Romance Author Hotspot

Today, our guest of honor is Emma Lane. It’s so nice to have you here! Hope you’re ready to party!

First Questions:

Wine or beer? (If you say club soda, we’ll have to send you to the corner…)

Hurrying off to the corner.

Cake or chips? Are you a sugar or salt kind of person?

Salt (she says stuffing her face with cheetos and potato chips and hiding the cheese cake.)

*squints eyes * Are you old enough to drink?

Water! I can drink water.

Wait! You can’t come in yet! What did you bring us?

Blurb: Ethan has been away at war for six long years—without a single letter to the young girl he left behind. He is certain she has forgotten him, but he is still drawn to her. Dressed for a masquerade in a dark domino, he leads her to the garden and tries to steal a kiss. Sarah does not know why the man in the dark domino is so familiar, and why a stranger should give her a feeling of home. When Ethan reveals his identity, Sarah’s anger and hurt overwhelm even her love. Can a new life be built on the foundations of a first love? Or will the Dark Domino remain alone forever?

 What makes your characters so special?

Young love is always special. The poignant part of this story is the tenacity of both hero and heroine. While away at war for 6 long years, Ethan has remained true to Sara Louise who once vowed she would love him forever.

Alright, I guess you can come in. Now off to the roast!

So, what do you write? And why?

I am comfortable in both historical Regency and contemporary. Why? Because I read both avidly and some stories just cant be told historically.

Why did you want to become an author?

I’m very poor in math.

What would your characters say about you?

She’s very poor in math.

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

I’m part owner of a small plant nursery, an herbtique. I design gardens and assist beginning gardeners. Sometimes I give talks and such. I’m also an avid bird watcher and big on environmental issues.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

Hawaiiis a favorite, but I’ve done quite a bit of traveling and am content to stay home right now. I have this lovely office…

What was your first sale as an author? Was it special?

I sold a Regency Romance called A SCANDALOUSDESIGN. It’s about a young miss out to find her life’s partner during the season inLondon. She has two sisters and they have their stories as well, called ‘The Vicar’s Daughters 3.’ They can be found @ MUSA PUBLISHING.

Do you have a favorite of your own books and why?

Probably the above mentioned is my favorite, but I am foolishly fond of all my books.

What is the hardest part of writing your books?

Staying in the proper Point of View is difficult for me. I have to force myself in the discipline and frequently argue pointlessly to myself that it probably isn’t necessary.

How would you describe your writing style?

I delight in characterizations.

What do you think makes a good story?

Memorable characters who live on in my head long after the plot has faded.

What are you passionate about?

Reading.

What is one thing about you that most people don’t know?

I’m not really a blond.

Who is your favorite author and why?

There are so very many. Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, John Steinbeck, Shakespeare, Nora Roberts as JD Robb. The list goes on and on. I like James Lee Burke, not for his plots but for the geographic  descriptions of  Louisiana. He makes the reader feel his love for his home town.

Do you write what you read?

Sure do. Love Regency books and books about nature.

Tell us about one of your favorite characters from your books.

Melanie Robinson from A SCANDALOUS DESIGN is my favorite. She loves designing gowns in an era when young ladies were not permitted to engage in trade. She persists in wanting it all: a desirable mate and a respectable outlet for her talents. Not unlike modern misses.

Do you like more Alpha or Beta heroes?

Oh Alpha, but I’ve been thinking lately about a hero with quite a different personality. He’s still a shadow in my mind at this point.

How much do you write in a day?

When I’m actually creating for the first time, I’m working day and night for about a month until the first draft is finished. I always worry that I’ll lose my thoughts and the plot will be lost if I don’t hurry.

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

Some of both. I usually know the beginning, the middle and the ending. The rest is free flowing.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?

Enjoy what you do and persevere if you love it.

Is there anything you’d want your readers and friends to know about you?

My hope is that they enjoy my work. My goal is to entertain.

What else are you working on right now?

I’m doing final edits on a contemporary called GONE TO THE DOGS to be published @ DESERT BREEZE PUBLISHING  in June. I’ll be working on another Regency @ MUSA PUBLISHING called BELOVED SOLDIER RETURNS. My latest book published in April is called DARK DOMINO.  It’s a short story about young love.

Last question: Where can our partygoers find you and your work? MUSA PUBLISHING for my Regencies and DESERT BREEZE for my contemporaries.

Facebook is a favorite of mine. I’m emmajlane there. Just jump in. I’d love to chat.

My email is emmalane51@hotmail.com. Thanks for having me here. I’ve enjoyed it.

Website: emmajlane.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000338539637

Thank you so much for coming!

One free copy of DARK DOMINO drawn from comments. Please leave email addresses.

Today, our guest of honor is Boone Brux. It’s so nice to have you here! Hope you’re ready to party!

 Thanks so much for having me. I’m so excited.

First Questions:

Wine or beer? (If you say club soda, we’ll have to send you to the corner…) Definitely beer…no wine…wait beer. Can I say both?

Cake or chips? Are you a sugar or salt kind of person? Chips. I’m completely a salt person.

*squints eyes * Are you old enough to drink? I love you, but yes, I’ve been legal for two years and 298 months now. Hard to believe, I know. I still love it when they card me, even though I know it’s the law, no matter how old you are…or how old you look.

Wait! You can’t come in yet! What did you bring us?

Releases on Saturday!

Blurb: ‘Tweet’

When one time ultra-shy girl, Faye Albert, decides to live a little, she inadvertently binds her soul to Satan by following the Dark Prince on Twitter.

Now she needs to break the contract or face eternal damnation. With time running out and her desperation growing, Faye enlists the help of Christopher White, a gorgeous photographer from work and her secret crush.

To sweeten the deal Satan’s minion tempts her every step, offering her things she’s only dreamed of. Will Faye be able to say no to a lifetime of earthly treasures and possibly lose the only man she’s ever loved or will her leap of faith finally deliver exactly what her heart has yearned for?

What makes your characters so special?

First of all, I have to say what makes this book so special is that it’s the brainchild of Entangled Publishing. 100% of the profits will go to AutismNOW, an organization that helps families deal with autism and conditions on the autism spectrum such as Asperger’s Syndrome, by providing information and resources. It’s a great project.

