Romance Author Hotspot

First Reveal of the Ubuntu Series Logo (right here on RAH!)

Our guest of honor is Zee Monodee, Managing Editor of the brand-new Ubuntu line at Decadent Publishing. It’s so nice to have you here! Hope you’re ready to party!

 Thanks for having me over! Pleasure to be here with ye all.  And you had me at ‘party’!

Boo!  Trick or Treat?

 Treat, definitely. I’m not much for candy, but I am a sugar addict. And if it has chocolate in there, all the better.

Trick, not so much. Though I am outgoing and ‘bubbly’ in social circles, I’m pretty much a timid person action-wise, and a total comfy slippers + PJs kinda gal, so tricks are not for me. *grin* I leave that kind of mischief for my kids and the husband.

What costume are you wearing?

 Hmmm, good question. We don’t celebrate Halloween where I live, on the island of Mauritius… but if I had to choose, I’d say a Victorian corset and big hoop skirt with the lace parasol and all. (Yes, I love black J)

What age did you Trick-or-Treat to and what candy was it that motivated you?

 Like I mentioned above, we don’t really do Halloween here where I live. I grew up here, and though I spent some time abroad, that happened in my late teens, so I didn’t really trick or treat. However, one of our neighbors in England used to dish all the good British chocolate like Cadbury’s Milky Lane tray and Quality Streets sweets. At about eighty-something, she considered everyone kids, so my friends and I splurged and indulged in the treats she gave out that day.

How do you feel about “fun-sized?”

 Hmm, now we’re talking! *grin* And personally, that idea brings to mind a 6-foot-plus hunk wearing nothing but boxers… Oops, you mean I slipped up? Sorry… *wicked grin* Oooh, I think I see one such hunk—

Wait! You can’t come in yet!  Tell us about who you represent/edit?

 Well, I recently joined the editorial staff at Decadent Publishing. Decadent is starting a brand new line dedicated to African romance (basically, romance set in Africa and/or with African characters. It’s not just multicultural/interracial stuff). Named Ubuntu, this one expected to see its launch in March 2013, but thanks to the attention the project has already garnered, we’ll be launching well ahead of the initial plan – our first release will come out in December 2012 itself!

And I am the Managing Editor of the Ubuntu line. Anything romance that has something to do with Africa, you can bet I’ll be editing that. J

What is your favorite Holiday and why? Have you edited any books about that Holiday?

I have to say it’d be Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. There’s something about the ties between a parent and a child, something in that relationship that makes me sit straighter and notice even more than a budding romance. I love everything about relationships, about all those facets that make people who they are, and what better than parenthood to showcase this diversity of heart and spirit?

And no – I haven’t edited any books yet along those themes… but I hope the readers are taking note and someone will send me a story like this *shameless hinting, lol*

How much do you read/edit at night? Do you have any creepy rituals?

I try not to edit at night. Actually, I try not to ‘work’, whether editing or writing, at night. I do all my work during the day when I have the house to myself and some blessed silence because my boys are into school. At night, I’m the mum and the wife and basically just the girl I happen to be.

But a good deal of this ‘me’ happens to be a compulsive reader, so you’ll most probably find me with my phone in hand (I read on my phone) reading/devouring a book while my husband is already nodding off or even fast asleep at nine o’clock.

And creepy rituals… Not exactly. Unless you count that glass of half fruit juice, half sparkling water I always drink with my reading as a ritual.

What is your favorite “monster” and do you like monsters to be heroes or villains?

 I love vampires – the big, bad, terribly bad boy kind (Damon Salvatore comes to mind, lol!). And going on the same Damon line – I like my monster to have a good deal of villainous bent in him, but side by side with that is the other part that can be heroic. I love to see that struggle, to see them reining themselves in when their instincts are telling them to be bad and to ignore the consequences; them choosing to do the right thing… especially in the name of love.

Alright, I guess you can come in.  ;P

What do you like doing besides editing? Is it dangerous?

I read a lot. Less now than I used to because work and my own writing keep me busy, but I literally inhale books when I have the time. And yes, that can be very dangerous for a woman’s sanity, thanks to all the hot, hunky, and lethal heroes that feature in romance novels. I’m a goner for a good Alpha, and that kind of bloke is totally, utterly dangerous, indeed. J This bent is also hazardous for my wallet, because you can bet I’ll be adding like 20-30 books to my stash every time I visit a store like Amazon. (Shoes also dent my wallet, but that’d be another topic, lol)

And I’m also a TV-show junkie. Addicted to shows like Glee and Gossip Girl, though my favorite will always remain Supernatural. That one is dangerous, because you can’t help falling in love with those Winchester brothers, and the myths of SPN totally ruin you for other supernatural fare. *grin*

Who was your first selling author? Was it special?

The author who landed the luck of being the Ubuntu debut launch is Kiru Taye. I was acquainted with her on social platforms, and knew she was lovely and a prolific writer.

What made it special is the fact that Heather and Lisa, the co-owners of Decadent, started thinking about the possibility of a line geared to Africa when they noticed the demand for this kind of offering from African authors… of whom Kiru was a member. So, in a way, this line came into being because of authors like Kiru Taye, and as luck would have it, her ms is the first one we acquired. J

What is the hardest part of editing others books?

 To do their story and characters justice. Editing for others is not at all the same as tweaking your own work to make it better. As an editor, you walk a very fine line between making the story better, and totally barging in to impose your vision on the whole thing. An editor has to keep herself in check to not give in to the urge of changing everything her way, but to work with the author’s style, voice, and vision to make the story better.

To align yourself with that style, voice, and vision is not easy to do because every author is different, and as an editor, everyone trusts you to make the story better, within the scope of the author’s capacity. It’s a tough job.

How would you describe your editing style?

 I would say – terribly anal once I get my hands on an ms, *grin*, but at the same time, I am always there listening to my authors, talking with them, smoothing their concerns out. I try my best to picture their vision for their story, to see the characters through their eyes, and from here, I work to shape the story to the standard my senior editors and the owners of Decadent expect.

I also believe I am easygoing as a person – authors (hopefully!) can relate to me because I am also an author and so, have been in their shoes. I’m flexible about deadlines when we can afford to, I don’t impose my choices and will always let my author defend her/his point. The way I see it – it’s their story, and they have to be able to go to bat to defend it. While not questioning the editor’s authority every step of the way, the author also shouldn’t be a doormat and has to be able to stand her ground when she feels it is necessary.

But hopefully, so far it has never gotten to that point with any author I’ve worked with, which leads me to think I am not that much of a tyrant.

What do you think makes a good story?

 Without a doubt – characters! You can have the most amazing idea, the deepest world-building, the most beautiful descriptions, an engaging/unique voice… but if your characters cannot shine in that setup, then you don’t have a good story. Full stop.

