Monday, April 8, 2019

Elizabeth Mueller & Masquerade: Oddly Suited

The latest IWSG anthology looks like another winner! Today, I've got Elizabeth Mueller, one of the authors, here to answer some questions!

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Have you written YA romance before this short story?
Yes, I have. They are my favorite kinds of romances to write. Darkspell is my first published out there.

What was it about the prompt that intrigued you?
The prompt was YA Masquerade Romance—I find each one in itself: I love YA, romance,
and masquerades. Imagine what all three can do? Whoa!

What was your favourite part of writing this short story?
I loved creating the mysticism behind it, the implied history of their romantic intrigue.

As a writer, do you tend to start with characters, setting, or plot when you first get an idea? Oh, how do I answer that? It’s always a combination of things that come at me all at once I can’t possibly tell one from the other. Sometimes it’s a concept: like a character bound hand and foot by the queen’s body guards as he glares up at her (both are love interests). The story then unfolds as I imagine how he got himself into that mess and why. So fun!

Introduce us to the main character in your story.
Meet Ivy. Independent, smart, honorable. Curious. It’s what gets her into the mess to begin with but if she hadn’t have listened to her instincts, all would have been lost!


About my Short Story, ‘The Cog Prince’
Falling in love, saving the day, and a masque—oh my! The clock strikes the thirteenth hour and Ivy is sucked into a masquerade ball of whirling dancers where the Cog Prince has summoned her. A mysterious darkness seeks their destruction and she alone holds the key. Will Ivy save them in time?

Author Bio
Award-winning author Elizabeth Mueller lives in Texas with her husband, five lively children, five indoor kitties, a few outdoor kitties, and seventeen chickens. While she enjoys homeschooling her kidlets, she thrives as a full-time writer of any genre that captures her heart. She loves to hear from her readers!


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Masquerade: Oddly Suited Tour Banner

Today I'm taking part in the blog tour for Masquerade: Oddly Suited, a young-adult romance anthology from The Insecure Writer's Support Group which is coming out on 30th April 2019!

About the Anthology

Title: Masquerade: Oddly SuitedRelease date: April 30th, 2019
Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press
Genres: Young Adult Fiction: Romance – General / Paranormal / Contemporary
Print ISBN: 9781939844644
EBook ISBN: 9781939844651

Book cover for Masquerade: Oddly Suited

Find love at the ball...
Can a fake dating game show lead to love? Will a missing key free a clock-bound prince? Can a softball pitcher and a baseball catcher work together? Is there a vampire living in Paradise, Newfoundland? What’s more important—a virtual Traveler or a virtual date to the ball?
Ten authors explore young love in all its facets, from heartbreak to budding passion. Featuring the talents of L.G. Keltner, Jennifer Lane, C.D. Gallant-King, Elizabeth Mueller, Angela Brown, Myles Christensen, Deborah Solice, Carrie-Anne Brownian, Anstice Brown, and Chelsea Marie Ballard.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will mystify and surprise even as they touch your heart. Don your mask and join the party…


Stories Featured

Oddly Suited, LG Keltner
The silliest situations may be oddly suited for romance.
Behind the Catcher’s Mask, Jennifer Lane
Who can help her through a meltdown on the pitcher’s mound?
The Dark Charade, CD Gallant-King
The new girl in town falls in love for a mysterious boy who is maybe, probably, most definitely, a vampire.
The Cog Prince, Elizabeth Mueller
Falling in love, saving the day, and a masque—oh my! Will a missing key free a clock-bound prince?
A Diver’s Ball, Angela Brown
You can be anything you want in the online world of Cumulus. A human. An elf. A powerful beast mutation from your wildest imagination. But can you be in love?
Flower of Ronda, Myles Christensen
What if life's price of servanthood could be changed?
Fearless Heart, Deborah Solice
Is he a figment of her imagination conjured to keep her sane, or is he something else…something more?
Charleston Masquerade, Carrie-Anne Brownian
Can two worlds come together and find love?
Sea of Sorrows, Anstice Brown
What could a shapeshifting siren know about love?
Remedy, Chelsea Marie Ballard
Everything is against Remy and Rudy, but on the night of the Masquerade Ball, they must choose: each other or their lives?
You can find out more about the authors of Masquerade: Oddly Suited here.

Giveaway

The authors of Masquerade: Oddly Suited are giving away a $50 Amazon gift card to one winner. To enter, please complete the Rafflecopter below. The giveaway is open internationally from 12:00 am GMT 17th March to 12:00am GMT 6th May.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

Visit the other blog tour hosts below to find out more about the stories and authors featured in Masquerade: Oddly Suited.
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So excited for this book to come out! Can't wait to see if Ivy saves the day!
Thanks for the visit, Elizabeth!

How about you? Do you start with characters, setting, or plot first? Or do they all come in a blend the way they do for Elizabeth?

28 comments:

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I loved the magical surrealism of her story. Her words conveyed the dream-like atmosphere.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I've read Elizabeth's story and it was great! Congratulations. :)

Carrie-Anne said...

The premise of Elizabeth's story sounds fantastic, and I love the name Ivy!

Jemi Fraser said...

It sounds fabulous - can't wait to read it!

Jemi Fraser said...

Looking forward to reading it as well!

Jemi Fraser said...

It does sound fabulous! :)

Natalie Aguirre said...

Congrats to Elizabeth! I love the idea of the 13th hour. The title is really intriguing too.

Mason Canyon said...

Elizabeth's story sounds intriguing. Congrats to her and all the authors featured in Masquerade: Oddly Suited.

Jemi Fraser said...

It really is! Can't wait to read!

Jemi Fraser said...

It's going to be a fabulous anthology!

Anstice Brown said...

Great interview! Thank you for so much for hosting, Jemi.

Anstice Brown said...

I loved the excerpt I read and I'm hopefully reading all the stories over the next few days now my paperbacks have arrived.

Anstice Brown said...

She is a wonderful writer, isn't she?

Anstice Brown said...

Me too!

Anstice Brown said...

Yes, such a creative concept.

Anstice Brown said...

Thank you, Mason. Elizabeth's story does sound amazing, I am looking forward to reading it now I have my own copy.

Jennifer Lane said...

You had me at a tied-up hero. *swoons* Thanks to the anthology for helping to get to know you better, Elizabeth!

L.G. Keltner said...

I can't wait to read your story!

Jemi Fraser said...

You're very welcome!
Looking forward to the anthology!

Jemi Fraser said...

LOL - it does sound great!

Jemi Fraser said...

Agreed!

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Jemi, Thank you so much for the wonderful spotlight and interview on your blog! <3

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Thank you, L.G, I feel the same way about yours! :D

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Thank you! I was hoping to convey that! :)

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Thank you to both, Elizabeth!

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Thank you! :D

Jemi Fraser said...

You're very welcome! Happy to have you visit!! :)

LD Masterson said...

Nice interview. I'm looking forward to reading all these stories.