  On a personal note, I love my main character, Faye, because she does all her socializing through the internet. Besides her job and watching the neighbor’s dog, Flash, Twitter is her life. She’s socially awkward and sweet, but a leader without realizing it. People naturally turn to her for guidance, but a lot of times she ends up giving too much.

Alright, I guess you can come in. Now off to the roast!

What do you like doing besides writing and reading? Is it dangerous? I love camping in our camper. We live in Alaska and there’s a lot of state to explore. It can be dangerous because of the large predators. I do not love bears.

I also love thrift store shopping for treasures. If I didn’t write I’d have a store called Revamped. I’d take what’s old and make it new again. Sounds like a song.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why? It’s probably the paranormal author in me, but I’d love to go to Paris to see the catacombs. My daughter is itching to check out all those bodies stacked up. I love that kid. I’d also love to go to Romania and do the whole vampire, Carpathian Mountains thing. Again, I think it’s because of the stuff I write.

Oh, and I want to sleep in the Ice Hotel in Sweden. Cuz I can’t get enough of the cold and dark.

What was your first sale as an author? Was it special? Shield of Fire was my first sale. Oh yeah, it was special. Shield was the first book I ever wrote…before I knew how to write. It was probably the best learning experience I could have as a writer. I learned more about editing, dealing with reviews, editing, cover art, did I mention editing, in six months than I could have on my own. I’m grateful for the experience. I don’t want to repeat it, but I’m grateful.

Do you have a favorite of your own books and why? I’m working on a new humorous series called The Grim Reality Series. The stories take place in Alaska and are about Lisa Carron, a 35 year old widow and mother of three, who finds out she’s a reaper. Since her husband’s death she’s really let herself go. It’s difficult to catch souls when you’re over weight and sucking air.

Her assignment is to reap stupid people, those who have died in idiotic ways. I love this series because her daughter’s story will be running in tandem in the young adult line of the Grim Reality Series. The daughter, Bronte, is an underage reaper and isn’t supposed to take souls.

To Catch Her Death is slated to release at the end of June and the young adult book, Sudden Death, will release in September, then Lisa’s next book, Read’em and Reap, will release in December. That’s the plan anyway. It’s a real challenge to keep the mom and daughter oblivious of each other’s reaping. Their lives intertwine and the reader will see the same events happening from different perspectives. For instance, at the end of To Catch Her Death, Lisa is rushing to the hospital because Bronte has been in a car accident. At the beginning of Sudden Death, Bronte is in the hospital waiting for her mom to arrive. Fun!

What else are you working on right now? I’m almost finished with book two in my Bringer and the Bane series. It’s titled Kiss of the Betrayer and will be out in December. I’m also plotting out a three book, humorous romance series set in Alaska and a single titled called Spanked. It’s about a school teacher, male, whose wife leaves him with the kids to find herself. In order to make ends meet, he starts writing erotic romance. It’s another humorous story that entails a lot of bad dates, enraged parents, and of course a good woman. That’s a fun story to write.

Last question: Where can our partygoers find you and your work?

Website: www.boonebrux.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/boonebrux

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BooneBruxAuthor

Thank you so much for coming!

Our guest is Anna Destefano, come on in and take a journey with her!

Best-selling, award-winning author Anna DeStefano wants to you stop, look, and keep digging, until you find the soul of your own fantasies. Her latest release, Her Forgotten Betrayal (available digitally and in print on June 15^th), one of the launch books for Entangled Publishing’s Dead Sexy romantic suspense line, the Nina Bruhns Collection, is a psychological thriller she hopes will creep you out (she’s really playing up the Gothic imagery and spooky nightmares with this one). But she’s also dying (heh) to inspire you with another of the happily-ever-after romance ending she’s famous for. No matter how moody the setting or impossible the dilemma, Anna’s characters and stories challenge you to hope and dream for your own exciting future, the way her strong heroines and hunky heroes do!

Read on for the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about Her Forgotten Betrayal and Anna’s unique approach to story telling. For more, follow Anna to her blog (http://www.annawrites.com/blog), which she updates several times a week on a range of topics such as The Soul of the Matter, Dream Theories, How We Write, and Things My Teenager Says.

Your backlist has been described as genre-bending. Do you see yourself as a writer who works “outside the box,” and is this a conscious choice you’re making for your career?

I don’t remember making the choice to push boundaries, but I don’t think I’ve ever written a story that didn’t challenge the limits of whatever line or genre I’ve written for. I’ve won a lot of awards for my Harlequin novels. But I’ve always tended to write edgy and darker characters, often with heavy backstories, even when I wrote for the lighter Superromance “home and family” line.  I’m always searching for the emotional heart of a story, wherever that takes me.

For example, in my very first novel, The Unknown Daughter, my heroine is terminally ill throughout the entire book. Of course she gets her happily-ever-after “cure” (this is category romance). But she’s sick the entire book…she’s so NOT your average Harlequin heroine. Oh, and that was “accidentally” my first suspense novel, too—again, in a home and family line. And it won a Gold Medal review from RT, and my first RT Reviewers Choice Award. Who knew “outside the box” was going to be my happy place from then on?

Even my first foray into paranormal romance (my Legacy series), turned out to be more of a thriller series, and most definitely more science fiction than urban fantasy or paranormal romance. I love the science behind the metaphysics and parapsychology that Dark Legacy and Secret Legacy are based on. As I wrote, I simply couldn’t push those elements (especially the dream theory) to the background.

So, I guess I write what inspires and motivates and challenges me, whatever genre I happen to be writing in, and hope that my readers join me for the ride.

In Her Forgotten Betrayal, your heroine, Shaw Cassidy, battles debilitating nightmares that she has to get to the bottom of to survive. You write a lot about dreams. What fascinates you most about them?

Dreams… Where do I begin with my fascination about dreams? My agent asks every once in a while when I’m going to stop writing stories where dreams are a key theme. Not that she wants me to, really, but dreams have clearly become a running inspiration for me. My answer is usually—never ;o) I even blog most every week about dream theory. It’s been a fascination for me my entire life. That was the impetus for creating my Legacy, metaphysical fantasy world that explores the science behind dreaming.

