Gimme Your Shoes

ImageThis week at the YA Indie Carnival we’re kicking off our shoes and going BAREFOOT. It is summer, after all. In honor of this week’s topic, here’s an excerpt from Whispering Evil. In this part of the story, Keira allowed herself to be captured by the mogdocs in order to gain access to the Empress. Unfortunately, her ex-boyfriend foils the plan by rescuing her. She finds herself barefoot and far from home. Keira’s not the damsel in distress type, so asking for assistance, especially from her ex who’s still madly in love with her, holds about as much appeal as mystery loaf with cheese.

Warning: This excerpt contains a spoiler for Book 1. Continue reading “Gimme Your Shoes”

Hidden somethings in Whispering Evil

Avid readers Beth and Sadie wrote to ask me about hidden items and inspirations in Whispering Evil. Well girls, here they are:

Cousin Anthony –  Anthony, designer of the first guardian training rooms, was named in honor of my friend Tony who designs websites.

Mikayla Collins – Mikey is my homage to author Rachel Caine. I adore her Morganville Vampire books. Mikey was named after the two male leads of that series: Michael Glass and Shane Collins.

Dog at the Rest Stop – Keira encounters a playful boxer at the rest stop during her driving instruction, inspired by my brother’s boxer named Archie.

“It’s uh maize” – I can’t resist a good pun…or a bad one. My friends know me as the self-proclaimed Queen of Corn!

Valley View High – Valley View is a street in my neighborhood. I always thought it would be a good name for a school.

Bon Jovi – Yes, Bon Jovi really did perform in concert on Feb. 4th, 1987 in Fort Worth. No, I wasn’t there.

Broo’s Coronation – Broo’s coronation was patterned after the traditional British royal coronation ceremony. In Britain, when the monarch dies, the next in line steps in immediately, but waits several months (a proper grieving period) before holding a coronation ceremony.  Specific items described in the ceremony reflected real-world parts of the actual ceremony held for British monarchs.

Dairy Dog – I know this spot isn’t exclusive to Book 2, but its one that the ladies above mentioned and it’s also something I’ve been asked about many times. This is not a real location, however it was inspired by Briskers Dairy Bar in Oak Hill, Ohio (not sure if it still exists or operates under that name), the Dairy Boy in Crown City, Ohio, and about a dozen other ice cream stands sprinkled in every county along the Ohio River. I’m afraid that I have yet to see one that has twinkling lights or honeysuckle. That part was all me.

Read last April’s post about hidden items in Of Sun & MoonEaster Eggs in Of Sun & Moon

New at the Library

Bossard LibraryThanks a ton to the friendliest librarians on the planet. I’m pleased as punch to announce that The Bossard Memorial Library in Gallipolis, Ohio, has added Whispering Evil to its collection. The library already circulates 3 copies of Of Sun & Moon. (Although one of those is grossly overdue…shame on you, you know who you are.)

This is of special importance as Gallipolis was the inspiration for the river town depicted in the series.

Remember, September is National Library Card Sign Up Month. Stop by your local library and revel in the services that are available for patrons of all ages. You won’t be sorry you did.

Interview with Empress Gammen

Gammen Royal CrestThe Mogdoc News Network will broadcast an exclusive “live” interview with Empress Broo Gammen this Friday at midnight (eastern) via Twitter @MogdocNews.  She’s confident, blond, and in charge. Who knows what the Empress will say?

If you have any questions for Empress Gammen (aka Brooke Banes), please comment on this post with them or on the Bryna Butler, Author Facebook page. Keep in mind that the mogdocs aren’t fond of humans, so they may not use your questions. However, I will forward them to the interviewer. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

It’s sure to be a lot of fun. So, tune in this Friday for this special event to help celebrate the launch of Whispering Evil, Book 2 of the Midnight Guardian ya series.

Whispering Evil is Here!

Whispering EvilGuess you can call me a serial author now.

Book 2 in the Midnight Guardian series, Whispering Evil, was released today on Amazon Kindle and Smashwords.

The paperback is coming soon. Over the next few weeks, it will also filter into other major ebookstores like the B&N NOOKstore, Apple iBooks, and Sony eReader store.

As always, thanks for your support. I’ll keep you posted.

Bryna

Whispering Evil Coming July

Okay, Okay. I know that I had originally said that Whispering Evil would be available in June, but you know me. I couldn’t let it go until I knew it was right. Final proofing is going on now and the book should be available mid July.

To make amends, here’s a sneak peek at the cover. Thanks for your patience. I’ll post the exact launch date soon.

Whispering Evil Cover