I’m a huge chick-lit fan (and lol, hear me out before you start groaning and closing the window J). Everyone will agree there’s “barely” a plot in chick-lit; that it seems fluffy and light and “surface” writing… I’ll use an analogy that women will totally understand to illustrate my point – you all know how hard, and how much work, it is to get that barely-wearing-makeup look. In fact, to pull that off takes even more practice and skill than applying color skillfully to your face.

Well, the same can be said about chick-lit – it seems easy and effortless, but it is actually hard work to pull this kind of story together. Why? Because chick-lit is all about the characters. They’re the stars of the show; everything lies on their shoulders; they are the be-all and end-all of the author to pull together this whole project.

Nobody can tell me chick-lit is not popular, so ask yourselves why? Could this be because the characters appeal to readers?

So, to me, it all boils down to characters. You can correct/tweak/edit every aspect of a story, but if your characters don’t pull through, you’re pretty much screwed.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers who want to submit?

 Yes – don’t be afraid! Don’t think you will “never stand a chance” because you are just starting, or that you don’t know about Africa, or because you are undermining yourself. You’ll never know if you don’t try.

And if you think your story could fit, but are not sure, then send me an email and ask me about it. I’m just an email away, peeps. J No question is dumb; in fact, the only silly question is the one you don’t ask. So do not hesitate to contact me.

And another thing – if I had to streamline what we’re looking for where this line is concerned, I’d do it like this: you all know what category romance is like, right? So the kind of plots and tropes you see in category romance, that’s what I want to see in submissions for the Ubuntu line. Give me light, airy, funny, deep, chick lit, women’s fiction – as long as you steer clear of the whole kill-me-now darkness and doldrums of typical African literature, then I want to see your story.

What else are you working on right now?

Well, I’ve got a few personal projects on the grill. A trilogy about three sisters that spans a decade on the island of Mauritius, that I hope will get to be featured in the Ubuntu lineup. Then I have the next books in the series I already have out with some publishers – the last one in the heroine-centric, Corpus Brides espionage thrillers; Book 2 of my group of friends in Freewill, Wyoming for the Western Escape line at Decadent; the stories of the 2 wingmen in my very first 1NightStand, the hero’s best friends, who each get their own full-length romance.

And in the middle of this, I’m delving in submissions we’ve received for the Ubuntu line. Lots of work, but lots of ‘happy’ work, too. J

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

You can find links, blurbs, and excerpts, to all my books from my blog site.

And for the Ubuntu line, I am just an email away, at zeemonodee@gmail.com

Website: http://zeemonodee.blogspot.com/

Twitter:  @ZeeMonodee

Facebook:  Zee Monodee

Other: as Zee Monodee on Goodreads & Pinterest

Company Preferred Buylink:   http://www.decadentpublishing.com/

Thank you so much for coming!

Back to the bash!

Boo!  Trick or Treat?

Always treats. Life throws too many tricks at you as it is.

What costume are you wearing?

Sadly, normal work clothes. But if I could wear a costume, it would be something with pantaloons and lots & lots of petticoats.

What age did you Trick-or-Treat to and what was your favorite candy?

My neighborhood was full of elderly people who didn’t answer their doors, and left bad candy on a tray on the porch. Needless to say, I stopped at age 8. Back then, my favorite treat in the pillowcase would be Tootsie Rolls or Milky Way.

How do you feel about “fun-sized?”

Hated them as a kid. Adore the guilt-free feeling of them as an adult.

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

A thermos of chocolate martinis. All the yumminess of candy, but with a kick!

Blurb:

Hopeless romantic Ivy Rhodes
and
anti-Cupid Bennett Westcott
request the pleasure of your company for
their disaster of a courtship

Wedding planner Ivy Rhodes is the best in the business, and she’s not about to let a personal problem stop her from getting ahead. So when she’s asked to star in the reality TV show Planning for Love, it doesn’t matter that the show’s videographer happens to be a recent—and heartbreaking—one-night stand.

Bennett Westcott admits he didn’t handle his encounter with Ivy very well. But looking at her beautiful smile—and great body—through a camera lens every day? He can’t be faulted for suggesting they have some no-strings fun.

The more time they spend together, the more Ben realizes Ivy isn’t the wedding-crazed bridezilla he’d imagined. But if he doesn’t trust himself to make a relationship last, how can he convince Ivy to give him another chance?

How much do you write at night?

I write 98% of my books at night.  Do you have any creepy rituals? After years as an actress, my creative juices kick into high gear after 6 pm.  I do my plotting during the day – well, whenever the ideas strike, which is often either when I’m at the gym or the symphony, oddly enough.  But the bulk of my writing takes place between sunset and midnight.

What is your favorite thing about Halloween?

Dressing up! I love costumes (probably from all the years I spent in the theatre). Give me a corset, a flapper dress, a wig, a long skirt, and I’m a happy camper.

Do you like ghost stories?

I love all things paranormal. Vampires, ghosts, witches, you name it and I’ll read it. (What’s your fav?) No way to pick a favorite, but I will offer a recommendation for spooky reading. Give The Mummy by Anne Rice a try. She wrote it amidst all her vampire series, and it is terrific!

What is your favorite Holiday and why? Do you have any books about that Holiday?

Definitely Christmas (sorry, Halloween & St. Paddy’s Day!). Name any other holiday that has its own songs, presents, decorations, a month of parties, and generates goodwill towards men. It is the whole enchilada. On a related note, please keep an eye out in December for my novella Ask Her At Christmas, in the anthology Romancing the Holiday, also featuring stories by Jaci Burton and Helen Kay Dimon. It, too, is set in Chicago, with a cameo appearance from the hotel where Ivy & Ben have their one torrid night.

So, what do you write? And why?

If I’m going to think about something day and night for four months and 98,000 words, it had better be something I’m passionate about – which is why I write romance. For me it is all about the happily ever after.  Love makes the world go round.  You name the sappy romantic cliché, and I’ll agree with it.  Romance makes people happy and fills them with hope and joy.  What could possibly be better?

Why did you want to become an author?

I’m going to tweak this question a bit, because I always wanted to be an author.  As a bookworm and a speedreader, I’ve had a deep and undying love for writing forever.  Rumor has it I started reading at age 2!  Of course, I also wanted to be a princess, just for the pretty clothes and tiaras.  The chances of either career goal coming to pass looked slim.  However, I first realized that I actually could be a writer five years ago, when I completed my first book (which I sold!).  Having a complete manuscript under my belt made it real.

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

Is it a cop-out to say my favorite is always the one I’m in the middle of writing? Sorry, but it is true. My hero is a libidinous Lothario, an unabashed hook-up artist. He is sooo much fun to write. Convincing my heroine that she’s woman enough to hold his interest is an equally fun challenge. Plus, she’s a florist, so my research consists of googling over the top wedding centerpieces all day long. What’s not to love?

What is the hardest part of writing your books? 

