Thursday, August 2, 2012

Giveaway and Interview with Sheri Fredricks and her book the Remedy Maker


Hello and Welcome to this stop on Sheri's tour!!  I was lucky enough to not only review this fabulous book but also to score an interview with her! 

Hi Nikki! Thank you so much for having me here today.
Hey Sheri!!  That's actually funny because that is my first name..lol!!

 
How old were you when you first realized you wanted to write?
One Christmas when I was eight years old, my father gave me a huge Daily Reminder to use as a diary. I loved it. For the next twenty years, he gave me one every year for Christmas. I wrote my heart out.
I think the fictional writing bug caught me in high school when I learned people would pay me to complete their English writing assignments. Shh! Endless supplies of short stories were catalogued in my brain, just waiting for my pen to hit paper.
  
Most authors have an unusual story or way that they come up with their ideas for books…Do you have one?
Wish I could say a moment of utter brilliance came upon me, and without further hesitation, I had my rough draft. Not quite the way it happened.
I signed up for an online writing class and the assignment was to put our character in a pitch-dark room and write from his/her point of view. Participants in the class were turning in the same old rhetoric: people who were blindfolded, struck with blindness, in a cave, etc. I wanted something different and somehow a centaur in hiding came to me.

And then I asked myself the all important question – what if . . . ?



What was your biggest influence that steered you towards writing?
Hands down, my husband. I married a cowboy jock. He ropes and rides, competes and shows. Whatever he does, he's good at (right now, he trains and competes with border collies in sheep dog trials on a National level).
I wanted something to do for myself, but couldn't figure out what it would be. I threw-up from nerves when I showed horses, so that was out. Got glue in my hair with scrapbooking. Since I was reading two or three books a week, he suggested I try writing. Having seen the few short stories I'd written for my kids, he encouraged me to keep going.
Though Remedy Maker is my debut novel, I've written two others before it.


 
I have to ask, what are the hardest scenes for you to write?
Fight scenes for me are the most difficult. Like a dance, you have to choreograph them perfectly. To make it harder on myself, I often use more than two people in my scenes. Drafts to keep it all straight would litter my desk by the end of a chapter.
Here's a scene where Rhycious has encountered rebels who wish to overthrow the kingdom:

Backed by the roar of a hundred ghostly Centaurs who terrorized him in an alternate reality, Rhycious heaved to his feet. With a determination that was truly the dead coming back to life, his sword cut diagonally, catching Dryas by surprise. The honed edge of his trusty weapon sliced the traitorous soldier’s thigh wide open.

Blood spurted and Dryas cried out, stumbling away. Inertia carried Rhy’s blade along its path of destruction, and then rocketed down. His single-handed grip on the sword’s leather-bound handle tightened, slicing a clean line deep across the enemy’s cheek.

Stretched to their limit, the ligaments in his shoulder burned as he cleaved the hefty sword. With two powerful forward lunges, additional ground was confiscated in his favor. Spinning on the ball of his foot, Rhycious streaked for the screaming Nymph.


Are sex scenes difficult for you to word?
For me, scenes involving intimacy aren't hard to word once I have the sequence of events figured out. LOL The tough part is not rushing the moment, to allow the reader to become fully engaged. And writing so the experience is seen through the character's eyes and mind.


 I'll share a partial scene where Patience, the heroine, wakes next to Rhycious:

Under the blankets, Patience turned toward him. “Good morning, Remedy Maker. Wazzup?”

Rhy chuckled deep in his throat. “I’ll show you.”
He guided the slim hand caressing his chest down to his jutting erection, and taught her how to wrap her warm fingers around him. A few tentative strokes later and his eyes rolled back in pleasure. Uncontrollable urges to thrust into her palm pushed his hips and legs forward.
She gave a yelp of giggling surprise. “Pan’s hooves, Rhycious! Your feet are freezing.” 

 
He held her body close, relishing in the perfection of her slender figure against his much larger one. Her mouth moved in harmony with his, and to Rhy, she tasted of eternal hope.



Do you see yourself writing in another genre?
Outside of Romance, I doubt it. It's the genre I love to read — it's my first love. I wrote a western themed time-travel a while ago that I've been itching to get back into. But I can't imagine leaving romance to dabble in something else. (Never say never though, right?)


