Romance Books "R" Us

The Idea Fairy

2012-03-13T08:30:00.000-04:00

I always love the question we writers get asked by almost everyone. “Where do you get your ideas?” Honestly I’ve never been able to come up with a single rational answer to that. Life. Imagination. Bits of overheard conversation from a restaurant crossed with a commercial for cat food. Add in a couple really weird elements from a dream and a little bit of revenge for a movie that ended just the wrong way. What I want to say sometimes is, “The Idea Fairy leaves them under my pillow every night,” because there’s really just no good answer. Ideas just…happen. Maybe the best response I’ve ever read was from the late, great Douglas Adams who said something along the lines of, “All I can suggest to would-be writers is to drink lots of coffee and to buy a desk that can withstand having your head banged on it.” I don’t drink coffee, but substitute Diet Coke, and there you have me.

Some writers get ideas from dreams. Been there done that. They’re usually just too surreal to write down, but bits and pieces of my dreams go into bits and pieces of my books. Ideas from real life. Yeah, those happen too. I know a lot of geeks. I’ve written geek books. Although if there’s really a dragon in the steam tunnels below the campus where I went to school, I’m not admitting it. But wouldn’t it be cool if there was?

That would be where most of my ideas come from. Random snatches of reality and fantasy blended together into “Wouldn’t it be cool…” moments. If any of you remember the old “Gargoyles” cartoon, you might have thought, “He’s kinda hot. Wouldn’t it be cool if he was the hero of a romance?” I sure did. And lo and behold, I have a series about gargoyles—really hot gargoyles.

I was honestly told as a child that I had too vivid an imagination. Now I’m pretty sure that’s an asset, but as a kid it wasn’t always. It took me a long time to discover that what I had wasn’t a curse, but a gift, and that I was bloody well supposed to DO something with it. So here I am. Can there be any greater job than just getting to make stuff up? Not to me. And so whether the ideas come from dreams or snatches of overheard conversations in the shopping mall, or from banging my head on my kitchen table (I don’t really have a desk) all I know is I hope they keep coming. And the weirder the better.

And just for fun, here’s a blurb for Motor City Mage, my latest release from Carina Press. Feel free to click on the links below and come play inside my imagination for a while.

About the Book:

Motor City Mage

Urban Arcana #4

By Cindy Spencer Pape

Available Now from Carina Press

http://bit.ly/w8KpVR

As a cop who keeps paranormals in line, Des has a hard time trusting them. So why does he want the beautiful werewolf Lana more than his next breath? She's mouthy, flamboyant and distractingly sexy—not the type of woman for a reserved mage like him. Lana admires Des, but she can't be with someone who won't take her seriously, no matter how much she'd love to rip off his dress shirt.

When a dangerous new drug shows up in Detroit, Des must locate the source, and Lana is determined to help. But their plan goes awry, trapping them in a demon dimension. To return home, Lana and Des must flee through a series of unpredictable alternate realities, fighting enemies while trying to shut down the drug trade. But if they're going to survive, they'll have to rely on each other, even though getting closer will add fuel to a fire that's already burning out of control...

About the Author:

Cindy Spencer Pape is an avid reader of romance, fantasy, mystery, and even more romance who firmly believes in happily-ever-after. Married for more than twenty years to her own, sometimes-kilted hero, she lives in southern Michigan with him and two teenage sons, along with an ever-changing menagerie of pets. Cindy has been, among other things, a banker, a teacher, and an elected politician, but mostly an environmental educator, though now she is lucky enough to write full-time. Her degrees in zoology and animal behavior almost help her comprehend the three male humans who share her household.

Website: http://www.cindyspencerpape.com

Blog: http://cindyspencerpape.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/CindySPape

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000270304390

Behind the Scenes...A Re-inspiration Story

2012-03-12T07:31:00.000-04:00

Funny this process....you write a book. You sign a contract of acceptance. You edit. You re-edit. You perfect and hone. You positively inhabit the skins of the people you have created. You dream in "Hero" or "heroine." You agonize over cover art. You pre-promote. Then. Bam It's over. Your creatures are out there, all alone, in the big world where there are literally millions of others kinda, sorta just like them.

OF course yours are different. Better. More interesting and intriguing. Their story better told. Their dialogue snappier. Their sex hotter. At least to you.

Which is why we write, no? To ease the creative ache that exists (in my opinion) somewhere between the heart and lungs. We don't write to impress, or to prove anything to anyone but ourselves and our muses should such creatures exist. (Back Away Hans, I'm blogging). I tell myself that a lot anyways. I have a fair few books out now since getting that first elusive "We would like to offer you a contract" emails in 2010. But always there was one set of characters, one book or set of books, that started it. That jumps in your head and won't leave even after the show is over and it's time to move on to the next one.

For me, that is The Realtors series. It is literally the first "novel" (length) story I wrote. I won't bore you with the tales of revision and those really tough first Cps sessions where you are told, essentially "yes. the story might work, if you could actually write--go back and try again." It's good though. Because I did. And now this series is getting raves, winning "hot reads of the month" awards and stuff.

But I miss these people. I'm past editing and onto rampant promotion (me? rampant?). So as part of the Gigantic Blog Tour from Hell that I am currently on (2 of them actually so bear with me) I decided to crawl back into the lives of my main characters. I have gone the character interview one up and (although I have done that too) created a series of "Behind the Scenes with The Realtors" scenarios, most 600-1200 words that have allowed me to experience the joy of being in their skin once more. It has re-inspired me in a big way. And it's fun.

As part of that I bring you The Garbage Disposal. A quick peek into Jack and Sara's house, during their early Engaged/Living Together time between Floor Time and Sweat Equity.

Enjoy:

SIZZLING HOT READ OF THE MONTH At the Sizzling Book Review Site.

Behind the Scenes with The Realtors

Playing House Is Sexy?

Jack threw the closet door open, jaw clenched and head pounding from the mind bendingly stressful day. The day that apparently would end with him in a fucking tuxedo, standing around talking with all the rich assholes who were making his life a living hell by pulling a “not in our backyard” on his new development concept. He tugged out a shirt, tossed it on the bed and kept looking for the one he wanted. Dear God he’d just as soon walk over hot coals with his dick at this point than face the crowd at the huge fund raising event for a local arts center.

“Sara!” he barked, still shuffling through the shirts, getting angrier by the second. Where the fuck was it? “Sara!” He stood at the door, clad in tux trousers and nothing else. “God dammit,” he muttered and turned back to the bedroom, frowning at the messy unmade bed, the stack of books and water bottles by her side of it. His ears starting buzzing so he took a deep breath before heading back to the shirt hunt.

He heard the door slam and his fiancé drop her stuff by the door, humming likely to the headphones plugged into her ears. He ground his teeth and tried to keep the edge out of his voice. “Sara. Where is my good tux shirt?” He glanced around then spotted it, crumpled in a heap on top of the neat rows of shoes. “Never mind. I see it didn’t make it to the cleaners.” Running a hand down his face he tried to talk some sense to himself. They weren’t married, yet. They’d only been playing at “house” for a few weeks, at his insistence. He couldn’t expect her to just launch into “wife mode” when he was perfectly capable of…”Fuck!” He spotted it then. The expensive, tailor-made tux jacket, shoved half under the large leather chair in front of the window.

Shoving aside the scene he remembered now, the last time he wore the monkey suit. She had yanked it off in her haste to get at him, about a month ago, and they’d fucked in that chair, her bent over it, luscious ass in the air. He groaned and sat, willing his cock soft, the process of which did its own little song and dance on his anger riddled nerve endings. Sara wandered in, kicked off her shoes and flopped into the facing chair. He kept the wrinkled, dusty jacket clutched in one hand.

“What’s up lover? We going to this thing tonight or what?”

He rose. “Well, I would, except that somehow my tux jacket and shirt never made it to the cleaners.” He stuck his arms into a different white shirt. Not the one he wanted. “Would you mind terribly next time getting the damn things up off the floor at least?” She shrugged and stood, shedding clothes and dropping them wherever she stood. Jack tried very hard not to throw one of her infernal water bottles at her. She pulled on sweat pants and a tee shirt. “I thought we had a fund raiser to attend.” He buttoned the shirt up, pulled a black tie from the rack and wound it around his neck.

“I thought since the shirt and jacket aren’t perfect we’d skip it.” She tossed over her shoulder and headed downstairs.

Jack took a breath, waited fifteen seconds then went to the door. “No. We have to go. So get changed.”

He heard her rustling around in the kitchen, could picture her carefully ignoring him and his little shit fit over the dirty clothes. He let her stew a few more minutes, brushed his teeth and tried to repair some of the damage to the filthy jacket. He gave up, draped it over his arm and marched downstairs. Halfway down, already formulating the argument in his head, he heard her shout his name, a tinge of frustration in her voice. He slowed, then stopped.

“Jack!” She muttered a few curse words. “Jack this fucking thing is still broken!” He grinned and went into the large, custom-made kitchen. Her lovely ass was in the air again, as she drug all the crap out from under the sink. She stood, brushing her hair back and tried to work the garbage disposal once more. Dead silence. He leaned on the door jamb, appreciating her rear view and growing frustration a few more minutes.

“Jack!” She shouted, standing up straight and nearly plowing into his face as he looked over the sink. “Fucking hell. I thought you fixed this thing. Now I can’t run the…” she glared at his smiling face. He couldn’t help it. “Okay so I get a mulligan for the stupid shirt and coat. Can you fix it?” She sat on the floor, her eyes filling with years. “I had a shit day. Sorry. I want to stay home tonight so bad I can taste it.”

“You know I can fix it babe. I forgot about it though. It’s not like we use this room for much once coffee hour is over every morning.” He leaned back, watching her. “Watch, I’ll even teach you how.” She scoffed and stood, wiping her eyes.

“You know honey, I’ll pass. I don’t want a lesson. I just want the fucker to grind up the food, okay?” Jack rolled up a sleeve and stuck his hand down the maw of the food grinder, grimacing at the gooey nastiness at his fingertips.

“It’s a deal. But only if you stop doing this!” He tossed two brownish slices of old lime onto the counter. “Or tell your mother to, whatever.” He rinsed off his arm, adjusted the bottom of the disposal once, then again, ran some water down it and smiled as it whirred to life. Sighing, he rolled his sleeve back down and turned.

Sara stood, two glasses of deep red wine in hand. Dressed in his old Michigan State sweats, a ratty tee shirt, her hair scraped back in to a messy pony tail, she was as hot as any woman in his universe. He took the wine and clinked glasses with her. “Can I escort you to date night in front of the tv tonight, almost-wife?”

She grinned and sipped, stepping into space, immediately calming his still clanging nerves. Putting her arm around his waist she looked up at him, bringing a chill to his spine. Dear God, please don’t let me ever screw this up. He lowered his lips to hers, gripped her ass and set the wine glass down, keeping his mouth on hers, tasting her, reveling in the marvel that was this woman he loved.

She sighed and kissed him back. “It’s a date almost-husband. Last one to the couch is a rotten lime rind.” She flounced away and Jack relaxed, finally, as he tugged off the tie and texted an excuse to the friends they were supposed to sit with at the event.

“Something came up. We won’t make it. Have a good night.” He knew his friend Evan would understand. “Something came up” was like a code between them, had been for years. He slipped off the wool trousers and grabbed a pair of jeans he’d apparently left in the tv room, shaking his head at himself. Sara welcomed him on the couch, shutting out anything and everything but the joy he found in her arms.

“But so help me if you don’t start getting to the shirt laundry…” he whispered in her ear. Then ducked to avoid getting brained by the remote control.

Like it? I do....here is a MUCH HOTTER ONE...if you are so inclined.

Coming....March 25.

Getting Revenge...How Sweet It Is!

2012-03-11T00:01:00.015-05:00

RAISE your hand if you've never considered a way to exact revenge and "get even" with someone. If your hand is up, you're either very forgetful, have a selective memory, or going through a "senior moment". It's part of human nature to feel mad and want to even the score.

And more importantly, you can analyze and justify it in your head, and that's how you cope.

Getting rid of a loser, even one you thought you loved, is better than being with one. Here's my story of revenge against an ex-boyfriend.

I dated Ron in college for months. I knew he was on academic probation but he didn't seem to be able to pull up his grades. Ron finally got word that he'd flunk out if he didn't leave, so he quit school. We were to spend his last weekend at the college together before he headed home and either went into the military or found a job.

We had plans; lots of couples stuff to do starting on a Friday night. He called me an hour before coming over to my dorm to let me know that an "old ex-girlfriend" surprised him by coming from a nearby college to say goodbye so if I didn't mind, he'd see her that night and see me the next day.

What could I say? Annoyed but trying to be reasonable, I agreed. We'd have all day Saturday to spend together. And, we'd spend Sunday morning before his bus left since he had to vacate the dorm that day.

Saturday morning came. He called again. His "ex" was still there, and wouldn't leave until late that night. Would I mind waiting to see him until Sunday?

Hell, yes, I minded. I remained calm as wheels in my head started turning. Ron apparently was dumping me for his "ex" and I didn't matter to him. Crushed at first, anger swiftly took its place and the word revenge planted itself in my brain. I had to do something to "get even".

Once again...but this time through gritted teeth...I agreed to his suggestion. But I was already formulating a plan in my head, one that would get the message through to his "male-ego" brain. Maybe he'd take note and not pull this type of "dumping" act again.

His plan was to leave at 11:00am on Sunday. The bus only came twice on Sundays...11:00am and 11:00pm. We were to meet after church at at a spot on campus we liked to go to for coffee. We'd then go back to his dorm and I'd help him carry his stuff up the hill and into town to the bus stop.

