Tantalizing Tuesday

Today, I have a special guest for you! When I heard about her story coming out, I just had to track her down! The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson a novel creation by Jerome Charyn offers an intimate glance into Emily’s life. Yes, that’s right, Emily Dickinson is here with us today and let me say that it was not easy tracking her down!

She’s been one of my most difficult people to match! Believe me, I was just as surprised as anyone when her match turned out to be her dog! *winking right eye*

Cupid: Emily! Thank you so much for joining us today! Please, have a seat on our lovely couch!

EMILY: I am trying new things every day, ever since Jerome Charyn wrote my story and led thousands of friends to find me on this thing they call Facebook. I will try to answer your queries and answer as a twenty-first century maiden. Please forgive me should I falter – this is a new endeavor.

And I forgive you, dear Cupid, that you faltered in piercing my heart with your arrow of love. Without your failure, had I instead been brided, I may not have had the time – or need – to set to paper the bolts of lightening in my brain. I once wrote a phrase in error, it is my words more than my friends that are my estate.

Cupid: Just looking at the chapter names was quite intriguing! For me, the one that stuck out the most was, “The Vampyre of Cambridgeport.” It sounded so interesting that I daresay I had to read it first! I thought it would be about some hunky man I wasn’t privy to, but alas, it wasn’t. It’s here we learn more about your eyesight problems. You said that your eye problems gave you terrible headaches? Do you still believe the problem had to do with the light reflecting off of the snow? As so many writers these days, as well as one of our own authors, suffer from migraines regularly, please shed a little light on this and tell us what you were able to blame for causing them.

EMILY: My eyes, my eyes. What a terrible joy and a terrible burden my senses were to me. I was free of them only in my imagination. And so I wrote, “To shut our eyes is travel.” When my physical eyes failed me, I was fortunate to find a doctor with modern methods to heal. In your time there are many, but we had only Dr. Henry Williams and he was in Cambridge. So travel I must – I do not travel well. The travel brought some joy, as it meant I was tended to by my favorite cousins, Fanny and Lou. The sights of the city, when I was allowed them, were wondrous. But there were so many people, I felt I may disappear.

Cupid: One phrase that stuck out from my reading of this chapter was, “Lord help Mr. William Shakespeare for the tyranny of Sue’s pencil.” What tyranny was Sue performing with her pencil? Can you give us some specifics, please?

EMILY: I am blessed with two sisters. Lavinia is sister of my flesh, but Susan is my sister of the heart. Our bond is strong, but malleable, and Susan is a force to reckon with. I called her a Volcano, though I’ve never seen one. Sister Sue could tame nature, with her gardens and her words, but nature could not tame her for long. She will explode when wronged, then Heaven help us all – even Mr Shakespeare should have hid from her wrath.

Cupid: You mentioned that you risked your eyesight writing to Sue. Why did you feel that connection so important that you’d risk your own vision for it?

EMILY: Susan lives but a hedge away, and yet we wrote each other daily at times. I shared my scribblings with her as with no one else. How can I explain why I needed to open my mind to her? Perhaps, had I married, I would have this bond with a husband - but no, these are the bonds of women. Dear Cupid, no Valentine was as sweet as our shared secrets, and no one on earth, in my lifetime, understood my poems, except Sue.

Cupid: Was Sue the only one you wrote letters to? If not, who else would you write letters to? Do we find these letters in your book?

EMILY: My author, Jerome Charyn, tells me he discovered in my letters – the chaotic bits and pieces that remain – that I was writing my own kind of “novel.” It thrills me to think I could be a novelist, like the Bröntes whom I so admire.

When my Facebook friends woke me in this new century, I learned about the spider’s web, the net of “inter,” connecting one to all. Whenever I venture out of the safety of my book, I see people speaking on phones as smart as they. But near me were none but my few friends and family members, and Carlo, who was also my brother, so letters are my conversation, my ‘texting’ and my telephone.

Some of my letters have been saved, collected or reconstructed. This was a surprise to me, because I expected Vinnie had burned them as was customary, and as I had requested of her. Our world contained no machines that keep words “on the line” forever. Personal thoughts were shared privately and not intended for others.

But in modern times, letters are so rare and precious they are often saved.

A man named Thomas H. Johnson collected my letters and took great pains to annotate them. You can purchase these, I think, with a card that magically holds your dollar bills and coins.

I was pleased to see that Harvard, where my brother Austin went to law school, is still a premier institute of higher education. It is Harvard that holds and preserves my letters for all with an interest to read.

My author, Jerome Charyn, tells me it was in my letters that he found my voice.

Cupid: I’m so curious about this kangaroo business. Why on earth do you consider yourself a kangaroo?

EMILY: Whenever I saw myself as a boxer, I became the Kangaroo, and like a Kangaroo I kicked whoever I could and boxed the ears of friend and foe with my front paws.

Cupid: Your friend Zilpah sounds like quite the vixen. Please, tell us more about her!

EMILY: Zilpah is my “ghost”, my double; she moves me in a way that none of the other characters can. Zilpah is wild, Zilpah is cunning, but her intellect harms not helps her – because she was born on the wrong side of the track, her promise cannot be fulfilled in the nineteenth century. Had she come with me into the future, she would be a famous rebel, with many followers.

Cupid: As this is the month of love, please, do tell us about the loves of your life, other than your dog, Carlo. Who were they and how/where did you meet them?

EMILY: A lady cannot kiss then tell. My “master letters” were found and saved, but who they were written for, I will not reveal. It is all there in the letters. There are mysteries in life and mysteries in a life – this is mine.

Cupid: Thank you so much for joining us Emily! It’s been fabulous talking to you!

EMILY: Ah, in my time “fabulous” was something fabled and not quite true. I always tell the truth – I tell it Slant.

Cupid: Now, I’m going to do something I said I was bored with – interview an author! How could I not? This man seems smitten with our Emily! Jerome! Thank you so much for joining us today!

JEROME: Emily is a hard act to follow.

Cupid: How old would you say you were when you first fell in love with Emily?

JEROME: I first discovered her as a bumbling boy at junior high school. I’d never read a poet before, didn’t even know what a poet was. And there was Emily, talking about the defeated, the dying, and “Pain” with a capital P. I felt both of us were on fire.

Cupid: Was it love at first read or would you say it developed over time?

JEROME: Emily Dickinson has haunted my life – her poems her persona, all the tales about her solitude. Ever since I discovered her in the seventh grade, I’ve had a crush on that spinster in white, who had such a heroic and startling inner landscape of her own.

Cupid: What first attracted you to her? Was it a simple quote of hers, or was it something more?

JEROME: She had her own strength, without the least bit of bluster. She also had her own alchemy – words came together in ways I had never seen before. Suddenly language wasn’t a utensil, and could be used without any purpose other than to wound or amaze. Where did she get such fury?