Has your family been supportive?
At first when I would announce another chapter finished, they'd pat me on the back and say, "that's nice." When they realized I was seriously chasing the publication dream, and after receiving numerous contract offers for Remedy Maker, they now ask when my next book is coming out and love telling their friends about it. My family gives me space so I can write — I call that unconditional support.

 

Are any of your characters reflective of you?
Rhycious is a Remedy Maker for the Centaur kingdom. Modern medicine doesn't work for them, so they go the homeopathic route. Likewise, I try to eat food that keeps me healthy, and exercise every day. Although I'll take an Excedrin for a headache, I'll try drinking water to see if I'm dehydrated first.

But that's as far as it goes in similarities between myself and my characters.




What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Eat bon-bons and sit in the sun!
LOL Actually, living on a ranch will keep me busy 24/7 if I let it. I like going for trail rides on my horse Bert, taking the boat out in summer for a few ski runs with the family in the morning, and always love watching my husband while he works his Border Collies on the sheep. Something magical happens between a handler and his dog as they move a flock around a designated course.




Who is your favorite book heroine?
In all honesty? Goldilocks. And I'll tell you why: She walks into a bear's house (do you know how BAD bears smell?), eats their food till she's full and sleepy, kicks back on their beds for a nap, and faces them off when she wakes up.

Now THAT's my kind of heroine!

Do you have any unusual habits that revolve around writing?
While writing, I like to wear something with a hoodie attached. You've heard of a dream catcher? Well, I swear the hood acts like my muse catcher and keep my thoughts from wandering too far.


What is your favorite mystical creature?
A centaur, of course! I find horses to be gorgeous creatures with big hearts and an eagerness to please. Cross that with a muscular Alpha male, and . . . yeah. Centaurs, for sure.


What were some of your biggest challenges at the beginning of your career?
Finding an empty computer to write on. Everyone in the house had their own computer, except for me. So when the kids were at school, I'd use one of theirs, saving everything to a flash drive. But when my muse hammered hard at night and it was bedtime for preteen boys, I was beside myself. I'd have to turn the PC off in the middle of a scene and kiss the kids goodnight.
 Any writer will tell you that stopping when you're in the zone is worse than writers' block.



How do you feel about reader comments?
I love them! I answer when questions are asked and encourage people to contact me. This is another reason I brought prizes with me today, to show my appreciation for the reader.
 
 
 

Do you have any advice for new authors?
family and friends love you. In doing so, they won't tell you which part of your writing might need help. Joining a critique group will enrich your writing angive you valuable insight to the profession that you won't find anywhere else. In return, you'll critique their work and possibly read the next bestseller in the making! Win-win all the way.


Where are your books available?
Remedy Maker is available direct from Ruby Lioness Press, as well as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and all the usual places.



What can we expect from you in the future?
I'm currently writing two books — Book Two of the Centaur series tentatively titled Trolly Yours. The outline is complete and I'm digging in with all ten fingers to finish the manuscript. The story involves a character with a huge ego named Aleksander, introduced in Remedy Maker. He meets the only mythic female in the Boronda Forest who isn't fazed by his charms and good looks. Ooh-wee . . . and the sparks fly!

I’ll be coming out with a short story called Portals of OZ for one of my publisher's anthologies (Love Down Under). I had so much fun writing it that I decided to write additional shorts for two more anthology calls. The stories are based on the mythological characters I created for the Boronda Forest.



Where can we reach you and become informed of updates?
I'm so glad you asked! You can find me at these online locations:
Website:            www.sherifredricks.com
Blogsite:            www.sherifredricks.blogspot.com
Facebook:          http://www.facebook.com/SheriFredricks
Twitter:                  http://twitter.com/Sheri_Fredricks
Google+:               http://gplus.to/Sheri Fredricks

 
Remember! I have a prize for one lucky commenter, so don't forget to leave your email address! Among other goodies, your name will go into the grand prize drawing for a $20 Amazon gift card at the end of my book tour.
Let's take a look at Remedy Maker:


Man by day, Centaur by night, Rhycious is a remedy maker who needs his own healing.

He's the royal physician, famous for his cures. War and posttraumatic stress disorder has broken his spirit, preventing him from finding true happiness. Then a direct order from the queen to investigate an uprising forces him out of his secluded cabin at the edge of the forest.

Patience is an optimistic, good-natured Wood Nymph who works as a mediator to ensure harmony within the Nymph sector.

