Goddess Fish Promotions Presents

Fox Tale
by Karen Hulene Bartell

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Heights terrify Ava. When a stranger saves her from plunging down a mountain, he diverts her fears with tales of Japanese kitsune—shapeshifting foxes—and she begins a journey into the supernatural.

She’s attracted to Chase, both physically and metaphysically, yet primal instincts urge caution when shadows suggest more than meets the eye.

She’s torn between Chase and Rafe, her ex, when a chance reunion reignites their passion, but she struggles to overcome two years of bitter resentment. Did Rafe jilt her, or were they pawns of a larger conspiracy? Are the ancient legends true of kitsunes twisting time and events?

The kitten crawled on the pillow, purring in my ear as he kneaded my neck and shoulders with his silky paws.

“That actually feels good.” I chuckled at the irony, then exhausted, fell into a deep sleep. I found myself sitting on a shaded, grassy slope. A gentle breeze fluttered against my cheek. 

No, not a breeze, Chase. 

He caressed my cheek as he swept my hair behind my ear and whispered sweet nothings. His breath tickling, he nuzzled my neck.

Goosebumps slid down my spine.

Then he massaged my back. Ever so gradually, his fingers slid over my nipples, circling and gently pinching my areolas to erection. Then he lifted off my shirt while he tongued and suckled at my breast.

As latent yearnings awakened, I arched my back, enjoying the waves of sensation. With a shudder, I moaned, pulling him toward me in a deep kiss.

His growing erection pressing against my groin, his hands cupped my bottom as he rolled me on top. 

Bbbrrringg, bbbrrringg, bbbrrringg.

As the alarm jolted me awake, the heat rose to my cheeks, and I scanned the surroundings to get my bearings. Mortified, I cringed beneath the sheets. What have I done? Then relieved to see only the kitten for a bed partner, I gave a nervous laugh. It was a dream–just a dream. 

The kitten uncurled from between my legs, purring.

Embarrassed by the sensations it elicited, I scrambled to my feet. Did the kitten trigger those dreams?

Why did you start writing?

Writing has always intrigued me. An only child, I began writing my first novel at the age of nine, learning the joys of creating my own happy endings.

But at eighteen, my career choice was acting, and I was drawn to the bright lights of Broadway. 

By twenty-one, those lights had dimmed, and I gave up acting, but communication was in my soul. For me, writing was a natural transmigration from acting. 

Did you ever think it would pay the bills? Or do you hope that one day it will?

According to Publishing Perspectives, “Only 0.7% of self-published writers, 1.3% of traditionally published writers, and 5.7% of hybrid writers reported earning more than $100,000 a year from their writing.” However, despite the disappointing statistics, hope springs eternal 😉

Who is your favorite author? Why?

That is a tricky question because I have so many favorite authors. The authors of the books I’ve recently read are my new “favorites” until I read the next book and the next. So for today, having recently read The Last Garden in England and Before We Were Yours, I’d have to say Julia Kelly and Lisa Wingate are my favorite authors. Though the books were geographically and chronologically distanced, both books pulled me into the narrative.

Have you ever received a rejection letter? If so, how did you recover?

Oh heavens, yes, I’ve received rejection letters—hundreds, at least. This is where my acting experience came in handy. After making “the rounds,” that is, seeing or calling dozens of agents, producers, or auditioners every day for three years, I became desensitized to people saying no, No, NO!

Do your books simply come to you, or do you struggle for each chapter?

It’s usually a combination of the stories coming to me and me struggling to conclude the chapters. I’m inspired to begin each book, but occasionally I grapple with twists or turns of the novel, trying to patch the sections into the greater story, as well as smoothly transition the reader to the next chapter.

What is one genre or sub-genre you wish you could try writing in?

I’d like to try my hand at cozy mysteries. Although I write in several genres—paranormal romance; multicultural, suspense stories; frontier fiction; and political-suspense thrillers—I’ve never written cozies. Although most, if not all, of my novels contain a sleuth and one or more mysteries, I’ve never been drawn to crime fiction. But cozy mysteries, where violence takes place offstage, do pique my interest.

Author of the Trans-Pecos and Sacred Emblem series, Karen is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, wife, and all-around pilgrim of life, who writes multicultural, offbeat love stories. Born to rolling-stone parents who moved often, Bartell found her earliest playmates as fictional friends in books. Paperbacks became her portable pals. Ghost stories kept her up at night—reading feverishly. The paranormal was her passion. Novels offered an imaginative escape. An only child, she began writing her first novel at the age of nine, learning the joy of creating her own happy endings. Professor emeritus of the University of Texas at Austin, Karen resides in the Texas Piney Woods with her husband Peter and her “mews”—three rescued cats and a rescued *Cat*ahoula Leopard dog.

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