Wait, This is an Interview?

Q: What’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told?

TL: This year, it’s that I’m 25. Next year, it’ll be that I’m 25, except it’ll be an even bigger lie.

 

Q: Do you have any gray hairs?

TL: What the hell kind of question is that? And frankly, I don’t even know. You’d have to ask my hairdresser, and if she tells you, I’ll write you into a book and kill you. Just sayin’.

 

Q: Do the sex scenes in your books represent real life?

TL: If the sex scenes in any book represented real life, would you be reading, or would you be in the bedroom/kitchen/shower/on a motorcycle/in the woods/on the beach/in an airplane right now?

Lovely Woman Posing With a Wolf

Q: Which of your heroes in your favorite?

TL: How fair is that question? I’d never insult my guys by choosing one over the other. It’s just plain mean. And just because Brandon Sarantos (from my book, Candy Crush) is my perfect book boyfriend means nothing, I swear, Quinn/Tanner/Finn/James/Jesse/Anton/Matt/Josh/Gavin/Matteo/all future heroes yet to be written…

 

Q: Which trait do you like least in a heroine?

TL: Hm. I could get myself in trouble with this one, so I think I’ll pass.

 

Q: Seriously?

TL: Yep.

 

Q: Do you like reading billionaire romance?

TL: I like reading romance in which the money isn’t remotely a contributing factor to the love between the hero and heroine. Okay, maybe I should have answered that heroine one and skipped this one. Damn it.

 

Q: How about “I’m going to marry her and force her to have my baby” romance?

TL: That’s romance?

 

Q: Okay, fine. What’s your favorite romance trope?

TL: Give me a great best friends-to-lovers or second chance love or a well done love triangle, and you have a fan for life.

 

Q: Do you love animals?

TL: Does an author write?

 

Q: Do you write animals into your books?
TL: Does an author write? Also, I write shifter romance, so, duh.

Boys in Blue Cover_Updated

Q: Red wine or white wine?

TL: Wine.

 

Q: McDonald’s or Burger King?
TL: Do they have wine?

 

Q: Favorite place to write?

TL: These questions are boring.

LSB Cover Art Template for PhotoShop

Q: Um, okay, uh… Do you think of your husband when you write?

TL: Do you think of your husband when you read?

 

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

TL: Still claiming I’m 25.

Delicious Deception

Q: Huh. Well, that was certainly one of the most… interesting author interviews I’ve ever experienced.

TL: That’s it? That’s all you’ve got?

Tami Lund Headshot 2014

Tami Lund writes, drinks wine, and is occasionally featured in author interviews. Her weird sense of humor often comes out in her books, and definitely can be enjoyed over in her Facebook group, Come Wine with Tami.

Giveaway Tuesday! by Annie Anthony

Oh, friends.  Friends. 2016 is flying by faster than that last hour before daylight savings time. (C’mon, admit there is at least one clock in your house/car/office you haven’t yet sprung ahead! I admit to one…)

I’ve been working double time, literally, editing and professional money-making far more often than I’ve been writing, and what feels like 25 hours a day (extra hour provided courtesy of that one pesky clock I haven’t adjusted yet…)  I’ve been plotting and scheming and starting the next chapters of my lesbian zombie work in progress, but I really need to come up with a real working title.  Anything I end up trying sounds like a very sad play on words… LZ WIP? (Lesbian Zombie Work In Progress? Yeah, you feel my pain.)

I had four releases out in 2015 and so far in 2016, I’ve released little more than the button on my pants… all this sitting in one place editing is hell on the waistline. So since I don’t have lots of new-news to scream to the hilltops about, let’s rally some excitement about  some old-ish news. And what could be more exciting than a GIVEAWAY?! (Twirl!)

So, friends, for your gifting pleasure, behold a real, bona-fide paperback book:

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00032]

Amazon First Ladylove Link

I’ve attached the Amazon link for First Ladylove so you can read a bit about it, check out the reviews, then enter to win a paperback copy!  Winners will need to provide a mailing address (open to residents of ANY country!) If you enter, make sure you follow up to see if you’ve won!

First Ladylove is an anthology of seven stories of first-time lesbian love and romance. Here’s a teaser of the stories inside:

 

Dreams of Flying by Anastasia Vitsky

Librarian Karla has always lived by the rules. Now that she’s retiring, will she learn how to break them?

Cosmic Sutra by Jessica E. Subject

Victoria travels to Thanh Academy to study with beings from across the universe. Can she keep her feelings for a fellow classmate hidden, or will she risk friendships and her scholarship to find true love?

Centerfold by Kate Richards

Jesse goes to girls’ night at The Reef every week in hopes of getting somewhere with the gorgeous golden-haired Aurora. But sometimes fate has plans a girl getting ready for a night on the town cannot begin to anticipate.

Revelation by Cathy Pegau

Lizbet and Sahra are on their own behind enemy lines. Will keeping each other safe reveal more than their new-found relationship can handle?

Mile High Pleasures by KT Grant

Set in a world of flying steam airships and robots, the unappreciative Lottie Bells toils away as a seamstress. The only bright side is a visit from her childhood friend, Diana Russell, a lieutenant in the British Royal Air Navy. But when Lottie sees Diana again, she’s confused by her attraction to the beautiful lieutenant, who makes Lottie an enticing offer that may change their relationship forever.

Daring Destiny by Leigh Ellwood

Clara has waited the appropriate length of time since Shannon’s death to tell her widow, Desi, that she loves her. Desi doesn’t feel ready to move on, and Clara is determined to help change her mind.

Fixin’ Biscuits by Annie Anthony

Seasoned Fixin’ Biscuits waitress Cleary’s family falls apart while newcomer Ella’s is just beginning. Can they overcome the choices and secrets of the past and find love and family…together?

Let’s celebrate the end of the first quarter of 2016, the arrival of spring, and that one last straggler clock that thinks we can sleep one more hour with a giveaway.  To enter, comment on this post before 12 midnight on Friday, March 25! A winner will be randomly selected on Saturday!

Twirl!

 

Hot SEALs Kindle World Tour

I’m so excited to be part of this Hot SEALs Blog Tour!!  Check out all the books recently released with my Claimed by a SEAL (Cancun/Hot SEALs Crossover).

And the best news is that each book is ONLY $1.99!!! 

Never heard of Kindle Worlds? It’s a special place where famous authors – like New York Times Best Seller Cat Johnson – invite other authors to write a story blending the Cat Johnson characters you love with characters from books written by your other favorite authors. Cat Johnson has more information about the Kindle World on her website, and there is also FAQ’s section.

About the Hot SEALs Kindle World

With years of dedication to the Navy, SEAL Jon Rudnick and his teammates have confirmed one thing – they are not afraid to risk life and limb for their country. But when navigating military red tape begins to present more challenges than the enemy, this band of combat-hardened veterans is divided. While some remain serving on Active Duty, others take their drive, skills, and expertise to the private sector, where they form GAPS (Guardian Angel Protection Services). In these roles, will the SEALs fight for the women they love with the same vigor they use to seek out enemy threats? Which battlefield will they face next?

Claimed by a SEAL by KaLyn Cooper

Claimed cover w KW logoThree years ago, Stacie Vandercoy was stuck undercover in Iraq for six months with Jeff “Rock Star” Lennon, the arrogant SEAL who thought he was God’s gift to women. But he couldn’t have her. Fraternization is against the rules. And still is as they infiltrate home-grown terrorism in Norfolk, Virginia. Can she continue to resist him? Does she have to?

