Please welcome K.A. M'Lady to the blog!

Congratulations and welcome! Why don’t you tell us a little bit about Just Another ParaNormal Halloween.

Hi, Rhonda! Thanks so much for inviting me to your blog.

The Just Another ParaNormal Halloween Anthology is a collaboration of paranormal stories by a wonderfully talented group of authors from Just Another Paranormal Monday. Each story was written with a Halloween theme and each one is uniquely different from the others; ranging from vampires, werecreatures, the undead and even angels; a little something for everyone tastes.

What is the title of your story in the book?

My story is titled Love, Lies & Zombie Cries and is centered on the main character Jayda Oslynn who is a necromancer, or ‘death dealer, as her kinfolk call themselves. She receives a request to raise a zombie on the night of Halloween and in the course of her interview with the vampire that requests this deed things quickly go from bad to worse. Here’s a little intro:

Just Another ParaNormal Halloween - Anthology
Published By: Mojocastle Press
www.mojocastle.com
Published: Oct 08, 2010
ISBN # 1601801289
Word Count: 70,192
Price: $5.99

Love, Lies & Zombie Cries by K.A. M’Lady

Jayda Oslynn knows what death feels like. She knows the solitude in the darkness’ silence. The lonely spaces between life’s last breath and the realm of the undead.
Like the women in her family before her, she’s had a life-long affinity with those that wander in the land between. Some call it black magick or necromancy, but to the Oslynn family it’s always been known as death dealing. And, whether a blessing or a curse, Jayda’s always been able to feel their feelings – their love and suffering, their happiness and sorrows. The truth, when shared through her eyes, always has a way of being felt and seen.
This Halloween, Jayda finds that when dealing with the dead, some memories are better left buried, for the real truth never stays buried and hearts, once broken seldom seem to mend.


Excerpt:

If sex is better than chocolate, how come love bites?
I wanted to ask that of my last client, but she was dead. This time it was forever too. Granted, the long-tooth did deserve it. Now I wasn’t setting myself up as judge and jury, mind you. And, the fact that her lover sort of gone and got me to help be executioner had me none too thrilled, even though she’d done plenty a things in her past life to deserve it, sure as the night is dark. But, it’s like I said, the vamp did have it coming and, as the saying goes, ‘the dead tell no tales.’
It all ain’t no never mind to me, least ways. I just don’t like having no part in all of it, is all. Double-dealing vamps and their two-faced, soullessness, and all. Anyways, got myself in a heap now. Not real sure how I’m gonna get out of it either. I suppose the only way to tell this tale is to start at the start. Then, maybe together we can find our way to the end.
My momma always said that when you take pay from the devil, he’s gonna be owed some change. Well, some nights, I guess that’s true enough. Least ways, when you’re dealing with the dead and affairs of the heart. Somebody always ends up sore or sorry, in my experience, anyways.
This story starts on Halloween. I always did hate to call the dead on Halloween. Hated it like the feel of an apple skin spliced between your teeth and you can’t quite get the floss to wrap around it. Like you can’t quite seem shuck it loose or swipe it clean. Instead, you know the gums are gonna bleed. Something always bleeds.
In my line of work, it’s part of the ritual. Blood sacrifice. Chicken killing and graveyard dancing. I just hated doing it on Halloween. Seemed this, of all nights, is always filled with its own brand of dark magick. Seems I never needed much blood to call those nestled below its safe, dark surface. And, no matter how much my fee, I always managed to find someone rich enough or twisted enough who had the means and the motives with which to inspire me into doing their bidding.
Yeah, money was a master, but it wasn’t mine. Or, it wasn’t my only. You had to have a reason, and a damn well good one, for having me raise someone from the dead on Halloween. I’ve been doing this my whole life, you see. Well, as long as I could hold a memory, that is. I’ve called a few gnarly things from beyond the hedgerow in my time. Necromancy is an inborn gift. One you’ve either got or you ain’t.
Oh, I know quite a few zombie raisers. They’re pretty good at their craft, mind you. But raising the dead—and I mean truly raising the dead—well, that’s a whole different sort of magick. Lucky for me, it runs in my family. My momma was a death dealer, as was her momma before her. They both died real young, though. Stories told say that the dead got mad they were messing with their resting. I’m not sure that be true. I’ve done my research...something my kin might have should of done. Earth magick and death magick go a bit hand in hand, ya know.
My name is Jayda Lee Oslynn, and I’m a death dealer.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Everything, anything. A verse of a song, the color of a door on someone’s house. A line from a poem, news headlines. I have a whole new series in the works based on one little article I read on a bit of archeological information and the person at the dig site. Add in some friends and family, switch things up – it’s always fun to take historical facts and twist them to suit my purposes. Makes for a fun storyline. Plus, when your friends beg to be written in…well, I keep telling them they should be careful what they ask for. If they end up a three-headed dog that licks its own butt or flesh-eating zombie that only eats toes – hey, don’t whine to me about it, you asked to be written in.

Thats Great! Be careful what you wish for. Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what music?

I don’t listen to it when I’m writing. That is to say if it’s on I really don’t notice. The TV can be on, the radio on, the house crumbling – when I’m writing I tend to be lost in whatever I’m working on. I’d prefer it to be quiet though – the voices in my head yammer enough.


Believe me, I know what that is like! Sometimes my characters voices are so loud I can't hear anything else. LOL Where can your readers learn more about you?

