Psychic: Gift or Curse?

Psychics:

A person marked by extraordinary or mysterious sensitivity, perception, or understanding of the supernatural.

I will admit, I’m skeptical of people who claim to be psychic. My skepticism was only strengthened when a friend dragged me to see a man who was obviously no more psychic than I am, but that doesn’t mean I don’t believe there are people who are sensitive to the supernatural.

There are psychics all over the world. Many who use their abilities to help others, but is having the ability to sense the unknown a gift or a curse. I suppose this depends on just how sensitive the person is to the supernatural. I’m leaning toward the latter, because seeing ghosts and malevolent spirits does not sound like fun to me. 

How about you, would you consider being psychic a gift or a curse?

These aren't Disney's Faeries

Fae

Or maybe you prefer the term sidhe, faerie or pixie.

Don’t trust your eyes; few humans can see faeries without a bit of magic or a looking stone.

Fae are often broken up into the Seelie Court, the Unseelie Court, and solitary fae. Think of the Seelie Court as the aristocrats of fae, and while they are prone to their share of mischief, their pranks rarely cause harm. The Unseelie Court consists of dark fae. They are the most malicious and evil of the faeries. Solitary Fae fall in the middle, often trying to stay under the radar of the two courts. 

If we break down the courts a little more, you have the Summer Fae and the Winter Fae of the Seelie Court. Just as their names imply, Winter Fae are the strongest during the cold months of winter and Summer Fae are at their best in the warm months of summer. We meet the prince and princess of the Seelie Court in Hold Tight, book two in The Embrace Series. These siblings were a lot of fun to write about. =)

Do you believe in faeries? Ever suspect one is near?

You can find out just how dangerous a faerie can be for yourself.

      
~Click the cover to learn more about each book ~

Spotlight: M. Pax author of The Backworlds Series

With me today is M. Pax, author of science fiction. PRECIPICE, book six on The Backworlds series, released this month.

PRECIPICE
(The Backworlds, book 6)
by M. Pax

About the book;

In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendants to survive in a harsh universe. This is the sixth book in the science fiction series, The Backworlds. A space opera adventure.

The Backworlds hang by a Quantum string, a thread about to snap. Annihilation is coming if Craze can’t stop it.

The genocidal alien he had trapped breaks free, destroying a ship belonging to the Backworlds’ oldest enemy, the Fo’wo’s. The murderous alien wants to overtake the galaxy. The Fo’wo’s want another war.

The Backworlds’ best chance to survive is to overcome a century of hate and forge an alliance with the Fo’wo’s. Because of his history with the alien, Craze is recruited to represent his people. Now he’s the most hated man in the galaxy.

The looming war will be a holocaust unless Craze can stop it, knowing salvation comes at a price.

Please help me welcome M. Pax.

Colyer: Thanks for being here today. Tell us, where did you get the idea for your novel?

M. Pax: Honestly, I still miss Firefly. I loved how it took regular people and put them in extraordinary situations, and I enjoyed the gritty frontier style of the show. My main character lives on the edge of human expansion and most desires to run a successful tavern. The galaxy doesn’t let him, well, at least not for very long.

Colyer: What was your most difficult chapter to write?

M. Pax: My youngest brother unexpectedly passed away while I was writing this book. The second half of the book was a real struggle as I dealt (still dealing) with my own grief. I did my best to channel it into the losses and sacrifices my characters face in Precipice.

Colyer: I'm so sorry to hear about your brother. I'm sure he's smiling down on you. Can you share with us something about Craze that we don’t learn about them from reading the book?

M. Pax: He’s a reluctant hero. He’d rather be tending bar in his tavern. The series is about his struggles to overcome challenges.

Colyer: Reluctant heroes are often the best. Do you have any fun facts about the book you’d like to share with readers?

M. Pax: Most planets would challenge our survival (traveling about without spacesuits isn’t scientifically sound). We are uniquely adapted for surviving on Earth. To me, it was an issue I had to resolve. So I terraformed people to survive instead of terraforming planets. It would be more economical, faster, and more efficient.