Jeff Lennon had been forced to do things he didn’t like as a Navy SEAL, and now as an agent for the terrorist division of Homeland Security’s Border Patrol. For years, his only real regret has been what he couldn’t to do to Stacie back in Iraq. He’s been given another chance to claim her heart, body and soul. In the meantime, they have to stop a terrorist attack somewhere in the Norfolk area, during Fleet Week.

Even the agency’s psychologist isn’t sure Stacie can pull off pretending to be Jeff’s wife. What lengths will Stacie and Jeff go to assure the mission’s success? And what will they both lose in the process?

Buy on Amazon – http://amzn.to/1Kz6P6u

My SEAL Bodyguard by Paige Tyler

She writes about danger for a living and now she find herself in it. Only a Navy SEAL can save her.

When someone breaks into romance author Peyton Matthews’ Virginia Beach home to steal her newest manuscript, her publisher hires Noah Chase, a former Navy SEAL and the newest member of GAPS to be her bodyguard.

Peyton thinks the idea of needing a bodyguard is ridiculous, but she can’t help appreciating how gorgeous Noah is. And while she thought that having a stranger hanging around 24/7 would mess with her creativity, the Navy SEAL definitely comes in handy when she’s choreographing fight scenes. All that hand-to-hand action and rolling around on the floor with him gets her pulse racing, but while Noah is falling for Peyton too, he doesn’t act on it. He needs to keep his head in the game and focus on the job or he could end up getting her killed. She might not think she’s in danger, but his gut tells him differently.

The threat to Peyton is closer to home than she realizes however, and it will take all of Noah’s SEAL training to save her life.

Buy on Amazon – http://amzn.to/1Kz51dt

Revealing Love by Maryann Jordan

Saints Protection & Investigation

A private investigation business, pulling together men from the CIA, FBI, ATF, DEA, Border Patrol, SEALs, and police, devoted to the missions that no one else wanted or could solve.

Jude Stedson was a SEAL…at least until an injury while on a mission left him with an honorable medical discharge and no direction. He even relegated his girlfriend to friend only status until he could decide what he wanted to do with a life that had been dedicated to the SEALS.

Sabrina Taggart loved the man…not the career title. But until she could prove that their love would continue, she took the role of friend…just to stay close.

When a con artist set his sights on her family, Jude steps in, willing to work with her cousin, a member of the Saints P&I. Keeping Sabrina safe gave him a new mission. Discovering that mission gave him purpose. When her life was threatened, Jude knew that nothing would stop him from saving her…or admitting his love for her.

Can he prove that he has what it takes to be a Saint?

**Due to adult sexual scenes and adult language, 18+ readers only!**

Buy on Amazon – http://amzn.to/215GJz4

SEALed in Texas by Marissa Dobson

After sustaining injuries in the line of duty, Trever Alexander was forced to leave his SEAL team and all he worked for. In the midst of considering a job offer with GAPS, he was thrown into an assignment, one that brought him face to face with the woman he’d left behind.

One day Allyson Mason is living a normal, quiet life, and the next she is on the run. She doesn’t know who or what she’s running from. All she knows is that if she wants to stay alive she has to keep moving. She calls the only person she knows that might be able to help.

Chased by both physical and mental horrors, Trever and Allyson must put their emotions aside and work together.

Buy on Amazon – http://amzn.to/1RUg5Dr

A Daye with a SEAL by Donna Michaels

A DAYE with A SEAL by Donna Michaels/Dangerous Curves/Hot SEALs KW Crossover

Medically discharged after a mission gone bad, Navy SEAL Gabriel ‘Hawk’ Barrett regains his sight, and when hired by GAPS and the Knight Agency, most of his self-worth. Assigned to go undercover as a gun for hire, he’s determined to do whatever it takes to complete the mission, but his restraint is tested when his buddy’s hot sister becomes mistakenly involved.

When her brother disappears, coffee shop owner Gina Daye seeks help from his former teams members, only to have the almighty Hawk turn her down. But before she realizes he’s in the middle of an assignment, she’s embroiled in the mission.

Sequestered together to avoid an international incident, the pair face down the enemy, a multitude of bullets, and even more dangerous—their long denied attraction.

Buy on Amazon – http://amzn.to/1Uf3UBI

Herding Cats by Sabrina York

The scorching sequel to Guard Dog

A Hot SEALs/Stone Hard SEALs Crossover Novella

It’s insane to want him, this beautiful, strong, sexy man. Not just because her hot bodyguard is tasked with herding her safely through the exotic night markets of Hong Kong. And not just because she’s his boss. But because they are worlds apart. What they have can only be a fling. It can’t last forever.

But Garrett has other ideas.

Scorching military romance adventure featuring a woman who thinks she’s too old for him and a hot alpha bodyguard who won’t take no for an answer

Buy on Amazon – http://amzn.to/1RUgi9S

Protecting Julie by Susan Stoker

Julie Lytle is working hard to turn her life around. Being kidnapped by sex traffickers changed her drastically, but having grown up the spoiled daughter of a senator, Julie wishes she could’ve changed just a little sooner. Shamed by her behavior toward the woman rescued alongside her, and further embarrassed and guilt-racked over the way she treated the SEALs who risked their lives on her behalf, Julie is desperate to make amends.

With help from Missy Greenwood, a D.C. acquaintance who’d endured her own harrowing experience, Julie connects with Patrick Hurt, Commander of the SEALs who’d saved her life. If she can prove she’s not the same person who mistreated his team, he’ll grant her request to meet them—but not before the protective, sexy man makes a surprising request of his own.

**Protecting Julie is a Kindle World crossover novella with the SEAL of Protection Series and Cat Johnson’s Hot SEALs Series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but we recommended reading the other books in the SEAL of Protection Series in order to get maximum enjoyment.

Buy on Amazon – http://amzn.to/1Kz6CjC

 Darwin’s Evolution by Siobhan Muir

Sometimes retirement is a helluva lot of work…

Retired Marine Master Sergeant Sadie Hawkins is ready for a quiet life with her mother in northern Arizona. No more recon, no more shots fired. Hell, she might even give romance a try if she finds the right guy. Like the one asleep on her shoulder on the train.

Cyrus “Darwin” Finch retired from the Navy SEALs and now runs Ultimate Recon, a security, surveillance, and rescue company employing retired members of the four branches of the U.S. military. He’s on “forced” vacation and is supposed to relaxing, dammit. Until he meets Sadie.

When they discover a foreign enemy setting up a domestic retreat in Sadie’s backyard, romance and vacations take a backseat. There are no calm seas or clear skies with bullets flying, and no time for a Happy Ever After. But SEALs never give up and Marines never surrender.

Buy on Amazon – http://amzn.to/1SIx1hf

Surrender to a SEAL by Normandie Alleman

Recently retired Navy SEAL Luke Paulson feels strangely comfortable in a war zone—it’s adjusting to the real world and all its challenges where he falls short. When his sister becomes ill and his mother’s Alzheimer’s care lands solely on his shoulders, Luke needs cash. Protecting an international law student who is as intelligent as she is beautiful seems the perfect fit.

In Washington, D.C., Chief Justice Thornhill is being threatened by a domestic terrorist group, and his granddaughter Charlotte is their target. Initially she seems none-too-pleased with her new bodyguard shadowing her every move, but a night on the town with a few too many cocktails quickly changes the way she views the sexy SEAL.

But when Luke deceives her to get the upper hand, he realizes too late he’s risked losing it all, including the girl who has turned his life upside down by stealing his heart. His toughest mission yet may be convincing her to trust him again.

