It's a promotion day!
Today we're presenting to you Paige Pendelton's awesome books in the Black Ledge Series:
The Keeper and The Rune Stone
The Keeper and The Alabaster Chalice
Let's take a look at these beatuies, shall we?
Centuries ago a group of Elves committed an unholy ritual. But the ritual was a spectacular failure. It transformed the Elves into the Noctivagi - the beings we know as vampires.
Striving to maintain a fragile peace, the ancient Elves and Dwarves negotiated an Accord, which they've renewed every year on the Summer Solstice. The ceremony depends on the magical Rune Stone, but it's missing. If it is not found—and quickly—the consequences could be dire, and not just for Elves and Dwarves.
Four children, Rob, Jack, Eleanor, and Flora, stumble into a world of magic and mayhem when they move into Black Ledge, the old estate on the Maine coast, and discover they aren’t the only ones who live there.
He’d bonded with the child. It was foretold, and so it would be.Black Ledge is inhabited again, but not everyone in the Realm is pleased. As the Driscolls settle into their new home they meet magical Beings, discover secrets, and exasperate the Elven Guard. They’re having a great time.
Charm turns to alarm when they meet Doris, the Acadian Water Witch, who's removed the Alabaster Chalice from its watery grave. The Noctivagi, drawn by the artifact's Water Magyk, seek the Chalice for their own nefarious purpose, and mayhem ensues.
Eleanor, Rob, Jack, and Flora fight time and tide to return the Alabaster Chalice to the Undine Prince before the darkness steals it.
Today Paige has agreed to be interviewed by The Cover Contessa.
So let's see what she has to say!
How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish?
When I am neck deep actually writing? One to two months for the first draft. I mull and plot longer, before I even start writing, and I work on the draft for longer. Polish, tighten, and mull some more.
How do you come up with themes for your stories?
The Black Ledge Series started with a fascination of The Lost Red Paint People, Maine’s indigenous people. I decided to explore aspects of their history as a magical adventure, mostly because there was something magical about them, and their “adventures”.
The Red Paint People were a tribe of indigenous people who lived on the coasts of New England and Atlantic Canada regions of North America thousands of years ago.
The name The Red Paint People arose from their use of Red Ochre to decorate their belongings, and themselves. They decorated tools, clothing, and the bodies of their dead in burial preparation.
They were bold seafarers. Swordfish bones discovered in archaeological sites tell us they were navigating deep and treacherous waters in the Atlantic. Thousands of years ago, in canoes.
And here's where the plot thickens. Archaeological excavations in Norway have unearthed tools and belongings with similar red marks/patterns to those discovered on the coast of Maine. Eerily similar red markings. Other clues point to trans-Atlantic travel. Rune Stones in North America that date long before the defined Viking Age. A breed of domestic cat (the Maine Coon) shares DNA with the Norwegian Forest Cat. Strong similarities between some Native American and Ancient Norse myths suggest they gathered around the same campfire more than once.
Did Elves and Dwarves stow away on one of the return trips to Maine? It appears they did.
Our story then takes a darker turn, as things tend to do on the coast of Maine, but our Once upon a time began in a land far, far away.
Do you have a schedule of when you write?
I tend to be a “binge” writer. When I am writing, I am all in until the ink stops flowing. I don’t try to wring ink - if it isn’t flowing, I walk away, and switch to observing and thinking. I have notebooks everywhere, even in the shower.
How are you able to balance other aspects of your life with your writing?
My family might raise their eyebrows at this question. They are very good sports.
What elements do you think make a great story line?
Needing to know what’s going to happen. Either because the plot is suspenseful, or I care about a character, but for me as a reader the best story lines are ones that compel me to turn the pages really fast.
What was the hardest thing about writing a book?
Getting it to readers. Working on the books is the fun part. Promo-ing the book properly is more challenging, for me.
I love author events, though. Those are the most fun!
How many books have you written so far? Do you have a favorite?
I’ve written 4. Two are out. I don’t really have a favorite. Each has things that I love.
Do you have a favorite character?
Oh, so many. I really love Floyd, the Hob at Black Ledge. And Motte, Gunnr’s Gargoyle.
Where do you write?
At a table my Mother painted, in our kitchen.
When deciding on how to publish, what directed you to the route you took?
I published the books myself (with a lot of professional help). I queried agents, but I didn’t have luck tempting anyone to even read the first MS (two agents did, and I received very nice rejections). I realized that that was a challenging road to pursue, but I’d had very good feedback on the books, so I decided to jump off the cliff and put them out there independently.
Have you gotten feedback from family about your book(s)? What do they think?
My daughters are ruthless critics. They are so helpful, and always eager for the next chapter.
What kinds of things do you like to do outside of writing?
I like to garden, sail, and read. My daughters show cattle, and we love being on the periphery of that. Great people, great times. We like cows.
What kinds of advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing?
Just start. Scrawling, typing, or painting on cave walls, however you write, start this minute and don’t “pause” until you’ve finished your first draft.
What is your favorite book? favorite author? Do you have an author that inspired/inspires you to write?
So many favorites. Juvenile fiction holds a special place in my heart as I enjoyed so many adventures reading as a kid. Madeline L’Engle, Joan Aiken, Mary O’Hara, Robert Lawson.
As an adult, I read everything, except misery fiction. When I want a good story I want something that leaves me satisfied, not troubled. A brownie sundae indulgence would be a Serge Storms adventure from Tim Dorsey.
Do you have any go to people when writing a book that help you with your story lines as well as editing, beta reading and such?
Oh, gosh, all of that. I belong to a fabulous writer’s group, and I have an editor I can’t say enough about. My friends and family are super, too. My daughters are invaluable.
Are you working on anything now?
Yes, besides the next books in the Black Ledge series, I have a juvenile mystery series I am also working on. No magic, just murder.
I hope to release the first book, UnattendeAd, this year, and I’m jotting notes and plotting on two adult fiction works.
Thanks so much, Brooke!
Thanks for stopping by today Paige! It's been great having you here and hearing about your writing process!
Paige has offered a generous giveaway, so scroll down to the Rafflecopter and enter to win!
About the Author: The secrets of the Red Paint People have haunted Maine for 7000 years. Paige is busy writing those tales.
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