Maybe hate is not the correct word. Despise, loathe…well, I can’t think of a strong enough word to describe the feeling of seeing those wicked, little syllables that are misplaced, misspelled, and/or repeated too many times. Who knew I’d feel the need to use the word sublime, eleven times in one manuscript! Once those sneaky, extra sublime(s) were found, I murdered them with glee.

Funny thing? If I run across typos in other books, they don’t bother me! That may be because I realize many books have them, and if they are not excessive, I still enjoy the story. The story matters more to me, and I know how easy it is to miss these annoying tidbits of literature. However, writers want to avoid typos like the Black Plague, so a typo check list can help. In addition, remember—a good editor is worth his/her weight in gold.

Let’s get this typo seeking rampage on! Be sure to check your novel and make sure the plot has enough conflict, memorable characters, and a good story arc. Is there a nice balance between dialogue and narrative? Look for plot holes. Is the sequencing of events correct? If so, then gear up with your favorite caffeinated drink, and make sure it is strong, because hunting for typos is a challenge.

Catch Typos

• Slow down! One reason typos are missed is that all-important deadline. Is the world going to end if your book goes to print one day, or one week late? NO. It is definitely preferable to make the deadline, but not if the price to pay is allowing those pesky typos to live. I say—read, breathe…hunt for typos, eat chocolate and Twizzlers, plus drink lots of hot tea. Repeat; and I mean repeat those actions 100 times. Yes, it does seem like the editing process never ends!
• After your masterpiece is finished, acquire not only a marvelous editor, but other readers who will help find typos too. Here’s a thought…have a contest to see who can find the most typos in your manuscript! Hard work deserves a reward, so make it fun for your volunteer proofreaders.
• Words used too often are disappointing to find, but keep track of them while working on your manuscript, and kill them when you feel the need. Since it seems I have a special attachment for some words, I must do this typo check often, like every six to ten chapters. Words to look for: about, amazing, and, beautiful, because, big, enjoy, even, funny, good, great, happy, just, kind, oh, okay, small, that, very (Google commonly overused words and sift through the lists. They are quite handy!)
• Find/Replace Tool: Distracted by your character’s plight, it’s super easy to quickly mix up homophones like, they’re, their, and there. (Also check one, won, board, bored, hair, hare, it’s its, pore, pour, sea, see, to, two, too, wood, would) Use the Find/Replace tool to locate these words and correct them. Check out this page to confuse you a bit more! HOMONYMS, HOMOPHONES, HOMOGRAPHS, and HETERONYMS
• Commonly misspelled words are never desired, but these little monsters living within the world of words must be banished! Here is a wonderful list to get you started. Acreage, entrepreneur, fiery, gauge, guarantee, memento, rhythm, and vacuum all made this list.
• Spacing/Bold/Italicized Words: Have you checked your print and digital books for formatting issues? For instance, are all of your chapter headings the same, and have you looked for any big gaps with spacing or letters crunched together? Also remember to check the words you want italicized.
• Keeping your characters’ names consistent is important. If Jacob has the nickname Jake every other page, that might get confusing. The spelling of a name can cause problems too. Are you going to use Rachael or Rachel?  See! Typos are easy to unleash.

The above tips will get you started. Please feel free to leave a typo check tip for us all to use. Better yet…brighten the day with the funniest typo you’ve had to correct.

Have a typo free day, and thanks for visiting the Noracast!

“Masquerade” by Cambria Hebert         

What if you sensed you were being watched….

But whenever you looked no one was ever there.

What if you knew you looked hideous….

But someone called you beautiful.

What if you surrendered your heart….

Only to have it betrayed.

Before. Everything was so much better Before. I wasn’t haunted by nightmares, my place at school was secure and my face was flawless. Now, I’m a freak and everything has changed. The worst part is that I can’t remember the night I was sentenced to the shadows. The memory has been stolen from me and I just can’t shake the feeling that someone, something is out there -watching.

Just when I think I have my life handled, Sam, with his intimidating golden stare and shiver inducing voice, makes me realize that I don’t know anything. He makes me see that my scars don’t matter. That they never mattered. I can’t help but fall for him, completely unknowing that he knows exactly how I got this way. Not knowing he was involved.

Heven has no idea how closely death stalks her. She has no idea what I have done to keep her alive. I fear the day she learns my secrets, finds out what I really am. But even then I cannot stop, I vow to make things right. Finally her hunter will be hunted, Heaven and Hell, faith and sin will battle, and we will be victorious. But first, Heven must learn to be what she never imagined.  I know her strength is there – I feel it. If we are to overcome all odds, she must push past her flaws – her frailties – to become much more.

Nora: So, Cambria, Heven gets super tired of her mother cooking chicken for dinner. (So funny!) I know you have a great fear of chickens, but do you cook them for your family? You’re not afraid of the packaged ones, right? LOL

Cambria: LOL!! I do cook them for my family. They don’t scare me without their feathers!! LOL. I will say that the whole chickens? (Turkeys too) I hate to touch those, and putting my hand in them to get out that bag of – er – parts is NOT happening. My husband opens it up, puts it in the pan and I literally throw an onion and lemon and stuff inside it. EW!

