Researching Independence Pass, Colorado – A Learning Experience!
Research for my new release, AN ANGEL’S UNINTENTIONAL ENTANGLEMENT, led me up Independence Pass, Colorado. At over twelve thousand feet at its peak its the highest paved pass in North America. The breathtaking scenic overlook has a 360-degree view of the alpine tundra above tree-line, and Mount Elbert, the second highest mountain in the contiguous United States.
Independence Ghost Town sixteen miles east of Aspen is the historic ghost town of Independence. Once a thriving mining town with a population of 1,500, today you can view the remains of miner’s cabins, the Farewell Stamp Mill, 
Stables, and the General Store. Life was difficult for the people here. While exploring this area, I rounded the back of one of this cabin’s remains and a scene now in AN ANGEL’S UNINTENTIONAL ENTANGLEMENT played out. Yeah I know, I have an overactive imagination. LOL
Continental Divide: The midway point between Aspen and Twin Lakes Colorado, Independence Pass is the dividing point between watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean vs. those that drain into the Atlantic Ocean. At 12,095 feet the weather can be unpredictable. Can you imagine what it was like for the miners trying to exist in the winter conditions in the 1800’s? Brrrrrr!
I also discovered there were two campgrounds in the area. Lost Man Family Campground directly across Independence Pass road from the Lost Man Trailhead and Difficult Campground is located five miles southeast of Aspen. While Caden Silverwind, the hero in AN ANGEL’S UNINTENTIONAL ENTANGLEMENT, preferred to camp away from the population, I thought I’d check out if there were campgrounds in the area. Yep, we’re planning to do a little camping up there next year.
In another part of the book, the characters relocate to Riverton, Wyoming. Home of the Wind River Indian Reservation. The research there was equally interesting. The Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Native American tribes call this home. Did you know that the Wind River Reservation is the seventh-largest in the United States? It encompasses a land area of 3,473.272 square miles. The only casinos in Wyoming are owned by the Eastern Shoshone and the Northen Arapaho. There is a casino in AN ANGEL’S UNINTENTIONAL ENTANGLEMENT.
Well we are only three days from the release of AN ANGEL’S UNINTENTIONAL ENTANGLEMENT. It was a fun book to research and write. I hope you’ll pick up a copy.
Fallen warrior angel, Caden Silverwind, lives alone in Colorado’s rugged Rockies, healing from physical wounds as well as the mental anguish suffered during battles with dark demons. Then he finds a woman barely clinging to life after a horrendous beating. He is not prepared for the entanglement she brings to his life, nor the feelings she awakens in him.
Bureau of Indian Affairs Agent, Mystic Rayne’s personal dilemma and assignment nearly gets her killed. Divine intervention is a complication she never expected and her growing attraction to Caden is undeniable. Can she trust him with her secret?
Their quest to uncover her attacker takes them from the pristine mountains in Colorado to the wilds of Wyoming. Along the way, they find answers which may place them in more danger. Determined to solve the mystery, they must also navigate their feelings and fears to find love and unite heaven and earth.
Available at Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon AU, itunes, The Wild Rose Press and Barnes and Noble
Thank you for stopping by!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged An Angel's Unintentional Entanglement, Arapaho, Casinos, Colorado, Independent Pass, Riverton, Shoshone, Tena Stetler, Wind River Reservation, Wyoming by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
A Taste Of Your Own Magic Author Interview Katie Salidas
What defines you as an author? As a person? Are they one in the same?
Oh man that’s a deep question, and as I look over the list of questions ahead of me, I’m tempted to stay safe, but then again, when has safe ever been the right choice?
I am defined by what I do, in all aspects of my life. As we all are. No one really sees the whole. They see the bits and pieces of our lives that intersect with theirs.
I am a mom. I’m a wife. I’m a daughter. I’m a sister. I’m a writer. I’m Katie.
As an author, I am more interested in people knowing about my work than knowing about me. That’s another thing. I’m shy… and an introvert. Double whammy there. Some authors are born marketers, able to speak to people about anything and everything without the slightest of hesitations. I, on the other hand, hope my story is what people are attracted too, and fall in love with. Because that, at least to me, is so much more interesting than the person who wrote it. If they love my writing then they will want more, and that is how I want to be seen, as the author who writes awesome work.
However, in this industry I can’t use the “shy” excuse. So I’ve worked really hard to overcome that aspect of myself so I can reach readers and talk to them about awesome fantasy worlds.