Buy on Amazon – http://amzn.to/1oBRAjq

About the Authors:

Cat Johnson

A top 10 New York Times and 7 time USA Today bestseller, Cat Johnson is known for her creative marketing. She has sponsored bull riding cowboys, promoted romance using bologna and owns a collection of cowboy boots and camouflage for book signings. A fair number of her research consultants wear combat or cowboy boots for a living.

Since 2006, Cat has put approximately one million digital and print stories in readers’ hands. Never miss a new release, sign up for alerts at catjohnson.net/news.

Website – http://catjohnson.net/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/CatJohnsonAuthor

Twitter – https://twitter.com/Cat_Johnson

KaLyn Cooper

KaLyn Cooper’s romances blend fact and fiction with blazing heat and heart-pounding suspense.

Twenty-two years as a military wife has shown KaLyn the world, and thirty years in PR taught her that fact can be stranger than fiction. She leaves it up to the reader to separate truth from imagination.

She, her husband, and bird dog live in Eastern Tennessee on a micro-plantation filled with gardens, cattle, and quail. When she’s not writing, she’s at the shooting range or paddling on the river.

I still read over 100 books a year, mostly audio books, and write every day.

Website – http://www.kalyncooper.com

Newsletter – http://www.kalyncooper.com/newsletter.html

Email – KaLyn@KaLynCooper.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/kalyn.cooper.52

Blog – http://kalyncooper.wordpress.com/

Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/kalyncooper/

Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/KaLynCooperbooks

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7920863.KaLyn_Cooper

Amazon Author Page – http://www.amazon.com/author/kalyncooper

Paige Tyler

Paige is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sexy romantic suspense and paranormal romance. She graduated from The University of West Florida with a degree in education in 2000, but decided to pursue a full-time career as a writer in 2004. Since then, she’s written over fifty books in several genres, including paranormal, contemporary, western, sci-fi and erotica. She loves writing about strong, sexy, alpha males and the feisty, independent women who fall for them. From verbal foreplay to sexual heat, her stories of romance, adventure, suspense, passion and true love will leave you breathlessly panting for more.

She and her very own military hero (also known as her husband) live on the beautiful Florida coast with their adorable fur baby (also known as their dog). Paige graduated with a degree in education, but decided to pursue her passion and write books about hunky alpha males and the kick-butt heroines who fall in love with them.

When not working on her latest book, Paige enjoys reading, jogging, P90X, Yoga, Pilates, going to the beach, watching NFL football, watching movies and hanging out with her husband (not necessarily in that order!)

Website – http://paigetylertheauthor.com/

Newsletter – http://eepurl.com/BBrEP

Blog – http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/

Facebook Profile Page – http://www.facebook.com/paige.tyler.9

Facebook Author Page – http://www.facebook.com/PaigeTylerAuthor

X-OPS Series Reader Group –  https://www.facebook.com/groups/XOPSSeriesReaderGroup/

SWAT Series Reader Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/SWATSeriesReaderGroup/

Paige Tyler’s Groupies Central on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/groups/Paigetylersgroupies/

Twitter – http://twitter.com/PaigeTyler

Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/paigetylerauth/

Tumblr – paigetylerauthor

Wattpad – http://www.wattpad.com/user/PaigeTylerAuthor

Instagram – paige_tyler_author

Google+ – http://plus.google.com/u/0/

Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2300692.Paige_Tyler

Newsletter – http://eepurl.com/BBrEP

Email – paigetyler@paigetylertheauthor.com

Maryann Jordan

I have always been an avid reader. I joke that I “cut my romance teeth” on the old bodice ripper romance books. Last year I started a blog to showcase wonderful writers. In 2014, I finally gave in to the characters in my head pleading for their story to be told. Thus, Emma’s Home was created.

I work as a counselor in a high school and have been involved in education for the past 30 years.  I have been married to a wonderfully patient man for 32 years and have 2 adult, very supportive daughters.  When writing, my dog or one of my cats will usually be found in my lap!

Website – http://www.maryannjordanauthor.com/

Email – authormaryannjordan@gmail.com

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/authormaryannjordan

Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/authorMAJordan

Amazon author page – http://amzn.to/217FH5F

Newsletter – http://goo.gl/forms/hR3mK9fdLY

Marissa Dobson

Born and raised in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, Marissa Dobson now resides about an hour from Washington, D.C. She’s a lady who likes to keep busy, and is always busy doing something. With two different college degrees, she believes you are never done learning.

Being the first daughter to an avid reader, this gave her the advantage of learning to read at a young age. Since learning to read she has always had her nose in a book. It wasn’t until she was a teenager that she started writing down the stories she came up with.

Marissa is blessed with a wonderful supportive husband, Thomas. He’s her other half and allows her to stay home and pursue her writing. He puts up with all her quirks and listens to her brainstorm in the middle of the night.

Her writing buddy Cameron (a cocker spaniel) is always around to listen to her bounce ideas off him. He might not be able to answer, but he’s helpful in their own ways.

Website – http://www.MarissaDobson.com

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/AuthorMarissaDobson

Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/MarissaMDobson

Newsletter – http://eepurl.com/EFpxX

Donna Michaels

It’s all my mother’s fault.

She read to me before I could read and opened up that magical world where I still reside today. Then came television and movies. Now I had three avenues that fed my imagination…and boy could I eat! As you no doubt figured out, this lead to my writing career. I’m a NY Times, USA Today, and Amazon Bestselling Award winning author. Phew, that was a mouthful! Multi-published in e-book and print with several publishers, I certainly have a ton of voices in my head.

I’m happily married to a military man for 28 years. We have four children and several rescued cats. Michael’s been in the Army National Guard since before he graduated. The Guard has been a part of our lives right from the start. It was only natural for the military to spill into my writing. God bless the military and their families. Thank you all for your sacrifices.

You already know my mom inspired my love of reading, but it was my dad who got me hooked on movies. Even now, if I had the time, I could happily go from one movie to another all day long. They are the reason I love mixed genre and why I can’t just stick to just one in my writing, although, as you can tell, I have a soft spot for cowboys and the military.

Well, that’s about it. Thanks for getting to know me a little better. Remember, keep reading to your children. The journey you’re igniting is precious. And the next time you’re at the movies, turn around. I just might be the person sitting behind you. No, not the one throwing popcorn (it’s too expensive to waste). I’m the one already imagining the sequel.

Have a great day and thanks for reading!

Website – http://donnamichaelsauthor.com/

Newsletter – http://tinyurl.com/zaxbqe6

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DonnaMichaelsAuthor

Twitter – https://twitter.com/Donna_Michaels

Blog – http://donnamichaelsauthor.blogspot.com/

Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/Donna_Michaels

Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/donnamichaels/

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Donna-Michaels/e/B008J24XR2/

Sabrina York

Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. With over 25 titles her books range from sweet & snarky to scorching romance. Visit her webpage at http://www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests. Represented by Lane Heymont with the Seymour Agency.