I guess as a romance author I shouldn’t admit this, but love scenes are brutal to craft.  You can only say he stroked such and such body part so many times, so many ways.  The actual writing becomes very clinical and leaches all the sexiness out of it for me.  I can grit my teeth through makeout scenes, but when it comes to full blown sex, my requirements are a single white Russian (nope, no other drink will do) and Pink Martini on the cd player.

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

I loooove to cook.  The fancier and more complicated the recipe, the better.  I love to have people over, because it gives me an excuse to cook a million different things.  I race through books every week, and am probably far too addicted to television.  But my number one favorite thing to do is spend time with my husband.  Even humdrum errands are fun as long as we’re together.

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

PLOTTER! I do an overview of the entire book, and then I have to outline every chapter.  I used to have beautiful power point charts, but now I’m a Scrivener addict.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?

Write!!!!!  Seriously, it is too easy to enjoy wallowing in the research process, or take classes, and suddenly years have gone by without words hitting the page.  Take your writing as seriously as any other job.  Set goals and schedules.  Then join a critique group, as soon as you’ve got a single chapter written.  They’ll be an invaluable help.

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

I just want my books to entertain, to lift your spirits and carry you away from your everyday life.  The fact that you would spare a little time from today’s overscheduled world to read my words is humbling and wonderful.

What else are you working on right now?

I am knee-deep in book 3 of the Aisle Bound series, Friends to Lovers. It follows Daphne the florist and Gib the British lothario as they journey from—well, friends to lovers! Just finished writing their aphrodisiac dinner that works far better than either of them expected.

Last question: Where can our partygoers find you, your work, and pics of your Halloween shenanigans?

Website | Blog | Pinterest | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page |

Thanks for coming!

I’m so glad you took the time to stop by today. And I’ll reward one lucky commenter with an ebook of Planning for Love. To stick with the spooky theme, if money and a talented makeup artist were no object, tell me what your ultimate costume would be.

Back to the Bash!

Boo!  Trick or Treat?

I’m totally a treat person. I mean, who doesn’t love a nice chocolate bar, or candy corn, or OOOH OOH those sweet and sour candy things. Nommy.

What costume are you wearing?

 I love dressing up. My youngest stole my steampunk costume on me, so I think I’m going to go as a zombie football player.

What age did you Trick-or-Treat to and what was your favorite candy?

 I stopped Trick-or-Treating when I was twelve because I was 5’ 11” tall and no one believed I was a kid. J I always loved getting cheesies and to this day I will sneak them from my kids.

How do you feel about “fun-sized?”

Bah! Bah I say! Give me the bigger sizes any day.

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

   Blurb: Calling the Shots

 He’s had a wild ride, and now sex club owner Josh Scott is looking for a change of scene. But first, he’s determined to bring two friends together, and he’s willing to be a third wheel to move things along…

Beth Norris is eager to be set up with hot bartender Oliver Stephenson, but she’s equally attracted to matchmaker Josh. Soon she’s fantasizing about both men at once–and about being the one to call the shots in the encounter…

Ready to move on with his life post-divorce, Oliver is conflicted by the realization that he’s attracted to women and men. Or more specifically, to Beth and Josh. He tries to keep his distance, but it’s not long before the chemistry between the trio combusts in a night of mind-blowing sex.

In the light of day, it’s clear something deeper than desire is growing between Josh, Beth and Oliver. But though Josh has helped others find love in unconventional relationships, is he willing to take a chance on one himself?

How much do you write at night? Do you have any creepy rituals?

I’m a bit of a night hawk. I love to write when it’s super quiet, when I can hear the creaks and groans of the house and nothing else. Normally when I write at night, I only have one dim light on (no wonder I’m blind) to keep the atmosphere dark and intimate.

What is your favorite thing about Halloween?

I love the fun of the night, the costumes and the giggles from the little kids as they come to the doors looking for candy. I also love watching horror movies on Halloween. Not the modern shock ones, but the classic slasher flicks. Give me Evil Dead 2 over Hostile any day of the week.

Do you like ghost stories? (What’s your fav?)

There is something unnerving about a good ghost story. The idea of someone’s soul being trapped forever here on Earth…you can’t get any more terrifying than that. Recently, I’ve developed a soft spot for the Paranormal Activity films, and the one that really kicked off the “found footage” trope, The Blair Witch Project.

What is your favorite Holiday and why? Do you have any books about that Holiday?

 I have to admit, that Halloween is a close tie with Christmas in my books. I love the non-pressure and fun of Halloween, but there is something amazing about Christmas for me. It’s the giving of presents and being able to see the reactions from people that I love the most. And the food. Love the food. J

So, what do you write? And why?

 I write erotic romance and have now dipped my feet into the area of steampunk romance. Really, the romance elements are the key for me. While I love reading a variety of genres, I find I’m only truly satisfied when I read a good romance. I need those happy endings. There is enough bad crap happening in the world that I think we could all stand to have more HEAs floating around.

Why did you want to become an author?

When I was a kid, I actually wanted to be a movie director. The idea of telling stories, bringing them to life was a huge draw for me. Had I not met my husband when I did, I probably would have gone off to flim school like I’d always intended. Once I settled down and had my children, I found I still had that urge to tell stories. I’d always written, but had never considered doing it as a career until I was on maternity leave. The rest was a lot of hard work, but I can finally say I got to where I want to be.

How would you describe your writing style?

If I had to put a label on my writing, I’d say I’m very dialogue driven. I have a lot of experience in theatre and tend to write the first draft of most of my books as if I was writing a play. The flow and pace of the dialogue drives the rest of the scenes, the character’s introspection…pretty much everything else. I then go back and layer in the internal conflicts, tying them in with what the characters are saying, often contradicting those words.

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

If you’d asked me this a year ago, I would have said pantser with no hesitation. I still have that to a certain extent, able to change any plans that I’ve made without any stress. But I find myself plotting out high-level outlines for stories now, wanting to make sure that I hit all of the key character development points. Basically I plot my characters and pants my external plots.

Yes, I’m odd.

What else are you working on right now?

Right now I’m finishing up a project for Carina Press. It’s another erotic romance, but it has a major twist to it. I hope readers will have a lot of fun with this one. I’m also starting work on my second steampunk romance and have plans for another erotic romance. It’s going to be a busy end of 2012 for me.

Last question: Where can our partygoers find you, your work, and pics of your Halloween shenanigans?

Website:   www.christinedabo.com

Twitter:   @Christine_dAbo

Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/christine.dabo?ref=name

Buylink:   http://ebooks.carinapress.com/B10F059A-56B3-4F73-8113-88AD43948405/10/134/en/Default.htm

Thanks for coming! Thank you so much for having me!

Back to the bash!

Boo!  Trick or Treat?

What costume are you wearing?

Nothing… under my clothes! LOL

What age did you Trick-or-Treat to and what was your favorite candy?

I trick or treated up into my teens—around 16 if I remember correctly. Then I had a nephew to take along as an excuse. I think my favorite candy was these caramel apple lolly pops that I can’t find any more. Sniffle!