Nora:  Sam and Heven enjoy Bubble Tea, and the video on your website that shows you making it is AWESOME! Check that out HERE.  Did you like Bubble Tea enough to make it again? If so, what flavor will be your favorite? Also…what is the most unusual food or drink you’ve ever tried?

Cambria: Sure, I will make Bubble Tea again! I would love to try a flavored one. I haven’t had a chance to try that yet. I can’t say for sure which flavor I would like the best but I usually like caramel and chocolate stuff the best! Most unusual food or drink? I have to admit I am not very adventurous. I get grossed out easily. LOL. The grossest thing I have eaten is escargot I guess. Which is snails. Nasty, nasty little things. I didn’t even swallow it. Yuck.

Nora: I loved the suspense and truly terrifying moments in Masquerade. I wondered how it would all play out, and I must say, I was totally shocked by Sam’s identity. What is something (other than those chickens!) that has chilled you to your bones? Would it be snakes, spiders….the dark?

Cambria: Hmmm. There are lots if things I don’t like – like crickets- but chill me to the bone? Not much really – stuff that has that strong effect on me is more reality based – like someone breaking into my house, being kidnapped, etc….. Also, I think an experience with a ghost would be very chilling but I haven’t experienced one of those (yet).

Nora: Another aspect of Masquerade is the constant presence of Hope. I loved this aspect of your book. Are you generally an optimistic person? If so, what is something you hoped for and it finally came true?

Cambria: I like to think I am optimistic. Lol. I try to be. I am a stress monster though. I worry about stuff a lot. All kinds of stuff – even stuff I can’t control. Lol. But I always try to quell my worry with positive thinking. I try and tell myself that there is always hope – a constant presence of it. One thing I hoped for was this book in print. I hoped and dreamed of seeing this book published for soo long and it finally came true. It’s been fantastic.

Nora: Are you most like Sam, Heven, Cole, or Kimber? Why?

Cambria: I think I am most like Heven. I relate to her most, I think. I have never been scarred or disfigured on my face but there have been times in my life when I didn’t like what I saw in the mirror. There were times as a young kid that I got made fun of at school and wanted to blend in and be left alone. I also like to think that I bounced back from those things and found my inner strength. There’s also a side of me that liked to have fun like Heven. And if I am being honest I have some Kimber in me too…. I love clothes. LOL.

 Quickies!

 Favorite book? This year its Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Two movies you could watch over and over: Transformers and How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days (frickin hilarious!)

Favorite food & drink? Coffee and cereal

Camping/hiking, an exotic beach location, a cruise, or stay at home and relax vacation? An exotic Beach location! Camping and hiking? – uh, unless it comes with a 5 star hotel and a shower – forget it!

Cats or dogs? Both.

Favorite holiday? Halloween and Christmas

Thank you for visiting the Noracast, Cambria! I thoroughly enjoyed “Masquerade,” so I can hardly wait to see where you’ll take Sam and Heven next.

Thank you so much for having me! I had so much fun with your interview and your review was so wonderful and such an honor to receive.

 GIVEAWAY: One Ebook copy of Masquerade (from smashwords) Please leave a comment to enter and your contact info!

About Cambria 

Author. Blogger. Latte Sipper.

Cambria Hebert is an author who wrote her first book at the age of fifteen. It was terrible. But the passion for writing never went away so years later when she opened her laptop and started typing she worked until she wrote a book – Masquerade - that she hopes everyone will be as excited about as she is.

Cambria is obsessed with werewolves and is terrified of chickens (they are creepy!) She is an animal lover that would choose coffee over food and her favorite TV show is the Vampire Diaries (Hell-O Damon!)

When she isn’t writing you can find her stalking the young adult aisles at Barnes and Noble.

Website: Cambria Hebert

Goodreads: Cambria Hebert

Find Cambria on Twitter!

 Thanks to all who came to visit Cambria and enter her giveaway! 

Star Trek and Stardust have action/adventure, magical settings, and magnificent heroes who will stop at nothing to succeed. Both movies take you away into another place and time…like the scenario that plays out in my science fiction adventure, Guardian 2632. If you’re in the mood for some high-tech gadgets, time travel, Time Mercs, and Zane Grayson…a man on a mission to save the life of his beloved, Julia Emerson, then enter the giveaway!

SHINING STARS GIVEAWAY/US/International/December 2-December 15)

The winner receives…both movies and a copy of Guardian 2632!

Print, e-book, or Kindle versions available. To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment and your contact info. Happy Holidays!

 GUARDIAN 2632 

Dr. Zane Grayson, the most accomplished executive director Guardian TMF has ever seen, is breaking the law…his law against time surfing. Zane has the supreme power, in 2632, to decide which paradoxes in time need altered, or deleted, but he’s frustrated. Something, or someone, is missing from his life.