Colyer: I didn't know that about planets. I like how you address the issue in your series. Now that we know about your book and you as a writer, I have some fun questions for you.

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Yes, my husband was love at first sight. Almost 21 years later, we’re still together.

Who are you drawn to the good guy or the bad guy?

I can be drawn to either if they’re interesting and compelling.

Are you a morning person or an evening person?

I write best in the morning.

Favorite movie or television show?

I love anything with giant man-eating reptiles. I’m really looking forward to Jurassic World, Sharknado 3, and Star Trek 3. I have high hopes for the new Star Wars.

Guilty pleasures that get you through the writing/revising process?

Chocolate and not allowing myself to have a beer until the manuscript is done.

Chocolate is one of my guilty pleasures too. =)

Thanks for taking the time to be with us today. 

Read PRECIPICE today
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBook | Smashwords | Kobo   

About M. Pax: 

Fantasy, science fiction, and the weird beckons to her, and she blames Oregon, a source of endless inspiration. She docents at Pine Mountain Observatory in the summers, and one of her cats has a crush on Mr. Spock. You can find out more by visiting her website: mpaxauthor.com

Find M. Pax

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Crossroad Demons: Make a deal with the devil

Crossroad Demon
Definition: A demonic being that makes deals with humans in exchange for their souls.

The crossroad demons in The Embrace Series have some control over how many years they take from a human and what deals they make. They have even talked a few humans out of making deals. But Embrace wasn't the first series to mention these creatures from hell.

Robert Johnson sang about crossroad demons in his song Crossroad. Sam and Dean Winchester have dealt with their share of these demonic beings in the TV series Supernatural. And there are people who believe that some celebrities traded their souls for success. Is that even possible? You tell me. 

A better question might be: If you found the location of a crossroad where the veil between worlds was at its thinnest, would you seek out a deal?

Meet the demons in The Embrace Series and discover 
which historical figures they declined to make deals with.

      

~ Click the cover for more information ~

#IWSG: Fresh Air Does Wonders

Hi everyone! 

It's time to share our thoughts, insecurities, and encouraging words. Thanks to Alex and our co-hosts for keeping IWSG going. For those who aren't familiar with Insecure Writer's Support Group, just follow the link. It's a wonderful group. 

Lately, the weeks are all rolling into one another, and I keep forgetting it's a new month, and therefore time to write this post. At least I remember today, before the first Wednesday slipped by.

I finished my YA Realistic Fiction, which is a great feeling. It's off with my agent to get her thoughts. To keep myself from going crazy wondering if she loves it, hates it, or has feelings somewhere in between, I've been playing around with a new idea and revisiting an old one. This weekend I hope to spend some time outside, buying and planting flowers. I'll be secretly plotting my next book. If you're stuck in your writing, I highly recommend getting out of the house and focusing on something else. The fresh air always stirs the creative juices.

Do you have any insecurities this month? Any words of encouragement? I'd love to hear them, so leave a comment.

Magic: Real or Fictional? You tell me.

Magic

Webster’s Definition: an extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural source.

In The Embrace Series those who possess the magical powers draw upon their emotions when doing spells. They can taste and feel each others' magic. For instance, chocolate covered strawberries kiss Madison Riley's tongue when she draws about positive emotions to cast a spell. Whereas the taste of dirty pennies fills her mouth with she draws upon negative emotions.

While I haven’t mastered the skill to move objects with my mind or manipulate the elements, I like to think there is a little magic in all of us. Some show theirs through their ability to help others, some do it with a stroke of a pen or brush. Still others through sports, medicine, science, a keen eye, the list is endless. 

Do you believe in magic? What would your powers taste like?

(Mine would most likely taste like hazelnut macchiatos when fueled by happiness or love and vinegar when fueled by anger or jealousy.)

Click on the covers below to learn more about Madison Riley and her world.

      

~ Click the cover for more information ~