Romance Author Hotspot

Our guest today is Nancy DiMauro. Lets have some fun:

Tell us about yourself…

 I’m a mommy, writer, lawyer who lives on a farm with too many animals (according to my husband). Eleven years ago, I convinced my poor condo-raised husband to move from the city to a horse farm. He agreed because it was my dream. If I could clone him, I’d make a fortune. Although, he still get testy when I call him “Zsa Zsa.”

A typical day starts at 5:00 am when I kick the husband out of bed so he can the kids up and get ready himself, and I can feed the animals. Once the critters are fed, I’m on breakfast duty for the boys. As soon as all three of them out the door, I leave for my day job. I’m a partner in a small law firm based in the Washington, D.C. Metro area. My practice is mostly business law and litigation. I finally get to write after 9pm when the kids are in bed and the critters have wound down for the night. My life is hectic, but I wouldn’t trade it.

Tell us about your book…

 Shots at Redemption is a collection of short stories about three mythical creatures (a goddess, a witch and a dragon – I know it’s a joke waiting for a punchline) who get second chances at love.

I’ve always thought the women, even the goddesses, didn’t fair well in Greek mythology. I started wondering how Kalypso “imprisoned” Odysseus for seven years. After all, Odysseus is always described as being clever. A clever man would escape if he wanted to. Then there was the fact that Kalypso and Odysseus had children. If Odyssues stayed for seven years, it was because he wanted to. So, why did he leave? What would happen if he came back? From those questions, Kalypso’s Song was born. It won an Honorable Mention from Writers of the Future.

Best Dressed and Obsessed came out of an error from a Liberty Hall (libertyhallwriters.org) writing prompt. For whatever reason, I got a single word “array” rather than the actual prompt for that week. After spending most of my 90 minutes trying to figure out what to write, I ended up settling on a retelling of Medea using a cursed dress to kill Jason’s next lover.  Best Dressed also won an Honorable Mention from Writers of the Future.

I started the final story, A Sea Serpent’s Tale, based on a call for submissions to a dragon anthology. I got about half way through the story and hit a stall point, a real risk with being a pantser. The story sat in my trunk (okay, computer hard drive) for about 6 months before I realized what was missing. From there it took me a weekend to finish the first draft. Unlike the other two stories in the collection, A Sea Serpent’s Tale focuses on parent/child love rather than romantic love.   

 What are your five favorite novels?

 Only five, geez, that’s tough. Probably:

- The Last Unicorn, by Peter Beagle

- Daughter of the Blood, by Anne Bishop

- Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte

- Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman

- Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson

What are you working on now?

 I’ve finished a novella in three acts called Apollo Rising in which Apollo tries to break the curse on Daphne and return her to a nymph. Apollo Rising is also under contract with Musa Publishing, and should be out by the end of the year. At this point, I’m waiting for comments from my editor.

In the meantime, I just finished the first draft of an erotic romance novella called New Bohemia: Just One Night.  When his roommate, Maysoon, propositions him, Pete has just one night to convince her that they can be so much more than a one night stand.

While that cools, I’m working on my urban fantasy novel, The Nocebo Effect, which features Vonna, one of the characters from Paths Less Traveled, which Musa Publishing released on May 11, 2012.

I also received comments on my other novel, The King’s Falcon, from an agent I really respect. I’m ready to go through them and see how I can strengthen that story. Falcon was also featured in a short story in Paths Less Traveled.

Are you a Plotter or a Panster?

Despite my best efforts to the contrary, I’m a pantser. When I outline, it’s only in very broad strokes. One of the joys of writing for me is discovering what happens. I generally know the characters and how the story’s likely to end when I start. Between those two points, anything goes.

BBQ? Carolina, Tennessee, Texas or Kansas City?

I grew up in Boston, so to me BBQ was a way of cooking meat, not a specific dish. I didn’t learn how wrong I was until I went to college in Richmond, Va. Our friends, who had moved to Richmond years earlier, invited us over for BBQ. Imagine our surprise when instead of grilled chicken breasts and steak, we were served shredded pork with sauce in a sandwich. So, pork barbeque – or Carolina style – is my favorite. Although the Texas beef brisket is a really close second.

BLURB:

We all make mistakes. In this collection, a witch, a goddess, and a dragon take their shots at redemption in the hope of reclaiming lost love.

Eons ago, Zeus decreed that Odysseus leave Kalypso. In Kalypso’s Song, Odysseus is reborn as a scholar. Can Kalypso convince him to reclaim the love they were denied?

In Best Dressed and Obsessed, Janelle, a graduate-level witch, chooses a magic dress to enthrall her professor. Sadly, the dress is cursed.  At her graduation ball, will she kiss the man she loves? Or kill him?

The sea dragon Ryu finds an unlikely surrogate family in A Sea Serpent’s Tale. When her new family is attacked by another dragon, can Ryu save them?
Shots at Redemption. We want them. We need them. But, do we get them?

Thanks for having me and I hope you enjoy the stories.

Enjoyed the interview?  You can connect with Nancy:

Email:               nancy@falconsfables.com

Twitter:           https://twitter.com/kings_falcon

(that’s an “_” between the kings and falcon)

Facebook:       http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/Kings.Falcon

Website:          http://www.falconsfables.com

Blog:                   http://nancydimauro.blogspot.com

Or read on for an excerpt from the featured story, Shots at Redemption:

Garrett talked to Tabitha by the buffet table. How dare she? He was mine. Something cold and predatory slid over me.

I wound my way through the masses. The sinuous curves of my body slid in a seductive symphony. A smile eased over my features. The Dress glimmered unicorn white. Strobe lights bathed it in ever-shifting colors. I was the most remarkable woman here.

And Gary was finally going to get his due.

He stepped away from Tabitha. “Ms. Willowbalm, may I have the privilege of the next dance?”

I inclined my head as I took his arm. “I thought you were going to call me Janelle.”

“Of course.”

At the edge of the dance floor, one hand held mine while the other wrapped around my waist. It’s a wonder he didn’t hear my heart racing. A flush of heat warmed my face. His redwood and light musk scent enveloped me. I closed my eyes and breathed in his essence. A wide stupid grin stretched my features. I was dancing with Garrett Rowan. He was holding me.