Environmental pollution in the aquifer stream that feeds the taproot tree of her heart is slowly killing her. Resigned to the fact she will not live long, she sets out to discover the mysterious disappearance of her sister. Experience has taught her to deny herself the love of a male, but the gruff Centaur is different. He doesn't push his expectations on her, only his healing nature.

When Rhycious loses his grip on reality, he believes his inability to control his disorder will drive Patience away. Nevertheless, desire flares, and Patience draws him close. Kidnapping and betrayal turn their mythic joint venture into a deadly bout.

Will their love endure when survival hinges on trusting each other?



Always on the hunt for the uncommon things in life, author Sheri Fredricks thrives on creating adventures in her mythological kingdom for her readers.

A former engineering secretary, Sheri lives on the beautiful central coast of California. "I wanted to move away from inflexible right angles and create an unboxed world with no boundaries." A voracious reader since her early years, Sheri found her brain crowded with stories and characters of her own. "Ultimately," she says, "my husband encouraged me to write them all down."

Sheri loves to spend time at home. A computer hutch keeps her focused on creating stories, but the panoramic view of life on a ranch will call her outside to play in the sun.



Thanks so much for stopping by!!!  Good Luck!!
 

46 comments:

Wicked Leanore said...

OKAY, CEOTNK FOLLOWERS! This book is sooo delicious! I have read it(A rare thing for me)
I stopped by and saw Remedy Maker was here, (such a sexy hero he is) Oh, and of course the author came with him as well. (chuckle)
You need to get this book, it is a satisfying read and will keep you on the pages. I just had to stop in and say that.
Waving at my Nikki and all my buds here.

Brenda said...

Excellent interview. I thought it wasn't possible, but I learned something new about you, lol.

Remedy Maker is a fab read. Don't miss out!

Kristina Knight said...

a hoodie as an idea catcher...just may have to try that! I've downloaded RM - can't wait for a little time to settle in and read. :)

Rosanna Leo said...

My dear Sheri! Wonderful interview of a wonderful lady. Your book sounds so good. I can't wait to get my grubby hands on it...and on your centaur friend! And you have a cowboy for a husband? Good grief, woman, you lead a charmed life! Enjoy! And congrats. :)

Daryl Devoré said...

Awesome. Awesome and ..... Awesome.

Allie said...

Already getting rave reviews, I can't wait to read this. Thank you so much. amotherway@aol.com

Sandy said...

Another fun stop on the tour, Sheri! I'm really enjoying learning more about you and Remedy Maker.

sandywolters(dot)author(at)gmail(dot)com

D'Ann said...

Love this hero!!!

Sheri Fredricks said...

Wicked Leanore - You're wickedly cool. Thank you for your kind words. I'm so glad you were able to read Remedy Maker.

June M. said...

I have never read a story with a centaur for a character. This would be a first for my reading experience. Although I could never fall in love with one, I am allergic to horses, lol. Which really sucks since I live in Kentucky.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

Sheri Fredricks said...

Brenda - Thanks for dropping by, you hoser! I wonder what you've learned about me...

Kristi - You've GOT to try the hoodie method. In my house it has the same meaning as DO NOT DISTURB!

Rosanna - Little hint: Manure sticks to the bottom of boots. Enuff said. Thanks so much so coming by today!! You hot Italian Chick!!

Daryl - LOL, are you talking about yourself again?

Sandy - Wahoo! I'm enjoying see you at my stops!! Yay!!

D'Ann - Rhycious is a great hero. We all can see a little of someone we know in him. Thanks for being here.

Sheri Fredricks said...

June - you could love Rhycious during the day when he's in human form. Hehehe

divavixenqueen said...

Very intriguing storyline.Never would have thought a Centaur
would be a romantic hero. Very intriguing.
Going on my TBR List for sure.
divavixenqueen(at)gmail(dot)com

Melissa Limoges said...

Awesome interview, ladies. It's cool to keep learning new things about you. :) You're such an interesting lady. And Remedy Maker sounds like such a great read. I can't wait to check it out. I totally Lol'd about Rhy's cold feet from your excerpt. :)

Sheri Fredricks said...

divavixenqueen - Rhycious can be very romantic. He can do things with his tail. LOL I hope you like the story!

Melissa - Cold feet, cold hooves, he makes you feel sorry for him. And yet, smacking his head for being stubborn is there too. Thanks for coming by!