Time surfing in illegal time zones is the rush Zane can’t live without. As addictive as the Martian dust called kilred, time surfing becomes Zane’s obsession. And knowing full well if caught by the Elite Guardians, he’ll suffer an unwelcome death by Time Mercs, Zane still dives deep into trouble. Soon, he discovers a mission in 2035 left him trapped in a timehole. This timehole places him in Pittsburgh, PA in 1998, instead of home. In Pittsburgh, Zane strolls into a coffee shop to see the bewitching Julia Emerson. From that point on, his life spirals out of control as he fights to protect what he loves most.

STARDUST

Escape into the enchanted world of chivalry and romance in Stardust, an epic tale starring Claire Danes with Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro. In hopes of wooing a beautiful girl (Sienna Miller), Tristan (Charlie Cox) promises to bring her a falling star. But he’s in for the adventure of his life when he discovers the star is actually a celestial beauty named Yvaine (Danes). When an old witch Lamia (Pfeiffer) attempts to steal Yvaine’s youth, Tristan must protect her at all costs, in this magical family adventure that will make you fall in love over and over again. (Amazon Product Description)

STAR TREK 

The greatest adventure of all time begins with Star Trek, the incredible story of a young crew’s maiden voyage onboard the most advanced starship ever created: the U.S.S. Enterprise. On a journey filled with action, comedy and cosmic peril, the new recruits must find a way to stop an evil being whose mission of vengeance threatens all of mankind. The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James Kirk (Chris Pine), is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock (Zachary Quinto), was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before. (Amazon Product Description)

Thank you for visiting the Noracast!

Family and Friends: I have six kids, a hubby who is one of the funniest people I’ve ever known, and two unbelievably mischievous dogs (Mushu and Tashi) who keep my life running at a marathon pace. My parents, siblings, and friends are kind plus entertaining, and thank heavens…tolerable of chaos, which comes with a clan like mine!

Electricity: Oh, I know, this may seem like a crazy one since electricity is nothing new, but without electricity, I’d have migrated to the south, because my electric blanket would be useless. Sad to say, my bedroom (in every house we’ve lived in) seems haunted, or…as I’ve said before, I’m actually a vampire! My bedroom is always the coldest room in the house no matter what the thermostat says.

Hot Tea: I will never disclose how much hot tea I drink in a day, but it is a lot. I’m not saying I’d kill for a good cup of tea, but…well, maybe I would. It does not matter to me if it is spring, summer, autumn, or winter—I must have it, and I’m so thankful there is something as simple as hot tea to help kill a bit of the cold.

Books! Well, of course, I’m thankful for books. “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas is my favorite. It has adventure, lust, murder…revenge, just everything that makes a great book. I almost always read paranormal romance, science fiction, horror, or fantasy, although history books are something I can get lost in quite easily too.

Now, on to the fun! The Twice is Nice in November contest (November 8-30) has begun. Leave a comment about something you are thankful for. It can be serious or humorous because I’m sure all comments will bring a smile to someone’s face. The winner of this contest (US/Canada) will win a print copy of “The Twelfth Paladin,” PLUS that same winner will also WIN a print copy for a friend because it’s time to get ready for the holiday season.

If you’re an International visitor, feel free to enter! The International winner will receive the e-book, as will that winner’s friend. I’d love to have both a US/Canada winner and an International winner. Questions? noraweston.nw@gmail.com

If you enjoy books about good versus evil, angels and demons, and all things supernatural…please enter!

The Twelfth Paladin 

Good against evil battles as angels, demons, and a temptress extraordinaire, named Rachel Darnell, vie for the soul of Jake Cottrell. Jake foolishly dares Hell to burn him. Hell agrees.

Scarred with angelfire by a rebellious angel, named Micah, Jake Cottrell is sanctioned to become the twelfth paladin in Micah’s supernatural unit of slayers. However, regret abounds as Micah is banished and ordered to protect what he now despises…a human he believes is unworthy of such an honor. Never fear, Jake is a seeker of mischief who soars on a blistering blacktop to escape the wrath of Hell while he transforms into the twelfth paladin.

Check out the book trailer! The Twelfth Paladin

Thank you for visiting the Noracast.

In “Before,” the prequel to Cambria Hebert’s “Masquerade,” what is found? How about an unusual boy, named Sam, who is aching, dying to meet the beautiful girl of his dreams…who seems out of his league. Mystery and a sense of imminent danger are found in this wonderful prequel as well. I can hardly wait for “Masquerade” to be released…because I’m up for a little more magic from Cambria Hebert!

Before (Heven and Hell, #0.5)

By Cambria Hebert

Reviewer: Nora Weston

Possessing the looks of an angel and high school popularity topped off by becoming the new head cheerleader, Heven has it all—or does she? In Cambria Hebert’s perfectly spun prequel to her debut novel, “Masquerade,” nothing lasts forever, especially the idyllic world Heven exists in. On the other hand, Sam is a mysterious teenager captivated heart and soul by the bewitching Heven, who can only imagine a perfect world, and if that world is to be perfect, it must include Heven. “Before” is a quick read, setting the stage for Heven to go through hell so she can crash into her destiny, which is nothing she could’ve ever imagined.