“You’ve undergone a rather remarkable transformation this year,” he said.

“Things just seemed to fall into place.” I shrugged, knowing it made my cleavage more notable. His eyes flittered lower before jumping back to meet mine. “I’m surprised you noticed.”

“I like to think of myself as an observant man.”

Gary murdered us, the silken voice of The Dress snarled in my mind.

No, I thought.

Gary cannot be trusted.

This is what I w-want, to be here, with Garrett.

Mercury strands formed a net around my mind. My body jerked as they closed in.

No! I screamed in the confines of my head. I ordered my body to pull back, to shout for help. It didn’t respond. The Dress had seized control. Sweat prickled on the back of my neck.

A deep sadistic laugh was my only response. Foolish child. Gary’s blood will pave the way. The initial sacrificial lamb. The Council will fall to me this time.

Gary held me slightly away from his body. “Ah, Medea. It was about time you showed yourself.”

“Gary dear,” a voice that wasn’t mine spilled out from my lips. It was deeper than the voice I’d heard in my head from The Dress. I felt the muscles in my face stretch to a grin. “I’ll enjoy killing you.”

The spirit me screamed, unheard and unbidden. I couldn’t feel the warmth of his hand as it rested against the small of my back or where his other hand was conjoined with mine. Even his redwood and spice scent didn’t fill my senses. Was I dead? No. This can’t be happening.

Get out of my head, I snarled at the invader, Medea, Garrett had called her Medea. If I’d still retained control of my body, my legs would have bowed, unable to support my weight. Medea Oleander. Medea Oleander was inside my mind. And she wanted to kill Garrett. I couldn’t, no, I wouldn’t let her succeed.

Happy Memorial Day, much love to all who have served.

Today, our guest of honor is Dawne Prochilo.  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 for writing and beer when summer’s heat and humidity kicks in.

Cake or chips? Are you a sugar or salt kind of person? Chips…LOVE salty things

*squints eyes * Are you old enough to drink? Yes but I have been asked for my drivers’ license just recently. I will be 44 this September but I must looked at least 35 years old to be questioned and ID.

Wait! You can’t come in yet! What did you bring us? My second chance at love novel, When We Meet Again. Every woman has that one that got away and this is a bittersweet story that covers two decades of the proverbial question.. What-if?

Blurb:

How many of us have wished we could turn back the clock? Go back to one specific time that would change our lives forever and it would be exactly how we wanted it.

Brynn Saunders has wished that for over two decades and while she can’t change her life, a strange twist of fate is giving her a second chance at her one true love.

Best friends Ethan Miller and Brynn have loved each other unconditionally since high school and while their lives were entwined early, they never shared the intimacy they felt for the other.

After an abusive marriage for Brynn and a loveless marriage for Ethan, they’ve reconnected twenty four years later and are acting upon what they never had the chance to do years ago.

What makes your characters so special?

Their undying love over the years and need for each other spans a lifetime. Their reconnection is sweet but many women have related to it. Many reviews and fans have confessed to having a little bit of Brynn in them and have said they had an Ethan in their lives years ago.

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

So, what do you write? And why?

I have always wanted to be a writer and an author. I just love using my imagination and being creative and allowing readers a day of fantasy and love.

What would your characters say about you?

Please don’t make me do that! I tend to let my emotions take over sometimes and put my characters in harm’s way to prove a point. Perseverance and strength are key.

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

Hmm, never thought of another career or goal for myself. I

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

I love the mountains. A nice quiet cabin at the end of a road on a mountain top is where I’d love to go to. I appreciate the simple things in life and don’t take much stock in the elaborate superficial monetary items. Just my privacy… the man I love and my laptop.

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

My first book was a sweeter than sweet romance called On Her Own. Not one kissing scene in the book but it sold quite well. My proudest moment was when that first roylaty check came. I knew I had fulfilled my dream in life.

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

Yes, When We Meet Again. I am a sucker for second chances at love and the truimphs lovers overcome to be together and have that unconditional love.

What is the hardest part of writing your books?

Promoting when the book is published. Once an author told me (before I was published) that writing the book was the easy part. I laughed at that until my book came out then I realized how true those words are.

How would you describe your writing style?

I am prolific. I started out in the newspaper industry (was asked to contribute to USA Today in the fall of 2011). I have romance novels from sweet all the way up to four flame erotic but I am partial to the sweeter side of romance.

What do you think makes a good story?

Character connection, a believable plot and smooth writing. Fill in the loopholes and make the hero/heroine’s love complete and realistic.

What are you passionate about?

True friendship and unconditional love. No person should live without their soul mate.

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

I am a mom to three grown children and my son and daughter in law gave me the gift of my first grandchild on April 25.

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

This is a trick question. Depending on the genre- I read everything from romance to suspense/thriller. In the romance genre, I have many- can’t pick just one. In the suspense/thriller genre I would have to say Robert B Parker and Stuart Woods.

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

You are really making me think today. My favorite character would have to be… Kennedy in my soon to be released book with Total E-Bound called Finding Kennedy. She is a public figure and radio hostess and being stalked. She has strength, poise and class.

Do you like more Alpha or Beta heroes?

Beta heroes. I am always rooting for the underdog.

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

Not as much as I would like to. It depends on my other work schedules and family time. I’d love to say 2-3k a day. I prefer the evenings and middle of the night. The house is quieter and my mind can create.

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

Plotter all the way. I need structure of the outline but that’s not to say I don’t change the storyline as I write. Sometimes the words in theo utline just don’t flow with the way the characters are moving.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?

Determination and persistence do pay off. Keep writing and submitting.

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

I love spinning a story that readers can relate to. It’s a great feeling when I receive an email or review and the person says “I connected with the characters…I know exactly how they feel”.

What else are you working on right now?

I have two series I’m working on. One is a four book series of erotic tales about women who are of voluptuous size- I don’t feel every heroine should be the ‘perfect’ size that society has them viewed as.

I also am writing a four book series- historical western romance. I am loving the lingo, the storylines and characters. It is set in 1898 Colorado Territory and is a sweet romance series.