Website – http://sabrinayork.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaYorkBooks

Twitter – https://twitter.com/sabrina_york

Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/sabrinayork/boards/

TSU – https://www.tsu.co/SabrinaYork

Newsletter – http://sabrinayork.com/newsletter/

Susan Stoker

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

Website – http://www.stokeraces.com/

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/authorsstoker

Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/susan_stoker

Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/SusanStoker

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/author/susanstoker

Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/authorsstoker/

Instagram – http://www.instagram.com/authorsusanstoker

Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/author-susan-stoker

Email – Susan@stokerAces.com

Newsletter Sign Up – http://www.StokerAces.com/contact.html

Siobhan Muir

Siobhan Muir lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with her husband, two daughters, and a vegetarian cat she swears is a shape-shifter, though he’s never shifted when she can see him. When not writing, she can be found looking down a microscope at fossil fox teeth, pursuing her other love, paleontology. An avid reader of science fiction/fantasy, her husband gave her a paranormal romance for Christmas one year, and she was hooked for good.

In previous lives, Siobhan has been an actor at the Colorado Renaissance Festival, a field geologist in the Aleutian Islands, and restored inter-planetary imagery at the USGS. She’s hiked to the top of Mount St. Helens and to the bottom of Meteor Crater.

Siobhan writes kick-ass adventure with hot sex for men and women to enjoy. She believes in happily ever after, redemption, and communication, all of which you will find in her paranormal romance stories.

Siobhan’s latest release, Darwin’s Evolution, is book 1 in the Ultimate Recon series. Bronco’s Rough Ride, The Navy’s Ghost, Rimshot’s Hard Target, and Bam-Bam’s Inked Hart belong to the Bad Boys of Beta Squad series. She has published A Hell Hound’s Fire (a free read), The Beltane Witch, and Cloudburst Ice Magic in the Cloudburst Colorado series, Second Chance Succubus and Order of the Dragon as stand-alones, and Take the Reins and A Centaur’s Solstice Wish in the Rifts series. Siobhan has also published Not a Dragon’s Standard Virgin and Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack through Siren Publishing, and Her Devoted Vampire through Evernight Publishing.

Siobhan has published through Evernight Publishing, Siren Publishing and Three Lakes Books.

Website – http://www.siobhanmuir.com/

Blog: http://siobhanmuir.com/siobhans-blog

Google Plus: http://bit.ly/1QsnYAU

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Official.Siobhan.Muir

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SiobhanMuir

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/21h3Sew

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/siobhanmuir35

All Romance Ebooks – http://bit.ly/24iGgc8

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Qso6Ak

Bookstrand: http://bit.ly/1SIDtF9

Newsletter – http://eepurl.com/XEHbL

Normandie Alleman

A former psychologist, Normandie has always been fascinated by human behavior. She loves writing quirky characters that are all too human. Fiber arts, baking, and Pinterest are a few of her favorite pastimes. A shamelessly proud basketball mom, Normandie lives on a farm with a passel of kids, an adorable husband, and a pet pig who’s crazy for Red Bull.

Website – http://www.normandiealleman.com

Twitter – https://twitter.com/NormandieA

Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/NormandieA

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NormandieAlleman

Bookbub – http://bit.ly/1ouZAC2

Google+ – http://bit.ly/1kcshBI

Amazon Author Page – http://amzn.to/20bsg1O

Newsletter – http://eepurl.com/tECW5

Goodreads – http://bit.ly/1LD48gX

Men vs Women on Valentine’s Day

PechangaGreatOak-couple-dining_smWhen February rolls around, most women start to think about chocolate hearts and roses and maybe even strawberries dipped in chocolate. A nice dinner out, without kids, at a restaurant with a real tablecloth and cloth napkins where the menus that aren’t sticky, would be heaven. Add a bottle of wine to that fantasy and she’d do anything he wanted. Even that.

mardi grasMen on the other hand, according to Macho Marine, start out the month trying to find a way to finagle a trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras where “they celebrate the way men should “.  I guess that means a place where testosterone skyrockets and pheromones saturate the air as mass quantities of alcohol are consumed and inhibitions are shrugged off at the city line.

lovely-red-roses-and-chocolate-heartOnce men realize that they are in a committed relationship, in love, married, or just want a guarantee to get laid, February takes on a whole new meaning. Anticipation (or substitute dread, fear, horror) builds as the days tick near the 14th. What the hell are they going to get her for that terrorizing holiday, Valentine’s Day. Some men go with the tried and true basics; heart-shaped box of candy–that Whitman’s has made $millions off of since 1842– and overpriced red roses that will die within a week.

Ladies, I suggest this year you tell men what you really want….a romance novel. Offer to even pick one out or put several on HIS Amazon Wish List, that way you’ll be surprised when it arrives. Hey, it won’t make you fat. It doesn’t die after a week. You can return and read it again whenever you want. You can even share it. 🙂

man n woman in bed w bookThen give him what he really wants…..

Take the book into the bedroom and slide naked between the cool crisp sheets which don’t begin to diminish the heat of your body. Look at him with love in your eyes as you hand him the book and ask, “Can we start on page 152 and try that?”

Who is with me ladies? Let me hear from you in the Comments and you’ll be entered to win the Diamond Jewelry Set shown below…

Come join me as 35 fantastic authors drop in tomorrow at

Hearts and Heroes with Happily Ever Afters Facebook party.

That’s Thursday, February 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST.

Hearts Heroes HEA 3 w prizeClick on the banner above to JOIN in the fun!

Play games, chat with authors, tons of prizes including this Diamond Jewelry Set. COMMENT below and be entered for the Diamond Diamond Jewelry Set.

Authors Dropping In:

KaLyn Cooper               Sharon Hamilton               Becky McGraw
Paige Tyler                    J.M. Madden                      Normandie Alleman
Maryann Jordan           Sabrina York                      Donna Michaels
Yvette Hines                 Gennita Low                      Marissa Dobson
Robyn Peterman          Rosanna Leo                      Hildie McQueen
Sandy Sullivan             Teresa Reasor                    Ranae Rose
Jean Joachim                Monette Michaels             Deanndra Hall
Tami Lund                   Emelia Mancini                 Deborah Grace Staley
Marci Boudreaux         Marianne Rice                   Parker Kincade
Tara Quan                    Wendi Zwaduk                  T. M. Cromer
Annette Mardis           Olivia Night                       Rachel Rivers
Jennifer Sage               Vikki Vaught                     K.R. Grace

Cooking Up a Story with Marianne Rice

MarianneRice

Marianne Rice – Debut Author

I’d like to welcome Marianne Rice who is joining me today to talk about her writing (and cooking) style. Her debut book False Start, the first of her McKay-Tucker Men series, released last Monday. ~ KaLyn Cooper

In the writing world, we often hear the words “plotter” and “pantser”. If you’re not a writer, these terms may be new to you. In a nutshell, a plotter is one who plots out every scene and chapter and makes notes and outlines before writing. A pantser is someone who sits down at their computer and writes the story as it comes to mind.

Me? I’m neither. I’m a cooker. Literally and figuratively. I love to cook, bake, grill, you name it. I’m obsessed with Pinterest and Allrecipes. I stew—pun intended—over a recipe and think about how I can make it my own by adding a dash of this, a splash of that, or what healthy substitutes I can use in place of butter or sugar. It’s fun, but I don’t like to be rushed in my food planning. When I make my way to the kitchen, I know I have all the ingredients and have even figured out the final presentation of my masterpiece. My end product is typically what I had envisioned, but sometimes while I’m in the heat of the moment—pun intended…again—I think of a new something special to add.