Sam is a fascinating character because he has dark secrets, but he’s also willing to forgo ever meeting Heven to keep her safe. He sounds clever and heroic…but naive too since he underestimates the power of evil. And the evil found in “Before” certainly piqued my interest and left me dying to know what it is and what its intentions are. Absolutely, the evil in this teaser is a force to be reckoned with. I have a strong feeling Sam will be faced with quite a challenge as his life collides with Heven’s.

Heven is caught off-guard by the wickedness that is somehow entangled with Sam…yet from the synopsis, it seems even though Heven’s world falls apart and she suffers greatly, she still would not change what happens to her. That means Sam…with all of his dark secrets and a dangerous past, is worth it. Who, or what, is Sam? Can he escape the monster stalking his every move? What does this monster do to Heven, and how does she prevail? Oh! So many questions have arisen from reading “Before,” which I greatly enjoyed. Now, I’m ready for after; I’m ready for “Masquerade!”

Cambria Hebert’s blog: The Unlocked Diary

Cambria Hebert’s Website

“Before” on Goodreads

Thank you for visiting the Noracast!

Are you looking for treats to make your family and friends smile? If so, the Noracast is here to help. It takes little effort to dip a ghost shaped, sugar cookie into warm, white chocolate, and swirling a spider web upon the top of cupcake is as easy as making pumpkin pie. Easy is the key word for busy families, so scroll on down to discover spooky treats you’ll all enjoy!

Funny Bones: Found at Disney Family Fun, Funny Bones makes the most out of white meltable candy wafers, thin rod pretzels of varying lengths, and mini-marshmallows. All you do is melt the white candy wafers, attach mini-marshmallows to the pretzel rods, and then spend some quality time with your kids dipping the would-be bones into the bowl of white candy. Kids of all ages will love this recipe!

Batty Cupcakes: I love bats. Check out this video of a Flying Fox (Bat) at the ColumbusZoo.  These bats are mega-bats, and they are amazing creatures. Oh! I must stop myself…back to the wicked delights. How about these Batty Cupcakes? Simply bake your favorite cupcakes, ice them with chocolate icing, and then use a smidgen of white icing, mini-M&M’s, thin mints, and Andes Crème de Menthe Candy to make adorable bat cupcakes.

Creepy Spiders:  Okay, I can never get enough information on bats, but spiders? Only on Halloween can they ever be discussed with me! This Creepy Spider recipe is more than okay with me, because they look delicious, and kids can help assemble them, which is mighty important for Halloween to be fun for everyone.  Basically, you mix a chocolate fudge cake mix with butter and an egg, shape into balls, bake, cool, and then decorate.

Strawberry Ghosts: Boo! These Strawberry Ghosts are too cute to frighten even a bird, but they do look yummy! Besides a tiny bit of time, just gather up strawberries, white baking chocolate, shortening, almond extract, and miniature semisweet chocolate chips to bring these Halloween babies to life.

Ghosts and Goblins Pudding Cups: Pudding is a dessert few can resist, so top off a cup of pudding with a Cool Whip ghost and a Halloween hit has been created! This dessert can be made quickly and easily with instant pudding, crushed chocolate cookies, Cool Whip, chocolate chips, a plastic sandwich bag, and clear plastic cups.

Meringue Ghosts: This recipe seems easy, and I’m definitely going to try it, so please let me know if you’ve ever summoned Meringue Ghosts. This recipe calls for egg whites, cream of tartar (which I’ve never purchased) sugar, vanilla, and miniature semisweet chocolate chips. These ghosts look almost too good to eat.

Feel free to share any of your favorite Halloween treats or tips. Thanks for visiting the Noracast…and Happy Halloween!

“Bloodletter” by Angel Haze

Thou shalt not kill.

A contradictory message written in blood at the scene of a young woman’s murder. Within days, another body surfaces with a similar calling card and, to Detective Ramon Faust and Criminalist Kelly Garret, it’s clear a deadly game is underfoot.

As the rash of horrific crimes continue, a phone call unearths a shocking revelation: Nakeita isn’t the first city the elusive killer has left his mark. The Bloodletter, as dubbed by the media, has played his deadly game before.

Delving deep into the most terrifying case of Kelly’s career, threatening phone calls and flashbacks of a forgotten near-death experience challenge her sanity and the lives of everyone she loves.

Author Bio: 

Angel is a Canadian author who is an avid reader of fantasy, thriller, and mystery novels. She’s a writer of thriller and YA fantasy novels, a fitness enthusiast, and a chocolate fiend. Her free time is devoted to books, dancing, fitness training with P90x, movies and Game of Thrones. Legacies of Talimura: War of the Witch is co-authored by her husband, Slade Sewell. Slade is a man who believes himself to have been born in the wrong century. A thousand years ago, he sees himself not as a conqueror, but a strategist. He is a gamer, a husband, a die-hard Leafs fan, and a brilliant storyboarder.

Bloodletter is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

Connect with Angel:

Twitter
Facebook Page
Facebook Profile
Goodreads
MySpace

Websites:
http://www.angelhaze.com
http://www.angel-haze.blogspot.com

GIVEAWAY/October 2, 2011 -October 10, 2011

Leave a comment to enter this exciting giveaway, which is for one e-book. Good luck!