I never went to meet him. He called at 10:15 and I said I was on my way. He called again at 10:30 and I told him the same thing. His final call came at 10:45. It was too late for him to catch the morning bus, but now he'd spend the rest of Sunday with me and take the 11:00pm bus. Since he had to vacate the dorm at noon, he figured I'd let him leave his stuff in my dorm room and help him carry it to the bus stop that night.

Now was my turn. I knew I'd delayed him from taking the earlier bus. I knew he'd have to wait 12 hours for the next bus. I knew he'd have nowhere to store his things. With a nonchalant tone in my voice, I told him I would be busy the rest of the day but wished him a happy life and promptly hung up. I had visions of him lugging his stuff to the bus stop and sitting there all day...and that was my act of revenge. I had to quell the curious streak urging me to go "peek" and see if he waited there hopefully full of regret.

In my romantic suspense time travel romance book, Street of Dreams, Eileen wants to get even with Nick after his macho attitude and assumption that he was in charge of their mission to capture a killer. He hadn't taken much interest in her expertise in the era they'd traveled to, 1965. She tried to warn him of something big too come, but he ignored her...in his "I know what I'm doing" attitude.

So, Eileen doesn't tell him about the East Coast Blackout of 1965...and the fact that he'll get stuck in an elevator when she refused to get inside the elevator with him.

She got her revenge...and eventually helped him get out of the stuck elevator. Hey...it's a romance so that tiny taste of revenge satisfied her until worry took its place. Thoughts of "saving" Nick took over!

Authors: Do the characters in your books seek revenge?
Readers: What's your tale of revenge or "getting even"?

http://www.mariannestephens.net
Photo: Flickr: abakedcreation

Lost in Tangier

2012-03-10T01:00:00.046-05:00

Yay! I’ve signed with Breathless Press for the re-release of my romantic suspense novel ALL FOR A DEAD MAN’S LEG (first book in the Tour Director Extraordinaire Series), set in Spain and Morocco. Release is scheduled for June 1, 2012.

Where do authors get their inspiration and ideas for novels?

Readers often ask where authors get their ideas. My answer: Everywhere. Everyone has a story. I keep my eyes and ears open and always ask, "What if...?" I also keep a notepad handy.

But most of my inspiration and ideas come from world travel, my second passion. When I travel, I look for the unique features of the country or for pieces of information about the culture that spark a story idea. Sometimes just a word, a phrase, a street scene, an historical event, etc. can spark a full storyline, other times they provide incidents to enrich a novel.

The Kingdom of Morocco

But first, let’s talk about the Kingdom of Morocco [al-Mamlakah al-Maġribiyya]. Sounds incredibly exotic, and it is!

Morocco, an Islamic country in North Africa, has a population of approximately 32 million and a land area of approximately 274,000 square miles. It is separated from the southern coast of Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar.

Moroccan history goes back at least twelve centuries. In spite of a long and colorful history, it became an independent country only fifty years ago, March 2, 1956, when the French relinquished their rule.

Like many other countries, it has been conquered and inhabited by numerous cultures. The original Neolithic inhabitants, dating back to 8,000 B.C., were ethnically Amazighs/Berbers. As early as the sixth century B.C. the Phoenicians established settlements and eventually the area became part of the Roman Empire until around the fifth century A.D. when it was conquered by the Vandal, Visigoths, and then the Byzantine Greeks [in rapid succession]. The first Islamic conquest in North Africa in 670 A.D. brought Islamic expansion into this region. In modern history, France showed an interest in Morocco as early as 1830 and, after a series of crises, the Treaty of Fez made Morocco a French Protectorate.

Traveling in Morocco Today

Tourism a big part of the nation’s economy, and Moroccans work hard at catering to visitors. The crime rate is low, the government stable, and it’s generally a safe place to travel. However, vendors are aggressive and can be very “in your face.” Everyone should respect the customs of the country/culture in which they travel, but in Morocco, in particular, women should be attentive to what they wear.

Lost in the medina in Tangier

The original idea for All For A Dead Man’s Leg predates the writing by nearly ten years. On my trip to Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, and Morocco in 1994, I asked our guide, Carl about his worst experience as a tour director. His answer: when he first started working as a tour director, one of his tourists died in Morocco and they had to smuggle the body back to Spain to avoid delaying the tour.

What a great idea for a novel! Over the years, I tried several approaches, but none of them worked. In 2003, my tour director on a trip to Central Europe suggested I use it as the plot for a dramatic WWII novel set in Germany. That same tour director―Paul Fletcher―also told me his worst experience was when a tourist slipped crossing a ramp, caught his foot between the sides of two boats, and lost his prosthetic leg in the river.

Yes, that really did happen! As soon as Paul told me that―Boom―the tourist dying in Morocco came together with the tourist losing his prosthetic leg, and I was off and running. As soon as I got home, I started writing the novel.

Not only did the story idea for the first book come from the Morocco/Spain trip, but also the opening scene draws from my personal experience getting lost in the Tangier medina, the old walled city or souk which is an outdoor street market. The streets were narrow and winding, it was crowded and hot. I stopped to buy post cards, and when I turned around, my group had disappeared. Instead of staying put, I set out to search for them and became hopelessly lost in the twists and turns of the market. Of course, I couldn’t speak Arabic and couldn’t find my way out.

That’s when I realized I didn’t know the name of our hotel and couldn’t have pronounced it, even if I’d known. Since then, I always carry with me a business card from the hotel. You can show that to a taxi driver, even if you can’t say the name or the street. Live and learn.

Needless to say, my panic grew. Finally, I found and followed another English-speaking group, thinking that it would end up at the plaza where the tour buses parked. Wrong! It was a group from a cruise ship which, I found out later, was headed for an entirely different location. When the tour stopped at a carpet factory showroom for a sales pitch, I spoke to the guide and the showroom manager. He summoned an employee who dealt with, and knew, most of the tour directors. I described my guide. The man took me back into the Medina to look for Carl. When he found my group, I was so relieved and flustered, I gave him a fifty dollar tip.

Now I know Carl wouldn’t have left me there, although I would have spent a couple of hours wandering around on my own and getting into who-knows-what kind of trouble. But what did I know? Not much, apparently.

I saw this quote the other day, although I don’t know who said it. “Bad Choices make good novels.”

More than One Between the Covers

2012-03-09T01:49:00.015-05:00

All right all you sex-minded people ... pull your mind out of the gutter. I may be an erotic romance author, but today I'm actually not talking about S-E-X. I'm going to chat about anthologies. (Ah, bet you didn't see that one coming did you? You naughty minded people you.)

Okay, now that I have your mind focused in the right direction let's talk collections of novellas. They seem to be cropping up everywhere and in all genres, including romance.

With the way our lives are going it really isn't a surprise. Time has become a precious commodity. There are those days when we can barely find 2 minutes to be alone in the bathroom, let alone carve out time to read all 870 pages of the 5th Harry Potter series. But a 90 page novella? Well that can be read in an hour or so hiding in the kitchen while we pretend to make and burn dinner and then order take out.

And reading devices? I shudder at the tiny screens my children read books on these days. There's no way I could scroll through the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy without going cross-eyed. But a short romance I can enjoy on the subway ride home from work is just the ticket to keep me occupied and the creepy guy next to me with the talking hand from trying to chat with me.

Of course, like many other authors I need to feed my book addiction. (Book budget? What's that?) So I always feel like I'm getting more for my dollar when I can enjoy several books between the covers.

If you're into series reading, it's nice to finish the first book and know the second (and the third) is right there. No waiting to get to the book store or library or shuffling over to Amazon to download the next book.

Those are just a few reasons why I like anthologies. So I guess it wouldn't surprise you that I recently published an anthology. (Do you like the way I snuck that promo in? Bet you barely even noticed the segue)

Three sisters looking for love. Three men seeking redemption. Three reckless romances that will push each of them into the dangerous world of revenge ...

BLIND HER WITH BLISS: She's trying to find herself. He's attempting to hide. Together they'll discover a truth that threatens them both...

Investigating the death of her best friend, uptight accountant, JULIE TILLING, discovers a world of adult nightclubs and Internet intrigue. When shock jock DAMON COREY rocks her world in a wild night of lust, she wonders if she's found love...or the key to solving a murder.

DECEIVE HER WITH DESIRE: A woman determined to protect her heart. An agent hell bent on proving himself. One night that will change their lives forever...

Landscaper, DEIRDRE TILLING had no way of knowing that attending her friend's party would throw her into a dangerous world of corrupt businessmen and police stings. Of course her sexual romp with undercover DEA agent, AYDEN SCOTT only pushes her deeper into the drug smuggling ring running up the Maine coast. As the heat rises between Deirdre and Ayden, one thing becomes painfully obvious...their relationship has jeopardized his mission and now someone wants them both dead.

CHEAT HER WITH CHARM: He’s got a secret past. She has dreams for their future. Together they have a problem that may just kill them both…

Floral designer, MEGHAN TILLING, has been in love with her fiancé since college. With her business, his promotion and a family illness, she’s finding the demands on her time are keeping them apart. PETER MADDOCK loves his fiancée with a fierceness that claws at his soul, but finding answers to his past becomes an obsession he can’t ignore. When bizarre accidents threaten Meghan’s life, he wonders if his secrets have finally caught up with him. Can they both discover the truth without paying the ultimate price …their lives?

Now available at Amazon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What about you? Love anthologies? Hate em? Happy to have a book in your hands regardless of what's between the covers? (Of the book. Sheeesh, you people and your dirty minds. You'd think it was Friday and the weekend was nearly upon us or something.) ;)

Guest Blog: Jaxx Steele: The Crazy Things We Do For Love!

2012-03-08T00:01:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone!

Jaxx Steele here to share with you the crazy thing I did for love. I always loved watching skiing on TV. The men swooshing down the snow covered slopes in those sleek looking outfits and the large shaded goggles over their faces looked so cool! I liked to watch but I had no desire to do it…that is, until I saw my now boyfriend hit the slopes.

I stood off to the side of the hill freezing my nips off waiting for my cousin to come down. He promised me we’d go tubing once he made his last run. That’s when I saw him. He was going up to the top with two other men and he was fine! I pictured my eyes bulging out of my head like a cartoon at the sight of him and followed him up the hill without even thinking. Watching him interact with his companions I was convinced that neither was his boyfriend. My thought was to just get close enough to hear his name and make my move later. Unfortunately we were pushed into two different lines. When we reached the top I was handed a pair of skis and shuffled into the line to go down the slope.

I was stunned. Before I knew it we were pushed into small clusters and some guy came before us to give us quick instructions. Of course I didn’t hear a word he said because I was right next to my dream guy. When he smiled at me and said hi, I was hooked. I spoke back and we had a quick chat. His name was Hou and as fate would have it he lived close to me. The next thing I knew the instructor was telling us to have great time and Hou was in line to rush down the hill.

So, completely not ready, but wanting to look cool in front of the new ‘love of my life’, I decided to go for it. I did my fifteen minutes of classes. What could happen, right? So ignoring the caution bells going off inside my brain, I took the plunge. Copying the people in front of me, I bent my knees, pushed off the poles and I was off. I even managed not to scream. The next thing I remember was noticing how blue the sky was and Hou’s handsome face looking into mine looking freaked out.

Yup. You guessed it. I wasn’t on the slope a whole minute before I lost my footing and rolled down the slope head over feet landing on my back. Hou said it looked like I was doing a cartwheel down the hill. I’m convinced the only thing that stopped me from breaking my neck was that the hill was too small, but if I had a little more momentum... That may have saved my neck, but it sure didn’t save my leg. It was broken in two places. Hou came down the hill right behind me. He went into the club house to see if I was okay before they took me away. Like an embarrassed idiot, I confessed my inexperience when he asked how long had I been skiing and also the reason I was there in the first place. Needless to say his heart melted for me.

Today, Hou and I are still together. I look back on that disastrous day when I half killed myself just to get his attention as one for the best days of my life. Yes, my leg was in a cast for six weeks and itched like crazy most of the time. Yes, my cousin completely flipped out when saw the depths I went through just to meet Hou. He threatened to strangle me and never hang out with me again, by the way. And yes, children laughed at me because the slope was barely biggie than the kiddy hill on which the elementary age kids learn on, but it was totally worth it!

Hou and I still hit the slopes. Well, he skis and I hit the club house with my hot chocolate and my Nook. He comes back all excited, telling me about how great a time he had. I shake my head attentively and add another splash of cognac to my drink until he’s done.

Because my first ski experience didn’t quite turn out the way I planned it in my head, I decided to write about Greg’s first ski trip to Lake Tahoe. His didn’t turn out the way he planned either, but it was a hell of a lot better than mine! LOL Enjoy!

BIO:
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, but I escaped and I now live in Indiana. My dream is to buy a house near the beach and write all day and make enough money to live off of. I spend most of my time working a nine to five and traveling, when I can, to new and wondrous places that I can incorporate in my stories (or that will at least spark ideas for me). I do have love in my life thanks to my life partner, Hou, and our cat, Judo, who graciously lets us live with him in his house. So, all in all, I have a full and happy life.

BLURB:
Gregorio Santos was not like his co-workers. They rushed to the warm temperatures and white sand beaches of the Caribbean for vacation. He preferred the white cold of the ski slopes. Greg is single and determined to remain that way despite his loneliness. While on vacation at Lake Tahoe, an accident strands the sexiest man he had met in years at his cabin. Will his resolve to stay single outlast being trapped with a man that gives the term 'bringing sexy back' new meaning?

Available at Freya’s Bower

http://www.freyasbower.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=209&zenid=0d9d7265bcbc19cec65e6d930b0f8ad4
http://www.jaxxsteele.com/Frozen.htm
http://www.jaxxsteele.com
http://www.jaxxsteele.blogspot.com

Interview of Author Carly Carson

2012-03-07T00:01:00.003-05:00

Today I'm pleased to present an interview of romance author Carly Carson.

