TANTALIZING TUESDAY

Please help me welcome Karenna Colcroft into the moonlight today! On January 7, 2010, Karenna's newest book, Deep Down, was released by Siren Publishing. To learn more about Karenna or enjoy a free read, visit her website: http://karennacolcroft.com/

BUY LINK: http://www.sirenpublishing.com/karennacolcroft/

~~~~~

GRACEN: Do you make resolutions for the New Year? Why or why not? If so, please share one or more of them with us!

KARENNA: I don’t make resolutions, exactly. However, I do set goals for myself that I hope to reach in the new year. This year’s goals are mostly about writing, and include having 8 new contracts by the end of the year. I like to aim high.


GRACEN: Now that the busy holiday time is over, what do you do to recharge?

KARENNA: I just take a deep breath and remind myself that it only happens once a year. Then I dive back into writing.


GRACEN: Do you have any holiday memories from 2009 that you would like to share with us?

KARENNA: This was the first holiday season since my daughters and I moved in with my fiance, so it was definitely a special time. We didn’t really do anything special; it was just being together.


GRACEN: What area of the country/world are you from? What are the average temperatures where you are? What type of clothing would most residents be wearing today? What tips do you have for people to “survive” the weather where you are?

KARENNA: I’m from New England, so it gets pretty chilly in the winter here. Average temperatures at this time of year are in the lower to mid thirties where I live, and in the summer they’re probably around 75 to 80. Today, people are bundled up in jackets, scarves, etc. As for surviving the weather, in winter, keep warm!


GRACEN: Do you have any favorite outside hobbies? Can you perform any of these hobbies right now? If not, why not, and is weather a factor?

KARENNA: I don’t really have any outside hobbies. I prefer to stay indoors.


GRACEN: Do you prefer your hot tub inside the house or outside the house? Why?

KARENNA: I wish I had a hot tub! If I did, I’d have to say inside, because as I said above, I prefer to stay indoors.


GRACEN: If you could be any character/creature, who/what would it be and why?

KARENNA: A mermaid, because I love the ocean.


GRACEN: Now, let’s get to your writing…Karenna, why the erotic romance/erotica genre? What was the draw for you?

KARENNA: I started writing erotic romance as a challenge from a friend, who dared me to write something that showed sex in a positive way. When I finished the scene, I was surprised at how good it was, and I was hooked on writing it.


GRACEN: If you could describe your writing with a word or phrase, what would it be? Please look beyond words like hot, sexy, etc., and delve into the core of your writing to tell us what word or phrase you want readers to take with them when they've finished reading your story.

KARENNA: Thought provoking.


GRACEN: Do the holidays disrupt your writing schedule? If so, how tough is it to get yourself back in writing mode and what have you found that seems to help?

KARENNA: They do a little bit, in that I have to spend more time with family during the holidays, but since I don’t have a set writing schedule, it isn’t hard to adapt.


GRACEN: Do you prefer hot chocolate with marshmallows or a hot toddy? Does that show through in your writing? If so, how?

KARENNA: Hot chocolate with marshmellows, definitely. And I think it probably does show through, because my writing is warm and comforting rather than hot and spicy.


GRACEN: Who decides what characters/creatures you write about, you or your muse? What kind of influence do you have over your story, or is the muse always the one pouring the soap in the Jacuzzi?

KARENNA: I have a pretty good collaborative relationship with my muse, fortunately. We spend a lot of time chatting about what’s going to happen and why, and if we disagree we usually find a way around it.


GRACEN: What creature/character did you have the most fun creating and why?

KARENNA: I’d say I had the most fun creating Alec in Beginner’s Luck, because he’s based on my fiance and it was interesting to see how close I came to his real personality. It was fun putting in little mannerisms and phrases that my fiance uses, too.


GRACEN: If you had the opportunity to meet just one of your characters in real life, who would it be and why? Which of your characters would you never want to meet under any circumstance and why?

KARENNA: I’d like to meet Boreas, the Greek god of the North Wind, who’s a character in my short story Who Can See the Wind, because he’s a god and is one of the few characters I’ve written who isn’t based on someone I know. I wouldn’t want to meet Nyssa’s boss in the same story, because he’s a predatory jerk.



BLURB:

Courtney Southard moved from a small town to the big city expecting fun and adventure, but has found neither and wants to go home. Tanner Wohl is still recovering from a broken heart and doesn’t want to open up to anyone. When an attempted mugging brings the two together, can love overcome their fear?


EXCERPT:

“Want to go wading?” he called back over his shoulder.

She gave up trying to figure out what had upset him and hurried to catch up with him. “I don’t know,” she said. “I’d feel kind of weird. It’s a kids’ wading pool.”

“Other adults are in there.” He knelt and untied his sneakers, then slipped them and his socks off and rolled up his pants. “Come on. What are you, chicken?”

“No.” She watched as he stood and took a few steps into the water. What the hell. She couldn’t just stand here. If he could do it, so could she. Even if people did give her weird looks.

Tanner apparently had no concerns about what people might think. He turned and looked at her for a moment, then waded farther into the pond. Crouching, he scooped up some water in his cupped hands, then dumped it over his own head.

Startled, Courtney broke into laughter, as did several children who played near Tanner. “Hey, dude, you’re wet!” one of the kids shouted.

“It’s a hot day.” Tanner reverted to the monotone he’d used when Courtney met him, but even with some distance between them, Courtney could see the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. He’d soaked himself to entertain her, she was sure.

He walked back to her. “Figured I could use some cooling off. How about you?”

“All set, thanks,” Courtney assured him.

She spotted one of the kids sneaking up behind him, but pretended not to see. Tanner seemed unaware. The little boy, who looked about eight or nine, waited until he was so close, Tanner’s shadow fell over him, then splashed.

Tanner jumped when the water hit his back and whirled around. For a moment, Courtney thought he was angry at the boy, and from the frightened look in the boy’s eye, he thought so as well. But Tanner’s chuckles rolled over the pond, and he gently flipped a few droplets of water in the boy’s direction. “You looking for a water fight?”

“I just thought you needed to get wetter,” the boy said innocently.

With Tanner’s back to her, Courtney couldn’t resist. She crouched at the water’s edge and watched a moment to be sure he wouldn’t turn around. Then she splashed water at him.

Tanner yelped at the feeling of the water against his thighs, and the little boy cracked up. So did Courtney, almost losing her balance in the process, which would not have been good, given that she was in a short skirt. She recovered herself enough to stand again. Tanner spun around. “You—You—” he sputtered through a grin.

“Me what?” Courtney put her hands on her hips. “Got a problem?”

“Yeah. People keep getting me wet,” Tanner muttered.

He moved close enough to her that his breath touched her face. She thought he planned to splash her back and prepared herself to be soaked. Instead, without warning, he scooped her up into his arms. “Should I drop you?” he growled softly into her ear.

“N–no.” She couldn’t help being just a little frightened. He’d picked her up as easily as a child. But at the same time, she knew he wouldn’t hurt her, and she couldn’t stop laughing at his reaction.

“Oh, all right,” he murmured. “But get this straight. You don’t get to make me wet. It’s supposed to be the other way around. Got it?”

A shiver of arousal ran through her at his clear meaning. “Got it.”

BUY LINK: http://www.sirenpublishing.com/karennacolcroft/

Mystic Monday

The Sex Demon

I struggled all week with what I would write today, and then last night, it hit me, the incubus.  Okay, so if I had my idea last night, why did it take me so long to post this?  Well, it was too late for my brain to think beyond the one word when the idea came to me, so I opted to sleep and chose to wake up early, so I could continue my recent trend of being awake during the day and asleep at night, when it's dark out.  As much as I love the moon, I do enjoy being awake in the house when my husband isn't home so I can be noisy.  Enough chatter though, let's get to the good stuff, the incubus.

For centuries, men and women have been suffering from strange, unexplained, sexual experiences.  Because little was known or understood about the human body, there wasn't a clear way to explain the body's spontaneous release of sexual tension.  Because sex was so taboo and in some cases considered an evil deed, the incubus and succubus evolved to explain it.  Unfortunately, they were considered demons that needed to be eradicated by whatever means necessary.

On a much sadder, and sicker note, the instances that lead to the creation of the incubus and succubus may have come from a much baser explanation - unwanted sexual intercourse, also known as rape.  Yes, it is quite possible that people attributed rape by a family member or friend while they were sleeping to demons rather than admitting the truth.  The clergy may have been behind this as well.  While this may be true, it is also true that a woman's body can have the same spontaneous sexual release that a man's body has, also called a wet dream or spontaneous orgasm.

There's just one other problem here, there's still no reasonable understanding of why these nocturnal emissions occur, so the existence of the the incubus and succubus remain as popular an explanation as ever.  In fact, we wouldn't have the movie, The Entity without this belief, a movie supposedly based on a true account of a woman's experiences with an unknown demonic entity.  Yes, some of the experiences were sexual, but not all of them were, according to accounts anyway.

Why do we experience these nocturnal emissions?  Where do they come from?  Are they a result of sexual repression or is it more than that?  Do our bodies long for the touch of another so much that it is willing to fabricate the feeling during the midnight hour or are we really feeling a paranormal being such as an incubus or succubus? 

What's your theory? 

SUPERNATURAL SUNDAY

Please help me welcome Jane Toombs into the moonlight today! Jane’s newest book, Null and Void, was released by Red Rose Publishing on January 21st. To learn more about Jane visit her website: http://www.janetoombs.com/

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GRACEN: Thanks for joining us, Jane. It’s a pleasure and an honor to have you in the Moonlight. Now, on to the interview…Do you make resolutions for the New Year? Why or why not? If so, please share one or more of them with us!

JANE: Some years I do, some not. This year I did make one concerning my writing. I resolved to finish everything I’ve started. Which will amount to about five years of work, if I keep it. Of course if the doomsayers are right about 2012 I won't have to worry about ever getting done. But I'm an optimist, so figure I'll still be plodding along in 2013...


GRACEN: Now that the busy holiday time is over, what do you do to recharge?

JANE: The older you get the less you have to do during the holiday season. Why? For one thing. younger relatives invite you to celebrate Christmas with them instead of the other way around. These holidays happen to include my birthday. Since we were more or less snowed in on that day, I called an old friend of both of us who lived nearby to join us for home-cooked chicken enchiladas and apple crumb pie, which made it a birthday celebration But recharge? What’s that? If I get a good night‘s sleep, I‘m always charged.


