Romance Author Hotspot

Today, our guest of honor is Jae Lynne Davies. It’s so nice to have you here, and I’m sure you’re ready for a good time! Let the party begin!

First Questions:

Wine or beer? (If you want a club soda, I’ll have to send you to the corner.)

Wine, please. I love the Italian reds.

Fancy! I don’t think I’ve ever had a good Italian red…Cake or chips? Are you a sugar or salt person?

Definitely chips. I’m a salt person.

Are you old enough to drink? LOL.

Guilty. I’ve been old enough for awhile and can keep up with the best.

Calm down, tiger. Pay toll! No gift, no bar! What did you bring us?

Blurb:

Centuries after the death of her family, human/vampire hybrid, Gianna Marino is determined to shed the blood of the vampire responsible. Disguising herself as a human wanting to be turned, she infiltrates the enemy’s coven with the hope of bending him to her will and destroying him from the inside. But when a handsome stranger enters the scene and is lured into their seductive game that results in a heated love triangle, she discovers a secret that blurs the lines between good and evil, forever changing the course of her existence, and destiny will soon determine on which side she’ll stand.

Gorgeous cover. Love the tattoos! What makes your character and story so special?

What would you do if your family was murdered because you existed? What would happen if you found the killer? What would happen if you grew close to him? Attracted to him? Could there be room in your heart for anything more than vengeance? This is what my heroine faces.

Gianna Marino—the heroine in MYTHIC, was born a human/vampire hybrid. Because of what she is, someone discovered her secret. As a result, her parents were eliminated for the audacity of creating a new race. Now she’s hell bent on revenge, looking to kill the vamp responsible. But when she finds him, infiltrates his coven, and grows close to him, the objective and motive begins to blur.

The poor girl is now attracted to her parents’ killer and she fights the inevitable on a daily basis. Then the hero enters the picture with a problem of his own, turning up the heat. Passion ignites, secrets are revealed, and when nothing is what it seems, she’s left with a few decisions to make. Torn between her feelings for the hero, the villain, and the loyalty she feels toward her family, the conflict in this story is through the roof!

How will the story end? There’s only one way to find out!

Very intriguing! Now you can come in…

So, what do you write? And why?

I write paranormal romance and urban fantasy. I enjoy creating a fantasy world with mythical elements where challenges exist on a on a grander scale.

Sounds fun! What would your characters say about you?

They’d probably say that I’m demanding and won’t hesitate to silence them for a short period of time for being difficult. They have their moments, but lately they’ve behaved themselves.

I think they need to come here and get in trouble or something. How would you describe your writing style?

Daring. I say that because I’ve been told that I like to bend the rules a bit when writing. If I don’t feel the characters are ready for a traditional “happily ever after” ending, I won’t give them one immediately if I feel the story would be rushed. I do have stories that end with an HEA in the first novel, but I tend to gravitate toward the ones that are more of a journey that will end even more powerfully because of what the characters endured together. Sometimes, characters need to grow before they complete the journey and sometimes their story needs more than one novel, but it will be a fun ride!

Definitely! What do you think makes a good story?

Give me conflict and a huge world that I can imagine existing within our own! I love good challenges that characters need to overcome. The more dangerous, the better!

Ut oh, no wonder the Italian reds come in handy. Who is your favorite author and why? Do you write what you read?

Do you have all day for me to list them all?  One of my favorites is Joey W. Hill. The woman has a way with words that is nothing short of pure magic. She has a talent for pulling you into a scene to a point that you’re left feeling like you were standing there amongst her characters, watching the scene unfold.

Sherrilyn Kenyon is another favorite. Her world building is pure genius! I can’t get enough of the Dark-Hunters. I’ve often found myself wishing her world was real or that I could hop inside the pages for a few days.

Larissa Ione is another favorite worthy of praise. Her Demonica series is quite addictive. It’s a large world with many different races and extremely HOT scenes. I find myself reading these books over and over again.

Do you like more Alpha or Beta heroes?

Alpha heroes, for sure. I love a strong hero who knows what he wants and takes it with no apologies.

What else are you working on right now?

I’m working on a few things right now. First, is the short story for Tease Publishing’s amazing Pantheon anthology that I’ve titled, “The Contract”. It features the Roman goddess, Diana. I’m also working on the sequel to “Mythic”, titled “Blood Moon” which is Dante’s story—a secondary character in the first book.

The third book in the Mythic series, tentatively titled “Ashes of Reckoning” will be a pivotal story as we’ll meet characters who will be featured in a spinoff series of fallen angels.

Can’t wait to see more! And where can people find you and your work?

Facebook: Jae Lynne Davies

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

Blog: http://jaelynnedavies.blogspot.com/

Website: http://www.jaelynnedavies.com/

Thanks so much for coming! One lucky comment will get an awesome ebook copy of Mystic! Yay!

Today, our guest of honor is Liz Crowe. It’s so nice to have you here, and I’m sure you’re ready for a good time! Let the party begin!

First Questions:

Wine or beer? (If you want a club soda, I’ll have to send you to the corner.)

Well, since I own a craft microbrewery I’m gonna say. . .I drink a lot of beer and am an Official Hop Head but am also partial to a Big Fat Italian Red of the Amarone or Valpolicella variety.  Oh, and would never turn down a really great Woodford Reserve and water OR a perfectly crafted Bloody Mary made with Tito’s Vodka.   Yikes, maybe I need to dry out.  Or maybe not.

I guess not many of us can say we have a microbrewery in our backyards. LOL. Cake or chips? Are you a sugar or salt person?

I’ve been known to consume an entire bag of Ruffles while writing….but won’t pass up a Zingerman’s Candy Bar (it’s a local maker of most amazingly delicious foods including “Zang!” candy bars).  It all balances out when I gut out a 90-minute Bikram yoga session.

That does sound yummy. Not the last part about yoga. bleh. Are you old enough to drink? LOL.

Last time I checked anyway.

We won’t question since you might outdrink us here, but what did you bring us?

Blurb:

Successful business owner, Erin Brady is holding her own and then some in the male-dominated beer brewing industry. But her twenty-year marriage is crumbling as a result. She makes a last ditch attempt over one summer weekend to reconcile with her husband, only to finally accept the truth: It was over. When duty calls in the form of a last minute beer festival she must attend, Erin recognizes the futility of her efforts and leaves, knowing when she returns, her husband will be gone for good.

Vulnerable and emotionally raw, she arrives at the event with more issues than she can handle and finds herself distracted by the hot young brewer she wants to hire. Dedicated and loyal to her business, she tries to ignore the inevitable, but Jeff’s many skills serve as a balm to Erin’s battered psyche, as he helps with the beer booth and somehow works his way into her fantasies.