Vanessa N. said...

Great excerpt. This book sounds cool. I love mythology so I can't wait to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway.

mythic021@gmail.com

Linda said...

Rhycious: now THAT is a great name for a delicious hero!

Got to try the hoodie idea; maybe I won't be so scatter brained then...

thumbelinda03@yahoo.com

Sheri Fredricks said...

Vanessa - I can tell you love the mythics just by your addy! I hope you'll like my shape shifting centaur, too. :)

Linda - The hoodie works! It really does. It's a self-contained cranium helmet that helps the muse from leaking out!

Deb PelletierC said...

Thanks for not rushing it, and wonderful interview. :-)
r.d1@myfairpoint.net

Maegan Morin said...

I love reading author interviews! Thank you for the great insights!

megnate at telus dot net

miki said...

New author for me but i loved this interview and would glady discover your work ( i hope the ebook is also in pdf^^;;)

isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com

Bex n Books said...

Rhycious sounds positively delcious. Thank you so much for introducing him to me.
bexnbooks @ Yahoo.com

nurmawati djuhawan said...

i love the interview about 'the sex scenes' ...*lol*
thx 4 the gift :)

-nurma-
chikojubilee at gmail dot com

Christine A. said...

This book sounds yummy! Great job Sheri! If Leanore stopped by and put in her two cents, then you know it is wickedly good!
I am looking forward to reading it.

your1chef at aol dot com

mcv said...

I've never read a book abou centaurs. Yours will be the first!
mcv111 at hotmail dot com

felinewyvern said...

I love mythology but never thought I'd come across a story with Centaurs in it. Look forward to reading more (especially after that excerpt!!).

ilona
felinewyvern at googlemail dot com

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great read...and I am seeing lots of good reviews. Now I must check it out! I love mythology and how it is used in modern stories.
Mel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

Joanne said...

I've never read a book with Centaurs in it. This one sounds fantastic. Can't wait to check it out. Congrats on the new release.

e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

Sheri Fredricks said...

Thank you, everyone! I can't wait for you to enjoy my book. An old world centaur in a modern day world. If you'd like to read Nikki's review, it's here:

http://closeencounterswiththenightkind.blogspot.com/2012/08/review-remedy-maker-by-sheri-fredricks.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CloseEncountersWithTheNightKind+%28Close+Encounters+with+the+Night+Kind%29

books4me said...

Oh.My.Gosh. Great interview! Can't wait to read more!

books4me67 at ymail dot com

Sheri Fredricks said...

books4me - now there's a great online name! I can't wait for you to read more either. Thank you for stopping by!

Melissa I. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Melissa I. said...

Wow!! This is sure to be 'the' longest comment I've ever left on a blog post. After reading the excerpt you so kindly *teasingly* ;) shared with us I will try to post any coherent thoughts on the book and interview as I slowly cool myself and my thoughts down, lol. *phew* hook, Line and sinker....got me good!

Okay, so I must admit I have not read any books with any mythical creatures in my life, but this books description, the excerpt and the interview have gotten me salivating at the thought and would LOVE to read this book.

Thank you Nikki and Sheri for this awesome interview and peek inside not only the tease :-p lol but the great questions that sucked me in. Not only did this books description have me, but the part (aside from the excerpt) that confirmed to me that I'd LOVE to read this book is the part of the story that goes into the non-belief of traditional medicine and leans to the homeopathic healing!! I am SO excited about that edition to a book that has all the other amazing components. Very unique addition to anything I've ever seen in a book that wasn't a holistic text book or herbal guide. LOVE IT! My ex/almost ex husband is a Chiropractor whom I was with through his entire schooling and I am a Cert. Massage Therapist with a HIGH belief in Holistic healing and a very strong activist against traditional medicine unless absolutely necessary. Completely against vaccination (a cause I have been a part of informing and educating about (against) for over 15 years with the holistic part of me for approx 24 years. I am one who promotes everyone to educate themselves on these topics through much research and making their own informed choices. Freedom to allow each of us to make those decisions without hate. So off the homeopathic talk that grabbed my attention so strongly and to the other awesomeness I see:

THIS pulled at my heart strings: "He's the royal physician, famous for his cures. War and post traumatic stress disorder has broken his spirit, preventing him from finding true happiness."