How do you feel about “fun-sized?”

Its fun to see if you can shove three or four of those suckers right in you mouth…. LOL

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

I bring you a book so diabolical that even the line editors called me deliciously twisted for creating! It is called…. A Halloween Tale

   Blurb:

 Crawling across a wasteland, clutching her only salvation to her chest, she is battered, torn, and in need of tender loving care. She’s almost ready to give in to the darkness when an angel of mercy with a body made for sin comes to her aid.

But things aren’t always what they appear, and by the end of this Halloween tale, there’ll be hell to pay — even if she does get her way.

 How much do you write at night? Do you have any creepy rituals?

I get some of my best writing done at night. On a good night, I can get at least five or six thousand words in. I have written short novella length books on a night as well. And I guess the creepiest ritual I have is writing while on my knees and elbows sequestered under my favorite comforter. *g*

What is your favorite thing about Halloween?

I like that everyone has license to be whoever they want to be for one night, and everyone accepts it. You have school teachers dressed as seductive vamps, stay-at-home moms dressed as sexy fairies, frat boys dressed as drag queens—everyone being silly or happy or spooky, whatever their heart desires or they can dream—and they are all accepted without fear of reprisals.

Do you like ghost stories? (What’s your fav?)

Not really, the family stories I get from story time as a kid were way scarier. There are root workers and the oral tradition is huge in my family. Hearing first hand accounts retold about people I know and am related too was always more satisfying then some moldy old ghost chasing people through haunted houses.

What is your favorite Holiday and why?

Do you have any books about that Holiday? My favorite holiday is the day after. I am not lying or trying to be cute. The day after any holiday is great because of the fifty to seventy five percent off sales! I am a costumer as well as a writer and especially the day after Halloween I can get all kinds of deals on accessories. The day after Valentine’s Day is huge for chocolate, the day after Christmas… gift set sales…. you see where I am going with this? I have written only one day after Christmas Tale, it is kind of sad, but I need to write one about awesome shopping deals.

 So, what do you write? And why?

I write anything and everything that catches my attention. From Homoerotic tales of love to hard sci-fi apocalyptic horror, I have written it. I write the genres that I do because they fascinated and challenge me. If I enjoy what I am writing, I can be sure that someone else will enjoy it too. The moment writing becomes a chore is the moment I give it up.

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

I have a few favorites actually and for many various reasons. Keeper of the Flame is always on the top of that list because it’s a pregnant man and there is so much of me in that book that to read it is like reaching out and touching parts of me like they are alive. I loved and hated, cried and screamed at that book, and in the end, everything turned out perfectly. Another is a whole series… The How Not To Date series especially How Not To Date A Bear. There is a huge bear of a man named Declan, there is mafia leanings, there are misunderstandings and one of the craziest events that I have ever written as a catalyst for disaster. I laughed through writing it and it will always be my feel good book. I’ll stop there—because I can go on all night—but these two are always near the top of my lists.

What is the hardest part of writing your books?

The hardest thing about writing my books is sending them off to be judged and evaluated. It feels like sending your children out into the cold harsh world to be judged. My books all are a part of me and it is scary to send them out to be reviews and commented on. Some people like the anonymity of the Internet to just unleash a lot of hate and disapproval out there and a great target is books and their authors. You can’t respond because that stirs up the pot and makes you a bad guy. Some times the most hateful review has a bit you can use to improve your writing, but if its is done in such an ugly way, the writer gets noting out of it except depression and hard feelings. Sad, but true.

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about tolerance and acceptance. If you can’t tolerate a person for whatever the reason, keep it to yourself. Most are not–mostly rightly so–going to change no matter what or how you say it so leave them be. And I emphasize acceptance even if it is acknowledge that not everyone id going to fall into our ideal standards. Each person should be taken on their merits and respected as a human being worthy of existing and thriving in life. Goodness knows I have had a few people tell me they hated the very sight of me until they spoke to me and realized that I am the same as everyone else, trying to live the best life I can and me the best Stephanie that I can be. Once we realize that, then life should get a lot easier to live—well, more peaceful at any rate. Except for Daleks… you see a Dalek and The Doctor is not around, run like hell!

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? O

rganize and promote! Writing is a business like any other. Sometimes you have to set office hours to get work done. You have to be organized for your taxes deadlines, and promotions. And most importantly, you just have to do it. I mean it! Sit down and write! There is a such thing as too much organization. You can rarely plot out every thing that is going to happen in a book and have it written completely that way. SO just do it! Don’t use organizing and research as an excuse to put off writing that first crucial sentence. If you have a story to tell, tell it! And then show it off to the world. I guarantee at least a few people will understand the point or statement you are trying to make, so don’t derive the world of your presence! JUST DO IT!

Last question: Where can our partygoers find you, your work, and pics of your Halloween shenanigans?

Easily! You can find me at….

Website:   www.TheFlashCat.net

Twitter:   https://twitter.com/Flashycat

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

Other:   Flamekeeper@yahoogroups.com

Buylink:   http://changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1928

Thanks for coming! (Please post giveaway and prize here if available.)

Give away is one copy of any book on my web site and a copy of A Halloween Tale by Changeling Press

Boo!  Trick or Treat?

Trick! Wait, no treat! How about cupcakes?

What costume are you wearing?

This year? I’m dressed as sci-fi PJ, ready for the zombie apocalypse.

What age did you Trick-or-Treat to and what was your favorite candy?

I trick-or-treated until 10^th grade, but by the time I hit high school I was mostly going as an escort to my younger brother and sister rather than gathering candy of my own.

I did love Reese’s Peanut Butter cups the most!

How do you feel about “fun-sized?”

Some people might say I am fun-sized but when it comes to candy, I think I’m okay with my favorite candy bars coming in smaller sizes. Makes for easy lunch packing.

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

Blurb:

The zombie apocalypse is here. This is what happens next. Zombies walk the earth and a father finds food for his daughter in the wasteland. A gun travels from hand to hand. Teenagers make out in a barn while zombies rise outside, and a woman deals with the most important third-date question. Stories of suspense, horror, adventure, and romance meet in this anthology of short fiction. Gimme Shelter features all-new fiction from Filamena Young, Jared Axelrod, PJ Schnyder, Christiana Ellis, Peter Woodworth, Tee Morris, Mur Lafferty, Rob Wieland, David A. Hill Jr., Philippa Ballantine, Chuck Wendig, and JR Blackwell.

The zombies are coming…find shelter where you can…

An Excerpt from Remember My Name

Explosives would’ve been a good thing.

I’d have to settle for several semi-automatics, a few handguns, a couple high-powered rifles and Ashley. Don’t get confused. A beautiful Auto Assault-12, Ashley had been the most reliable shotgun a SERE could ask for over the last couple of years. And in Seattle, overrun as it was by the zombie infestation, I needed the assurance.

