Welcome to Holiday Bash 2010! Contestant #15:

Decadent Publishing

Eggnog or Mimosas?
Eggnog is a fixture this time of year! Yummy. I’ll have two. Although, none is as good as my Gram’s was. She used the good stuff in hers!

We’re also taking pictures with Santa, did you bring a gift for him?

Is it that cute guy in the corner with the red jacket on <pointing>? The one from Deanna Wadsworth’s Secret Santa book cover? Nice party! Umm, I have a free copy of Amanda McIntyre’s sweet Irish holiday release, A Christmas Promise.

Blurb:

Widowed Irishman, Brady McCormick made a promise to his young wife the day she died–to bring their son to America and begin a new life in the land of opportunity. Living in charity with a distant uncle in New York, barely scraping by, Brady is unsure he will be able to uphold the promise, much less quell the loneliness, until an angel appears at the docks, Saran Reichardt.

Headstrong and tenacious, gentlewoman Saran knows she’s unlike most women of society. Dedicated to teaching and helping the impoverished, she has no need of a man to take care of her, but an accidental encounter with a stormy-eyed Irish immigrant and his young son changes her perception of what need really is. Will this holiday give them both the hope and faith they desire or will their own stubbornness keep them apart?

Great cover and story! An Irishman, too! Even though you’re a publisher, you still need to pass our test, please…

You’re at the Holiday Party, surrounded by movie stars. Given a dare, you have to tell your actor/model/hero that you own a pub and you want to cast him as your hero for one of your favorite books. Who is this person? What book did you pick? How do you approach this conversation and what do you think his reaction would be? Oh by the way, he’s standing under mistletoe.

I would say it was Henry Cavill from The Tudors, and he would be cast as Cole from Snowy Encounters.  He’d be delighted, because Clarissa Yip is a fabulous writer and Cole is delicious. It wouldn’t take much for me to take that dare, I’m fairly brave about those things! Besides, Henry seems to be the smart, gentlemanly sort.

You’re hosting a Holiday publishing contest. In order to win the hearts of your favorite authors, you’re given 30 minutes to formulate a pitch so they would write the book of your dreams. You’re given a sleigh, a reindeer and a Santa hat. What do you come up with? How do you go about this?

Write me a story about a guy who rides his intergalactic sleigh through the stars and brings ‘cheer’ to all the alien girls, but has a heart meant only for one…a voluptuous woman, from a particularly cold planet, who favors red faux fur. She shows him how to stay warm ‘arctic-style’.  Maybe she shape-shifting reindeer companion will giddy-up with the hero’s second in command!

LOL. That’s telling us that Decadent may want more science fiction romances…Why do you publish romance?

It’s a universal theme; everyone, everywhere, is looking for love in one form or another. Romance is a broad umbrella with so many exciting sub-genres it can never get boring. Almost all the great stories, whether they dress it up in romance-clothing or not, have a romantic element. I’ve read romance and loved the community of writers and readers since Whitney, My Love. It’s been a joy to be part of it in this way.

What do you love in running an epub?

I enjoy the diversity of people I have worked with, from authors to promoters to graphic artists and editors. I have been so inspired by their creativity and commitment to quality. I like collaboration.

And, while I love my paper books, I am a fan of ebooks because of the environmental ‘green’ aspect and the immediacy of availability to readers. If I want the new Sahara Kelly book, I can upload it in bed at 2am.

What goals do you have for the new upcoming year?

Keep putting out quality product, and build on the strong foundation we have in place. I am also looking forward to meeting out Relay For Life team donation goal through our ‘Read For a Cure’ project at Decadent. It’s close to our heart!

Any big projects for 2011?

We are publishing an anthology to help author Tina Gerow. Tina is a (Romantic Times Convention) Faery Court sister to my partner, Lisa Omstead, and we were so very happy to have been asked to work on this project. Anyone attending the 2011 RT Convention in LA will see it there for sale. Many wonderful writers will be contributing!

We will also be announcing a big project that will have stories written by 3 CAPA award nominees. Stay tuned, it will rock you!

What news would you like to share with your readers?

We have our 30 Days of Decadence blog up until Jan 1, when we will announce our Grand Prize winner. Until then, prizes are given away DAILY! Also, we will be at the Romantic Times Writers and Readers Convention this year, giving away a Kindle, a Decadent Wine and Chocolate gift basket, and pretty much having a great time with over 20 of our staff and authors attending, including Clarissa Yip, PJ Schnyder, Seleste Delaney, Amanda McIntyre, and many more.

Where can readers find you?

Twitter: Decadent Pub

Facebook: Decadent Publishing

Website: www.decadentpublishing.com

Others: http://decadentpublishing.blogspot.com

http://30daysofdecadence.blogspot.com

Will you be willing to answer questions in regards to writing and publication today?

Of course.

We’d like to wish all of your readers a safe and happy holiday, and you as well, Clarissa. You’ve been wonderful to work with at Decadent Publishing!

Thank you so much for joining us at Romance Author Hotspot!

Publisher’s Holiday Gift:

A Copy of A Christmas Promise by Amanda McIntyre and one book of the winner’s choice from the A Passionate Christmas anthology.

Check out the other parties! See Holiday Bash Prize List! Click here.

Welcome to Holiday Bash 2010! Contestant #14:

Silhouette Desire Author

Olivia Gates

BIO:

Preliminary Questions:

Eggnog or Mimosas? Are you old enough to drink? Eggnog. And barely. <ggg>

We’re also taking pictures with Santa, did you bring a gift for him? (Maybe a new release or a pretty book cover…)

Here’s the incredible cover for TO TEMPT A SHEIKH!

Blurb:

He rescued hostage Talia Burke from his royal family’s rival tribe and swept her into his strong embrace. But Prince Harres Aal Shalaan soon discovered there was more to the brave beauty than he knew. Talia held information vital to protecting his beloved kingdom…and she had every reason not to trust him.

Marooned together at a desert oasis, Talia couldn’t resist Harres. Yet even as his sizzling seduction entranced her, his loyalty to his family and country would always make them enemies. Falling for the sheikh would be her heart’s greatest mistake…but she feared it was already too late….

Excerpt:

He unbuckled his belt, flicked the cockpit’s lights on to maximum, turned to Burke. The man had his head turned against his seat, his eyes wide with an amalgam of panic and relief. Their gazes meshed.

And there was no mistaking what happened then.

Harres hardened. Fully.

He shuddered. What was this? What was going on? Was his body going haywire from the stress?

Enough of this idiocy. Check him for injuries.

He reached for him. The man flinched at his touch, as if Harres had electrified him. He knew how he felt. The same charge had forked through him. This had crossed from idiotic to insane.

He forced in an inhalation, determined to erase those anomalous reactions, drew Burke by the shoulders into the overhead light. The man struggled.

“Stop squirming. I need to check you for injuries.”

“I’m fine.”

The husky voice skewered through him even though he could barely hear it with the din of the still-moving rotors.

And a conviction slammed into him.