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

http://www.amazon.com/Dawne-Prochilo/e/B005LNADR6/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_3

Website: http://dawneprochilo.blogspot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/goldendawne1

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

I will be giving away one PDF copy of When We Meet Again to one lucky commentator.

Thank you so much for coming!

Today, our star of honor is Caridad Pineiro. 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:  New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and RITA® Finalist Caridad Pineiro is the author of over thirty-five published novels and novellas.  When not writing, Caridad is an attorney, wife, and mother to an aspiring writer and fashionista.  For more information, please visit www.caridad.com.

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? I wrote my first book in the fifth grade when my teacher assigned a class project.  It was a romance and I knew from that moment that I wanted to be a writer.  I kept on writing through high school, college and law school and when my daughter was born, I decided I had to show her that it was important to follow your dreams.  That’s when I went to work trying to get published.

What inspires you? Where do you get your ideas? I get most of my inspiration from the visual things around me as well as history and science.  I love taking everyday things on turning them on their heads in both my paranormal and romantic suspense stories.

Do you beat your muse? I mean…Wait! Do you have a muse? Does he/she have a name?   LOL!  I do not have a muse.  Weird, I know.  I guess because I’m a Type A personality and no matter what, sit down to write every day.  I guess my muse got tired of so much work and decided to go find someone else.  LOL.

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 am a recovering pantser.  That means that I have to write an outline first because my editors want to see that to acquire and before I start writing the book.  Generally that outline is very flexible because I do like having the characters and story dictate where the romance and action will go, so there is some tweaking involved to the original outline.

What is your call story?  For me, “The Call” happened on a Good Friday. I had off from work, but it wasn’t a relaxing day. It was the kind of day working mothers have way too often – trying to fit in household chores, preparation for the upcoming Easter holiday and traditional egg hunt, and a visit to my mother-in-law and great-grandma.  My husband was tied up with work at home and I had decided to take my daughter to visit the two grandmas since we wouldn’t see them at Easter.  We hadn’t been in the house more than about half an hour when my husband called. Someone had just phoned for me and he had almost hung up on them, thinking that they were a telemarketer, but something made him stop and listen (quite rare as those of you with husbands know). Then he said to me, “She says she’s an editor at Kensington and wants to talk to you about the book you sent them.” I phoned the editor and she answered immediately. Even more importantly, it was “The Call.” The editor indicated that she wanted to acquire the book I had sent in about a month earlier, but would call me back in a few days with all the details like the advance, publication date, etc. I thanked her, gave her some numbers where she could reach me and hung up.  Then I started jumping up and down and screaming, “I just sold my book! I just sold my book!” The floor groaned and creaked – okay, I needed to lose a little weight — but the home is older so that was the real reason for everything shaking. Or maybe it was that my mother-in-law, daughter and great grandma all came in to ask me what had happened and when they realized, they started hopping up and down as well.

Have you always envisioned yourself a writer? What were you doing before you started writing? Has your earlier career influence your current one? I was always an avid reader who had stories in her head, but it wasn’t until I was in the fifth grade that it occurred to me that I could take those stories and put them on paper.  From that moment on, I kept on writing.  As for whether that early career in the fifth grade influenced me, I guess you can say that it did since that book was also a romance.  I guess I knew from an early age what I was destined to write.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now with your writing career? I see myself mixing up traditional print publishing with digital only publishing and some self-published works.  Like anything else, it’s good to keep a mix of things in your basket so you can determine what is the right career path for you.

What is the hardest thing you’ve had to overcome in your writing career so far? I’ve had two published experiences where my work was labeled multicultural/Latino and those have been some of the most disappointing and difficult episodes in my writing career.  I don’t think you should limit to whom you sell based on either race and/or ethnicity.  A good story resonates with all kinds of readers and such labeling only serves to segregate and alienate.

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?   OMG, that’s a really really tough question.  While I like some celebrities, I’m not really into following them all that much, but if I had to choose one, it would be Gloria Estefan.  I admire her work ethic and courage in the face of adversity and yes, Gloria has shown up through mentions of her music and her hotel (the Cardozo in South Beach) in my books.

Through research, what is the most silly thing you’ve ever done? The most silly thing I ever did was take a pole dancing class in Vegas with some writing buddies.  It was hard to do, I am an awful dancer to begin with and I ended up with bruises all over my knees from banging into the pole.

What genres do you read? Do you read what you write? I don’t generally read paranormals although I write them.  I like to stay away from vampires in particular so as to not let other mythologies drift into the one I’ve created for THE CALLING (which will relaunch as THE REBORN in February 2012).  I do read romantic suspense, though and love the action and romance in such stories.

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?   The last book I read for fun was DIVIDED IN DEATH by J.D. Robb and I still favor paperbacks over my e-reader.

What did you wish you had known back then when you began writing? I wish I had known that the publishing world is totally unpredictably.  I was a science major and used to the kind of world where you mix A+B to equal C.  That is totally not the case in publishing.  You can write a good story, get good reviews and yet not have a positive outcome.  That’s very frustrating.

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

I love hearing from everyone and getting to know you better!  Also, I will be donating a portion of my royalties from THE CLAIMED to HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS.  Here is a little bit more about this project:

In THE LOST, I remembered them by having the heroine, Bobbie Carrera, be a wounded Marine veteran. I also dedicated the book to our military women, men and families.

For THE CLAIMED, I knew I had to do something more. Because of that desire to do more, a portion of my royalties for sales of my paranormal romance THE CLAIMED will be donated to HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS, an organization that seeks to enhance the quality of life for U.S. service members and their families who have been adversely affected by injuries or death in the line of duty. Also, if you’re one of the first fifty (50) to e-mail me with a proof of purchase of THE CLAIMED or proof of a donation to HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS, I’ll send you either a HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS pin or tote bag along with other swag.

And lastly, where can we find you?

Email: cpsromance@att.net

Twitter:  @CaridadPineiro

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Caridad.Author

Website: http://www.caridad.com

Other: http://www.rebornvampirenovels.com

Thank you so much for being a star!