Cupid: Sorry, about the twenty questions here, but I find you and your relationship with Emily so fascinating! Many readers find themselves moved by an author’s work to buy every book they write, to meet them if possible and even to learn as much about them as possible. What prompted you to write such an intimate story about Emily?

JEROME: Don’t we all have secret lives? And isn’t that one of the novelist’s quests, to reveal the secret lives of his characters? But after reading her letters, I discovered such with, such naughtiness, and such a sense of imagination that I felt I was dealing with a Scheherazade rather that the meekest of spinsters.

Cupid: Now, about those letters from Emily. Can anyone read them, or are they currently part of someone’s private collection? Have they ever been printed in a book? If so, please give those of us not familiar with Emily the title. I ask because there are those of us who do prefer the print medium to a computer for items like this.

JEROME: I would recommend you start with Thomas Johnson’s Emily Dickinson: Selected Letters. Johnson compressed more than one thousand of her letters into this book and explaining the context in which Emily wrote them.

Cupid: How has your family dealt with your obsession with Emily? Has it always been accepted, or have there been times where it has caused problems in your own life? How have you dealt with them?

JEROME: I grew up in the wilds of South Bronx, where the library was a haven. Like so many things children keep from their parents, I did not share Emily. At home I spent much time sketching. My world expanded when I crossed the bridge into Manhattan to attend the High School of Music and Art High School, majoring in painting.

Cupid: How much research did you have to do to write this book?

JEROME: I read her poems and letters, of course. And I studied biographies like Brenda Wineapple’s White Heat: The Friendship of Emily Dickinson and Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Richard Sewall’s The Life of Emily Dickinson and Polly Longsworth’s books, including The World of Emily Dickinson, with its wealth of illustrations.

The Emily Dickinson Museum granted me a private tour through the Homestead, and allowed me to stand quietly in Emily Dickinson’s room, to look out her western window to The Evergreens of Austin and Sister Sue, and find that "Slant of light."

Cupid: Would you call this creative non-fiction, or does it fall into the realm of fiction? How hard is it to weave fact and fiction together?

JEROME: Fiction often has a greater truth than most historical texts. I think of Napoleon, and I read War and Peace to get a sense of that particular time. Novelists see history as a story. We're not burdened by "inaccuracies."

Cupid: With all research, you must have turned up lots of facts. How do you decide which facts to use, and which ones not to? Did you try to get in as much fact as possible? Can you please give us some of the facts you opted not to use while writing this book?

JEROME: I followed the line of Emily’s life wherever I could, but I also took liberties within that line. I decided to start the novel at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, even though many scholars and critics of her work do not feel that the time she spent there — seven or eight months in 1848 and 1849 — was particularly important to her. I disagree. Even though she rarely mentioned Mount Holyoke in her later letters, and was homesick from the minute she arrived to the minute she left, I still feel that the seminary shaped her in several subterranean ways. It gave her a sense of the Devil, and allowed Emily to hurl off the straitjacket of established religion.

Cupid: I could ask you questions all day! But, I think that will have to be it for now! Thank you so much for joining us today!

JEROME: Always happy to speak with readers who love Emily Dickinson.

To learn more about her author, Jerome Charyn, visit
his website: www.JeromeCharyn.com
To join the Facebook society inspired by this novel
visit: www.facebook.com/SecretLifeOfEmilyDickinson

Mystic Monday

I fought Cupid for control over today. Of course, he was an easy win since he's "a lover, not a fighter"!

Sorry everyone, but I couldn't go the month without stating my appreciation for the Green Bay Packers for winning the Super Bowl! Today marks the beginning of Mardi Gras here in WI!!

The Lombardi trophy is brought back home, to Green Bay, WI!

We're all doing the happy dance and will continue to do the happy dance for who knows how long. There were many a Super Bowl party, and as I'm sure, many will be nursing a hangover, much as I'm expecting to do.

I'll admit, I'm not a consumer of hard liquor - craft beer, yes, hard liquor, no - but at the end of the game, I found myself breaking down and having a jello shot. It would have been fine if I would have stopped there, but I just couldn't. It was the first time I've had alcohol paired with a Packer Super Bowl win, so I found myself a little too accepting of those "apple pie" shots, lol!

It helped that my wonderful dh stayed sober and drove us both home safely. I was in no shape to drive. As it was really my first foray into the land of liquor, I managed to not get too drunk. In fact, thanks to Burger King on 13th and Rawson for staying open (when the Wendy's and McDonald's in the area were closed) and supplying me with much needed food, especially a malt which was hard to suck out of the straw. You know you're sober, or really talented, if you can drink one of those right out of the gate. Me, I had to let it sit a bit (while I ate my chicken sandwich and fries) before I was able to really draw anything through the straw.

Okay, I know I'm going to pay for it in the morning, but I really don't care because the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl!!!!! First time in over ten years! I would have some other images, but I honestly couldn't find some current ones. I have a feeling that no one will be posting for a bit, lol!

Here are some songs to help with the celebration:

I'd play another one, but I think this one says it all!!!

Thanks to all of our readers who've put up with my need to brag and still return! We love all of our readers!!!!

SUPERNATURAL SUNDAY

A CUPID INTERVIEW

My guests today are, Prince Edward Alcuin and Ash Kensington – please, have a seat on our lovely couch! – from Terra Illumina. Their tale can be found in Fallenwood, a novel creation by Leslie Soule.

Before we begin, I must remind everyone to please try and keep your responses to a PG13 atmosphere – the Moonlight Mistresses rules, not mine *eye roll*. Double entendres are acceptable and widely encouraged for events and phrases we don’t want our young readers to really know about. Oooh, it will be so much fun trying to guess what you’re really saying!

*Settling comfortably onto the sofa, draping his arm over the back and sipping his bubbly* That Miss Havana in Reaper’s Domain is one hot teacher and boy would I love to get into her…class! I might actually learn something…oh…did I say that out loud? *Clears throat* Sorry. Let’s get back to the interview.

You two make one fine pair! I did a wonderful job pairing you two up if I do say so myself! Then, I just love all of my matches!

Cupid: Please, Prince Edward, tell our readers how you two first met. Was it by your design, or hers?

Prince Edward: It was her design, actually. I was a prisoner once and now it is my heart that has been captured.

Cupid: Ash, would you say it was love at first sight or did you find him repulsive?

Ash: It was definitely love at first sight. I can’t explain it really. I saw him and I…knew we were meant to be together.

Cupid: This one’s for both of you. Since chaotic happenstance tends to put characters like yourselves in situations where they must work together or live together for one reason or another, tell us what chaotic happenstance “forced” the two of you to work or live together. How did you feel about this?