He would have thought he was beginning to hallucinate from blood loss. But he’d been feeling these inexplicable things long before he’d been hit. So he was heeding his body. It had been yelling at him from the first moment, just as his every instinct had been. He always listened to them.

Right now they were telling him that, even in these nightmarish conditions—they wanted T.J. Burke.

And knowing himself, that could only mean one thing.

He stabbed his fingers into the unruly gold silk on top of T.J. Burke’s head, his body hardening more at the escaping gasp that flayed his cheek with its sweetness.

He traced the dewy lips with his thumb, as if to catch the sound and the chagrined shock at what he sensed was an equally uncontrollable response.

He smiled his satisfaction. “So, tell me, why are you pretending to be T.J. Burke, bearded investigative reporter, when a modern-day bejeweled Mata Hari would suit you far better?”

Gorgeous cover! Please enter. Drinks are served by the elves in the corner.

Are you a plotter or pantser? What is your routine

I’m a total plotter. If I don’t map out everything about the plot from the beginning, if I don’t get everything to work and mesh and make sense in outline form, I don’t start writing. I even mostly have my first and last lines right there before I start.

What advice would you give aspiring authors?

Write. Every day. Anything. Everything. For any length of time, and as much and as little as you can. Research the market and the authors you enjoy reading for. Analyze the books you loved, and especially those you still loved or loved more on repeat readings. Find out why you did. Internalize that and you will find it coming out in your own writing. Most of all persevere. This is one tough gig. And it keeps on getting tougher the longer you’re writing, and the more is expected from you. So prepare yourself for an uphill journey. But the most important thing you need to ask yourself is, is it possible for me to survive without writing? Or at least, be reasonably fulfilled without it? If it is, don’t start. If only writing fills that fathomless hole no one else can see or understand within you, then never stop writing. You’ll get there if you never give up.

How did you start your career? Who was your first publisher?

I actually never thought of becoming an author. I always enjoyed writing and loved languages, but my formal education led me to medical school and I became a doctor. My passion for singing lead me to studying music and becoming a singer. And I thought that was that. Then I got married, had a baby, and because of my daughter’s health issues, I had to stay at home with her, for a while becoming neither doctor nor singer. That while became years. If not for finding the internet and eHarlequin, I think I would have gone mad. <g>

I discovered then that Harlequin and other publishers take submissions and I started writing and sending work out. I soon learned that writing a book was indeed a very complex process, and I started to learn everything there was to learn about writing, publishing and the market. It took me two years to sell my first book. That was back in July 2003.

And my first publisher, Harlequin, has been my only one so far.

What are you working on right now?

I am working on my first full length paranormal book for HARLEQUIN NOCTURNE, the first book in THE ERADICATORS series!

What news would you like to share with your readers?

I just signed a new five-book contract with HARLEQUIN DESIRE to write my 28^th-32^nd books. I am also writing two full HARLEQUIN NOCTURNES and a BITES.

I am also involved in many other projects, which I’m finishing one after the other between contracted deadlines. A new paranormal Single Title series with Middle Eastern mythology, and a Young Adult urban fantasy series set in Egypt and steeped in Ancient Egyptian mythology.

Where can readers find you?

Twitter: http://twitter.com/OliviaGates

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/oliviagates

Website: http://www.oliviagates.com

List other books you have out:

TO TAME A SHEIKH Harlequin Desire-November 2010 (first book in Pride of Zohayd trilogy and USA TODAY Bestseller

THE SATANTOS SECRET BABY—Harlequin Desire -April 2011 (excerpted in ALL series books that month)

TO TOUCH A SHEIKH Harlequin Desire-August 2011 (last book in Pride of Zohayd)

Will you be willing to answer questions in regards to writing and publication today?

I will love to answer any and all questions about anything writing/publishing the ladies can come up with!!

Thank you so much for joining us at Romance Author Hotspot!

And thank you for having me! I love being here and meeting all the wonderful guests! Keep up the incredibly wonderful work!!

Author Holiday Gift: 3 signed books and handmade and embroidered (by Olivia) make-up bags.

Remember to enter to win! Check out the other party rooms! See Holiday Bash Prize List. Click here.

Welcome to Holiday Bash 2010! Contestant #13:

Jill Marie Landis

BIO:

Jill Marie Landis is the author of 25 bestselling novels. Her books have been on the USA Today and New York Times lists. The winner of two Romance Writers of America Rita Awards, Jill Marie lives in Hawaii with her husband. She enjoys sunning, writing on the beach, raising orchids and dancing hula.

Preliminary Questions:

Eggnog or Mimosas? Are you old enough to drink?

Eggnog. When that runs out, Mimosas.

Old enough to drink and old enough to know better but that never stopped me.

We’re also taking pictures with Santa, did you bring a gift for him? (Maybe a new release or a pretty book cover…)

2 autographed copies of HEART OF STONE.

Blurb:

Raised in a tribe of street urchins, Maddie Grande was taught to be a thief and beggar on the streets of New Orleans. She and her twin “brothers” have recently left New Orleans and moved to the bayou. The twins are rarely there, but Maddie has come to love the swamp and longs to change her life but she knows that her brothers will never give up their lawless ways. When the twins kidnap the daughter of a wealthy carpetbagger, they force Maddie to hide the precocious eight-year-old while they return to New Orleans to wait for notice of a reward.

Pinkerton agent Tom Abbott is assigned to the kidnapping case in which Maddie has become an accomplice. In a chase that takes them to Baton Rouge, a mutual attraction becomes evident, but Tom is a man of honor and Maddie is a thief and a liar.
Will Maddie and Tom listen to their hearts or choose honor over love?

OOOooooo, it looks awesome! Why don’t you come in and we’ll talk! First off…let’s play a game!

You’re standing in front of a Christmas tree, dressed as Santa’s helper. Your publisher asks what you are doing holding a copy of your book with a big smile. What do you tell him/her?

That I’m doing shameless self promotion as usual! I’ve danced the hula in a Borders Store to drum up business.

We don’t think you’re shameless! We’d love to see you hula!

Okay another: You’re in a Holiday writing contest. You have to plot a book in 30 minutes. You’re given a sleigh, a reindeer and a Santa hat. What do you come up with? How do you go about this?

Yikes! I grab a huge piece of art paper and start drawing circles and write the names of each character in a circle. Then I brainstorm and connect the dots:

The reindeer is dead. The sleigh appears to have run into something, half if it is crushed. Santa’s hat has a spot of blood on it. He is nowhere to be found.

Obviously, this is heading into the contemporary romantic suspense arena. The detective on the scene is lovely Sheila Reynolds. She’s a rookie, trying to act confident. She’s a knock out. Blonde and shapely. She has to overcome the handicap of being beautiful. No one ever takes her seriously. It’s the blonde thing, you know.

A crime scene vet is called (Is there such a thing?Must check sources.)He’s to do forensics on the reindeer. His name is Brick Dirk and he’s tall, dark and devastatingly handsome—but he’s got a thing against good looking blondes. Stems back from the time his stepmother locked him in a pantry for two days and he tried to eat all the canned food stored there and ended up sick.