GRACEN: Do you have any holiday memories from 2009 that you would like to share with us?

JANE: All my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren live much too far away to visit during the winter. So do the Viking’s. But we enjoyed Christmas Eve with my oldest niece and her family and Christmas Day with the Viking’s sister-in-law (His favorite brother died two years ago) and their family. Since both live in our tiny village, this made it easy to get to , and we were able to be with relatives.


GRACEN: What area of the country/world are you from? What are the average temperatures where you are? What type of clothing would most residents be wearing today? What tips do you have for people to “survive” the weather where you are?

JANE: We live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on the south shore of Lake Superior. Literally. From my writing room window I can see the lake , the water now way out because of the ice that’s formed near shore. I also can see a couple of ice volcano’s that spout water instead of lava--quite dramatic. In the winter we often get snowed in , sometimes with temperatures below zero. The spring is usually cool, but very welcome. Summers are delightful, in the seventies and eighties . Falls are gorgeous because of the changing leaves and we often have an Indian Summer then. We no longer participate in winter sports, but we did when younger--ice-skating, skiing, snow machines, snow-shoeing--also sledding when we were kids.


GRACEN: Do you have any favorite outside hobbies? Can you perform any of these hobbies right now? If not, why not, and is weather a factor?

JANE: I garden a bit in the summer--you ought to see my healthy rhubarb plants. But, of course, winter prevents anything like that. I’d hardly call snow-shoveling or building fires in the fireplace “hobbies” for the Viking, but he does seem to enjoy the latter. Spring, summer and fall, we walk. The Township Park is right up the road from us about a half-mile, with benches to sit on along the way. In the winter I use the exercise machine.


GRACEN: Do you prefer your hot tub inside the house or outside the house? Why?

JANE: We don’t own one. But I do use a removable bubbler called a bath spa
in the bathtub. When I lived in San Diego we did have an outside hot tub on the deck outside the bedroom. I never used it, though I did use the swimming pool out back. And worried every time we had an earthquake (at least one minor one a year) in case it cracked the pool.


GRACEN: If you could be any character/creature, who/what would it be and why?

JANE: I think I’d like to be a were-cat--cougar, preferably. I love cats. They’re so gracefully lethal. I’ve always wondered what it’d be like to actually be one.


GRACEN: Now, let’s get to your writing, Jane…Why the erotic paranormal romance genre? What was the draw for you?

JANE: Since I don’t write or read erotica, obviously it doesn’t interest me. Not because I‘m a prude--I can write a sex scene as well as anyone. But I admit that becoming an RN somehow totally turned me off from all the slang names for body parts. Another reason maybe that I‘m an old bat now. When I was younger I always preferred actually living the sex in person rather than virtually. But I find it’s still now, even though we’re golden oldies. If I’m reading a book with a lot of sex scenes, I start skipping them to find out what happens next. Because that’s why I read--to find out where the story’s going. And too many sex scenes actually spoil it for me. I want more plot, not more sex, because I already know about sex. But I certainly have nothing against authors who write that way--they‘re some of my best friends. Or readers who prefer lots of sex--I have friends there, too. If an author writes gripping stories otherwise, I do read them, but I admit I skip.


GRACEN: If you could describe your writing with a word or phrase, what would it be? Please look beyond words like hot, sexy, etc., and delve into the core of your writing to tell us what word or phrase you want readers to take with them when they've finished reading your story.

JANE: Mysterious, at times spooky, if I’m writing gothics or paranormal. Otherwise, even in a sweet romance, I do like to create high tension.

My aim is to make a reader eager to know what happens next.


GRACEN: Do the holidays disrupt your writing schedule? If so, how tough is it to get yourself back in writing mode and what have you found that seems to help?

JANE: When I still had kids at home, yes, I did take time off from writing during the holiday season, but now they’ve scattered to the four winds and, though I do take writing time off then, it’s not as much. It’s never been difficult for me to get back into writing. Maybe the first paragraph or two comes slowly and painfully, but then I’m into the story again. But, yes, I do have to force myself through those first few paragraphs


GRACEN: Do you prefer hot chocolate with marshmallows or a hot toddy? Does that show through in your writing? If so, how?

JANE: I love hot chocolate, but don’t care for marshmallows--too sweet. I have one vodka tonic mixed with cranberry juice, plus a twist of lime during our happy hour which lasts from five to six. I never have been a fan of hot alcoholic drinks. So we’re certainly moderate drinkers. Still, I have no trouble writing about alcoholics or substance abusers. Working as an RN much of my life, I’ve seen it all.


GRACEN: Who decides what characters/creatures you write about, you or your muse? What kind of influence do you have over your story, or is the muse always the one pouring the soap in the Jacuzzi?

JANE: Since my characters pop into my head as soon as I start planning a story, I assume my muse delivers them full grown. But once alive, they pretty much flow with the story. I’ve learned to know when I’m trying to force a character into an action because the flow stops. I no longer try to go on when that happens, because I’ve learned that means rewriting later. I just stop writing for awhile until I realize what the character would do instead.


GRACEN: What creature/character did you have the most fun creating and why?

JANE: The Volek twins in the first book of the Moonrunner Trilogy, where one suspects the other of being a shapeshiifter, not knowing until too late that he’s wrong- because HE is the shifter. In this trilogy it’s no fun being a shifter, because when back in human form you have no knowledge of what happened when you were in beast form.


GRACEN: If you had the opportunity to meet just one of your characters in real life, who would it be and why? Which of your characters would you never want to meet under any circumstance and why?

JANE: Since my vampires are always villains, I certainly wouldn’t want to meet any of them. And though I love shapeshifters, I don’t think in real life I’d care to meet any of them, either. Maybe the djinn who was the hero of The Turquoise Talisman. He was one neat guy.





NULL AND VOID, the first book in the new SHADOWED HEARTS gothic series from Red Rose Publishing, comes out in January.

BLURB: Two ten-year-old girls, Mandy and Air vanish from the grounds of Null House one evening. The next day one is found so traumatized she can’t remember what happened and doesn’t even know her name. A barrette in her hair identifies her as Ari. Her Uncle and Aunt take her to live in another state, but her memory never returns. Twenty years later , she‘s invited back to Null House, but is afraid to go. The child‘s voice that whispers in her mind, though tells her she mist. Because “It‘s time…”

EXCERPT:

"Home. I'm going home." Ari London said the words aloud as she drove along the narrow black-topped county road on a cool June day. Yet it wasn't the truth. Null House had never been her home, not exactly. Still, she'd lived in Michigan's Upper Peninsula until--the bad time. Until whatever it was had happened. The first ten years of her life were closed off to her, inaccessible. Uncle Matt had told her what he knew about those years, but it wasn't much. She really didn't want to come back here. Maybe she wouldn't have if the child's voice hadn't whispered in her head so insistently the past few nights.

Time to go back. You need to go back. Now.

Ari's chest grew heavy. What could Henrietta LaBranche want from her after all this time? Mandy, Henrietta's granddaughter, had been dead for twenty years. True, Ari and Mandy were supposed to have been together when Mandy was killed. But surely Mrs. LaBranche knew Ari had no memory of the terrifying experience that had shut down her mind and wiped out the first ten years of her life.

She took a deep breath as she turned her beloved old Beemer off the county road and into a narrow drive between huge trees that looked to be virgin pine and hemlock. Glancing at the June sunlight slanting through their branches, words popped into her head. Harpers hoar. She frowned. Forest primeval? Longfellow?

A sudden clear vision came without warning. She remembered being in fifth grade, of Ms. Gorney reading his poem to the class and her romantic idea of Null House's big trees as giant harpers using their branches as strings to play wind melodies. She waited for more memories to flood in, but that was all. Everything else about that time was still locked inside the dark closet of those missing years.

Obviously coming here, though, and seeing the old trees was the reason the harper memory had returned. Was it possible being at Null House might unlock that closed door and give her back more of those lost ten years? Ari swallowed to relieve a throat gone dry with apprehension. Uncle Matt had told her no one knew what had happened to her and Mandy. Did she really want to find out?

She swung around a final curve in the long drive and Null House loomed before her--three stories of Victorian extravaganza wrapped in what looked to be worn cedar siding. Balconies thrust out here and there, along with two cupolas at the top. She recognized the place from photographs Uncle Matt had shown her, sent to him by her mother before what Ari always thought of as the bad time.

Nothing about the house seemed familiar to her, even though Uncle Matt had said she'd spent much of her time here with Mandy because Ari's mother had been Mrs. LaBranche's cook.

She sighed, sad that she had no memory of her widowed mother, who'd died of a heart attack shortly after hearing Ari had been found alive. Uncle Matt, her mother's brother, had come to the hospital and taken her to live with him and Aunt Connie in Illinois. He'd shown her photos of her mother with Henrietta LaBranche, but if he hadn't pointed out her mother, Ari wouldn't have known which was which.

What did Mrs. LaBranche want from her? What did she expect? The letter inviting her to stay at Null House had said only that something had come up she hoped Ari could help her with. What?

She parked the car in the circular drive. Before she climbed the wide curving steps to the open porch, she muttered, "I'm here, for better or worse. I hope you're satisfied." Shaking her head at the folly of speaking to the disembodied child's voice that sometimes whispered to her at night, she mounted the steps to the massive front door. No doorbell. She grabbed the bronze knocker, belatedly noticing, half hidden in the twining metal leaves, a satyr face with mocking eyes. Grimacing, she let the knocker drop against the plate. The door opened.

Ari blinked at the man who opened it, only now realizing she'd expected him to be an old man, dressed somberly in black. Expected him to be Arthur, the LaBranche houseman, who always greeted her with a welcoming smile. Another bit from her childhood had surfaced, unsettling her.

While the dark-haired young man did wear black jeans and T-shirt, his unsmiling gray eyes were cold as November rain as he blocked her way in.

“You shouldn’t have come,” he said.

