ll stay put until we get there, you hear me?”

                She turned her head away. “Yes. Just go.”

                I left her in there, slamming the door behind me. Great. She’d hijacked my ship, kept me from enjoying my coffee, and now, she’d taken over my cabin.

                When I joined Shyler at the helm, he couldn’t hide his toothless grin.

                “What? “ I growled.

                “This un’s got you round her finger, Cap’n, that’s what.”

                “Shut up and steer.”

A Ranger's Tale available now at: Melange Books, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and many other online stores!

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