But something draws him to Sheila. Something he tries to resist but it’s impossible.

Sheila’s boss, the chief of police arrives. The tension in the air is palpable.

And that’s how it goes. Stop me now.

Nooooo! More! LOL. So, are you a plotter or pantser? What is your routine?

I’m a plotter. I do character studies, usually end up with a 32 page synopsis but it’s just a road map to get me going. As I write I become a day to day pantser. I stop to research along the way. You can find a lot of plot in research details.

What advice would you give aspiring authors?

Get to the end then rewrite at least 4 times.. Even when you think you’re done, you’re not.

How did you start your career? Who was your first publisher?

On my second attempted novel I entered the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Contest for unpublished writers. I won the Historical Romance division that year and the book was bought by one of the judges who was an editor at Berkley Jove (Putnam now Penguin). The rest is history.

What are you working on right now?

HEART OF GLASS Book 3 of the Irish Angels series. It’s set in on a ruined plantation along River Road in New Orleans ten years after the War Between the States. A Beauty and the Beast theme. The heroine is an architect (self taught and in a man’s field for the times) who goes to restore the old home where she spent much of her childhood. The hero is the owner; he’s shut himself away in the garconniere and refuses her help. She feels it’s her duty to save him. She owes it to his family (his sister was heroine’s best friend.)  I think of the 3 books in the series, this is my favorite. Although whatever I’m working on at the time is my favorite, usually.

What news would you like to share with your readers?

Life news? I dance the hula and recently my hula sisters and I danced at elder care homes on the island where I live. My husband and I will be in California with my family for Christmas.

Book news? I love what I do (most days) and know how blessed I am to get to be a working writer. I have a new series I’m working on that is so much fun. Can’t wait to leak the news in 2011.

You’re wonderful! Where can readers find you?

Facebook:  Jill Marie Landis (two different pages…one books…one life)

Website: www.jillmarielandis.com

Others: www.jillmarielandis.com/blog

List other books you have out:

HEART OF STONE, HEART OF LIES (Feb. 2011), HEART OF GLASS (Jan. 2012)

HOMECOMING, THE ACCIDENTAL LAWMAN,

See Amazon.com for other titles or visit your local bookstore.

Will you be willing to answer questions in regards to writing and publication today?

Of course. But I can’t give away “the secret” to publishing. Once you sell, they swear you to secrecy.

Thank you so much for joining us at Romance Author Hotspot!

Mahalo for asking me!

Author’s Holiday Gift: 2 autographed copies of HEART OF STONE Book 1 of the Irish Angels series.

Remember to enter to win! Check out the other party rooms! See Holiday Bash Prize list! Click Here.

Welcome to Holiday Bash 2010! Contestant #12:

Harlequin Presents Author

Lynn Raye Harris

BIO:

Lynn Raye Harris is a USA Today bestselling author who read her first Harlequin romance when her grandmother carted home a box of books from a yard sale. She didn’t know she wanted to be a writer then, but she definitely knew she wanted to marry a sheikh or a prince and live the glamorous life she read about in the pages. Instead, she married a military man and moved around the world. She’s been inside the Kremlin, hiked up a Korean mountain, floated on a gondola in Venice, and stood inside volcanoes at opposite ends of the world.

These days Lynn lives in Alabama with her handsome husband and two crazy cats. Since her debut novel came out in August 2008, Lynn’s books have appeared on the USA Today, Borders, and Nielsen Bookscan bestseller lists.  You can visit her at www.LynnRayeHarris.com to learn more about her books, read her sporadically updated blog, or just drop her a note.

Preliminary Questions:

Eggnog or Mimosas? Are you old enough to drink?

Eggnog!  And I’m definitely old enough to drink.

We’re also taking pictures with Santa, did you bring a gift for him? (Maybe a new release or a pretty book cover…)

Blurb:

“Kept for the Sheikh’s Pleasure” by Lynn Raye Harris

King Zafir bin Rashid al-Khalifa does not care for surprises like the reappearance of his ex, Dr Genie Gray! But now Zafir has the power to demand a willing Genie in his bed…

Excerpt: Click here

Let’s play a game!

You’re stuck at a ski lodge. There’s a blizzard outdoors and all your fans are hanging out in front of the fireplace. You’ve been asked to read out loud one of your books. Which one do you pick and why?

The Devil’s Heart!  Because it’s the next book coming up and I’m really in love with the cover.  Plus I love the opening chapter because the hero finds himself held at gunpoint by a woman he can’t quite identify.  It’s a little bit of a delicious mystery to start—and then the emotional conflict between Marcos Navarre and Francesca d’Oro is so strong and intense that I still get swept away when I think of it.

You’re in a Holiday writing contest. You have to plot a book in 30 minutes. You’re given a sleigh, a reindeer and a Santa hat. What do you come up with? How do you go about this?

Bearing in mind that I don’t plot, I’d come up with something that I wouldn’t actually follow once I started writing.  But I might set the story in a wintery landscape, hook horses to the sleigh, and have the reindeer be there to provide a Christmasy atmosphere.  In fact, he’s probably standing in a small, covered shed (like a manger scene display) contentedly munching hay while the horses do all the work of hauling tourists around the small Christmas village.  I’d put the Santa hat on a tourist and then I’d come up with a gorgeous hero, give him a reason to be there, and then I’d find his heroine and figure out what she’s doing there too.  After that, we’d be off to the races – though I have no idea how it will turn out.  See, aren’t you glad you aren’t me?  (Or my editor, LOL!)

It sounds good to me! Please enter. Drinks are served by the elves in the corner.

Are you a plotter or pantser? What is your routine?

I’m definitely a pantser!  I think a lot about the story before I begin, but when I get that opening scene in my head, I just start typing.  How things end up is always a surprise, but I have fun doing it.  My daily routine is to go into my office and treat writing like a job.  I may not write the entire time, but I’m at the computer, doing promo, answering email, etc.

What advice would you give aspiring authors?

Never give up!  It can be hard to keep focused when you don’t have a publishing contract, but learn to do it now.  Because when you get the contract, you have to be able to deliver.  Getting into the habit of writing regularly now will serve you in the long run.  And if you’re more interested in avoiding your WIP than working on it, recognize that you may have taken a wrong turn and need to rethink something that’s not working in the story.

How did you start your career? Who was your first publisher?

I wrote for a very long time before selling, and I sold to a publisher I’d never actually targeted until I entered a contest they sponsored.  I’m still with Harlequin, and I love writing for them!  I sold the first story I ever wrote for them, but I didn’t sell the first story I ever wrote.

What are you working on right now?

It’s a bodyguard story!  Yes, in a Harlequin Presents.  But of course the hero isn’t your typical bodyguard.   Raj is rich and handsome, and he’s guarding Veronica as a favor to a friend.  Needless to say, there’s much more to the story—but since I’m a pantser, I don’t know what’s going to happen just yet.

What news would you like to share with your readers?

My latest UK release, Prince Voronov’s Virgin, has been the #1 bestselling book on the Mills & Boon website for 2 weeks!  In the first few days it was for sale, the paperback copies all sold out.  You can still buy an ebook – or you can read it in June, when it’s released as a Harlequin Presents Extra with the title Behind the Palace Walls.