Where’s the pretty picture? Well, how about you tell us a little bit more about your series. Maybe I’ll let you in…

Jockey Box is the third installment in the Brewing Passion series, which chronicles The Winter Street Brewing company in a small midwest college town, its owners, and their various difficulties and encounters.  This one introduces readers to “Jeff Thornton” the new brewer, who makes an appearance at an off site beer festival where “Erin Brady” (our heroine) is working–trying to cope with the fact that her alpha husband has just left her for a younger woman.  Jeff’s appearance shocks her, and she struggles with a knee-jerk physical attraction to the admittedly very attractive young man.

And what makes your character and story so special?

This is a very important moment for Erin.  She is a strong woman who has sublimated her own career goals for her banker husband’s until being asked to join the Winter Street Brewing Company as marketing director and part owner.  Coping with the stresses of working in a highly competitive industry, and in close contact with a man with whom she has “history” (Trent–of “The Rookie”) and another man who desperately wants to be more than a business partner (“Owen”) Erin is pulled in so many directions when her husband Bradley finally gives her the ultimatum, Me or Your Job, she walks out on her way to the beer festival, leaving him to pack up and leave.

When she encounters Jeff at the festival, her vulnerable psyche is confronted with a force she can’t control–sheer physical attraction for a younger man, who is about to become her employee.  A “jockey box” is the name for a portable draft system that breweries use to take their beer taps on the road to festivals and events.

I realize that many readers aren’t interested in the beer part of the stories, but for me they lend a certain authenticity to a story about a woman trying to find herself, and happiness, in a man’s world.

All right, I guess you can come in. Now off to the roast….

So, what do you write? And why?

I write contemporary erotic romance–sans shifters, vamps, weres, faeries, warlocks, selkies, cops, firemen, or cowboys.  This is not to say I don’t enjoy reading about these types, especially if they are hot.  My stories currently involve life in a craft microbrewery (the series that is published) and Realtors (the current Massive WIP).

The “why” brings up an interesting life changing moment I had about a year and half ago.  I was living my life, busy, selling houses and trying to get my own microbrewery off the ground, shuttling my kids around, falling into bed every night having forgotten what it was like to enjoy myself.    My spouse, (also known as “Mr. Wench) took it upon himself to show me something new (to me) in the form of the Monere series by Sunny.  This completely fantastical tale, encompassing something like 5 books, was the most amazing, eye-opening and thigh loosening experience I had had in YEARS–literally.  The women are the leaders and they choose their male guardians based on their ability to sufficiently pleasure them.  Wow.  Seriously.

I went from there to some other hot stories, moving through several well-known authors including making a go at the Charlane Harris Vamp-o-rama (that is WAY hotter on the small screen than it is on the page).

In the process I got serious about my exercise program (Bikram hot yoga), lost nearly 40 pounds and rediscovered my inner, erm, sexual being.  Mr. Wench was (and is) ecstatic and for the record, when he said “so shut up and just write it already” I haven’t looked back!

Wow, I didn’t know you had a paranormal side. What would your characters say about you?

That I drink too much.  And spend an inordinate amount of time dreaming up reasons and locations and excuses for them to have hot sex.  Not in a complaining way of course.

LMAO. Okay, I can see that. What do you like doing besides writing and reading? Is it dangerous?

I own a craft microbrewery and spend many hours of each day researching my industry, blogging and doing my social network thing for it, plus planning and implementing promotions for the Tap Room, oh and going on sales calls with my distributor sales staff.   I also can brew a ten barrel batch myself (1 barrel = 30 gallons).  It’s fun, a lot of damn work staying ahead of the curve in a crowded market (sort of like writing erotic fiction), schmoozing my fellow craft brewers and marketers, and generally keeping my head above water.

Very impressive. What was your first sale as an author? Anything special about it?

Any first sale is special I’d say.  Mine was “The Rookie” which is a missing chapter in a novella (The Brewing Passion series, remember?) that is being developed as an interactive “adventure”–sort of a “choose her fate” kind of thing where readers will decide different paths for our heroine as she makes her way through her complicated life.  I will never forget the actual moment I opened up the email that said “Welcome to Breathless Press!”  I was on the bed in a hotel, at yet another soccer tournament for my youngest, facing a long day of soccer coach admiring between games.  I stood up on the bed and yelled so loud my fellow parents rushed to the door worried something was wrong (not with me, with my kid who is a defensive super star).  Granted Breathless Press is a new publisher but my whole “first published” experience with them has probably spoiled me rotten for any other house.  They have been fantastic!

Great first call story. Tell us about one of your favorite characters from your books.

Oh well, I am madly in love with Jack Gordon.  He’s a hero in the big fat Realtor WIP, a friend of the owners of the Winter Street Brewing Company, (Erin, Trent and Owen).  I have made him out to be a complicated, difficult, nearly unobtainable 6 foot 4 inch god of a man who falls in love with an equally unobtainable difficult and complicated heroine, Sara.  They are both pains in the ass in their own way, but destined to be together, no matter how hard they fight it.  Their story spans many years of missed opportunities and mis communications and blazingly hot encounters.  “Floor Time” is my baby, really, a labor of love.  But writing the Brewing Passion series has allowed me to experience first hand what it’s like to have professional editing at my disposal, having gone through 3 published works full of first, second and third drafts with an editor who is demanding but pushes me to be a Much Better Writer.  As a result, someday, hopefully Jack and Sara’s story will see the light of publishing day.

Do you like more Alpha or Beta heroes?

Alphas–the tall kind, with dark hair and a need to be In Charge with a large, um lust for life.

Are you a pantser or plotter?

Class A Pantser (right, Editor?).  My stories start with a scene, a hot one.  And essentially progress from there, characters writing themselves–almost.  I back into GMC typically.  But so far it’s worked out pretty well.

Shhh. You don’t know me here…LOL. Is there anything you’d want your readers and friends to know about you?

I’m a hop head.  I love my life as “beer wench!”  I am addicted to Bikram yoga.  I hate cooking and avoid it like the plague.  I am seriously and somewhat alarmingly obsessed with Sam Calagione, founder of Dog Fish Head brewery and amazingly hot individual  Met him in Denver last year.  I think I made an impression.

And where can readers find you and your work?

www.breatlesspress.com

Twitter: beerwencha2

Facebook: TheBeer Wench and “Erin Brady” (fan page)

Website: www.a2beerwench.com OR www.aabedwench.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for coming! (I’m assuming you’ll be around most of the day to answer comments and replies)

for sure, kids and I welcome them all!