Latest Book: Baby, It's Cold Outside
Buy Link: Amazon: http://amzn.com/B006FD0LZK
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1107759126?ean=2940013517967

BIO:
Writer, wife, mother, world traveler. Okay, the last one is an exaggeration. But Carly has been in a Chilean mine. (Yes, it is scary.) She has visited an airport in Lima, Peru, where the stall in the ladies restroom consisted of - a hole in the floor. (At least there was a stall.) She has witnessed an avalanche in Switzerland (in July). Are these all scary tales? No, because she has visited Loch Ness, in Scotland, where she did NOT see the Loch Ness monster. (Due to the fact, so she was told, that she did not imbibe enough Scotch whiskey).

Q: What part of the book is the easiest for you to write? Why?
A: The opening chapter is the easiest because I always have an idea of how I want to start. It's my jumping-off point. One thing I just thought of is that I always open with some sort of nudity or almost nudity. Don't ask me why because I don't know. Lol (glancing around for a psychologist waiting to pounce).

Q: What part of the book is the hardest for you? Why?
A: The opening chapter is also the hardest because I have to revise and revise to make it fulfill its so-important function.

Q: Do all your heroes and all heroines look the same in your mind as you “head write”?
A: No, every hero and heroine is different. And I can't change them once they appear in my mind. Which can be annoying. Right now I have a blond-haired hero for my upcoming book, and I've been working on a cover. It's so much easier to find dark-haired models that I've been tempted to change my hero. But I can't. He's much more stubborn than I am. Luckily, I finally found some great-looking blonde models.

Q: Do you eat comfort food when writing? If so, what food inspires your imagination?
A: The better question would be – when are you not eating comfort food? I plead the Fifth.

Q: What hobby do you enjoy when not writing?
A: I love to exercise, especially to music. (Zumba! Yeah!) And it's a good thing, too. See answer about comfort food.

Q: You’re on a remote island with a handsome man, a computer, and a “mysterious” source of electricity to power your computer. What do you do?
A: "Hey, handsome, you want to take a dip with me?" I asked. "The ocean looks so cool and inviting."
"Sure." He smiled at me. "But these are the only clothes I have. I'll have to take them off. You cool with that?"
"You're only wearing pants," I pointed out. My heart pounded already just from looking at his broad, naked chest. I didn't want to have to jump him within five minutes of laying eyes on him.
"Yeah. But they're jeans. Tough to swim in." His blue eyes that matched the sea watched me with amusement, and a certain dare in them.
"Fine." I waved a hand carelessly, as if it meant nothing to me.
His hands moved to the button of his jeans, opened it, and his zipper hissed.
I stared, mesmerized. Boxers? Or briefs?
Tanned, taut flesh appeared. More tanned flesh, as he pushed the pants down.
"You're commando!" I couldn't breathe with so much magnificence upright before me.
"Join me?" With a grin tossed over his shoulder, he raced for the water.
He halted at the edge of the sea, where the white lace foam curled around his feet.
"Last one in is a rotten egg!" he called.
I pulled my sundress over my head – he wasn't the only one dressed commando – and ran over the sand toward him.
We plunged into the cool, wet, ocean, and he grabbed me, and swung me in a huge circle.
I threw back my head and laughed - at the sun, the sea, and the feel of warm, hard man against me. Most of all I laughed with him at the sheer joy of being here together in this magical place – young and alive and hot for each other.

Wait, did you say there's a computer around? Sorry, I don't think I need that.

Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all!
http://www.carlycarson.com
http://carlycarsonauthormyblog.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/CarlyCarsonAuthor
http://twitter.com/Carly_Carson

BLURB:
Don't hoax a man if you're going to be trapped with him in a blizzard. Especially if he's too hot to resist.

Jenna entices the man of her dreams into providing a haven for the weekend during a New York City blizzard. Her tools are her flirting skills dressed up with a bit of deception. Though Grant doesn't know it, Jenna made a big mistake five years ago that led to the destruction of his marriage. She wants to make amends now.

Grant is immediately drawn to Jenna in her role as blizzard-bopping beach babe. He'll do her, but he doesn't do deception. He thinks he's spotted her minor trickery, but the big secret that blew up his life is waiting in the wings…And there's only one payback that will satisfy him.

A blizzard is brewing outside, but it's nothing compared to the storm heating up inside the apartment.

EXCERPT:
"The way you're dressed you can't go anywhere," Grant said. His eyes strayed to Jenna's tits for the hundredth time since she'd appeared in his Manhattan apartment. Though he tried not to be obvious, a woman couldn't dress like she did and not expect a man to look.

"You could lend me a sweatshirt," Jenna answered.

He eyed her sexy sandals. Aside from their complete inability to protect her from the snow, he damn well knew what the message was. As would any other man who saw her in them. "I can't help you with your footwear. And a sweatshirt with your bare legs sticking out—" He shook his head. "Not safe for public viewing."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Are you kidding? You must know you have fabulous legs."

"A leg man, are you?"

"Nope. More of a boobs and butts guy myself. Since you asked." He couldn't help grinning at her flustered face. "But I like anything and everything on the right woman."

"I am not the right woman for—for whatever you might be implying."

"Don't be so defensive. You can't go anywhere 'til you warm up." He slung his arm around her shoulders. "I've got some body heat to share." He tugged her to his side.

Wow, she smelled good. Snow and roses. A potent combination. Especially when combined with a barely-there outfit, a rack to die for, and those legs.

He tried to inhale discreetly. She was up to something more than what she'd told him. He knew that for a fact. But he'd been holed up in his apartment for days, working like the devil, and he could definitely use a break. Besides, he really couldn't send her back out into the blizzard.

He glanced out the window where the snow fell silently out of the dark sky, backlit by city lights. Its beauty didn't hide its dangers. She had no money, no clothes, and nowhere to go, unless he chose to believe her story about the friend she could call. Which he didn't.

But, even if she was a liar, what harm could she do him? He might as well take advantage of the opportunity fate had dropped into his lap. So to speak. Because his lap was the part insisting as loudly as possible that Jenna should stay at least until it got some relief.

She tilted her head up to look him in the eye. "Your body heat line is not a good one. Let's find another subject."

"Okay." But whether or not she liked the line, he was going to share his warmth. Pressing gently on her shoulders, he eased her back down onto the sofa and dropped beside her. "You first."

"Can we talk about Kate?"

He muttered a curse under his breath. "I'd rather not." Would any sane man talk about family problems when he had a siren like Jenna practically in his arms?

"Kate is kind of upset that you won't stay in touch with her or anyone else in the family."

He stifled a sigh. Just like a woman. Couldn't stop talking and yapping about things that didn't matter. He hadn't spoken to Kate in five years. He could go another five. He could.

"I don't have any interest in all that socializing shit she loves. Facebook. Yakking on the phone." He waved a hand. "Girly stuff."

"Girly stuff, hmmm. Talking to your sister?"

"Aw, you know what I mean." He pressed a little closer. "Of course, there is some girly stuff I have a great interest in." He lowered his gaze to her cleavage.

Anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for having me! I loved writing my little story for you all. If you want to tell me one thing, where is the best place you've ever vacationed? I'll pick Switzerland.

The Yearning is in Print!!

2012-03-06T02:00:00.007-05:00

My first paranormal with Samhain - my first paranormal ever - is now in print! Yay!

A Top Ten Bestseller - here's what the reviewers are saying:

“Like your favorite mixed drink, The Yearning is the perfect blend of unbridled sex and sweet tenderness.”

Sal – TwoLips Reviews

The paranormal elements of The Yearning are made believable by her creation of characters that are driven by conflict and emotion, making The Yearning a must read.

To read the full review, click here

_______________

NOMINATED FOR BOOK OF THE WEEK

“Knowing that this is the first paranormal story Ms. Donahue has written, I wanted to read it to see if it was as good as her other books. It was.”

Myrtle – Whipped Cream Reviews

My friends are going to love this book and I hope to see more paranormal themes from Ms. Donahue as she did a wonderful job on this one.

To read the full review click here
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4.5 STARS – SENSUAL READS

“Ms. Donahue explores so many different sexual fantasies in this book that the reader will be left breathless by the last page.”

Candy – Sensual Reads

Tina Donahue spins a tale of uncontrollable lust.

To read the full review, click here

_______________

“This book was a different kind of story than I am used to by this author. I am a big fan of Tina Donahue and decided to give this one a try. Right from the start I knew that I would enjoy this one as well.”

Gabrielle – Love Romances & More

Not only do the main characters make this a great read but also the secondary ones make more than an impression on the reader. The love that they all share makes this a wonderful read that should not be missed.

To read the full review, click here

_______________

Here's the blurb:

To break this curse, they’ll have to turn the heat up. Way up.

Jasmine Dante prowls Key West’s nightlife, fighting a losing battle against a jealous rival’s curse that forces her to seek carnal pleasure, no matter the danger. Weakened from lack of sleep, driven by insatiable lust, she spots a man who stirs her desperate craving, and begins yet another dance of seduction.

Except the dark stranger who returns her direct stare is no ordinary lover. Inside his powerful body lies a raw sexuality that just might be enough to break her curse. There’s only one way to find out: imprison him in her bed and feed on his passion.

Former U.S. Marshal Mike Stearn is many things, but he’s no woman’s sex slave. The deadly telekinetic power he ruthlessly suppresses comes alive again at Jasmine’s touch. Beneath her bold, potent sensuality he senses vulnerability and desperation. He may be in handcuffs, but she’s the one who’s enslaved.

As Mike resurrects his power to free himself so he can find the curse’s source and defeat it, Jasmine revels in his masterful rule. Her ravenous yearning evolves into rapture as she surrenders to his hunger, her darkest needs—and the emotional connection that lies beyond. Unless the curse takes her life first…

Warning: Tons of steamy sex, smoldering passion and a to-die-for love story with a hot Alpha hero who finds himself imprisoned by one sultry and desperate babe.

More info: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/the-yearning-p-6248.html or check out your local B&N, Amazon, etc. to order. :)

My Two Favorite Words: On Sale!

2012-03-05T00:01:00.001-05:00

I love getting anything on sale and since books are my favorite form of entertainment hearing about a sale will make me smile faster than just about anything. If books on sale make you happy enough to smile, you might want to check out two of my older Ellora's Cave titles.

Happy Reading!

Assassin’s Kiss- Erotic Romance/Paranormal/shapeshifter

By Paris Brandon

Ellora’s Cave

On Sale now!

Kira, a two-natured jaguar shifter in heat, desperate for sex with her own kind, is moments from death at the hands of a band of rogue shifters when another jaguar rescues her.

Sebastian, a lone Jaguar Council Assassin, knows he’s in trouble when he chooses to neglect his duty to kill the rogues he’s been following and instead rescues the female whose scent intoxicates him. He can’t resist the first touch of her naked flesh or her heated demands for the sex they both want.

But Kira is the forbidden halfling of prophecy, the key to a secret that the Jaguar Council will kill to keep and their ancient enemy, the Brotherhood, will kill to possess. Tortured by a desire that neither can deny, even sex with Sebastian becomes dangerous for Kira, they fight their way through a growing list of enemies for the chance to be together.

Excerpt: http://www.jasminejade.com/productspecs/9781419924088.htm

"Brandon has created a detailed world and provides a well-crafted plot filled with action, danger and great characters..."
–Romantic Times Book Reviews

"...Assassin's Kiss is a must read for fans of suspense, action, shifter and erotic romance genres"
–Just Erotic Romance Reviews

"... As a rule, I usually enjoy stories of this genre and Ms. Brandon totally brings the idea to the next level"
–Romance Junkies

Ellora’s Cave: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-7641-assassins-kiss.aspx

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Assassins-Kiss-ebook/dp/B003ATPPQM/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_ke?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314443307&sr=1-1

All Romance ebooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-assassin039skiss-443467-144.html

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/assassins-kiss-paris-brandon/1100323443?ean=9781419960390

No Holds Barred- Erotic Romance/Older Woman/Younger Man

By Paris Brandon

Ellora’s Cave

This novella is on sale now at EC ($.99), Amazon and All Romance e Books (ARe)

Raphaella Dotti fights the urge to run when the handsome, sexy artist she can’t forget tracks her down after a one-night stand to celebrate her fortieth birthday. Charmed into a year of long-distance, Sunday morning calls, she agrees to celebrate her next birthday with him, exploring all her fantasies in a week of no-holds-barred, anything-goes sex.

Jake doesn’t understand why anyone would suggest that Ella diet, get a nose job or change at all. She’s smart, funny and an artist’s dream. She’s also the challenge he’s been looking for his entire life. He’s determined to fulfill every one of Ella’s desires and convince her that she’s the woman he wants, forever. It’s all about trusting herself…and him. Because losing Ella isn’t an option.

Excerpt: http://www.jasminejade.com/productspecs/9781419921285.htm

Ellora’s Cave: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-6931-no-holds-barred.aspx

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/No-Holds-Barred-ebook/dp/B0031TZ97G/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314443104&sr=1-2

ARe: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-noholdsbarred-480316-144.html

Paris Brandon

http://parisbrandon.com

http://twitter.com/#!/ParisBrandon

Other Ellora’s Cave Titles

Cross My Heart-NOR Top Pick

Head Over Heels-5 Hearts, The Romance Studio

Assassin’s Kiss-4 Stars Romantic Times Review

REV ME UP Gets A Great New Review!

2012-03-04T00:03:00.041-05:00

Every time I hear that another million Kindles, Nooks, or iPads have been sold, I cheer. The adage, ‘everything that’s old is new again’ holds true for early e-published authors like me who are waiting to be discovered by new audiences.

So when Harlie’s Book Blog posted a great new review of my first full-length contemporary erotic romance novel REV ME UP, I was elated.