For my contemporary romances, my “every day” stories, dreams take on an even more powerful purpose, than in my novels where people have supernatural powers. Our everyday dreams are our minds working for us, at the subconscious level. Whether we’re sleeping or awake, our dreams talk to us about the true purpose and meaning and desires of our lives. I like to see them as the very best and worst of who we are, and I think it’s important to pay as close attention to them as we can.

To me, honoring our dreams is another way to slow down and look deeply and really see our reality. Focusing on dreams (or any small moment of our lives), helps us process and choose. We then get to move forward a bit more deliberately. In Shaw Cassidy’s case in Her Forgotten Betrayal, her dreams are telling her exactly who her villain really is, and just how important her forgotten childhood lover (our hero, Cole Marinos) can be to not only her survival, but also the thriving, loving, magnificent future waiting for her, is she can grow and make the difficult emotional choices she’s been running from her entire life. See. Aren’t dreams lovely?

Your heroine has amnesia through most of this novel. Is this the first of your heroines to suffer from forgetting who and what she is?

 Actually, in To Protect the Child (part of my Atlanta Heroes series for Harlequin Superromance), my deep cover operative heroine wakes with amnesia and no recollection of what she was doing on her latest mission and how important it is for her to return to it, before a little girl’s life is destroyed.

I guess a key difference between that story and Her Forgotten Betrayal, is that my Dead Sexy launch is a psychological thriller. I’ve written fast-paced procedurals before, and loved those novcels. But I wanted to do a gothic, creepy, isolated-on-the-top-of-a-winter-mountain-at-night kind of contemporary romance this time. Shaw Cassidy has been injured, but she doesn’t remember anything (except the faceless man in her dreams). Her first memories begin to return when a dangerous stranger shows up, and she has to decide whether he’s the faceless man, or a hero from her past who can help her. Her Forgotten Betrayal is just as fast-paced as my procedurals, but Shaw’s battles are mostly in her mind, and in her relationship with Cole Marinos, her hero. She’s not battling the villain himself until the very end—and it takes her the entire story to fight her nightmares and psychological demons so that she’s ready to beat the bad guy that’s been messing with her mind, at his own game. Bwahahahaha…

Your stories tend to span short periods of time, particularly your thrillers. Is this to enhance the pacing of the plot?

 I think the one running theme through all my novels has been the drive to stop and look at the world and a character as closely as I can. As a commercial fiction writer, I’m also hoping the reader is entertained and finding the story impossible to put down. But I want to take our romance journey together to a deeper level. In the midst of the action of each of my novels, I’m doing my best to deliver characters with complex backstories and multi-layered motivation. I want my readers to have a flawed but admirable heroine and hero to journey with. I want you to feel what my characters feel in each scene, as if you were living through that moment with them

I love making that happen by writing novels with short time spans. Not only for the pacing—though, you certainly have to keep your plotting tight in order to pull something like Her Forgotten Betrayal off, where I was working with less than a 48 hour window for the heroine to believably realize she’s being stalked, have nightmares that will either drive her insane or help her regain her memory, meet the hero, wonder if this stranger is her “bad guy,” learn to trust him, fall in love with him, remember their tragic past, of COURSE then think he’s betrayed her (see, it’s a romance, really it is ;o), only to have to face the villain with him at the end, in the story’s black moment and resolution.

Which sounds like a lot to accomplish in sixty-thousand words and less than two days of on-page time. But actually, limiting the time frame gives me the chance to slow moments down, those important relationship moments as well as the ones where Shaw must grow as a character or she’ll never succeed, so that the reader really lives them with the heroine. If I were trying to cover the passage of more time with the number of pages allotted to me, I’d have to move on more quickly, more externally, and I think some of the richness of this type of story would be missed.

You write a lot of “returning home” stories, as well as second chances at love. What about these themes drives your imagination?

 My first title (and I never get to keep my titles), actually the novel that won the Golden Heart and was later re-titled for Harlequin Superromance, was Forever Ago. It’s a play on words that resonates with me even today. I’ll write a book with that title one day. I’m determined.

What this and my “coming home” and “second chance” stories say to me is that you have to go back and work through the things in your past that you’ve shoved down or shouldered aside. At some point, if you want to move forward and really live the rest of your life, instead of merely fighting and existing and getting through one day at a time, you have to conquer the things you weren’t able to face when you were younger.

My characters tend to get their happily-ever-after forever, because they finally take on the conflicts of long ago, and conquer what still needs to be resolved. It’s the same with second chances at love. I’m mesmerized by stories where couples who didn’t make it with their soul mate in the past, find the courage to face one another and their combined issues once more, stronger and with newer insight, and find a way to finally make their dreams a reality together. What could be better than that? Sigh… You’re going to DIE for Shaw and Cole’s amazing ending!

Imagery and setting seem like an important part of Her Forgotten Betrayal. What led you to choose a gothic backdrop for your latest suspense novel?

 I’ve fallen in love with Gothic imagery, since long before I wrote my first Legacy book. I’m more of a Bronte girl, than an Austen girl ;o) Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights… These are novels that read and re-read every year.

With Her Forgotten Betrayal, I not only got to explore this fascination within the context of a contemporary romance, but I LOVED how I was able to incorporate Shaw Cassidy’s creepy mansion and the winter weather and the darkness of the surrounding woods and so forth, as another character in the book. All of it becomes a very real threat to our heroine. Is Shaw imagining what’s happening to her? Is her mind becoming unhinged by her nightmares, so she’s seeing and hearing things that aren’t there? Is someone after her, or is she actually hurting herself in her isolated mansion? How can she possibly know the difference? That is until our hero shows up. But is he part of the spooky landscape that she can’t trust, or is he really there to help her???! Dun-dun-dunnnn! LOL!

Playing with symbol and imagery has become one of my favorite things in novel writing. I’m even now pinning images from my stories and my personal journeys up on Pinterst. Just look for Anna DeStefano (http://pinterest.com/annadestefano) ;o) Check out Her Forgotten Betrayal’s board, where she’ll be posting blog tour updates and other surprises.

Anna is also awesome enough to be doing a free giveaway!

“Free Digital Download: Her Forgotten Betrayal (available on novel launch date—June, 2012)”

Just leave a comment below and you may be the lucky randomly selected partier.  Thanks for coming out!

Today, our guest of honor is  Annie Seaton. It’s so nice to have you here! Hope you’re ready to party!