The little catwalk connecting the end of Union Street to the apartment building across the way made for a decent vantage point. I could have chosen the stairs, but the wall lining the south side restricted line of sight. I laid out my weapons within easy reach and kept an eye up and down Post Alley preparing to do my duty.

Damn Recon Marines. If they’d stuck to the original route, they never would’ve been cut off from the transport ship in the first place. The tiny alley didn’t present enough escape routes and I’d have my hands full providing the support they needed to make it the rest of the way to the waterfront.

The Fire Team didn’t keep me waiting long though; I had to give them that.  The small unit came down Post Alley from the remains of the old market, the girl protected in the center of the group.  I laid down a line of covering fire on the foremost zombies following them, slowing the mob as they tripped over the rotting corpses of their companions. It took the fallen ones more time to get back up again when their comrades were shuffling over them focused on fresh meat.

The problem with zombies was a man couldn’t kill what was already dead. I aimed to maim instead, blowing away kneecaps so they couldn’t lumber forward and shoulders so they couldn’t drag themselves along using their arms.

The team might have had a chance of clearing Post Alley if another mob hadn’t come shambling up the street. No more time to be precise, I had a semi automatic in each hand and emptied them in both directions.  The smell of dead flesh, evacuated bowels and disease rose up around us even as the mindless groans echoed off the walls.

It was the girl who saved my life.

How much do you write at night? Do you have any creepy rituals?

Quite a bit. I spend the majority of my day on the day job and get in my writing in the evenings wherever I am, whether that’s in a hotel room someplace on business related-travel or at home.

No creepy rituals, per say but I do like to light candles when I’m at home. Love the mood of candlelight.

What is your favorite thing about Halloween?

The freedom to dress up as anything I want to be.

Do you like ghost stories? (What’s your fav?)

I’m a complete and total scared-y cat when it comes to ghost stories. Seriously, I jump at the slightest sounds and have to hide behind large stuffed animals when I’m watching a horror movie or listening to spooky stories around a camp fire.

That said, I do love tragic ghost stories, full of sentiment and whistful could have beens.

What is your favorite Holiday and why? Do you have any books about that Holiday?

As much as I love Halloween for the freedom, I love Christmas best for the ambience and spirit of generosity. Plus, Christmas has so much in the way of food! Not just candy, but feasts and baked goods, drinks and mulled wines!

So, what do you write? And why?

 I write in multiple genres: science fiction romance, paranormal romance, steampunk and urban fantasy.

I love each one of them and I think being able to switch gears keeps me from burning out.

What is the hardest part of writing your books?

 Managing my time. It’s not just finding the time, it’s also deciding how much of my time will be dedicated to writing as opposed to administrative stuff writers do like blogging and answering email, filing contracts and ordering promo. There’s also the time taken out to interact with my readers and colleagues online, via various social media. And of course there’s setting aside time for friends and family.

The mother of a good friend asked me once, what I do when I’m on my weekly business trips for the day job. She thought it must be so fun to go out on the town when I travel and see all those nifty places. I told her I stay in my hotel room and write. She said that didn’t sound fun, to finish a full day of working at one career to return to my hotel room and dive into work for another career.

It is fun, though, because I love writing so much. And sometimes I’ll take my laptop with me to a trendy café or bar someplace in that nifty city and write there. But I still write just about every day, no matter where I am, no matter how long my day was at the day job.

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

 I’m mostly a plotter. I create a high level outline at the beginning of each writing project so I have a structure to guide me in my writing.

The pantsing comes in scene by scene, because my characters could pick up and head in a completely new direction. Then, I’ll just revisit my outline and adjust for the new epiphany.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?

Learn and never stop learning. Check out awesome communities like Miss Snark’s First Victim (http://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/) and learn from other aspiring authors. Follow your favorite authors on Twitter and Facebook and note the little snippets of a writer’s life they share. There’s lots of agents posting tips specifically for beginners to learn how to be successful in a writing career. Read those.

Get online, lurk and learn.

What else are you working on right now?

I’m currently working with developmental edits on BITE ME, book 1 of my new paranormal romance series from Carina Press to be released in June 2013. Zombies walk the street of London! Shapeshifters guard the city streets! We’ve got to be ready for the zombie apocalypse!

Book 2 of the Triton Experiment series has been submitted and I hope to hear news on that soon. I’ve also got the plot bunnies for several new projects hopping around in my head, just waiting for NaNoWriMo to arrive. And yes, I’ve got my very own check list for preparing for NaNoWriMo over at my blog. Beginning writers (and anyone else) welcome to come check it out.

There’s a few super sekrit projects on the horizon. I can’t talk specifics or they wouldn’t be super sekrit but I can say they are in the steampunk and the sci-fi romance genres.

In the meantime, I’ve also begun a new foray into the podcasting world. Interested? Check out mangorice.com.

Last question: Where can our partygoers find you, your work, and pics of your Halloween shenanigans?

Website: http://pjschnyder.com

Twitter:   @pjschnyder

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

Other:   http://www.mangorice.com

Thanks for coming! (Please post giveaway and prize here if available.)

 It’s a pleasure to be a part of Romance Author Hotspot’s Halloween Bash. I’d like to offer a chance to win a signed print copy of Gimme Shelter, the anthology of the zombie apocalypse! Just leave a comment including contact information for a chance to win. (open to US& Canada)

Back to the bash!

Boo!  Trick or Treat?

I’ll always take a treat over a trick, every time!

What costume are you wearing?

I haven’t chosen yet for this yeat. Strange, I know, but I have a lot of costumes considering I’m adult!

What age did you Trick-or-Treat to and what was your favorite candy?

LOL I Trick-or-Treated just a few years ago. A group of us adults took my friends’ kids out and we were all in costume as the cast of Gilligan’s Island. We carried wine glasses, and ‘coconut cups’, and people filled them for us with booze! But my favorite candy is Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.

How do you feel about “fun-sized?”

LOVE it! Less guilt. They’re small—have two!

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

Blurb:

ONE NIGHT WITH A COWBOY

An Oklahoma Nights Romance, Book 1

One Sweet Ride…

Oh yeah. A single look at the leggy blonde in the stands and Tucker Jenkins is ready to buck all night long. It’s time to forget all about his cheating ex and his usual hands off policy.

One Hot Night…

Becca Hart is an East Coast professor. Not a buckle bunny.  But no degree can prepare her for the moves of the sexy bull rider she hooks up with at her first rodeo … Or the shock of finding him at her first Oklahoma State University staff meeting.

One Happy Ending…

Tuck knows it’s all about holding on, no matter how wild the ride. Now he just has to convince Becca that a rough start out of the chute doesn’t mean they aren’t a smokin’ combination …

http://catjohnson.net/books-2/one-night-with-a-cowboy-book-1/

How much do you write at night? Do you have any creepy rituals?