The review was especially timely since it coincided with the print release of trade paperback REV ME, which includes REV ME UP and REV ME TWICE, previously published exclusively in e-book formats. The ebooks have received Top Pick reviews since their release dates and I'm thrilled to have them available in paperback.

Reviewer Marika Weber gave REV ME UP her highest rating– a Five Harlie, Recommended Read! She said:

“Ms. Dubois writes some of the most sensual, sexiest scenes I’ve ever read. ***fans self still*** While sexy enough, they are also tender, loving and highly emotional… Run, don’t walk to read Rev Me Up. You will not be disappointed. Ms. Dubois has written layered, emotional characters that you will root for…”

Buy REV ME UP in ebook format from Ellora’s Cave Publishing!

http://www.jasminejade.com/p-7639-rev-me-up.aspx

Buy REV ME in trade paperback from Ellora’s Cave Publishing! (Combines novel REV ME UP & novella REV ME TWICE.)

http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9910-rev-me.aspx

Guest Blog: Rose Anderson: Happy Ever After With a Few Exclamation Points!

2012-03-03T00:01:00.009-05:00

First off, thanks for having me today! I’m a long-time fan of the romance story. I cut my teeth on the works of Kathleen Woodiwiss. What a topnotch storyteller she was.

This month marks my one year in print anniversary as an erotic romance writer. In some ways, it feels like I’ve always been here, in others it’s like I’ve just stepped off the boat! Not all that long ago, I waited and fretted over that first review for my break-out novel, Hermes Online. I’d been writing various things for more than twenty years, but I’d never attempted this genre before. I was nervous because I’m a reader too…a picky reader who likes that whole brain experience a great story gives you. *gulp*

Writing romance is most definitely an emotional process. When I craft a story, I draw from every aspect of my life. I think most authors do this. Having experienced heartache, I can write pain. Having experienced love and passion, I can write those too. Empathy helps. Add to that a great love of words to fill in the spaces, and before you know it you’ve written a book! :)

I was anxious to learn what readers thought about my first erotic romance story. From what I’ve read, there’s some confusion about that sub-genre. Erotic romance is happy ever after romance. Erotica is different. Porn is very different. You might say erotic romance is the happy ever after love story with a few extra exclamation points thrown in -- an enhanced conclusion for readers who’ve become invested in the characters and want to feel through words, the natural culmination of the love they’ve watched unfold. Falling in love fills our brains with delightful happy chemicals.

Would readers see Hermes Online as it was meant to be seen and identify with my characters? I hoped they would. I wanted them to understand Vivienne’s struggle under the crushing loss of her confidence. Would S be seen as a man of depth and caring as I meant him to be, or would readers just see a man who could turn a pretty phrase?

I took a chance writing my break-out novel in first person. My publisher told me readers generally don’t care for it. Wow, what a way to begin a career! But I was trying to convey the process of metamorphosis. And this concept is a very personal thing. You might say I was creating a butterfly from the inside out. How else could it be done without being inside the mind of Vivienne and seeing the world through her haze of aching emotions? On the other end of things, I left S out of it. Readers don’t hear his inner dialogue. They could only come to know him through his own words and Vivienne’s interpretation. Her eventual emergence from the dull chrysalis she’d wrapped herself in was the point. And he saw the truth of it. He understood her drab and desperate attempt not to be hurt again.

From the very beginning my writing style has been called “a throwback to old style romanticism”. That came from my first ever review and what a great statement to start on because I adore the old style hero woos heroine romance. I thoroughly enjoy seduction and love the slow surrender to it. But more than that, I love a good head trip. I enjoy that light bulb moment some stories give you when you suddenly say to yourself, Oh! I get it! Readers will find my books filled with these cerebral goodies – little psychological insights to what makes the characters tick, and nuance carefully laid like so many mosaic pieces. I promise if you keep them to read again, each read through will uncover more. :)

Just recently, Hermes Online won the CataNetwork Reviewers’ Choice Award for 2011. I can’t express how wonderful that feels. Maybe there’s hope for first person perspective yet!

BLURB:
Imagine if you will a story begun in the halls of Mount Olympus long before this modern tale was conceived. It was a time when the god Hermes flew on his winged sandals and carried messages from the gods to the mortals below. And between that time and this, couriers became postmen and handwritten letters became bytes. It is said the gods still speak to those who listen…

Left bruised and brokenhearted after a cruel breakup, Vivienne Bennet finds herself mired in a world of self-doubt. To her surprise, she receives an email that challenges her to rediscover the sensual woman she once was. Together Vivienne and the enigmatic man known only as S embark upon the world of anonymous Internet communication where suggestive emails lead to erotic chat, where cybersex leads to Skype, and C2C sends both into the arms of a love they’d believed lost forever.

BIO:
As an admitted oddball who struggles with shyness, I write just about everything. It certainly is easier than talking face to face sometimes! Children’s books, nature magazines and historical periodicals, romance, and a five-year-in-the-making series on the best of human potential, are just a few of the many directions my writing has taken me.

I’ve lived with the love of my life for thirty-five years, and have two grown kids (both fine people if I do say so myself). I share my home with a small menagerie of furry and feathered friends…or I should say they share their home with me. ;)

I was lucky to have emerged from the gene pool blessed with a measure of creativity and in appreciation, my blog is dedicated to Calliope the Muse. I figure if she inspired Homer, she might whisper to me now and again. And she does too! Calliope’s whispers have me constantly thinking up images for my hands give form to. That form could be tangible like a molded clay figure, or a sketch, or as in the case of words I type out on my laptop, ephemeral. When the Muse finally releases me from her grasp, my mind can move on to the next thought, the next blob of clay, the next story waiting in the wings. What do such thought-creators say about themselves? People who have this little gnawing drive to manifest some thought into reality know it just is what it is. Describing it is tricky. The condensed version -- I simply love to turn random thought into something lovely.

Ladies, thanks again for having me on Romance Books R Us (lol I tried like heck to get the R backwards!). Thanks too to all my readers. My romantic stories would only be words without you. Find my available in ebook and paperback at the links below and elsewhere, and Hermes Online and Dreamscape are just the beginning. Watch for my new release coming soon.

Please stop by my blog for updates, bits and pieces, and this and thats. If you scroll back a few blog posts, you’ll also see how to get some soon-to-be-famous Rose Anderson goodies!
Now that’s fun. :)

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004XDGWL6
http://www.bookstrand.com/rose-anderson
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Rose-Anderson?keyword=Rose+Anderson&view=list
http://www.calliopeswritingtablet.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/MusesWritingTablet#p/u/1/bp4b1GTV6qQ

What is there to talk about today?

2012-03-02T00:01:00.004-05:00

As I sat down to write this blog, I drew an absolute blank. I think I’m brain dead. I mean that notorious “writer’s block” that occasionally hits an author when least expected finally has infected my muse.

What is there to talk about today that others haven’t already mentioned here? I’m new at this writing business, only been doing it full-time since 2010 and I have ten books published with several releasing this year and have a couple I’m almost finished with and will be submitting in a month or two. Whew! No wonder I’m running on empty.

It’s not like I can’t come up with new ideas for stories. Geesh! I have several floating around in my head waiting for me to put them down on paper, on my laptop actually, and have no problem writing the next manuscript. What I have a quandary over is coming up with something fresh to share on a blog. This one in particular.

Do I share current events revolving around the publishing industry? There’s been a flood of the topic with the PayPal and what appears to be a big bulls-eye on erotic/a authors. Nope, I really can’t add to what has been put out there. Promotion? Don't think so, been there on that subject on several blogs and chats over the past several months. Holidays? We’re over them, until the next one rolls around anyway. How about contests? Oh, sorry, we here at RBRU are doing one for St. Patrick’s, which by the way is a great one! For details, you can go to the website, http://www.romancebooksrus.com. Please go take a look a play along. Sorry, forgive me for the shameless plug.

How about writer’s block? Funny, I’m in the middle of writing this now, not about a story, but about writing this dang page. I’ve thought all day about what I'd bring to the table this month. No make that, I've been thinking hard for several days. I knew this night would come, the dreaded 12:01 AM critical time to post, and it wouldn't go away. I kept putting it off, working furiously at my two WIPs, doing housework, going outside in the beautiful Florida weather, play with my granddaughter, talk to hubby about stupid stuff, anything to keep my mind off the deadline.

Well, here I am at 11:03 PM and I give up. I think I’ll just post a short blurb and an excerpt from my latest release. I’ve never done that before on this blog. I guess if all else fails in getting that touchdown, punt.

Next month, I promise to have something more enlightening to share. This is a long month, yeah! I’ll have two extra days to come up with a blog worth reading. Until then. . .

BLURB from A Vampire in Paris:

The attraction is instant, but their new found love will be tested on the journey to love eternal.

For over two hundred years, London-based security and private investigator, Ramsey Weiss has existed as the quintessential confirmed bachelor. New Years’ Day he is dispatched to Paris, France, to rescue an abducted cosmetics company heiress. In the melee, he butts heads with an unexpected woman.

Camille du Bassin is the head chemist at Institut de Beauté Biologique and her niece has been kidnapped. She teams up with a private security investigator with special skills hired by her brother. The two unlikely pair work together playing a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse not only with each other, but battle an evil ancient vampire determined to take Camille as his consort. Somewhere along the journey, Camille and Ramsey are surprised by the physical attraction that develops between them, denying the attraction.

Just when the two lovers' think their love can be forever...Fate steps in to challenge the power of their love.

EXCERPT:

Bloody bollocks! What the hell is wrong with this woman? He kept his eye color from changing as well as maintaining a pleasant smile with no fangs showing. No sense scaring the woman, although she could use a fright and lose the stick up her arse. Keep calm.

Ramsey’s stamina quickly began to falter. He didn’t have much time left to do his preliminary interrogation of Camille du Bassin, Mademoiselle du Bassin, and the biggest Be-atch of Paris. No wonder she was unmarried at her age, she probably nagged any poor guy to death before he’d consider walking down the aisle with her.

“Monsieur Weiss, since your time is limited, I believe my sister can take you to my daughter’s flat and she can answer your questions along the way,” Étienne suggested as he sternly regarded Camille. “D’accord?”

“Bien. But, an hour eez all I can spare. I have work to do.” She glared at him, the green of her eyes glowed, intriguing and unique. Anger oozed from every pore on her skin and he sensed it, smelled her blood.

An hour with her is all I can stand. “Sounds good to me. Is the flat far from here?” Spending much more than an hour or even two would be too long, but to find Julliana, his Giselle, he’d make the sacrifice spending time with the exasperating woman standing before him. Women were his passion, he loved women, but this one he’d make an exception.

“Vas-y, Monsieur Weiss.” The be-atch turned on her spiky heels to leave.

“Oh please, call me Ramsey.”

With a haughty attitude, she peered over her shoulder. “You may call me Mademoiselle du Bassin.”

More like bitch. This is going to be one hell of a long hour. The unlikely pair left the executive offices and entered the elevator, taking the four floor descent in silence. They made their way to the outside and after hailing a cab, and twenty minutes later arrived at an apartment building in the Le Marais District. After climbing three flights of stairs, they stood at the door of Apartment 3C.

“After you, Monsieur Weiss.” The emphasis on his name by the irritating aunt of Giselle made him grit his teeth. A slight upward curl of his lips was the extent of what he mustered. Their short trip to the flat had been nothing but silence between them, except for the one question he attempted to ask before getting cut off.

“Merci and I insist on Ramsey,” he enunciated succinctly. The politeness level wore thin. If Braedon got pissed with his attitude, so be it. He wanted to do his job, but sometimes the politics involved with each assignment rubbed him the wrong way.

Ramsey couldn’t read the woman, neither body nor mind. What ax did she have to grind with him? He believed as Giselle’s aunt, her family, the woman would be cooperative and want him to do everything possible to find her niece. After all, he was one of the best investigators at GSIS and considering his past relationship with the victim of the case, he’d have an advantage in finding her. But, maybe Miss du Bassin doesn’t know who and what I really am?

The nuisance named Camille pushed closer. “What are you doing? Can I help?”

After drawing attention away from scanning of the small living area of the flat, he met the unusual emerald green eyes, which now had softened to a few shades lighter. Still intense and sparkling, he recognized no anger deep inside this time. “No, but I do have a few questions for you.”

“Bien. What do you need to know?”

What you are hiding is more like it. Through half-hooded eyes he tried piercing the armor erected around her mind. Small glimpses of symbols and steel, sterile rooms brightly lit materialized in his mental visions. She worked at the Institute, maybe she worked in a lab. “When did you last see Gis—Julliana? I don’t think I’ll get used to calling her that.”

“I had lunch with her two days ago.” She wandered over to the brown and cream striped couch, sat, and continued to ask, “You never answered me at my brother’s office. Where do you know Julli?”

With narrowed eyes, he stared intently at her delicate facial features wondering why she cared. She already suspected him of being a stalker and a young punk, what difference would it make to her how he knew Giselle. Regardless of his previous relationship, this was a well-paying job and he’d treat the client no differently than if they were strangers meeting for the first time. But, he answered without thinking one more reason not to answer. “We met in Elounda, Crete several months ago. We were close…for a while.” Turning away from her, he continued to survey the room, searching for any clue that might lead him to Giselle.

That’s it! See ya next month.

Cynthia Arsuaga

http://cynthiaarsuaga.weebly.com

http://romanticwordsbycynthia.blogspot.com

www.store.secretcravingspublishing.com

What Helps Sell Romance Books?

2012-03-01T00:01:00.060-05:00

All these are my personal observations. What works or doesn't work for me might be the opposite for other authors!

Belonging to professional organizations:
Hmm. I'm not sure about this one. Belonging to professional organizations may help with craft and other useful information, but the actual selling of books (unless at a sponsored book signing) doesn't happen. Quite honestly, how many times has someone interested in buying a book asked, "Are you a member of RWA?"