First Questions:

Wine or beer? (If you say club soda, we’ll have to send you to the corner…)

Wine

Cake or chips? Are you a sugar or salt kind of person?

Chips

*squints eyes * Are you old enough to drink?

Only just…. <grin>

Wait! You can’t come in yet! What did you bring us?

Blurb:

Staid professor Lissy McIntyre believes that choosing a mate should be based on common sense, not runaway passion. And Lissy would certainly never pick a rolling stone like Nick Richard’s for long-term love. But a redhot, tropical romance? Oh, yeah. He’s got a body just made for sinning and his sizzling kisses leave her senseless.

When Nick blows into town, he’s stunned to discover that his no‐nonsense new neighbor and co-worker is the same sultry creature he seduced for one night of forbidden island pleasure. He’s unaccustomed to staying in one place for long, but he just can’t seem to keep his hands off the multi-faceted Lissy. Will Nick break loyal

Lissy’s heart or will she be the one woman he simply can’t walk away from?

What makes your characters so special?

Nick and Lissy have many layers of depth in their characters. Each is struggling with rejection from the past and has retreated into their own unique protective shell. Nick enjoys life with wild physical pursuits and Lissy has immersed herself in academia.

When they meet and there is a sizzling attraction, they each have to work their way through their issues and grow in the process.

Alright, I guess you can come in. Now off to the roast!

 Why did you want to become an author?

I have dreamed of writing since the day I started to read. I grew up on a diet of Enid Blyton and the “Anne” books. I graduated to historical romance in my teens  and my love of history born through reading led to the completion of a history degree and becoming a teacher.

I have dreamed and scribbled stories for many years, but only found the tine to write when I stopped a full time career last year. I have only been writing for one year and my life has changed significantly with the publication of three books. I put my success down to the fact that I have been an avid reader across many genres for many years and honed my writing voice through reading.

What would your characters say about you?

Annie pretends to be organized, but she lives in chaos. When she is writing about us, she tries to direct the plot but in the end, she lets us call the shots and do what we want!

What is one thing about you that most people don’t know?

I started writing the day I retired from full time work (I retired young!)

I have not had a manuscript rejected (yet) and both of my first two novels were published by two different publishers on the same day last month and were both on Amazon within hours of each other. It was an exciting day!

Tell us about one of your favorite characters from your books.

Wesley is a warlock in Blind Lust (to be released in June)

He is a black-haired, blue eyed warlock with a naughty side and a great sense of humor. He has been in love with the heroine witch for three hundred years and things come to a head when she is hit with Cupid’s arrow and falls in lust with the first man she sees… and it is not Wesley.

How much do you write in a day? Day or Night? Everyday?

Life is busy.

I edit for a couple of publishers and have a freelance editing business. I also teach part time at a university.

So…I write whenever I can…morning or night…all night. Whenever I can grab a spare hour.

I love sprinting in chat rooms with fellow authors.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?

Write from the heart and write what you love.

Write every day even if it is only 100 words.

Avoid the perils of procrastination and avoid Facebook, Twitter and all social networking unless you are promoting your personal brand.

What else are you working on right now?

I have just completed the edits for Blind Lust, a paranormal romance that will be released in June.

I am working on the rest of the “Affair” series. Tom, Nick’s brother is currently on his way to Italy where he will find life much more exciting. (Italian Affair) Youngest brother Alex is heading for the outback to have a torrid affair with a lady lawyer. (Outback Affair)

I am also working on the sequel to my steampunk novella, Winter of the Passion Flower

Full length novel Summer of the Moon Flower follows the adventures of Sofia, Indigo’s young sister  and she is kidnapped and imprisoned in a Scottish castle as she  researched the life giving properties of the moon flower, found high in the Austrian Alps. Lots of dirigible travel, automatons and steam powered technology as well as some steamy sex scenes!

Last question: Where can our partygoers find you and your work?

Website: http://annieseatonromance.com

Twitter:  annieseaton26

Facebook:  http://www.facebnook.com/annieseaton26

Other: http://annieseaton.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for coming!

I would love to give away a copy of either of my books (reader’s choice)

Tell me if you would like to win

Winter of the Passion Flower

Or Holiday Affair.

Leave a comment telling me what you love most about reading in the 21^st century!

Today, our star of honor is Nina Croft. It’s so nice to have you here and shining! I’m sure you’re ready to share with us your success and many fun endeavors. So, let’s get on with the party!

BIO:

Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of 9-5 work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain.

Nina writes all types of romance often mixed with elements of the paranormal and science fiction.

Let’s get to know you a little better. Why don’t you step over here under the spotlight and shine a little.

First questions: (I’ll go easy on you.)

What made you decide to become a writer? In my twenties, I worked as a volunteer for a few years in Africa. I found myself living in a remote village with no electricity, no internet, no TV, and very few books. The last was particularly hard. When the books ran out, I started writing as a means of entertaining myself, and I never really stopped.

What inspires you? Where do you get your ideas? All over—books, newspaper articles, TV, music. Sometimes, I’ll be riding my horse or walking the dogs, and something will just occur to me and I’ll have to rush back and write it down.

Do you beat your muse? I mean…Wait! Do you have a muse? Does he/she have a name? I don’t have a muse—honest—I hear other authors talking about their muses and I’m madly jealous. I want one. Where do I get one?

Let’s talk about your writing process. Are you a plotter or pantser? Are there any weird things that you do before you start to sit down to write? (Like stretch those fingers…? Scream at the computer…?)

I’m a total plotter. I always wanted to be a pantser, but I get stuck in the middle if I try. And if I know what’s going to happen, I don’t need to stop and think about it, and the writing flows much better. I also find that the process of plotting gives me time to really get to know my characters before I start the actual writing.

I don’t have any weird rituals before I start—I actually hate routines so I try to vary how I write.

What is your call story?

I’ve never had a call—how sad is that? Only emails—which were still very nice. My favourite was for my science-fiction/paranormal novella, Break Out. I’d had one book accepted by Entangled publishing and then I saw that they were specifically looking for space operas. I’d been wondering what to do with Break Out as it’s a bit of an unusual mix, but I thought it could definitely be described as a space opera. I sent it in on my birthday last year, and Liz my editor got back to me within the day saying she absolutely loved it and wanted to contract the ‘series’. It was the best birthday present ever.