Blurb:

Victoria Johnson loves her life. She’s her own boss in a quaint beachside town, and has great friends who keep her grounded. If only they knew who she really is: an heiress to an ancient race who possesses astonishing superhuman powers. It’s Victoria’s duty to restore her clan of Light Hunters to their former glory by choosing the perfect mate. In Christopher Sombrosa, she just may have found him. Strong, smart, and successful, Christopher exudes a powerful energy. Their connection is sensual, irresistible-and forbidden.

A member of the Shadow Hunter clan, Christopher has defied his own father to lead his people away from affliction and violence. Yet he cannot ignore his duty to carry on his ancient bloodline. Stunningly beautiful and brimming with an erotic life force, Victoria is everything Christopher ever hoped for in a mate . . . but as a Light Hunter, she’s his mortal enemy. Together, they could unite their warring tribes. But murderous factions on both sides don’t want peace-and they’ll stop at nothing to keep light and darkness apart forever . . .

Excerpt:

To read an excerpt, visit this link:  http://www.scribd.com/doc/90985909/The-CLAIMED-Paranormal-Romance

Caridad is doing a giveaway (Copies of NOCTURNAL WHISPERS and A VAMPIRE’S CONSORT erotic paranormal romance novella e-book ) to a randomly selected commenter on this post!  Join the conversation. 

Whenever I discuss my latest book, Sloane Wolf, people often ask me, Why Wolves? And I have to say, why not? Wolves are fantastic creatures that mate for life and are truly faithful to their mates (from what I’ve read), and we humans could learn a lot from them.

As it pertains to my book, however, it was rather serendipitous that I ended up writing about wolves. I didn’t intentionally set out to do so, but a series of events conspired to make it happen. The first event came in the form of a book that was ultimately made into a movie that got me to thinking – and anybody who knows me can tell you that when I get to thinking, things begin to happen…in a writing sense that is! I can turn the smallest nugget of an idea into a story, if motivated enough to do so, and that is how this story started out, as just a nugget. So there I was, inspired by this other book/movie enough that certain scenes kept kicking up in my head (ahem, fight scene), but content just to imagine it in my head.

Until event number two happened. That would be a contest that an electronic publishing company was running with the theme of – you guessed it – wolves. And so I thought, why not? I had some interesting scenes kicking around in my head, the contest was for a novella length story, so I had enough to accomplish that. And with the help of event number three – discovering an article about gray wolves returning to Massachusetts after a100-plus year absence – a true story began to formulate with legends of wolves and why they “reappeared” in the state after such a long absence. Wow, I thought, this was really going to be something, if I could get it all together in time.

Trouble was, once I started writing, I just kept on writing and I over-shot the word count. One thing I forgot when I set out to enter this contest: I have never been able to write short. I keep trying, but I usually have so much to say, it doesn’t conform well to short stories or novellas. Not wanting to cut anything to fit the guidelines, I simply finished the book for me. And by the time I was finished with it, I knew that I had to try to get it published anyway, I felt that strong about it. And after several fits and starts, I finally found the right publisher for it in Muse it Up Publishing.

So there you have it. The serendipitous events that led to the birth of Sloane Wolf.

Links:

http://margayleahjustice.blogspot.com/

http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.com/

http://www.myspace.com/margay1122

http://twitter.com/Margay

http://www.facebook.com/MargayLeahJustice

Where to buy:

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Sloane-Wolves-Destiny-Falls-ebook/dp/B006M4AGN4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1325789895&sr=1-1

Muse It Up Publishing – http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=242&category_id=107&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1&vmcchk=1&Itemid=1

Shiloh nearly leapt off the sill as his hand touched her knee. It took every ounce of willpower she possessed to remain seated and appear undaunted by the gesture. “I am…much better now…thank you,” she said, becoming more unnerved by the presence of his hand by the minute. Oh, this was not good, not good at all. The longer it remained there, the stronger her impulse to bolt became. Oh, no…

 What was it about this man that rattled her so and with so little effort on his part? Sharing the same air with him was enough to send her pulses to the moon—and her mind somewhere else, something new for her. Being this attracted to a man was beyond her realm of experience. She didn’t know what to do with it—or about it. Should she do anything? Should she pretend indifference? And why wasn’t he so deeply affected? It wasn’t fair.

Still confused, she gave him a weak smile, intent on backing up her previous claim with the gesture. She feared it failed miserably. When Micah returned her smile and lifted his hand from her knee, she felt precisely one second of relief before he shook her world again by caressing her face in parting. She stumbled

back against the frame of the window, her lips parting on a startled breath as a lightning bolt shot through her at his touch. Something flickered in his eyes at her reaction—pain, perhaps—and he retracted his hand, balling it into a fist as he turned away from her, preparing to depart.

In an instant, she realized her mistake. Along with it came the knowledge she couldn’t let him go away angry or upset. After everything he and his family had done for her, she owed him that much. She grabbed him by the shirtfront to stop him, and a shock of awareness shot from her hand directly into his heart, just beneath it. She could see it in the gaze he leveled on her then, could hear it in his breath trapped within his lungs, feel it in the missed beat of his heart. But then, all sense abandoned her, and her heart skipped a beat as he held her hand firmly to his chest with one of his own and lifted the other to her head, anchoring it against the window frame. Slowly, his eyes never straying from hers, he leaned across the space separating them. His lips brushed hers, like a whisper, before he withdrew, tilted his head to the side, and advanced again. This time the kiss was fuller, penetrating her every defense, both physical and emotional, but still not long enough for her. He retreated once again after a fraction of time and hovered before her, scarcely an inch away. Watching her. Waiting.

Her heart beating a frantic tempo now, Shiloh abandoned all of her reservations and her good sense to swoop in for a more vigorous kiss. So vigorous, in fact, she knocked him off his perch through the open window. Only quick reflexes honed to perfection at the Institute prevented her from tumbling after him.

Bracing herself against the sill, she leaned out the window as far as she was able and watched his descent from the slanted roof to the ground below. She lost sight of him the moment he slid beyond the reach of the light from her window. But then she heard him land with a thud —and a howl—on the ground in front of the back porch when he failed to catch himself on the roof edge. She clasped a hand over her mouth to silence her reaction and waited. When he didn’t rouse right away, panic shot through her and she leaned out another few inches.

“Micah? Are you okay?”

“Fine,” he answered after a few moments, appearing beyond the overhang of the roof as if to prove it to her. “Nothing hurt but what’s left of my pride.”

