Guest Blog & Giveaway with Judi Fennell

Today, I'm very excited to welcome author Judi Fennell to my blog.
Judi, Thanks for stopping by!

Hi Anna—thanks for having me here today on your blog! I thought I’d let my characters do the talking, and there were a couple in particular who I knew would LOVE to have the opportunity to be in the forefront for once. So without further ado, enjoy this interview between two birds who definitely don’t go along with the rest of the flock…

Good morning people! I'm assuming you're all people, right? I mean, while we avians are incredibly talented, feathers aren't the best appendages for operating computer keyboards and beaks tend to destroy the plastic keys.

Anyhoo, my name is Maybelle Merriweather, house sparrow in charge of the town watch and up-and-coming member of the Air Security Agency in the land-based division for the Atlantian government. I've been asked to conduct an interview with the Chief of the ASA, Mr. Livingston Gull, on the successful completion of his security detail for Mer Prince, Rod Tritone and his mission to bring Mer princess, Valerie Dumere, back to Atlantis. Chronicled in Wild Blue Under, the mission is the second in the series of Atlantian adventures by our author, Judi Fennell.

Chief Livingston, who flew through the ranks to land the top spot at the agency in record time, has taken time from his hectic schedule to visit with us, so, please welcome Livingston Gull.

(applause welcome here)

Maybelle: So, Livingston—may I call you that? How does it feel to be the fastest rising star in the ASA?

Livingston: Thank you Maybelle, and, actually, I'd prefer "Chief." I appreciate the honor and thank you for having me. I must say, it's not every day I get interviewed for doing my job. As to the fastest rising thing, I just did my job, you know? Worked hard, followed the rules, keep my beak to the grindstone and take advantage when opportunity presents itself. Always be prepared—it's the Gull Scouts' motto. You need to remember that.

Maybelle: Um, yeah. Sure. So, ahem, what strengths do you think helped you to attain your lofty career?

Livingston: Well, the three hundred wing lifts I do every day don't hurt. It bulks up the muscles, which improves aerodynamics and keeps the feathers in pristine condition. Then there are the weather charts and topo maps, currents and wind sheer charts, Doppler readings, etc. that I study with my morning breakfish. Aerial maneuvers keep my reflexes sharp, basic training, that sort of thing. The ASA is all about being the best you can be.

Maybelle: Protecting the Mer Heir is an important position, so I've heard that only the best of the best reach the top echelons of service.

Livingston: (coughs) Well, I aim to serve.

Maybelle: But sometimes things don't always go as planned, as I see from reading Wild Blue Under. They did go according to my plan, however, if you read my chapters.

Livingston: (arches one eyebrow at our intrepid interviewer) That's why we train for any eventuality. In today's world, you have to be braced for anything. Able to respond on the fly. Our instruction and training missions are aimed to create the best of the best. Everyone wants to be one of us. The few. The proud. The mariners.

Maybelle: Mariners? Hmmph. Okaaaay… So, how did this attitude and training help you adapt to the quick series of events that transpired once Rod arrived in Valerie's town? If you recall, she wasn't all that keen on following him off into the wild blue under?

Livingston: Would you be? That was one area The Oceanic Council had gotten all hubris-y over. They never expected someone to scoff at the idea of an inheritance. No one guessed that Valerie wouldn't want to accompany Rod. (looks around then holds one wing in front of his beak and leans in to whisper) The Council does tend to get caught up in their own importance.

Maybelle: But you were able to keep the prince and princess on course?

Livingston: (fluffs breast feathers, making the tattooed star there ripple) My mission was to ensure that Rod and Valerie arrived safely and if it meant pulling in every available avian in the vicinity—yourself included—so be it. I did what needed to be done, and never, never, never gave up. The members of the ASA always get our Mer.

Maybelle: Um, as I recall, you weren't all that keen on me helping you.

Livingston: Helping is one thing. Interfering is another.

Maybelle: (Hrmphs again. ) So, can you tell us about your tattoo? I've never seen a herring gull with a black star on his white breast feathers.

Livingston: (fluffs breast feathers some more) Well, because of my quick ascent through the ranks, I was awarded the Order of the Star. Now, being a herring gull, I have no place to carry such an award, so I had it tattooed onto my chest. A badge of honor, if you will. Amphitroe the Octopus runs a clean tattoo parlor off the coast of New Jersey and she handled it for me. Mention my name and she'll give you a 10% discount.

Maybelle: I'll take a pass on that, thanks. And thank you for swooping in for a visit today. Is there anything you'd like to add?

Livingston: Actually, there is.

Maybelle: Figures.

Livingston: Excuse me?

Maybelle: Oh, nothing. Please continue.

Livingston: I intend to.

Maybelle: Shocker.

Livingston: Did you say something?

Maybelle: (makes shoo-ing motions with her lovely brown feathers). You were saying you wanted to add something for our readers?

Livingston: (gives Maybelle the evil eye with his beady little gull eye). Right. I'd like to add that our author has collaborated with a lovely bed & breakfast, the Atlantis Inn (can you imagine a more perfect title, btw?) in Ocean City, NJ where Reel has his home, and Rod and Val spend some time, to offer a romantic beach getaway weekend. You can see pictures of the property at http://www.atlantisinn.com/ and can register to win at Judi's website, http://www.judifennell.com/. Even better, she's teamed up with the Hibiscus House B&B in West Palm Beach, Florida to celebrate the release of Angel and Logan's story for a third getaway weekend, and if you register for the Wild Blue Under November 30 drawing, you'll also be registered for the February 28, 2010 drawing for Catch of a Lifetime. So coast on by and sign up today! Who knows, you might be lucky enough to meet me. I tend to check up on the guests.

Maybelle: Of course you do.

Livingston: Pardon?

Maybelle: Never mind. This is Maybelle Merriweather signing off. Look for my heroics in helping the prince and his princess reach the Wild Blue Under and have a blustery day!

WILD BLUE UNDER—book 2 in the Mer Series—in stores November 2009!

The underwater kingdom is his as soon as he claims his queen…

Rod Tritone has the looks and charm to snag any queen he wants for his Mer kingdom, but unfortunately, it's not up to him. As fate would have it, the one woman destined to rule with him is terrified of water…

She lives in land-locked Kansas and has no idea she's a princess…

Valerie Dumere thinks Rod is gorgeous and irresistible—but why does he keep insisting she has another side to herself that only he can show her?

Somehow, Rod has to prove to her who she really is. But when she finds out the truth, will she ever forgive him?


About the Author
Judi Fennell is an award-winning author. Her romance novels have been finalists in Gather.com's First Chapters and First Chapters Romance contests, as well as the third American Title contest. She spends family vacations at the Jersey Shore, the setting for some of her paranormal romance series. She lives in suburban Philadelphia, PA.

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Giveaway
Thanks to Sourcebooks I have a copy of In Over Her Head and Wild Blue Under to giveaway to one lucky winner. Open to the U.S. & Canada. To enter leave a comment on this post along with your email address. I'll announce the winner on November 13th. Good Luck!