You know you might get beat up for calling us ‘kids’ right? LOL.

Today, our guest of honor is Kim Bowman. It’s so nice to have you here, and I’m sure you’re ready for a good time! Let the party begin!

First Questions:

Wine or beer? (If you want a club soda, I’ll have to send you to the corner.) Oh boy! I’m in trouble. Might as well send me to the corner. I’m a Coke girl. My husband refuses to let me drink. Embarrass a guy one time in a fancy restaurant…

Trust me, you don’t want to hang in the corner. Cake or chips? Are you a sugar or salt person? If it’s my homemade red velvet cake or dirt pudding made with Golden Oreos, then cake. Otherwise, just give me the salt shaker!!

Are you old enough to drink? LOL. Yes, I even have two kids old enough to drink.

Sooooooooo, what did you bring us?

Blurb:

When Zanna Seoul accidentally causes the death of a fellow spirit guide’s charge while trying to save the life of the man she loves, she is stripped of her position and banished to Earth to die. In the spirit world, one doesn’t mess with what’s written. With Zanna no longer guiding him and his memory of her erased, Owen Nash is left wide open as the target of the vengeful spirit guide who feels he’s been wronged. A guide who also happens to be a werewolf. Once on Earth, Zanna refuses to stand by and watch Owen die, so she intervenes again, setting off a chain of events that could mean death for all of them if she doesn’t go back and undo the mess she’s made. Can Zanna succeed before the werewolf does?

Ooooooo, that sounds fabulous! And awesome cover too! And what makes your character and story so special? I knew I wanted to write a paranormal romance, but I wanted it to be original and unique to me. I believe we have unseen forces that guide and protect us. Call them guardian angels, spirit guides, luck, fate…it all amounts to the same thing. I’m a huge Sylvia Browne fan and she has a very special relationship with her spirit guide, so I thought why not use a spirit guide as the basis for my story. I added my own twist and Zanna took over.

All right, I guess you can come in. Now off to the roast….

What is the hardest part of writing your books? Arguing with my characters. Don’t laugh, I’m serious. It’s amazing how they tend to develop minds of their own. For instance, the villain in Wayward Soul, Jakub Logan, was supposed to be the hero, but he just wouldn’t cooperate. Zanna, the heroine, wouldn’t cooperate, either. Every time I tried to write a romantic scene, she would cringe and say, “Ewww!”

Do you like more Alpha or Beta heroes? Beta, probably since that’s the type of hero I married.

How much do you write in a day? Day or Night? Everyday? It all depends on the two-year-old boss (Yes, not only do I have kids old enough to drink, two years ago we got a big surprise when our son, Cage, was born). Some days, I can write a couple of hours, others, five minute. I try to make it a habit to write first thing in the morning for as long as the boss lets me and a little at night when he starts settling down for the evening. I do try to write every day, but I don’t force it. If I don’t write for a week or so, I don’t fret.

Goodness, that is tough. Are you a pantser or plotter? Pantser, definitely a pantser. I don’t write in order. I just sit down and write what comes to mind. I generally write the end before I even know how I’m going to get there.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? Join a crit group and L-I-S-T-E-N. I work as an editor as well, and I can’t tell you how annoying it is when I tell an author that a phrase or sentence isn’t working and they respond, “But I like it”. Here’s the thing, as someone who sits on both sides of the table: Yes, it’s your story and your voice, but if your crit group or an editor tells you something is weakening your story, seriously consider removing it or rewording. Don’t be stubborn. I generally remove what’s been suggested (and save it in a different document), wait a couple of days, then go back and read the manuscript with the incorporated changes. Most of the time, you’ll find it’s improved the story.

Great advice! What else are you working on right now? I’m working on the sequel to Wayward Soul. I’m really excited about this story. It has a twist you won’t believe!! And yes, I know how it’s going to end. I’m also working on a story that’s about ½ written which is tentatively titled Phantom Heart. It’s about a heart transplant patient who…well, you’ll have to wait and see!

Where can our partygoers find you and your work? Come and visit me anytime at kimbowmanauthor.blogspot.com. You can find my new release at:

All Romance eBooks

Astraea Press

Amazon

Smashwords

Barnes and Noble

Thanks so much for coming! One lucky commenter will win an ebook copy of Wayward Soul/one chapter crit!  Awesome Deal!

Publisher Spotlight: Breathless Press

Yay! Guess who we have here today! Let’s welcome Justyn Perry, Owner and Publisher of Breathless Press!

The most important questions:

Wine or beer? (I promise no chocolate vodka. * snort *)

I love wine. White wine particularly… Red tends to give me a headache and make me thirsty, so I stick to white 99% of the time. My absolute favorite white (ok its more of a rose) is white zinfadel. It’s sweet but not too sweet, fruity but not like a wine cooler, and it has just the right amount of the wine flavor. I thoroughly enjoyed it chilled till its slightly thick and frost on the outside of the bottle. That’s when the flavor really comes out.

I take it you don’t plan on getting drunk here? Cake or chips? Are you a sugar or salt person?

I am more of a chips person. Salty all the way. It’s like my body craves salt and vinegar chips ALL the time. I can eat an entire bag in one sitting. I am not much of a sugar person unless its in my coffee… then it has to be very very sweet (I hate bitter coffee).

Hmm… Are you old enough to drink? LOL

Yes, I am old enough to drink….only by 3 years (according to the USA, but to Canada I have been drinking for 7 years).

You really want me to do math here? * shaking head * To enter our playroom, you need to show us some goods. What did you bring us? (Maybe a few book covers will do.)

At first I thought you wanted to see my goods… and I was going to ask what kind of interview this was… but then I read further.

Shhhhh! There’s little kids about! LOL Okay, on to business…

How long has Breathless Press been open now? And how would you describe your first year as a publisher?

Breathless Press has been open for a year and a half now (August is our 2 year anniversary). Since opening, we have doubled in size every 3-4 months. We started off with 2 authors, then quickly grew to 8 by the end of 2009. By the end of 2010, we had 60 authors. So far this year, we have picked up another 6 authors and are about to double that by the end of March. We have a total of 175 titles and are in the process of acquiring 20 more. It has been a fast year but well worth it.

Sounds awesome. What do you mostly publish? What kind of submissions do you see most of? What are you specifically looking for right now?

