A warm welcome to author Mary Rundle talking about the audiobook release “Peace Maker”.
Hello, thanks for hosting my blog tour for the Audio version of Peace Maker, Book 3 of the Blackwood Pack saga. Nick J. Russo, an award-winning narrator, is simply amazing in his ability to make each character come alive. As a author, I get many questions about writing, so today, I’m answering some of them. I hope you enjoy it!
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Do you have any unfinished Books? Any that are half-written that you’ve put to one side and maybe think will get to again one day?
I have one, perhaps, an early one but here’s the problem with reworking past books. It becomes a fix-up job and doesn’t always pan out. Right now, I’m thinking it’s better to put it aside, leave it there and start afresh. But I have learn never say never so who knows…one day inspiration may hit and I’ll finish it.
What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?
An imaginative mind and a single-mindedness of purpose. Also a thick skin that lets bad reviews and rejections roll off. And lots of willpower.
What was one of the most surprising things you’ve learned in writing your books?
That the story line is King. If you don’t have that, readers will become bored with your work.
What advice do you wish you’d had before releasing your first story?
I was really happy not to have any advice (other than ‘keep writing’) or I might never have written it or finished it. Advice can be the biggest deterrent to getting anything done. As the saying goes: “Just do it.”
If you had a grant to write any book you wanted as a freebie without worrying about sales, what kind of story would you like to tell?
The stories I am currently telling. You should never write stories other than those you want to read.
What pets are currently on your keyboard?
I have an easy-going calico cat who loves to sprawl on my desk. When he starts walking on the keyboard, he’s reminding me, “Hey, take a break…time for my dinner.”
Do you ever base your characters on real people? If so, what are the pitfalls you’ve run into doing so?
Never. I write about the world of fantasy and my characters are unique. Of course they have human characteristics but I find it best (and legally prudent) not to come too close to recognizable people. Now that I think of it, there’s one exception. My nastiest characters are an amalgam of all the lousy bosses I used to work for.
Are there underrepresented groups or ideas featured in your book?
Certainly. Most of my characters are gay men and they have had to overcome many prejudices and have bravely done so. I’m proud to be chronicling their lives.
What was the most valuable piece of advice you’ve had from an editor?
Don’t get hung up on mechanics like syntax…just free-write your story. Cleaning it up is what editors (and proofreaders) are for
Name the book you like most among all you’ve written, and tell us why.
Since my Blackwood Pack series in an ongoing saga it’s hard to name a favorite since I like them all. Each one is part of a whole that just keeps rolling along.
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m almost finished with Darkness Master, Book 10 of the Blackwood Pack, which is turning out to be much different than I had anticipated. I love it when stories just take a turn by themselves and lead me into paths other than what I had anticipated.
The Blackwood Pack saga continues…
This is part of an on-going series by Amazon Bestselling Author, Mary Rundle, and catching up on previous titles is advised. Readers of the past books will enjoy meeting old friends once more as the pack does what it does best ̶ caring for one another and helping shifters everywhere.
Enforcer Dylon Royd worked for the notorious Silver Point Pack until they accused him of disloyalty. Imprisoned and beaten to within an inch of his life, he’s dumped at the side of a road and left for dead. Waking up in the Blackwood Pack’s hospital, he’s shocked to discover his Fated Mate is one of the pack’s members he’d been ordered to kill.
Cody is a seer and has grappled with visions all his life, but after most of his family is massacred they have intensified so fiercely he begins to make plans to escape his pain and suffering. Thinking no one wants a freak for a Fated Mate, he tries to reject Dylon until he realizes his salvation depends on accepting him.
A life or death situation for Cody, a rare gift to both from the Fates, a dangerous mission, and an unexpected surprise are some of the challenges they face. Together they begin a journey to save Cody’s life while forging a partnership that requires absolute trust for both to survive.
Mary is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card AND a Blackwood Brothers mug with this tour:
He sniffed and what he smelled made his cock rise—moss, lichen, tundra soil, and blueberries. Sadness washed over him as he realized he was probably dead—killed by those bastards he used to work with, all because he was accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Now, he would never be able to clear his name—that and his concern for his parents had kept him from giving up long after lesser men would have. Suddenly, he realized his wolf was prancing, interspersed with mating howls. While trying to make sense of this, he heard a voice so deep and rich it curled around his spine and caressed all his nerve endings at the same time. My mate! I have a mate! But where am I?