Where can readers find you?

Twitter: @LynnRayeHarris

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnRayeHarris

Website: http://www.LynnRayeHarris.com

List other books you have out:

Spanish Magnate, Red-Hot Revenge (Aug 2009)

Cavelli’s Lost Heir (Jan 2010)

The Prince’s Royal Concubine (Jun 2010)

Chosen by the Sheikh (Nov 2010)

Upcoming books:

THE DEVIL’S HEART, April 2011
BEHIND THE PALACE WALLS, June 2011
THE HEARTLESS REBEL, November 2011

Will you be willing to answer questions in regards to writing and publication today?

I’ll try my best to be here to do so!

Thank you so much for joining us at Romance Author Hotspot!

Author’s Holiday Gift: 1 signed copy of Chosen by the Sheikh and 1 signed copy of The Prince’s Royal Concubine

Remember to enter to win! Check out the other party rooms! See Holiday Bash Prize List! Click Here.

Welcome to Holiday Bash 2010! Contestant #11:

Silhouette Desire Author

Tessa Radley

BIO:

USA Today bestselling author Tessa Radley considers herself a reader at heart. Growing up in a world surrounded by Nancy Drew, My Friend Flicka, Cherry Ames, Anne of Green Gables and Bilbo Baggins, she finds it hard to believe she now fills her hours creating stories for other readers to discover.

Preliminary Questions:

Eggnog or Mimosas? Are you old enough to drink?

Young at heart…Mimosa wins out. Orange is my favorite color AND I love the bubbles.

We’re also taking pictures with Santa, did you bring a gift for him?

I’ve brought along a 2010 Christmas Gift Selection. This includes:

The Twelve Nights Of Christmas by Sarah Morgan

His Christmas Virgin by Carole Mortimer

For the Sake of the Secret Child by Yvonne Lindsay

Saved By The Sheikh by ME

AND a BONUS book The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs

WOW! You brought lots of goodies! Can we see your book though? *grins*

Billionaires and Babies:

Powerful men—wrapped around

their babies’ little fingers.

Baby Deception

Widowed billionaire Nick Valentine should have known the new nanny was too good to be true. And when Candace Morrison revealed her hidden designs on his baby daughter, Nick was ready. The sexy schemer would definitely get what was coming to her, but that wouldn’t include Nick’s child.

Candace knew Nick had been deceived—but not by her. She was stunned by her boss’s fierce response to the truth—and to their undeniable chemistry. Now she’d stop at nothing to prove her shocking claims about the little Valentine heiress. But would it make them a family…or tear them apart?

Excerpt:

What—?

The door to Jennie’s nursery stood ajar. Nick pushed it open and entered.

One sweeping glance revealed that the room was empty.

Three strides took him past a tea party of teddy bears sitting on the floor, to the wall of windows overlooking the pool deck. There was no sign of the child or her motherly nanny—Nick couldn’t remember the woman’s name—by the pool, or on the expanse of manicured lawn rolling down to the edge of the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

He glanced at his watch. Five o’clock. He knew from the schedule he’d memorized that it was Jennie’s dinnertime. The baby should be home. Mrs. Busby, his housekeeper, would have an answer. Downstairs, Mrs. Busby was not in the high-tech chrome-and-black kitchen. Where had all his staff gone? Impatient now, Nick rang the bell.

Long minutes later, Mrs. Busby appeared through the swing doors that led to the basement suites where the staff lived. At the sight of him, the housekeeper tugged at her dress collar. “I’m sorry, Mr. Valentine. I didn’t know you were home yet.”

Nick didn’t bother to tell her that he’d gotten an earlier connection; instead, he got to the crux of what he wanted to know. “Where is Jennie?”

“Candace took her to the park—you can reach her on her cell phone.” The housekeeper headed for the kitchen island with its bank of drawers. “I’ll get the number—”

“Wait!” Nick’s brows jerked together. The nanny’s name wasn’t Candace. He would’ve remembered that. “Who is Candace?”

Short BIO: USA Today bestselling author Tessa Radley considers herself a reader at heart. Growing up in a world surrounded by Nancy Drew, My Friend Flicka, Cherry Ames, Anne of Green Gables and Bilbo Baggins, she finds it hard to believe she now fills her hours creating stories for other readers to discover.

Please enter. Drinks are served by the elves in the corner.

Thanks! You know, talking about elves, my neighbor is threatening to send me a link to turn the family into elves (on eCard). Apparently even Hell Hound can become a dancing elf!

Let’s play a game first…

You’re at the Holiday Party, surrounded by movie stars. Given a dare, you have to tell an actor that you are a romance writer. Who is this person? How do you approach this conversation and what do you think his reaction would be? Oh by the way, he’s standing under mistletoe.

I got a giggle out of the thought of telling Jack Nicolson I’m a romance writer. Remember the movie As Good As It Gets where he plays a misogynistic romance writer? I love that movie! I think he’d make a cutting comeback…the verbal sparring would be delicious. BUT the mistletoe would scare me away! I have absolutely no desire to kiss Melvin Udall…

You’re in a Holiday writing contest. You have to plot a book in 30 minutes. You’re given a sleigh, a reindeer and a Santa hat. What do you come up with? How do you go about this?

First thought, what’s happening? And what kind of character would be caught in that situation. Sooooh. Santa hat and sleigh definitely puts a guy who’s hero material there. What’s he doing? Why the hat? He’s been playing Santa? Why? Friday night late? Yes! Stag party? Ah. Bright light goes on. Stag party. Reindeer. That works.  Hero would be bare-chested, wearing Santa suit pants and hat. Fooling around as he arrives at gig for his brother’s stag night. Heroine, of course shouldn’t be there….it’s a stag night…maybe she stowed away in the sleigh. Mmmm. Maybe she’s the bride’s best friend arrived to tell the groom the wedding is off…and Santa waylays her? Or what if it’s HIS own stag night, and his bride arrives to call wedding off. Half naked Santa abducts her in a sleigh…

OK, braincells are hotting up. Off to see if I can turn this into a short story…!

You’re good! Here’s a mimosa! That was definitely well earned! So, why do you write romance?

Because I have to believe in happy endings.

Are you a plotter or pantser? What is your routine?

I’m more of a plotter BUT my story always starts with the characters. My routine seems to change for every book. Only thing that doesn’t change is the fact that before I sit down to right I need my timer…and Youngest Son has usually stolen it! Of course, one time I was cursing son, searching for timer in his room, and finally found it in the garden. Hell Hound had chewed it up. That was a crisis. That timer is crucial to my writing process.

What advice would you give aspiring authors?

Sit down, write every day. A timer helps! Writer’s block is a more acceptable name for procrastination. Once you start working, it tends to pass…

What are you working on right now?

I’m waiting for my editor’s comments on my next book Reclaiming His Pregnant Widow. The story has been a challenge…and I love challenges.

What news would you like to share with your readers?