~~~~~



What's going on with Janet Lane Walters (Dame Amber)? Pop over to Jewels Of The Quill http://www.jewelsofthequill.com/ where we have a monthly newsletter and prizes galore!

My website: http://www.janetoombs.com/

2010 January releases:
Nightingale Man from Champagne Books
Null and Void from Red Rose Publishing's new Shadowed Hearts Gothic Series

Starlight Saturday

Weekly Book Review

PHANTASM FRIDAY

PIRATES

I'm not talking about the "Arrgh" type of pirates, with the eyepatch, or even the swash-buckling Johnny Depp type of pirate, but rather Book Pirates. Yesterday I learned my e-book, Elfin Blood, had been uploaded to a pirate site. Do the copyright laws not matter to anyone anymore? Does a sense of justice and morality even exist these days? Us writers work hard pouring our souls and lots of time into our books only to have them stolen and passed around for free by folks who think the law doesn’t apply to them, or by folks who just don’t give a damn about others, or the law, or how stealing someone’s creation makes them feel naked and violated. I can’t decide which of these apply, maybe all, either way it ticks me off!

Grrrrrr….

I did a search on pirates and as an argument FOR piracy one person wrote that they’d purchased the book, therefore it was theirs to do with as they pleased and it was no different than sharing their print book with a friend. My response….@#$%&!...with a little bit of kicking mental furniture around. That’s plain and simple BS! A print book would be passed around to maybe a handful of pals, but uploading an e-book to the net is sharing it with the entire freaking world! I’m not condoning the passing of print books, but how can this so-called logic be justified? In my mind, it’s like comparing apples to oranges. It just doesn’t compute. A handful of friends or the entire world? Which would you prefer? I mean hello pirates just because you can do it, doesn't mean it's legal. It's no more legal than keeping money that was accidently deposited into your checking account. With this attitude no wonder some print authors refuse to allow their books to be published as e-books.

To all of you that think you have the right to upload an e-book after you purchase it, check out the first page or two of that book. I bet on one of those first few pages, they all say something like what is on page 2 of Elfin Blood:

“This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any existing means without written permission from the publisher.”

Clearly uploading a book to a pirate site is copyright infringement. That means it is against the law and those guilty of the crime can face legal punishment! That means the owners of the site and the uploader are both guilty of the crime.

What's frustrating for me, if someone stole an artist's artwork, the law would be gunning for the thief. But pirate an e-book and even many in the industry shrug and say, 'That's just a necessary evil of this industry.' *SCREAMS* That doesn't make it okay, that doesn't mean something shouldn't be done about it and that is not an attitude I can embrace.

So, my wish for you pirate sites and all you immoral uploaders…I hope you pour your heart and soul into something, I hope you spend hours creating something…and then I hope it is stolen from you and passed around for free just as you have done to others, so that you can experience the horror of that violation too. I hope you learn that karma is a bitch and justice does eventually come to pass.

And with that, I’ll shut up…for now. Have a good weekend everyone.

TWILIGHT THURSDAY

Please help me welcome Keta Diablo into the moonlight today! Keta’s most recent release is Sin Eater's Prince and was released by Ravenous Romance. Keta is multi-published and has joined us here in the Moonlight more than once. To read her other interviews and learn more about her books, click on the following links:

April 14, 2009 Interview:
http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.com/2009_04_12_archive.html

April 21, 2009 Interview: http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.com/2009/04/please-welcome-authorketa-diablo_21.html

April 23, 2009 Interview: http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.com/2009/04/please-welcome-authorketa-diablo_23.html

October 1, 2009 Interview: http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.com/2009/10/keta-mixes-up-some-mayhem-with.html

My review of Keta’s book, Carnal Cravings: http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.com/2009/07/review-of-carnal-cravings-by-keta.html