THIS Falls in harmony with my spiritual believes and Love: "Patience is an optimistic, good-natured Wood Nymph who works as a mediator to ensure harmony within the Nymph sector."

THIS blew my mind as I so related to, understood and as natural as I like to be I chuckled with Joy that I was not alone in Loving the homeopathic, eating the foods that are good for 'your' body and then the part about the Excedrin....as I too run for the Advil, but the drinking water first is spot on with what I do. I couldn't help but LOVE the question and answer so much. "Are any of your characters reflective of you? Rhycious is a Remedy Maker for the Centaur kingdom. Modern medicine doesn't work for them, so they go the homeopathic route. Likewise, I try to eat food that keeps me healthy, and exercise every day. Although I'll take an Excedrin for a headache, I'll try drinking water to see if I'm dehydrated first."

And to end this comment that could go on forever as this particular book and discussion just took hold so tightly I will just say the teaser!!!!! Nikki.......SO not fair, lol!! Awesome teaser, awesome interview and awesome author! Win or Lose I enjoyed this so much and have a feeling one way or another this will be my absolute first mythical read! Thank you so much to both of you for sharing and for this great giveaway. The book as a whole sounds like an absolutely Amazing read!

Good luck, Good Karma to all who entered and very Happy reading!! :)

Thank you, Nikki and Sheri, for the most enjoyable blog interview I have had the pleasure of reading and for the invite to be a part of this!! All the best! ~*Melissa*~ <3

Forgot to add my e-mail address. See what this did to my brain. My thoughts weren't on my e-mail, lol. "Male" yes e-"mail" no

melissaiorio42@gmail.com

Hope I can post this corrected post delete my first one and not have problems with the entry for commenting. Sorry about that!

Dustykatt said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dustykatt said...

I love the Goldie Locks thing. I've never thought about it before but you are so right about that. Thanks for the writing ideas. I think I would like to try the Dark Room exercise. It looks like a good one. dustykattc@hotmail.com

Sheri Fredricks said...

Melissa - While your comment is the LONGEST I've ever received , it was excited to read it. Sounds like you and I have more than a few things in common. One time, a few years ago, the doctor told me I needed to have my neck operated on. I went to see a chiropractor - the first one in my life - who a friend recommended. In two non-cracking adjustments, my neck was fine. SOLD!

So nice to meet you!

Sheri Fredricks said...

Hi Dusty :) LOL, that little Goldilocks was a kick-ass girl. Thanks for coming by!

Melissa I. said...

Hi Sheri,

Thank you so much for replying. I'm laughing so hard because I was so embarrassed at how long that message is. I am never short on words, but never a comment so long on a review post xD The interview was just that good. It definitely seems there is a LOT in common so it was hard not to note all the awesomeness, lol.

It is SO wonderful to hear that you went the Chiro route instead of the operation and it worked!! Thanking your friend in thought!! *Overjoyed* to hear that and you said "non-cracking" which doubles the awesomeness of your reply. Same here with a head injury I had. I'm a lifetime chiro believer, but after the head injury I became a testament to all chiro has to offer and works. For illness as well. Thank you for taking your time to read all that! As I said I am highly embarrassed, but this interview and the book were just way too good not to address so much of it.

Thank you so very much and very nice to meet you as well!! Best wishes & much success Always!! :)

Filia Oktarina said...

Great interview, i enjoyed it. This book sound great and fun, must have it. I can't wait to check it and read this book.
filiafantasy at gmail dot com

Shadow said...

Great post! This book sounds so good! Ive had my eye on it for awhile now! Definitely one ill be grabbing! Thanks for sharing!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

Sheri Fredricks said...

Filia - Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoy Remedy Maker!

Shadow - Hi again :) I hope you grab a copy soon and start enjoying!!

Christine said...

Fantastic interview! The book is definitely going to be added to my TBR list immediately!

cms72023 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Love new character ideas! Sounds like a great read.

debi01760@hotmail.com

Denise Z said...

I am always on the lookout for something a little different and Remedy Maker definitely is falling in that category. Thank you for taking the time and effort to share with us today. Looking forward to meeting Rhycious ;)

Sheri Fredricks said...

Thank you, Denise. I had one reader email me with the following: this story is unlike anything I've ever read before. Wow - what a compliment! I hope you enjoy the book just as much.

angie lilly said...

I love the sexy sample and if the rest of the book is this fun, I know I will love it! Thanks tons for the chance to win!!!

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