I’m looking forward to a great 2011. The past 18 months have been very tough. But I’m really excited to have a new year lying in front of me like a ribbon of road unfurling into the future.

Where can readers find you?

Twitter – not yet!

Facebook: Tessa Radley

Website: www.tessaradley.com

Others: http://community.eharlequin.com/blogs/tessa-radley – I recently did an short interview welcoming new Desire author Cat Schield there. Check it out…I can’t wait to read Cat’s first book.

List other books you have out:

Mistletoe Under the Mistletoe is out in the UK right now—and it’s still available as an ebook. Easiest place to find other books is over at my website http://www.tessaradley.com/books.php

Will you be willing to answer questions in regards to writing and publication today?

I’m finding the digital explosion very exciting. I think the best thing about Christmas this year is the amount of requests for eReaders from Santa. (And yay to Romance Author Hotspot for giving away a kindle!) I love reading…and I think it’s wonderful that eReaders may bring more people to my favorite pastime.

Thank you so much for joining us at Romance Author Hotspot! You’re fabulous!

Thank you so much for inviting me. Wishing everyone a wonderful festive season. May Santa be kept busy. And may 2011 be filled with joy and great reads!

Tessa

Author’s Holiday Gift:

The Twelve Nights Of Christmas by Sarah Morgan

His Christmas Virgin by Carole Mortimer

For the Sake of the Secret Child by Yvonne Lindsay

Saved By The Sheikh by ME

AND a BONUS book The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs

Remember to enter to win! Check out the other party rooms! See Holiday Bash Prize List! Click here.

Welcome to Holiday Bash 2010! Contestant #10:

Cindy Spencer Pape

BIO:

Cindy Spencer Pape is an avid reader of romance, fantasy, mystery, and even more romance who firmly believes in happily-ever-after. Married for more than twenty years to her own, sometimes-kilted hero, she lives in Michigan with him and two grown sons, along with an ever-changing menagerie of pets.  Cindy has been, among other things, a banker, a teacher, and an elected politician, but mostly an environmental educator, though now she is lucky enough to write full-time.

Preliminary Questions:

Eggnog or Mimosas? Are you old enough to drink?

I don’t really like either, but if I had to pick, then mimosas. Diet Coke is what I usually drink, though I’m plenty old enough. (Heck, I think I have shoes old enough.)

LOL. We’re also taking pictures with Santa, did you bring a gift for him? (Maybe a new release or a pretty book cover…)

Well, if you prefer your holiday romances on the hotter side, I do have a couple over at Ellora’s Cave you can check out. J Yuletide Enchantment is a finalist in this year’s EPIC awards for fantasy erotic romance, while The Cowboy’s Christmas Bride was a finalist in the CAPA awards for short contemporary romance in 2007.

Blurb: Running from a wedding gone wrong, Allison finds herself snowbound with a sexy rancher.  CJ has been left at the altar once, so he’s leery of getting involved with a runaway bride, while Allison is afraid to love at all.  Can the magic of the holidays, and CJ’s big crazy family, help them overcome the past, and make this the best Christmas ever?

Excerpt:

If something was genuinely wrong with the woman in his bathroom, he was the only person available to help.  Responsibility was a pain in the butt.  He tapped politely on the door.  “What’s wrong, Ms. Ken—Allison?”

There was a shuffling noise, and the door opened to reveal her standing there, still wearing her bedraggled wedding gown, though it looked somehow deflated.  Politeness required him to stifle a chuckle.  With her stringy hair and smeared mascara, she bore a striking resemblance to a young Alice Cooper in full makeup.  Figuring she wouldn’t appreciate the comparison, he kept his mouth shut.

“I c-can’t get the stupid thing undone!”  Two fat tears rolled down her cheeks, and he noticed she was shivering again.  When he raised an eyebrow, she turned to reveal a long line of tiny pearl buttons running from the gown’s high neckline to the curve of her butt.  A few buttons at the top and a couple more at her waistline were loose, but the rest remained secure.  The thing had clearly been designed for a bridegroom to take off slowly, rather than being removed by the wearer.

Gritting his teeth, CJ reached out a hand and rested it steadily on her shoulder.  Allison jumped like a skittish colt, but then quieted almost immediately.

“Thank you,” she murmured in a tiny voice as he began to unfasten the damned dinky buttons.  There had to be at least thirty of the little suckers, he griped silently, his thick callused fingers slipping off of the damp plastic pearls.  He finally got the chance to peel a woman out of her wedding gown, and not only did he not get to sleep with her, but even his hands wouldn’t cooperate.   He hoped the fates were laughing their heads off at their great cosmic joke on CJ Hall.

I’ll order you a Diet Coke if you answer these first:

You’re stuck at a ski lodge. There’s a blizzard outdoors and all your fans are hanging out in front of the fireplace. You’ve been asked to read out loud one of your books. Which one do you pick and why?

Probably The Cowboy’s Christmas Bride, as a snowstorm is the opening scene.

You’re in a Holiday writing contest. You have to plot a book in 30 minutes. You’re given a sleigh, a reindeer and a Santa hat. What do you come up with? How do you go about this?

Ooh, a shape-shifting reindeer who turns into a hunky guy wearing nothing but a Santa hat? What’s a poor little elf to do but have hot, steamy fun with him in the sleigh?  (Umm—that took about 30 seconds. Does it count?)

I think you won us over at ‘shape-shifting reindeer.’ LOL. Please enter. Drinks are served by the elves in the corner. Why thank you!

Why do you write romance?

Because I think the world needs more happy-ever-after. Even if it’s only for the time it takes to read the book!

What advice would you give aspiring authors?

Don’t. Give. Up. Just don’t do it. Always shoot for that “one more try.”

What characteristics do all your heroes/heroines have in all your stories?

All my heroes and heroines have to have some kind of inner strength, an innate kindness, and usually a sense of humor, though that may have to be dragged out of them by the other. They’re usually smart and fiercely protective of the ones that they love. Other than that, I love mixing it up and pairing different kinds of personalities together.

What are you working on right now?

A valentine story for Ellora’s Cave (due, like, yesterday!)

What news would you like to share with your readers? I just contracted book 3 in my Urban Arcana series with Carina Press, Motor City Werewolf, which will be out in 2011. Coming earlier will be two steampunk/fantasy/romances, books 1 & 2 in the Gaslight Chronicles, also from Carina Press. Also hopefully, the valentine erotic story from EC, assuming I get it in ASAP.

Where can readers find you?

Website: http://www.cindyspencerpape.com

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

Newsletter group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cspapenewsgroup/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/CindySPape

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

List other books you have out:

I just contracted book #40, so it’s a pretty long list. You can find them all here. http://www.cindyspencerpape.com/booklist.html

Will you be willing to answer questions in regards to writing and publication today? sure

Thank you so much for joining us at Romance Author Hotspot!

Thanks for having me!

Author’s Holiday Gift:

A signed print copy of The Cowboy’s Christmas Bride

Remember to enter to win! Check out the other party rooms! See Holiday Prize List! Click Here.