My review of Keta’s book, Decadent Deceptions:
http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.com/2009/04/review-of-decadent-deceptions-by-keta.html


~~~~~

GRACEN: Now, let’s get to the juicy stuff…Keta, do you make resolutions for the New Year? Why or why not? If so, please share one or more of them with us!

KETA: Hi Gracen and girls! Yes, I did make a New Year’s resolution this year and it has to do with reading of all things. I’ve promised to read at least two chapters every night from the huge TBR pile sitting in my bedroom.


GRACEN: Now that the busy holiday time is over, what do you do to recharge?

KETA: I just went away for three days to a local hotel, very nice with every accommodation you can think of, Jacuzzi, latte coffee shop, in-room Internet, quiet hallways (lol) and I spent the three days reading, eating and sleeping and writing. What more could I ask for?


GRACEN: Do you have any holiday memories from 2009 that you would like to share with us?

KETA: Every holiday is special to me providing my kids all show up. We eat, laugh, play board games and sometimes Texas Hold-em!


GRACEN: What area of the country/world are you from? What are the average temperatures where you are? What type of clothing would most residents be wearing today? What tips do you have for people to “survive” the weather where you are?

KETA: This is a great question. I’m from the Midwest – the COLD part of the country. This winter has been icy once again with 22 below wind chill. When I must go out I look like a penguin with layers of clothing and only my eyes are showing. Picture it. We survive by buying a ton of groceries all at one time (so we don’t have to go out) rent hundreds of movies, and hunker down in bunkers until April. Actually, I’m rather fond of this type of life.


GRACEN: Do you have any favorite outside hobbies? Can you perform any of these hobbies right now? If not, why not, and is weather a factor?

KETA: I love gardening so living in the Midwest takes that enjoyment away for six months of the year. You learn to really appreciate the color of flowers by the time spring finally arrives.


GRACEN: Do you prefer your hot tub inside the house or outside the house? Why?

KETA: See number 2 above. I’m strictly a hotel junkie when it comes to Jacuzzis.


GRACEN: If you could be any character/creature, who/what would it be and why?

KETA: A time-traveler. This is an easy decision for me because I adore history. My only regret – I only get to read about it, not experience it in person. Oh, all my dreams would be answered if I could travel backward or forward in time.


GRACEN: Now, let’s get to your writing. Why the erotic romance and gay fiction genres? What was the draw for you?

KETA: I think many writers write what they enjoy reading. That’s one way they learn how to write the genre and learn about the trends in the market. That’s not to say that authors should switch genres every time a new trend comes out, but it seems like many have in the past.

I like writing gay fiction because I’m very intrigued by the male body, their muscles, texture of skin and movement. It’s so very different than ours. It intrigues me to read about two men making love and imagining what it MUST be like for them. Alas, I will never know.


GRACEN: If you could describe your writing with a word or phrase, what would it be? Please look beyond words like hot, sexy, etc., and delve into the core of your writing to tell us what word or phrase you want readers to take with them when they've finished reading your story.

KETA: Bold and audacious. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been accused of being “politically incorrect” in my writing. I write characters as I see them in my mind, including all their warts and flaws. This doesn’t always sit well with readers because I think some live vicariously through the character and like to imagine them as perfect. I don’t write perfect characters because I don’t think that would be true to real life. Sorry to those I have disappointed.


GRACEN: Do the holidays disrupt your writing schedule? If so, how tough is it to get yourself back in writing mode and what have you found that seems to help?

KETA: Major. But I think one of the signs of a “balanced” writer is to be able to accept that she/he is not just a writer, but also a mother, an aunt, a friend a companion or whatever. People need us just like we need them, and you can’t become so obsessed about your writing that you don’t take time to smell the roses. Keta repeats this phrase at least ten times every day.


GRACEN: Do you prefer hot chocolate with marshmallows or a hot toddy? Does that show through in your writing? If so, how?

KETA: I don’t drink either. I know, I’m boring. I have nothing against alcohol or those who drink it. I’ve never acquired a taste for it. Now, if someone took away my iced tea or my coffee, you’d see the Scotch-Irish in me come out. It could get ugly.


GRACEN: Who decides what characters/creatures you write about, you or your muse? What kind of influence do you have over your story, or is the muse always the one pouring the soap in the Jacuzzi?

KETA: I decide what I’m going to write about and imagine the characters in my mind. Every now and then something pulls me in another direction when I’m writing, something unexpected. If you want to call that my muse, I suppose we could, but I don’t think I have a “real muse”. One time I was going to kill off a main character and when it came to time to do it, my fingers froze . . . literally. I don’t know who made that decision, but the character went on to appear in the next book. I guess he felt he had more to say.


GRACEN: What creature/character did you have the most fun creating and why?

KETA: Most definitely the main characters in my most recent book, The Sin Eater’s Prince. The concept fascinates me. A sin eater, which was a viable profession (although not much admired) back in Wales, England and Ireland meets the vampire (a good vampire) and the relationship between the two men still baffles me. How does a sin eater, a man considered most unholy by his neighbors, and a vampire find enduring love? Guess you’ll have to read the book . . . hint . . . hint.


GRACEN: If you had the opportunity to meet just one of your characters in real life, who would it be and why? Which of your characters would you never want to meet under any circumstance and why?

KETA: I would love to meet Morgan from Decadent Deceptions, another fascinating character. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him except Olivia, the heroine. He’s dark, dangerous and I suppose some would say rude at times, but never with his woman.




Decadent Deceptions, Noble Romance, http://www.nobleromance.com/

About the book:

A 2008 Molly Contest Finalist – Erotica category

Daring and desperate to win Morgan’s love, Olivia Breedlove embarks on a reckless folly. But everything backfires when Morgan remains one step ahead of her and the game ventures down a path of duplicity and murder.

A decade ago, Morgan was a heartbeat away from taking Olivia’s virginity. Her father, Thaddeus, intervened and threatened to meet him over pistols if he so much as looked at his daughter again. But now, Thaddeus is dead and Morgan has no intention of ignoring the ravenous hunger he’s harbored for the blasted woman for ten years.

One way or the other, he will quench this burning desire and make her his forever.

Special Content Alert: Voyuerism

For your convenience, once again, here's the link to my review of Decadent Deceptions:
http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.com/2009/04/review-of-decadent-deceptions-by-keta.html

~~~~~



The Sin Eater's Prince, Keta Diablo
Ravenous Romance, http://www.ravenousromance.com/
Male/Male/Vampire set in historical Wales


About The Sin Eater's Prince:

Owen Rhys, the sin eater of his village in Wales, has been shunned by the local villagers his entire life--except by Andras Maddock, the local physician. In love with the one man he thinks will never return that love, Owen is shocked when Andras saves him from death at the hands of a vampire and admits he cares deeply for Owen.

Dagan, son of Traherne, the vampire Andras killed to save Owen, will stop at nothing to avenge his father’s death and obtain the Prince of Wales’s mystic sword from Andras. The divine claymore holds the power to grant immunity from the sun’s harsh rays—the one exemption the dark Lords of the Underworld has sought for centuries.

Star-crossed love, sorcery, and bloodlust collide on a vengeful path where only one side can remain victorious. Revenge and redemption. Dark versus light. Good versus evil. The Sin Eater’s Prince

Video Trailer Embed Code:



Video trailer url: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h46kQK9a6k


Excerpt from The Sin Eater's Prince:


Setup: Owen pages through one of his tad's (father's) history books to learn about vampires.

Excerpt:
An innate sense of curiosity drew Owen to the hearth, and specifically to the nearby wooden crate. Shortly after his father passed, he’d relegated the man’s meager possessions and his collection of cherished books to the trunk and hadn’t looked at the contents since. If memory served him, he’d find not only several volumes on Welsh history, but another on legend and lore of Wales.


Removing the lid from the crate, he sorted through the books until he found what he searched for, Demons and Other Mystical Creatures of Wales. Thumbing through the pages quickly, he found the chapter entitled Lords of the Underworld: Vampyres.

He swallowed the lump in his throat and scanned the page, his eyes settling on a passage in the middle: The vampyre is the most dreaded and feared creature of the supernatural world. He’s not only obtained immortality, but has the ability to alter his appearance, fly through the night sky, and traverse the ground under the guise of the wolf or a wisp of smoke. After seducing his victims through hypnotic measures or mind control, the vampyre will drain them of their blood thereby bolstering his strength and power. A vampyre might possess beauty beyond one’s imagination or be hideously marked.

Owen’s heart launched into a triple beat and a fine bead of sweat broke out on his forehead. The mouth is thought to be the way the soul leaves the body, and also the way evil spirits are allowed to enter. If one has slain a vampyre in Wales, it is advised the mouth be stuffed with a consecrated object or stitched shut and sprinkled with holy water.

Owen turned the page with an acute sense of trepidation and read his third and final passage: Spiritual vampyres draw the life energy from their victims and at times, their very souls. This species of vampyre does not merely feed on blood but the victim’s essence in order to survive.

He slammed the book shut, tossed it back into the crate and replaced the lid. Then he rose and paced the cottage, the words from the tome tumbling through his head. He didn’t need to read the passages to know Maddock was a vampire; the man had admitted it. What he wouldn’t give to have known Andras before he arrived in Pembrokeshire. Had he always possessed such unearthly beauty or had he accrued it since Traherne turned him?

And what species of long tooth was Traherne? Had he not only fed on Andras’s blood, but sucked the very soul from the man? Andras, soulless? Nay, it could not be. He’d witnessed innumerable acts of compassion from the man while ministering to the sick, watched his eyes flood with empathy when they passed into the other world.

His intestines wound into a reef knot. Had Maddock played him false with his words of coveting him from afar and holding a place for him in his heart? Were those the words of a demon possessed of hypnotic capabilities or the words of a man who cared deeply?