Ash: Well, my friends thought that if we busted him out, he would stop the war that was coming. I was part of the breakout plan. So we all stuck together, like a team.

Prince Edward: Yeah, she and her friends kidnapped me and then demanded that I save the world…

Ash: *rolls eyes*

Cupid: This one is also for both of you. How long did it take you to know your true feelings for the other? At what point did you know, “this is the one”?

Ash: I knew instantly – as soon as I saw him. But I knew he was in love with someone else…

Prince Edward: I…I had my doubts. I was in love with…an idea, really. But once I realized Ash was the one for me, I knew what had to be done.

Cupid: Prince Edward, what would you say was your biggest obstacle to overcome before you could settle into a relationship with Ash?

Prince Edward: Well, I think the biggest obstacle was me. Until I met Ash, I never really knew what I wanted.

Cupid: This is for either of you. Would you like to thank anyone – other than me, of course – for getting you two together?

Ash: Umm…Will. He created the breakout plan.

Prince Edward: Actually, it was Terces’ idea.

Cupid: I know our readers have enjoyed learning about you two so far, but I’m getting a little bored, so I’m going to heat things up. Ash, how would you end this sentence, "I wish Prince Edward would _____?" *leans forward to eagerly hear your response*

Ash: Call me his “brave warrior” again and kiss me.

Cupid: Hmm…weird, but okay. Prince Edward, would you prefer to give Ash a bubble bath or a back massage? Why?

Prince Edward: *blushes* Well, bubble baths are not really my thing, so I would have to say a back massage.

Cupid: How many of you remember that old show, The Newlywed Game? Well, these next questions are going to help us play a similar game. Prince Edward, what would Ash say is your aphrodisiac? *waggles eyebrows*

Prince Edward: I think she would say my aphrodisiac is this drink called rakeih – pronounced “raka” – it’s like a frothy, hot berry drink.

Cupid: Ash, is he right? How would you have answered that question?

Ash: *smiles* Wrong, he’s my aphrodisiac.

Prince Edward: *smirks*

Cupid: *crosses ankles and rubs his chin* Prince Edward, what would Ash say is a spot guaranteed to drive you crazy with passion? Is she correct in that assumption?

Prince Edward: Well…she knows.

Cupid: Ash, as far as you know, what is Prince Edward’s idea of a perfect date?

Ash: I think he likes things a little calmer than I do. I think he’d like it if we just had some tea and then went for a walk in the castle gardens or something.

Cupid: Prince Edward, is she correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Prince Edward: *smirks* I’m not as mellow as she thinks. I like adventure as much as she does.

Cupid: Prince Edward, your turn in the hot seat. What is Ash’s idea of a perfect date?

Prince Edward: Well, first I think she would start with a sword duel and then we would ride horses together – but just riding would be too boring for her. We would have to be in pursuit of something or going to save someone, or it wouldn’t quite be her idea of a perfect date.

Cupid: Ash, is he correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Ash: *blushes* Yeah, that’s…pretty accurate.

Cupid: The next two questions are for both of you. What's the most romantic thing your lover has ever done for you?

Ash: He came back for me.

Prince Edward: She saved my life and gave me hope.

Cupid: If you could change one thing about your relationship, what would it be?

Ash: I think it would help if we both communicate more. We’re both a bit shy.

Prince Edward: Well, I’m a bit shy, really. Ash – I mean, she’s ready to get out there and take on the whole universe, sword in hand.

Cupid: Ha ha. Well, have the two of you had time to settle into any Valentine's Day traditions?

Ash: Not yet. But we will though, I think.

Prince Edward: Rest assured, my love, we will create some traditions.

Cupid: Thanks to Prince Edward and Ash Kensington for joining us today. We hope you’ll check out their story, Fallenwood.

To learn more about Ash and Prince Edwards's author, Leslie Soule, visit: http://www.lesliesoule.com/

Blurb:

Fallenwood—a land where magic is the life force, dragons are sages, and wizards good and evil battle for supremacy. When 23-year-old Ash is thrust into the middle of Fallenwood’s power struggles, she is also forced to face her own inner battles. Life on Earth was hard enough on Ash, who is locked in grief for her stepfather. Now, the fate of Fallenwood rests on her shoulders. She must destroy the Great Crystal—the catalyst for all the land’s magic. As the kingdoms prepare for war, Ash must look inside to find the power to save the world, and herself.


Excerpt:

The dragon’s eyes glowed, for a flickering moment, with white light.

“Ash,” the dragon continued, “Welcome to Terra Illumina…or as it is more commonly known, Fallenwood.” Then a fierce roaring laugh erupted from the stone, as though the dragon thought the new name a joke. “A dark, difficult, dangerous path lies before you, Ash Kensington.”

Ash’s heart grew heavy. In truth, she knew that she was destined to some terrible, dark fate. For so long, her life was filled with sadness and doubt, and one horrible thing after another. What else can I hope for?

“But Ash, you must not lose hope. Our world needs you..."

PHANTASM FRIDAY

CUPID'S FAILED LOVE MATCH

(FOR NOW...)

Cupid stood in the corner of the kitchen and watched Madison and Phoenix. Life had dealt Madison an unfair hand, but Cupid aimed to alter a little bit of her luck. Phoenix Birmingham was the perfect man for her, the type of man to keep her bed warm and someone who understood her dilemma. Oh, yeah…Cupid nodded his head. He was about to do Madison and Phoenix both a favor and end their lonely nights and cold beds.

Lifting his Love Laser, he took aim and blasted them both with his special imbued magic beam. He holstered his weapon, crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the refrigerator, watching his magic unfold…

♥♥♥♥♥

Phoenix placed a halting hand over hers, keeping her from packing up the first aid supplies and motioned to her neck. "You're bleeding, too."

Surprised, Madison touched her throat and couldn't believe it when her fingers came away smeared with blood.

"May I?" He held up the medical supplies.

She nodded and watched as he doused gauze with antiseptic. "Dr. Nix is at your service," he said with a grin, two adorable dimples charming her where words failed.

Madison rolled her eyes, leaned forward, and tipped her head to the side to give him better access. He brushed her hair off her neck, back behind her shoulder. Such a simple gesture, and yet it felt terribly personal. The air grew thick and sticky with her awareness of him, which made her uncomfortable enough to shift in her seat and cross her legs.

Madison stared into his eyes. Green, she thought, his eyes are green, gorgeous and intense, with ridiculously long eyelashes women would fantasize about. And if they didn't, they should. A flicker of compassion, concern, and something else she couldn't identify flashed in his eyes.

"Ready?" he asked.

The husky tenor of his voice forced her gaze to shift to his mouth. Nice, sexy lips. The better to kiss you with, my dear, she thought insanely, and out of character. She gave a mental shake, but couldn't shake the curiosity of how his mouth would feel on hers.

