Monday, December 7, 2015

Interview with Ares and Of War Series Spotlight by Lisa Beth Darling!

OF WAR SERIES

An Epic Journey of Love, Lust, Betrayal, Rage, and Redemption
by Lisa Beth Darling

Fall in Love with Ares God of War and Alena MacLeod. Together they Rock the World from the Heights of Olympus to the Celtic Moors.


In The Heart of War, Magdalena MacLeod has been on the run from Cernunnos, Great Horned God, for 200 years when she mysteriously washes ashore on secluded isle of the God of War. When the Olympians discover her presence on Ares' island, they send Apollo to the island to retrieve her while Ares is away. Diplomatically winding her way out of immediately going to Olympus and having nowhere to turn, Alena strikes a bargain with the God of War--her virginity for his protection.
Ares sees a sweeter deal; her in his bed and himself back in his rightful place on Olympus even if it means turning Alena over to Zeus. After Alena proves herself to Ares in battle and his bed, the God of War must choose between his Divinely Dysfunctional Family, his pride, and Alena.


Child of War-A God is Born  Ares and Alena have settled on snowy Olympus to await the birth of their son, Raven. Before Raven is even born, Zeus outwardly despises him for his Fey blood. With only one to keep his family safe from his father, Zeus the God of Gods, Ares enters into a blood pact that could cost the God of War everything he holds dear.
After a harrowing birth wherein mother and son are nearly lost to Ares, it quickly becomes clear that Raven may be the most powerful and cunning Olympian ever born despite his muddled bloodline. Zeus, Apollo, and Aphrodite plot against the new family by carefully planting the seeds of rage and doubt in Ravens' mind, they turn son against mother. It appears as though Cernunnos' prophecy is coming to life as Raven grows to be a very angry young man.
As the true past between the Olympians and Celts is revealed, the battle for Ravens' mind and the ultimate control of Olympus begins. Before it's over, the white snows of Olympus will run red with blood.
Child of War-Rising Son sees Raven on the verge of manhood as his rampage continues and he begins the difficult path to Acceptance by his fellow Olympians. Out to prove he's as good, if not better than, any of them he bests the Trials set before him by Hades and Poseidon. This isn't enough for him, in his quest to prove to his Father, Ares, that he is an Olympian Raven preys upon the Mortals below Olympus in a time of great weakness. Enlisting the aid of his Uncle Apollo and settling for nothing less than utter Chaos, together they push the Mortals to pure anarchy. Ready to conquer the remainder of his Trials so he may take his place at the Counsel Table, and bring Ares the glory Cernunnos once prophesized, only one thing stands in his way; the night his Mother fell down the stairs. 
 
Apollo, ever the Man Behind the Curtain, pulls Raven's strings like a true puppet master. It's far too late when Raven realizes all he's done in hopes of pleasing his Father actually makes Ares look guilty of destroying the Mortal World. A little Chaos and a little Anarchy aren't enough for the Golden God, in his on-going quest to destroy Ares, Apollo sets a plague loose upon the embroiled Earth. By the time the Olympians discover what's going on twenty million people are dead with the number multiplying exponentially every day.
Women of War gives us a brief reprieve from the death and darkness as we journey backward in time spanning four generations of women in Alena's family. From her great-grandmother, Shar Draiocht the last known Queen of the Dark Kingdom to her tortured daughter Morrowind, to Maven Alena's free-spirited mother and through the lonely life of Alena MacLeod ending where The Heart of War begins with the night Alena washes up on Ares' shore. With intensity, lust, fear, and strength these Women of War make their way in the world revealing the hidden truths of the past and Ares true connection to his beloved Wife, Alena.
Kingdoms of War, the OF WAR Series Finale, sees nearly four billion souls lost to the ravages of Anarchy and the dreaded disease Major Falls.  Ares, Athena, and Raven journey the Mortal World vainly reaching for a sliver of what was only to discover what will be. From the fiery wreckage a new world is slowly arising one where the descendants of Olympians, Celts, Dark Fae, and all manner of Magickal Being will rule.
Ares and Athena wander the world, hoping to curtail further damage by obliterating weapons of mass destruction the Wolf inside the God of War slowly succumbs to Major Falls. A rabid God of War is not a pretty sight. Soon it becomes clear that Ares may not live to see the glory of Olympus restored.
By the time Ares' fevered body is brought to Olympus, Apollo's descent into madness is utterly complete. The Gold God is quite insane as he expertly kills off the members of his Divinely Dysfunctional Family. Yet, Alena's greatest nemesis holds the key to saving Ares' life. The price is high and, should she pay it, Alena can't be sure Ares would ever be able to forgive her.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/T8v8DdXqwDM

Purchase Links:

SIGNED e-book copies of OF WAR Complete Series and SIGNED paperbacks of individual novels are only available from


Amazon/Kindle (unsigned paperbacks are available here)
http://amazon.com/author/lisadarling