We mainly publish erotic(a) but are not shy of Romance (or any subgenre of the two). Our biggest selling books tend to be the ones that have a lot of sex and a fun plot. We have been seeing more and more of these type of stories which got us thinking that that is where the market is slowly turning. We love to receive them but are also looking to fill our new upcoming Mocha line – a hot and rich blending of desires. It launches in June with Ambrielle Kirk and Naima Simone as our headliners. They are interracial stories having a heat rating of at least 2 or more. Having more of these would be fantastic!

I love those girls! They’re definitely fabulous and this new line sounds really cool. What is your favorite genre and why?

I don’t have a favorite genre in Romance. I enjoy reading Fantasy and Science Fiction books I also enjoy reading vampire romance books; one could say that is my favorite genre in romance

Where do you envision Breathless Press in five years?

I hope we will have grown to the size of a larger ePublisher and are in direct competition with them. We are well on the way to fulfilling that at our five year mark in 2014.

Where does Breathless stand on the print front? Will there be books in print in the future?

We have a print book tentatively scheduled for August of this year (as part of our 2 year anniversary). The only details that I can give you is that it will be full of cowboys.

Very exciting. What makes Breathless Press stand out from other publishers?

We have a lot of quality control in place. Before a manuscript ever gets to the hands of the reader, there are numerous steps it has to go through first. The editor, proofreader, Editor in Chief, then in layout we are always looking for misplaced words, commas, etc. The cover has the same situation. The cover artist works one-on-one with the author to make sure the cover represents their book the best; then it goes to the Art Director who makes sure everything looks perfect (and the cover isn’t sloppy); then to the layout department who checks it against current covers to see if they are similar or different, and if it fits with our house style. If at any point the manuscript or cover does not pass inspection, it gets rejected and put back into the loop for further refinement. This is what we strive to do and so far it has paid off.

What advice do you have for authors planning on subbing to you?

Make sure your cover letter is current. There’s nothing worse than having an outdated biography. Next is to check the submission guidelines. We get a lot of submissions and if one doesn’t fit what we are asking for (for example, someone submitted a 250 word manuscript when our website states nothing under 5k), we flag that author and watch their next submission to us. Generally speaking, if an author fails to impress us or fails to follow our guidelines, they get put on our dreaded blacklist which contains names of authors that we won’t accept from… Anything from a poorly written manuscript to a poorly written cover letter (the former is more forgiving than the manuscript one), will earn a spot on the list. That is to say that if said author sends us something else we won’t refuse it right away. We will look at it but perhaps not in the detail that a different author would receive. Wow this makes us sound really harsh. I would like to assure everyone reading this that we have no names on the blacklist LOL. Nor do we reject any manuscript based solely on the cover letter.

You guys sound tough! What big events does Breathless have going on right now?

We don’t have any huge events coming up or going on. Over at All Romance eBooks, we have a 15% off sale of our entire book catalog for the month of February (sale ends February 28th). A few of our authors and editors will be attending the RT convention in LA this year, so if you see one of us make sure you stop and say hi!

Are there any special announcements you’d like to share?

We have opened our submissions for Halloween (yes, it’s only February but it’s never to early to start asking ). Every year we try and pick a theme. This year is Shifters. Whether your character can shift into a lion, cat (as in a house cat), fish, werewolf, bear, or other form; we would like to see it. It must have a heat rating of at least 2 or more and be 10,000 words or more. We will be opening the submissions for Christmas in the next couple months so keep watching our website.

Speaking of websites, we will be having a facelift (and some tucks and nips) over the next month. We have been working with a website developer to create a brand new website (and cart system) that streamlines ordering, downloading, and will become a destination for people to read reviews, talk about a book, and find out what their favorite BP author is writing next!

Where can readers find more information about Breathless Press?

For those wanting to know more information about Breathless Press, we have a few ways they can do so! Following us on Twitter will get them all the latest reviews and news daily. Friending us on Facebook will see what we are up to (and can chat one-on-one with me). Subscribing to our newsletter will allow them to get updates on new releases, contests, news about BP and the industry, and every once in a while, we post some interesting tid-bit of information such as tips on making your writing better, a did-you-know list of interesting facts, and many other things!

Thank you so much for coming! Will you be giving away anything for your visit today?

Everyone who comments today will be entered into a draw for 5 free eBooks of their choice from our website!

Thank you for having me/us!

Get cracking people! Ask your questions, post your comments and get some awesome reads!

What were you thinking? Get your mind out of the gutter! Today, we have awesome Maureen O. Betita with us for blog Wednesday! Be ready to be entertained!

Invisible Playmates

Once upon a time I had an invisible playmate. I remember seeing him, knowing he was there, hearing him…playing with him.

His name?

Mighty Mouse.

Yes, the Mighty Mouse. He was with me all the way into first grade. My brother, who is ten years older than I, can remember when I scolded his friend (actually, I think I had hysterics) when he inadvertently sat on Mighty Mouse. (Good ole Greg, who also remembers that episode! It’s been what…45 years or more?)

I guess I was really serious about this mouse!

As I approached my forties, I thought about Mighty a lot. And I realized that he was still with me. He’d never left me. He’d metamorphosed through my life. He was Wolf through those scary years of adolescence. He hovered at my back and growled at anyone who might lure me into the sort of temptation that could have really derailed my life. No, not a guardian angel, but a guardian of sorts. I think he’s why I sailed through so many of the turbulent waters of high school on an even keel. (And my parents. Don’t want to forget giving credit to my parents!) (I’m a good daughter, really! Even if my Mom won’t read my books…it’s not the sex, she doesn’t read fantasy/erotic/piratepunk. Really.)

At times my invisible playmate was the trickster, Coyote…who plagued me with one trip after another until I learned to watch where I was going. (This is a metaphor. Never actually tripped me, but man, that is what it felt like! I swear, I still hear him laugh when I do something really stupid because I’m not paying attention or being too serious about myself. That desert dog loves to laugh!) (He taught me to laugh at myself. Thanks, Coyote!)

And when I needed it, he was Dog. My constant cheerleader and biggest fan! (I actually wrote several little shorts about these three canines and how I truly see them as my spirit guides.)

And now? My pirate muse, who holds a bit of all three of my spirit guides inside.

What does it mean that I can see all of these invisible playmates and not only acknowledge them, but also pay homage to them?

It means I’m a writer! And telling stories is what I do.

Anyone else have an invisible playmate? As a child, or now? (wicked wink)

Thank you, Maureen! Got an invisible playmate? Share, share, share! One lucky commenter will win an awesome Barnes and Nobles Gift Card!