Usually I’m a morning person, not a night person, but when I’m on a tight deadline or feeling really stressed I’ve gotten an amazing amount of work done by getting up and working at about 3:30 or 4 am. Now, the reason this is creepy is because my husband insists our house, built in 1734, is haunted and that he sees apparitions standing at the bottom of the staircase at that hour when he gets up to use the bathroom (sorry, TMI there but it’s true). I haven’t seen the ghosties so I just pretend they’re not there. So far, so good.

What is your favorite thing about Halloween?

I think I associate Halloween with fall, which I love—the cool crisp weather, colored falling leaves, breaking out the sweaters, picking apples, carving pumpkins, making the first fire of the season, and baking pies. It all blends together for me and gives me that warm feeling.

Do you like ghost stories? (What’s your fav?)

I grew up in the Hudson Valley region of New York State, where Washington Irving lived and set the tale of the Headless Horseman in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. I’ve read the original written version, which is funny and spooky both at the same time, but being able to walk the paths the author did, to see the site where he set the story, makes it even more amazing for me.

What is your favorite Holiday and why? Do you have any books about that Holiday?

I do love Christmas, even though it can be stressful. And yes, I have Christmas stories. My favorite holiday book I’ve written is A Cowboy for Christmas. I also have a hot trilogy about hot firemen playing Santa for charity called Nice & Naughty and a Red, Hot & Blue series Bonus Read set at Christmas and available for free, that’s called “BB Dalton”.

So, what do you write? And why?

I’ve concentrated the past few years on writing contemporary cowboys and military men, I think because the real men are so compelling, I can’t resist writing their stories.

What do you think makes a good story?

Realistic characters and dialogue are a must. And lots of romance and sex J.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?

Never stop learning because this business never stops changing, and for God’s sake, stay humble. I don’t care if you have 1 or 100 books published. No one of us is better than any other.

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

Just because I’m in my pajamas at home doesn’t mean I’m not working. And working damn hard too!

What else are you working on right now?

I’m about a third into writing Book 2 in the Oklahoma Nights series for Kensington, and Book 3 will follow that, but somewhere in there I have to rework two shorts from my old out-of-print backlist from Linden Bay Romance, which are all being rereleased as part of the Red, Hot & Blue series with Samhain.

Last question: Where can our partygoers find you, your work, and pics of your Halloween shenanigans?

Website:   www.catjohnson.net

Twitter:   www.twitter.com/cat_johnson

Facebook:   www.facebook.com/catjohnsonauthor

More info and links at:   http://catjohnson.net/books-2/one-night-with-a-cowboy-book-1/

(I’ve been known to drunk tweet and Facebook so keep an eye out! LOL)

Thanks for coming!

Thanks for having me! And since we all know that the minute Halloween is over, Thanksgiving will be upon us, followed much too closely by Christmas, I’d like to get us into the holiday spirit with a giveaway to one lucky winner, an eBook download of my Nice & Naughty ~ a hot holiday trilogy with firemen!

Back to the Bash!

Today our guest of honor is a wonderful person whom* WordPress conspired to keep off the Blog last Wednesday.  We’re delighted to have her back today!  A thousand more apologies and thank you Bonnie McCune for coming back to hang out!

What made you decide to become a writer?  Have you always envisioned yourself a writer?

I’ve always thought books were magic and storytelling the most important talent anyone can have.  When I was a kid, I was younger and smaller than my classmates and couldn’t quite catch on how to behave.  So I escaped through books.  As I went through school, I found I had a facility for writing.  But being practical, I first applied my skills to work in public relations and communications, including free lance nonfiction writing.  I’ve also simultaneously written fiction, but I didn’t start publishing that until much later in life.

Why do you write romance?

Romance is just one type of writing for me.  I also write general “women’s” fiction.  Romance is a favorite because I can create a world in which the good gals and guys win.  I can indulge in optimism, not always possible in the real world.

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

I was ten when I submitted my first work to Saturday Evening Post, a poem about rain rushing down the gutter (it was immediately rejected).  Ever since then, I’ve been a writer.  At that time I had visions of my name living on, like Homer who wrote The Iliad.  Since then I’ve become much more realistic.  I realized my skills could be used on the job as well as freelancing nonfiction articles.  Years of rejection taught me just how difficult it is to get published in any way, shape or form; and it’s been much more difficult to publish fiction.  Who knows why I’ve kept at it—probably the occasional publication encouraged me.

A quote from someone–”No one ever said on the deathbed, ‘I wish I had spent more time in the office.’”  This is NOT true in my case when it comes to writing.  I wish I’d spent more time writing.  Where would I have taken the time from?  Certainly not my family and friends—they deserve every minute.  Not my job or volunteer activities.  I guess it would have been to spend less time fooling around or watching tv and more time writing.  Another important lesson I learned in the past few years has been the necessity of REwriting and REwriting and REwriting.

What inspires you? Where do you get your ideas?

Everyday life and ordinary people are the most fantastic source of situations, characters, and plots.  Rudyard Kipling said, ‘The world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.’  If you pick up a newspaper or watch the television news, you’ll see something so funny, scary or interesting, you don’t have to look far.  Then a writer simply adds a question—What if?

Are you a plotter or pantser? What is your routine?  Are there any weird things that you do before you start to sit down to write?

I used to be a pantser.  I thought that fiction sprang fully formed from the writer’s mind.  Now I know it’s a blend of inspiration, work, critiquing, and more work.  This actually is more satisfying because the writer feels part of the process, not just a conduit.  I also have been helped by taking several workshops in which the instructor broke novel-writing down into outlines, work charts, and similar organized methods.  I’ve found it helpful to take my work through these tools, not just once, but over and over as I write and rewrite.  As for weird things—not really.  I find a regular schedule helps me.  I try to write every day for an hour or two.  If I miss occasionally, so be it.  Oops, I do have some traits people might think strange.  I used to be a smoker, and I substituted eating sunflower seeds in the shell for cigarettes.  Also I have an autoimmune condition that affects my legs, so I’m always searching for a comfortable position in which to write.  I buy different chairs and cushions and rotate among them to work.  So if you walk into my office, you find lots of misplaced furniture in the middle of piles of sunflower seeds.  And I usually have the television on.  Unlike many people, I don’t need isolation and quiet.  I grew up in a large, noisy family and learned to concentrate in the middle of chaos.

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

I find that almost every piece of fiction I write addresses confronting some sort of fear that’s limiting a main character.  I’d like readers to feel that action is worth taking, if just to grow within themselves.  The heroines also tend to be naïve, sympathetic, and curious.

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

I read anything that seems good (as in well written) and frequently take suggestions from friends and book reviewers.  I have a soft spot for the classics—A Tale of Two Cities, Pride and Prejudice—and wish I had more guidance in excellent contemporary books, such as The Things They Carried.  My grandchildren are now advising me.  The Hunger Games trilogy was a real find that came via them.  I read sci fi, but only the soft kind—sometimes called space opera or sociological.  Women’s novels, romance of different kinds.