Welcome to Holiday Bash 2010! Contestant #9:

Jennifer Shirk

BIO:

Jennifer Shirk has a bachelor degree in pharmacy-which has in NO WAY at all helped her with her writing career. But she likes to point it out, since it shows romantic-at-hearts come in all shapes, sizes, and mind-numbing educations.

She writes sweet romantic comedies and won third place in the RWA 2006 NYC’s Kathryn Hayes Love and Laughter Contest with her book, The Role of a Lifetime.

She’s also a board member for Straight Ahead Ministries, an organization involved in helping spread the gospel  and aiding medical and pharmacy students in Russia. She resides in a beach resort in NJ, and when she’s not involved in all the above, she’s taking care of her most treasured possessions: her husband, daughter, and four hermit crabs.

Preliminary Questions:

Eggnog or Mimosas? Mimosas (less fattening)

Are you old enough to drink? Is this question a joke? LOL

LOL. I could ask you for I.D…We’re also taking pictures with Santa, did you bring a gift for him? (Maybe a new release or a pretty book cover…)

Blurb:

There’s more to life than playing make believe.

Sandra Moyer has a good reason to distrust actors. She was once married to one who left her and her child. However, she’s desperate for publicity to help her struggling preschool. Hollywood playboy Ben Capshaw’s request to access her classes to prepare for a role is an offer she can’t refuse.

Sandra second guesses herself on that decision until she sees Ben in action with the children. Her apprehension turns to wonder, and then to feelings she’d thought were closed off forever. Yet how can she trust that what she’s seeing is real?

As a boy, Ben learned that acting was the answer to everything. The role he’s up for now will enhance his career and, he’s sure, secure his happiness. But spending time with Sandra and her daughter stirs up emotions that-for once-aren’t pretend.

Ben’s ready for a lifetime role as husband and father-if he can convince Sandra not to typecast him.

Excerpt: Click here

Ready for more fun questions? *grins*

Which actor/model does your hero in most of your stories resemble? Why?

**Definitely Patrick Dempsey. (my hubby knows I have a slight crush on him)

If this actor/model showed up at your party, dressed in a Santa suit, how would you approach him? I would NOT approach him! I am painfully shy. PAINFULLY SHY! On my first date with my hubby there was an awkward silence because I was so quiet and just stared into my salad. He finally had to say, “So…how about those croutons?”  LOL

You’re stuck at a ski lodge. There’s a blizzard outdoors and all your fans are hanging out in front of the fireplace. You’ve been asked to read out loud one of your books. Which one do you pick and why?

I would pick my most recent one…GEORGIE ON HIS MIND. Not because it’s a steamy book but because it’s the only one I haven’t read since it was published.

Okay, please enter. Drinks are served by the elves in the corner.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

PLOTTER. What is your routine? Usually I begin with characters and names then give them each a GOAL, MOTIVATION, CONFLICT and then decide how those things will change by the end of the story.

What advice would you give aspiring authors?

Keep writing! Ugh, I hated it when I heard other writers say this to me, but I can see now that it’s so true. The more you write, the more your style changes and your voice really begins to develop.

What characteristics do all your heroes/heroines have in all your stories? All my heroes are usually funny—or at least can laugh at themselves. My heroines all seem to be…quirky in some way.

What are you working on right now? A spinoff book of GEORGIE ON HIS MIND. This book will center on Georgie’s brother Brad.

What news would you like to share with your readers? My latest release GEORGIE ON HIS MIND recently got a glowing review from Booklist magazine!

Where can readers find you?

Web site: http://www.jennifershirk.com/

Blogs: http://www.jennifershirk.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Jennifer-Shirk/100000745044647

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/jennifershirk

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/jennifershirk

List other books you have out:

GEORGIE ON HIS MIND from Avalon Books

Will you be willing to answer questions in regards to writing and publication today? Sure

Thank you so much for joining us at Romance Author Hotspot!

Author’s Holiday Gift: Ebook download of The Role of a Lifetime

Remember to enter to win! Check out the other party rooms! See Holiday Bash Prize List! Click Here

Wecome to Holiday Bash 2010! Contestant #8:

Katherine Brandon

BIO:

Once upon a time, a fledgling author fell in love with historical romance novels and began to pen her own stories featuring heroes in breeches and heroines in petticoats. Kismet’s Angel was Katherine Brandon’s result. In fact, Katherine Brandon is the pseudonym for light-hearted contemporary author, Gina Ardito. Katherine/Gina lives on Long Island with her husband of more than twenty years, their two children, a bionic dog, one cat with a foot fetish and another cat affectionately known as “The Skitten.” She is one of the co-founders and current president for Dunes & Dreams, the Eastern Long Island chapter of Romance Writers of America.

Preliminary Questions:

Eggnog or Mimosas? Are you old enough to drink? Mimosas. And I’ve been old enough to drink three times already (once when the drinking age was 18, the following year when my state upped it to 19, and two years later, when they upped it to 21)

Are you trying to convince me not to let you in? * wink * We’re also taking pictures with Santa, did you bring a gift for him? (Maybe a new release or a pretty book cover…)

Blurb:

Raised by a ragtag group of tender-hearted sailors in 19th century Hyderabad, Antoinetta Manu has grown into a woman determined to sail her own course in life. But when her past and future collide with terrifying results, only one man can set her free.

American merchant Darian St. Clair has come to India to find out the truth about the death of his stepfather’s only child. What he finds is a woman he cannot live without.

Spanning two continents and two realms, Kismet’s Angel is the story of two extraordinary mortals, one determined goddess, and a destiny that only true love can fulfill…

Excerpt:

With a sigh of disapproval, she signaled Darian to her side, near an oaken barrel filled with clear water. “Has anyone explained this to you?” Her sweeping hand encompassed the fallen men, the paper lanterns, and finally, her red-powdered self.

“Daya said this was the Hindi festival of fire,” he replied. “And Ahmed told me a charming story about a demoness burned alive. Something I must remember to tell my children one day.”

Lashes shuttered her eyes as she dipped a wooden basin into the barrel. “You have children?”

“No. No wife, no children.” Nor did he want to discuss his home life. Not when her background held more sway over the coming days. “I’d like to know more about you. Is Ahmed your only family?”

A pile of muslin rags sat near the barrel and she dipped one into her basin, and then wrung out the excess water. “Everyone you see here is family. Daya and Uthman, Ali, Nadir, Hassan.” She handed him the rag and repeated the procedure with another muslin scrap. “I have more guardians than a royal princess.”

Did she know? He bent to study her expression, but she buried her face in the muslin and began dabbing away the colored streaks.

When she finally dropped the cloth, she frowned. “You’re not cleaning your shirt. Here.”

She took the cloth from him and stepped closer. Grabbing a fistful of linen in one hand, she dabbed gently at his chest with the rag. Damp fabric separated her fingertips from his bare skin. His heart skipped and the blood sizzled in his veins. Cinnamon and vanilla surrounded him. Sweet Christ, did she have any idea the effect her nearness had?

Sounds fabulous! But no entrance yet.