Nook
http://barnesandnoble.com/c/lisa-beth-darling






It was in the 4th grade when Lisa Beth Darling discovered she was a naturally gifted writer. For her very first creative writing assignment, the teacher asked the class to pen a story about a baby bird's first flight and read them to the class. Putting pencil to paper, Lisa was instantly whisked away by a force she couldn't explain. When they were finished, all of the children read their happy stories to the class. Not Lisa. She got up and told of how the baby bird flew too high, hit a plane, crashed to the ground and died. She told of how the mama bird and daddy bird cried of how even God was upset sending the rains pouring from the sky. The class was speechless when she finished all they could do was stare at her. The teacher kept her after class told her the story was very good but it was different from the others. She asked Lisa if she'd ever heard of Icarus and had she based her story on him. Lisa had yet to encounter Greek Mythology or hear a whisper of Icarus. As Lisa left the classroom the teacher again told her how good the story was but suggested she might want to write something happier next time. Perplexed,  Lisa turned and asked her teacher: "Why?" The teacher had no answer. Luckily for us, Lisa never took that teacher's advice.
Today she brings us complex multi-layered stories rich with the trials and tribulations that make up the world in which we live. Not one to be pigeonholed into any single genre, Lisa's stories revolve around the intricacies of couples from range the intimacy of lovers, to mothers and sons, and brothers and sisters.
Lisa Beth Darling is 49 years-old, lives in her hometown of New London, CT with her husband of nearly 30 years, Roy.  She is the author of more than fifteen novels along with several short stories and non-fiction books.

Author web links: (web, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads, etc)
Twitter: @lb_darling
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1577311.Lisa_Beth_Darling

Mailing List: http://moonsmusings.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=730bc5043f64521442541c2cd&id=adffcd1e52



Interview with Ares!

Thanksgiving just passed. What are you thankful for?

To be quite honest with you, Kristina, this year I'm thankful just to be alive after my bout with that dreaded disease Major Falls. I was not sure I would ever see another Thanksgiving. Other than that, of course, I'm very thankful to have my Wife, Alena, with me, she's my rock and my heart.

In your opinion, what is the best thing about the winter holiday season?

Roaring fires, having command over the element of flame, I always like the crackle of hearth and the scent of burning wood.
(The God of War breathes in deep through his nose as a warm smile breaks out on his handsome face.)
There's nothing quite like it.

What is your favorite thing to do on a cold day?

I used to like to go around stirring up trouble but now I just adore lazing in bed with my Wife making love on the soft furs that cover our big bed. I have come to appreciate what your Mortals call 'snuggling' very much.

Do you and Alena decorate for the holidays?

Yes, she insists and I've grown quite fond of her traditions. She has me out there every year chopping down great big evergreen trees that she covers with red ribbons, mirrored candles, strings of popcorn and cranberries. One tree is left outside for her Gods and the other is brought inside for Santa Claus, both traditions I thought laughable until our Son, Raven's first Christmas. The look on his face when he woke up that morning and saw brightly wrapped presents beneath the perfectly adorned tree was something I'll never forget. So much joy my Wife brings to my once dreary world it leaves me in awe of her.

What are your favorite holiday foods and drinks?

Cookies, I'm not fond of sweet things, but Alena makes tons and tons of cookies this time of year. The whole house smells like a bakery and the kitchen is lined with filled cookies—they have jelly inside--, something she calls 'Snickerdoodles', they're very cinnamony, she makes sugar cookies and chocolate chips. I confess, they're my favorite. Then there's all of the meats, cheese, and breads! My Wife cooks and bakes from just before Thanksgiving until New Year's Day.
(He pats the studded leather vest barely covering his broad chest and toned stomach)
It's a wonder I'm not fat as a cow!

Sun or snow?

Living on Olympus so long I've had my fill of snow, I'll take the warm sunlight.

Would you rather make a snow angel or a snowman?

Well, my dear, as you probably know, I'm no angel, if I tried to make such a thing it would probably burst into flames.

Do you have any favorite holiday memories you can share?

That first Christmas was something. There'd never been a Christmas tree on Olympus, not in five thousand years, my Family was a bit upset to see one sitting in the middle of all of their temples and towers. They wouldn't speak to me for six months. It was the best six months ever!
(Ares smiles wide as he laughs heartily.)
Other than the look on Raven's face, it was the best Christmas present I could imagine.

What is your favorite outdoor winter activity?

Snowball fights are quite fun, especially when you have my particular skill set. Sometimes I get a little overzealous and Alena says I take it too seriously but, what can I say, I enjoy the fight even when it's supposed to be all in good fun. It's not like anyone gets hurt, well, you know, not grievously so anyway.

Christmas is almost here. What is on your Christmas list?

I'm five thousand years old, believe me when I tell you that I have everything that I could ever need or want. So long as my Wife stays with me and our Children—now our Grandchildren!—are happy and healthy, I could never ask for more. The older I get it seems that it's the simplest of things that bring me the most pleasure.

What are you giving your wife for Christmas?

My Wife is such an elegant creature, she never asks for anything in the way of presents, which is good because I'm not much of a shopper.
(His dark eyes roll in as his voice trails off and he lets out a nearly mournful sigh)
 Not that there's any place to go shopping any longer, not after Major Falls.  
(Appearing to let go of the things he cannot change, Ares smiles once again and his eyes sparkle.)
But this year I've made her a new necklace. I hewed, cut, faceted, and set the gems myself. Would you like to see?
(Ares reaches into the pocket of his tight leather pants and holds up a long glittering strand of jewels, five layers deep, that looks as though it came from Tiffany's.)
We have rubies, that's me you know, and diamonds, those are Alena, then there's topaz for Raven, emeralds for our Daughter Rose, and sapphires for our Granddaughter, Maggie. I think she'll like it, she's very sentimental.

It's lovely! And lastly… Inquiring minds want to know, are you on the naughty or nice list?

Me? My darling, I'm always on the Naughty List. 

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