Why get into this business if I am not really comfortable in the public eye? Because I have to write. It is my escape. I feel a piece of me is missing when I go for long stretches without writing. And when my fingers hit the keys and the words start flowing I find my Zen moment. Once a story is written it can’t go back into the drawer or be locked away forever. It needs to be read. There’s no question about it, writing is in my blood. I’m always working, creating, and dreaming up new ideas. And again, I want that to be what defines me in reader’s eyes. I want to be the author who they know they can rely on for plenty of entertaining stories.
What inspired A Taste of Your Own Magic?
The Agents of ASSET series began with a small kernel of inspiration at Phoenix Comic Con (now Phoenix Fan Fusion) I was a guest in 2016 and scheduled for 3 panels a day. It was truly a trial by fire as I had never spoken on so many stages in a single event.
Sitting and listening to panels is always fun, but actually being up on stage and answering questions was a whole new world of awesome. Talk about an insane amount of knowledge and creativity. I was fangirling as I sat next to greats like VE Schwab, Weston Ochse, Brian McClellan, Yvonne Navarro, LJ Hachmeister, etc..
One panel in particular that really sparked the Agents of ASSET series was the Gods and Mythology panel. I remember going into it feeling as if I were the least prepared to speak. I used Greek mythology for the basis of my vampires in my first series, the Immortalis, but beyond that I had not spent much time with the various pantheons.
Being on that panel and participating in the extremely lively discussions with the other authors was pure inspiration. The audience asked so many great questions on: world building, magical rules, gods (little g vs. big G), etc… I was so inspired by that one panel I had the initial mythology for the Mother, Father, and the Great tree outlined before the weekend was over.
Once I knew where the mythology was heading, my main character Sage appeared. The journey to realize her magical heritage gave me the perfect way to reveal this mythology and set the stage for all the crazy that follows.
What secret do you use to blast through writer’s block?
No secret. No magic. Just good old fashion, “Butt in chair and write,” advice.
Ready for it?
ALLOW YOURSELF TO WRITE BAD!
When working through a block, you have to turn the filter off and force yourself to sit down at the desk.
No editing, no criticism, and no ideas off the table.
Let the words flow, no matter how crazy they are. It doesn’t always mean tons of words will come, however, you can’t revise what is not written, so allow yourself to write whatever comes to mind. Take a path you would normally not, and see where the story goes. If it works, great. If not, at least you exercised your creative muscles.
Did you tell friends and family that you were writing a book? Or did it take a while to come out and tell friends and family you were a writer?
I’m not the only writer in my family. My older sister is also an author. She writes Middle Grade fantasy, and she’s pretty freaking awesome. I like to joke that I want to be like her when I grow up. Truth is, no matter how old I get, I’m never growing up. Not as long as I can escape into fantasy worlds.
Being one of the authors in my family is equal parts good and bad. There is a sense of competition there. You know how sibling rivalry works. Of course, we both admire each other’s work, and though we are both authors, our genres and audiences are a bit different. Our experiences are equally different. She is the traditionally published author whereas I am the indie. We walk on two sides of the same road, so we each bring new aspects of the publishing process to the table. It makes for interesting discussions at times.
When I chose to bite the bullet and get my first book out there, back in 2010, everyone in the family was so supportive. Eight years and 20 books later, they are still proud, but I think after a while you become so defined by what you do, they don’t celebrate it as much. My family still get signed first-run copies as Christmas presents though. Talk about the ultimate handmade gift!
Do you see yourself in your characters?
Every character an author writes will have pieces of them inside, but when I look to craft my main characters, I write them with the attributes I wish I had.
Remember I said I’m shy and introverted. Sage Cynwrig is anything but. She has no problem with people or the public. She is excited rather than apprehensive as she meets new people and magical creatures. Even in the way she handles the bombshell of a reveal that she has inherited a magical gift, rather than having a potential panic attack, as I might, she laughs thinking she is being pranked. She embodies the traits I aspire to, and maybe someday I will be more like her.
Everything You Know about Magic is Wrong!
A sneak peek between the pages of A Taste of Your Own Magic
Zack launched himself forward with impossible speed, closing the gap between them before she could register the movement. His hand found her mouth, preventing her shocked gasp from escaping. Zack stood nose-to-nose with her, so close she could feel the heat from his breath. “Sweet girl. So naïve to the dangers surrounding you; innocent to the true nature of the world.” His eyes grew darker, choking out all of the color that gave them their unnatural beauty. All predator, ready to strike, he pinned her against the apartment door. “Words lose their meaning with creatures like you. Headstrong. Impulsive… The only thing you learn from is failure.” The timbre of his voice deepened; his breathing slowed to a determined rhythm of raw desire. “A tempting target, giftwrapped for anyone willing to snatch you up.”