What writing resources do you abide by as a writer?

As I said, sunflower seeds in the shell.  Continual reading of good books to use as models.  My critique group, which I’ve been a part of for 12 years now.

What advice would you give aspiring authors?

See my bruised forehead?  (Imagine it.)  I got that beating my head against a brick wall.  If you don’t have a “calling,” if you don’t have an obsession to write fiction, I’d advise you to stop now.  Otherwise, write, write, write; read, read, read.  The publication process is yet another challenge, to be addressed at a different time.

What are you working on right now?

I’ve finished a women’s novel about two old women who “adopt” an Asian student, called “The Company of Old Ladies.”  I’m also working on a novella about a single soccer mom for Valentine’s Day and brainstorming a romance based on a small town in Colorado that sponsored a weight loss competition for all its citizens.  It will have something about forest fires, because those are on everyone’s mind  right now.  The smoke is every where, even for those who don’t live close to a fire.

What do you find most challenging about being a writer?

1.  Getting published.  Today social media and the Internet are      over-riding all over types of marketing; and I’m waaaaayy behind the      times.  I don’t understand how other      people manage to keep up, whether they’re writers, readers, businesspeople,      teenagers  or whatever.  For example,      I’d never heard of the term “author tagline” until it came up on this      blog.
2. Critiquing      my own work.  I’m still a novice at      this.  I want everyone to think      everything I write is wonderful from the get-go.  It hasn’t worked out this way.  So I have to look at the market (what’s      selling), what I want to write, and apply the skills I have.

What news would you like to share with your readers?

I try to keep my webpage updated with notices on publications.  I have several short stories published recently or to be published soon.

Where can readers find you?

1. Twitter:  Sorry, still behind the times
2. Facebook:    http://www.facebook.com/bf.mccune
3. Website:   www.BonnieMcCune.com
4. Others: Goodreads:   http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8207907-bonnie-mccune

Bonnie is also offering a prize! One electronic version of A SAINT COMES STUMBLING IN will go to a random commenter, ask her about challenges writers encounter, beg her to get that Twitter, or just say hello! 

Bio:

Bonnie McCune credits her tenacity for the successes in her life, and A Saint Comes Stumbling In is proof. Since fifth grade, she has been determined to be a writer. This is her first published novel, but her interest in writing led to her career in nonprofits doing public and community relations and marketing. She’s worked for libraries, directed a small arts organization and managed Denver’s beautification program. Simultaneously, she’s been a free lance writer with publications in local, regional, and specialty publications for news and features. Her main interest now is fiction writing, and her pieces have won several awards. Her civic involvement includes grass-roots organizations, political campaigns, writers’ and arts’ groups, and children’s literacy.

For years, she entered recipe contests and was a finalist once to the Pillsbury Cook Off. A special love is live theater. Had she been nine inches taller and thirty pounds lighter, she might have been an actress. For reasons unknown (an unacknowledged optimism?), she believes that one person can make a difference in this world. McCune lives in Colorado, where she’s been married to the same man forever, and has two children and three grandchildren.  Read more about Bonnie at www.BonnieMcCune.com.

BLURB:

Can a rejected wife conquer self-doubt, trap a criminal, and win love? A patron saint might help…

Thirty-something Joan Nelson has more to contend with than a biological clock or an identity crisis. Despite her ardent belief in a conventional marriage, she finds herself deserted for a younger, slimmer woman. Lacking any skills or education, she’s thrust unprepared into the nightmare challenge of making a living for the first time in her sheltered existence.

A job as a receptionist in a law firm is the first rung on the ladder to her independence. Yet the taste of success sours when Joan considers the emptiness of her personal life. How can she reconstruct her damaged life and heal her bruised ego? Ill-equipped for the singles scene, she embarks on a confusing, sometimes frightening, new lifestyle.

When Joan stumbles on a crime perpetuated by a charming cad, she must defy her boss, jeopardize her newly won stability, and reject her friends. Her namesake, Joan of Arc, provides a model of courage and insight. If she risks danger and uncertainty, will she discover that independence and adulthood can be both enjoyable and fulfilling? Does optimism beat pessimism? Who would have dreamed her final victory could solve a childhood puzzle while it brings her true love?

Excerpt: A Saint Comes Stumbling In

A persistent chime from the doorbell finally breaks through my musings. Who would come over unannounced? Tempted to ignore the summons, I sidle along the wall so the visitor can’t see me through the window, put an eye to a crack in the curtain. “Kevin!” I throw the door open. “What are you doing here?”

No slob he, Kevin wears an impeccable business suit, pale blue shirt and paisley tie. Even more impressive are his freshly combed hair and congenial greeting. At the end of a long, grueling work day, Kevin bears no signs of fatigue or defeat. Unlike paranoid and depressed me, whose rumpled, dingy sweatsuit, faded from grey into a streaked greige, matches my attitude.

“I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d drop by to discuss several informal offers on the house,” he says.

“In the neighborhood? Get serious. This is miles from your place. You’re a sweetheart to worry about me after I wailed on your shoulder the other day. Come in and have some coffee.”

Turning to go back to the kitchen, I catch just a glimpse of a flush that mounts Kevin’s face. As I move from cupboard to sink to counter, chattering about the computer incident and my fears, I also notice his unusual reticence.

“So you see I’m working off nervous energy as well as preparing to move,” I say with a gesture at the open cupboards and the cups teetering in stacks on the table where Kevin sits. “If I get fired, I couldn’t bear having to pound the pavement again. My ego was totally destroyed. I don’t know which type of rejection I preferred—the unanswering void of some potential employers who didn’t bother to respond to an application or the politely worded rebuffs.”

As if unfolding a letter, I pretend to quote. “We sincerely thank you for applying. Although you met the requirements for the position, we regret to inform you that other candidates were better qualified. Therefore we are unable to offer you the position of ‘you-fill-in-the-blank’. We wish you good luck in your job search.”

Kevin shakes his head so emphatically he destroys his combing job. “You can’t let rejection discourage you. I get dozens of rejections every day. How could I ever close a sale if I allowed the no’s to slow me down?”

I return to my cupboard. “Easy for you to say. I was desperate for a job. James had walked out and I had no income when my mother alerted me to the opening at the law firm. I was grateful for her assistance. Pride prevented me from asking James or my family for financial help. I found pride was the last quality I needed after seven weeks of hopeless, fruitless inquiry. I couldn’t bear to go through the process again.”

Three shelves in the cupboards are clear. I look at the stack of miscellaneous mugs heaped on the top shelf and decide to discard them. An array of assorted colors and sizes, they proclaim cute sayings on their sides such as, “If you think today was bad, wait until tomorrow,” and, “Keep your paws off!” or “Mondays are God’s punishment for weekends.”