Relief coursed through her at his statement, and she allowed herself the laugh she’d literally held back before. Her mirth was cut short, however, by his next words.

“Hey, Shiloh! We’ve got to stop falling for each other like this.”

His laughter followed her as she ducked back into the room. She could still hear it even after she closed the window, though not as well. Oh, Lord. She rested against the cool pane of glass and touched her still-tingling lips with shaky fingers. Was she? Falling for him? Was that what this crazy-mad feeling inside of her was?

The question plagued her long into the night.

Links:

http://margayleahjustice.blogspot.com/

http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/Margay

http://www.facebook.com/MargayLeahJustice

Buy Links:

MuseItUpPublishing: http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=242&category_id=107&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1&vmcchk=1&Itemid=1

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Sloane-Wolves-Destiny-Falls-ebook/dp/B006M4AGN4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1326586732&sr=1-1

Smahwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/116104

And don’t forget to leave a comment down below for your chance to win an ecopy of “Sloane Wolf”!

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

 Oh, definitely! It’s been a long winter and I’m ready for some fun!

First Questions:

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

A dark oatmeal stout does the trick every time.

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

I’m sugar on the outside, but it’s tortilla chips and spicy salsa that I love.

*squints eyes * Are you old enough to drink?

Bless you!

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

Blurb:

 Paul isn’t attracted to Eran—he’s intoxicated by the shy, sensual younger man. He’s also confused by Eran’s mixed signals. However, the sight of Eran injured and bruised arouses a protective passion that surprises Paul. Determined to protect Eran from his brutal past, Paul discovers his future.

 What makes your characters so special?

Eran is a young man struggling to overcome the abuses of his childhood and reach out for love. His quiet, everyday courage is touching and inspiring to see.

Paul is the man who loves Eran. He’s moved by Eran’s past, but realizes Eran needs him to be strong and to be a friend he can count on. Paul’s gentleness is sweet and endearing.

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

So, what do you write? And why?

 Oh gosh, I write a little of everything, from paranormal thriller to fantasy adventure. This last year I’ve even delved into the very fun world of erotic romance. I think the reason I write in so many different genres is because human behavior fascinates me. I love to put my characters into a variety of settings with a mixed group of people and see how they react. I suppose you can call me a ‘people watcher’ and writing allows me put my observations to good use.

Why did you want to become an author?

Seriously, I never felt like I had a choice. I’ve been a bookworm my whole life and began telling stories before I could read. There are so many wonderful authors in the world! One of my favorites is Ray Bradbury. His stories opened my mind to possibility. One day when I was perhaps fourteen years old, I suddenly had the desire to write a book to match his, full of wonder and new ideas. Still working on it! But I like to think I’m growing a little closer to my goal with every story I write.

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

I like creating beautiful things with color. I’m the floral designer at a locally owned plant and gift shop and can work with color every day through the flowers. But one day I’d like to take some classes and paint in oils. Probably something abstract that no one will be able to tell what it is. But paint I will! I wouldn’t call it dangerous, but maybe hurtful to the eye.

I also enjoy going out for coffee or lunch with friends, live music and browsing antique stores. I like walking on the beach, hiking, having a good laugh, and sitting by the fire with my husband.

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

Most of my stories are eBooks, so I won’t ever know who bought my very first book. Instead, I’d like to tell you about my first book signing and sale for my paranormal/thriller novel ALEX. It was amazing! There’s so much excitement in having a first book published. ALEX was published in July, 2011 and my first signing for it was at the Oregon Book and Author Fair that August.

I posted the event on my social network sites, and guess what! One of my online friends said she’d go especially to meet me and have me sign my book for her. And she came! I felt honored and thrilled. Denise made all the hard work I’d put into my novel worth while.

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

 Okay, I’ve fallen in love with Eran! He’s a sweetheart. It was hard for me to write about his violent father and about the man who was hitting him in the present when Paul meets him. He’s a beautiful person and I was happy to give him Paul, a gentle man to love him and treat him with kindness.

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

I’m mostly a plotter. There’s usually a main theme I’m trying to write about, and I’ll have a beginning, middle and ending thought out before I start to write.

Then the panster in me comes out! Often I have to change the beginning two or three times to make my characters come to life. And boy do they have minds of their own! Sometimes the story heads in directions I never anticipated. But somehow I guide things back on course and manage to tell my story, but not always the way I had plotted it to begin with.

What else are you working on right now?

At the moment I’m working on edits for the fourth book in my ‘Shelton’ series. Also, like most authors I know, I’m currently working on three separate short stories with plans for several sequels to others, one of them being a sequel to my erotic romance ‘Nathaniel’ and also one for my paranormal novel ‘ALEX’. Busy busy!

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

Website: http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/diannehartsock

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

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4850270.Dianne_Hartsock

Thank you so much for coming!

I’d like to give away a PDF copy of the AD-Dick-Tion Anthology which includes my story Eran’s Release.

Today, our guest of honor is Patricia Rosemoor. 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…)

Champagne, but of course.

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

Both–one of my favorites is dark chocolate caramels with sea salt

*squints eyes * Are you old enough to drink?

 Thank you for the compliment

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

Blurb:

SHE’D DO ANYTHING TO SAVE HER SISTER…

After a decade of searching for her runaway sister, Lilith Mitchell finds her dancing at a gentleman’s club. They barely reconnect when a killer kidnaps Hannah. Keeping his victims prisoner for days, he then hunts and kills them in a forest preserve. Determined to identify the killer and find her sister, Lilith transforms herself into Hannah’s double and gets a job at the club to lure the killer into coming after her. The killer savors the idea of doing the sisters together but first takes up Lilith’s challenge by terrorizing her. In a world of deception, where everyone seems guilty, who can Lilith trust?

What makes your characters so special?

At 17, Lilith found a way to get out of an abusive situation via school. Her younger sister ran. Lilith has never given up looking for her sister and when Hannah is abducted by a murderer, Lilith will do anything to save her…even put herself in danger by luring the killer to her.

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

 Why did you want to become an author?