Zack let his hand fall from her mouth but kept her pinned to the door with his body. Close as he was, his eyes weren’t the only thing Sage focused on.
Those teeth.
Sharp as daggers. She’d experienced the sting of a vampire’s fangs once before, and that memory made her scars itch. “You’re acting like a real jerk right now, Zack.”
“I know.” He flashed those teeth at her again. “And don’t think I can’t hear how excited it makes you. Admit it. You’re more than a little turned on right now.”
A knot formed in her throat. She swallowed hard, forcing it down so she could speak. “Excited is not the word I would have chosen.” Her voice cracked, betraying the panic she was so desperate to hide. This wasn’t the Zack she knew; he’d morphed into something dangerous, and she couldn’t tell how real his threats were.
“Pick a word then,” he taunted. “Make it a good one.”
“Stop.” She pushed against him, but found his body an immovable wall. “You’re creeping me out.”
“Fear, is it?” Zack laughed coldly. “Good. You should be afraid. Most don’t survive being bitten.” His breath blew against her skin, surprisingly warm, but the effect chilled her blood.
“The last one who bit me didn’t survive.” She attempted again to mask the tremble of her voice with the threat.
“Grey, your great protector, was there to save the day. Where is he now?” Zack’s words struck her like a slap to the face, but before she could respond, he bent his head to the crook of her neck.
She cringed, expecting pain that did not come.
“I could have you right now.” Zack’s lips hovered, tantalizingly close to her throbbing pulse. He inhaled slowly as if savoring every note of her scent. “But the real question is, could you” – He lifted his head and met her eyes once more – “would you try and stop me?”
Zack’s words implied so much more than a simple threat. …. She couldn’t let that happen. But, being pinned against the door severely limited her options. Sage scrambled for the right words to stall long enough to find a way out. “I thought Terras were an acquired taste?” She reached down, toward her pocket.
Before she could dig for the knife she kept folded there, his knee came up, forcing her legs apart, and he growled possessively in her ear.
“One taste of you was such a tease. I need more.”
More than just a bad boy, Zack was pure sin wrapped in a taut body with maybe centuries of experience. A very small part of her, welcomed the excitement, but self-preservation trumped desire. “Get used to disappointment!”
He nuzzled her neck and pecked a kiss at her racing pulse. “Don’t pretend you aren’t thinking about it. I can smell your arousal. I can see the way you look at me.”
Her legs nearly went out from under her.
“You’re going to get yourself killed. I would be disappointed if someone else got to the prize before me.” Zack pulled back enough to meet her eyes again. “Rather than fall victim to the wrong sort,” he whispered, “let me have you.”
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with A Taste of Your Own Magic!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Taste of Your Own Magic, Agents of A.S.S.E.T., Katie Salidas, Urban Fantasy - Humorous by Tena Stetler with 6 comments.
RWA 2018 Conference – My Experience
My thoughts as a first time (RWA) Romance Writer’s of America Conference attendee! I enjoyed meeting people I’d only talked with on line. Surprisingly, my impressions were right on ninety-five percent of the time. We’ll not talk about that five percent. LOL
Anyway, I logged nearly six miles a day running from workshop to workshop, out and about for meals, and chasing the wrong elevator. Wednesday, my first day I spent lost, really lost inside the Sheraton Hotel. Wrong hallway, wrong elevator, wrong rooms and wrong garage floor. Whew it’s a wonder I got anywhere on time. Enter the helpful Sheraton staff. They pointed me in the right direction at every intersection I paused and am sure I looked totally lost all day. Eventually I learned to navigate by the huge posters of book covers, NYT Authors, and half-naked men on the walls and elevator doors. Yep. It was fun.
Oh I have to tell you about this older man and his wife I met outside an elevator. Their eyes were as big a saucers looking at the romance covers adorning the elevator doors and walls of the hotel. I overheard her say “The hotel didn’t look like this last time we were here.” I couldn’t help giggling to myself. Then I stepped up to them and explained they had arrived during the RWA – Romance Writer’s Of American National Conference. The pictures on the elevators, walls and billboards were book covers or companies involved in the industry. And all the people running around with tags like mine were either writers, editors, or involved with RWA in some capacity. I explained I was a writer. They asked if my book covers looked like these and I nodded. “Some of them.” Of course I gave them a postcard with all my books on it. Their elevator arrived and they stepped inside smiled and waved as the doors closed.