Readers can find more about me and my work from my publisher – Mojocastle Press – www.mojocastle.com and on my website at www.kamlady.net There they will find character images and bios from my Realm series, news articles from the Glen Hills Gazette, as well as reference information for my Faith Savage Demon Huntress Series and a link to her first interview. Of course you can also find me on MySpace – www.myspace.com/kamlady and on Facebook - www.facebook.com/KaMLady Then, of course, every Monday you will find updates, blurbs and Creature Features over at Just Another Paranormal Monday.

You pretty much have all the bases covered. What are you writing now?

I have several works about to be released (I’ve been super busy.) I just released the third installment in my dark fantasy series Realm titled Illuminated Death. I have a new fantasy poetry book being released – Ramshackle Castle – Bent Poetry & Other Altered Verse, three new installments in my Faith Savage Demon Huntress series coming out - Book 5 – The Ash Collector, Book 6 – Wicked’s Kiss and Book 7 – Sinner and then for Christmas we’ll have another anthology released by another great group of authors from Just Another Paranormal Monday. This one is for a wonderful cause and I am very excited about it. All of the proceeds from the sales of Just Another ParaNormal Christmas will go to benefit The Armed Forces Children’s Education Fund. It will also be available for free download to service members of Operation eBook Drop (www.operationebookdrop.com). All of the stories in the Anthology are paranormal related and Christmas themed, as well as being rated PG-13. This rating was so that the stories can be ready by anyone.



That's an awesome cause. I wish you well with it. Do you have an excerpt from your book that you’d like to share?

You bet! My story is titled Once Upon a Dragon. I sort of have a child-like impartiality to this story. I took some of my fondest memories of Pete’s Dragon, tossed in some of Merlin’s magic; a few bits from a few of my favorite childhood books and, well, you get the picture.

Just Another ParaNormal Christmas – Coming to Mojocastle Press

(Unedited) Once Upon A Dragon by K.A. M’Lady

Jeremy Owens and his older siblings want to believe in magic, but hope and belief are difficult things to hold onto even when you’re a child. After the loss of their parents, three young children find themselves fostered off on an Aunt who’s never known the love of a child. This Christmas will the Owens children find out what it means to believe again?
Anything is possible with a little magic.

Excerpt:

Twenty minutes. It had taken twenty minutes to get all of their bags down the train deck and piled next to Lennai’s car. That was with her helping. What in blue-blazes did these children bring with them? And where am I going to put all of it? Not to mention how in the world am I going to get it and them back to my house? In this little car? The mound of luggage stood higher than the top of Lennai’s car and she was completely out of her league already.
“Need some help?”
Pen. Just his name brought a swarm of relief that Lennai would never be able to explain to anyone. Today, of all days, she was happy to see him. Again.
“You have no idea,” she stated, a smile of thanks filling her eyes even as it spread across her lips.
She watched Pen make quick work of filling the back of his old Dodge pick-up with the mountain of bags that were the children’s belongings. She watched the way the afternoon light caught Pen’s dark hair. How easily he seemed to get along with the children; already laughing and joking with the eldest boy, Tyler, and the little one, Jeremy. For one brief moment her heart ached for all the emptiness that had been her life.
“Can we ride back to your house with Pen?” Tyler asked, his voice hopeful, his eyes bright.
“Yeah, can we Aunt Lennai?” This from Jeremy who was tugging on her sweater, looking up at her with the same bright, brown eyes that were an exact match for her brothers’.
“It’s fine with me,” Sam stated. “I’ll ride with you.”
Lennai blinked, trying to take it all in. When did her life became so crazy? Oh, yes. Today.
“I guess so,” she told them hesitantly. “That is, if it’s ok with you, Pen?”
“Sure, I don’t mind. Besides, don’t think there’s much room in your car anyway.”
Lennai turned and looked at her little Geo which was loaded down from floor to roof with what apparently were all of Sam’s belongings. The back end had actually sunk a good two inches and she was wondering if they’d even make it down the road from the weight.
“It’ll be fine, Lenni,” Pen said, as if reading her thoughts. “Come on boys. Adventures await.” Then he lifted up Jeremy into the cab.
“Oooh, what’s this?” Jeremy questioned as he hung out the side of the truck, a shiny rock in his hands.
“Don’t worry, Lenni,” Pen whispered, taking Lennai by the shoulders and pointing her in the direction of her car. “You’ll do just fine. You’ll see.”
“Glad you’re so all fire sure of things,” she muttered. “You borrow some of Merlin’s magic? Get yourself a crystal ball?”
Pen shrugged. “Maybe.” Then he winked at her and walked away.
“That there is a dragon’s egg, little Jeremy. So don’t squish it.”
“A dragon’s egg? Will it make a magical dragon? Where’d you get a dragon’s egg anyway? Can you get me a magical dragon?” Jeremy rapidly questioned, each word dripping with the excitement and exuberance of youth.
Lennai grunted. Magical dragons.
Sam snorted. Magical dragons.
Tyler laughed. “Whoever heard of eggs that hatched magical dragons?”



Thanks so much, Rhonda for having me today on your blog. I greatly appreciate being able to share my work with you and your readers. Please stop by and see on my website or send me an email – who knows, you may get written into my next WIP.

Hopefully not as a three headed monster! :) It's been my pleasure interviewing you!

Blessings ~ K.

K.A. M’Lady
Fantasy Romance Kissed With Dark Sensuality
www.kamlady.net