"Madison?" Humor deepened his voice, a touch of a smile tilted the edges of the lips she'd been fantasizing about and realized she still stared at them. "You ready?" he asked again, and her eyes widened in embarrassment over her foolish stupor.

She swallowed hard. "Yeah," she whispered past the lump in her throat and forced her vision to lock on the wall over his shoulder. Good God, what was wrong with her? Her pulse throbbed like crazy and she felt woozy.

Lack of blood! Must be why she reacted this way. No other explanation made sense.

Even though the antiseptic stung like hell, the gentle touch coming from such a gruff man surprised her.

"It's not bad," he said as he dabbed the blood away. "Just a nick."

Well, she could nix the blood loss theory. Tired and stressed were the only other excuses she could come up with.

"I've suffered worse." Her voice sounded off, kind of hoarse. She tried to clear her throat delicately; he must have noticed her unease, because his perceptive eyes met hers. Again, she thought she caught the edge of concern reflected in their green depths.

♥♥♥♥♥

Cupid frowned as Madison rose from the table and replaced the first aid kit back in the cabinet. Phoenix and Madison were obviously attracted to one another, that much of his magic had worked. But they should've kissed when Phoenix finished cleaning Madison's wound. He scratched his head, wondering what could've gone wrong.

Scowling, he yanked his Love Laser off his hip and checked the battery power. It flashed a full charge. He expelled a frustrated sigh, pondering their ability to resist his special magic. It wasn't often subjects on his radar could resist his RX for Love. Maybe now wasn't the right time. She was stressed over her son's problem and Phoenix…eh, Phoenix would nail her on the table if Madison would show just a smidgeon of interest.

He took a longer look at Madison as she stared out the kitchen window. She sounded tired and world-weary. In that moment, Cupid realized she was so jaded, and her heart already ripped in two, it wouldn't be easy for Madison to trust anyone with her heart again.

Cupid stepped up to her and whispered in her ear, "Listen to me baby...listen to the master of love." He wasn't ready to give up on love. Not by a long shot! And he refused to let Madison give up on love either. He needed to regroup and start fresh with new tactics…

♥♥♥♥♥

I hope you enjoyed the sneak peek into Madison and Phoenix's first flash of attraction from Gracen Miller's "coming soon" novel, Pandora's Box. Gracen and I wrangled over this excerpt, but I won the tussle. I always win. *wink* I promised Gracen I'd tell you this excerpt is unedited, so it could change prior to its release. To learn more about Madison's life before Pandora's Box begins, visit Madison's Life Lessons on the Road to Hell...but a small warning, it is not for the faint of heart.

Leave Gracen a comment today and you'll be entered for a chance to win a pair of Valentine Betty Boop socks.

Have a fabulous weekend, Darlings!

Kisses,
Cupid

TWILIGHT THURSDAY

A CUPID INTERVIEW

My guests today are, Jaron Cardew and Gwen Bjarnson– please, have a seat on our lovely couch! – from British Columbia. Their tale can be found in The Sweater Curse a novelle creation by Leanne Dyck.

Before we begin, I must remind everyone to please try and keep your responses to a PG13 atmosphere – the Moonlight Mistresses rules, not mine *eye roll*. Double entendres are acceptable and widely encouraged for events and phrases we don’t want our young readers to really know about. Oooh, it will be so much fun trying to guess what you’re really saying!

*Settling comfortably onto the sofa, draping his arm over the back and sipping his bubbly* That Miss Havana in Reaper’s Domain is one hot teacher and boy would I love to get into her…class! I might actually learn something…oh…did I say that out loud? *Clears throat* Sorry. Let’s get back to the interview.

You two make one fine pair! I did a wonderful job pairing you two up if I do say so myself! Then, I just love all of my matches!

Cupid: Please, Jaron, tell our readers how you two first met. Was it by your design, or hers?

Jaron: Our meeting was a happy coincidence. I'm a self-published author. I meet Gwen at a party where I was solisciting funds for my new book.

Cupid: Gwen, would you say it was love at first sight or did you find him repulsive?

Gwen: (laughs) Repulsive? He's gorgeous! I saw him and immediately wanted to see more of him (winks). Trouble is I wasn't alone in my desire.

Jaron: What do you mean?

Gwen: Oh, you know--

Cupid: This one’s for both of you. Since chaotic happenstance tends to put characters like yourselves in situations where they must work together or live together for one reason or another, tell us what chaotic happenstance “forced” the two of you to work or live together. How did you feel about this?

Jaron: Nothing chaotic "forced" us together. We fell in love and I will always love--

Gwen: Really? I wish I could believe that.

Cupid: It seems you two have some things to work out. I'll give you a moment. *taps his nails against the sofa while staring at the Jaron and Gwen* Well, since it appears neither of you are going to take the initiative, we'll return to the interview. This one is also for both of you. How long did it take you to know your true feelings for the other? At what point did you know, “this is the one”?

Gwen: It was the way he looked at me; how he treated me; what he said. I'm an attractive woman and use to guys treating me like a piece of meat. Most guys don't care what I think or anything about me other than how I look on their arm. Jay was different. He spoke to me like a human being, but beyond that he knew want I wanted to be--who I could be. I couldn't help loving him. That's why it hurt so much when...when (bursts into tears)

Jaron: I don't understand. What did I do? I'd never do anything to hurt you. You know I won't. I'd rather cut my arm off than to do anything to...

Cupid: Jaron, what would you say was your biggest obstacle to overcome before you could settle into a relationship with Gwen?

Gwen is still crying. Jaron, also obviously upset, tries to hug her. She pushes him away and is gone.

Jaron(collecing himself): Social status. We're from two different worlds. Gwen is a member of the upper class and I'm a struggling artist.

Cupid: Would you like to thank anyone – other than me, of course – for getting you two together?

Jaron: I'd like to thank Ronald Symthe for inviting me to perform at his party. Without that invitation, I know I would never have meet Gwen. Now, I'm sure you'll understand why I request we bring this interview to a close. Thank you for inviting me to speak with you.


Cupid: Thanks to Jaron Cardew and Gwen Bjarnson for joining us today. We hope you’ll check out their story, The Sweater Curse

To learn more about Jaron and Gwen's author, Leanne Dyck visit: http://sweatercursed.blogspot.com/ and http://www.oknitting.com/

Excerpt:

This isn't Heaven. It isn't Hell. And I'm not alive.

Picture this: a bus stop, tons of people packed into the same small space all waiting to continue their journey. Many buses stop here. Some passengers get off, others get on. Young children with sickly white complexions huddle together in the shelter. Teenagers with rope burns around their necks get off the bus.

Old men with bullet holes climb on.

Throughout this confusion, the only constant is me. I remain alone.

Why?