The workshops were interesting and informative. The Instagram workshop was way too short. I learned quite a bit from a couple of social media classes. I especially enjoyed Deep Point of View by Barbara Longley; Romance, Explosions and Dead Bodies by Karen Rose. Of course what’s not to like about explosions and dead bodies. LOL The PAN keynote Rosanne Bane (Around the Writer’s Block) was fantastic. Her explanation of how our brain works and changes under constant or long term stress and what to do about it was enlightening. Want to know more? Check out https://baneofyourresistance.com/rwa2018/ We got to color too! Gotta integrate play in your routine every day.
The Golden Heart and RITA ceremonies were interesting to say the least. The food was better than I had encountered at other conferences I’ve attended. The Goody Room was filled with swag galore. Free books were available in the Book Room and other places.
The highlight for me was encountering so many like-minded individuals and visiting with them. Meeting with a group of authors from my publishing house The Wild Rose Press was a blast! Seeing the Roses (as we dub ourselves) in the hallways and workshops made me feel at home, as did waving like crazy across the room at familiar faces of local authors.
The Industry Market Place event where you could walk up and talk to publishers, booksellers, editors, etc., was overwhelming. Yep, I talked to a few. TJ MacKay from InD’tale was entertaining and informative.
The ProLiteracy signing event was fun. Most of my books left with happy readers, which makes me a happy writer! 
So there you have it, my take on RWA 2018 in Denver. It was an experience I will remember fondly for years to come. My advice—drink lots of water, wear comfortable shoes, soak up the experience and get more rest or sleep than I did! LOL
Can’t forget the shameless promo. Thanks for understanding.
Available for preorder An Angel’s Unintentional Entanlement – Where Caden goes, trouble follows until he discovers a badly beaten woman barely clinging to life. Unprepared for the entanglement she brings to his doorstep, will he move heaven and earth to save her? http://a.co/33cAXAO
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged An Angel's Unintentional Entanglement, Romance Writer's Of America, RWA2018 Denver, Sheraton Hotel by Tena Stetler with 19 comments.
Interview with Suzanne Johnson Author of Frenchman Street
Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>
Favorite movie: Lord of the Rings trilogy
Favorite book: Stephen King’s The Stand
Last book read: Kevin Hearne’s Hounded
Favorite color: Teal
Stilettos or flipflops: barefoot!
Coffee or tea: coffee
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: ebook (*ensue guilt*)
Pencil or pen: pen
Favorite song: “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen
Streak or not: not
Favorite dessert: NY-style cheesecake
Favorite junk food: Cheetos (*ensue guilt again*)
Favorite thing to do to relax: binge-watch reality TV
Champagne or gin: gin
Paranormal or Historical: paranormal
Wonder Woman or Top Model: Top Model
Favorite TV show: The Deadliest Catch
Hot or cold: cold
POV: Deep
I’d die if I don’t have: diet soda
Review or Not: Sure
A peek between the pages of FRENCHMAN STREET!
“So, what’s the plan…” I trailed off at the sound of the front door slamming, followed shortly by the appearance of a very wet merman in the doorway of the study. Water dripped from Rene’s jeans, his t-shirt was plastered to his chest, and….was he bleeding?
“I hate elves. They should all be shot. And cats. Why would any sane person have a damned cat if it can’t shift into a bigger cat?” He stalked to the corner cabinet, helped himself to a drying charm, and, within seconds, was no longer dripping. The side of his face was covered in dried blood.
“How did you get injured?” I was going to tear Quince Randolph a new one. He had promised not to hurt Rene. Never mind that the shifter’s face had already healed.
Rene threw a bag in my lap on his way to the bar to wash off his face; he also poured a drink. We needed to get out of Barataria before all of us became alcohol-dependent. The white paper sack, which smelled of fried shrimp and fresh French bread, also had a long rip along the side. Somehow, he’d managed to keep it dry.
He came back and took a seat next to me, drink in hand.
“Rene, you didn’t answer me. What did Rand do to you?”
The toasted merman turned on the sofa to face me, and leaned close enough for me to think, not for the first time, that he might have the most beautiful eyes I’d ever seen—almost a liquid black, with long lashes. He’d also let his hair grow out into a messy tangle and grown a short beard. It looked good on him. “Did you know the elf’s transport was guarded?”
Well, no. “So his guard cut you?”
“Yep. Leaned over and sniffed me like a dog. Or a freaking cat. I might have swatted it on the nose before it took a swipe at me. Cats and merfolk don’t get along, babe. They think we’re sushi.”
Signed print copies of all books in the series available from the author: https://www.suzannejohnsonauthor.com/shop
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Frenchman Street!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Freenchman Street, Sentinels of New Orleans, Suzanne Johnson, Urban Fantasy by Tena Stetler with 3 comments.