Cody watched his mate’s face return to normal and gasped at how gorgeous he was—rich brown hair with golden highlights, strong forehead, straight nose, high cheekbones, square chin covered in a very short scruff—but his eyes quickly zeroed in to Dylon’s mouth. There, by gods, was a mouth made just for him, wide with a full, plump bottom lip, just begging for his cock. A low groan slipped from Cody’s mouth and his cock grew in length and hardness.
Keeping his eyes focused on his mate as Dylon returned to his former self, Cody could see why his mate became an enforcer—tall, broad shoulders and well-defined muscles all over his body. If the Fates wanted to send him someone who would be able to protect him, they couldn’t have made a better choice. But will he want me once he finds out what I am? Cody knew instantly he’d be heartbroken if his mate rejected him.
As he stood by the bedside, he realized his ability to complete his mission required Dylon by his side or else he would fail. And if that happened, he would not be able to live with himself—not that he was doing so well right now by staying alive. He was hanging on by a thread which was getting thinner by the day. It was taking everything out of him just to appear normal to his brothers. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could sustain the illusion.
Dylon kept his eyes closed as he became aware of his surroundings. His wolf scented six wolves and a human, no, not a human but not a shifter either. He mentally took stock of his wolf and found him lying down, tongue lolling while panting and shit, smiling? Smiling at a room full of unknown wolves, two, no make that three, who were humongous. What the fuck? He trusted his wolf implicitly—except the last time he was called into Rudy’s office. No, that time he ignored his agitated wolf and walked into a nice, neat trap. Yeah, well that’s what I get for ignoring my wolf. Should I trust him now?
“Dylon, can you hear me? I’m Cody.”
Cody…he’s my mate. Oh wow, Mum and Dad are going to be so happy. I found my mate. Holy fuck! A mate! His voice!
“Let me,” Ian said to Cody when Dylon’s eyes remained closed. “Dylon, I’m Dr. Wallace. Can you open your eyes?”
Trust my wolf…trust my mate. Dylon opened his eyes and found himself staring into Cody’s beautiful brown eyes with rings of gold threaded through the irises. Long, lush, brown lashes framed those eyes, filled so completely with sadness that his wolf growled at their mate being unhappy. I’m right there with you my friend. Why is our mate so sad? Dylon’s eyes searched his mate’s face looking for the source of his melancholy, but found only a beautiful man with short, dark brown hair, well-defined cheekbones, and a clean-shaven face. A clear view of his mouth brought up fantasies of what he wanted to do with his mate’s luscious lips.
Someone moved, causing the air currents to swirl, bringing his mate’s scent to him fresh and strong. His wolf moaned, he moaned; together they sensed their other half. Dylon opened his mouth to speak, but his mate laid a finger on it, shushing him. He couldn’t resist and his tongue darted out to sneak a quick taste of the man who was making his cock so hard it was almost painful. As his tongue connected with his mate’s finger, he could wait no longer—a long, loud mating howl erupted from his wolf. Dylon wanted his mate now.
“Cody,” Jackson said, “Ian has to examine him to make sure everything has healed properly.”
Cody glanced at his brother and nodded, knowing what Jackson wanted him to do. “Dylon, honey, I’m Cody. You’ve been badly injured and the doc needs to make sure you’re completely healed. Will your wolf allow him to do that? I’ll be right here with you.”
Dylon gave a short nod as his hand sought to touch his mate’s.
Cody grasped it and smiled. “I promise, I’ll be right here.”
Ian quickly checked Dylon’s vitals and then laying his hands on his face, checked the healing of the bones. It was as if Dylon’s face never received the brutal beating. After finishing his examination, he said, “He’s as good as new and won’t suffer any long-term consequences from the beating.”
As my books began to be translated into other languages, I also became an Amazon International Best-Selling author and then achieved the honor of becoming an Amazon All Star writer due to their popularity. My ninth book, Mystic Guardian, has just been published and audible versions of the entire series are in progress.
I love the M/M paranormal genre because it gives my imagination a lot of territory in which to roam. My mind can really run wild and come up with some amazing stuff when it doesn’t have to stay inside the box.
My readers tell me they feel like they’re members of the pack as the stories unfold…as if they’re right there in the middle of the action. Others tell me it’s like watching a fast-paced movie. My writing style pulls no punches…readers love it and are always clamoring for the next book.
Stories come to me as if channeled by my characters, all of whom I love (except for a few villains). They are eager to recount their lives, loves and adventures and are not inhibited when it comes to revealing steamy, sexy details.
I currently live in the Northeast and love the beautiful change of seasons, my husband, and our quirky calico cat, though not necessarily in that order. I’m always happy to hear from my readers and can be reached through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, MeWe, email, or my website.
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