I do the same with my writing. I spend months thinking about my characters and all of their goals, motivation and conflicts—what drives them, scares them, and empowers them. Much to my husband’s dismay, I don’t think about him when I go to bed. Instead, I toss and turn, thinking about my characters and what sort of obstacles are going to get in their way and how they’re going to over come them. I typically run through the book a few times in my mind before I type a single word of the story. Then, when I have time (ha!), I sit down and let the words flow. My stories have thus far stayed on track, but a new idea or character may maneuver into the story along the way. I’m flexible like that. J

My first drafts aren’t very pretty. I know some writers who hem and haw and take hours to write a few paragraphs, but what they’ve written is beautiful and needs little revising. Me? I’d get too bogged down trying to coming up with the perfect metaphor and then life would happen, I’d get distracted with Facebook, Pinterest, or my kids, and all writing would cease. So instead of stressing over the little details, I get the words on the page before going back to make it pretty. I can handle life’s distractions because I know where I’m going.

This process has worked well for me (not so much for my husband). I love being able to sit in front of my laptop and write five thousand words in a few hours. There is no such thing as a perfect recipe; everything, whether it be chocolate cream puffs, carrot ginger soup, or my next book can be modified. But I like to have a vision of where I’m going, what I need to make it happen, and what it’s going to look like in the end.

And then I make myself a fancy drink (that I’ve found on Pinterest and tweaked) and celebrate my accomplishment.

HRfalsestart

False Start Available NOW

He’s got to make the riskiest play of his life to get her to fall in love again …

Blurb

Ex-NFL player turned high school football coach Connor McKay is well loved by all…except by the sexy principal who wants to make changes to his athletic program. Intrigued by Meg Fulton’s beauty and intelligence, Connor doesn’t mind going head-to-head with her. When he and Meg are set up on a blind date, he’s finally able to open a crack in Meg’s high emotional wall and see the caring woman inside. What Connor doesn’t expect is that his buddy and ex-teammate is the one responsible for Meg’s wall in the first place. To choose between a one-time brother and the woman he’s fallen hopelessly in love with, Connor will make the riskiest play of his life.

Always the misfit growing up, newly hired high school principal Meg Fulton uses a fashionable wardrobe and a sharp tongue to keep men at a safe distance. After a drunken, abusive experience in the back of a Chevy as a naïve teen, she became a single mother with a tough hide…until Connor McKay walks into the picture. She can’t stand him. He’s a sports-loving alpha male––no thanks! Meg has a good reason to hate jocks. Been there, done that, much to her regret. But as her path continues to cross with Connor’s, and attraction heats to a boiling point, Meg learns there’s more to Connor than biceps and a tight rear end. Things are heating up with them, when someone from her past threatens to tear them apart. Meg runs for cover…and from Connor. It will take a leap of love for Meg to shed the scars of her past and let love into her life.

Excerpt:

“We need to talk.”

Startled by the deep growl, Meg Fulton looked up to the towering stack of testosterone filling her office doorway and cursed the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach.

She straightened her posture, ran her hand through her thick hair in an attempt to put all the strays back in place, and then reached for the lapels of the suit coat that wasn’t there. She felt vulnerable in her silk tank top and wished she had an extra layer to shield her from the menacing daggers targeted at her. Putting on the jacket would only make a spectacle of herself. The thin tank would have to do.

“Sure. Have a seat.” She crossed her legs and attempted to smile. Inwardly, Meg groaned. Connor McKay. She’d noticed him on the football field coaching his athletes and had not looked forward to the expected confrontation.

He remained in the doorway, making no move toward the empty seats across from her desk. His blond hair was short, barely longer than the scruff on his face, and as she looked up she saw his eyes—a fierce, fiery blue filled with accusation and something that ranged between confusion and lust.

Bio:

Marianne Rice writes contemporary romances set in small New England towns. Her heroes are big and strong, yet value family and humor, while her heroines her smart, sexy, sometimes a little bit sassy, and are often battling a strong internal conflict. Together, they deal with real life issues and always find everlasting love. When she’s not writing, Marianne spends her time buying shoes, eating chocolate, chauffeuring her herd of children to their varying sporting events, and when there’s time, relaxing with fancy drinks and a great read. She tries to make time for her husband too, but he often places behind her love affair with books.

Connect with her on Facebook http://facebook.com/Mariannericeauthor or

visit her website at http://www.mariannerice.weebly.com

Pre-Order False Start:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/FalseStart

Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/FalseStartUK

Liquid Silver: http://www.lsbooks.com/

Kobo: http://bit.ly/FalseStartKobo

B&N: http://bit.ly/FalseStartBandN

iBooks: http://bit.ly/FalseStartiBooks

BAM: http://bit.ly/FalseStartBAM

Collecting Romance Books and Another Bingo Clue

Hot ZoneOne of my all-time favorite authors has another book out.  Jayne Ann Krentz (and all her pen names) is a must-buy, must-read author for me.  Always has been and always will be.  [See her new book to the left – I just received mine on Tuesday and am saving it for the weekend and uninterrupted reading time!]

And as it is usual with my favorite, go-to authors, I must have all her back list on my shelves so I can re-read her earlier books at my leisure.  Now, JAK has written a lot of books since she was first published in 1980.

Her pen names include Jayne Ann Krentz, Jayne Castle, Amanda Quick, Jayne Bentley, Jayne Taylor, Amanda Glass, and Stephanie James.

I own all of her books, under all her names, but 6 books.  Yes, all of them but 6.  The six I am missing are four of her Jayne Bentley books (A Moment Past Midnight, 1980; Maiden of the Morning, 1980; Hired Husband, 1981; and Sabrina’s Scheme, 1981) and two of her Jayne Castle books (Queen of Hearts, 1980, and Vintage of Surrender, 1980).

Sometime in the mid-1990s, I made it my goal to own everything she has ever written — and the only reason I don’t have those last few is scarcity and, when available, cost.  I do have some of her very early books in the original paperbacks that now cost a bundle, but I found them in small town used bookstores, the Goodwill, or through the kindness of my fellow book-a-holics. 🙂

My aspiration as an author — is to be like Jayne.  I hope for a long writing career.  I would also love to have fans who’d like to own all my books –probably the highest compliment any fan can give an author.

So, Jayne Ann Krentz, if you read this, please know, I LOVE your writing.  You have given me many enjoyable hours. Thank you.

BTW, I also have extensive collections of  JD Robb’s In Death series (ALL of them and I re-read the books every year beginning on Thanksgiving Day), Elizabeth Lowell, Donna Leon, Elizabeth Peters, Mary Stewart, and Kay Hooper. Yes, I am a book-a-holic. And, yes, I have a lot of bookshelves.

Now, please share any authors you collect religiously. Maybe I can find a new author to whom I can become addicted. 😉

Here’s the next Bingo Clue – this is to win a download of KaLyn Cooper’s Explosive Combination! Since this is KaLyn’s first book, you can start your book collection of her books from the very beginning.

Bingo Clue 2

Patience is a Virtue … and Bingo Clue #4

You all know me as a romance author.  But before I was an author I was — and still am — a fan of romance novels.  I’ve read every genre known to romance. I go through streaks and will only read romantic suspense. Then I’ll get the yen for some Regency romance.  Some times I go on a scifi  or paranormal romance reading binge. Then something erotic and kinky.

Bottom-line, I read all the time.

Like most fans, I have my favorite authors, those whose books I haunt the bookstores both online and in bricks and mortar.  And like most fans, I NEED that next fix.

But being an author, I’ve learned: LIFE INTRUDES.

My fans are the best.  You have waited patiently while I parented parents for two and a half years and then dealt with the aftermath of their deaths. You’ve suffered through my and my hubby’s cataract surgeries and post-operative recuperation. Even without the major life crises, day-to-day life happens. There are often days I can barely sit my butt in my chair and write for all sorts of little reasons.  My DH is sick. Or the A/C went out and I have to sit on hold to get someone to come fix it– and my DH is freaking out because he can NOT handle heat/humidity. Or the painter is here. Or … well, you get the picture.