The questions festered and churned until Owen knew only one thing: Maddock was a very dark and very beautiful vampire.

~~~~~

Find Keta here on the Internet:

Author Home: http://ketadiablo.blogspot.com/
Keta’s Haunt: http://www.ketadiablo.com/
Keta’s Keep: http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com/
Gay Fiction Blog: http://thestuffofmythandmen.blogspot.com/
Keta on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ketadiablo

Wistful Wednesday

Thinking About The Future

As I sit here trying to compose my thoughts into some semblance of sense, I am distracted by thoughts about the future. A future with a new senator who could possibly change the whole political landscape with his vote. A future where traveling by plane means wondering if the person next to me is wearing a bomb in his underwear. A future where nothing is quite certain and it's hard to plan for anything because it can all change in an instant.

These are just some of the things that concern me this morning. So what do I do about it? What I always do - write. Whenever I feel troubled by something, I write and once I get the words on paper, the fear is somewhat lessened. In light of what I've already written here today, it might surprise you that these are not the things that I'm most concerned about right now. No, there are things that concern me even more that I need to write about to lessen the sting of fear.

One is about my sister, who suffers from Crohn's Disease. In the last few years, she has broken her left left leg three times, the last time while it was still in the cast from the second break. On New Year's Eve, she fell again and broke the right leg - a corkscrew break, which is worse than when she broke the other one in three places. During this time, she has also broken a finger - just by opening a cabinet door. Recently, she went for a bone density test and they discovered an issue with her right hip. She goes in for more testing on it tomorrow. We are all concerned about what this means. What if it is osteoporosis? She can't even absorb the medicine for her Crohn's, so how could she absorb it for osteoporosis?

The other thing that really concerns me right now is the ongoing health issues of my younger daughter. Last summer, it was discovered that her spine was literally curving into her right shoulder - like train tracks that were re-routed around a land mass - and that she would need surgery to correct it. But she had issues with her teeth that had to be dealt with first that could be a threat to the surgery(the infection in her gums could be disastrous to her spine once the rods are put in). Those issues were finally cleared up last Thursday and she got the go-ahead from her dentist; she is now healthy enough, orally, for the surgery. So Monday, we go in for a consultation with the doctor before we schedule the surgery.

As you might have guessed, these two things have made me crazy with worry and that is why I decided that it was time to write them out. I needed to take the sting out of the fear. I needed to take the power back so the fear and the worry couldn't hurt me any longer. I guess I am just the type of person who needs to confront things head-on. I would rather know than not know because you can do more with knowledge than mere speculation. And herein lies the power of words. Just by writing them down, they can put things into perspective, release tension and replace it with hope.

My hope today is that all of you who read this will take it to heart by giving your sibling or parent a call and tell them that you were just thinking about them, or give your child a big hug and let them know how much you love them. Don't waste the opportunity to let the people in your life know how you feel about them. You never know what could happen to them. Eight years ago, my sister didn't have Crohn's, I didn't have Multiple Sclerosis, and my daughter didn't need surgery. Think of the future and what it would be like if you didn't take every opportunity you could to tell them you love them before they're not there anymore - before you're not there anymore. I know I would hate it if the legacy I left for my children was that I didn't tell them enough, or show them enough, how I feel about them.

Okay, that's the end of my little rant today. Thanks for bearing with me.

TANTALIZING TUESDAY

PHYLLIS CAMPBELL'S HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO

Coming Out Of The Closet…sort of…


No, I’m not making a big announcement. heehee Instead, I want to tell you about a project I started thinking about two nights ago. One of my published books, Holding Out For A Hero, will be out of print at the end of February. This is one of my favorite stories, and I’m sad to see it unavailable after four years. But all good things must come to an end. Right? WRONG! Not if I have anything to do with it.

So here is my wild-hair brain idea. I thought about turning my historical western into a contemporary western. In other words, I’m bringing my contemporary muse out of the closet. It’s been a while since I’ve written a contemporary story since I’ve been focusing my voice on historicals. Yet for some reason, I can’t let this idea rest. I realize the hard work it’s going to take practically rewriting this fun story…but I’m excited about it. I’m looking forward to the challenge. Yeah, go figure, huh?

When I first wrote Holding Out For A Hero, I wanted it to be an inspirational romance, but after the first few rejections from Christian publishers, I added more steam to the story and sold it that way. It was my first historical romantic comedy. I received wonderful reviews, too. The book was publisher’s best seller for three months in a row!

So tell me… Do you think I’m crazy to want to do this? Do you think I should just let it go and be glad it was published and did so well? As a reader, do you like to read other genres from authors? If you have read some of my historicals and liked them, would you be tempted to buy my contemporaries as well?

Because my story is still available until February 28th, 2010, I’m going to tempt you historical lovers to want to buy my book with a little excerpt. (grins)

Watch the cute book trailer – http://www.blazingtrailers.com/show.php?title=304

5-Roses! Ms. Campbell has written an exciting western that will have you rapidly turning the pages for the shocking climax. This book will have you laughing out loud with Summer’s antics. She is feisty to the core. Her and Jesse’s banter brings humor one minute and the next minute you want to cry because the book is so emotional. I love this kind of story that takes you on an emotional roller coaster. And you feel a part of the Wild West, filled with bank robbers, Texas Rangers and life on the western frontier. This book will have western lovers like me clamoring for more stories to come and waiting for your perfect hero. ~~ My Book Cravings / Sherry

**excerpt**

The cloud of darkness parted in Summer’s mind, opening a small light of awareness. Every muscle in her body screamed in pain, and she clenched her jaw. But protective arms surrounded her, and the swaying motion let her know she was on a horse, curled against a firm body. The man’s musky scent enveloped her. Comforted her.

As the fog lifted, she shifted closer, her hand resting on a solid chest. Gentle fingers stroked down the side of her cheek and she nuzzled closer. A sharp pain shot through her head, throbbing with every beat of her heart.

She groaned and forced her eyes open, squinting against the sun. The full brightness of a Texas autumn afternoon flowed around her. Her head pounded, but she struggled against the soreness and the fog in her brain. Suddenly, her memory came rushing back. The stagecoach, the bandits, and especially the archangel of mercy who had come to her rescue.

The Ranger must be the one holding me. She let her body relax against the contours of his hard muscled body. Not too often did she like being protected and cared for by a strong, virile man, but at the moment she was reluctant to break the spell.

She dared a peek at his face. His deep blue eyes grabbed her attention. Kind eyes. Sunlight glinted off the golden tones of his light brown hair, his thick mustache, and long sideburns. He must have sensed her watching, for his square jaw changed shape and a soft smile bracketed his mouth.

Handsome.

Yes, very handsome. She couldn’t have dreamed a better vision of a hero, and dream it must be because things this good just didn’t happen to Summer Bennett. Safety and security spread over her like a warm blanket and she melted against him, closing her eyes while his long fingers continued their tender exploration. It was the first time in her life she had allowed a man to touch her like that--a soft stroke, a gentle caress--and the first time she had ever really relaxed in a man’s presence.

She sighed. Wonderful.

“How do you feel, Summer?”

The soft baritone voice rumbling in his chest seemed oddly familiar. Summer frowned and took a second peek at his hair, his mustache, that incredible mouth. He gave her a full smile. Awareness tugged at her memory and a large knot formed in the pit of her stomach. When recognition came, it struck like a thick piece of wood right between her eyes and ripped through every nerve in her body like venom from a rattlesnake bite.

She jerked, moving off the comfortable nest she had made of his chest. “Jesse Slade?”

A crafty smile claimed his face. “The one and only, darlin’.”

She widened her eyes. “Darlin’? I’m not now, nor will I ever be your darling, Jesse Slade.” She couldn’t believe her rotten luck. Her temper snapped, and she fought to move from his grasp. She batted his hands away. “Get your hands off me.”

“Be still Summer or--”

“Let me go,” she demanded.

“Tarnation, Summer.” His hands moved to her waist. “You’re as slippery as a wet weasel.”

“Quit touching me and put me down.”

Although he held onto her, she managed to slither from the horse.

“Of all the confounded-stupid-female stunts.” He pulled to a halt and dismounted.

The moment her feet touched the ground, dizziness overtook her and she plopped down on her bottom. When Jesse reached for her, she slapped at his hands.

She glanced up at him from her undignified position and clenched her teeth. “You. Of all people, it had to be you.” Holding onto a stirrup, she pulled herself to her feet and gazed into the heavens. “Why Lord? Why me?”

“There’s no need to get your feathers ruffled,” he snipped, looking at the blood oozing from her shoulder wound. “Look what you’ve done. You’re bleedin’ again.”

She glanced at her shoulder. It was worse than she thought, but she’d die before admitting it to him. She was not riding into town perched on Jesse’s lap for everyone to see.

“It’s just a scratch.” She lifted her skirts, grabbed an edge of her petticoat and ripped off a piece. It was bad enough that he had to rescue her, but why in heaven’s name did he have to look so gol-darned handsome? This certainly wasn’t the skinny, ill-tempered Jesse Slade she remembered. Well, the ill-tempered part still fit.

Jesse stood by the horse, arms folded across his chest as he tapped his foot. She brought up the strip of fabric between her free hand and chin and awkwardly fashioned it around her shoulder. Her head pounded worse than ever. She kept on, but the makeshift bandage tore apart. Out the corner of her eye, a self-assured grin stretched across his mouth.

“Oohh.” She stomped her foot, causing another throbbing burst of pain in her head.

“Would you like some help?” Jesse offered with a self-assured grin she’d liked to slap right off his face. She knew the man enjoyed every second of her struggle, but she just couldn’t ask this arrogant no-good for help.

“Course, I’d have to touch you,” he needled.

She tossed him a murderous glare, but he ignored her. She tore off another strip of petticoat and began again, but fared no better.

“Summer, if you’d just use your head for once, you’d admit you need help.”

She scowled and tried to think of another solution, but nothing came to mind. It galled her, but plain and simple, he was right. She couldn’t bandage her shoulder by herself. Letting out a sigh, she nodded.

Jesse took the flimsy strip of fabric and covered the wound while she stood stiff as a board. The enticing scent of cedar and leather emanated from his body and stirred flutters in her stomach. The gentle touch of his hands as he bandaged her shoulder sent warm tingles over her skin. Her chest constricted, making it difficult to breathe. When he stepped away, the feeling disappeared and she wanted to sigh with relief, but she didn’t for fear he’d hear.

He smiled. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

She inhaled deeply and gave him an indignant look. “Maybe not for you.”

“I was just trying to help.”

“After making my life miserable all these years, why do you want to help me now?”

A mocking grin touched his lips. “Well now, I couldn’t just let you bleed to death, could I?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve grown a conscience?” She brushed the dirt off her skirt.

His eyes twinkled. “Actually, I promised Violet I’d find you. When the stagecoach was late, we knew somethin’ was wrong. After all, I had to rescue my future sister-in-law from harm.”

Summer sucked in her breath. Oh! If not for her injured arm, she’d have socked the rotten polecat in the nose. “Well, you’ve found me, so go back and tell my sister I’m fine.”

His smile faded. “You’re not fine.”

“I’m fine enough. Waco isn’t that far. I’ll walk the rest of the way. I’ll not let the whole town think I’ve been rescued by the great Jesse Slade.”

Another wicked smile tugged at his lips. “But I did rescue you, Summer.”

She propped her hands on her hips. “You most certainly did not. You um…you just happened to arrive the exact moment I lost consciousness.”

He sighed and tipped his hat back from his forehead. “Actually, the bullets from my gun dismounted three of the bandits.”

She scowled. “I had things under control. Besides, I’m very capable of walking to town on my own now.” She took several steps forward and dizziness blurred her vision. She swayed, and tilted toward the ground. Two strong arms grabbed her by the waist and pulled her upright.

“You bullheaded little twit. That does it.” He picked her up and carried her to the horse, then let her feet drop to the ground and held her by her uninjured shoulder. “You ain’t walkin’.”

She slapped at his hand. “I’m not going into town with you.”

“You’re as ornery as an old mule.” He paused, his heated gaze boring into hers. She liked neither the look, nor the silence. “You listen to me, Miss Persnickety. I don’t care what you like or don’t like, I’m takin’ you to town.”

“I--don’t--like.” She grinded her teeth with each word.

“To--damn--bad.” He mocked her. “You have two choices. You can get on that horse willin’ly, or I’ll hog-tie you and put you there myself.”

Her mouth dropped open and her mind scrambled frantically for several seconds.

He produced a cocky grin. “Time’s up.”


Paperback –
http://www.amazon.com/Holding-Out-Hero-Phyllis-Campbell/dp/1897261357/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216093710&sr=1-1

Ebook - http://www.champagnebooks.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=84

Mystic Monday

Editing and Voice

I was all set to write about something else today, but an email that I stumbled upon last night made me change my topic.

To say that the email was a surprise was an understatement. Yes, when you are part of an author blog, interview and write reviews for authors that you connect with them. When you contact an author to mention some errors you've found, and that author asks you to be more specific, that's really super cool, but when an author wants your opinion on her next WIP, that's something more. This is a whole new level for me, that an author would respect my opinion enough to seek my advice.

Yep, that was the email I received last night. An author contacted me because she wanted to know what I thought of some new proposed edits for the second book dealing with a specific character. I read the previous book about this character and really liked the book and the character.

What was this author's dilemma?

Well, she has a different editor and she felt that the new edits were awful. However, she wanted to be sure that her feelings weren't biased (at least that's my take on it, or she wouldn't have asked me) and wanted to get an outside opinion.

So, I read an excerpt of her original story and compared it with the edited version of the same section. It was an "author vs. editor" problem.

So, which side did I fall on?

I did take the writer's side in this, but not because I am a writer, but because it was the right side to be on, for the sake of the character.

Let me elaborate: Yes, I've read about this character before, but it had been awhile, so I couldn't remember every little nuance when I started reading. I was glad that the author's original version was first because it helped me to reconnect with the character that I really liked and appreciated. This connection is important because it helped me to make an unbiased decision.

In my opinion, the person who edited the piece isn't necessarily a bad editor, just someone who didn't know the character. The changes to the character's thoughts made it seem like the character was possessed or something. It was a total 180 spin in personality.

But that wasn't all. The personality of the character wasn't the only thing lost, the author's voice was too. That was what was most disturbing to me. The editing that took place wasn't to fix word choices and stuff like that, but it changed the perspective to someone else's or what someone else thought it should be.

It's one thing to contact an author and say, "It would be (have been) really cool if this (had) happened to that character (or set of characters)!" I know, I've done that, but it was usually saying that I would have liked to see the secondary couple in a story have a book of their own. But it's a completely different animal to go to an author and say, "I didn't like what you did, it should have happened this way."

To me, that's what this editor did to this author when they edited the book the way they did. They didn't take the time to get to know the characters, the author's voice or the product in their hands before taking a red pen to it, they just wanted to say what they thought was wrong.

Is there more than one way to say a sentence? Sure, but not from the same person/writer/author. From my experience, people are fairly consistent in how they speak (with or without an accent), talk (eloquently or street slang), act and think. [Yes, I know that speak and talk can be the same category, but I classify it differently because one is something they can't control (dialects, stutter, accents, etc. - for the most part, but anyone who knows their stuff can spot a fake) and ones that they can control (how eloquently they do or don't speak - this can be a conscious choice. The most educated person can still use poor English when alone or with closest friends).] So, a character isn't going to change much from one book to the next, especially when there hasn't been that much time elapsing.

In the technical editing courses I took, the first thing we learn is the importance of editing a piece without altering the author's voice because when all is said and done, the document needs to reflect the author's voice and not the editor, unless of course you are contracted to "ghost write," compose, or completely revamp the document. My philosophy as an editor is to make sure things are working, that the words are flowing, and that they are the correct words for the situation. However, if I find mistakes, I don't change them, I suggest and offer explanations for my suggestions. If something sounds awkward or doesn't quite roll off the tongue when reading, I mention that too and offer suggestions, but I do not rewrite. That's for the author to do.

Now that you know my theories, what are yours?

Have you had a similar situation with an editor? What happened? How was the situation resolved?

SUPERNATURAL SUNDAY

Love Can Be Murder

When I started my publishing journey, I had the good luck to meet Sierra Wolfe online. We’ve ridden the tidal wave and excitement of both of us being published, we blog together at Wicked, Thorn and Roses and we don’t talk nearly enough. So, I’m excited to have Sierra Wolfe join us today because it’s kind of like having family join us! And I hope you love her as much as I do! So, without further ado, we'll get to her interview...