Have you always envisioned yourself a writer? What were you doing before you started writing? Has your earlier career influence your current one?

I’ve always been a voracious reader, but didn’t start writing until I was in my twenties. Before that, I used to be a chartered accountant. I pretty much hated it, not so much the actual work—I like working with numbers—but I hated having to go to an office every day. So after a few years, I decided I needed something a little more exciting. I ended up volunteering (with my husband) to work in Africa. And that’s how I ended up running out of books and having to write my own. So you could say being an accountant influenced my current career.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now with your writing career?

Hopefully, still loving writing, improving my craft, writing regularly, being published regularly, increasing my reader base…

Long term, I’d love to write a huge fantasy trilogy like LOTRs—I have a few ideas roaming around in my mind just waiting to come to fruition.

What is the hardest thing you’ve had to overcome in your writing career so far?

I think accepting that not everyone is going to love my writing. While I’m actually getting much better, I still find my heart pounding when I open up a review of one of my books. But the fact is that you can’t write to please everybody, and if you try chances are, you’ll end up pleasing nobody. So just write what you love.

Now let’s talk more about you. If you could pick to live the life of a movie star, who would it be and why? Does this person show up in your stories? I really don’t want to be a movie star; I find the whole idea of being in the spotlight terrifying. But I did want to be Clint Eastwood when I was little. I always wanted to be a cowboy and ride a horse all day. I’ve never written a western yet—I might have to just so Clint can show up.

What genres do you read? Do you read what you write?

I’m a big believer in writing the sorts of things you love to read. Which doesn’t narrow things down very much for me because I read just about everything. Favorites at the moment are paranormal and science fiction, but they vary.

What’s the last book you’ve read for fun? Did you read it on an e-Reader or are you still a paperback-kind-of-person?

I love reading both, but because I live in such a remote area and the nearest English bookshop is a long way away, I find myself reading mainly ebooks these days. The last thing I read was the 50 Shades trilogy by E. L. James. I read it on my kindle and enjoyed it lots—very entertaining.

What did you wish you had known back then when you began writing?

It took me a while to learn that you should really write what you love, and not be hampered by specific submission guidelines or publisher requirements. I wasted time trying to fit my voice into what I thought was needed to get published. Probably a liberating moment for me, was writing my science-fiction/ paranormal romance, Break Out, where I just let myself write anything I wanted and my imagination run wild. It was a joy to produce, and I promised myself after that, that I would be true to what I really wanted to write.

Is there anything else you’d want your readers and friends to know about you?

Just that I love to hear from readers, so thanks for joining me here today.

And lastly, where can we find you?

Email: ninacroft@hotmail.co.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Nina_Croft

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000273215409

Website: https://www.ninacroft.com

Thank you so much for being a star!

I’m giving away a FREE copy of Blackmailed by the Italian Billionaire to one lucky winner who comments! 

 Blurb: Blackmailed by the Italian Billionaire.

Seduction by any means necessary…

Olivia Brent is happy with her quiet life in the country, until the imminent loss of her home forces her to embark on a search for her estranged father. Catapulted into a world of criminals and totally out of her depth, Olivia is rescued by the stunningly gorgeous and enigmatic billionaire Luc Severino.

Luc has never considered himself a knight in shining armor, and if he had been, then Jimmy Brent’s daughter was the last person he would choose to rescue. But Olivia is the key to finding her father, and Luc is willing to use any methods available, including blackmail, to persuade Olivia to help him find Jimmy and finally put the past behind him.

And if blackmail doesn’t gain her total cooperation, then perhaps a little seduction will…

Excerpt:

“So, Lia…” Luc said, his tone dangerously gentle. “Tell me, why did you really go and see Harley Watson?”

Lia’s gaze shot to his face. “What?”

“You didn’t want to work at the club.”

It was a statement, not a question, and Lia swallowed. She’d always been a horrific liar, but at least Luc Severino wouldn’t know the telltale signs. He wouldn’t know that beneath the fall of her carefully straightened hair, the tips of her ears were bright red, a dead giveaway to anyone who knew her that she was about to tell a whopper.

“Oh yes, I did.”

He quirked an eyebrow in disbelief. “Why?”

“I wanted to get away from home. I live with my family in a small village outside London, and it’s so boring.” And if she ever got back there in one piece, she would never leave again. “I wanted a little excitement and I needed a job. I remembered Mr. Watson from when we stayed in London. It seemed such a glamorous idea.” She sighed, deciding it was time to inject a little much needed honesty. “But once I got there, it didn’t seem quite so glamorous anymore.” She shuddered at the understatement. “And I…well, I just didn’t seem to have the right…” she cast a surreptitious glance at her chest, “…qualifications for the job.”

Luc intercepted the look. “Not all men are obsessed with enormous breasts,” he said.

She risked a quick glance at his face and found his eyes lingering on the long length of her legs beneath the hem of her dress. Lia resisted the urge to tug it down—she was beginning to hate that dress. It was going straight back to Kelly when she got home.

“Anyway, thank you for getting me out of there. You were right—I was out of my depth.”

Luc examined her curiously for a moment. “Just what is it you thought might happen?”

“White slave trade,” she mumbled under her breath.

To her surprise Luc didn’t laugh. Instead, he inspected her from head to toe as if trying to decide whether the price would be worth the trouble.

“Not Harley’s specialty,” he said after an uncomfortable minute.

Did that mean he knew someone whose specialty it was? After all, what did she really know about this man?

Today, our guest of honor is Camryn Rhys. It’s so nice to have you here! Hope you’re ready to party!

First Questions:

Wine or beer? (If you say club soda, we’ll have to send you to the corner…)

 Haha! I’m going to order a Belgian Lambic… Framboise. I love the combination of sweet and savory in those Belgian fruity beers. Beautiful texture. Yum.

Cake or chips? Are you a sugar or salt kind of person?

 Normally, I’d say chips. But today, I’m in a sugary mood. I’m craving cupcakes in a major way. There’s this place locally called Cupcake Mountain that I’m just about ready to head to right now… keep your cool, Cam. Keep your cool.

*squints eyes * Are you old enough to drink?

Definitely.

Wait! You can’t come in yet! What did you bring us?