What brought this up and why am I blogging about it?

Two of my favorite authors have been catching some flak lately because their books did not come out when the author initially said they would.  In both instances, these authors had valid and serious personal reasons why the books were delayed. And there were some people who posted some not-very-nice comments on the authors’ FB pages. I was happy to see that there were far more fans supporting the two authors than were tearing them down, but I’m sure the authors were hurt by some of the mean-spirited comments.

So, first, I want to say THANK YOU  to all my fans who have waited patiently and with good grace and humor when my books didn’t come out as quickly as you’d like. Trust me, I want to put out two quality books a year, but some days it just isn’t happening. I LOVE MY FANS!

And second, I want to throw my  support to all the authors I love to read. HUGS TO YOU. Your family and loved ones are far more important than the next book. Your health is more important than the next book.  I understand how hard it is just to get your butt out of bed some days as life throws you curve balls, let alone to try to be creative. So, I, as your loyal fan, will re-read all your previous books and wait patiently for the next book. I will then buy it. Read it. Recommend it to my friends. Dear author, be well. Be happy. Be creative when y’all get the time. I’ll still be here — your loyal fan, Moni.

There is no waiting, however, for Bingo Clue #4:

Bingo Clue 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are not playing Love, Lust and Laptops Bingo Game it’s not too late (we just started on Monday! — and there is no Bingo yet!)

We have several Bingo cards left. You can get the previous clues and rules at https://lovelustandlaptops.wordpress.com/

Email emilia.a.mancini@gmail.com for a board, she’ll send one to you. (only one entry per person please)

Guest Author Eve Langlais

KC1bigthI’d like to welcome a fellow—and very prolific―author Eve Langlais to the purple velvet couch today. Eve is the author of multiple series:

Freakn’ Shifters
Furry United Coalition (F.U.C.)
Alien Abduction
Alien Mate
Cyborgs: More Than Machines
Pack
Welcome to Hell
Princess of Hell
The Realm, and …

The reason we’re here today, is to talk about the first book in her new Kodiak Point series, Kodiak’s Claim

Congratulations on your new release! I read it and loved it, but then I am very partial to shifters and werebears are among my favorites. Tell us a little about the book and your plans for the series.

Kodiak’s Claim is the first in a series titled Kodiak Point that will follow a set of heroes who are not just bound together by their clan and town, but share a past in the military. The men are tough, but several are fighting inner demons, their experience overseas having left its mark. But PTSD and bad memories isn’t the only thing plaguing them. An outside force seems determined to ruin their little retreat and as each of these heroes finds love and acceptance, they must also fight against those who would take away their happiness.

 Looking at your series’ descriptions, I see a lot of sexy paranormal, fantasy, futuristic, and scifi romance. What draws you to write these romance subgenres?

As a writer, there is something infinitely satisfying about creating a new world, a new society where certain rules apply and the possibilities, while bound by those rules, are endless. That and I adore larger than life heroes lol. I also like to escape my normal contemporary life for something magical, impossible, or is it just unseen…

How do you come up with your titles? My favorite, btw, is Last Minion Standing.

Lol, titles are sometimes the hardest part. And other times they land in my lap. Last Minion Standing came about during a phase where I was inhaling reality TV shows. I’ll admit, I am addicted to several. I thought wouldn’t it be hilarious to turn a demon’s wish to find a minion in to a game show. So I did lol. Others like Delicate Freakn’ Flower hit me during a particular scene and I had my AHA moment.

Is there one particular thing that you find challenging about writing?

Self doubt. People often think because I’ve published so many titles that it’s easy for me. It’s not. I hit a point in every book, usually about midway where I hate it. I’m convinced it’s awful. I finish it anyway, but I am still a nervous wreck when it launches, worrying if it will resonate with readers, if they’ll love or hate it. It’s times like those I wish I drank something stronger than water lol.

 What is your favorite thing about writing?

I love it when my characters do or say something that makes me giggle aloud. When I type, I fall into what I call the zone. I sometimes don’t even know what I’m typing until I re-read it later and give it an edit. That’s when I’ll discover a phrase or action that makes me snicker and smile. But what’s especially awesome is when readers post those snippets of enjoyment.

 Are your characters a reflection on you or anyone you know?

Good grief I hope not. Seeing as how most of my characters aren’t human…lol. More seriously, though, I tend to be an introvert at home. I don’t go out often or socialize much. Which I’m sure surprises those who’ve met me at conventions. The Eve you see at those events is a social butterfly. At home, I’m a hermit 😀

Do you have a favorite character from one of your books? Who and Why?

I have so many characters I love. But if I had to really choose, then my all time favorite is scene stealer Lucifer. That demon is outrageous but I love him because he always adds a humorous element.

Do you find love scenes difficult to write?

Yes. For one, when you’ve written as many books as I have, and love scenes, it becomes extremely hard to stay original. While the mechanics might to a certain point remain the same, infusing the right kind of emotional connection without drawing the reader out of the moment can be a tricky balance. That and keeping track of body parts when writing a menage. Every now and then, an extra hand slips in 😀

Are any of your personal experiences reflected in your writing?

ROFL. No. No wild menages or werewolves in my life. Wait, I take that back. There is one story I based on an event in my life. In Falling for A Redneck, one of my rare contemporaries, the heroine has to have a hysterectomy at a young age due to cervical cancer. Having had that scare, which surgery thankfully resolved without me requiring the big operation, I drew on my emotions at the time, which were plenty, to create a heroine that I think is one of my most emotionally scarred ones. It is the one book I wrote that never fails to bring me to tears and is vastly different from my other work.

Do your characters talk to you?

All the time, noisy bunch.

Who controls the storyline, you or your characters?

Ha, my characters. I might start out with a loose idea but they soon take over and next thing I know they’re divulging facts I never knew. My newest heroine started out timid, and I assumed it was because she was shy and geeky. Nope. Turns out her hubby slapped her around. Now she’s having to overcome a past of abuse to find the spark within her. Good thing she’s got a hero who hates it when she flinches. And funny enough, the more he barks, but doesn’t hit, the braver she gets.

How many books do you write in a year? How long does it usually take you to write a book?

A lot. LOL. My books tend to range in size from about 45k-65 these days. It takes me 4-6 weeks to complete a book. So, on average, I’m writing about 8 or more a year. And still the voices in my head won’t shut up.

Are you working on another book?

Always. Right now, I’m working on Kodiak Point #3. I’m almost at the halfway mark and hoping to have it complete by the first week in September.

If you were a supernatural creature, what would you like to be and why?

Big cat. Because I’d love to purr. And they’re freaking cool 😀

What is your guilty pleasure?

Chips and dip.

Who is your favorite author?

Darynda Jones! (I fan girled her at Romcon 2013 lol)

 What are you reading now?

I’m in between books right now. Summer means kids at home and chaos so finding some time for me is a lot harder.

 Short Answers:

 Dark or milk chocolate? As long as it has a soft center, doesn’t matter lol.

The better lover – werewolf or werebear or demon? Bear!

Perfect vacation? Kodiak Point with a werebear all your own? Rocky Mountains with a werewolf? Caribbean island with a demon?  Since options one and two are cold, I’d have to ditch my furry lovers for the demon.

Favorite food? Steak, rice and salad.

Wine or beer or liquor? Water.

