Thursday, February 19, 2015

Aloha to Tessa McFionn and SPIRIT FALL


Yesterday I introduced you to Victoria Pinder (link), one of my roommates for Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Weekend (link).  Today I introduce you to my other roommate, Tess McFionn:

Tessa McFionn has called Southern California home for most of her life, growing up in San Diego and attending college in Orange County, only to return to San Diego to work as a teacher. When not writing, she can be found at Disneyland with her husband, as well as family, friends or anyone who wants to play at the Happiest Place on Earth. A proud parent of a precocious cat and two still living house plants, she also enjoys hockey, reading and playing Words With Friends to keep her vocabulary sharp.

Kim:  San Diego - home of Comic Con and Navy SEALs! What is your favorite sight, sound, and smell?

Tessa:  Comic Con and the SEALs. Too funny. Yeah, I've been involved with the Con for many years now and actually do know a couple of former SEALs, thanks to my hubby. Wow. My favorites, huh? Sight would have to be the glorious sunsets we get here so often. I love to see the sun over the water, it is just beyond words. And even though I'm by nobody's stretch of the imagination a beach girl (I look like a ghost - thank you to my 75% Irish and 20% Swedish blood - the 5% St. Regis Mohawk just wasn't enough to give me any coloring), but I just love the sound and the smell of the ocean. I even have a recording of the crashing waves on my phone if I get lonely. Whenever I smell the ocean, all I can think of Coppertone suntan lotion. LOL! It's true! Blame it on summers during high school.

Kim:  I am intimately familiar with Florida's Happiest Place on Earth, Disney World! What is your favorite ride at Disneyland?

Tessa:  Awww. I'm so jealous. My bucket list is to hit all the Disney parks. So far, I've only been to Disneyland and California Adventure, but it's a start. Dang, favorite ride. That is really tough, but I'd have to go with the Haunted Mansion for the main park and the Tower of Terror in California Adventure. Hubby and I have annual passports so we're there usually once a month.

Kim:  Thank you for teaching! What have you learned from the classroom that you can apply to your second career in romance writing? What are your students reading for pleasure?

Tessa:  Well, thank you. It's quite a thankless job, but I just love it. As for what I've learned...PERSEVERE!! I tell my students every day that if you want to succeed, you have to be willing to work for it. Nothing worthwhile is easy. Also, I tend to find "teachable moments," those little surprises that lead to something great, and that's what I feel this second career is. Wow. My students read everything! They're high school students, with an artistic bent, so you can see kids with the typical "The Fault in Our Stars" and the next kid is reading manga. They are really amazing that way.

Kim:  Tell us about the SPIRIT FALL - what inspired it?

Tessa:  Damn. Well, that has a two-fold beginning. The first was my own moment of looking over that ledge. I'm being completely honest. I was not in a really good point in my own head and was crossing Laurel Street bridge, where we find our heroine, and I stopped and looked over the edge. Then, this idea just sprang into my mind and when I got home, I started writing. And writing and writing and writing. As for my hero, I have just always loved the idea of a hero, someone who sweeps in and saves the day. So, I decided to create my own imaginary savior.

Kim:  What's next for Tessa McFionn?

Tessa:  What's next? Well, I have my second installment done and the third is in the works. But I tend to be fickle with my muse. He's been telling me I need to branch out, so I have a high fantasy and a sci-fi on my To Be Finished list as well. I figure I'll keep telling the stories as long as the voices in my head have their say in the matter.


Mahalo, Tessa, for  joining us today!  Funny that I'll be bunking with two teachers - Tessa and Victoria - oh, I'll share the nitty gritty after the weekend!  Meanwhile, I am giving away a digital copy of SPIRIT FALL to one randomly selected commenter:

After a year-long depression following the murder of her fiancé, Siobhan Whelan stands on a bridge, tormented by unending nightmares, one step away from jumping. Only the kindness of a seductive stranger brings her back down to earth. But the handsome stranger is more than meets the eye, and soon Voni finds herself thrust into a strange new world.

