Friday, November 6, 2009

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!



46 comments:

  1. Thanks again to Judi, Maybelle & Livingston for stopping by to chat! :)

    Good Luck to everyone who enters the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I really enjoyed the interview!! I am looking forward to reading these books

    aliciahall0605(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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  3. Please enter me in this contest

    amyturci(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi :)
    Thanks for the fun post.
    I love when the characters take over!
    Thank you again,
    All the best,
    RKCharron
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  5. I already read In Over her head so I can't wait to read the new book in the series.

    usignolc(at)yahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great post and the series sounds great. I can't wait to reas them.

    klmc_37@yahoo.com

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  7. I would like to enter.

    kiris089 at gmail dot com

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  8. good morning, everyone! You all are up early - trying to catch a worm, perchance? ;)

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. Please count me in.

    simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

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  10. great post. Great to hear from the characters ;)

    please count me in for the giveaway
    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great post, I'd love thes books count me in...

    misty_labean@yahoo.com

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  12. Great interview! Thanks for the chance:)
    christinbanda@yahoo.com

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  13. Such a great interview! I love this authors books! She is a talented writer and puts a great spin on paranormal reads!
    Amy J
    djsfoxylady@gmail.com

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  14. What a riot! I'd love to get these too.

    Diana DOT castilleja AT gmail.com

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  15. I've been looking forward to getting this one. I enjoyed the first book in the series!

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  16. Awesome giveaway and it was fun reading the post! You can count me in!

    lilazncutie1215(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  17. Great post. Please enter me as well.

    Miranda
    mdwartistry at yahoo dot com

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  18. That was great!! :) I have not read this author and would love a chance to win.

    kweenmg at yahoo dot com

    M

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  19. Hi, Anna! Judi sent me the link to post at Win a Book, so I did that (I think of it as sanctioned stalking 'cause that's how I start to feel after following an author around).

    No need to enter me, but I'd sure love to post more stuff for you.

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  20. Sounds like a fun series.

    cheleooc at yahoo dot com

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  21. Please enter me. Thanks!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  22. :D fun times Judi!

    Lexie
    Lexie.Cenni(@)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a great interview. Judi's books sound good.

    Crystal816[at]hotmail{dot}com

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  24. Thanks, everyone, for stopping by. I had a lot of fun with this scene.

    So did Maybelle. Claims it was all her idea. Go figure.

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  25. :) Awesome interview! Neat idea for the Atlantis Inn too :)

    Congrats on the new release, it looks awesome!

    rachie2004 @ yahoo (d0t) com

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  26. This was a great interview. Thanks!!! Definitely this is a series I could get into.

    rosie0512 @ hotmail . com

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  27. The books sound great! So happy to see something as unique as this in the paranormal genre.

    joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com

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  28. Would love to be considered for this contest :) The book looks great!

    lyoness2009 AT hot mail **dot** COM

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  29. Sounds interesting- count me in.

    the[dot]distant[dot]light[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  30. These books sound great!

    kissinoak at verizon dot net

    ReplyDelete
  31. Enter me in please!

    kalynnick AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Excited about this series, please count me in!

    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks for stopping by Judi! I love your series and I would love to get my hands on both copies. Count me in on the giveaway, Anna!

    Thanks.

    Sue
    okibi_insanity[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Good luck, everyone! Can't wait to see who wins!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Great guest post. I haven't read the series so would like to enter to win the books.

    jen4777[at]hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I have been wanting to read this series for awhile!

    Raelena
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. This book sounds awesome. Please count me in.


    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

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  38. I enjoyed your interview. The books looks like fun reads.

    Thanks for the giveaway. Count me in! :)

    TOPSAIL246(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. It sounds like a great series!

    marielay@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I'm super interested in this series. Count me in!

    ;) VFG

    ReplyDelete
  41. Please enter my name in this super giveaway.

    I am a follower and a subscriber.

    gcwhiskas at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. In Over Her Head and Wild Blue Under sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
    wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. hii anna i love Judys work ! ty for the interview was awesome as usual

    mortalsinn @yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete

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