I was always a creative – theater, photography, film, video. And I was a  television producer-director and wrote many scripts for projects. In Europe one summer, I discovered the Angelique books, then when I came home read dozens (hundreds?) of historical romances.  I soon began to believe I could write one…

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

I’m a Master Gardener, trained by University of Illinois Extension to help individuals and community gardeners with gardening techniques and problems. The most dangerous aspect is dealing with the rose bushes

But when I was younger, I was into horses. I rode both Western and English–my favorite was hunt seat and jumping, which I equate to the feeling of being on a rollercoaster And yes, jumping can be dangerous, though I was never actually thrown while jumping. And yes, I was thrown about a dozen times, though I only ended up in the ER once.

 Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

My next big adventure will be to Istanbul with another author and her dh. We went to India together two years ago. We flew separately from different cities and I flew Turkish Airlines and had a stopover in Instanbul. The food, the people, the beauty of their decor intrigued me. When I had traveled in Europe many years ago, I made it to Greece but was warned that Turkey was too dangerous for women traveling alone, so I never got there then. Now I can go with friends. I’m looking foward to seeing that jewel collection in the Topkapi museum and to browsing through the bazaars.

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

My first sale was very special. It was a YA romance that won the Golden Heart, and the heroine was based on my young cousin/godchild.

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

Of course SKIN is my favorite because I could write it the way I wanted to…with a hero-in-doubt as one of the suspects. The romance takes a backseat to the thriller element, however.

 What do you think makes a good story?

Characters. They need to make the reader love them or hate them or be fascinated by them, but it’s character that sucks in the reader. For me, the plot grows from the characters.

 What are you passionate about?

Animals. That’s why so many of my books center around them – horses or dolphins or wolves. I currently have two cats. Both Blossom and Blitzen were adopted from PAWS Chicago where I volunteered my time for several years. Before that, I volunteered at Lincoln Park Zoo for eleven years. At one point, we had five cats and a dog in a city apartment. To research my novels, I’ve done a weekend wolf ecology workshop, visited two dolphin rescue operations and swam with dolphins, went to a mustang refuge and met the fascinating man who started it all, and the most challenging – I learned to move cows on horseback. I’ve done behind the scenes tours of zoos and animal parks. I’m up for anything positive having to do with animals.

 What else are you working on right now?

I’m writing BORN TO BE WILD for Entangled Publishing’s new Dead Sexy romantic suspense line. And my agent is submitting THROUGH THE TIGER’S EYES, a big reincarnation romantic thriller, to traditional houses. And finally, for something different, I’m co-writing a comic book – Whispers from the Void, stories from the female monsters, will be available from Diamond Distributors, starting in September. We have a Kickstarter program now with lots of different prizes for contributors: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/charles-d-moisant/whispers-from-the-voidtm

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

 Website: http://PatriciaRosemoor.com

Twitter: @Prosemoor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatriciaRosemoor

Thank you so much for coming!

One person who comments will receive a Kindle copy of SKIN.

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

I am!

First Questions:

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

Cake or chips? Are you a sugar or salt kind of person? Can I just say yes? I love them both.

*squints eyes * Are you old enough to drink? Oh yeah – they don’t even card me anymore – sniff

Wait! You can’t come in yet! What did you bring us? A New book – the third in my series Animal Desire

Blurb: Heather is now six months pregnant and finds her mate a bit overprotective. She can’t help if she glows when she is frustrated. Things get a little more complicated when she is called home because of Ialog. He released information, making it look like she is being mistreated by the Vespians. How is she going to hide her pregnancy? She left Earth sterile.

Storm isn’t happy about her leaving the safety of Vespia, but wants to show that Heather is happy and safe under his care. He knows Ialog and is worried the man is going to try to take his mate from him again. His fears become very real when Ialog kidnaps her. Now he has to find a way to bring her home.

What makes your characters so special? They are very three dimensional to me. In fact they have a tendency to bother me if I don’t work on my story fast enough for them.

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

Why did you want to become an author?

This was something I sort of fell into. A high school friend and I were big Star Trek friends but there were only so many episodes – you know – so we created our own characters and started writing short stories. Then the characters outgrew Star Trek so we created a world for them and continued writing scenes. We did this for years.

Then in 1991 my sister-in-law had her third child – a baby girl – and my in-laws wanted to be near her – they lived in Ca at the time. When my mother-in-law moved to the area she wanted to belong to a brand new chapter of RWA here in south eastern VA but needed drivers so she paid for my first year. After going to a few meeting the chapter was doing a critique as one of their programs and it was a weekend I was going to be out of town. What a perfect opportunity. I could send in five pages of a scene I wrote and find out what they thought. If they liked it then I would become serious about writing. If they didn’t I would slink off never to be heard from again. I guess you know what they thought of my work.

What would your characters say about you?

That she is slightly crazy and doesn’t always listen to us but if we lean on her hard enough we get our point across.

How would you describe your writing style?

I guess I’d have to say lighthearted and humorous. I can’t write these deep dark characters with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Mine are human, or should I say humanoid since I write SF/Futuristic? Anyway, my life is filled with laughter and that is the way I write. I have tried to write the dark hero/heroine but found I’m funny not angsty (and I like to make up my own words for time to time).

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

I’m a pantser and proud of it. I know friends who are plotters and they look at me like I have lost my mind but I can’t plot out my story – it takes too long. I like to let the words flow and see where it takes me.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?

The most important thing I can say is never give up. Writing is hard but if you have a knack for it then keep at it. I’d also recommend joining writing groups. I learned a lot that way.

What else are you working on right now?

I’m working on book six of this series. Book four is at the publishers and books five I’m now editing to send to the publishers. Told you my characters don’t leave me alone.

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

Well, I’m on FB and Twitter. I also have a website. My work can be found at the publishers – www.phaze.com, www.hardshell.com, and www.melange-books.com as well as amazon and fictionwise.

Website: www.barbaradonlonbradley.com

Twitter: http://http://twitter.com/barbbradley

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbara-Donlon-Bradley/118673448173249

Other: barbaradonlonbradley.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for coming!

Stephanie Beck has a special guest-blog for us today!