Miskatonic University has a long-whispered reputation of being strongly connected to all things occult and supernatural. From the faculty to the students, the fascination with other-worldly legends and objects runs rampant. So, when Carter Weston’s professor Dr. Thayerson asks him to search a nearby village for a book that is believed to control the inhuman forces that rule the Earth, Incendium Maleficarum, The Inferno of the Witch, the student doesn’t hesitate to begin the quest.

Weston’s journey takes an unexpected turn, however, when he ventures into a tavern in the small town of Anchorhead. Rather than passing the evening as a solitary patron, Weston joins four men who regale him with stories of their personal experiences with forces both preternatural and damned. Two stories hit close to home as they tie the tellers directly to Weston’s current mission.

His unanticipated role as passive listener proves fortuitous, and Weston fulfills his goal. Bringing the book back to Miskatonic, though, proves to be a grave mistake. Quickly, Weston realizes he has played a role in potentially opening the gate between the netherworld and the world of Man. Reversing the course of events means forgetting all he thought he knew about Miskatonic and his professor and embracing an unknown beyond his wildest imagination.

INTERVIEW

That Which Should Not Be by Brett Talley

Welcome to the Noracast, Brett! I had the privilege to review That Which should Not Be, and I must say…it is a fantastic story that held me spellbound all the way through. Congratulations on the wonderful reviews.

What inspired you to write That Which Should Not Be?

I’ve always loved horror, somewhat because I like to be scared, but mostly because of the mystery and magic that you can find there.  The real world can get kinda boring sometimes.  I like the idea of the unexplained.  I had this idea kicking around in my head for a while about a group of people, otherwise strangers, who meet on occasion to discuss stories that tie them together.  I also felt there was a lack of modern horror written in the Gothic style of so many of the great, classic works.  I put the two together, and That Which Should Not Be was born.

There were so many things I liked about That Which Should Not Be, but I especially enjoyed how you took the reader on a journey to various places. Daniel’s adventure, with his newfound friend Charles, from Venice to Vienna, then to Budapest and the troubles they encountered trying to get to Czernowitz made me wonder about your motivation for this part of the novel.

Have you traveled the world…like to Italy, Russia, and Budapest? Also, what is it about Budapest that made you want your characters to go there?

I am one of those people who saves every dime they make so they can spend it on travel.  I’ve been lucky enough to visit a lot of places, including Russia and Italy.  Sadly, I have not yet visited  Budapest, although it is high on my list of places to see.  There is something about Eastern Europe, the way it lies between multiple continents and cultures.  I mention this in the book, but you really have Africa, Europe, and Asia all melded together in one place.  You add to the fact that Eastern Europe was the battle ground between the western Christian nations and the Ottoman Empire, and you have a place that was sort of left behind while Western Europe moved on.  It strikes me as a mystical place.  It’s not a coincidence that the modern vampire myth springs from such a place.

Now I have been to Venice, and I absolutely love that city.  I hope to get back there one day.  There are just so many places to see.

If you have traveled, did you encounter anything or place truly frightening? What about in Massachusetts…is it haunted?

I’ve never been anywhere that frightened me from an otherworldly perspective.  But I have definitely found myself in some scary situations.  I think the most I have ever feared for my life was in the back of a cab near midnight on a mountain in Peru.  A friend of mine and I were out in the back country where most of the population doesn’t even speak Spanish as their first language.  Instead, the speak Quechua, which is related fairly closely to the language of the Incas.  Anyway, we are sort of careening down this darkened mountain road thinking that the next turn might be our last.  The cab driver is barely paying attention.  He has a political rally on the radio.  The speaker is working the crowd into a fever, but he is speaking Quechua, and we can’t understand anything he says.  But then, just as the speech is in mid-crescendo, the speaker yells out Seig!  And the crowd answers Heil!  That continued a few more times while I looked over at my friend and said, “Oh my God.  Our cab driver is a Nazi.”

Massachusetts is definitely haunted, by its past if nothing else.  Everywhere you go you see it, and somehow it feels older than the rest of the country.  Moreover, it is very provincial.  Boston is a long way from any other city, and it is the heart of all of New England.  It is also not a very urban place.  You drive ten minutes and you are in the country.  In places like Danvers and Ipswich, where the whispers of Old Salem and witchcraft are still thick and ever-present.

Also, what place most fascinates you that you’d love to visit?

There are several ancient sites I would like to see, Angkor Wat first on my list.  But if I could go anywhere in the world right now, it would probably be the city of Prypiat, Ukraine, better known by the name of the power plant that sits next to the city—Chernobyl.  I am fascinated with abandoned buildings, and the chance to visit a ghost town that once held 100,000 people is irresistible.  I plan on visiting soon.

I read you received a philosophy and history degree from University of Alabama before relocating to Massachusetts to attend Harvard Law School.  Having Carter Weston…your main protagonist, choose Miskatonic University over his father’s beloved Harvard Law School was a great way to use part of your own background.