Promo done on yahoo groups:
Social networking done on these groups get you book blurb, cover, and excerpts out in public view. Groups can be as lively or are quiet as participants allow. Our Romance Books R Us yahoo group is always active because of the great participation we have. Selling books happens through groups like this where I have an opportunity to connect with readers.

Promo done on Twitter:
Can you really sell books here? Or, is it a "hit or miss" opportunity? I'm not sure if any of my "tweets" have created interest in my books.

Promo done on LinkedIn:
Again, same dilemma. I'm "linked" to many people, but do they purchase books?

Promo done on Facebook:
I have two pages; one for each pen name. Again, same dilemma. Am I timing posts at opportune times to reach more readers? I read an article and the poster said that you need to post around 7 times a day of FB, Twitter, and LinkedIn in order to reach everyone. Seriously? I don't have time for that, although I guess you can set up Twitter to "retweet" your messages.

Chats: I found them to be so fast-paced that messages got confusing and sometimes went off in tangents. I don't think I've ever sold a book this way. While chats can be interesting, the chat group we started for Romance Books R Us never quite caught on with readers. And, some authors "forgot" when they were supposed to chat. Perhaps in the future we can try some "fun" chats and see if interest picks up.

Blogs: Great way to introduce authors and books. Readers seem to enjoy hearing from authors, and not just about their books. Throwing in a peek at an author's personal life, like doing an interview, gains an author fans and readers. By being active on a blog, an author can continue to connect with readers.

Conventions/Conferences: Great way to meet readers and fans...if the event is geared towards readers/fans and not strictly writers/authors. While I enjoy the informative conventions/conferences, the ones open to readers/fans are more casual and intimate and help sell books. Book signings at any of these events is a good thing!

Contests: Some readers just do these without actually buying books. But, publicity is good and running contests gains interest.

Reviews: Mixed on this one. Good reviews? Great. Do readers read these? When one of my books became a "free read", I got some "bad" reader reviews on Amazon from people who obviously didn't read paranormal or romance, but took the book because it was free.

Newsletters: I did newsletters for many years and just recently stopped. I don't have a new book out and haven't in over a year. My nonfiction book doesn't sell well to romance readers, and I've been concentrating on doing promo for that elsewhere.

Websites: If I can't easily read text on a website, I'll avoid it. Some sites are very dark with almost unreadable wording. Then again, I have "old eyes" and like things bright! If pages are off-center of text streams out of text boxes, that can be a problem. I've recently redone my websites and hope I've fixed some problems. To sell books displayed here, readers have to know how to find my websites first!

Covers: Yes...I believe covers have a lot to do with selling books. One cover I approved I regret...no people on it and I think that was a mistake. It's the book "of my heart" and the one I've sold very few copies of to date. Another cover (I had NO say in this one) I'm still unhappy about...and I believe it "tanked" my sales. A cover is what readers see first and is important.

Building a fan base: Definitely a positive step! Get loyal readers and you have buyers. As authors we're told to keep writing, but sometimes that's easier said than done!

So...what do you think? Readers, do you relate to any of my observations? Authors, do you agree or disagree?

Marianne
http://www.mariannestephens.net
http://www.aprilash.net
http://www.romancebooksrus.com

Leap Year

2012-02-29T08:01:00.000-05:00

In February I don't have towrite a blog for Romance Books Or Us because my turn is always the 29th ofevery month. This year is leap year soFebruary has 29 days in it, and it's my turn to blog.

A leap year (or intercalary or bissextile year) is ayear containing one additional day (or, in the case of lunisolar calendars,a month) in order to keep the calendar year synchronized with the astronomicalor seasonal year. Because seasons andastronomical events do not repeat in a whole number of days, a calendar that hadthe same number of days in each year would, over time, drift with respect tothe event it was supposed to track. By occasionally inserting (or intercalating)an additional day or month into the year, the drift can be corrected. A yearthat is not a leap year is called a common year.

February 29 is a date that usually occurs every four years, and is calledleap day. This day is added to the calendar in leap years as a correctivemeasure, because the earth does not orbit around the sun in precisely 365 days.

Here are sometraditions for leap day. In the BritishIsles, it is a tradition that women may propose marriageonly on leap years. While it has been claimed that the tradition was initiatedby Saint Patrick or Brigid of Kildare in 5th century Ireland, this isdubious, as the tradition has not been attested before the 19th century.Supposedly, a 1288 law by Queen Margaret of Scotland(then age five and living in Norway), required that fines be levied if a marriageproposal was refused by the man; compensation ranged from a kiss to £1 to asilk gown, in order to soften the blow In some places the tradition wastightened to restricting female proposals to the modern leap year day, February29, or to the medieval (bissextile) leap year day, February 24.

According toFelten: "A play from the turn of the 17th century, 'The MaydesMetamorphosis,' has it that 'this is leape year/women wear breeches.' A fewhundred years later, breeches wouldn't do at all: Women looking to takeadvantage of their opportunity to pitch woo were expected to wear a scarletpetticoat—fair warning, if you will."

In Denmark, thetradition is that women may propose on the bissextile leap year day, February24, and that refusal must be compensated with 12 pairs of gloves.

In Finland, thetradition is that if a man refuses a woman's proposal on leap year day, heshould buy her the fabrics for a skirt

In Greece, marriage in a leap year isconsidered unlucky. One in five engaged couples in Greece will plan to avoidgetting married in a leap year.

A person born onFebruary 29 may be called a "leapling" or a "leaper". Incommon years they usually celebrate their birthdays on February 28 or March 1. Insome situations, March 1 is used as the birthday in a non-leap year since it isthe day following February 28.

Technically, aleapling will have fewer birthday anniversaries than their age in years.This phenomenon is exploited when a person claims to be only a quarter of theiractual age, by counting their leap-year birthday anniversaries only. In Gilbert and Sullivan's1879 comic opera The Pirates ofPenzance, Frederic the pirate apprentice discovers thathe is bound to serve the pirates until his 21st birthday rather thanuntil his 21st year.

For legalpurposes, legal birthdays depend on how local laws count time intervals.

For additionalinformation you can go to Wikipedia.

Contest News:Romance Books Or Us will be having contests for the next few months. The first will be a St. Patrick's Daycontest. Be sure to visit Romance BooksOr Us website at http://www.romancebooksrus.com.

Also, this is lastfor the sale of all of Eirelander Publishing's catalog is 30% off at the CoffeeTime Romance Store! My books can befound there.
http://www.facebook.com/l/jAQG5ejlSAQEYYOCpkn86ElhnRnU4Nv7CnQ-CUd9T2HZMrA/www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookStore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=116

Have a HappyLeap Year!

Sandra K.Marshall, author of The Odyssey Mysteries Trilogy
http://www.skaymarshall.com

Interview with Seth Dawson, Hero of Windswept Shores by Janice Seagraves

2012-02-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

Interviewwith Seth Dawson, hero of Windswept Shores

ByJanice Seagraves

“I have SethDawson, my hero from Windswept Shores, with me today. Say hi, Seth.” I turnedtoward my couch.

Seth rests an arm across the back of my couch, whichpulls his surfers t-shirt taunt against his muscles and deep chest. He’s weartan shorts, with his ankle resting on his knee, and has no shoes on his sizethirteen feet. “G’day.”

“Where are you from?” I ask.

“I reckon you know since you made me up.” Seth picksup my book on Sydney that I have on my coffee table. “I hail from Sydney, butmy port of call these days is Fort Lauderdale. That is until I washed up on thelittle island, where I met Megz.” He picks up my book on the Bahamas.

My face heats and I clear my throat. Hmm, I should have put away my researchbooks before he came over. “Isn’t it true that you something of a bad boy?”

Seth drops both the books back on the table andleans back. “I reckon that depends on who ya ask.” He winks.

“Describe yourself in three words.”

“I’m a true blue Aussie.”

“I think that five words.”

“No worries mate. I reckon the readers will get thereference.” Seth waves, and I looked behind me, wondering who he’s waving at.

“Uh, Okay. So tell me about meeting Megan.”

“She found me washed up on the beach. I coughed androlled over, but I must have startled her because her scream woke me up.”Seth’s gray eyes crinkle at the corners as he chuckles.

“Is there something you’d like to tell Megan?”

“That she’s stronger than she thinks she is.”

“What would be a perfect date?”

“I’d take Megz for a walk along the on the beach andthen a swim in the ocean.”

I frown. “But you and Megan live on a desertedisland?”

Seth grins, his cheeks dimpling. “Abso-bloody-lutely.”

“Moving on.” I looked down at my question sheet. “Boxer orbriefs?”

“If I’m not going commando, as you yanks call it,than its briefs.”

The heat that started in my cheeks goes down my neck.“What kind of shoes?”

“I prefer being barefoot or thongs.”

“What can you tell me about your family?”

“Me parents are still around the last I looked, andme da has a few bobs to rub together.”

“A few or more than a few?”

Seth looks around and whispers, “Can ya keep asecret?”

I lean forward. “Yes.”

Seth whispers, “Da’s a very rich man, but don’t tellMegz. I want her to love me for myself.”

I lean back in my chair and smile. “I don’t thinkthat’s going to be a problem.”

Seth grins. “Oh ace. That’s good news, that is.”

I cover my mouth. “Oops, I wasn’t supposed to saythat.”

“I reckon the cats out of the bag now.”

I nod. “Are you ready to tell everyone aboutWindswept Shores?”

“Orright.” Seth clears his throat. “For Megz itwould have been a dream vacation, a holiday to the Bahamas,

but something goeshorrible wrong. For me and Megz it would be a time we’d never forget.”

WindsweptShores by Janice Seagraves
Cover Contest Winner
erotic contemporary romance
novel (approx 50K)
price $4.95
Cover Art by Pink Petal Books with assistance from Winterheart Design

BLURB:
The sole survivor of a plane crash, Megan is alone on a deserted island in theBahamas until she finds a nearly-drowned man washed up on shore. Anothersurvivor, this time from a boat wreck. With only meager survival skills betweenthem, will they survive and can they find love?

Except 2:

“Will this do ya?”

Megan glanced at what Seth had in his hands. “Oh,you found my gathering basket and scrapers. Sure, that’s fine for gatheringmussels.” She unbuttoned her cotton shirt and hung it on a nearby bush. Thelace-edged camisole she wore underneath was a bright green but didn’t really gowith her outfit. She stuck in her thumbs into the elastic band of her capripants, stopping with a startled look at Seth.

“Don’t let me stop you.” He grinned, showing a flashof white teeth in his tanned face.

“Uh, I’ll just leave these on.” Yanking her handsout, her face heated as she ducked her head.

“If I weren’t ‘ere, you’d do it in the nuddy,” heaccused.

“If that means naked, not quite,” she corrected,hanging the basket on her arm.

“Then in you’re underdaks?”

“Uh—underwear?” She frowned, wondering why hewouldn’t drop it. “Um, yeah, it saves on the washing, especially since I haveto do it by hand and also drying the clothes is iffy business at best.”

“I hear ya, but still don’t let me stop you fromdoing something you do naturally.” Heat filled her body with the look he gaveher.

Oh,God, he’s a man all right. “Thanks, but I’m more comfortablewith my clothes on with company around.”

Seth arched an eyebrow. “I’m company?”

“You’re my guest.”

He gave her a lopsided grin. “How about a mate? Ireckoned you could use one.”

“If that means friend, sure why not?” She smiled.

“Abso-bloody-lutely,” he agreed.

They waded out and began scraping off the black,shiny mussels that clung to the rock. The surf pulled and dragged at her legs,getting both of them thoroughly soaked.

“Isn’t that a beaut?” Seth showed Megan a fineclutch of mussels. “I got ‘em in one go.”

“Oh, that’s great! And they’re nice big ones, too.”She held out the basket, but slipped on a stone, stumbling against his side.

He dropped the shellfish into the basket she held.“Easy there, mate.”

“I mean the mussels,” she snapped.

“I meant the mussles, too.” He scraped at anotherbatch. “Course, a man’s muscle is his most important

body part.”

“O-oh, you’re just like every guy I know. Why is italways sex with men?”

“Do you know which muscle I was even talking about?”He smirked. “Most blokes are scum.” He glanced

sidelong at her. “Most blokesjust want to tell their mates how many birds they've shagged that week.” Hedropped more mussels in her basket. “But I could be different, if you ever wantto find out.”

“You do realize I’m a married woman?”

Seth yanked his gaze up to hers. “Megz, I realizeyou’re a spunky widow.”

“I’m not a widow. He’s alive,” she snapped, blinkingback tears.

“You have a nightmare every night about his death.”

“I-I don’t know for sure.” Megan scraped vigorouslyat a new spot. “Jonathan might have made it. The plane could have . . . poppedout—” Half the shiny black shells fell into the water, as she snatched at therest. “From the other side of the wave,” she finished.

“Orright.” He shrugged.

Megan dropped her mussels into the basket. “I thinkwe have enough. Let’s go in.”

“Ready when you are, mate.”

Roaring filled her ears as a large wave hit, for amoment all Megan could see was teal tinged water.

A hand grabbed her arm, keeping her rooted to thespot. “Megz?”

Megan coughed rubbing the saltwater sting from hereyes. “I’m fine,” she gasped.

“Let me have the mussels. The waves are picking up.”He dropped his scraper into her basket, then took it from her.

Another wave hit, but this time it lifted Megan offthe rocks. Seth grabbed her around the waist. She clung to him.

“The sea means to take you back.”

“It can’t have me.” She looked around. “I think I lostmy scraper.”

“Let it go, mate. You can make another.”

In the lull, when the wave washed back out to sea,Seth handed Megan back the basket. “Hang on a tick.”