~~~~~

GRACEN: Do you make resolutions for the New Year? Why or why not? If so, please share one or more of them with us!

SIERRA: I do, but I rarely keep them. They’re usually the same one’s year after year…lose weight, write more, etc, etc. Anyway, I’ve made a few this year, too. Now, sticking to them will be the real resolution!

GRACEN: Now that the busy holiday time is over, what do you do to recharge?

SIERRA: I wish I knew. I’m still running at full force. The holidays were actually the least of my worries this year. They came and went without much fanfare. Right now, sleep would be the one thing I’d give anything for. Lots and lots of it!

GRACEN: Do you have any holiday memories from 2009 that you would like to share with us?

SIERRA: Not really. The holidays were nice, but not really anything special this year. Pretty much felt like just another day. I had high hopes for them, too. Maybe I’m just getting too old. Nahhhh.

GRACEN: What area of the country/world are you from? What are the average temperatures where you are? What type of clothing would most residents be wearing today? What tips do you have for people to “survive” the weather where you are?

SIERRA: I’m from the Midwest. Missouri to be exact. I have no idea about average temperatures, but it’s hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Lots of humidity that just makes it worse. It’s been really cold lately. Last week we got down to 1* F.

GRACEN: Do you have any favorite outside hobbies? Can you perform any of these hobbies right now? If not, why not, and is weather a factor?

SIERRA: I love the outdoors! Camping, swimming, fishing. Definitely not right now, way too cold. I wouldn’t mind making an ice skating rink in my backyard though. That would be fun!

GRACEN: Do you prefer your hot tub inside the house or outside the house? Why?

SIERRA: Probably inside, so I could use it year round. But, I wouldn’t mind trying it outside in the cold winter air just once.

GRACEN: If you could be any character/creature, who/what would it be and why?

SIERRA: Definitely a vampire. I think I could be one of them easily enough. My daughter used to joke that she thought I was one. Up all night and sleep all day, aversion to bright sunlight, that’s me. I don’t actually dislike the sun, it just gives me migraines, so I try to avoid it when it’s too bright.

GRACEN: Now, that we’ve gotten to know Sierra a little better, let’s get to her writing. Why the paranormal romance genre? What was the draw for you?

SIERRA: I love the paranormal. It fascinates me. Give me a vampire or ghost story anytime, and I’ll be hooked. They always say “write what you love,” so that’s what I do. Funny thing is, I also write romantic suspense. Although, I do enjoy reading it, it’s not what I set out to write. It always manages to make its way into my story though.

GRACEN: If you could describe your writing with a word or phrase, what would it be? Please look beyond words like hot, sexy, etc., and delve into the core of your writing to tell us what word or phrase you want readers to take with them when they've finished reading your story.

SIERRA: Wow! That’s a tough question!

GRACEN: Haha! We didn’t say this interview would be easy. *big grin*

SIERRA: I’d have to say that my stories are about normal people facing difficult situations. I hope that when readers finish my stories, they have really enjoyed the characters and are happy with how they end up. That’s the best thing I could give them.