I don't know, but I must find the reason. I must examine my life to discover the momentary lapse. The wrong I've committed. The task I've neglected. It's my only means of escape.

Blurb:

Aspiring knitwear designer Gwen Bjarnson is stuck in Purgatory. To escape, she must re-examine her life, journey through her past and right a wrong.

But which wrong?

Young and in love, she works to establish her career, except fate has different plans. One rash act and she loses everything. Never resting, always seeking, and yearning for what she can no longer have,

Gwen faces the truth: if she remains, others are destined to die.

How will she solve the mystery before it is too late?

Web links:

Buy Link: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=203&osCsid=ep6jlbnir3bacfp9floeovjqt7
Blog: http://sweatercursed.blogspot.com/
Website: http://www.oknitting.com/

Wistful Wednesday

Cupid here to tell you that there are many sides to love. The romantic side, the friendly side, the nurturing side. But what's love without a little conflict? Today, I - and the lovely ladies of Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem - would like to invite our guest, Toni V. Sweeney, to share with you a little bit of romantic conflict. Without further ado, here's Toni:

In previous blogs about my new novel Wizard’s Wife, I’ve talked about the hero, I’ve commented on the heroine, I’ve elaborated on the other male fae in the story, and dwelled lovingly on the villain.  Today, let’s concentrate on the villainess of the piece.

Siobhan Dubhtina…

Beautiful…possessor of minor magic when compared to her brother Exeter, but as deadly in her own way and determined to achieve her goals.  Since Siobhan’s objectives are also those of her very ambitious and equally ruthless sibling, and involve his opposite number—wizard Tavis McMuir—there’s a deadly seduction and magical sex involved, also.

As the daughter of a Tiarda d’Doit Tina (wizard of black fire) and a solitary fae, both Siobhan and Exeter inherited two things from their parents—extreme comeliness and a double dose of Bad.  Wizards of Black Fire possess the same knowledge as their White Fire counterparts, but they also have access to arcane black magic.  Unlike the White Wizards, they see nothing wrong in employing black magic, so they ignore the law forbidding use of the black arts.  (Older White Wizards are also privy to this info but only so they can recognize and counteract a maleficent spell.)

Though Siobhan and Exeter aren’t twins, they resemble each other greatly… tall,  pale, black waist-length hair…eyes so dark they appear black, with the pupils dark crimson, and oblique…like a cat’s….oh, and she has wings, too—like a dragonfly’s but iron gray and blood-red.

When their father dies, Exeter has a Plan—during the Harmonic Convergence, he’s going to access one of the magic portals to Earth, invade and take over, and entertain himself when he gets bored by using the puny mortals living there as his own personal chess men.  He expects a fight from the White Fires who’ve taken a shine to those silly mortals, and knows it’ll be a long one so he gives his sister a mission.  All Siobhan has to do is seduce the White Fire champion, have his child, and give it to her brother to raise as a deadly Black Fire wizard.  Exeter knows he’s going to need all the magical back-up he can get and a White Fire babe raised with Black Fire knowledge will be D*E*A*D*L*Y!

Siobhan’s always up for a little romp in the hay, so she sets out with enthusiasm.  She meets the still-virginal teenage wizard, Tavis McMuir, at a fae feile, and within moments, the lad is lost, so captured by her spell he proposes marriage on the spot.  What more could Siobhan want?  Tavy’s bewitched, bedazzled…but not quite randy enough to be careless.  He refuses to abandon the magical gems of faery contraception, and before she can entice him further, his father intervenes.  Having discovered Exeter’s scheme, Prince Padraig breaks his son’s betrothal, banishes Siobhan from Ais Linn Keep, and the war begins.

Having failed her brother, and learning Tavis has gone to Earth to become its Guardian—and also has the audacity to fall in love with a mortal, and not only marry the lucky lass but now they’re expecting the child which should’ve have been Siobhan’s—the Black Fire princess is out for revenge.  She’ll help Exeter in his fight with the White Fires, and Tavis McMuir will pay…for rejecting her…and giving his wife which should have been Siobhan’s…

What she does next makes up only a small portion of the story, but it’s a very important part, for it may determine who wins in the fight between Black and White Fires as the Harmonic Convergence begins.



Wizard’s Wife was released January 15 by Class Act Books. It’s a contemporary blending of unicorns, shape-shifting faery knights, a black-hearted villain and villainess, a feisty heroine, and a hero treading a shaky lie of purity.  For a look at Chapter One, go to:  http://www.classactbooks.com/The-Wizards-Wife-Trade-by-Toni-V-Sweeney_p_269.html

Tantalizing Tuesday

My guests today are, Gabriel Raines and Mattie Baker – please, have a seat on our lovely couch! – from Dallas, Texas. Their tale can be found in Against the Fire, a novel creation by Kat Martin.

Before we begin, I must remind everyone to please try and keep your responses to a PG-13 atmosphere – the Moonlight Mistresses' rules, not mine *eye roll*. Double entendres are acceptable and widely encouraged for events and phrases we don’t want our young readers to really know about. Oooh, it will be so much fun trying to guess what you’re really saying!

*Settling comfortably onto the sofa, draping his arm over the back and sipping his bubbly* That Miss Havana in Reaper’s Domain is one hot teacher and boy would I love to get into her…class! I might actually learn something…oh…did I say that out loud? *Clears throat* Sorry. Let’s get back to the interview.

You two make one fine pair! I did a wonderful job pairing you two up if I do say so myself! Then, I just love all of my matches!

Cupid: Please, Gabriel, tell our readers how you two first met. Was it by your design, or hers?

Gabriel: It was Fate’s design--a chance meeting at the police department, though seeing as Mattie is an architect, maybe she had a hand in it.

Cupid: Mattie, would you say it was love at first sight or did you find him repulsive?

Mattie: Repulsive? Ohmygod, the man is a flat-out hunk. Not the kind of guy I should have liked, him being such a macho type, but then again, sometimes things just happen.

Cupid: Too true! This one’s for both of you. Since chaotic happenstance tends to put characters like yourselves in situations where they must work together or live together for one reason or another, tell us what chaotic happenstance “forced” the two of you to work or live together. How did you feel about this?

Mattie: I had to live with Gabe. He demanded it, since he feared for my life. Seems an arsonist was trying to burn him out and he was afraid I might become one of his victims. He also demanded that if I slept there, I slept in his bed!

Gabriel: A wink and a grin. Tricked her, didn’t I?

Cupid: Ah, a man after my own heart! Nice one! *they exchange high-fives* This one is also for both of you. How long did it take you to know your true feelings for the other? At what point did you know, “this is the one”?

Mattie: I tried to fool myself for a long time. I just didn’t trust my feelings--or any man I had ever met. So it took me a while. Maybe it was the time I realized Gabe’s life was in deadly danger.