Does your background include being an expert sailor like Captain Jonathan Gray? Is he based on a person you know?

Nope!  I’ve barely even been on a boat.  Growing up in Alabama, sailing was not high on my list of activities.  People in Boston often go sailing for fun, but they are all much wealthier than I am.  Maybe one day.

Have you ever experienced a terrifying storm on the open sea like your characters? You made it seem so real!

Thankfully, no.  I think one advantage writers have these days that some in the past didn’t have is that we all have access to media portrayals of a lot of the things we write about.  I can imagine what it would be like to experience that kind of storm, but it also helps that I have seen it happen before on television and in the movies.

Your book addresses the battle between good against evil, darkness and light, plus the dangers lurking far below the earth…in deep caverns of great evil and in the darkest depths of the sea. I liked this aspect of That Which Should Not Be because the caverns and great depths hide unknown evil just as much as the evil buried within some of the super wicked characters within your book.

This brings me to first impressions, which you totally like to play around with. A few of your characters caught me by surprise! I thought they were good…no, nope…no way, but it adds a lot to the plot.

So what is your take on first impressions? Are they (mostly) correct, or have you found first impressions offer up little concerning a person’s true nature?

You can learn a lot from first impressions, there is no doubt about that.  But people tend to be fairly complex.  The danger I struggle mightily to avoid when I am writing is having flat characters.  When you are writing genre fiction, that can be especially difficult—nobody wants to read a hundred pages of domestic angst in the middle of a werewolf novel, for instance.  So if nothing else, I like to try and keep people guessing about the nature of the characters.  I wanted you to never really know who you can trust in That Which Should Not Be.  I also wanted some characters to appear evil who turned out not to be.  But you know, I also think there is a fine line between keeping the audience guessing and failing to reward their expectations.  We don’t want Scar to turn out to be a good guy at the end of The Lion King.  We want the hyenas to eat him, and (*spoilers*) we cheer when they do.

Which one of your characters did you have the most fun writing and why?

Captain Jonathan Gray.  He is a very mysterious character, and I’d like to think it takes a while for the reader to get a handle on him.  Plus, I like strong characters.  Characters like him are dangerous, in a way, because you find yourself pouring everything you like about people into them, and they can come off as stereotypical.  But I think Gray has enough color to him to avoid that.

I’ve read some reviews about That Which Should Not Be, saying how it is evocative of H.P. Lovecraft’s work, and how you are well-versed in the Cthulhu mythos. That is quite a compliment!

Have you been a longtime fan of H.P. Lovecraft and the Cthulhu mythos? If so, what attracts you to that type of fiction?

I didn’t read my first Lovecraft story until I was in my second year of law school.  On a whim, I picked up The Call of Cthulhu and Other Tales, mostly because I really liked the cover.  But it was the quintessential eureka moment.  I have always had a fascination with myths and legends, with the truth they contain and how they help to explain both our past and our future.  When I was in college, I stumbled upon Plato’s depiction of Atlantis, a place I had heard of but never really knew anything about.  Then I learned about other legends of lost lands—Lemuria, the Seven Rishi Cities, Kumari Kandam, Mu, Hyperborea, Thule.  In law school, I would often visit the esoteria section of the library, deep in the bowls of the Widener library, and read old grimoires and holy books of questionable authenticity.  I was very interested in writing something about a lost civilization that disappeared beneath the waves and of the knowledge that disappeared with it.  Once I found Lovecraft, I just devoured everything he had ever written.  When I started on That Which Should Not Be, I decided I wanted to pay homage to many of the classic works of horror and speculative fiction.  Lovecraft was the most prominent.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Lovecraft, Dostoevsky, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hemmingway.  Probably read the most books by Stephen King, though.

What is the first book that made a lasting impression on you and why?

I have always been a reader, but for a long time I did so either as disposable entertainment or because someone in school made me.  The first book that really affected me was The Great Gatsby.  I absolutely love that book.  I rarely read books more than once, but I have probably read The Great Gatsby ten times.  The only book I’ve read more is That Which Should Not Be.  If I could write one sentence in my entire life that is as great as “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past,” I’d die feeling like I accomplished something great.  I honestly don’t think any book has ever captured the essence of the human condition like The Great Gatsby.  And it’s not even 50,000 words long.

Where can readers find you on the Internet?

One blessed day I will have a website.  For now, friend me on Facebook and twitter.  I am also on the new-fangled Google+, as well as Goodreads and Library Thing.

Where can readers purchase That Which Should Not Be?

At all your finest retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

That Which Should Not Be: Amazon

That Which Should Not Be: Barnes & Noble

That Which Should Not Be: JournalStone

JournalStone: Facebook, Twitter

A native of the South, Brett Talley received a philosophy and history degree from the University of Alabama before moving to witch-haunted Massachusetts to attend Harvard Law School. When people ask, Brett tells them he writes for fortune and glory. But the truth is the stories in his head simply refuse to stay put. Brett loves every kind
of fiction—from horror to literary to historical to sci-fi—as long as there are fantastic characters with a compelling purpose. There’s still magic to be found in fiction, the mysterious and the unknown still beckon there, and the light can always triumph over the
darkness, no matter how black the night may be.