GRACEN: Do the holidays disrupt your writing schedule? If so, how tough is it to get yourself back in writing mode and what have you found that seems to help?

SIERRA: Haha. Everything disrupts my writing schedule. Life does get in the way. No matter how hard you try, you can’t set life aside until your story is finished. It is very hard to get back into writing once you’ve let it sit for a while. I actually did that last year, and now I’m kicking myself for taking too long.

GRACEN: Do you prefer hot chocolate with marshmallows or a hot toddy? Does that show through in your writing? If so, how?

SIERRA: Hmmm, I don’t think I’ve ever had a hot toddy. I guess I’d have to go with hot chocolate with marshmallows.

GRACEN: Who decides what characters/creatures you write about, you or your muse? What kind of influence do you have over your story, or is the muse always the one pouring the soap in the Jacuzzi?

SIERRA: I’m not sure I know how to answer that. Sometimes, I think it’s me, other times, I think it’s the muse. Maybe a little bit of both. I think I have a lot of influence over the story. Too much at times. I wish my muse would kick in more often and be a little more cooperative. *Dangles chocolate*

GRACEN: What creature/character did you have the most fun creating and why?

SIERRA: I think it would be Abbie, the ghost in my book, Love Can Be Murder. I had a lot of fun with her, because together, we got to be ornery. We got to trash a house and irritate a sexy vampire. It was definitely a blast!

GRACEN: If you had the opportunity to meet just one of your characters in real life, who would it be and why? Which of your characters would you never want to meet under any circumstance and why?

SIERRA: I don’t know. I feel like I know them all. I’d want to meet all my heroes/heroines. I definitely wouldn’t want to meet Roy, the villain in one of my stories that I haven’t finished yet. He’s a psychopath and proud of it!

Buy Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/love-can-be-murder-p-3621.html?zenid=e27b57d3e6939e65c25a04f6bfacbf88

LOVE CAN BE MURDER BLURB:

Alexander Forsytheʼs house is haunted. One wouldn’t think a hundred and three year old vampire would let a little ghost bother him, but this particular house guest has outstayed her welcome.

Alex detests witchcraft, but after discovering his ghost, Abbie, is the ancestor of the local witch, Willow Cowan, his choices are limited. Alex calls on Willow to help evict his ghostly tenant, but he begins to wonder if the sexy spell-caster might be more trouble than the ghost.

Willow thinks Alex needs her magical abilities to remove the spirit from his house. What she doesnʼt realize is that his specter is her long lost ancestor. Sheʼs not sure she wants to help the gorgeous vampire in his ghost hunt, until she sees a long lost family heirloom on display in Alexʼs house.

Alex is adamant that the necklace belongs to him.. Itʼs been in his family since it was created for the wife of a distant ancestor. The necklace had been given to every wife of the first born son. Heʼs reluctant to give away his precious heirloom to a witch.

Can they learn to work together and get past their differences? Or will Abbie be the one obstacle they can’t remove?

LOVE CAN BE MURDER EXCERPT:

The specter glared at him. Her eyes glowed red, the only color visible in her translucent form. She used her full force to throw a picture at him. The frame whooshed past his head as he ducked, barely dodging her violent attack.

“Damn it, woman! Stop trashing my house.” Alex raised his fist in the air. Her mania had finally crossed the line, and he was fed up.

“Your house?” Her head flew back and her cackle vibrated the air. Madness echoed through the room. “What makes you think this is your house?”

Alex growled. Anger drew his fangs to the surface. They threatened to break through his gums, while he struggled to force them back. “The damn deed, that’s what. It’s got my name on it.”

“Papers?” she screeched. “As if I give a damn about some stupid papers. Don’t forget, you don’t own this house, boy. I do! I’ve lived here longer, and I’m not going anywhere.” Crossing her arms over her chest, she dared him to disagree.

Buy Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/love-can-be-murder-p-3621.html?zenid=e27b57d3e6939e65c25a04f6bfacbf88