You’re at the Holiday Party, surrounded by movie stars. Given a dare, you have to tell your actor/model/hero that you are a romance writer. Who is this person? How do you approach this conversation and what do you think his reaction would be? Oh by the way, he’s standing under mistletoe.

Lucky for me, I’m not shy when it comes to a dare. If I’m talking about Kismet’s Angel, I’m going to approach Brad Pitt. Of course, Angelina’s there, so I’ll probably talk to her first so she doesn’t think I’m after her man (plus, she could totally pull off my heroine). I’ll compliment them both on their latest films and segue right into, “I have to tell you, Brad, you were the inspiration for the hero in one of my books.” That’ll be enough to get Brad (or Angelina) to ask for details: what I write, what the story’s about, etc. Alas, the mistletoe would go ignored. Probably not the answer you were looking for, but I’m a professional and I’m also a married woman so I’d keep my wits about me.

You’re in a Holiday writing contest. You have to plot a book in 30 minutes. You’re given a sleigh, a reindeer and a Santa hat. What do you come up with? How do you go about this?

I’m not a plotter, so I’m coming up with a scene. I’m thinking poor, 30 year old, working-for-a-living Emma works at the local petting zoo and has to wear a Santa hat for the tourists during the holiday season. While decorating the reindeer’s stall with a life-size replica of Santa’s sleigh, the reindeer’s nose suddenly glows red and Emma is transported to Santa’s workshop where she meets Santa’s gorgeous 35 year old son, Spencer Claus. From there, I build: Emma doesn’t believe in Santa because she grew up in an orphanage where Christmas was just another day of disappointment. Spencer’s been stuck in the North Pole his whole life and…no, wait. Reverse that for more fun. Spencer’s the orphan and Emma’s Santa’s daughter. Oh, yeah. Now we’ve got something! And on and on. (And I wrote this within 20 minutes, to be fair.)

*snort* Okay. Please enter. Drinks are served by the elves in the corner.

Why do you write romance?

Because there’s no greater emotion in the world than love. And in the writing world, romance has no limitations: you can write historical romance, contemporary romance, futuristic romance, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, erotic romance, sweet romance, romantic comedy, the list goes on and on. All you need are two people involved in a relationship and a happy ending. And isn’t that what we all want out of life? A little adventure, a little laughter, a life-changing relationship, and a happy ending. What’s not to like?

Are you a plotter or pantser? What is your routine?

I’m a pantser all the way. Ideas come to me from the ether. At the beginning stage, I generally start with some small seed: a few lines of dialogue, a fun scene, a character who calls to me. From that point, I toy with concepts in my head. Since I write historical novels, I need to find the ideal place and time to set this seed. That’s when the research begins. Once I have a general idea of time, place, and character, I start writing. Each morning, I re-read where I left off the night before and ask myself, “Now what?”  I answer that question with the next scene or the next bit of dialogue. And I continue this process until I reach The End. I often write my characters into situations without knowing how they’ll get away, but by keeping myself on the edge of my seat, I hope it translates onto the page for the reader in much the same way.

What characteristics do all your heroes/heroines have in all your stories?

In every book I write, whether contemporary or historical, there’s a character who’s a strong believer in justice for the weak, poor, and/or neglected. My heroes and heroines may be flawed, but they stay on the right side of the law and have a strong moral fiber. I can’t write a happily ever after for any character I don’t believe deserves it.

What are you working on right now? Currently, I’m finishing up Book II of my contemporary series for Avalon under my Gina Ardito persona while the Katherine Brandon side of me is preparing a historical novel that takes place in Eastern Europe during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia for submission.

What news would you like to share with your readers? The Kismets will definitely have a fourth book. I’m just waiting for the right story line to speak to me.

Where can readers find you?

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/GinaArdito

Facebook: Katherine Brandon

Website: www.katherinebrandon.com

List other books you have out: As Gina Ardito (sweet contemporary novels): The Bonds of Matri-money, A Little Slice of Heaven, A Run for the Money, and (coming in April 2011) Nobody’s Darling. As Katherine Brandon: Kismet’s Revenge and Kismet’s Salvation.

Will you be willing to answer questions in regards to writing and publication today? Sure!

Thank you so much for joining us at Romance Author Hotspot!

Author’s Holiday Gift: Free copy of “Kismet’s Angel” Book I of the Kismet Series (e-book or paperback in US or Canada–winner’s choice; e-book only, all other areas)

Remember to enter to win! Check out the other party rooms! See the Holiday Bash Prize List! Click Here.

Welcome to Holiday Bash 2010! Contestant #7:

Debora Dennis

BIO:

A romance reader since she found Barbara Cartland in her middle school library, Debora hasn’t been without at least one romance novel in her hand, in her pocketbook or on her nightstand since! A firm believer in happy endings she began writing her own romances for herself years ago and either stuffed them in a drawer or tossed them out before her husband finally gave her a computer and told her stop dreaming and start doing. She’s been actively writing romance and submitting her work since 2004.

Preliminary Questions:

Eggnog or Mimosas? Are you old enough to drink? Eggnog with rum!

We’re also taking pictures with Santa, did you bring a gift for him? (Maybe a new release or a pretty book cover…) Of course I brought something for Santa, here’s my beautiful cover of my November release!

Blurb:

Would you die for love…twice?

William Montgomery, a blacksmith wrongly sentenced to death in 1806 for the murder of the woman he loved, cannot rest. His ghost is bound to Clayton Creek. For over two hundred years he’s been waiting for the soul of his true love to find him and set his soul free.

Rebecca Prescott is tormented by the recurring nightmare of her ancestor’s murder. Drawn to a two-week colonial reenactment at the scene of the ancient crime, she doesn’t count on one charming blacksmith or past life memories of an undying love to shatter her reality.

As Rebecca searches for answers from the past, William needs to win her love and earn her forgiveness to undo the witch’s curse that bound him to Clayton Creek. Can Rebecca’s soul finally reunite with her destined love or will she repeat the past and die once again for the man she loves?

He is gorgeous! I heard A Fistful of Fate had made Cover of the month over at Happily Ever After Reviews, but it’s still a ‘no go’. At least until you answer these questions:

Which actor/model does your hero in most of your stories resemble? Why?

If this actor/model showed up at your party, dressed in a Santa suit, how would you approach him? Would you tell anyone that Santa is your hero? I usually don’t model my hero after any one particular actor or anyone famous, I pick different pieces So my hero could be combination of Russell Crowe and his gladiator physique, with a Dennis Quade smile or something along those lines. Since I’m not what you’d call a “shy girl” I would most definitely walk right up and tell him how he inspired me. Would I tell everyone around me? You bet!

You’re in a Holiday writing contest. You have to plot a book in 30 minutes. You’re given a sleigh, a reindeer and a Santa hat. What do you come up with? How do you go about this?