Brett writes when he can, though he spends most of his time working as a lawyer so that he can put food on the table. That is, until the air grows cool and crisp and fall descends. For then it is football time in the South, and Brett lives and dies with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Roll Tide.

Thank you for visiting the Noracast, Brett!

GIVEAWAY/September 23-30: Here’s your chance to win the e-book version of That Which Should Not Be by Brett Talley. (2 copies available)

Giveaway Details:  I’d like to match the book with people’s tastes, so comment about your favorite horror novel, and I’ll pick two people whose tastes match up best!

So, what’s on my TBR list that I’m dying to read? Plenty of paranormal books, because those are my favorite, and a suspenseful thriller…that promises a dash of humor called “The Reluctant.” Take a look below to see if any of these books pique your interest!

Witch Hunt by Devin O’Branagan

 Leigh has been married to a Hawthorne for a decade, but never knew the family secret: the Hawthornes are witches. When the dynamic Preacher Cody instigates a new, world-wide witch hunt, Leigh must choose sides. Will she stand with her husband and children, or will she run? This isn’t the first witch hunt the Hawthornes have faced, but it could be their last. Will anyone survive?

A classic novel, updated for the 21st Century!

 “Witch Hunt” will be read while I sip on Vanilla Earl Grey Black Tea, which STASH says has a “unique blend of fine quality black teas with a hint of bergamot and natural vanilla flavor. Smooth and aromatic with an amber color in the cup.”

The Reluctant (Crayder Chronicles) by C.S. Splitter 

Action, adventure, suspense, and thriller in one story told with a liberal dose of humor.

Tom’s problems are not unique. His business is failing and his wife has to work too many hours to make ends meet. He is under some rather large financial pressures and wants more from his marriage and his life.

He finds his respite in the air as a private pilot. Unfortunately for Tom, he is behind on payments for his plane and is forced to take odd jobs from a local crime boss. Tom is no criminal, but the errands he is running are just slightly on the wrong side of the law and the money is almost good enough to allow him to make his plane payments.

Just as things begin to come under some semblance of control, he meets a woman who just might represent the adventure he seeks. He soon discovers that appearances, and beautiful women, can sometimes be deceiving.

“The Reluctant” is the first in the Crayder Chronicles series and yet is a standalone story with a satisfying conclusion of its own.

Chai Spice Black Tea also from STASH has a “spicy, aromatic blend of black teas, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, clove and cardamom,” and it sounds like a perfect companion for Spiltter’s suspense/thriller.

Verland: The Transformation by B.E. Scully

True crime writer Elle Bramasol is drawn into a macabre mystery when incarcerated Hollywood producer Eliot Kingman asks her to write a book about his case. As she delves deeper into Kingman’s murder conviction, she discovers that he possesses a centuries old diary written by an elusive vampire named Verland. Uncovering the transformative secrets held within the diary’s pages, Elle is drawn deeper into both Kingman’s deadly schemes and Verland’s dark world of shadows. When the two finally collide, the stage is set for a climactic battle over mankind’s ultimate prize: eternal triumph over death. But will the Holy Grail of immortality turn out to be the cruelest curse of all?

Exploring the allure of the shadowy places between life and death, between fantasy and reality, and the ultimate power of belief, Verland: The Transformation is a gothic-inspired tour de force, a brooding return to the roots of the vampire genre that goes for the throat from page one until the final, bone-chilling climax.

Harney and Sons Cranberry Autumn Tea will be my delight as I devour this book. Sweet and tart, this black tea has cranberry and orange flavors.

Daimon: A Prequel to Half-Blood (Covenant 0.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

“Love in my world usually ended up with someone hearing ‘I smite thee!’ as she was cursed to be some lame flower for the rest of her life.”

For three years, Alexandria has lived among mortals—pretending to be like them and trying to forget the duty she’d been trained to fulfill as a child of a mortal and a demigod. At seventeen, she’s pretty much accepted that she’s a freak by mortal standards… and that she’ll never be prepared for that duty.

According to her mother, that’s a good thing.

But as every descendant of the gods knows, Fate has a way of rearing her ugly head. A horrifying attack forces Alex to flee Miami and try to find her way back to the very place her mother had warned her she should never return—the Covenant. Every step that brings her closer to safety is one more step toward death… because she’s being hunted by the very creatures she’d once trained to kill.

The daimons have found her.

Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? A cool Peppermint Herbal Tea from Lipton will be the choice for this book.

 Bloodletter by Angel Haze

A contradictory message written in blood at the scene of a young woman’s murder. Within days, another body surfaces with a similar calling card and, to Detective Ramon Faust and Criminalist Kelly Garret, it’s clear a deadly game is underfoot.

As the rash of horrific crimes continue, a phone call unearths a shocking revelation: Nakeita isn’t the first city the elusive killer has left his mark. The Bloodletter, as dubbed by the media, has played his deadly game before.

