Today I am so pleased to welcome Mary Rundle to Joyfully Jay. Mary has come to talk to us about her audio release, Dire Warning. She has also brought along a great giveaway. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!

 

Hello, I’m Mary Rundle and thanks for hosting me today for my blog tour for the Audio version of Dire Warning, Book 1 of the Blackwood Pack saga. Nick J. Russo, an award-winning narrator, is simply amazing in his ability to make each character come alive. I receive many questions about my writing, so today, I’m answering some of them. I hope you enjoy it!

 

Mary has written some questions and answers to share with us today! 

Do you have any things nearby or a certain way of doing things?

I’m not too fussy about that; I don’t have to have stuff arranged a certain way on my desk or things like that. What really is important is that I write no fewer than 2,500 words (about one chapter) a day…no matter what. And once I begin a book, that means no time off, seven days a week.

How many hours a day do you write? What is your best time to write?

The word count I set usually requires about five hours a day. I am not a morning person, as many writers are—I’m a night owl. Things are quieter then and I can really get into the swing of writing; words flow better for me. I usually get my word count done at about four in the morning.

If you had to recommend one thing to a new writer, what would it be?

Keep writing. When I wrote my first book I sometimes got discouraged but my mentor, Lisa Oliver, would keep telling me that. Writing a book is enormously difficult…almost overwhelming at first. You just have to plough through it. There’s an old saying that for a story to be good, characters must overcome great obstacles to achieve worthwhile ends. That applies as well to a writer’s life. Your novel is the worthwhile end, and as a writer you’re going to have to endure some suffering to get there.

What have you learned recently?

As in all the arts, you’re only as good as your last book, film, painting, whatever. You can’t rest on your laurels. There’s a lot of pressure to keep on top of your game but you can’t let that get to you. Just keep writing what you like and grow along with your craft. Don’t clutch up.

Your books have many storylines in them. Do you outline your stories before writing?

No. That’s where I probably differ from most authors. I sit down and the stories just unfold. I have a good memory as to what’s gone before in earlier books so continuity is not a problem for me, nor is weaving it all together.

Have you ever taken a trip to research a story? Tell me about it.

I traveled extensively before I began to write so I can draw on that when I need to. But any writer today can set scenes anywhere with realism by just researching it on the Internet

Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?

I chose to write M/M romance because I didn’t want my characters trapped in M/F stereotypes. In M/F certain things are expected from opposite sexes that constrain the narrative whereas with M/M characters they start off on an equal footing which, in my opinion, allows for more creative versatility.

What do you have in the works at the moment?

I’m currently working on Book 10 of the Blackwood Pack, which is turning out to be more of a thriller 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.


Blurb

dire warning coverThe Blackwood Pack saga begins…

Follow the journey of the Blackwood Pack, seven brothers who are wolf shifters in search of their fated mates – stories about love at first sight with twists and turns, angst and humor, romance and adventure. Each book has two men who meet, fall in love, mate and achieve an HEA but the stories also chronicle the continuing saga of the Blackwood Pack.

For more than 100 years, Steel, one of the last Dire Wolves, has been looking for his mate the Fates promised him. Discouraged after meeting his latest date, he takes a short cut home, seeing in a naked hitchhiker everything he envisions the man of his dreams to be. His wolf and body tell him the man is his fated mate but why can’t he pick up his scent?

Robbed of his car, clothes and money, Jackson, Alpha of the Blackwood Pack, is left with no choice but to thumb a lift, frantic to get home to his six brothers. He’s been protecting them from a rival pack who massacred most of his family and wants to finish off the rest. When Steel rolls down his window, Jackson knows he’s found his fated mate but it would be too dangerous to claim him with his pack under attack.

After the intervention of an Oracle and a Witch, Jackson finds the Fates gave him an unusual gift that made him unique– and just for Steel. Navigating the mine field this revelation brings, Jackson and Steel must figure out how to make their relationship work while dealing with external forces determined to kill them and the rest of the Blackwood pack.

Buy links:


Bio

Mary Rundle The first book I ever wrote was Dire Warning in 2017 and, much to my delight, it became an Amazon Best-Seller. Readers loved it and I was on my way to chronicling the Blackwood Pack, seven brothers who are gay wolf shifters in search of their fated mates—stories about love at first sight with twists and turns, angst and humor, romance and adventure and, of course, happy endings.

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.


Giveaway

Mary has brought $20 Amazon Gift Card and Blackwood Pack mug to give away to one lucky reader on her tour. Follow the Rafflecopter below to enter.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway


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