For seven hundred years, Malakai Vadim has shouldered the mantle of Guardian Warrior. But a chance encounter with the tormented beauty brings him face to face with his destiny. His nemesis, Dmitrius Konstantin, has been feeding Voni’s grief through nightmares, wanting her and her untapped powers for his own. As Kai learns of his foe’s deadly interest, he must solve the riddle of Voni’s tortured dreams while holding his growing desire for her at bay.

Too bad the enemy Rogue Warriors have other plans. Now, along with fellow Guardian Eamon McClearon, Kai must venture into the In-Between, the enemy’s powerbase, to save her soul as well as his own. But can his love be strong enough to save them both?


To enter the giveaway,

1.  Have you visited any of the Disney parks?  My family has visited Disney in Florida, France, and Japan.  And the Disney resort in Hawaii! 

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 21, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 22.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Tessa and her books at tessamcfionn.com.

Disney's Aulani Resort in Ko Olina, Hawaii 

33 comments:

  1. Fla several time.
    patoct

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    1. So jealous! It's definitely on my bucket list ;)

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  2. I've been to Disneyland and Disney World. I live in California so I've been to Disneyland more often, I really want to go at Christmas and see the decorations. We went at halloween last year and it was great fun.

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    1. We make it a point to hit Halloween and Christmas. Love the decorations!

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  3. I like the sound of SPIRIT FALL and the series.

    You definitely have a Disney fixation. Would love to have visited all those places, even if I didn't make it to their Disney locations.
    We have gone to Disney World in Kissimmee, FL multiple times. The first was the first month they opened. We have been fortunate enough to have friends who work at Disney or are retired from there. They can bring in a certain number of guests every year and have offered to take us whenever we go down. It has been wonderful for our children who were able to enjoy it from the time they were little until now when they bring their own children. One of our daughters has two friends that currently work there, so she will be set to bring her daughter as she grows. It has been nice being able to watch the park(s) grow and develop.

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    1. LOL! I do, I really do. I'm hoping to get to all of the Disney parks. They definitely have grown and it's been fun to watch it happen. Hope you enjoy the book!

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  4. I have never visited any of the Disney parks. It would be fun though.

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  5. I used to have an annual pass to the SoCal parks, but they have gotten a little too rich for my blood! I have had the opportunity to see Disney World, but discovered that Florida during the summer was enough to quench even my long-anticipated exposure to the wonders of Epcot. Thanks for a lovely interview and hope you have a wonderful time!

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    1. We try to make it a point to keep them for as long as we can. In fact, my brother and husband are there today, while I slave away. LOL! And thank you, I had a great time!

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  6. We have been to the one in California.

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  7. Back in the early 70's I went to the one in Orlando FL

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  8. I've never been to any of the Disney parks.

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    1. If you can swing it, I highly recommend it. ;)

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  9. I've been to Disney World in Florida several times. Of course, now that the grandchildren are older, we rarely go now.

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    1. Now should be the time to go, since you can do what you want to do ;)

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  10. I've been to Disney World twice and the first time it was their grand opening - what a difference from today. We just spent an afternoon there the first time.

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    1. Oooh! So jealous. What an exciting day for sure

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  11. Disney World all the way! Love It's A Small World!

    Sara

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    1. I love it during the holidays. Other than that, it was always nap time for my dad when we were there as kids. Lol!

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  12. A fellow San Diegan! I have to agree on the sunsets and ocean. I do love them in my hometown. I have been to Disneyland many times. And to CA Adventure too. And one of my nephews has worked at Disneyland for several years now. He loves it!

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    1. YAY!!! Hi neighbor!!! I find myself stopping on my drive in to work or home from work to snap a quick picture. Maybe I'll see you around the city!

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  13. Thank you all so much for stopping by!!! And huge thanks to Kim! April is gonna be EPIC!!!

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  14. I have never been to any of the Disney parks.

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    1. I believe they are things everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime, or more ;)

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  15. I have been to the one in Orlando.
    Karen T.

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  16. I've visited Disney in Florida and California. Would love to visit again.

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  17. I'm originally from Southern California, so have visited Disneyland many times, and California Adventure once. I now live in Central Florida, so yes, I've been to all the Disney parks here. My favorite is Animal Kingdom.

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