I had the thrill of doing a book signing in my hometown last fall. As part of the event, a local newspaper reporter called and asked for an interview. Being in the small town paper is a big hairy deal in our family. The article will be cut out and saved for years and years—no matter how small the contribution to the paper (I won a bike from the local grocery store when I was 6 and Mom still has the clipping).

 During the interview we discussed my website and inspiration and business profile—all really thoughtful questions I enjoyed. Toward the end he asked me about my readers and I had to laugh because he asked so cautiously.

 Who did he think reads romance novels? Dirty people in back alleys? Did he envision women with ereaders ducking for cover and reading in the corner with the lights off?

 I told him who I was in my everyday life: a mother, wife, baker, knitter, Sunday school teacher, dog walker, kid chaser, friend, daughter, sister, bad ass Mario Bros player.

 That’s who my readers are. Sure, they don’t all like the same things I do and don’t believe as I do. However, for the most part my readers are women (with some awesome and very author-appreciated guys tossed in there as well) who want a harmless, inexpensive escape from real life. The reporter laughed when I mentioned his mother had probably even read one or two, and he agreed.

 Who reads romance and erotica? Cool chicks (and fellers). Oh sure you’ve got your standard creepers and a-holes, but what genre doesn’t? I’d bet the horror genre has some real weirdo readers in their midst.

 If we’re going to lump readers together, let’s make sure romance gets the correct label.

 Awesome. And glittery. And freaking fantastic.

 Yep, that covers it.

All the best,

Stephanie Beck

I’m giving away an ebook of Just One More, so make sure to leave an email address along with your comments

Looking for more from Stephanie?  Click below! 

BLURB:

Two is enough, but three could be everything.

Kit and Adam Jacobs know what their marriage needs—Gavan Karik. He’s the one man they both want and the only one who can make their relationship complete.

Making Gav part of the family comes with a price. Family, infidelity and self-worth issues plague Gav, but Adam and Kit are willing to tackle those issues if Gav is willing to commit.

For every problem they conquer, another one pops up. Not only are the three adults working to meld a broken family into one, they’re also struggling with a blackmailer threatening to out the two men’s sexuality and issues with the kids being mistreated at school. With each battle all three have to decide if the vision each sees for the future can match and if the reward is worth the fight.

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

*waves* Thank you so much for having me. I’m the shy one in the corner. J

First Questions:

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

I don’t usually drink, but socially, I usually go for the beer.

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

I like a combination of salty and sweet. If I can get away with it, I usually have both the chips and the cake.

*squints eyes * Are you old enough to drink?

Been old enough for a few years now. See the wrinkles? Oh, no, wait, as Julia Roberts calls it in Mirror Mirror: Crinkles.

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

Blurb:

 At BarinkoffAcademy, there’s only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.

WhenPhoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneathBarinkoffAcademy.Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.

What makes your characters so special?

I can’t really say because it’s going to spoil a really important part of the book. *winks*

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

What would your characters say about you?

They would say I’m the typist. They whisper their stories in my ear and I type them out. When I don’t pay enough attention to any of my characters, they revolt, which is never good because I have to send the riot police out to round them up.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

I actually dream of travelling toIreland. I have a bit of Irish blood in me and want to connect with some of my roots there. Plus, when I read the Gallagher series of Nora Roberts, I immediately wanted to rent a cottage inIrelandand write for a month. And maybe crawl into an Irish pub and have a handsome Irishman sweep me off my feet. A girl can dream, right?

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

I love writing during the afternoons and at night. There’s just something about this time of day that allows me to be creative. And I write everyday. When I’m starting a novel, I write a chapter a day for a month. I usually start at the first of the month, and by the thirtieth day, I usually have a completed novel.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?

 The one advice I always like to give is prepare for the wait. I wish someone would have told me that when I first started. Writing is all about the waiting. I realized that if you don’t have enough patience, you won’t get to where you need to go. There were times when I thought I was at the end of my patience, but I just kept going. So, prepare for the wait. If you can get through the wait, you can get through anything.

What else are you working on right now?

I’m actually editing the first of my trilogy with Entangled Publishing called ‘Til Death. It’s about a girl who sees her death and tries to do everything she can to prevent it. But like Oedipus and the Oracle, it’s the things you do to stop the inevitable that brings you closer to the evitable. I can’t wait to share it with everyone when it’s ready.

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

They can find me lurking in the following places…

Website: www.kateevangelista.com

Twitter: @KateEvangelista

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kate-Evangelista/165693410143202

Other: Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13484226-taste

Thank you so much for coming!

If you’re wondering where to find Kate’s work:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Taste-ebook/dp/B007Z1AC78

 Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taste-kate-evangelista/1110599907?ean=9781937254551

Today, our star of honor is Lisa Kessler. 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!

Lisa’s short stories have been featured in print anthologies, and her vampire story “Immortal Beloved” was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award. She was also a finalist in RT Book Review magazine’s “Writing with the Stars” contest.

Night Walker, book 1 in her Night Series, has been released from Entangled Publishing.

When she’s not writing, Lisa is also a professional vocalist, performing with the San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in southern California. She lives in San Diego with her husband and two teens.  

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?

I’m an only child, so I spent most of my childhood making up tons of stories to keep myself occupied.  Then when my kids were little I started writing every night just to decompress and escape for a while.  I got addicted! LOL

Then during a trip to New Orleans, I visited a palm reader.  Sitting across from her with my outstretched hand, I watched her study the lines and gave me a shockingly accurate reading.

She jotted down notes for me on a 3” X 5” card and started to walk me out. When I got to the door, I turned to thank her and she said, “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Are you a writer?”

“Not really.” My brow furrowed and I finally nodded with a shrug. “I do write every night, but it’s just for fun.”

She smiled and I swear her eyes sparkled. “You’re going to be a famous writer one day.”

I walked back to the hotel in a daze. I couldn’t process how I would ever write a book or get published, but she’d planted the seed that night. I wrote the plot idea for Night Walker on cocktail napkins at the airport! LOL

What inspires you? Where do you get your ideas?

I wish I knew! LOL  Sometimes I get the piece of an idea and start researching.  Usually while I’m researching the rest of the pieces fall into place.

Do you beat your muse? I mean…Wait! Do you have a muse? Does he/she have a name?