Blurb: Sacha Camomescro, an Empath demon with an airship, is rescuing refugees from Victorian Europe’s war on magic when she meets a man unlike any other. Javier Vargas is a lone alpha werewolf, his pack nearly decimated by assassins, his appetite for justice superseded only by his desire for her.

But Sacha’s gift is also her curse. While reading minds is helpful in eluding the assassins sent by Europe for Progress, it cripples her ability to trust men, and enjoy sex, for she can always see the fantasies men have when they’re with her. But Javier has a single-minded focus when it comes to his pursuit, and he wants her.

Just when it seems she can trust him, Sacha’s crew starts getting picked off mid-flight, and it seems there’s a rabid animal at fault. Javier and his lone remaining pack member fall under suspicion, and in the hysteria, Sacha begins to lose control of her mission. Blindsided by passion, she must decide if she can trust the one man who wants her just as she is.

What makes your characters so special?

Well, Sacha is an Empath demon, so she can read minds. Javier—her hero—is a lone alpha werewolf whose pack has been decimated by assassins. He is just yummy. Takes our mind-reader by surprise.

Alright, I guess you can come in. Now off to the roast!

So, what do you write? And why?

 All of my previous books have been foodie romance of some kind, but this one is a bit of a departure. It’s a Steampunk Paranormal erotic romance, and it’s got some interesting twists and turns that I’m excited for my readers to experience.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

Actually, I used several of my future hopeful traveling spots in this book. I’d love to see Barcelona someday, and all of Gaudi’s work in Spain. I want to see Italy—especially for the culinary tour and the religious iconography. And of course, Scotland. Where the next book is set.

What was your first sale as an author? Was it special?

My first sale was a foodie romance, so it was very special to me. And a Western. In fact, it was set in a fictional version of my hometown. The sequel to that book comes out this summer.

 Do you have a favorite of your own books and why?

Actually, I’m glad you asked that, because this particular book is my favorite. I love the level of creativity you have as an author when you create a world from scratch. I had a blast with the Magic Wars world.

Is there anything you’d want your readers and friends to know about you?

 I love to hear from people when they like my books. I’ve gotten to interact with a lot of people on Twitter and Facebook, and I’m always up for a good chat with a new friend. Look me up and let me know how you found me. I’d love to hear from you.

What else are you working on right now?

I’m currently writing the sequel to this book, which is called Clockwork Seduction. In fact, if you’ve seen the #777 hashtag, you’ll know that I recently posted part of that book on my blog after being tagged by a fellow author. I really love this book and am excited to see what my editor thinks when I’m done!

Last question: Where can our partygoers find you and your work?

Website: http://www.camrynrhys.com

Twitter: @camrynrhys

Facebook: @CamrynRhys

Thank you so much for coming!

Thanks so much for having me! It’s always a pleasure to be on the Romance Author Hotspot. And I’m just about done my Lambic…

Today, our guest of honor is Karen Kennedy Samoranos. It’s so nice to have you here! Hope you’re ready to party!

I’m always ready for a celebration, theoretical or real.

First Questions:

Wine or beer? (If you say club soda, we’ll have to send you to the corner…)

It depends on the company and social situation. I’d drink a glass of good wine any day—cabernet sauvignon and malbec being my favorites—but a good cold bottle of Heineken can really hit the spot, especially if there’s a nice shot of good tequila that requires chasing.

Cake or chips? Are you a sugar or salt kind of person?

I’m equal opportunity between salt and sweets. Please keep me away from anything made with chocolate, because I’m powerless to its chemistry. I resist the urge to buy chips, because of their obvious shortcomings, masked by a cheap and addicting flavor. Lately I’ve been noticing my grandparents embodied in me, with the purchasing of cashews and almonds. When you’re young, you tell yourself subconsciously never to get old, but it happens anyway, because aging is an irresistible force. So, I decided to stop fighting it, by eating nuts and playing Mahjong.

*squints eyes * Are you old enough to drink?

Good Lord, yes! I’ll be turning fifty this year (and then I imagine Molly Shannon doing the splits in the persona of Sally O’Malley, hollering, “I’m fifty!”). Once my husband paid a supermarket checker to card me. I was forty at the time, and it was Mother’s Day. I haven’t been carded since I was 20, so I think my husband was trying to flatter me, which we all know is the man’s method of getting “lucky” at the end of the day.

Wait! You can’t come in yet! What did you bring us?

Blurb: Rose McKillop’s virtuous life as mother and homemaker, and her seventeen-year marriage, are safe haven from her outlandish family: sexually-unfettered sister, Justine, a freelance writer; brother, James, in trouble with money, prostitutes and the law; and elderly grandmother, Marlene Burich, who raised the siblings after their parents’ murders three decades ago. Marlene’s radical ideology has estranged her from Rose for twenty years.

The bitter truth is that Rose’s life is a tragic fraud. Disconnected from her husband, sexually dissatisfied, and spiritually empty, despite her religious façade, she harbors a secret that could end her marriage. In pain and desperation, she reaches out to another man, risking all in a sexual affair. 

The siblings are abruptly reunited by a series of catastrophic events, including Marlene’s increasingly bizarre behavior, and a brutal double-murder. In the process, Rose isn’t the only family member whose dirty secrets threaten to destroy the ties that bind.

What makes your characters so special?

The female characters in my novel, The Curious Number, have hidden strengths, but are unexpectedly vulnerable, and accept their own mortality. I enjoyed writing about Rose more than the others, because she was such a paradox—willing to spend seventeen years of her life in an unfulfilling marriage just to wipe out her own perceived sins of youth. It was challenging to write a character that spent almost two decades in a loveless marriage. I had to create a character more enamored with the façade she presented to others, than with her happiness. Her public persona was a crutch to get her through every day, and she was willing to sell her soul to accomplish it. But when Rose finally rebels against the self-made establishment, she finds her true self, and real love.

Alright, I guess you can come in. Now off to the roast!

What would your characters say about you?

They might complain that I write them into sticky situations, or bad relationships that I would not otherwise accept in my own life. However, I think my characters would appreciate that I look at the bigger picture, and expand upon the human element. Usually there’s a positive outcome, despite whatever risky behaviors they’re written to perform.