Gabriel: I was beginning to get the idea when we took off for a weekend at my little Hill Country ranch. But Mattie was tough to convince.

Cupid: Gabriel, what would you say was your biggest obstacle to overcome before you could settle into a relationship with Mattie?

Gabriel: Convincing myself it was time to settle down.

Cupid: This is for either of you. Would you like to thank anyone – other than me, of course – for getting you two together?

Mattie: Well, Angel, I suppose. He is such a sweet young boy and he worshiped Gabe.

Gabriel: My brothers--pain in the...that they are. They knew before I did that Mattie was the one for me.

Cupid: *uses a right pinky to wipe a tear from his right eye* Such touching devotion! I know our readers have enjoyed learning about you two so far, but I’m getting a little bored, so I’m going to heat things up. Mattie, how would you end this sentence, "I wish Gabriel would just____." *leans forward to eagerly hear your response*

Mattie: Take me to bed...Oh, that sounds just about right.

Cupid: You're no shrinking violet! Gabriel, would you prefer to give Mattie a bubble bath or a back massage? Why?

Gabriel: Oh, I’m all for a bubble bath...those nice slick bubbles and I get to rub them all over her lovely little body.

Cupid: Good choice! I wholly agree! How many of you remember that old show, The Newlywed Game? Well, these next questions are going to help us play a similar game. Gabriel, what would Mattie say is your aphrodisiac? *waggles eyebrows*

Gabriel: I know Mattie’s secret. She needs a real man. I’m man enough to give her exactly what she needs.

Cupid: Mattie, is he right? How would you have answered that question?

Mattie: (fanning herself). There is no way I can argue with that...(sigh...)

Gabriel: I believe in show don’t tell.

Cupid: *crosses ankles and rubs his chin* Gabriel, what would Mattie say is a spot guaranteed to drive you crazy with passion? Is she correct in that assumption?

Gabriel: All she has to do is get up on stage and wiggle that pretty little...of hers.

Mattie: Why should I contradict him?

Cupid: Mattie, as far as you know, what is Gabriel’s idea of a perfect date?

Mattie: Gabe’s a man’s man. Probably a pizza, a beer, a football game and a long night of hot, steamy--

Cupid:*clears throat, coughing, "PG-13 rule!"* Gabriel, is she correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Gabriel: I like to think I’m a little more sophisticated than that--at least some of the time. The last part is just fine.

Cupid:Can't argue with that! Gabriel, your turn in the hot seat. What is Mattie’s idea of a perfect date?

Gabriel: She’d like to go to an art opening, maybe supper at a fancy restaurant, then a long night of hot, steamy...you know. (Grin) So you see we aren’t all that far apart.

Cupid: Mattie, is he correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Mattie: I’m flexible. I can go fancy or not. The last part of the date is always the best part.

Cupid:So true, even if you're getting spanked!*smirking* The next two questions are for both of you. What's the most romantic thing your lover has ever done for you?

Mattie: Gabe sang a song just for me, knowing he has the worst voice on the planet. It was really sweet.

Gabriel: I’m not about to tell you the things, my lady has done to please me. Let’s just say it was hot, and that’s my idea of romantic.

Cupid: If you could change one thing about your relationship, what would it be?

Mattie: We haven’t been together long enough for me to find that out. At the moment, I’m still in the Gabe’s Perfect stage.

Gabriel: She could be a little less independent, I suppose. Though I’m kinda getting used to it.

Cupid:Oh L'amour! Have the two of you had time to settle into any Valentine's Day traditions?

Mattie: I better get roses and candy and a great night in bed.

Gabriel: I expect two things. I want to see my lady in a pair of red thong panties, And I want a great night of--

Cupid:*coughing, "PG-13 Rule"* Thanks to Gabriel and Mattie for joining us today. We hope you’ll check out their story, Against the Fire.

To learn more about their author, Kat Martin or to read an excerpt, visit: www.katmartin.com.

Mystic Monday

Education and the Government

On Friday, I knew what I wanted to write about today. On Saturday, it changed, and then on Sunday, I forgot all of the ideas, and then watched some of my weekly programming and remembered what it was I wanted to blog about today.

Usually, I don't bring political topics here, but this one isn't just political because it involves our kids.

In recent weeks, there have been some bills that have people in a tizzy about schools. One has been about food offered in schools, and the most recent one allows the parents be graded by the school on their participation.

In fact, The Talk, a CBS talk I watch (not regularly, but I DVR every episode and watch them at the end of the week, lol!), brought up both of these topics for discussion on their show.

Yeah, okay, so I'm a little late discussing this topic, but it's a topic that people can't stop talking about or the existing problems will be forgotten about or put on the back burner.

The problem topic is our schools. This one is close to me not because I necessarily have any kids in schools - though my some of my nieces and nephews are still in school - it's because of what I myself witnessed as a student.

Yes, there are public schools out there that are really great, but there are also schools out there that suck...in more than one way! The government is beginning to see a true need for action, and is stepping in, which is why it has everyone in an uproar. The problem is, the individual states and school systems themselves aren't stepping up to the plate to make things happen - they just accept what's going on and go about their business because they feel there's nothing they can do.

Because of this, the government is stepping in. Now, some people might feel that it's over-stepping the bounds, but it's not. The government is acting because our schools are failing our kids and nothing is being done about it, even though people have been trying! They are being met with opposition from state reps, which is why things are being done on the Federal level. In my opinion, it's about time!

First Topic - Changing the Food in Schools

This topic came to mind as I was walking through the Bradley Center with my food on Saturday. Someone was rude enough to make a comment saying that it, "wasn't Michelle Obama approved food". Now, I have no idea whether he was trying to be nasty to me, or make a general comment about the crappiness of the food there. (Other people do like the food options available at the BC but as far as I'm concerned, it's all just junk food and not very good either.)

No, the fries, cheese fries and burger are not considered healthy by Michelle Obama, but they aren't by me either. I wouldn't be eating there, but the Milwaukee Bucks gave us $100 in free food vouchers when we resigned up for our half-season package to their games. Well, we decided we were going to use it rather than let it go to waste because - for those who don't really see the truth of it - it's the Bucks' way of giving money back to the Bradley Center. When I use my card at one of the food places, chances are I'm supporting one of the local school organizations, and that's fine with me.

However, there really isn't anything all that healthy to eat. I would honestly prefer to eat a grilled ham and cheese or even a sliced beef or pit ham sandwich, but they do not have anything like that. Here's what they generally offer:

hot dogs

brats

pizza

nachos

hamburgers

chicken fritters and fries (buffalo or plain)

chips, fries and other assorted junk foods

Pepsi products only

Everything they offer is either high fat, deep fried or just plain junk food and it's ridiculously expensive that I honestly wouldn't pay those prices for the low-quality food I get if I went to a restaurant. In fact, the food you'd get at a restaurant would be better, taste better, and the prices would be cheaper or equivalent.