Favorite sex act? Oral. (ducks and blushes)

Perfect vehicle – foreign sports car, domestic mid-size four-door, hybrid SUV, or truck? SUV!

Early bird or night owl – Early Bird.

Where can your readers reach you?

The best spot for updates and more is either my website or my Facebook page.

Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share?

Blurb:

He might growl, but she’s not afraid to bite.

Hands full taking care of his clan, the last thing this Kodiak bear needs is a woman poking her cute little nose into his affairs. But when she refuses to back down—and shows the courage to stand up to him—he can’t resist the allure of a curvy city girl.

She’s mine. All mine.

And when a rival clan thinks to use her to force his paw, he’ll show them why you never piss off a Kodiak, or threaten what’s his.

Tammy is convinced men are all scum, even gorgeous ones like Reid Carver. She knows he’s hiding something. Something big. She just never expected a real freaking bear hid underneath all those muscles. But when the truth comes out and he tries to scare her off with a roar, she shows him not just bears have bite.

Amazon | Amazon UK | Kobo | Barnes & Noble
Apple | Google | Other Links

 Excerpt:

It took a few minutes for her eyes to adjust to the darkness, and when they did, she got to admire an alien landscape of snow, the surface marred in spots by snowmobile tracks. A distant light on the garage didn’t do much to illuminate the yard, the crescent moon with its wan glow off the snow doing more for visibility. Between the two sources, she had enough light to notice movement coming from the front of the house, a lumbering motion that made its way to the porch steps. Given the proximity, she had no problem recognizing the massive freaking bear that plodded up them. And she meant massive!

Oh my freaking god.

Slowly, holding her breath, she backed away from the window lest the beast spot her and decide a layer of glass wasn’t an impediment to a fresh midnight snack. The problem was, backing away meant losing her line of sight on the bear. But she was safe. I’m in the house. The bear is outside. It can’t get to me here.

Unless it decided to come in.

Her eyes widened and threatened to pop out of her head as she noted the handle to the outside door turning. At that point rationality fled, and she frantically tried to recall what her dad said to do if ever confronted by a bear.

Play dead? She doubted she could fake that, not with fear making her tremble.

Make noise? With what? Somehow shrill screaming didn’t seem like the right approach. But what if she found something noisy to bang and scare it off?

The counter behind her was pristine, but above it, on a suspended rack, hung pots and pans. A plan formed. She’d grab two and smash them together in a symphony of noise frightening the bear—who in some Darwinian feat had learned to operate doors—and hopefully bring someone with a gun running.

She managed to only unhook one large frying pan when the door creaked open—and this was just another good reason to always have the habit of locking them, city living or not. A swirling gust of snow blew in.

Shutting her eyes, snowflakes coated her lashes and when she opened them, she couldn’t make out much detail-wise about the large shape that loomed in the doorway. Didn’t matter. Her father didn’t raise a coward, and she wasn’t about to become a midnight snack without a fight. She let out a battle cry and swung.

Thwack!

“Ow!”

That didn’t sound like a bear. Oops.

Tammy backed away as the lights flicked on in the kitchen. She blinked in the sudden glare, and the crystals on her lashes melted leaving her with perfect—and unfortunate—vision. Uh-oh. She blinked some more. Licked her lips. Wet her panties. And not in fear, even if a bear of a man glowered down at her, his irritation over the lump forming on his cheekbone probably the cause.

‘Are you seriously accosting me in my home, again?”

“I thought you were a bear,” she explained feebly with a wave to the window. “I saw one on the porch, and then something opened the door. I reacted to defend myself.”

“With a frying pan?”

She shrugged. “I had to think fast.”

*****

Welcome to Kodiak Point, where the wildlife might wear clothes, but animal instinct rules the heart.

Next Book in the Kodiak Point series: Outfoxed by Love, coming September 16th, 2014

 

 

Split-Personalty … Or Not

The Coven of the wolf banner  finalYes, I am Monette Michaels. I am also Rae Morgan.

Split-personality disorder, you ask?

Not really. It was one  of those “business decisions” which at the time made sense. I had already been writing as Monette Michaels for five years or so. I was approached in late 2002 by my one publisher, Raven Moore of Atlantic Bridge, to write a book to help launch a new imprint — an erotic romance imprint called Liquid Silver Books. That book was Destiny’s Magick, and it came out in January, 2003.

At that time, my Monette Michaels’ books were romantic suspense with lots of tension and action and romance — with the bedroom doors closed.  Raven wanted me to slam open those doors and write SEX.

I was fairly sure I could do it. She was positive I could do it. But my other publisher at the time, LTDBooks in Canada, wasn’t throwing open the doors quite as much and so I figured I had to separate my brands. I didn’t want to shock my readers at the time.  Please keep in mind, this was before the huge upswing in erotic romance — and still at a time when e-books were considered vanity press and e-book authors, not real writers.

Now, it makes no difference.

Most of my Rae Morgan books are sexy, paranormal, romantic suspense books (except for Enchantress which is sexy, contemporary romantic suspense). My main series written as Monette Michaels are sexy, romantic suspense with some being scifi (Prime Chronicles) and some being paranormal (Gooden & Knight) and some not (Security Specialists International).  My stand-alone Monette Michaels’ books, republished from my days at LTDBooks, are romantic suspense (Fatal Vision has a psychic heroine and Death Benefits is medical-legal thriller. Green Fire, still to be repubbed, is paranormal).

My voice is my voice in all of them.

So whether it is Monette or Rae — I promise you’ll get the same fast-paced, sexy, suspense/thriller books with hot alpha-males and the strong, feisty women who bring them to their knees.  Bedroom doors are wide open, though the sex sometimes happens against doors,  in showers, and even in a booth in a restaurant once.  Each book ends with a happy-ever-after ending.*

What’s next from me?  The third book in the Prime Chronicles series, Prime Imperative, on October 6th. I am currently writing the earlier chapters of Tweeter Walsh’s story, Storm Warning,  for SSI series while waiting to do final edits on Prime Imperative.

For my fans — new and old — thanks for loving my books. Without the continued encouragement and support from my fans, I would’ve given up on this crazy business a long time ago.  Keep sending me the love — it really does lift my spirits on those days when the words just don’t seem to come.

Fans of Love Lust and Laptops and all the lovely ladies here, read Emilia’s Blog tomorrow, Friday, August 1st, for an exciting and FUN event coming soon to LL&L.  I know what it is, but it’s Em’s baby to announce and I am not stealing her thunder.

*Slight disclaimer on the Gooden and Knight series – Abby and Luc are together at the end of The Virtuous Vampire and will always be together — they just are working their way to marriage while solving paranormal crimes. So, there is no cliffhanger on the romance, but just a happy-for-now with an HEA in their future.

Guest Author — Kay Layton Sisk

T's Trial finalI’d like to welcome fellow author, Kay Sisk to the purple velvet couch. I’ve known Kay a long time – a really long time. We were Kiss of Death RWA on-line chapter members together back when e-publishing was crawling from the primordial ooze. Then we found out our hubbies were both doctors and both loved golf, so we met up in Arizona for a golf vacation (sharing a condo and we had never met before!) and became fast friends. This led to other shared vacations. While hubbies played golf, we’d hit the antique and used book stores. Kay is a small-town Texas gal and many of her romance novels give us a look into small town life. I love her voice and her books – I am fairly sure all you all will, too.

 *****

 Kay, tell us a little about your latest release – and the series as a whole.