You know I don’t have a muse, at least I don’t think I do! LOL  I’m very goal-oriented, so if I set a goal to finish a book, then I plant my butt in the chair and pound the keys until it’s done…  If I had to wait on a muse to inspire me I’d probably go nuts! LOL

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 pantser!  And I usually have to start writing with a playlist that inspires me for the book I’m writing or editing.  I make one for every book I write.  And if I’m really pushing for more words, I chomp gum… Lots of gum….  Scary amounts of gum…

What is your call story? 

When I got the call from Heather Howland at Entangled Publishing, my heart raced like crazy. I tried so hard to stay calm, but I’m pretty sure my nervous giggles gave me away. Her enthusiasm for my book made me giddy, and her favorite scene in the book turned out to be my favorite as well. How cool is that?

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

Until I met the palm reader, it had never occurred to me to try to get my work published.  Once she gave me a nudge, I started publishing horror short stories, and my vampire story, Immortal Beloved, became a finalist for a Bram Stoker award!  That definitely influenced me and gave me the confidence to keep facing rejections…

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

I’ll be writing full time.  Definitely.  Hopefully I’ll have the Night Series completed and my Moon Series (werewolf and jaguar shifters) will be well underway!

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

Hard question!  I think the most difficult thing for me has been that my books tend to not “fit” into the paranormal romance box.  Night Walker took a long time to find a home because it blended contemporary paranormal with historical, so while editors liked the story, I got many rejections with “we’re not sure how to market it so we’re going to have to pass.”

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?

Hmmm…  I think it would be a tough life to be a movie star with the paparazzi chasing you around!  If I had to choose one, I’d probably have to say Catherine Zeta-Jones because she also gets to sing in Broadway shows…  I would love to perform on Broadway!

Through research, what is the most silly thing you’ve ever done? 

Okay, this was really dumb, but here it goes…  I was researching the Mayans for my Night Series and went on a trip with my kids to Cancun so that I could tour Mayan ruins.  We went to 4 different sites, and in Chichen Itza, I hiked the pyramid.

I should probably mention now that I’m terrified of heights.  The steps were so steep that I crawled up them with my kids.  It didn’t seem like we were that high until we got to the top.  I could see over the jungle for miles.

I glanced down and started to hyperventilate, mention needing a helicopter, and my eyes brimmed with panicky tears.  The steep stone steps were also narrow and there was no railing.  I could almost see my broken bloody body lying in a heap at the bottom! LOL

Thankfully my son, Reno, grabbed my hand and said, “Mama sit on the steps and we’ll scoot down.”

My sweet boy talked about his favorite Dexter’s Lab cartoons the entire way while we scooted down one step at a time on our butts…  I swear I almost kissed the ground when we got down! LOL  So yikes!!!  I have to be more careful while researching! J

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

I love Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy.  I also enjoy horror!  Have you read Joe Hill’s Heart-Shaped Box?  Such a fun, scary ghost story!  I loved it!

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 read everything on my Kindle now.  Right now I’m reading Kelley Armstrong newest YA, The Calling.  Love it!  So much action and intrigue mixed in with the paranormal.

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

I’m glad I didn’t know how much rejection I would face! LOL I guess I wish I knew about RWA sooner.  I have a great local chapter in San Diego and I spent way too many years writing all alone.

Is there anything else you’d want your readers and friends to know about you? I’m also a classically trained singer, so music often finds its way into my books.  I also grew up on a horse ranch.  My stepdad trained Morgan Horses, so you guessed it, lots of horses show up in my books too! LOL

And lastly, where can we find you?

I’m all over online and I love meeting readers and other writers, so please visit and say Hello! J

Email: LdyDisney@aol.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/LdyDisney

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/LisaKesslerWriter

Website: http://Lisa-Kessler.com

Other:  Goodreads – http://goodreads.com/LisaKessler

Thank you so much for being a star!  

 Thanks for saving a spot for me in the “spotlight”!  I’ve got a signed paperback copy of Night Walker up for grabs to a lucky commenter…

Blurb:

He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her…

Two and a half centuries ago, Calisto Terana lost everything when a zealous priest murdered the woman he loved. Now, desperate for another chance to love her, he wants redemption for the mistake that cost her life.

She’s haunted by dreams of her own death…

After catching her fiance with another woman, Kate Bradley returns to San Diego to clear her head. The last thing she needs is romance, but after meeting Calisto she’s drawn to him in ways she doesn’t understand.

They’ve waited in the shadows for centuries…

Calisto has no doubt Kate is the reincarnation of his lost love, but the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo has a new watcher with dark ambitions of his own. As old enemies reemerge and a new threat arises, the betrayal that enslaved Calisto to the night might destroy the only woman he’s ever loved again.

Excerpt:

“Santa Maria!” Father Tomas gasped and jammed a knife into Calisto’s abdomen, stabbing up underneath his ribcage.

Calisto’s eyes widened as pain seared through his chest. Blood spilled from the gaping wound, but his body tingled, healing from the inside out. He let go of the monk with one hand and plucked the knife from his torso, wrenching it free from the fanatic’s clutched hand.

Father Tomas struggled like a wild animal in the presence of a predator. Calisto dropped the knife to the floor of the car and clutched the monk with both hands. He drew Father Tomas closer. His fangs grazed the monk’s skin just below his ear. The priest fought to break away, but Calisto’s grip was inescapable. The more the monk struggled, the stronger his pulse became. The scent of blood combined with fear intoxicated Calisto. His thirst clawed to the surface, threatening to seize control.

“Let me go! In the name of God, let me go!”

Calisto’s voice was no more than a cold whisper. “I have no God. Not anymore.”

He sank his fangs into the monk’s neck and drank. The man’s life flashed through his mind, visions of Spain and the monastery where he trained centuries ago. He lost himself in the images, so modern and yet still the home he remembered.

His lips pulled at the monk’s throat, drawing more blood. But then one of the visions made his heart stutter, an image he never expected, and one that changed everything. Calisto jerked back, but the monk’s eyes were vacant.

“No!”

It was too late. Father Tomas was dead.

Calisto released him, growling in disgust at his lack of control. He was left with more questions than answers.

Kate’s face loomed in Father Tomas’ mind. The Fraternidad knew she lived again.

And they watched her, too.