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

I love to run in my suburban neighborhood, which can be dangerous if there’s a roaming pit bull. You’d be amazed how often this happens, and just how many people own pit bulls. I also ride a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 (large cruiser street motorcycle), which could be extremely hazardous, depending upon the time of day, and condition of the traffic. I must say that riding a street bike has made me a much better driver overall. My reaction time is quicker, and my ability to make snap decisions in traffic has improved exponentially. I also ride off-road motorcycles (dirt bikes), but where I ride up in Lassen County, California, the primary danger comes from logging trucks.

Do you have a favorite of your own books and why?

I love Road Apples (Musa Publishing, December 2^nd, 2011), because the characters, Madeline and Wyatt, fall in love after taking the risk with a physical relationship, because the incredible parallels in their lives outweigh their obvious differences. In essence, finding love when you least expect it, when all of your defenses are down, sometimes has the ability to endure the worst the world can throw at it.

What is the hardest part of writing your books?

I dislike it when somebody dies, and I can’t change the outcome. Although I do create a skeleton outline for a book, I follow the “panster” thing, and let my characters shape events. Sometimes the direction of a novel may not be what I had originally intended, but like real-life children, you have to allow your characters’ lives to play out in their own direction.

What do you think makes a good story?

Barefaced humanity, and shameless sex are two components of a good story. What makes it a great story, is tying these elements together with heartfelt sentiment. Sex and the human condition always sell, but love is the glue that helps readers relate to a character on a visceral level.

Tell us about one of your favorite characters from your books.

Katherine McLain Sumner—my polar opposite. A member of the Quinault Indian Nation, Kate was stolen from her birth mother as an infant, and concealed in the foster care system in California. At the age of thirteen, she nearly beat a man to death who tried to rape her, and when she was sixteen, she witnessed the murders of her foster parents. At age twenty-one, she killed a man in self-defense when he tried to harm her infant daughter. Twenty years later, when she and her family were attacked at roadside by two white supremacists, she killed one of the attackers, and crippled the other. What makes Kate one of my favorite characters is her sense of remorse, and her respect for all life. In a way, she’s as much a paradox as Rose in The Curious Number.

What else are you working on right now?

I have a collection of short stories scheduled for released by Musa Publishing on June 22^nd, 2012, entitled Death By Bitter Waters. The character, Kate McLain Sumner, is in this book as well, searching for her son who was abducted as a baby by the non-custodial parent (her ex-husband) thirty years ago. More roller-coaster human drama set in rural northeastern California, along with romance, sex and all the trimmings.

Last question: Where can our partygoers find you and your work?

Website: http://www.saraville.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarenKennedySam

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003034723931&ref=tn_tnmn

Other (blog): http://www.karenkennedysamoranos.wordpress.com

Thank you so much for coming!

Today, our guest of honor is Terry Spear. It’s so nice to have you here! Hope you’re ready to party!

First Questions:

Wine or beer? (If you say club soda, we’ll have to send you to the corner…)

You know I’m a writer, right? And writers really just can’t be confined to such a limited choice. Really. My mother said I couldn’t drink beer with my dad because it wasn’t ladylike, so that was out. And I got sick on wine once, so I’m a strawberry daiquiri, margarita, and pink champagne kind of girl!

Cake or chips? I love chocolate cake and cheese cake and chocolate cheese cake.  But I can’t deny I love plain old potato chips, sour and cream chips, and doritos with melted cheese on top, topped with a half a green olive. (We used to watch all the Star Trek shows while munching on those special treats…sharp cheddar cheese only, please.)

Are you a sugar or salt kind of person? My answer–??? I don’t like mixing the two, sweet and sour, no. But I love my salty foods, and I can’t do without my chocolate.

*squints eyes * Are you old enough to drink?

My mother always said that if you tell your age, you’ll tell everything. But technically, once we’re old enough to suckle, we were old enough to drink. If we’re talking about spirits, I’ll refer you back to my first answer. J

Wait! You can’t come in yet! What did you bring us?

Blurb: Her instincts tell her he’s dangerous…

While her overprotective brother’s away, Meara Greymere’s planning to play—and it wouldn’t hurt to find herself a mate in the process. The last thing she needs is one of his SEAL buddies spoiling her fun, even if the guy is the hottest one she’s ever seen…

His powers of persuasion are impossible to resist…

Finn Emerson is a battle-hardened Navy SEAL and alpha wolf. He’s a little overqualified for baby-sitting, but feisty Meara is attracting trouble like a magnet…

Alright, I guess you can come in. Now off to the roast!

So, what do you write? And why? I write everything because I love reading everything from true stories, urban fantasy, fantasy, and historical, from adult to young adult. It’s fun going back to the past in historicals or creating new worlds either in fantasy settings or urban settings. I’ve always loved reading fantasies, mythologies, folktales from around the world, and historical stories. So it just felt right creating my own.

What would your characters say about you? I’m tough on them. But I love them. I believe they can make the best of bad situations and don’t have to take the easy way out. The harder they work at it, the more satisfying the end result. And that it’s important for them to see humor even in the most stressful of times. And I’m all for them finding a love that’s forevermore.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why? I loved Scotland and would love to see the castles and gardens in England and Ireland and Wales. I enjoy writing stories set in those locations, both historical and urban fantasy. My family roots come from there, so I love seeing where my families came from.

Do you like more Alpha or Beta heroes? Oh both are totally loveable. Some heroes just are very alpha, and some are much more beta. But each can be the perfect hero for the perfect heroine.

How much do you write in a day? Day or Night? Everyday? Normally, I work on making 5,000 words per week. If I can get them done earlier in the week, I’ll write more on my 2 days off during the week. I write a little before work when I’m not on a huge blog tour, or doing edits on books that have a quick deadline. And I’ll work on them after I get off from work at night. Every day, yes!

Are you a pantser or a plotter? Absolute pantser! I start with how I want the hero and heroine to meet, what their goals are, their motivation, and run from there. As I write the story, the characters begin to come alive, in their actions, reactions, the paths they choose to take. I can create twists and turns that I never envisioned while I’m writing the story.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?  Start the story where the world turns upside down for the characters.

