Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Meet the Authors #Fantasy Deborah Jay, #ParanormalRomance A.J. Alexander, #Historical Ruth Larrea

There are over 150 authors in the Cafe and Bookstore and I wanted to keep it to key pieces of information such as buying links, recent review, website and covers. However, I know that readers also like to know more about the background of authors.

In this series during June and July I will share the bios of all the authors in the cafe in a random selection. I hope that this will introduce you to the authors in more depth and encourage you to check out their books and follow them on their blog and Twitter.

Meet Deborah Jay

Deborah Jay writes fantasy and urban fantasy featuring complex, quirky characters and multi-layered plots – just what she likes to read.

Fortunate enough to live not far from Loch Ness in the majestic, mystery-filled Scottish Highlands with her partner and a pack of rescue dogs, she can often be found lurking in secluded glens and forests, researching locations for her books.

THE PRINCE’S MAN (#1 The Five Kingdoms), winner of a UK Arts Council award, is her debut novel. #2, THE PRINCE’S SON, and #3, THE PRINCE’S PROTEGEE, are both now available.

Urban fantasy, DESPRITE MEASURES, is the first in a projected 5 book CALEDONIAN SPRITE SERIES, and a stand alone short story SPRITE NIGHT is available for FREE.

Deborah has also published a multi-author SFF anthology THE WORLD AND THE STARS, which includes her SF story, PERFECT FIT.

She also has non-fiction equestrian titles published under the name Debby Lush

Books by Deborah Jay

A recent review for The Prince’s Son

Rachel 5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn’t put it down!  Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 April 2020

I couldn’t put this down, I enjoyed it even more than the first book. Can’t get enough of this author, can’t get enough of the characters and can’t get enough of The Five Kingdoms!

Deborah Jay, Buy: Amazon US – And:Amazon UK – follow Deborah : Goodreads – website: Deborah Jay – Twitter: @DeborahJay2

Meet Aurora Jean Alexander

I’m a fantasy author working on a paranormal romance series. The first book of ‘The Council Of Twelve’ series, ‘Soul Taker’ was published December 15, 2018.

I have written short stories and poetry in the past. Some of my poems can be read on my blog ‘Writer’s Treasure Chest.

My rare free time I’m spending in extreme reading, excessive pool swimming and playing monster-monopoly. My strongest support system are my sister, most of my family, my friends and my three cats.

Books by A.J. Alexander

One of the recent reviews for Demon Tracker

JannyC 5.0 out of 5 stars Amazingly Good!  Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2020

With all that is going on in this world, Alexander provides a wondrous escape into her magical mythological world.

‘Demon Tracker’ throws all the punches and hits every target! ‘Demon Tracker’ is good to the last page read! Not one page was I bored! I think the best book in the series yet. Zepheira is a breakout character and I fell in love with her instantly. Alexander creates a character that is brash, sarcastic, witty, and tough without any effort. She has to be my favorite book character to date. I hope this is not the last in the series. We do still have a jilted Lucifer sulking in the shadows!

A.J. Alexander, Buy:  Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Website: Aurora Jean Alexander – Twitter: @AuroraJean_A

Meet Ruth Larrea

As a child, I lived in my imagination. It was a safe place, beautiful, full of possibilities. I didn’t write stories. I dreamed them.

At school we wrote. The stories came alive in my head and spilled onto the page. A Special Place. Flights of stone steps cut into the cliff, waves crashing on the beach, pebbles under my feet, the air fresh with salt and seaweed.

I loved adventure, excitement. I read The Famous Five, The Lone Pine Club. At school we read the classics. Each term a new one. My world was expanding. I loved the pattern of words, the structure of sentences, nuances of meaning. I applied for a degree in English Language and Literature, entered a world where almost everyone dreamed of being a writer. I dabbled secretly, too shy to show my work.

I taught teenagers, hated it, went back to write an MA thesis in the ivory tower of university. They wanted me to do a PhD, but I wanted to see the ‘real’ world. I saw it, sank ever deeper into problems. Before I knew it I had a son to bring up, a husband with mental health issues. Survival became a daily challenge.

A lucky break came my way. I was asked to write and illustrate leaflets and brochures for local environmental organisations. Then I taught English to wonderful adults from all over the world, and loved it. At home I wrote novels, inspired by my crazy experiences. I retired, took an MA in Creative Writing, found that agents want writers with a career ahead of them, who fit neatly into boxes: literary, or commercial, not a blend of both.

So I did what I’ve always done, for better or worse: my own thing.

One of the recent reviews for  the book

Darlene Foster 5.0 out of 5 stars Love, regrets and possibilities January 27, 2020

A well-written story about love, regrets, and possibilities. The story takes place in Greece for the most part. I like how the author skillfully incorporates the sights and scenery within the story of Rosie and Angelo without info-dumping. Both characters are believable and well developed. It is a story of cultural differences and misunderstandings, family and friends. I highly recommend this enjoyable read that will keep you turning the pages wondering what will happen next. This is more than romance, it is about complex relationships in a captivating setting.

Ruth Larrea, buy: Amazon UK – and: Amazon US –  Website:Ruth Larrea

Thank you for joining me today for this series and I will be sharing another three authors and their work every weekday during June and July. It would be great if you could share. Thanks Sally.