She clutched it to herchest. He abruptly picked her up and waded ashore.

Surprise made her eyes big as her cheeks heated. Sheglanced shyly up at him, then over his shoulders to the rocks the waves crestedover. “The tide has come in. I usually keep watch for things like that.”

“I must be a distraction for ya.” Seth grinned,while he set her down on the sand.

“When are you not a distraction to anyone?” sheasked with one hand against his muscular chest.

“My mum said I’m always one to hog all the attentionto myself.”

“I think she’s right.” She took a step back so shecould pat his arm. “Thank you for keeping me from being swept off to sea.”

“That’s what mates are for.” He took the basket,with a look inside it, he added, “Besides, you were carrying me brekky.” Sethsmirked down at her. “I really like yer top. You should wear it more often.”

“Oh!” Megan gave a mortified glance at her clingycamisole, which looked like it was spray painted on. Her erect nipples weremaking credible attempts to poke holes in the thin material. She snatched herbrown shirt off the bush, hurrying to slip it on. Dammit, I’m never wearing this again.

Seth chuckled while he hauled the mussels up totheir camp.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Janice Seagraves website: http://janiceseagraves.org/

Janice Seagraves blog: http://ladyjanice.blogspot.com/

Windswept Shoes buy link: http://pinkpetalbooks.com/Windswept-Shores-Janice-Seagraves.html

Guest Blog: Suzanne Brockmann: Writing Books Versus Making Movies

2012-02-27T00:01:00.026-05:00

So who’s got an Oscar hangover this morning? And I’m not talking about the kind you get from imbibing in too much food and drink. I’m talking about the glued-to-your-TV-set-for-hours-and-hours-and-hours type of hangover, where you stay up much too late on a Sunday night because finding out which movie won the Oscar for best pictures matters.

Oscar night is my favorite holiday.

I’ve always loved movies. In fact, I became a romance writer as a kind of an alternative, sideways route to becoming a screenwriter.

See, back when I was just starting my writing career, I focused on writing screenplays and TV scripts. But back then, I was also a new mom. I had two kids in diapers and a husband who worked in New York City. So after I submitted my scripts to a Hollywood agent and he called to ask me when I was going to move to LA – because he’d rep me if I moved out there – I took a deep breath and told him that it would be about eighteen years before my youngest was out of school, so a move west wasn’t in my immediate future. He told me – and these words were burned into my brain – that I was a very good writer. But he said that there were ten very good writers who already lived in LA and were ready to do the leg work necessary to selling their scripts, and he was going to represent one of them instead of me.

It was the best rejection of my career. And in the aftermath of that phone call, I sat there doing what I do best, which is think outside of the box. As unknown writer A, I would have to move to LA to sell my screenplays. But you know who sold plenty of screenplays from his home in Maine?

So, following that logic, I surmised that if I could become a bestselling novelist, I wouldn’t have to move to LA to write and sell screenplays.(Oh, I was SO very young back then!)

In the days after that phone call, I decided that I’d write genre fiction – my goal was to entertain – and I took all of my screenwriting skills and incorporated them into writing romance novels that were as fast-paced and as visual as possible. I wanted my books to play out like movies inside of my readers’ heads.

Long story short, I outlined my first romance novel exactly the way I would’ve outlined a screenplay, and then sat down to write the book. It was an exhilarating experience, complete with a “Eureka!” moment as I realized that romance novels were, perhaps, the ultimate fit for my particular writing voice.

I discovered that I loved writing romance novels.

So I put my screenwriting career on hold and focused on writing books.

But my love for movies has never waned. And last year I collaborated with my husband, Ed Gaffney, (an Edgar-award-nominated thriller writer) and my son, Jason T. Gaffney, and together we three wrote a screenplay – a romantic comedy with a hero and a hero, called THE PERFECT WEDDING. And then, last summer, we used our very own production company, small or LARGE Productions, to shoot the movie.

We had a cast of over a dozen actors including James Reborn (Independence Day, Real Steel) and Kristine Sutherland (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and a crew and production team of close to fifty hardworking people, including an enormously talented young director named Scott Gabriel.
We used a digital camera called “The Red” to create a movie with high production values, and shot our feature length indie film in twenty-one grueling days.

We’re currently in the final stages of post-production, with a hope to premiere THE PERFECT WEDDING at film festivals around the world, starting this spring. Find out more about TPW at http://www.theperfectweddingmovie.com and http://www.facebook.com/ThePerfectWeddingMovie

So what’s the biggest difference between writing a novel and writing (and the producing) a movie? For me, it’s all about the control. As a novelist, I am god. The story is mine, and mine alone.

As a screenwriter, I was already collaborating with two other very creative (and stubborn people before we moved into production mode. And remember those dozen actors and fifty crew and production team members I mentioned earlier? All of those people brought a little bit (or a lot!) of themselves to the process of telling this story. Making a movie is a team sport, and in order to make the best movie possible, you have to learn to pass the ball.

Things I cannot do: Edit a movie. Direct a movie. Light a room to film a movie. Move a camera on a dolly so that it doesn’t bump or shake. Wire dozens of actors for sound. Film a movie. Apply makeup to the actors so that they look great. Feed fifty-something hungry and hardworking people three times a day.

Well, maybe I could do that last one. I could not have done it alone.

My favorite part of the movie making process was casting the film. As one of the producers, I had input into the casting, and I was present for many of the auditions.

In fact, casting was so much fun, that when I began to plan my promotional efforts for my next book (BORN TO DARKNESS, the first in my new paranormal “Fighting Destiny” series), it didn’t take me long to decide to use my newfound skills and cast actors as the six main adult characters in the series, and then hold a photo shoot with my favorite NYC photographer, Shirin Tinati. http://www.shirintinati.com. I used her photos (and some video footage we shot, too) from that session to create “BORN TO DARKNESS Trading Cards,” and photo galleries, and book trailer videos so that readers could see the characters in this book exactly the way I see them.

Because even though I’ve only written two screenplays versus fifty-one novels in the past twenty years since I got that phone call from that Hollywood agent, I still write books using screenwriting outlining techniques, in hopes that my stories will play out like fast-paced and exciting movies in my readers’ minds.

GIVEAWAY ALERT: I have two copies of the CD audiobook of "BREAKING THE RULES" to give to two people who leave comments by midnight EST, 28 February. Please put your email address in the comment box!

BLURB: "BORN TO DARKNESS"
Dishonorably discharged, former Navy SEAL Shane Laughlin is down to his last ten bucks when he finally finds work as a test subject at the Obermeyer Institute, a little-known and believed-to-be-fringe scientific research facility. When he enters the OI compound, he is plunged into a strange world where seemingly mild-mannered scientists--including women half his size--can kick his highly skilled ass.

Shane soon discovers that there are certain individuals who possess the unique ability to access untapped regions of the brain with extraordinary results-including telekinesis, super strength, and reversal of the aging process. Known as "Greater-Thans," this rare breed is recruited by OI, where they are rigorously trained using ancient techniques to cultivate their powers and wield them responsibly.

But in the depths of America's second Great Depression, where the divide between the haves and the have-nots has grown even wider, those who are rich--and reckless--enough have a quick, seductive alternative: Destiny, a highly addictive designer drug that that can make anyone a Greater-Than, with the power of eternal youth. The sinister cartel known as The Organization has begun mass-producing Destiny, and the demand is growing. But few realize the drug's true danger, and fewer still know the dirty secret of Destiny's crucial ingredient.

Michelle "Mac" Mackenzie knows the ugly truth. And as one of the Obermeyer Institute's crack team of operatives, she's determined to end the scourge of Destiny. But her kick-ass attitude gets knocked for a loop when she discovers one of the new test subjects is the same smoldering stranger who just rocked her world in a one-night stand. And although Shane quickly discovers he isn't a Greater-Than like Mac, as an ex-SEAL, he's got talents of his own. But Mac's got powerful reasons to keep her distance from Shane-and reasons to want him close. She's used to risking her life, but now she faces sacrificing her heart in the ultimate war on drugs.

BLURB For Giveaway Book: "BREAKING THE RULES"

Izzy Zanella wasn't looking for another reason to butt heads with his Navy SEAL teammate and nemesis, Danny Gillman. But then he met Danny’s beautiful younger sister, Eden. When she needed it most, he offered her a place to stay, a shoulder to cry on—and more. And when she got pregnant with another man’s child, he offered her marriage. But Eden’s devastating miscarriage shattered their life together—and made the intense bad blood between Izzy and Danny even worse.

Now Eden's back, on a mission to rescue her teen brother, Ben, from their abusive stepfather. Even if she and Izzy can prove that their broken marriage is still in one piece, winning legal custody of Ben is a long shot. But they’re not alone: Danny and his girlfriend Jenn offer to help, and he and Izzy agree to bury the past and fight for Ben’s future.

As they plan their strategy, Izzy and Eden grapple with the raw passion that still crackles between them—while Danny and Jenn confront new depths in their own rocky relationship. But events take a terrifying turn after Ben befriends a girl fleeing a child prostitution ring. When the young runaway seeks refuge with Eden and Izzy, her pursuers kidnap Ben—and a deadly standoff begins. Now, they must all pull together like never before and strike back, swift and hard, to protect their unconventional little family and everything they hold most precious.

BIO:
Suzanne Brockmann is the award-winning author of fifty-one books, and is widely recognized as one of the leading voices in romantic suspense. Her work has earned her repeated appearances on the New York Times bestseller list, as well as numerous awards, including Romance Writers of America's #1 Favorite Book of the Year and two RITA awards.

Married to author Ed Gaffney, Suz divides her time between Sarasota, Florida; Boston, Massachusetts and New York City. They have two grown children, Melanie, who is a personal trainer and a writer, and Jason, who is an actor and tap dancer, and two miniature schnauzers, C.K. Dexter-Haven and Little Joe, both of whom (unlike Mel and Jason) still live at home.

Suz is a proud member of PFLAG -- Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. She is also a card-carrying member of the American Civil Liberties Union, the Human Rights Campaign, and MassEquality. A firm believer in civil rights for all people, she has fought hard to bring equal marriage rights to all citizens of her home state, Massachusetts.

Suzanne has an author page at: http://www.romancebooksrus.com. Come and visit!

Website: http://www.suzannebrockmann.com
facebook main page: http://www.facebook.com/SuzanneBrockmannBooks
twitter: @SuzBrockmann

See pictures of my “cast” of "BORN TO DARKNESS" at:
http://www.suzannebrockmann.com/fd1btdcastlist.html

Find out more about "BORN TO DARKNESS" at:
http://www.suzannebrockmann.com/FD1BornToDarkness.html

Join my official countdown to "BORN TO DARKNESS" at:
http://www.suzannebrockmann.com/fd1btdcountdown.html

Get a virtually signed copy of "BORN TO DARKNESS" (plus a bonus “Extra” Jules Robin short story) at:
http://www.suzannebrockmann.com/fd1btdvirtualsigning.html

Find out more about TPW a:
http://www.theperfectweddingmovie.com and http://www.facebook.com/ThePerfectWeddingMovie

How Do You Make a Dragon Real?

2012-02-26T20:35:00.000-05:00

When you read a fantasy, are you able to suspend belief and make the reader feel like she’s really there? Every fantasy writer hopes so, but how does one achieve that goal? Okay, I’m no expert but I do write fantasy. These would be my tips:

1. Be consistent.

Everything about your world has to follow a predictable course, even if it does so in a circuitous fashion. Your world, whether it is simple or complex, has to be true to its structure throughout the novel. With a fantasy, the world is most likely complex.

2. Do your research.

Even if you are making things up, don’t go too far off the beaten path. You can lose your audience. Mix in some traditions or activities with which your reader can identify, When you first feed in such details, make sure the items and events are true to what would be expected by the reader.

3. Give your fantastical creatures personalities.

No one likes a boring dragon. Cinder, my dragon in the Book of the Beginning series, has a scorching case of dragon breath. She is just now gaining control of her outbursts after fifty years. Cinder is a very pleasant dragon of only two-hundred-fifty pounds, a miniature breed with a willingness to please

4. Infuse the scenery with smells, sounds and description that makes it tangible.

In Honey Blood and the Collector, the reader knows that when a vampire is annihilated the old-fashioned way, by quickly severing his head, there is a significant explosion, following by earthquake like rolling and emitting the smell of clean ozone. These are the kinds of multi-sensory details that make a book come alive.

5. Make at least one item, person or event unforgettable and relatable.

Again, Honey Blood and the Collector has many unforgettable characters, from Cinder who has a tendency to sit on your foot, to Angie, queen of the Ieies and the hero’s mother, who believes her chance at destiny and true love have passed her by, and Parfait, the half-vamp, half-Ieie who will later be destined to triumph over the evil wizard, Gardartha.

What you make of your fantasy is up to you, but make it believable, loveable and unforgettable.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bobbye Terry writes mystery/suspense, romance, fantasies and dystopian fiction. Her latest solo work is This Magic Moment, a contemporary romantic fantasy. She also has an angel fantasy just out, Walk Right In, with the sequel Walk Right Back out any time. Honey Blood and the Collector will debut in just a few days. All of those books are written as Daryn Cross, but she also has new mysteries in e-book and print. For more about Bobbye, visit her at www.DarynCross.com and www.BobbyeTerry-MysteryHappens.com .

Interview of Author H. C. Brown

2012-02-25T00:01:00.010-05:00

Today I'm pleased to present an interview of romance author H. C. Brown.

Latest Book: A Tryst of Fate
Buy Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/coming-soon-c-2/a-tryst-of-fate-ebook-p-744

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBxbpHSaiYY

BIO:
H.C Brown is a multi published, bestselling author of, Historical, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, BDSM, Time Travel, Action Adventure and Contemporary Romance. "I write tender erotic romance, always with a happy ending."