Delving deep into the most terrifying case of Kelly’s career, threatening phone calls and flashbacks of a forgotten near-death experience challenge her sanity and the lives of everyone she loves.

A tangy, spicy tea is a “must-do” while reading about Kelly’s harrowing adventure. Lipton’s Orange Herbal Tea has tempted me to try it since it contains hibiscus flowers, cinnamon, orange peels, roasted chicory root, natural flavor, licorice root, soy lecithin, and cloves.

Domingo’s Angel by Jenny Twist

When Angela turns up in a remote Spanish mountain village, she is so tall and so thin and so pale that everyone thinks she is a ghost or a fairy or the dreadful mantequero that comes in the night and sucks the fat from your bones.

But Domingo knows better. “Soy Angela,” she said to him when they met – “I am an angel.” Only later did he realize that she was telling him her name and by then it was too late and everyone knew her as Domingo’s Angel.

This is the story of their love affair. But it is also the story of the people of the tiny mountain village – the indomitable Rosalba – shopkeeper, doctor, midwife and wise woman, who makes it her business to know everything that goes on in the village; Guillermo, the mayor, whose delusions of grandeur are rooted in his impoverished childhood; and Salva the Baker, who risked his life and liberty to give bread to the starving children.

The events in this story are based on the real experiences of the people of the White Villages in Southern Spain and their struggle to keep their communities alive through the years of war and the oppression of Franco’s rule.

Ah…a love affair to remember, so for this novel, I’ll stick to the tea I choose most often, Orange Pekoe and Cut Black Tea Blend.

These books will heat up the chilly, autumn nights, and then make sure to keep my mind sizzling with mystery and paranormal activity all winter long. I’m also anxious to read Curious Hearts, Endurance, and Full Moon Bites from my publisher Melange Books. What’s on your TBR list? Have a book or tea suggestion for me? Feel free to comment!

Thanks for visiting the Noracast.

*All book content (from Goodreads) belongs to the publishers of Witch Hunt, The Reluctant, Daimon: A Prequel to Half-Blood (Covenant 0.5), Verland: The Transformation, Bloodletter, and Domingo’s Angel.

Album Cover Physical Graffiti

Jake Cottrell, the reluctant hero of The Twelfth Paladin, listens to the vintage stuff…Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Who, and Blue Oyster Cult. Thunderous beats pounding within musical madness is what he craves when it comes to music. Who could forget Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song or Black Dog? Kill a few minutes and drift away as Robert Plant’s haunting voice takes you back in time. In The Twelfth Paladin, a beautiful, but deadly, temptress extraordinaire named Rachel Darnell seduces the hell out of Jake while Kashmir…my favorite Led Zeppelin song, saturates the air with a frightening overload of melodic genius. Kashmir is one of those few songs able to escape the parameters of time. It still mesmerizes people young, old…and in-between.

Album Cover Social Distortion

Winners and Losers by Social Distortion…an amazing American punk rock band from Fullerton, CA and formed in 1978, easily fits into Jake’s musical collection. Try Bad Luck and I was Wrong to see if Mike Ness impresses you with his raspy voice and powerful delivery. After three decades of performing, I’m not sure if punk rock totally encompasses Social Distortion’s sound. It’s punk mixed with the blues, plus a bit of a hard-hitting country slant is there too.

Angie Helms, another character in The Twelfth Paladin, and the one who steals Jake’s heart and soul…is into her music as well. She can’t resist the trendy stuff. City by Hollywood Undead is more up her alley, and she tries to get Jake interested in new music. Angie goes for music that has a thumping beat, powerful lyrics about survival and love lost…then found. She is a true romantic, but due to her entanglement with Davis Travers, a nasty fellow without a soul, Angie must fight to stay sane, and she does that with the help of her music. One of Angie’s favorite songs is Can’t Be Saved by Senses Fail. When a good day has been trashed, Snow Patrol can bring a smile to her face with Called Out In the Dark. This is a super funny video and a terrific song! Had a bad day? Give it a try. Also check out The Kill by 30 Seconds to Mars, Soul Meets Body by Death Cab for Cutie, and Skillet’s Hero to get a feel for what Angie Helms loves to hear. Skillet has quite a few memorable songs, like Monster, Awake and Alive and The Older I Get.

Album Cover Sense Fail

Not ready for your chill pill session to end? Get ready for Davis Travers’ top pick. Davis messes with everything evil in The Twelfth Paladin…indulges in sin to the point he goes mad. His music contorts reality and twists it until dissonance is spun into spine tingling pieces of musical chaos. He’s more inclined to listen to dark, moody songs echoing with danger. That’s exactly what Davis wants to hear while he admires his beautifully wicked façade. Nox Arcana most exemplifies Davis’ taste in music. Here’s a piece that once heard…is difficult to forget. Nevermore.

Ah, yes…music makes the world go round and round. I hope you’ve enjoyed your trip into the musical realm somewhat inspired from The Twelfth Paladin. Feel free to comment and suggest some more songs from the past or current songs you feel are the best of the best. Thanks for visiting the Noracast!

*No intent to infringe album cover copyrights…used simply to highlight the bands’ music.