Danita Minnis

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Maya Tyler will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Author Interview

1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?

I write paranormal romance. I choose romance because of my life-long obsession with love and happily-ever-afters. I cut my teeth on fairy tales and Disney princesses. I’ve always been fascinated with fantasy and made-up worlds. Within the genre of paranormal, I am free to explore limitless possibilities.

I wrote A Wizard’s Choice because my character Kurtis Warde, the wizard apprentice introduced in A Vampire’s Tale, bugged me until I wrote his story. As a secondary character, his role was quite limited in A Vampire’s Tale. He wanted to explain why he acts the way he does, and to, finally, have a chance to be the captain of his life.

2. Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a first born, middle or last child and how does this shape your view of the world?

I’m a first born. Birth order definitely influences many aspects of my personality, but I never thought about it shaping my view of the world.

All the main characters in every book I’ve written so far have been only children. My current work-in-progress Duet at Midnight is a slight exception because the protagonist was raised as an only child and later finds out he had siblings.

3. Where is your favorite place to write?

I write in various places around my house. My office. The dining room table. My bedroom. The benefit of using a laptop computer with excellent battery life. My favorite place to write is the gazebo in my backyard. It’s peaceful and private.

4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?

Killing your darlings is an effective trope. It stirs up the audience (reader or viewer).

In a truly compelling story, the main characters usually suffer some sort of tragedy or face bad luck and/or conflict. What suffering is greater than death? An unexpected death can be especially traumatizing to those left behind. The experience can reshape you as a person and impact your future choices.

Before A Wizard’s Choice, I had never killed off a character. It was an important decision, and I didn’t take it lightly. I used the death to re-motivate the surviving characters into action.

5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?

I have so many favorite authors! If I had to pick one? Diana Gabaldon, author of The Outlander Series. A couple of years ago, I found Outlander on Netflix, and I must admit I became a little obsessed. I bought the entire series in trade paperbacks (eight books at the time), going to brick and mortar stores to ensure perfect condition. I looked into attending fan conventions. I thought about the story constantly. At one point, I had to stop watching the show on purpose until I felt like I had the situation back under control.

I would love to meet Diana Gabaldon. I would ask her why she let Jamie marry Laoghaire in Voyager as, twenty years prior, Laoghaire had been directly responsible for Claire’s witchcraft accusation that nearly saw her burned at the stake.

6. Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.

I’m pretty there’s nothing about me that no one knows. I met my husband in high school when I was 15 years old. We dated for 7 years, and then got married. This year, we celebrate 16 years of marriage. It’s pretty safe to say that he knows everything about me.

7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a back pack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?

1. A Sport Berkey Bottle (for filtering water on the go). 2. Flint and steel (to light a fire). 3. Swiss Army Knife (for everything else because those things come equipped).

Realistically, I’m not much of an outdoors person, and I’d need way more than three items… Assuming I’m already wearing clothes and shoes… I’d add these additional items to my backpack… Mary Kay Sun Care SPF 30 Sunscreen, Off! Skintastic Family Formula Spray, bandaides, hydrocortisone cream, anti-perspirant, toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, soap, a beach towel, a large blanket, granola bars, and as many books as I could fit.

8. If you could have one super power in your existence, what would it be?

The ability to control time would be awesome. It’s the only thing money can’t buy.

9. Favorite snack?

A spoonful of peanut butter before bed.

I went twenty years believing that I was allergic to peanuts. And, perhaps, maybe I was, and I outgrew the allergy. About three years ago, I had another allergy test. To my great surprise, I was not allergic to peanuts. Ever since, I’ve enjoyed all my favorites again—peanut butter on toast, peanut butter cookies, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, peanut butter marshmallow squares, peanut brittle, and the ultimate—peanut butter on a spoon.

10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?

Speed limit? What speed limit? If I’m in a race, I’m in it to win it. Before the race starts, I’ll have already planned my route, my stops, and my strategy.

In real life, I am a very safe driver… although the next time we go to Vegas (if there’s a next time), I’d like to drive a seriously fast car around a racetrack…

A Wizard’s Choice

by Maya Tyler

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GENRE: Paranormal romance

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BLURB:

Dreams or duty?

Wizard apprentice Kurtis Warde doesn’t want to become a full-fledged wizard, but he feels obligated to his grandfather who raised him. Making The Choice, whether or not to become a wizard and join The Circle, doesn’t feel like a choice at all. Leaving The Circle would give Kurtis the freedom to follow his own dreams, and to pursue vampiress, Dee, who has always intrigued him. He knows there’s more to Dee than the icy being she portrays, but will she give him a chance to know the real her?

There is unrest in the magical world. Fairies, a magical being thought to be long extinct, still exist. And the long-time feud between wizards and fairies threatens everyone Kurtis cares about, including his life coach, Alina, who has quickly become a close friend. And perhaps more. He discovers his connection to the ancient beings The Annunaki, the ancestors of wizards and fairies, may be key to the future. The more he uncovers, the more questions he has.

Will Kurtis choose to follow his heart or risk sacrificing his own happiness for peace in the magical world?

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Excerpt:

Something sharp poked him in the arm. Keeping his eyes closed, he batted the culprit—probably an insect looking for its breakfast—away. It poked him again, jabbing a little deeper.

“Go away.” Kurtis plopped his pillow over his face.

In a sudden, fluid motion, his bedding—sheets, comforter, and pillows—flew off his bed. He found himself laid on a bare mattress, staring at a black magic wand, suspended in mid-air.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” He raised his hands, careful not to make any sudden moves. Who owns this wand? Friend or foe? The wand had no equal, finely made from black walnut tree wood with a smooth and plain handle sandwiched between corkscrew-like carvings. The body tapered neatly to a dull point. The wand turned in the air, and Kurtis saw the distinctive “W” of his family crest engraved into the tip of the tenon. Waldor’s wand.

Like a compass needle, the wand pointed its desired direction. Unsanctioned movement was highly unusual behavior for a wand. But no stranger than anything else that happened in the last few days. He shrugged and followed the wand. It led him into the basement to the Spell Laboratory.

After a quick glance around the room, Kurtis determined nothing had changed. Nothing stood out as noteworthy. He glared at the wand. “If this wild goose chase is your idea of fun, then I’m going back to bed.”

Ignoring Kurtis’ threat—as if a wand could respond—it floated toward the far wall and rammed itself into a stone brick. An entire section of the wall rescinded, revealing a hidden passage.

“What?” His mouth gaped open. “How did I miss this?”

The wand disappeared into the now exposed hallway.

“Wait for me.” I can’t believe I’m talking to a wand.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

About Maya

Maya Tyler is a multi-published author of paranormal romance novels and blogger at Maya’s Musings (https://mayatylerauthor.blogspot.com/). An avid reader, Maya writes the books she loves to read—romances! She still believes that “True Love’s Kiss” is the most powerful thing in the world. Her paranormal romances come with complex plot twists and happily-ever-afters.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, listening to music (alternative rock, especially from the 1990s), practicing yoga, and watching movies and TV.

Contact

Maya loves to hear from fellow authors and readers! Please connect with her through social media (see links below) or the contact form (http://www.mayatylerauthor.com/contact-maya.html) on her website.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maya.tyler.792

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mayatylerauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6478044.Maya_Tyler

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mayatyler792/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayatylerauthor/

Buy Links

A Vampire’s Tale

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYBQUUZ/

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/698693

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-vampires-tale/id1199624720?mt=11

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/a-vampire-s-tale-3

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-vampires-tale-maya-tyler/1125552098

A Wizard’s Choice

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Wizards-Choice-Magicals-2-ebook/dp/B07SSVX7DQ/

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