H.C writes under the pen name Pia Moonglow for YA Fantasy. Living in Australia with her own alpha male, HC enjoys walking hand in hand along the beautiful Gold Coast beaches.

Q: What’s the first thing you did when you received word you’d sold a book?
A: Sat stunned for some time before doing the Happy Dance.

Q: What part of the book is the easiest for you to write? Why? What part of the book is the hardest for you? Why?
A: I'll put the answers together. I don't find any part of a book harder or easier to write. I enjoy writing the story usually flows without any problems at all.

Q: Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
A: Alexander. He is a gay man living in a time when being discovered as homosexual could lead to the hangman's noose.

He is gentle and only desires the right to love whomever he chooses.

Q: What hobby do you enjoy when not writing?
A: I paint characters from my books and I enjoy the beach.

Q: What is your favorite romance book that you’ve read?
A: The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. She weaves a magic in her stories I find hard to resist.

Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all!
http://www.hcbrown-author.com
http://www.hcbrownauthoroferoticromance.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#%21/hcbrownauthor
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/HCBrown-Author/292331631137
Noble Romance Author's page: https://www.nobleromance.com/Authors/40/H-C-Brown
Ellora's Cave Author's page: http://www.jasminejade.com/m-709-hc-brown.aspx
Manic Readers: http://www.manicreaders.com/HCBrown
http://www.goodreads.com/hcbrown
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/H.-C.-Brown/e/B003P0BCZE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Find HC here:
25 February:
http://yougottaread.com/category/guest-blog
http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk
http://museampoule.wordpress.com
http://kevad-author.blogspot.com
http://thetardisscribbles.blogspot.com
http://jswayne.wordpress.com

26 February:
http://www.hcbrownauthoroferoticromance.blogspot.com

3 March:
http://blog.romancewithsass.com

6 March:
http://sarahballance.wordpress.com

BLURB:
After inheriting a Georgian house in London Colt Daniels, millionaire art dealer, becomes obsessed with a portrait of the home's former owner, Lord Alexander Swift. Searching for information, Colt goes into the cellar where Alexander Swift and his lover Fitzhugh mysteriously disappeared. When his flashlight fails, Colt finds himself transported to 1775 and comes face to face with the man of his dreams. In a time when man-love led to the hangman's noose, can colt convince Alexander he is the man's destiny?

EXCERPT:
Colt Daniels lifted his bidder's card. "Thirty thousand."

"The bid is thirty thousand pounds. Come now, ladies and gentlemen, this portrait of Lord Alexander Swift by Benjamin West is dated 1775 and is in extraordinarily fine condition." The auctioneer at Sotheby's surveyed the silent crowd with a critical gaze.

Taking a casual pose, Colt flicked his gaze to the opposing bidder. The man in the slick Italian business suit met his gaze with a slow smile. Colt lifted his chin and stared at the painting. From the moment he had laid eyes on the portrait of the handsome young man in the Sotheby's catalogue, he had wanted to buy the painting. Lord Alexander Swift's troubled gaze held a distant loneliness, as if reaching out to Colt across the centuries.

A strange twist of fate had brought him to London with the inheritance of the townhouse once owned by Lord Swift in Berkeley Square the gift coming from a distant relative on his thirtieth birthday. Over the past year, he had restored the house to its former beauty and now he required this painting to complete the task. During the years Lord Swift had owned the property, the painting had hung at the top of the stairs, facing the front door. For some unexplained reason, Colt had a compelling desire to finish the house by restoring the painting to its original position, in time for the anniversary of Alexander's death on June 4.

"Forty thousand." The man in the suit lifted his bidder's card.

Colt sighed. With his fortune to back him and the prestige as owner of some of the most prestigious art galleries around the world, he rarely had people bid against him for very long. They should know better. If Colt Daniels wanted a painting, Colt Daniels would go to any price to secure a purchase. He cleared his throat. "Seventy… thousand… pounds." He shot the opposing bidder a cold stare.

After the usual pause, the hammer came down and Colt moved to the clerk to settle the account. "Have it shipped to 42 Berkeley Square, Mayfair." He turned and strolled back to the painting to gaze at Alexander.

Warmth pooled around Colt's heart, He touched the man's pale cheeks and ran a finger over the long blond curls, tied back in a queue. The young man appeared to be about eighteen in the portrait, slight of build with delicate features, yet Colt's research revealed, West had completed the portrait by Swift's twenty-fifth birthday, the day he had inherited great wealth and lands from his father. Colt rubbed his chin. One would think His Lordship should be overjoyed on such an occasion, and yet Alexander's blue gaze followed him with heart-wrenching sadness.

"West has captured the essence of his subject, don't you think?"

Colt turned to see business suit gazing at him with a friendly smile. "Essence?"

"My name is Jake Williams. You may have heard of me?" replied business suit in a cultured Boston accent.

"Can't say that I have, sorry."

"Ah--so you don't know about the letters." Jake Williams inclined his head toward the portrait. "The love letters between Alexander and the Hon. David Fitzhugh. In a time when the crime of sodomy held the death penalty, to write love letters to a man… my God, can you imagine the implications?"

Colt straightened his shoulders. "You have these letters?"

"I most certainly do! Copies of the original documents are in my book, The Gay Lords." Jake took a card from his jacket and gave it to Colt. "I know you're restoring Alexander's house; perhaps we could meet over lunch and I'll give you the details I didn't put into print."

Anything else you’d like to add?
A Tryst of Fate and three autographed Tryst of Fate cover flats in PDF format for e-readers. Winners picked at random from comments on my blog on 26 February.
http://www.hcbrownauthoroferoticromance.blogspot.com

VILLAINS-HOW WE LOVE THEM

2012-02-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

VILLIANS-HOW WE LOVE THEM

Who doesn’t love a villain? I love villains, both to read about and to write, especially to write. We authors can take our hidden aggressions out on our villains, make them do things we’d never do.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the heroes in my books. Really love them, as in fall in love with each one: Tom, Logan, Dominic, Nick, Daniel, Aiden, and all the heroes in my short stories.

Our romance heroes are larger than life - sexy, sweet, tortured, tough, sensitive - but always willing to sacrifice all for the women they love.

Not so with villains. Villains are out for themselves only. They care only about what others can do for them. What makes villains such fun to write is that we can project all sorts of nasty attributes to a villain and get away with it.

However, the best villains aren’t pure evil but multi-dimensional and contain enough humanity that the reader can say, “You know, he’s really bad, but I sort of understand why he’s doing what he does.”

On some level, we all know we have the capacity to slip into the darkness. Most of us don’t, of course. The villains are the ones who slipped. We look at them with a mixture of relief and gratitude, and a little bit of smugness. Thank God we have enough sense and strength to fight the darkness, we say.

Each of us has several sides to our personality, mostly good, some maybe not so good. The most well-known example of good versus evil is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. A classic case of split personality where both decency and wickedness reside in the same person. This story has fascinated readers since Robert Louis Stevenson published it in 1886. Why does it fascinate? Because we can all relate to the fight within us, the fight between good and bad.

Remember the Star Trek episode where Captain Kirk splits into two distinct personalities - one wimpy, one horrific? A masterpiece.

Villains, no matter how evil, should have that glimmer of humanness that shows through at times. We can relate to a villain who is conflicted because we understand him and, on some level, sympathize.

I’ve never seen the TV show, “True Blood,” although I hear it’s good. I’m afraid of vampires which is why I don’t watch it. When I was talking with one of my writer friends about doing a blog article on villains, she mentioned Eric, the tall blond vampire on “True Blood,” as an excellent example of a conflicted villain. He wants the heroine Sookie for himself, and he’s contemptuous of humans. But he has a tender side. He cries tears of blood for his maker. Viewers watch him and wonder if the love of a good woman can redeem him. But then he’ll turn around and do something twisted, like when he tricked Sookie into taking some of his blood. Good conflict and suspense that keep people glued to the TV or to a book.

I’ve tried to give my villain characters some redeemable values. The villain in my romantic suspense, “Logan’s Redemption,” is out to kill my heroine and destroy her father. But in his mind, he’s feels he’s justified. Decent people don’t commit murder to settle scores. But we like to read about others who take that drastic step. It allows us to touch our dark sides vicariously and to know we’re better than someone who commits evil.

The villains in my romantic suspense novella, “Murder, Mi Amore,” don’t have many redeeming values. These villains are very nasty people, motivated to find a stolen diamond before some even nastier terrorists come after them. I made them bad and violent, driven only by the real human desires for money and power, and propelled by fear and self-preservation.

The villain in my paranormal romance, “Cursed Mates,” is a demon. Now, that’s about as evil as you can get. But this demon fell from grace and made a bargain with the devil because of his love for a lady. As a demon, he cursed his political and love rival to life as a werewolf. My demon loved this lady so much that 500 years later, he’s still tortured by her rejection and determined to kill the man who stole her from him. I tried to give him a flicker of humanity, to make him multi-dimensional. My werewolf hero in that story is dark and tormented too. He’s fought for 500 years to stave off the darkness in his soul, and he’s slipping, but he continues the fight. The demon gave in to the darkness. Most of us, like my werewolf hero, fight the shadows. Still, we love reading about the ones who slipped into the abyss.

Can you think of some classic baddies you’ve loved despite yourself?

Interview of Author Charlene Roberts

2012-02-23T00:01:00.013-05:00

Today I'm happy to present an interview or romance author Charlene Roberts.

Latest Book: A Gentleman's Savior
Buy Link: - (Published by Ellora's Cave) - http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8556-a-gentlemans-savior.aspx

BIO:
I've been writing for over 10 years, ever since my friend asked me to help her type her first novel (computers were not common then). She also took me to my first writers' meeting.

I live in Toronto, Canada and work as an administrative assistant in a consulting firm. However, I'm now looking for a new job that I hope will incorporate what I love--writing.

I have 2 cats, watch way too many cartoons and Japanese anime, and want to write a movie script and a graphic novel in the near future. I've started the graphic novel; the movie will take a little longer.

Q: What’s the first thing you did when you received word you’d sold a book?
A: I was at work and checking my personal emails during my lunch break. I saw an email from Ellora's Cave with the name of my manuscript in the subject line and the first few words which said “Thank you for submitting to...” And it ended there. My first thought was “Oh great, another rejection.” I actually ignored EC's email while I checked other emails!

So after about half an hour I finally bit the bullet and looked. The email said “Thank you for submitting to Ellora's Cave. After careful consideration, we would like to offer you a contract. Congratulations!!”

My mind went blank. I'm sitting at my desk, my piece of sushi halfway to my mouth, thinking, “OMG! I sold it!!”

The first person I called was my best friend Chris, because I couldn't yell at work--no one knew about my writing because I only recently got the job. I know my voice was shaking when I told her, and she was considerate to do all the yelling and screaming for me. She's such a great friend. :)

Q: What part of the book is the easiest for you to write? Why?
A: I love writing the plot--the beginning, middle and end, the twists to a story, and if it's a fantasy or time-travel, I love the “what-if” scenarios. I enjoy challenging my brain to think of something different and fresh. I love description too--if a writer can pull me into a story, and engage my 5 senses, then 3/4 of that book has done its work.

Q: If one of your books became a movie, which celebrity would you like to star as one of your heroines? Tell us about your heroine.
A: I would say for A Gentleman's Savior, my movie star heroine would have to be Rachel Weisz. I can see her being surprised if she found herself in an unexpected place and time (i.e. time travel), but she would adapt quickly. Rachel is a very intelligent woman, and I can't see that woman losing her cool.

Q: If one of your books became a movie, which celebrity would you like to star as one of your heroes? A: Tell us about your hero.
A: I love Alcide Herveaux, Sookie’s chaperone in True Blood Joe Manganiello). He would be perfect as Gabriel. He has the elements of a man in love who would protect his woman no matter what, mixed with a gentler side that makes you want to go "aww". He is definitely my type of guy and one I would choose as my hero. My first choice would have been Hugh Jackman, but after watching Joe in action in Season 3 of True Blood, I've got to change my mind. Sorry, Hugh!

Q: Do all your heroes and all heroines look the same in your mind as you “head write”?
A: No they don't. For every story that I create, I have to at least create the characters' physical as well as personality attributes. I don't want them to look the same in my head for every story, because then I would get bored writing it. I'm visual-oriented when reading (if I can't visualize the story, you've lost me). Characters' features are just as important. It's already hard enough when the hero and heroine are these 95 percent hot-looking people. That other 5 percent needs distinctive attributes so that they stand out. For example, Gabriel in AGS has battle scars from fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. He's also taller than the average Regency gentleman, which I find gives him a unique advantage.

Q: What genre would you like to try writing in but haven’t yet done so? Why?
A: I admit I'm curious about ménage. My two books are erotica, and I finally sold my urban fantasy (which was a blast to write), but I've got to say that there are times where writing an erotic love scene between a man and a woman can give me the shakes! Not because I don't enjoy writing them, but I worry if it's going to sound fresh and interesting. So imagine trying to write a threesome! However, I do love a challenge; it just might be on the list this year.

Q: Facebook, MySpace, Blogs, Chats, or Twitter. Which do you like best and why?
A: Honestly, all I have at the moment is my blog (which I don’t update often), and I share a FB page with other EC authors called "Kelli's Den of Iniquity", where we post our new books and other tidbits, plus I also contribute to the occasional guest blog. Personally, I'm afraid that I would get sucked into the social media whirlpool if I join too many sites--I'd never get any writing done! Plus I also work at a full-time job, which has been sucking a lot of time from my writing lately. :(

I’m sure all of the social media sites have their advantages and plus points, but I have to ask—where does one find the time to read, post and respond to all, AND write? If someone has an answer, let me know, please!

Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all!
Blog site: http://charlenelroberts.wordpress.com
FB page: Kelli's Den of Iniquity
http://www.jasminejade.com
http://www.goodreads.com
Liz Crowe’s Blog: http://www.brewingpassion.com – Dec 15, 2011
Tina Donahue’s blog: http://www.tinadonahue.com – May 22 and Dec. 26, 2011
Nina Pierce’s Blog: http://www.ninapierce.com – Dec. 14, 2011
Sweet ‘N Sexy Divas Blog: http://www.sweetandsexydivas.com – June 30, 2011

BLURB:
When Stephanie’s art teacher issues a challenge—create a painting based only on the torso of a human sculpture—she decides to paint a Regency lord. But with his muscular body, longer hair and a few well-placed scars, Stephanie’s lord is definitely no Regency dandy. Her best work ever, the painting stirs an obsession Stephanie can’t explain. Not content to wait for the next class, she visits the art center, just to get a peek at her lord. She touches the painting…

And suddenly finds herself in a bedroom in 1817 London, her lord standing behind her—very real, very naked and very ready to end Stephanie’s sexual dry spell.

Before she can say “ton”, Stephanie’s indulging her desires with Gabriel, dressing in the height of Regency fashion and meeting the Prince Regent. But life in 1817 isn’t all tea and crumpets. Stephanie soon learns she’s reliving her past life—one that ended tragically. Thrust in the middle of a sinister plot, she must save the prince, save Gabriel…and if she’s luckier this time around, save herself.

EXCERPT: WARNING: Adult Language

Gabriel, who literally stood head and shoulders above the Prince Regent’s guests, grew concerned when he couldn’t locate Stephanie. Excusing himself from the small knot of political men, he went in search of her, worried that she may have wandered off.

He thought about how Stephanie had enjoyed herself in their bed before their arrival at Carlton House. She had always been reserved and quiet; however, tonight had been a most pleasant exception.

He smiled, watching as some of the women nearby reacted favorably to his expression. During his bachelor days he would have welcomed their advances, played the games of mind and body the ton was so fond of and made his conquest. He knew how different he looked compared to the other lords—over six feet, with a muscular body due to hard training from the Napoleonic Wars, long, black, wavy hair and a scar on his left cheek that he refused to hide.

Stephanie hadn’t fallen for his charms when they were first introduced by her mother, God rest her soul. In fact, she had done her utmost to stay as far away from him as possible, which only offered a higher thrill to the chase. Even as they became better acquainted, Stephanie refused to fall into his arms like the others—instead, when she was ready, she had decided to take matters into her own hands and steal a kiss from him one evening while dining at Almack’s, a wonderful establishment run by women with strict rules on propriety. He was quite smitten then.

Halfway through the music room, he spotted Stephanie, her brown hair falling seductively in curls about her shoulders, her gown fitted to her body with perfection, her pink lips parted invitingly and her blue eyes sparkling. But Gabriel also noticed how her gaze darted around the room, her gloved hands clenched together as if she were worried and the fast rise and fall of her chest.

She spotted him and waved frantically, which caught the immediate attention of those standing nearby. She waited while he maneuvered through the crowd then grabbed his hand.

“Dearest, whatever is the—?”

“May we leave now? Please?”

“Yes, of course.” They walked quickly to the front entrance, where a servant retrieved their belongings and called for their carriage.

“Stephanie, what is wrong?”

She looked over her shoulder. “Not here,” she whispered.

They remained silent until their carriage pulled away from Carlton House.

“Gabriel, if I tell you something, will you believe me?”

“That is a strange question to ask indeed.” He leaned toward her, taking her shaking hands in his. “Tell me.”

She took a deep breath. “Earlier, I was wandering through the halls, admiring His Highness’ collection of paintings.”

This didn’t surprise him. As a lover of the arts, Stephanie would have found an opportunity to study them.

“I needed some air, and went out onto the terrace. Two men came out after me but they didn’t see me. They were talking about…” She hesitated, glancing out the window into the darkness, lit intermittently by street lamps. “Gabriel, it sounded like they meant to kill Prince George.”

He studied her face, earnest in its expression. “Can you be sure? There is no mistake in what you heard?”

Stephanie shook her head. “One man said that something will be done about Prinny.”

“But this man did not actually threaten the prince’s life?”

“No. But it frightened me.”

“Did these men see you?”

“No, but I saw one of them, or at least part of him. He was addressed as ‘sir’, and has a large moustache and wore a gold pin in his cravat.”

Gabriel kept his expression neutral. “My love, you have described one quarter of the ton who live in London, and that is a lot of men.”

“You don’t believe me!”

“I didn’t say that. But if what you say is true, it will be most difficult to locate him.” He paused. “What of the other man?”

“His name was John, that’s all I can say. I didn’t see him.”

Gabriel nodded, thinking. He had heard vague rumors about the possibility of removing Prince George from the throne. He was a constant thorn in the public’s eye, spending taxpayers’ money on lavish and ostentatious things, hosting elaborate parties, and all the while pointedly ignoring the public’s contempt. Gabriel felt that something sinister would happen. He just didn’t know what.

“It’s late, Stephanie,” he crooned, putting his arm around her shoulders. “We shall talk more about this in the morning.”

*****

When Stephanie heard Gabriel’s even breathing, she quietly climbed out of bed. She stood in front of him for several moments, watching his relaxed face, so serene as he slumbered, his dark lashes sweeping across the tops of his cheekbones, his hair tousled about his tanned face, his body half-hidden beneath the sheets.

She reached out to touch him then pulled back. This man, her hero in the painting, was not her husband—he was a figment of her imagination. Stephanie knew she couldn’t remain here.

Her other concern was the plot on Prince George’s life, if that were true. In her studies about her ancestry, Prince George went on to become King George IV of England in 1820, despite an assassination attempt.

So what exactly did she hear? Or imagined that she’d heard? Maybe the two men plan on controlling the Prince Regent after his ascension to the throne? She had read how weak-willed the prince could be, wanting nothing more than to be idolized by his English subjects. Could that be their plan?

It didn’t matter—she couldn’t stay. Stephanie didn’t know enough about the Regency era to pass herself off as naturally as part of the ton. And she adored her hero too much to make him the laughingstock of London.

So she had decided to go back home. It was a painful decision—this man had brought her body and spirit to life in such a short space of time, and Stephanie was hard-pressed to give that up. However, she didn’t truly know him, and to stay in this alternate reality for too long might pose a danger to the future—her present time.

Stephanie turned to look at the mirror she had stared at when she’d first arrived. It was about the same size as her painting, and in a way it made sense—it was the only thing in this bedroom that would qualify as a passageway.

Stephanie turned back to the bed and its sleeping occupant. Walking quietly to his side, she placed a soft kiss on his mouth. He moved slightly and she backed away, grasping her dressing gown with both hands. She was going to miss him, but she vowed she would only look at him in the painting from now on.

“Goodbye, my lord.” Without hesitating, she crossed the room and lifted her hand to touch the mirror…

And she was back in the storeroom facing a blank wall. She turned and saw her painting, her hero in the same pose that she had drawn, looking at her with his intense green stare.

Stephanie wanted to touch him again, but instead she hastily threw the sheet over the canvas. God, what was she going to do with her painting?

“I see that you’re back.”

Uttering a short scream, Stephanie whirled around to see Leila standing near the door. “Leila?” she asked, walking toward her. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“I would ask you the same thing.” Her teacher nodded at the painting. “So, what did you think?”

“Of what?”

“Don’t play stupid, Steph. I knew you had touched the painting, which you couldn’t resist. What I do admire is that you came back before you could do any damage. My past students weren’t that smart.”

“You knew that would happen? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Would you have believed me?”

Stephanie stared at Leila, dressed in a colorful blouse and tight black jeans, her black hair unbound and framing her face. “No,” she admitted.

“Exactly. Now come along. We have a lot to talk about.”

Anything else you’d like to add?
Watch for: Eternal Heiress, an early 2013 urban fantasy release by Double Dragon Publishing.

Write what you enjoy, not to what the market is selling. With the explosion of the e-book phenomenon, authors have so much more choice in genres, length of book, etc. When you write what you love, it comes across in the story. If you write because the latest genre is hot and it's not your strength, you've just increased your chances of being rejected. It takes some time to know what you're good at--writing is not a race; it's you writing a story that YOU believe others will love too.

Romance Fans Are Undoubtedly The Best Fans in The World!

2012-02-21T08:19:00.000-05:00

Now that my Emerald Isle Trilogy is complete, I've collected some pretty amazing fan mail about my books from readers and fans all over the world. Upon receiving these messages, I've met and stayed in contact with some of the most loyal romance readers. Their kind words are what every author dreams of hearing after bearing their souls and writing a heartwarming story.

Over the years, I've saved every single one. I've even printed them out to save in my files. Today, I'd like to share some of them with you. This blog post is for you, the romance fan, who's touched a place in my heart. I hope you never forget how honored I am that my books have graced your shelves and ereaders, and I'm immensely flattered that you took the time to get in contact with me.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

My husband bought me the second and third books of the triology and on an especially overwhelming and frustrating day, gave them to me..with the promise of some "me" time the following Saturday...no laundry, no chauffeuring, no committments...just reading and getting lost in your stories. I thought then that I am a very blessed lady. I read them straight through, acually, I had to go back and reread the first one since it had been a couple of years. Today, he sent your next book (Silent Partner), some flowers, and a note that (in part) promised me another day of me time...Guess what I'll be doing?! Can hardly wait 'til Saturday!!!
~ Rebecca

I needed an opportunity to express just how much my wife, Michelle, loved your book Raeliksen. She was so captivated by the characters, themes of redemption, etc. that she felt she knew them. I don't think she ever read to me the lines of any book before and she did this on at least two occasions.

I wish to do something special for my wife upon the release of your next book. I'll watch your web site for book signing or if you have a way to email alert that would be great. I want to get her a personalized copy as she had become a big fan.
~ Carson

So, I started Mac Liam last night and I couldn't put it down! I've just finished it and WOW! There's only one other author that can make me mad, cry, cheer, and fall in love like this. And his name is Nicholas Sparks.

You bring the reader into this world with your words! I could feel the waves and the wind. I hurt when they did and I fell in love right along with Mara again!

You gave her two amazing men to love and they really are heroes! I want you to know that Mac Liam took me on a whole new ride. And I needed it. I smiled through the whole book and honestly can't wait for December to come! Thank you for giving me a new place to escape to!
Fan for life!
~ Melissa

The whole trilogy was to die for, but The Fall of Rain? Woman, you hit it outta the park. I just finished rating and reviewing it on Goodreads. I'm so sad it's over. Now what am I gonna do? *cries* LOL
~ Liz

If anyone would like an autographed copy of any of my books, I would love to make that happen for you. Just contact me at rv@reneevincent.com and I will get in touch with you about your address.

Again, I want to thank all of my readers and fans for making my writing career the best! Without you, there would be no "Renee Vincent." I am so appreciative of each and every one of you who's purchased my books in the past and I'm so honored that you would continue to do so in the future.

*All of my books are available in print and ebook formats! Amazon & Kindle | B&N and Nook | Sony | ARe | Smashwords | Books-A-Million | Joseph Beth | Diesel | Turquoise Morning Press | Book Strand | KOBO

Cover Model Interview: Billy Hentz

2012-02-20T00:01:00.037-05:00

Today's feature interview comes to us from New Jersey. He's a body builder, entertainer, and cover model. Please make welcome, Billy Hentz

Q: Did you begin posing for photo shoots after you became a dancer? Or was it more tied into fitness and training? If neither how did you land in the jobs you’re currently at?
A: It was from dancing. I have to get professional pics done and the Cave sent me to their guy. He liked me so much that he had me come back for 5 more shoots.

Q: How many book covers have you been on and have you ever signed copies for authors and or authors and their fans?

A:7 and no

Q: Will you ever attend author conferences?

A: Not sure. Guess I need to know what’s in it for me….

Q: Do you have an educational background in fitness? College degree in Health and Nutrition or was it learn by personal interest?
A:Yes. I'm an AAAI/IMSI certified personal trainer

Q: What’s the difference between performing in Atlantic City and doing private parties? How long have you been an entertainer?
A: Dancing at a club is guaranteed money plus having a stage and professional sound system and lighting makes for a better show than on someone's living room carpet and a boom box.

Q: In five years, where do you wish to be professionally and personally?
A: The same things I’m doing now if possible.

Q: What are your hobbies, your likes?
A: Work…lol. Modeling,dancing and going to the gym.

Q: Dislikes?
A: needy clingy people

Q: Do have a famous quote you live by?
A: “all things are possible through Him”

Q: What is your dream job and are you living it right now?
A: This and yes...just wish there was more money in it.

Q: How hard is it to stay in shape? Do you follow a specific routine daily, weekly?
A: Of coarse, all bodybuilders do.

Q: Can you tell us about your car shop and what all you do there?
A: It's called Audio Pleasurez. Stereos, remote starts, tint, rims and all the other usual toys for your car.

Q: How did you hear you were gracing the cover of a romance novel? What was your reaction?
A: My photographer sent me and email with the pic. It felt nice. Finally some notoriety for my work.

Q: Muscle Car or Custom bike?

A: Car

Q: What’s your fav music genre?

A: Metal

Q. Book Genre?
A: Educational

Q: Favorite food?
A. Seafood…any.

Q: Favorite drink?
A: Sailor Jerry and coke…

Q: Where do you consider to be the most romantic place in the world?
A: Hmm…any hilltop at night with a clear sky and moonlight

Q: There are so many romance genres. As a cover model, is there one genre in particular that you’d like to be asked to do?
A: Not really. I’m open to anything.

Q: What are your social links where fans can find out more about you?

A: I have a Facebook account and a model mayhem page.

Thank you so much Billy for being with us today at ROMANCE BOOKS R US. We look forward to seeing you on more romance covers.