Blurb:

Treated by our youth-oriented society as invisible and sexless Emily Pawes attends a pirate festival to recapture the make believe magic she knew as a young woman. She wins an interesting bit of booty at a bric-a-brac stand. The Kraken’s mirror is a magical portal and transports her to a land of Hollywood piratitude, where swashbuckling heroes own iPods. With little choice, she embraces the madness, deciding she’ll play pirate until she figures out how to get home. Or wakes up in a padded cell.

Instead of men in little white coats, she encounters the handsome Captain Alan Silvestri. He is a man haunted by a strange curse. Good luck is his to command, but it comes at the cost of any place to call home or people to call family. Resigned to die shunned by all, forced to sail every three days, he begins to dream of a special woman.

When they meet, sparks fly, passion flares. He needs her to be free, but more than that, he needs her to be whole. They set sail, uncertain of who has control of the wheel, seeking to defeat his curse of good luck and discover all the Kraken’s mirror plans for them.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Today, our guest of honor is Lex Valentine! Coincidence isn’t it?  I think not! It’s so nice to have you here, and I’m sure you’re ready for a good time! Let the party begin!

First Questions:

Wine or beer? (If you want a club soda, I’ll have to send you to the corner.)

Neither actually. When I drink, it’s usually a margarita – the regular kind with lots of salt not the fruity kind – or a Jack and Coke.

Fine. I guess we can whip out the margarita shaker. Cake or chips? Are you a sugar or salt person?

Both really. It depends on my mood. I probably lean more toward cake than chips though.

Are you old enough to drink? LOL.

Don’t make me get my flying monkeys…

*blink blink* Did she say flying monkeys? Anywho…what did you bring us today, Ms. Valentine?

Blurb:

Two magic wielding warriors (M/F) are torn apart by betrayal, imprisonment, and torture. When a magical heart that formerly belonged to them comes up on the auction block, both fight to win it. Major Marcus (Ren) Renniger was betrayed on a mission and became a POW.  Captain Tait Boland was told Ren had died. Unable to believe it, she set out to find the truth and exact revenge on the man who stole Ren from her. Her revenge comes at the cost of her freedom and her spirit.

Six years later, Ren and Tait have both escaped imprisonment. When they meet at Spellbound Treasure because of the heart, their passions explode. For Tait, knowing that her lover is alive fills her with bittersweet elation. Broken in body and spirit, she knows she has nothing left to give him. Seeing Tait so changed strikes fear in Ren’s heart. He sets out to unravel the mystery surrounding his capture and Tait’s imprisonment. To give her back her future and regain their life together, Ren must figure out how to unbreak Tait’s heart, soul, and spirit.

Intriguing! Alright, I guess you can come in. Stunning cover!

Now on to the roast. Get ready!

So, what do you write? And why? I write whatever I feel like, stuff I would want to read, which is why I’m published in so many genres. I love a good gay romance. I love erotic paranormal romance. I love dragons and I really enjoy world building and having my own brand of vampires (they’re called Acerbians in the Darkworld.) I don’t do HFNs very well so I tend not to write erotica but rather erotic romance. I live for the HEA.

Definitely HEA’s are the best. Why did you want to become an author? You know, I’m not sure I ever wanted to become one as in dreaming about it and striving for throughout my life. It just sort of happened. I’ve always written stories but I had it firmly stuck in my head that I wouldn’t ever get published so I never sat around dreaming of being an author. When I was writing in an online serial story a few years ago, I started a blog and posted snippets of my work. It was seen by author Jennifer Leeland who insisted that I needed to submit my work to publishers because in her opinion, I had what it took to get published. And here I am.

Awesome. What would your characters say about you? That I don’t spend enough time with them. I’m always working at the day job and caring for my family. I seem to have less and less writing time these days and my characters are incredibly sad. They want me to retire and write full-time, but I can’t afford to yet. (I say “yet” in a hopeful manner since I know have the dream of writing full-time and being big like JR Ward.)

I LOVE JR Ward! What do you like doing besides writing and reading? Is it dangerous? Is sex dangerous? HEH. I don’t do anything dangerous except bait my old man when he’s already ticked off. I seem to have a habit of that some days. LOL I don’t do a lot of stuff. I did when I was younger but now I’m kinda boring. I play an online horse racing sim at DerbyFever.com. I’ve been there something like 7 or 8 years now. I work a lot at my EDJ which is at a cemetery. Sometimes up to 50 hours a week. I do graphics to relax and make covers for Pink Petal Books and Passion In Print. I also create websites for authors and try to find the time to maintain my own sites. We watch a lot of concerts in HiDef on our new 40” TV. Other than that…I try to sleep.

Wow. You are full of surprises! And cemetery? Really? Where do you dream of traveling to and why? My dream vacation is three months on the mega luxury yacht Chevy Toy, cruising the Mediterranean and writing while my husband enjoys the jet skis and power boats that come with the yacht. I’m not sure why that’s my dream. I guess it’s because I saw photos of the interior of the yacht and it just called to as the epitome of luxury and peace and relaxation.

LOL. What was your first sale as an author? Anything special about it? My first sale was Shifting Winds, Tales of the Darkworld Book 1. It’s special not just for being my first sale but because it launched my series and because it led me to a relationship I can’t imagine being without. My publisher and editor at Pink Petal Books is a woman I admire a lot. She helped me when I first stuck my toes into the waters of publishing and since then she’s become my mentor and a good friend. I could have a dozen NYT bestsellers and I would still send Mary something of mine to publish. I probably always will.

Awww. That’s awesome. That’s when you know for sure a publisher is doing their job if you continue to write for them. Do you have a favorite of your own books and why? This changes all the time. And really, they are all my favorites because they were all written to be something I would love to read. I’m not one of those authors who writes something and never reads it again. I like reading my own stuff. I like reconnecting with the characters. Right now, my favorite is probably Rock My World, my first Ellora’s Cave book. The hero is sexy and so very much in love with the heroine. I love a hero who can be vulnerable to love and about his woman. Sin Carstens is all that and more.

What is the hardest part of writing your books? Finding the time to write them! They are all there in my head but sometimes I’m too tired from life to work on putting them on paper.

I know the feeling… How would you describe your writing style? I like to think I have a fluid, laid-back style that sometimes can become very lush and descriptive. A good example would be my current WIP Breathe Me In. It’s a strong story of love and connection and my writing feels like a length of thick, plush velvet, smooth and warm and luxurious. But I can be snarky and humorous or dark and poignant too.

What do you think makes a good story? Strong, memorable characters set in an emotion rending plot with a happy ending that makes you cry. That’s my recipe anyway. Your mileage may vary.

*snort* What are you passionate about? Men. Good books. Great music. Excellent food. My Citrix server at work. Trustworthy friends. My kid, my cats, my man. And hot cars. Oh, yeah.