 Moni, first of all let me tell our readers that every word of the above is true. You only forgot to add that both your mother and my mother-in-law felt that we were going to be mugged by the other couple!Rabid golfers? Dishonest antiquers? Never! You were waiting for us at the airport with a welcome sign since your plane wasn’t delayed and ours was. The rest, as they say, is history.  [LMAO, I forgot that! Yes, they did. We had a blast and lived to tell about it.]

But back to the question. T’s Trial is an updated version of a novel I wrote as a stand alone many years ago. Its original title, Heaven on a Kitestring, was a 1997 RWA Golden Heart finalist. It went through two e-publishers as Lyla’s Song and last spring I asked for and received my rights back to it and the rest of my books.

I still believe in this story and in the truth that goes through the six in the Bone Cold—Alive series: redemption is possible. While each of my characters find love, they first of all have to find their inner strength and grace in order to be worthy of it.

What draws you to write your genre and sub genre?

 Ah, romance. So many people pooh-pooh it and roll their eyes. I feel sorry for them, reading all that literature with sad endings. (Mysteries are excepted here.) Yes, I tell them, I know how the book ends. I know how it ends if I’m reading it or writing it. But it’s the journey!

I write contemporary because I know it. Much as I love history, I don’t want the burden of getting it wrong. As to the 7 books I’ve written with musicians as the heroes… what can I say? I feel the rhythm.

Having visited your home town and your current residence, I know you are a big fan of small towns. Are any of your personal experiences reflected in your writing?

 If there’s one thing true about small town denizens, it’s that they travel. In books 4-6 of the Bone Cold—Alive novels, I take my mentor/third POV character Fletcher to Australia on a search for his first love. He takes the train from Perth to Adelaide—been there, done that!

I have a good idea of the fishbowl of small town life and that’s certainly reflected my books.

Why a rock band?

 I wanted to write a character who, while seemingly on life’s downward spiral, was capable of being redeemed. But he had to be a stinker to start with and a music-obsessed rock star seemed to fill the bill.

Are you working on another book?

I’ve concerned myself with the publishing of my two unpublished titles, ONCE UPON A MCLEOD and AFTER THE THUNDER ROLLS AWAY. They were my test cases for digital publishing before I tackled reworking those already published. That’s the long answer.

The short answer is, yes, I have another one started.

How many books have you written? How many have been published?

Thirteen books. All are/were/will be again published.

Do you have a favorite character from one of your own books? Who and Why?

Mick from The Mermaid and the Eagle. My first hero. He grows up on the Texas/Mexico border and has only a jaundiced view of life until a priest steers him in the right direction. Which includes, eventually, the arms of a good woman.

Are your characters a reflection on you or anyone you know?

My friends say they can see me in my writing and with one exception, I think the heroines are partly me. That one exception, soon to be published as Tib’s Temptation, is a female version of a bad boy.

Love scenes: Open or closed door? –and why?

Usually open, but as I’ve gone along in my career, I push the door to more and more.

Is there one particular thing you find challenging about writing?

Getting started. Putting the old rear in the chair.

 What is your favorite thing about writing?

The fulfillment I feel when I’ve written a good scene.

 Who is your favorite author?

 Can I have two? Grace Burrowes who writes these wonderful family entangled series, Regencies and now Victorian. CS Harris, who is really Candice Proctor. As the latter, she wrote historical romances with exotic settings like Australia. As Harris, she has a series with a Regency detective and a fulfilling romance that is now, I think, 9 books long. I try to convert everyone who wants romance with their mystery to Sebastian St. Cyr.

What inspired you to write?

 I’ve always written, even in 4th grade. Maybe before? What’s the saying: A writer can’t not write?

What are you reading now?

At the moment, I’m finishing an anthology of summer romances for my Romance Readers Book Club.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Crossword puzzles. Mah-jongg. Onion rings—an entire order to myself!

 Short Answer:

 Favorite Food:   Cheeseburger with guacamole. Or just the guacamole. Or onion rings.

Favorite Alcoholic Beverage:   California zinfandel.

 Outlet Mall or High-End Mall:  High end. North Park in Dallas. Outlet malls used to be unique and wonderful but now I find them too ubiquitous and the bargains aren’t really bargains.

Favorite Weekend Activity:   Antiquing!

Morning person or night owl:   Morning, morning, morning!

******

Where can your readers reach you?

Website: kaysisk.com
Blog: Sisker’s Lair, which I’m much better at keeping up than I am the website
Facebook: kaylaytonsiskauthor

Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share?

 As a matter of fact, I do.  This is the opening of T’s Trial. —

“It was the music. Always the music. It started somewhere deep in his soul and coursed through his body in a mad rush to explode on the surface. He had felt it as a small child, this urgent need to touch the piano keys, to hear the notes, to reach inside the old upright in his grandmother’s parlor, close his eyes and feel the strings and make the vibrations. To release the music from within himself and then take it back inside, remold it and start all over again.

“He felt it now. Eyes closed, hands splayed on a keyboard, his foot pumped, his head moved, his body swayed. He felt the music, was the music and both started and stopped with the music. Smoke, lights, crowd, video screens, revolving stage—all enhanced his music, helped others feel it. But no one knew the music as he did. No one was the music as he was. Not the four other members of Bone Cold—Alive, not even his twin brother, who lolled his head as he sang to the 75,000 fans that screamed and yelled and gyrated with them. The drums modulated the rhythm, increased, called to him. He felt them. The crowd called to him. He felt them. Shifting his weight, he took a deep breath, and began to sing into the mike attached to his headphones. His words, his song, his music.

“His soul.”

Moni, thank you so much for this opportunity to be on the purple velvet couch.

 

T’s Trial Buy Link: Amazon.com

 

What Makes It Sell?

primeobsessionI’ve been a published author since 1998.  And in all that time, I have yet to figure out why one book sells more than another book.

To clarify — I am not asking how to promote and sell books in general.  I learned a long time ago that writing the next book — the best book you can — is always a sure way to get visibility and sell both your current book and your back list. Buying ads, social media, complicated Amazon algorithms aside, if you want to get word of mouth, which is the best promo ever — WRITE ANOTHER BOOK.

My particular dilemma is  — why does a series in which I only have two books, has been out for quite a while, and the next one isn’t even done sell much, much better than the series I’m actively writing — and even promoting?

This happenstance does NOT make sense under any theory of promotion.

Specifically, my two science fiction romance (SFR) books, Prime Obsession and Prime Selection, are outselling all books in my Security Specialists International series.

Don’t get me wrong.  SSI books are still selling nicely — thank you SSI fans!  But in the last three quarters, my Prime books are outselling them, and this is even after a new SSI book had come out (and which had stellar sales and still has some legs).

Color me perplexed.

Did the genre wave swing around to all things science fiction romance when I wasn’t looking?MM_TPC2_PrimeSelection_3_x_4

Because last time I checked, SFR wasn’t all that popular.  If I’m hitting the upswing in the SFR genre, please let me know.  I’ll make damn sure my Muse figures out how to keep the Prime series going once the initial trilogy is completed with Prime Imperative (and no, it’s not done yet).  As I’ve mentioned to my Prime fans several times, I hadn’t planned on any more books in the Prime world, but that I would never say never.

I’m sure glad I kept an open mind, because my Prime books seem to have found an enthusiastic audience.

One thing I can say I’ve learned about writing over the years is that there are no guarantees in this business.  Some times a book or a series just hits. Call it Fate, Karma, Good Mojo, or clean living — I’m just happy when it happens to me.

But still color me perplexed. 🙂