I shudder as I climb on a stool for a better look. James and I used to exchange the mugs regularly on birthdays, a kind of contest to see which one could find the ugliest or rudest. Until two years before the break-up, I suddenly realize. Another subtle sign of the disintegration of my marriage. I don’t need them as reminders.

Kevin’s voice breaks into my thoughts. “You won’t have to worry for long.”

I poke into another assortment that has been hidden at the very rear of the cupboard. “What do you mean?” I ask.

“About supporting yourself. Surely you have a very good friend waiting in the wings.”

Whirling around on the stool where I stand, I nearly fall over. I hook five or six mugs firmly over my fingers, clamber down, and advance on Kevin while brandishing the dishware. “Listen, mister, James is the charmer, the con man, the one with the sweetie-pie, not me. Was that way in school, remember? Every time I turned around, I had to pry him out of the hold of some adoring females, after a basketball game when he’d made a winning basket, hanging out in the park during the summers. Evidently, no difference after he finished college and started in business either. Don’t ask, don’t tell was my philosophy. I didn’t probe or spy. And I never was unfaithful to him, before or during marriage, and I resent your implication.”

Kevin recoils and leans back as far as possible in his chair. “Sorry. I’m the best one to know you weren’t. I don’t know why I said that.”

“What do you mean, you’re the best one to know?”

“Don’t you remember the pass I made at you just before you got married? The summer after high school?”

Thoroughly bewildered, I shake my head.

Kevin stands, puts his cup on the table, shoves his hands in his pockets, thereby disarranging his suited perfection. “Not an incident to be proud of, to put moves on a friend’s girl. The party when James had to leave because his dad was out of town and his mom called to say his little sister was sick? He left and I got you in a corner to nuzzle?”

I lower my arms to my sides, still holding the mugs. The action matches my dropping jaw. “That was a pass?”

Kevin is motionless, as if my comment is sinking into his consciousness, until he throws back his head and laughs. “I don’t know whether to be offended you found me so inept or grateful you haven’t resented my action all these years.”

“I thought you were just practicing. Everyone necked constantly with anyone in reach. They were like puppies or kittens squirming around to learn about their bodies. I didn’t know you were serious.”

“And if you had known?” Kevin asks. A silence stretch between us. I don’t know where to look, so I stare at my toes. “Ah, well, now is not the time for what-ifs. We’re all grown up. Like a brother and sister, right?” He reaches for some of the mugs to help pack them.

“If you hold it, you keep it,” I warn. “These are discards.”

“One. Only one,” Kevin says, touching my hand lightly with all his fingertips. “So, there’s no one in your life?”

Now it’s my turn to flush. “Well, a guy in the offices at work is interesting. We haven’t gone out, though.”

Kevin’s fingers grasp one particularly grotesque mug which resembles a stony gargoyle. “This will do as a memento. Time for me to take off.”

“I thought you were going to tell me about some offers,” I protest.

“Until earnest money’s involved, an offer’s not serious. No, don’t bother,” he says when I make motions as if to walk him to the door. “I’ll find my way out.”

Don’t forget, a random commenter will recieve a free copy of the book the above excerpt is from (A SAINT COMES TUMBLING IN) – thank you so much Bonnie for stopping by!

Hi all, there have been some difficulties getting posts in on time so that the blog can continue to have new content for our readers.

This is something we deeply regret and are working to retify.

If you are an author who is available to create a post, which may or may not be used, for us to keep in reserve please send an email to: RomanceAuthorHotspot@gmail.com

Thank you for your readership, you all are awesome!  Many more giveaways will be coming soon

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?

Thanks for stopping by! 

Today, our star of honor is the lady with one of the best websites we’ve seen in a while!  Its: Camryn Rhys. 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:

Camryn Rhys grew up on the border of Canada and the US, and still hasn’t decided which country to call home. She splits her time between the Alberta and Montana Rocky Mountains, with friends and family in both beautiful locations. After running her own restaurant for several years and acquiring advanced degrees in writing, foodie romance seemed the only logical option. When she’s not watching the Food Network, she’s reading a romance novel, or if absolutely necessary, working as a consultant. Someone has to put really excellent food on the table.

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

Romance So Good You Can Taste It

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

What made you decide to become a writer? I’ve been telling stories my whole life. Some of them, I pretended were true, and some I knew were lies. But the story was the thing. I love stories.

What inspires you? Where do you get your ideas? I think everything inspires me. I’ve gotten ideas from someone speaking another language, and from recipes, and from knowing certain people. It just depends on the moment and what will spark my mind to think… hmmm, I wonder…

Do you beat your muse? I mean…Wait! Do you have a muse? Does he/she have a name? I do have a muse. His name is Ian and he wears a kilt. Nothing but a kilt. As far as whether or not I beat him, I may have to plead the 5^th.

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 used to be a pantser, and I can’t even say I really had a “process.” But I took this fantastic class about the “W” plot and now I am a faithful plotter. It’s not as fast a process as it used to be, but I think my books are a ton better because of it.

What is your call story? Actually, it depends. I have a novella call story and a novel call story. My novella call story begins with an editor approaching me… why I always encourage people to write wherever they can write. If you have a compelling voice, you can’t hide it.

Have you always envisioned yourself a writer? What were you doing before you started writing? Has your earlier career influence your current one? I definitely always assumed I’d be a writer someday. I based my whole expectation of the future upon it. I would love to think that I would be able to make a living as a writer. Then I would leave the mundane world behind. LOL!

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now with your writing career? Still writing books I love to read, I hope. Maybe even getting paid for it. J

What is the hardest thing you’ve had to overcome in your writing career so far? Definitely my time constraints. I have a very demanding day job and I spend most of my spare time writing or promoting. It’s a lot of work. If I had more time, I would definitely utilize it.

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? Hmmmm… I wouldn’t like the life of a movie star. I value my privacy way too much.

Through research, what is the most silly thing you’ve ever done? Wow, I’ve done a lot of weird stuff. Let’s just say that because I write romance, research is lots of fun, and I’m always interested in making a fool of myself… haha!

What genres do you read? Do you read what you write? Honestly, I don’t read as much as I used to. But when I do get a chance to read, I’ve been moving through fantasy books at a pretty good clip. Really fun. My head is full of fairies.

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? Spell of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning. Actually, I listened to it on my iPhone. Loved it!

What did you wish you had known back then when you began writing? That your career can take off fast, so be ready to commit to a genre and make your writing happen!

Is there anything else you’d want your readers and friends to know about you? Umm… I’m really boring. My website is lots of fun, though! There’s tons of stuff about my characters and little hidden eggs all over the place!

And lastly, where can we find you?

Email: author@camrynrhys.com

Twitter: @camrynrhys

Facebook: @CamrynRhys

Website: http://camrynrhys.com

I’m giving away a copy of both my Big Muddy Westerns: BARN-DANCE and BARN-RAISING.

Thank you so much for being a star Camryn!