What is one thing about you that most people don’t know? I think I’ve already told all the really cool things most people don’t know like I’ve been to racing school. My high school sweetheart and former lover is gay. (I can’t say “is gay now” because he was then too it’s just that I didn’t know it and he was in the closet.)  If you get in my car, it will probably be blasting some band you’ve never heard of like Breaking Benjamin or Jet Black Stare. Unless most people my age, I don’t live in the past when it comes to music. Sure, I still listen to the stuff I listened to then but I love the new stuff.

Who is your favorite author and why? Do you write what you read? I do write the same stuff I read. I have a lot of favorite authors. For sci-fi rom I read Kim Knox, Dawn Montgomery, Laurann Dohner, and Belinda McBride. For gay romance it’s Z.A. Maxfield, K.C. Kendricks, Mia Watt, and AR Moler. For contemporary romance it’s Regina Carlysle, Desiree Holt, and Cerise DeLand. Romantic suspense is Josh Lanyon, Allison Brennan, Lisa Alexander-Griffin and Debbie Gould. Historicals are Charlie Cochrane, Elizabeth Hoyt, Ava March, and Mary Balogh. BDSM is Jennifer Leeland, Cherise Sinclair, and Joey Hill. Paranormal is Dee Carney, Lynne Connolly, and L. Shannon. For fantasy I love Renee Wildes. Cowboys is Lorelei James. And the list goes on and on…

That is a list… lol. Tell us about one of your favorite characters from your books. My all time favorite character has to be Weylyn Randall, the werewolf. Weylyn is happy go-lucky, very sensual, and a pretty amusing guy. He’s bi-sexual and loves to get his “were” on. He’s a secondary character and one I drop into any story that seems to need his touch. My readers first saw him in a free story The Were & the Chair at pinkchairdiaries.com. Then I had him and his mate be integral to my novel Common Ground, Tales of the Darkworld Book 5. Lately, he appeared in my January release Wishing on a Blue Star which is an anthology with a lot of other authors. Weylyn is such a strong, emotional, and fun character that I could probably put him into every story I write and he’d steal the limelight from the main characters every time.

Do you like more Alpha or Beta heroes? I don’t really have a preference. I just like my characters to be strong. Weylyn is a strong Beta. He’s hero material and has a lot of Alpha qualities. He’s just not the leader of the pack. I also have an Alpha hero who is a submissive. But that’s a story that hasn’t seen the light of day yet.

How much do you write in a day? Day or Night? Every day? This varies. I wish I could write every day but Real Life usually prevents that. I write in binges on the weekends mostly, although on occasion I’ll write every day at lunch. When I do write, it’s usually a fair chunk of change, at least 1K.

Are you a pantser or plotter? I’m a cross between the two. I never start without a plot. But it’s a loose one with what I call mile-markers – key scenes that I need in the book. I know I have to hit each one of the mile markers but I let the characters dictate the story in between those markers.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? Don’t be so desperate to be published that you will submit your work to publishers who have issues and aren’t considered the best. Read Piers Anthony, Preditors and Editors, EREC, and Absolute Write. Ask people who are pubbed at the best publishers and people who have been published for years if they know anything about the house you are considering for your manuscript. Aim high. Don’t be desperate and needy.

Great advice! Is there anything you’d want your readers and friends to know about you? My friends already know too much. Muahahaha! I guess I’d like readers to know that I’m accessible. They can email me and ask about my characters and books. Fan mail is always much appreciated. Positive feedback is welcome!

What else are you working on right now? I’ve got several novellas on the burner as we speak. By the time this interview sees the light of day, I should be almost done with Breathe Me In, Tales of the Darkworld Book 6.5. I’m not anticipating it will be a March release but if I finish quickly it could be. I’ve also got two novella sequels to Rock My World going, a novella about an artist, a gay Edwardian novella, and my massive historical which is undergoing major revisions.

Oh my goodness. I feel like I  just played twenty questions with you. Oh wait! I did! One more! Where can our partygoers find you and your work? You can find me on my author website and blog, my Facebook fan page and personal account, Flirty Author Bitches blog, Castles and Guns blog, my series website, and my personal blog Sunlight Sucks.

http://lexvalentine.com

http://lexvalentine.com/blog

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lex-Valentine-Author/144099955621942

http://www.facebook.com/cemeterywinter

http://flirtyauthorbitches.com

http://castlesandguns.com

http://fivedarkrealms.com

http://sunlightsucks.com

Thank you so much for coming! Enter to win a Signed print copy of EPIC Award Finalist Ride the Lightning and author goodies! Valentine’s day can’t get better than that!

Get ready! Break open the wine or beer! You’re gonna need it! Cynthia Arsuaga is here to entertain! Come get some Born to be Wild!

My name is Cynthia Arsuaga and live in the sunny state of Florida. My debut novel, Born To Be Wild, was a joy to write. I don’t know if I had any real inspiration when I sat down and banged the story out on my laptop. All I knew was the heroine had to be smart, quirky, and an average woman with hang-ups about her weight and self-esteem insecurities. When it came to the hero, I wanted a dark and dangerous vampire with hang-ups about his existence. Together they would help each other become better people through love and understanding while battling the “bad vamps”. I loved the story so much, by the time I got to the end of Alex’s and Stefan’s story, I wanted to write another about their world. I’m almost finished with the sequel and with luck, the publisher, Secret Cravings Publishing, will pick it up. Maybe by the end of the year everyone will get to read the next in the series.

Blurb:

Alexandra Carlton, Alex to her friends, the only girl born into a family of vampire hunters with strict rules. She lives and hunts by the Code. Despite insecurities and self-esteem issues about her appearance, she eagerly tracks a rogue vamp carrying a contagious virus, deadly to vampires and humans alike, to prove her worth, to her family and herself.

Alex meets Stefan Marin, a brooding 500 year old vampire. He helps her not only on her quest but tames her wildest passions and discovers the true beauty within her, the beauty he can’t help but fall in love with.

Together, Alex and Stefan break all the rules uncovering more than a virus—hot sex, an uptight FBI Special Agent, spanking, hot sex, a nosy, meddling brother, more hot sex, bondage and submission, murder, and bad vampires.

Will their love survive the wild side they were born to live?

Excerpt:

“Who’s we?”

“The Bounty Hunters Society. We keep a complete list of known vamps with their histories, locations, and business dealings. Maybe I’ll do a split screen and check them simultaneously to save us some time.”

Stefan gave her a fierce squint and fell back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest.