Sierra's website: http://www.sierrawolfe.com

Starlight Saturday

Weekly Book Review

PHANTASM FRIDAY

BETTY ANN HARRIS' SPECIAL AGENT SERIES

Instead of getting me today, I'm bringing to you a special guest blogger instead. So, please welcome Betty Ann Harris and her Special Agent Series!

~~~~~~

I'm romance author, Betty Ann Harris, and I write the Special Agent Series of books for Red Rose Publishing. If you're not familiar with the series, here's the rundown. My FBI special agents, from the cool California, blue-eyed and deeply sensitive Tom Owens from the first book, Eureka Point, to the sexy James Kelly, from the newly released The Darkhorse Conspiracy, are all at the top of their game and are the types of agents I'd want protecting me.

Second, came the ruggedly handsome and deeply romantic Stephen O'Leary, from My Very Special Agent, and if you read the book, you'll find out just what makes him so special (wink). Set for release early next year is the fourth book in the series, titled Agent of Mercy, and you'll get to meet undercover agent Sam Blake, whose sympathy for the woman he is supposed to bring down may just get him murdered in the process.

All the books in this series are guaranteed to give you your fill of romance and suspense. You'll be sitting on the edge of your seat as you read on to find out what danger lurks around each corner and what twists and turns are in store for the beautiful women these agents are assigned to protect.

The Special Agent Series books are available at Red Rose Publishing at this link:

http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/index.php?manufacturers_id=68

See the video trailers!

Eureka Point: http://www.photoshow.com/watch/Zi2Hf6bd

My Very Special Agent: http://www.photoshow/.com/watch/Mx9nu4ND

The Darkhorse Conspiracy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou_cXVuXQ0s

MY VERY SPECIAL AGENT
The Special Agent Series: Book 2
Betty Ann Harris

Erotic Romance: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-60435-069-2
Cover Artist: Rae Monet Designs, Inc.
Editor: Rachael D. Thompson
Word Count: 13,790
Release Date: April 10, 2008

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing http://www.redrosepublishing.com/
Buy Link: http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?cPath=76_86&products_id=140

EXCERPT:

The first light of morning gently woke me from the warm comfort of slumber. Maggie was there beside me, still asleep. She was beautiful. I wondered if I was dreaming. All the years I had spent alone, waiting for her, and now she was here, and she loved me. I loved her beyond words.

I slowly got up, not wanting to wake her, and pulled on my jeans and shirt. I went outside and stood on the front porch, admiring the magnificence of the sunrise. It was going to be another beautiful day. I had just turned to go back inside when a shot rang out through the thin morning air and a bullet tore through a log at the corner of the front of the cabin. I flew in the doorway, slammed the door, and locked it.

Maggie sat up with terror in her eyes. "Oh my God, no, no. It's him, I know it's him."

"Maggie, go upstairs now and lock your door!"

"Not without you. We can call the police from the bedroom."

"Maggie, I know what I’m doing. You go up and lock the door. I have to radio headquarters, and they'll alert the local authorities. I'll be up in two minutes, I promise. Now go! Now!"

Finally she ran up the stairs. After I radioed headquarters, I grabbed my gun and ran upstairs. I only knocked once before the door flew open and a frightened Maggie flew into my arms. I pushed her back into the room and slammed the door, locking it.

I crouched down below the front window and slowly rose to peer outside. An orange form caught my eye. A man in an orange hunting suit was walking towards the cabin.

He stopped about fifteen feet in front of the porch and yelled, "I'm really sorry, man. It was an accident."

Cautiously, I opened the window and yelled down to him. "What the hell are you doing shooting so close to the house? This is a restricted area and I'm a federal agent. I don't want to see you around here again. You could have killed me!"

"My rifle misfired, buddy. I'm really sorry. You won't see me again." And he walked off down the hill and was gone.

"It's okay now, Maggie. It was just a hunter. I radioed the agency. I think I'll let the sheriff show up and give him a statement about the hunter, just to be on the safe side." I looked up to see Maggie cowering in the corner. I quickly went to her, pulled her close, and held her in my arms

Make sure you see the awesome video trailer for this dark and tintilating thiller! Here's the link: My Very Special Agent: http://www.blazingtrailers.com/show.php?title=212

Twilight Thursday

Welcome Author

Tierney O'Malley!!!

Author Tierney O'Malley returns to promote her new release, Wicked Persuasion!

I have to admit, that this is one I wasn't expecting! I started it last night because I figured it was only 219 pages and the way Tierney writes, it will flow easily and it will be a quick read. Well it turned out to be anything but!

Okay, it does read fluidly, but maybe a bit too fluidly! It was so hot that I had to put it down to get some sleep or face driving my blood pressure through the roof! I picked it up again early this morning and before I knew it, my husband was leaving for work and I'm still only half way through the book.

This is not a bad thing, I promise you. Let me explain:

Anyone living in Wisconsin can tell you that we're finally getting what we like to call a "heat wave" up here. It's finally getting above freezing and is supposed to stay that way for the next couple of days. Well, after reading the first half of Wicked Persuasion, I'm convinced that the warm front came through because Tierney sent me this book!

I thought Wicked Night Before Christmas was hot steamy, but nothing could have prepared me for what was in these pages nor the heat that is Todd Fox! Only halfway through with this book and I can guarantee you that it will cause heat to roll off of you in waves hot enough to melt snow and see green grass again! I'll never be able to look at champagne bottles without thinking about Todd Fox!

This book is steamy from the beginning, but the way Tierney writes her scenes, you can always tell when passion is involved and when it's not. The opening scene maybe a tawdry scene of sex and lust between Tood Fox and Sunshine, but it doesn't have anywhere near the heat that the scene in The Chocolate Room has!

It's a good thing it wasn't called The Champagne Room or I would have had to call Tierney on it because as you may know from the Chris Rock song, there's No Sex in the Champagne Room....

This is an erotic romance filled with intrigue, mystery and danger. From the beginning, you wonder who might want this upcoming jewelry designer (Diana) dead and why. Just who did she piss off enough to want to shoot out the windows of her store, try to run her over and leave snakes in her store? Is it business or personal?

Now, can one assume it's Todd's jealous lover/paid escort (Sunshine) behind the dangerous shenanigans or is it something more devious and sinister than that?

Is it her lover/fiance's (Dale) tactics to convince her to leave Seattle and move to North Carolina?

Or, is someone in her business that doesn't want her competition?

Half-way through the book, and I still don't really know for sure, but the conspiracy theorist in me wants to think that Diana and Todd are just pawns in a web of lies and deceit cooked up between Sunshine and Dale. Like I said, I'm sort of a conspiracy theorist at heart (I love Bones' Dr. Jack Hodgins - played by T.J. Thyne)!

I'm looking forward to finishing this book and plan on doing just that, but I thought I would take some time out and post my interview with Tierney! But before we get to that, let me give you a little more background about this book. It's the third in Tierney's "Wicked" series. It started with Piper and Cooper's story in To Trust a Wicked Man, continued with Madeline and Wolf's story in Wicked Proposal and culminates with Diana and Fox's story in Wicked Persuasion.

What makes these so likable, is that they are as equally romantic as they are steamy, and from what I've seen in Wicked Night Before Christmas (not related from what I can tell...), Tierney has a penchant for danger too!

What hero can resist a damsel in distress? Certainly not Todd Fox, especially when that damsel is Diana! This is just another well-constructed tale with a complex plot and deep characters and a steamy treat to boot!

Now, let's get to the interview:

ME: Do you make resolutions for the New Year? Why or why not? If so, please share one or more of them with us!

TIERNEY: You know what? I don’t remember ever trying to make a New Year’s resolution. I guess because deep down I know I’m not going to follow through on it. Hahaha. This year though, I’ve been thinking about drinking only one cup of coffee a day. So that could be my resolution for this year.

ME: Now that the busy holiday time is over, what do you do to recharge?

TIERNEY: My husband is the right person to answer this. He did all the shopping and cooking for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. JI did most of my shopping online. So, I can safely say that I’ve had an easy time this year. Okay, we watched movies and enjoyed our Chai tea to recharge. J

ME: What area of the country/world are you from? What are the average temperatures where you are? What type of clothing would most residents be wearing today? What tips do you have for people to “survive” the weather where you are?

TIERNEY: I live in the Pacific Northwest. I’m guessing 52 degrees is the average temperature. Most people wear their hoodies or sweatshirts. Anything to keep them warm or dry.

Wintertime in Seattle is brutal. It rains a lot and stays gloomy outside. So depressing. You just don’t want to leave. To “survive”, I say join different classes like dancing, art, pottery or indoor tennis. There are recreation centers around. Join one and stay inside. You’ll definitely forget about the rain. At least for a while.

I’ve heard of Light Therapy. This light box emits a type of light. Kind of like seeing the sun, I guess. Never tried it. J Okay, what else. Volunteer at a shelter or library. Take time to help out and meet people. Good to beat depression during the rainy winter days. Oh, yeah. Go for a walk. My husband often goes for a walk. Perhaps that’s why he’s always happy. When you walk, you release endorphins, hormones that make one happy. (Google this one. I could be wrong.) So go for a walk. Not only will you can keep the winter blues away but also shed those extra holiday pounds.

ME: Do you have any favorite outside hobbies? Can you perform any of these hobbies right now? If not, why not, and is weather a factor?

TIERNEY: We love to play tennis. Right now though, with the rain and cold weather, we can’t do this as much as we want to. Tennis courts are wet and the cold Pacific Northwest winds will turn you into a popcicle.

ME: Do you prefer your hot tub inside the house or outside the house? Why?

TIERNEY: Hot tub inside the house. First, because it’s newer with powerful jets and I could lock the bathroom door so I could read while bathing for hours. J We are talking about two hours—tops. No kidding. No outside hot tub for me. Last time I checked the tub, slugs were bathing in there.

ME: If you could be any character/creature, who/what would it be and why?

TIERNEY: Larry David of Curb Your Enthusiasm. As Larry, I can be misanthropic. I can say whatever I want, express my belief, question the social ethics and, well, say things without worrying that I’m crossing what the society deemed unacceptable. If I’m Larry David and I said something that defies social convention, well, I can say, “I had a Larry David Moment.” I’m the opposite of David. I am the kind who would rather stand behind a potted plant and not attract people’s attention. So if I can play David’s character, I’ll experience what it’s like to cause trouble. : )

Now, let’s get to your writing:

ME: Why the erotic romance/erotica genre? What was the draw for you?

TIERNEY: Aside from erotic romance books fill the shelves of local supermarket, department store, libraries, and bookstores? I love writing the strong emotion, passion, romance between the hero and heroine. Erotic romance is a love story with the sexual part explicitly expressed and exemplified. I enjoyed writing the physical intimacy, what fueled the characters desires. I just love writing erotic romance.

ME: If you could describe your writing with a word or phrase, what would it be? Please look beyond words like hot, sexy, etc., and delve into the core of your writing to tell us what word or phrase you want readers to take with them when they've finished reading your story.

TIERNEY: I want the readers to recognize my writing as deep with physical and emotional intimacy.

ME: Do the holidays disrupt your writing schedule? If so, how tough is it to get yourself back in writing mode and what have you found that seems to help?

TIERNEY: Nah. The holidays can’t disrupt my writing anymore than my children’s busy schedule. I don’t have a specific schedule. I write whenever I find the time and chance.

ME: Do you prefer hot chocolate with marshmallows or a hot toddy? Does that show through in your writing? If so, how?

TIERNEY: None of the above. Now, if you mention coffee. The answer is yes it does show through my writing. Many times, I mentioned starbucks and one of the characters making coffee.

ME: Who decides what characters/creatures you write about, you or your muse? What kind of influence do you have over your story, or is the muse always the one pouring the soap in the Jacuzzi?

TIERNEY: I make all the decisions. My muse, (do I even have one? LOL) is just an inspiration, a strong wind to keep me awake and continue writing. Other than that, I make the call whether I use Calgon on my Jacuzzi or Heavenly Bath.

ME: What creature/character did you have the most fun creating and why?

TIERNEY: All of them. When I am working on a particular project, most of the time, I am having fun and loving it. If you’re having fun then your characters are alive, the setting real, the conflict heart and nail biting. It would be difficult to finish a project if you’re not enjoying it.

ME: If you had the opportunity to meet just one of your characters in real life, who would it be and why? Which of your characters would you never want to meet under any circumstance and why?

TIERNEY: Okay, I’ll have a drawing for this one. Let me see. Bors Knight. He’s funny, sexy, respects women, loves Jim Morrison, and willing to sacrifice everything including his principle for the sake of his love interest—Taylor. He’s the character in my book 2 of Knight Brothers Series titled Irresistible Knight. Book 1 is Wicked Knight coming soon January 28. J LOL subtle promo. Thanks for having me, ladies. Jacuzzi January. Man, that could be a book title.

BLURB: Wicked Persuasion

For successful businesswoman, Diana O’Connor, it was love at first sight the moment she met Todd at the age of seventeen. She didn’t waste time expressing her love through letters. But after a year of no response from him, she accepted the shattering truth that her brother’s best friend, Todd Fox, will never see as her more than an annoying brat. She moved on and loved another.

Years later and unexpectedly, Todd expressed his love and asked for her hand in marriage. When she refused to believe him, he tried all the wicked ways to make her accept his love. Including the most explicit sexual intimacy imaginable, which fueled her desire and swept her away.

Top-notch engineer, Todd William Fox, never intended to hurt Diana’s feelings by ignoring her letters. She was young and off-limits. Now, after years of watching her turn into a beautiful headstrong woman, he lost his heart to her. When Diana’s brother gave him the go signal to pursue her, he sets out on persuading Diana into his arms and into his bed. But will the chatterbox Diana give her heart the way she yielded her body to him—wholeheartedly?

Adieu readers as I go to finish Wicked Persuasion, a wickedly steamy treat!