Welcome, Melora!
Hi, and thanks for hosting me here today! I thought I’d hit some light points related to Earthbound because it can be a little on the sad side to start and dark at times throughout. I mean, a hidden talent and an horrific incident put Ally on a trajectory for a very lonely life. That all changes when Matthew Scott Blake comes calling. He’s going to put a whole new spin on things, not necessarily for the better.
In a different time and place, Ally might have feared being tried as a witch. Even today she might be considered a freak. She’s been hiding her talent, in part, because of this. A hundred years ago, she’d certainly have been considered a spinster, single at age thirty-two, and she wouldn’t have been able to be a veterinarian. She might have been considered a healer but probably a witch.
For that reason, I can see some people being offended by this book or just not appreciating it. (Mostly the same people who have trouble with Harry Potter.) As a librarian, I always say that there is a book for every reader and a reader for every book, but not every book is for every reader. I’ve already had feedback from some people already saying that they really did enjoy it, and I enjoyed writing it.
I think these books would fit very comfortably in with works by the likes of Darynda Jones, Kim Harrison, Neil Gaiman, Katherine Howe, Jim Butcher, and other fantasy writers in the urban fantasy or paranormal romance vein.
In fact, one of my favorite readers is Neil Gaiman but I don’t think his voice would be right for an audio version of this book. If I were able to choose who would read this book, I’d go with a female voice for the most part, but with a slightly darker tone to their voice. Lorelei King is a fantastic voice actress who did the audio for Darynda Jones’ Charlie Davidson series, among others. I’d either go for her or someone like her.
I might even try reading it myself, though I’m a little bit intimidated by the idea. I do read for others at writer’s group for other people and I’ve had a couple people in the past ask me about reading their books, but I didn’t have the time to figure out the technical aspects at that point. Right now, I’m enjoying reading my daughter The Chronicles of Narnia at night.
If this book had a soundtrack, it would probably include things like “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver, “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, “Payphone” by Maroon 5, “One Call Away” by Charlie Puth, and maybe the old hymn, the Prayer of Saint Francis.
One silly little fact about the book is that Ally and Matt play rummy to distract her from an unpleasant situation because my husband and I play a few hands of rummy most nights.
I’ve also started sharing some recipes on my blog because many readers enjoy a recipe from a book. While they often aren’t of my own devising, sometimes they’re things that I’ve changed up from someone else’s blog. In the book, Matt makes Ally pumpkin pancakes one morning, and that’s something that I’ve made in our home many mornings. The last time I tried, however, I accidentally pulled peach butter out of the freezer instead of frozen pumpkin. Oops. They were quite tasty, if a little sweeter than normal. (If anyone is interested, I posted the recipe on my Facebook page and my blog. The original doesn’t seem to be online anymore.)
I’d recommend Earthbound to anyone who wants a fun, fast-paced story with a bit of food for thought, romance, action, demons, and some real relationships.
I’ve already started writing the next book, Firebound, from the perspective of Jen, Ally’s best friend, and I’m having a marvelous time at it. I only hope people enjoy reading the books half as much as I enjoy writing them.
If you do give it a try, please let me know how you like it! Thanks.
Blurb:
Her healing touch could start a fire.
Ally Reynolds is a veterinarian specializing in raptor rehabilitation in New Hampshire. Other than one horrific incident in her childhood and a little extra “spark” for healing in her hands, both of which she has kept secret from even her best friend, her life has been singularly boring. It has also been extremely lonely. Ally longs for someone to share her life with, but how can she trust anyone with her secret?
Matthew Blake, an ornithologist at Cornell University, calls Ally, asking for her help with an injured raptor. Matthew grew up in New Zealand and has lived around the world. He has read about Ally’s high success rates in raptor rehabilitation and suspects there is more to it than is generally known.
Matthew has some secrets of his own; he is a demon hunter. He suspects Ally’s healing powers could benefit him. He wants her to join him and thinks they’d make a great team.
Can Ally trust him or is he just using her? Matthew definitely has more secrets, and some of them are about Ally.
Earthbound excerpt:
The next day, at the wildlife health center, I did what I’ve always done so successfully—avoided what made me uncomfortable. There were lots of people around, and Shelly was more than happy to keep an eye on us when Matt did pop in for a few minutes. I went to lunch in the cafeteria, then I worked with Rick some more, helping him with tests and treatments for other animals in the clinic. It felt good to give my input and have it appreciated.
“So, will you and Matt be joining us tonight at the staff mixer?” he asked. “The hotel on campus where it’s being held is quite nice.”
I peered up from the microscope I was using to study a blood sample from a barn owl with rodenticide poisoning. “Oh? No, he didn’t mention it. I don’t expect to see Matt tonight.”
His eyes widened behind his glasses. “Oh, well then… I mean, there’s a staff mixer, dinner and dancing at the hotel ballroom. Would you like to go with me?”
“I didn’t really bring anything appropriate to wear with me.” A flutter of panic tingled through my head. What the hell? Nobody had asked me out in months, and then two guys in twenty-four hours were paying me attention? I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already four in the afternoon; I didn’t have time to shop for a dress in a city I didn’t know. Yup, perfect excuse.
“Sorry.” I smiled apologetically.
Rick flushed, nodding vigorously. “Oh, sure, I understand. You didn’t come prepared for a formal dance.” Shelly appeared at my elbow, beaming. “I have something you can borrow,” she offered.
I stared at her, wide-eyed, not having heard her come in. I suspected her offer had more to do with throwing me at any living male other than Matt, than of any desire to help me. We were of a similar build even though she was a couple inches taller, and it could work. Damnitall.
“I have a really pretty blue dress you can wear,” Shelly continued, her eyes widening.
I looked over at Rick. His posture was rigid. It must have taken a lot for him to work up the nerve to even ask me. I couldn’t have done it. He was a nice guy. It might be good to get my toes wet in the dating pool with someone like him, and, frankly, I was as anxious to steer clear of Doctor Matthew Scott Blake as Shelly was to keep him away from me.
“Thanks, I appreciate the offer,” I said to Shelly then turned back to Rick. “I accept your invitation.”
Something akin to lasers bore into the back of my neck, then Matt’s voice came from behind me, “What invitation would that be?”
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Author Bio:
Melora Johnson is a poet and novelist living in Upstate New York with her husband, daughter, a black cat, and quite a few chickens. Her most recent published work includes A Sanctuary Built of Words: Poems of Peace, Grief, and Passion, and publication in The Sexuality Poems from Foothills Publishing. She also runs a large and thriving writer’s group for adults. Of course, into every life a little rain must fall as well as the occasional tornado, but you’ll find that amply covered in her writing. Find out more about Melora and her writing:
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GIVEAWAY!
Sounds good! Would love to read it!