“What? You think we don’t watch you vamps and network, Stefan? How do you think we do our job so well? You never figured out our secrets before now?”

“I didn’t think you were…sophisticated, no.”

“Welcome to the world of technology. Now show me your list. I don’t have the entire night you know.”

“Are you always this demanding?”

“No. I’m anxious about finding out if our suspicions are right. I’m kidding about the entire night thing. I can stay awake just as long as you can.”

“Are you challenging me prinţesa?”

“Me? Of course not. Now, how about the list?” But if I were, I’d beat you, for sure.

They faced off with similar taunting grins.

With a few keyed entries on the keyboard, a list of vamps and their respective businesses came up on the monitor. Two hours later and faintly blurry-eyed, Alex stretched her arms over her head and stood.

“Do you have anything to eat here? I’m just a bit hungry and thirsty. This late night work has thrown my diet out of whack.”

“No, I don’t entertain humans here and have no need for your kind of food. Sorry.”

“Great. Not even any soda or even coffee?”

He laughed. “Alexandra? I’m a vampire, why would I have soda or coffee?”

Knowing it broke Rule Number Nine, she asked, “Hmm, how about some of that wine you suggested earlier?”

“Let me check. Any particular vintage you prefer?”

“Anything with a cork and not a screw top is always nice.”

He wrinkled his brow. “I think I can do that.” He pushed back from the desk and swiftly moved into the kitchen area, leaving Alex in the study.

“Don’t entertain women much, do you?” She mumbled as he left the room.

“I heard you, Alexandra.”

“I wanted you to, Stefan.”

Thinking the time had to be late; she walked to the computer and checked the monitor clock—3:49 AM. Oh my God! No wonder I’m exhausted!

Stefan returned with two glasses and a bottle of Syrah.

“You were serious about the wine? Do you know what time it is?”

“If I had to guess, about four.”

“Not quite, but close enough. I need to get back to the hotel and can’t have anything to drink if I’m going to find my way there.”

“Or perhaps you could stay here. You could work on the computer while I’m resting.”

“Resting? Where would I rest? I’m not an insomniac. I need sleep too.”

“You can use the bedroom on this floor. I have my own space downstairs.”

“Pour away, big boy. I’m thirsty.”

The conversation and the wine moved to the living room and the subject changed from the rogue to their personal lives. Alex sat at one end of the leather sofa, far enough away from Stefan’s touch as not to distract her. During the time spent at his desk searching vamps on the computer their thighs brushed. And their fingers touched meeting at the keyboard. Every time they brushed their body parts, her heart pounded in her chest. Due to exhaustion and arousal, keeping feelings and thoughts in check became more difficult as the hours passed. She reminded herself he’s a player, a vamp, ignore him, keep her mind on business. Warts and scars.

Now, sitting on the sofa, sipping the wine, her mind wandered. Alone with a dangerous enforcer vampire should have been enough to scare the shit out of anyone. Standing before her, was a man, a gorgeous, intelligent man and more than anything right now, she wanted him to kiss her like he did last night. Passionately…hard…Toe curling; peel me off the ceiling kind of kissing.

“Tell me about yourself Alexandra. I don’t know anything about you other than you’re from Florida, a vamp hunter, and curse like boys in a locker room.”

His comment brought her back to reality and squelched her sexual appetite. For now. “Okay. You already know the best parts of me.” She chuckled quietly. “What else would you like to know?”

“I want to know more. More intimately perhaps than where you’re from and what you do for a living.” He moved closer across the sofa.

Are you reading my mind again Stefan? Damn you if you are? Meeting her accusatory stare, he stopped, moving close to her. “Ah ha, you are aren’t you?” Putting the wineglass down, she stood in a huff. “I can’t stay here. You’ll attack me while I’m asleep!”

He rose from the sofa, standing within inches of her. The physical closeness sent shivers down her spine and her pulse raced. Except for the strong chemistry and physical attraction between them, they were polar opposites. She wanted him; to know everything about him intimately too. Her pussy tingled and the dampness in her panties caused her to draw in a deep breath. He’s a vampire and would probably smell her arousal. Dammit! How can I hide my desire now?

“You can’t prinţesa mea.” He closed the distance between them. He ran his fingers along her cheek and down under her chin, lifting it slightly. He lowered his lips to hers, brushing them ever so close without touching.

Is he waiting for me to make the final move? Awkward. What is wrong with me? Of course she wanted him to kiss her. God this is breaking one of the rules. Oh hell, go for it Alex, girl! Reaching up, she put her hands around his neck, pulling his lips to hers. Electricity pulsed through her.

His mouth covered hers hard, devouring her thoughts, her body, her very soul. He wrapped her tightly in his embrace, so tight as to almost squeeze off her breath.

Want more? Visit Cynthia at http://cynthiaarsuaga.weebly.com Comment! Post! Join in the party!

It’s Monday! Did you watch the Super Bowl? If you didn’t, that’s okay, we have better parties here anyways. Kathleen Ann Gallagher here today! Yay! Let the fun begin!

You know you can’t pass the doors until you answer our questions…

Wine or beer? (If you want a club soda, I’ll send you to the corner.)

Well, to be perfectly honest, neither. I prefer tea or coffee.  I get crazy if I drink wine or beer. I’m wild enough without it.

Hmm…interesting. How crazy? lol. Cake or chips? Are you a sugar or salt person?

I’m undeniably a sweet lover. My weakness is a piece of chocolate cake with a dollop of whipped cream on top.  Okay, I’ll confess to indulging in my favorite indulgence every night.  The 100 calorie packs, of course.  Lol   My night would not be complete without my cake and whipped topping.  I’m addicted to it.  I’ll sneak a chip or pretzel once in a while, but I’ll take sugar first.

We love sweets here! Are you old enough to drink?

Just barely. giggles

Did you bring us anything?

Blurb:

The strangely intertwined lives of a widowed mother, a charismatic bachelor, and an elderly woman come together in order to show that in life there are no coincidences, only destiny.

Madeline Young loves her job as a chef in a waterfront restaurant. Her love life is where she has problems.  She realizes she must stop dating the wrong men, especially ones that are too young for her, or she’ll spend the rest of her life alone.  To complicate matters further, her elderly and, often times, forgetful mother needs to move in.  Then, to make matters even worse, Madeline’s rebellious teenage son spends a day in the emergency room for alcohol poisoning.  Madeline’s mother wants her to find true happiness and feels compelled to enlist the help of her deceased twin sister, Mary, by using her Ouija Board.  Together, they conjure up a plan to find Madeline the perfect match.  Madeline has an early dawn visit from Aunt Mary, who directs her to volunteer in a local hospital.   Madeline finds much more than she ever expected when she enters the hospital’s center for recovery.