There aren't any healthy options available, which is why most of us usually eat at home or at one of the places on Water Street (or near there) before we get to the Bradley Center anyway.

Why is food at places like schools and event centers putting people in such a tizzy?

Well, you have those who feel the government doesn't have the right to tell you what it can and can't eat, and then there are those who actually read the whole thing, and understand what the real issue is. The target of the legislation here is the Federal School Lunch Program.

Many public and private schools and daycare facilities participate in the School Lunch program. If you've ever eaten the food, you know it's high fat and not really the best we could be giving our kids.

Yes, there are arguments that people can pack the healthy stuff, but why should those kids that have to eat the school meal programs (most likely the only meals some of these kids in poorer areas get) - because many of the state welfare programs say they have to - be subject to high fat and bad food?

It's a known fact that we have an obesity epidemic in this country, and bad or good eating habits start when the kids are young. So, why shouldn't the school lunch programs encourage better eating for everyone?

The bill does not say that your child wouldn't be able to have pudding or any of that. You would be free to send it with your child. The point is, the food choices for lunch leave a ton to be desired in terms of health.

Studies show that good study and other habits stick with kids when the schools and the parents work together, so what's so wrong about the school lunch program working with parents to offer better food choices?

In my opinion - Nothing! In fact, it would be nice if community event places offered better food instead of the cheap fried crap you can buy in bulk from your local food stores.

Topic 2 - Schools Grading the Parents

Recent studies have shown that parental involvement in his/her child's school life can greatly improve that child's chances for success. I've heard both sides to this, and I think both sides have good ideas:

The Bill - grade parents for their participation (how prepared is your child, are they there on time, are you doing what you're supposed to be doing - signing permission slips, etc.)

The parents - if you're going to grade me, I want to be able to grade the school and teachers too.

Both ideas are fair.

We have too much disparity between school districts, and I'm not talking about number of students or tax dollars, I'm talking about what's offered to the students.

This has people in an uproar because many people don't want to have their tax money go to support poor people.

Here's the bigger picture that most people aren't seeing:

1. Poor education leads to poor job choices and less of a chance to get into a college.

2. Poor job choices combined with a lack of intelligence tends to encourage kids into making bad life choices because they feel they don't have any other options. In you saw what some of the schools in these areas look like, you'd feel the same way too.

3. Bad life choices can lead to a life of crime.

This problem isn't new, in fact it's been around for decades. Many of you who went to college in the 90s have probably had to read Jonathon Kozol's Savage Inequalities. If you haven't read it, read it. It's an eye opener. This discusses how schools in underprivileged areas don't offer classes like other schools do because, in effect, they do not believe the underprivileged kids are smart enough to do anything other than work in the service industry and train them in such manners.

Another one to read is Dumbing Down Our Kids by Charlie Sykes. This one discusses the degradation of the education requirements in the school system that has been perpetuated by the "No Child Left Behind" reforms. While a nice idea, it went about them incorrectly. Instead of forcing schools to work with those struggling to learn, it brought down the overall standards to make it appear that we are doing better, when in fact studies show that our graduates are far behind the mark when it comes to intelligence.

In light of the recent knowledge that kids are intellectual sponges when they are young, we should be pushing kids harder - challenging them to learn. Sure, not all will rise up and meet those challenges, but it shouldn't mean that all children should be denied the opportunity to get those challenges either.

If all kids are offered the same good education - many more of them will succeed and make something of themselves, and not be stuck in a poverty situation. Sure, there will be some that fail, but a lot less than there are now. In fact, there would be a reduction of violence on our streets if we all cared enough about kids who didn't ask to be born in a poor living situation to parents who can't take care of them.

No, they didn't ask for it, yet every time someone says, "Why should I pay for poor kids to get anything?" and fights legislation and reform bills that work to level the playing field, think about how that innocent child could become corrupted because he or she didn't have anyone capable enough of looking out for their educational needs.

Kids don't ask to be poor. They don't ask to have bad parents. The reality is that it happens.

If we, as a society, want to reduce crime rates and murder rates, then we need to step in and take care of the children of the poorer society. We need to change the schools so that kids feel safe when they are within the walls of a school and can feel free to think, learn and feel emotions other than fear.

If you aren't willing to help change the schools in your poorer sections of your area/state, then you have no right complaining about the increasing crime and murder rates.

If schools were regulated so that all schools offered the same types of classes - then these schools could also then be allowed to work together to offer more to their students.

We still have oppression in this country and it's perpetuated by the inequality of education that exists from one school district to another.

If you haven't seen it yet, you may want to buy or rent Waiting for Superman (pictured above). If you buy it, money from the purchase goes to help those schools in need.

Want to learn more?

Check out the site: www.waitingforsuperman.com.

What about you? What are your feelings on this topic?

PHANTASM FRIDAY

Want a chance to win a KINDLE? Well, here's your chance. Decadent Publishing will be at Coffee Time Romance (http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/) all day on February 1st. They'll be giving away a KINDLE with 6 preloaded books. So don't miss your opportunity to walk away a winner!

Twilight Thursday

Today We Welcome Author

Joss Ware !!!

She picked a good name, or maybe not. I say this because I can't help it. Every time I go to type her full name, I have to stop myself from writing Joss Whedon, lol!

Good thing because she'll forever be connected to a great creative mind (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel). Bad thing because his name comes up first, and not the other way around, lol! :) I say this all in good fun because each of her storylines and ideas have intrigued me. She's on my list for new authors to read right behind Lori Handeland. I usually pick a new author each summer to focus on - read everything I possibly can in those months - and this past year, my focus was Leslie Parrish (Black CAT trilogy and Cold Sight) besides catching up with some of my favorite authors.

However, the more I learn about her new series, the more I'm thinking I might just have to push her closer to the top of the pile. Enough of my rambling! Let's get you to the good stuff, her interview!

MLM: Do you have any holiday memories from 2010 that you would like to share with us? (Memories can be nice and sweet, naughty, or just plain goofy!)

JOSS: Hmmm…how about mimosas made from freshly-squeezed orange, grapefruit, tangerine and pineapple juice by the pitcher on Christmas Day?

MLM: With the beginning of each New Year, many people make resolutions to change something about their lives. Do you make resolutions each year? Why or why not? In other words, what’s your philosophy behind your decision to make or not to make resolutions?

