Author Spotlight Tuesday - Missouri Dalton

I'm very pleased to have Missouri Dalton in today's Author Spotlight!

What is your favorite thing about A Curse on the Mountain?

It was a chance to get back to my first love, high fantasy, and write something with all sorts of weird creatures, strange magic and mad kings. Of course, I didn't get to write in everything in this book, as it takes place in mostly one local, but the next book is more globe-trotting so I'm hoping to get into all of the little details. So I guess my answer to that is the world building I did. It was so much fun.


Black and white or all the colors of the rainbow?

All colors of the rainbow in this one. While Eldorans are typically pale (and city dwellers pasty) there are dark-skinned people from other parts of the world that have merged with the populace. The Ruvi are dark-skinned gypsies and there are a whole slew of countries with occupants of a myriad of colors. Of course, I didn't get into much of that in this book, but I look forward to exploring more.


Most of your books include paranormal elements. Is A Curse on the Mountain your first fantasy?

Oddly, most of those books were written after I wrote this one. A Curse on the Mountain was first conceived even before the Night Wars books. I have a habit of reading the Belgariad by David Eddings near every year, High Fantasy has been one of my favorite genres. Publication wise though, I'd say The Blight counts as my first "fantasy" novel as it deals with elves and trolls, but this is my first foray into full on world-building from scratch.


Hard or soft?

If eggs, I prefer soft. In fantasy I like them both. This book I think falls in the middle. It's not going to be too crazy for first time fantasy people, but underlying elements are there to gain complexity as I go further into the world.


What is your favorite time waster?

I have a terrible addiction to Candy Crush Soda... I also enjoy Assassin's Creed though, so it's a tossup.


Slaves or leaders?

Both. I can't choose.


How many slaves does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

Hmm. Depends on how the ceiling is I'd think.


Who was harder to write - Myr or Ryall?

Myr, definitely. Myr is a balancing act of power and fear. He's a man on the run when you first meet him. He wants so badly to fix what he broke, but he knows that's not possible. At the same time though, he is strong. Stronger than I think he ever really knows. Ryall for me was always more of an archetypal character. The hero. Though he also has his weaknesses, he was relatively easy to write.


Sunrise or sunset?

Sunset.


Abs or glutes?

Shoulders.


Do you procrastinate more at the beginning, middle or end of the story, or not at all?

In the middle. I tend to get bogged down in the middle every time.


What's the sexiest food/meal?

Chocolate. (I"m an addict)


Can you share some sexy lines from A Curse on the Mountain?

Hmm... Now there's a question I can't answer from the office.

(Sean here -- I'll try to convince Missouri to send a smutty snippet later from home!)

In the cursed city of Var Eldore, perched on a mountaintop surrounded by a frigid swamp, the rain never stops. Former pleasure slave Myr lives in hiding, trying to stay a step ahead of his captor. But there’s more to Myr than he realizes, and destiny has other plans for him. Soon, he counts soldiers, spies, nobles, and wizards among his allies. Their goal is to oppose the king and those who perpetuate slavery, and fight for the freedom of their land. As they uncover secrets and conspiracies, each more tangled than the last, Myr also discovers he has unique abilities to aid their cause—the Redeemers.

As the strength of the Redeemers grows, so does the number of enemies they must face. Each member of their alliance has his or her own demons to battle, and Myr must confront the truth about himself and become the leader they need. Alongside his lover Ryall and the people who have become his family—as well as some unlikely friends—Myr and the Redeemers must prepare for war. If they fall, the city in the rain will follow.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5886

It's day three of the blog tour and I'm giving away something at each stop along the way! Today, those of you who comment on this post will be entered to win a copy (in the e-format of your choice) of The Hanged Man's Ghost, a book about a cop with a serious case--plus he's haunted.

See more from Missouri Dalton at missouridalton.blogspot.com
twitter: @missouridalton

Missouri Dalton is a writer of horror/paranormal contemporary fantasy and alternate historical novels.

Missouri was raised mainly in transit, slowed down to finish school in one place and was then determined to be as nomadic as possible, if only because that's how things just worked out. She uses writing as an escape from her own neurosi and currently lives with her dear friend Sophia.