Nathaniel Griffin fascinates his clients with his lectures, but often uses his busy schedule to avoid social situations.  In keeping with this philosophy, Nat prefers to keep his personal life very private.  However, when given the assignment to orient a lovely new volunteer, her seductive charms soon tug at his heartstrings.  Unfortunately, before he can commit to the relationship, Nat must confront his marred past.  Is he willing to face his demons, or take the easier path and remain isolated?

The unexpected return of twins who left this world early, carry the key to unlock the reluctant bachelor’s past.  They are called upon to perform one final mission of love before they can rest. Will they accomplish their assignment or will it be too late?

Well! Madeline sounds like she’s in trouble! LOL. What makes your character and story so special?

I think my heroine Madeline Young is special because she is like so many of us.  She is woman who has a dream of having a happy ever after, but gets disappointed when her life takes a different turn. She gets her strength and determination through the love of her family, especially her elderly mother. Her mother stops at nothing to ensure her daughter’s happiness.  The eccentric old woman gets out her Ouija board, and contacts her twin sister to assist her with her plan.  Madeline has a series of visions and dreams, which shifts her life in a different direction.  As Madeline researches her family secrets, she realizes how strong she really is.

All right, I guess you can come in.  You sure you don’t want a drink? * hint hint * Now off to the roast….

So, what do you write? And Why?

I write Women’s Fiction, and Paranormal Romance.  I love telling weaving a women’s journey into a romantic read with magical elements.  Currently, I switched it up a little.  I’m working on a contemporary romance, which is something I haven’t done before.  A Single Word is the title, and it’s a story that I couldn’t walk away from.

That sounds like fun. Why did you want to become an author?

My original plan was to become an actress.  I developed an interest in the theater. As a young girl, I used to beg my mother to buy the soundtracks to my favorite musicals.  On weekends, I would gather a group of my friends, and arrange a show in my living room.  I wrote short stories and poetry as far back as third grade. When I was a teenager I finally admitted that I could not sing a note. I practically whispered in Glee Club, so no one would hear me.  I knew my career on Broadway would be unrealistic.  I began focusing on story telling, which was a way to explore my creative side.

Ohhhhh, an actress. We should have you belch some–I mean whisper some notes here today. You never know. lol. What would your characters say about you?

My characters would probably say what a big mouth I have by telling everyone their secrets.  But, I know how grateful they are for me allowing them the opportunity to triumph over some of their biggest challenges.  Some of them might even tell me how proud they are for seeking publication.

What do you like doing besides writing and reading? Is it dangerous?

I love spending time with my three adorable grandsons.  I can never get enough of the sound of their laughter, or the look on their faces when we read stories together.  They give me the best gift anyone can receive, which is unconditional love.  Sometimes when they have a loaded nerf gun in hand, with darts flying, it is dangerous. Ouch!

Ouch indeed! Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?

The first thing I would tell a new writer is to work at their craft everyday.  Even if it is only an hour or two a day, make the commitment. Once you get the writers bug, you’ll need to nurture it, or your muse will get cranky.  Make an attempt to join a writers group, where you’ll find people who share your passion and are willing to offer support. Most importantly, don’t give up.  You will continually learn as you seek new information.  When you become more comfortable with your writing, you may benefit from attending writers conferences. There is a wonderful community of people who are willing to share their knowledge.  Imagine it being you one day, as a keynote speaker, sharing the story of your journey to bestselling author.

Curious about Kathleen? Find her here:

Face book http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000735541011

Website: http://kathleenanngallagher.net/Home.html

Blog: http://kathleensplacetoreflect.blogspot.com/

Come on down! Question, comment! Win a copy of this fab story when it comes out! Be the first to read Echoes at Dawn!

It’s Wednesday! *gasp* What do you want to talk about? Well, we have Deena Remiel here. Got muse problems? Inquire within!

I am not amused. I sit here, writing this post and don’t see the humor at all. What’s the issue? I don’t have a Muse! Now, stop laughing at me. I’m sitting here wondering what’s wrong with me. I hear people talking all the time about how their Muse was being ornery and making them write things in their stories that was unexpected. Still others talk about how their Muse struck and they went on a writing spree. And finally, there are those people whose Muses actually have names! Green is not a flattering color on me, but I can’t help but be envious of those authors who speak glowingly of their “partners” in writing.

I will admit to being inspired by the Superstition Mountains near my home in Arizona. It sparked a story, a great story called, Trinity, which will be out soon, by the way.  But I think that’s very different from having a Muse.

I see a Muse as an imaginary friend who sits in your shirt pocket, or on your bed, or even on a shelf right next to you as you write, whispering the next line or great idea to add to your story.  I see this Muse as a critic, too. Someone who tells you what’s working and what isn’t. And sometimes, this Muse is the biggest pain in the ass, asserting doubtful thoughts into your brain, making you feel less confident about your work.

I experience none of that. On the one hand, that’s a good thing. Who wants a crotchety critic resting on your shoulders, filling you with negative thoughts that undermine your success? However, I think it’s pretty cool that authors have a magical being that inspires them to write wondrous tales.

So how do things work for me? Well, I’m not quite sure I know the answer to that. But I worry. What if I develop writer’s block? Isn’t my Muse supposed to see me through that traumatic experience? But how can that happen when I don’t have one?!

So I’m placing an ad on facebook, and hopefully my Muse will show up to the call.  Muse Wanted, Inquire Within…

Blurb:

Emma Livingston, a single mom, has been through hell—and back, so she thinks. While dealing with her five year old daughter’s night terrors, she attempts to live a normal life. That is, until the being from those very nightmares comes to visit her. Has her child been dealing with a real demon while she thought he was only a figment of an active imagination?

Michael D’Angelo is known to everyone in Prophet’s Point, Arizona, as their loving elementary school principal. But to The Brethren, he is known as the most powerful Protector. Immortal and angelic does not mean he’s without doubts or fears. While trying to protect Emma and Hannah, his tortured past comes back to haunt him. Can he overcome it? Or is he doomed to repeat a failure he has lived with for what seems like an eternity?

As Emma and Michael come together to protect Hannah, ancient secrets are revealed and faith is tested. When a prophecy is exposed, questions must be answered… Can Emma learn to trust enough to love again? Can Michael believe in himself enough to show Emma how? And will they be able to protect an innocent child, not to mention save the world as they know it, from total annihilation?

Let’s talk muse! One lucky commenter will get a Starbucks gift card!  Ooooo, coffee!