JOSS: I don’t make resolutions as much as review my goals for the year. Maybe it’s just the word “resolution” that rubs me the wrong way. ;-) Maybe it’s because it has the connotation that it’s only temporary. :-D

MLM: The buzz all over Tweetland and Facebook is how stressful many of us tend to find the holiday season (Thanksgiving through the New Year). This year they’ve seemed to be even more so with everything that’s been going on in the US and abroad. Stress isn’t usually conducive to writing, so we need to shed that stress, clear our minds so the words will follow. How do you plan on recharging your soul? Any relaxation tips you’d like to share?

JOSS: I actually had the busiest, craziest last six months. I wrote five books in about 13 months—finishing three of them since September---plus traveled to Italy to promote my books (such a hardship…not really, but it was in the middle of three very tight deadlines!). By the time I finished my last book on December 15, I was already in relax mode. So I spent my holidays reading for pleasure and hanging out with my kids and husband without worrying about deadlines hanging over my head.

I love to do yoga to relax my soul, and I love hot baths…and watching TV with my family. Those are things that seem to help.

MLM: One of the greatest things about the Internet is that we can connect with writers of all kinds from all over the globe so we want to know:
a.)What area of the country/world are you from?
b.)What are the average temperatures of your area?
c.)What type of clothing would most residents be wearing today?
d.)What tips do you have for people to “survive” the weather where you are?

JOSS: I live in the Midwest United States, in Michigan. The temperatures range from 0 degrees Fahrenheit to 103 degrees. We have a saying here: if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute, and it will change.

We don’t have tsunamis, earthquakes, or even very many tornadoes. We do get lots of snow and have every type of weather.

MLM: Say you’re at a cabin in the mountains, and it’s not exactly warm out and you had the option of where you wanted your hot tub to be. Would you have the hot tub inside or outside the cabin? Why?

JOSS: Both places, actually. J There’s nothing like a hot tub in the snow…but there’s also nothing like one in front of the fireplace. Can I have two??

MLM: If you could go anywhere in the world for the holidays, where would you choose to go? Why that destination over others?

JOSS: I would go back to Italy. I loved it but didn’t get to see as much of the country as I wanted to. I’d also like to go back to London and Paris…so maybe a European tour?

MLM: We’ve had our fun, now it’s time to switch the focus to your writing. Why Paranormal? Why Futuristic? What was the draw for you?

JOSS: I don’t really have a good answer to this…I don’t necessarily set out to write in a certain genre…the ideas just sort of come to me and they are what they are.

However, someone did suggest to me a couple years ago that I should try writing a post-apocalyptic romance novel. At first, I couldn’t see how I’d do something like that…but the idea sort of fleshed out and here I am! J

MLM: If you could describe your writing with a word or phrase, what would it be? Please look beyond words hot, steamy, mysterious, paranormal 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.

JOSS: I think I’d go with honest.

I like to tell stories about people with paranormal elements in their lives—either their own or ones that are part of the world they live in. But at the core of every story is about a man and a woman who find each other, who find a life partner that understands and accepts them for who they are.

I try very hard not to build on misunderstandings, I try very hard to keep the relationships—even in these unique worlds—true and honest and real. I try to make the words and the actions and the emotions honest, so that the reader can relate to them on some level.

The book that’s just released, Night Betrayed, was strongly influenced by people I’ve met in my life, or read about, who are hospice workers: ones who give of themselves to help us and our loved ones pass on with dignity and ease. I hope there’s some honesty in that as well.

MLM: Earlier we discussed stress and the holidays. While stress may not always be conducive to writing, do you find that the holidays disrupt your writing schedule? If so, how? How tough is it to get yourself back in writing mode? What does it take to get you back on track?

JOSS: Yes, I find myself very disrupted over the holidays. That’s why I try really hard never to have a deadline between Dec 1 and Feb 1…because it’s just too crazy.

But even though I get disrupted, I find that within a day or two of the kids getting back to school and our household getting back on its schedule, that I, too, can get back into the swing. J

MLM: Who decides what the characters/creatures you write about do, 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?

JOSS: My muse, when she bothers to show up to work, often dictates what happens. I generally just go along for the ride…unless she’s too busy making the absolute best hot tub experience…then I’m usually dragging and pulling her back to work. J

I usually start with a basic idea of what’s going to happen, then I just let it roll. (That’s often easier said than done!)

MLM: Of all the stories you’ve written, which creature/character did you have the most fun creating and why?

JOSS: Oooh. Neat question. Um…I think I’ve had the most fun creating the concept of the Strangers in my Envy Chronicles series. The idea of the implanted crystals causing their bodies to live forever is fun.

The zombies, which are featured in Night Betrayed, were also very interesting to create…in a more morbid, depressing way.

MLM: If you had the opportunity to meet just one of your characters in real life, who would it be and why?

JOSS: I don’t know! That’s really tough. Probably Remington Truth.

MLM: Which of your characters would you never want to meet under any circumstance and why?

JOSS: Any of the zombies!

BLURB: The Change that devastated the earth didn't destroy Theo Waxnicki. It made him something more than human eternally young, eternally beautiful ... but not immortal.

When he dies on a mission against the Strangers, he is lost to the darkness...until a miracle lady brings him back.

Born during the apocalyptic storms and earthquakes that left the world in ruins, Selena has dedicated her life to easing the pain of others. But Theo is the first in her care to actually survive. Responding to Selena's tender touch, Theo starts to live again, to feel and desire again.

But joined in a world of terrors, the secrets they can never share make them targets. And love could be the ultimate betrayal.

EXCERPT: “Selena!”

She couldn’t focus, could hardly move or breathe. But it sounded like Theo. Theo. Oh, God, no...no, she had to be dreaming.

But then suddenly, he was there. Impossible. But he was. Somehow, pulling and beating at the monsters that crowded around her. Tearing through them to get to her. Oh, God, Theo.

She couldn’t think what this would mean, now. Not now. Later.

“Selena,” he shouted, as he found her with his eyes from outside the ring. “Come on!”

He swung something large and heavy—a massive branch—and it crashed into the skull of one of the monsters. Selena cried out in horror as the bone crunched, and the creature staggered back, collapsing onto the ground. Dead.

But still trapped.

“No!” she shouted at Theo. “Stop!”

Tears stung her eyes, her battered body wouldn’t move...she couldn’t breathe but she had to stop him before he killed any more of them. “No, please,” she cried, trying to make her voice work, even as she grabbed the hand of a creature close to her.

The surge bolted through her, and this time it brought her gasping to her knees. But she held the gaze of the old man until the orange glow went out and he was freed.

“Go, Theo,” she cried when she caught her breath. “Let me do this!”

“I’m not leaving you,” he shouted back, and whaled again at the zombies.

Click here for Excerpt 2 - Note: a bit steamier than this one!

To learn more about Joss Ware, click on her name at the top of the blog or visit:
her website: www.josswarebooks.com
on facebook: www.facebook.com/joss.ware
Readers are in luck because right now there is a sale on her books!
Click image to find out more!