My favorite way to brainstorm a new story is to play the “what if” game. With a piece of paper numbered down the side from 1 – 20 I take my simple idea and come up with twenty different scenarios for plots. Usually the first few are common and cliched. The last few are utterly outlandish and silly. But somewhere in the middle is my diamond in the rough. So given my quite stingy thirty minute timeframe, I’d be writing a story about a reserved teacher who finds a reindeer, an empty sleigh and Santa’s hat on her front lawn. When three men claim to be the real Santa and demand the lost magic hat, only one truly has the power to make her his queen. Which one will pass her tests with a little Christmas magic of his own? I’ll need a little more than 30 minutes to figure that out!

Alright, you can come in and fill up on those mimosas…

Why do you write romance?

Because there is no better feeling in the world that than a love story!

What characteristics do all your heroes/heroines have in all your stories?

My characters all have made mistakes, they’re human! They are looking for a second chance to make things right or to prove themselves of worthy of something they want so desperately.

What writing resources do you abide by as a writer?

My dictionary, my thesaurus are always close by.  I believe in thorough research and the collective opinions and guidance of my critique group!

What are you working on right now?

A lighthearted contemporary set in the Adirondacks.

What news would you like to share with your readers? One of my novellas that had to pulled from sale due to my epublisher going out of business has found a new home. I wish I could give more details, but I can’t at the moment. But watch my website for more information coming soon!

Where can readers find you?

Twitter: twitter.com/DeboraDennis

Facebook: facebook.com/DeboraDennis.Author

Website: www.deboradennis.com

Others: www.deboradennis.com/blog

List other books you have out:

The Kandy Shoppe will be available soon from my new publisher!

Will you be willing to answer questions in regards to writing and publication today? Sure

Thank you so much for joining us at Romance Author Hotspot!

Author’s Holiday Gift: Christmas themed sheet of scrapbook stickers

Remember to enter to win! Check out the other party rooms! See Holiday Bash Prize List! Click here.

Welcome to Holiday Bash 2010! Contestant #6:

Harlequin Romance Author

Donna Alward

BIO:

A busy wife and mother of three (2 daughters and the family dog), Donna Alward believes hers is the best job in the world: a combination of stay-at-home mom and romance novelist.

An avid reader since childhood, Donna always made up her own stories. She completed her Arts Degree in English Literature in 1994, but it wasn’t until 2001 that she penned her first full-length novel, and found herself hooked on writing romance. In 2006 she sold her first manuscript.

From her new home office in Nova Scotia, Donna loves being back on the East Coast of Canada after nearly 12 years in Alberta where her Harlequin career began, writing about cowboys and the west. Donna’s debut Harlequin Romance, Hired by the Cowboy, was awarded the Booksellers Best Award in 2008 for Best Traditional Romance.

With the Atlantic Ocean only minutes from her doorstep, Donna has found a fresh take on life and promises even more great romances in the near future!

Eggnog or Mimosas? Are you old enough to drink?

Mimosas! I can only handle one cup of egg nog, it’s too rich. But I can sip away on Mimosas….

We’re also taking pictures with Santa, did you bring a gift for him? (Maybe a new release or a pretty book cover…)

Blurb:

The cowboy…

After a hard day’s ranching, Wyatt Black wants to kick back with a cold beer.  But when he steps onto his porch he has unexpected company – his tiny abandoned baby niece!

His doorstep baby…

Against her better judgment, his neighbour Elli Marchuk agrees to help Wyatt for a few days.

And the girl next door!

Elli soon falls in love with baby Darcy, but it’s her grouchy, gorgeous protector who’s got her head over heels….

Excerpt: Click here

We want more! If you answer these questions first, maybe we’ll let you in…

You’re stuck at a ski lodge. There’s a blizzard outdoors and all your fans are hanging out in front of the fireplace. You’ve been asked to read out loud one of your books. Which one do you pick and why?

Reading out loud from my own work is really, really daunting. But I’d have to pick something that is a little lighter because I’m an easy crier and mixing that with nerves means there’s a good chance I’ll lose it while reading, lol. I remember reading a scene from The Soldier’s Homecoming to a room of people once and I got choked up.

I like banter, and I might actually read from my current work in progress as the heroine has a bit of a smart mouth where the hero is concerned.

You’re in a Holiday writing contest. You have to plot a book in 30 minutes. You’re given a sleigh, a reindeer and a Santa hat. What do you come up with? How do you go about this?

First I picture who is wearing the Santa hat and figure out who he is. Then I imagine why he’s got a sleigh (I write Westerns, maybe he’s a reindeer rancher? LOL). After that I envision the entire scene – who is the heroine, why is she there, why should she love the hero (or not, gotta have some conflict you know) and let the scene inspire the story. I’m a pantser, so pre-plotting is so not my strong suit!

Reindeer rancher! That’s awesome! Please enter. Drinks are served by the elves in the corner.

Why do you write romance?

Aw, this one’s easy. Romance is filled with hope. Hope for love and a better future than where you are RIGHT NOW. It’s an optimistic genre and you leave a story (hopefully) feeling better about life.

How long have you been writing for? And how would you describe your publication journey?

I’ve been writing since 2001, and I sold my first book in March of 2006. I wrote a lot and learned a lot in the 4 ½ years it took me to get published. There were times I got discouraged, but I knew it was what I wanted and I kept on. I had (and still have) a great critique partner who keeps me on the straight and narrow.  In addition to great writing advice, she keeps me sane.

Not to say that I didn’t wish each ms was The One, because I did, but I think the 10 books I wrote before selling taught me a lot and served to prepare me for what was coming. There is a lot more to this business than I ever imagined, and I’m not sure I would have been ready if I’d sold sooner. It all worked out exactly as it was supposed to.

Are you a plotter or pantser? What is your routine? Pantser. I start with character and a scenario, but then I just start and get going. I am finally comfortable with my process, and allow myself to write a “discovery draft” where I learn as I go. The surprises that pop up are usually things that make the story better and deeper and then during revisions I can go back and bring it all into a cohesive story.

What are you working on right now? A new Harlequin Romance with the working title of The Cowgirl’s Convenient Husband. It’s a friends-to-lovers, marriage of convenience story that I’m having a lot of fun with.

What news would you like to share with your readers?

To coincide with the release of Proud Rancher, Precious Bundle, I have an online read coming up at www.eharlequin.com .  Remember Me, Cowboy starts on February 14 and there will be a new chapter 3x a week for 3 weeks. J  There’ll be an excerpt from Proud Rancher, Precious Bundle in the back of all Harlequin series books in January, too.

Where can readers find you?

Twitter: @DonnaAlward

Facebook: Donna Alward, Romance Author

Website: www.donnaalward.com

Others: Blog at www.donnaalward.blogspot.com

List other books you have out:

BREATHE released from Samhain Publishing in November, and SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER hit e-shelves (also Samhain) in April. SOLD will be out in print starting February 1.

A BRIDE FOR ROCKING H RANCH was reprinted in a UK anthology, Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses in December. You can check out upcoming releases on my website.

Will you be willing to answer questions in regards to writing and publication today? YES

Yay! Thank you so much for joining us at Romance Author Hotspot!

Author’s Holiday Gift:

Signed advance copy of Proud Rancher, Precious Bundle

Remember to enter to win! Check out the other party rooms! See Holiday Bash Prize list! Click here.