How Powell River changed my life

The exact spot in Powell River that changed my life 

Have you ever visited a place and just been blown away by it? I mean, totally and utterly awe-struck by its beauty? That happened to me a couple of years ago when my husband and I first visited Canada. We were immediately struck by how friendly the people were... genuinely friendly, you know? It wasn't just that of course, it was the natural surroundings that just took my breath away.
One particular spot had such a profound effect on me, in fact, that it inspired me to begin writing a whole series of books. That spot was located in Powell River, British Columbia.
We'd driven all the way across from Banff (not all in one go, mind you!) so we'd seen our share of gorgeous locations, but when we stopped and got out of the car, we decided we'd have a picnic. So we carried our food down to the shore and sat on these massive pieces of driftwood that were scattered all over the beach. I'm pretty sure I barely ate anything because I was too busy falling in love.
It was breathtaking... but it was also so inspirational. There was an air of mystery to it too which made me imagine all kinds of weird and wonderful possibilities. After reading, watching and falling in love with the Twilight series, I could imagine supernatural events happening right there in Powell River.
I wanted changelings, witches, vampires, werewolves, ghosts and more, all to have a place in what would later be known as The Raven Saga. It would centre around a young girl who moves to Powell River after her parents disappear and discovers she is part of a supernatural world. The first book, Raven, is out now. You can buy it here, and the second, December Moon will be out in September.
It was that little beach in Powell River that inspired me to write The Raven Saga. In fact, it changed my life. It made me realise my dream. The dream that I can write books that excite people, books that people want to read. I've already had messages from readers desperate to read the sequel! I'd like to thank Powell River for that.

Q&A with author Megg Jensen

A very warm welcome to Anathema and Oubliette author Megg Jensen...

Have you ever read a book that made you think 'wow'? If so, what book was it and why did it have such an effect on you?
My favorite book of all time is The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I've read it quite a few times and every time I think, "WOW!" Her mastery of language and her ability to give a legend new life impresses me.

Who is your favourite author and why?
Haha, it's definitely Marion Zimmer Bradley, for all the reasons listed above.

Who, or what, inspires you?
My inspiration usually comes from the strangest places. Anathema was inspired by one fanciful comment my daughter made about the clouds. My son is adopted and one night some random thinking about him led to the inspiration for my upcoming novel, Sleepers. Inspiration usually strikes when I'm not looking for it.

Where is your favourite place to write?
In my bed with my laptop. It's usually the only place I can find quiet or be alone.

What is your book about?
Anathema - Reychel is a slave girl surrounded by magic, lies and manipulation. Her best friend disappears in the middle of the night leaving Reychel to face her fifteenth birthday, the day her master burns his brand into the back of her bald head, alone. She's sheltered from the outside world and doesn't have any hope for escape, but when people desperate for freedom ask for her help can Reychel learn to believe in herself?

Oubliette - Reychel thought she was finally free. She was wrong.
Everyone saw her gift of prophecy as a blessing, but her gift is uncontrollable. No one alive can teach her to manipulate her unique gift and the answers she needs lie buried within a madman’s journals.
She’s thrust in the midst of a brewing war and the only uniting factor for her people is their belief in the Prophet. Will Reychel learn to control her gift or will she be forced to deliver a false prophecy that could lead her people into a violent war?

What is your favourite film that was based on a book?
Jurassic Park! Lord of the Rings Trilogy! Harry Potter movies! Please, don't make me choose. :)

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the main characters?

I would love to see Molly Quinn play Reychel, Abigail Breslin play Ivy, and Alexander Ludwig for Mark. 

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
Before kids I went swing dancing six nights a week. I miss dancing on a regular basis so much, but evenings at home snuggling on the couch with kids is fantastic too.

Thanks, Megg and best of luck with your books. I can't wait to read them!

Raven new book cover

As I've been working on December Moon (The Raven Saga Part II), I've realised that my cover artwork for Raven wasn't up to scratch. It lacked something... it didn't look very professional, in fact it simply looked too amateurish. So I now have a new cover which I am slowly adding to all the social networking sites that I'm a member of (yes, it's taking me AGES!) I also have the cover for December Moon which I will reveal soon.

But for now, here is the new cover for Raven (The Raven Saga Part I)...