What else are you working on right now? Right now I’m working on A Highland Wolf Wedding, which is Cearnach’s story, the 3^rd book in the Highland wolf series. And I’m working on the second book in the jaguar series. And I’m working on Tom’s story in the next book based on the Destiny of the Wolf’s pack! I tend to switch back and forth when scenes come to me or I get stuck on one of the stories. But once I have a deadline, I’ve got to really concentrate on one!

Last question: Where can our partygoers find you and your work?

Website: http://www.terryspear.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/terry.spear

Buylink: http://www.amazon.com/SEAL-Wolfs-Clothing-Terry-Spear/dp/1402258909

Thank you so much for coming!

 What would you do if you found a SEAL wolf pack, and one of the males was interested in YOU?

Terry is sweet enough to be doing a giveaway too!  (Hooray!)  She’ll mail a paperback copy of ”A SEAL in Wolf’s Clothing” to a randomly selected commenter/Tweeter!  Just add #WolfSeal to your Tweet (and @ mention @RomanceAuthorHS and/or @TerrySpear and/or @sbkslandmark [Terry's Publisher] if you feel like being awesome!) to enter.

Good morning all! Wookie, my alien kitten & muse, and I are delighted to be here today. The sun is shining and it’s slowly warming up. Wookie has found her favorite sunny spot near the window and is lazily flicking her tail while she stares at me.

I think she’s trying to take over my mind.

She says she’s not but….

There are days when I’d welcome a little outside mind control…days when I’m writing at full speed and run smack! right into an invisible writer’s wall. That’s when I realize I’ve gotten something wrong. It could be the plot or it could be something to do with a character. But as I back track and read what I’ve written, I find nothing wrong. It’s all good.

That’s usually when Wookie sashays over, leaps onto a box I keep near my desk and looks at the monitor. A simple ‘chhrruup’ makes me pause to consider my precious words. There must be something wrong or I wouldn’t have run into that wall. I shake my head. I don’t want to remove anything. Those words are like gold. They’re full of emotion, excitement, fear, hopelessness…love.

Wookie offers a ‘mmrrow’ and I realize she’s right. As precious as my words are, the story has derailed, gone off track and I can’t proceed until I fix it. I usually mock-glare at her and ask, “Okay, hotshot, where’s the problem?”

And she gives me the patented, feline stink eye, hops off the box and meanders back to her sunny spot with a ‘Prruupp’, which I take to mean ‘Go back farther and read it carefully.’

I hate it when she’s right.

Because she so often is right. The derailing didn’t occur in the last page or two. Maybe not even in the last 5 pages. More likely, it occurred way back, possibly when I forced a character to do something s/he wouldn’t do just to move the plot along. That means I might have a lot of ‘fixing’ to do. But the story will be stronger and better when I’m done. It won’t startle the reader into stopping to question what I’ve written. Or throwing the book (or worse yet, the e-reader) against a wall.

After all, a book tossed at a wall disturbs the alien kittens among us. It also interrupts their attempts at mind control.

Oh wait. I feel the inexplicable urge to give Wookie her favorite feline treats. Right. Now. 

Thanks for scrolling down and reading the fine print!  Your reward?  (US residents only) A chance to win a free signed copy of Heartstone (left most cover above).  Comment below before 11:59pm Thursday April 12th and have your last two words be: “Yes-US” to enter!  Good luck

Like what you read?  Check out Lynda K. Scott’s website by clicking above – click here to go straight to buying them!

Today, our guest of honor is Alexa Bourne. It’s so nice to have you here! Hope you’re ready to party!

Thank you for having me, and yes, I’m ready to party!

 First Questions:

Wine or beer? (If you say club soda, we’ll have to send you to the corner…)

Dark Beer, please.

Cake or chips? Are you a sugar or salt kind of person?

How about cupcakes? I like sugar when talking about food. I like salt around the rim of a margarita.

*squints eyes * Are you old enough to drink?

Way old enough!

Wait! You can’t come in yet! What did you bring us? 

Heather Winchester leads a charming life. With good friends, a beautiful flat in one of the most amazing cities in the world, and a promising future once she finishes her Ph.D, she is finally pursing her own dreams instead of catering to everyone else’s…except she doesn’t remember any of it.

Malcolm Fraser has returned to his Highland village to forget his failings as a professional bodyguard. Believing he could just lose himself in the mundane activities of running his bed & breakfast, he finds a woman’s lifeless body by the loch instead….

Captivated by Heather as she regains her memory, Malcolm is thrown into the line of duty. As danger comes knocking on their door, will he be strong enough to love her and keep her safe?

What makes your characters so special?

Most Scottish characters are in historical romance novels. In my story, most of the characters are Scottish (except the heroine who is American) and they’re ALL contemporary!

Alright, I guess you can come in. Now off to the roast! 

What would your characters say about you?

They would say I’m very comical, animated, and stubborn. I often try to make my ideas work instead of just listening to them from the beginning of the book’s brainstorming.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

I would LOVE to take a cruise around the Hebrides islands so I can explore more of Scotland. I’d also love to see New Zealand because it looks beautiful.

Who is your favorite author and why? Do you write what you read?

My favorite author is Laura Griffin. I love her romantic suspense stories. They have just the right amount of romance and suspense for my taste. I read a wide variety of genres- historical, contemporary, suspense, thriller, romance. I’m most comfortable writing romantic suspense.

How much do you write in a day? Day or Night? Everyday?

I don’t write every day. I can’t. I can go weeks without writing anything new, and then there are times when I write pages and pages day after day. It really depends on what’s happening in my “real world”. As for the best time of the day, I’m a night person so I’d much rather stay up until 2 AM writing rather than getting up at 4 or 5 AM to write before work. {{shudder}}

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

I’m a plotting pantser. J I write the really rough draft as a pantser, just writing scenes with no specific order. Then I plot and put the scenes in order and expand during the other drafts. (I usually do 4-6 drafts per book.)

What else are you working on right now?

I’m waiting hear if my publisher wants my second Honor Guard story, which is set in Northern England. I’m also working on a requested stalker story set in small town USA.

Last question: Where can our partygoers find you and your work?

Website: www.alexabourne.com

Twitter: @AlexaBourne

Facebook: http://facebook.com/AuthorAlexaBourne

Other: http://alexabourne.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for coming!

One lucky commenter will win a copy of Her Highland Champion! Who can resist a hot bodyguard?!