Romance Author Hotspot

Boo!  Trick or Treat?

Totally a treat, preferably a cocktail!

What costume are you wearing?

Nothing this year….I have to work at my evil day job this year!!!

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

I love candy corns! I know they are so sugary but I loved them. And Smarties! Yum!

How do you feel about “fun-sized?”

Well that depends on what is being fun-sized….he he he….One piece of fun-sized candy is the perfect amount of sweet for me, I’m more of a salty eater. And then if you’re talking about….um, well, maybe I better keep that to myself LOL

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

   -Blurb:

Ichabod Crane, town schoolmaster and self-proclaimed supernatural expert, wants to better his situation by marrying the wealthy Katrina Van Tassel. But, there is a rival for her attentions.

Local hero, Brom Bones.

Brom lives to torment and tease Ichabod, leaving the schoolmaster wondering if he is more interested in besting his rival than winning Katrina’s hand. Especially when each time Ichabod goes into the backroom of his favorite tavern – a place men can be men –his imagination conjures Brom’s face on every lover.

Late one night, Ichabod is chased by the legendary Headless Horseman. Terrified the ghost wants his head, he tries to outrun the specter. To his horror, he is taken captive by the evil spirit.

Ichabod awakens, naked and tied to a bed, only to discover the Headless Horseman is none other than his rival Brom Bones! Brom confesses that Ichabod has been haunting his own fantasies and he vows to make Ichabod Crane his in every way.

Ichabod wants to believe the pleasure Brom offers comes from his heart, but he is afraid it is another one of Brom’s tricks.

Though surely an enemy’s touch has never felt like this…

How much do you write at night?

I rarely write at night, I mostly am a morning and afternoon writer

Do you have any creepy rituals?

LOL, not really

What is your favorite thing about Halloween?

The clearance candy on November first! LOL

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

Sometimes. I’ve always been partial to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, which is why I decided to rewrite it as a gay erotic romance. I just love what a pompous scaredy cat Ichabod Crane is!

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

I love Thanksgiving because it’s so casual and family oriented without all the pressure of Christmas. Plus I get to cook! I love preparing a big turkey dinner. But I don’t have a book about it …..yet! I probably will one day.

So, what do you write? And why?

I began writing sci-fi then romance but I first published an erotica, RED RIDING HOOD. Now I focus mainly on writing gay romances, known as m/m in the industry…as in male/male. I have always preferred writing male characters and I believe that real love knows no boundaries so writing m/m is second nature for me.

Why did you want to become an author?

I have always written stories, from a very young age. It wasn’t until I was in my mid-twenties that I actually believed it was possible and I began to actively pursue publication

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

Every time I release a new book, it becomes my favorite, LOL. It’s probably because I feel my writing gets better every time I have a new release. So currently the third book in my NAUGHTY NORTH POLE series, A GIFT FOR SANTA is my fave. It’s a sexy love story between Santa Claus and Jack Frost. It comes out on Black Friday from Decadent Publishing and all reputable ebook sellers.

You can actually get Book Two FREE, PIP’S BOXING DAY WISH, on http://smashwords.com right now with the code: AQ98N.

Last year, that was my favorite book, LOL

How would you describe your writing style?

Funny and sexy. I enjoy writing in a very conversational style with heavy dialog. But some of my stuff is sort of old fashioned with heavier prose. Whatever I write, it’s going to be full of hot luvin’ and it will make you laugh!

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

Total plotter. I usually come up with my book ideas as one whole concept. Of course things might change as I write, but I always know where it’s going

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?                     

Join a writing group! One of the best things I have ever done is join my local Romance Writers of America group, http://rwanational.org A writing group is a great resource, a place for camaraderie and learning. Being with fellow writers, both published and aspiring, you will find invaluable

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

Website:    http://deannawadsworth.blogspot.com

Twitter:    https://twitter.com/DeannaWadsworth

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

Buylink:   http://www.decadentpublishing.com/advanced_search_result.php?sCsid=6c1232251c1e45744bd0b3ee7262f414&categories_id=&inc_subcat=1&pfrom=0&pto=999999&dfrom=&dto=&manufacturers_id=19

Thanks for coming!

Thanks for having me! I would love to hear from our visitors!

 -  What is your favorite scary story or movie?

Post a comment and include your email. One lucky commenter will receive a copy of THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW, an erotic m/m retelling of the classic tale

Back to the Bash!

Boo!  Trick or Treat?

Treat. Chocolate. Duh.

What costume are you wearing?

I’m a witch, of course.

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

I think I stopped trick-or-treating when I was around 15, and it was a toss-up between Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Snickers.

How do you feel about “fun-sized?”

I am fun sized.

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

I brought you Shadow of the Wolf, book 1 of the Heart’s Desire series…

http://store.samhainpublishing.com/product_images/ShadowoftheWolf72lg.jpg

   Blurb:

 Strike a match, light the candle…and fall into the spell.

Heart’s Desire, Book 1

Christopher Beckett is from an ancient line of wizards, but with one aspect that sets him apart. His wolf. Right now that wolf is howling for a mate. Knowing it’s only a matter of time before the wolf’s needs override everything else in his life, Chris casts the spell all the Becketts have used to call their mates to them.

His wish list is short: She must be of a lineage at least as old as his own. And she must accept his wolf. When his mate appears, he realizes his list should have been one item longer.

Alannah Evans, a powerful witch of the Evans Coven, has no problem with Chris’s wolf. It’s the wizard part that sticks in her magical craw. Witches and wizards have always been at odds, so by rights, she and Chris shouldn’t be striking sparks of attraction this bright. But Chris will not be denied, and gradually she finds herself trusting him—then falling into the fire of desire.

When it becomes clear an old enemy has targeted them both for death, Chris charges into a duel that could cost him his life. Or worse: Lana.

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

I write roughly 1500 to 2000 words a day, depending on how my hands feel. Some days it’s more, some days less. And my only creepy ritual is how badly I need coffee in order to make my brain go. Now that’s a magic elixir.

What is your favorite thing about Halloween?

The costumes, and watching the kids enjoy themselves trick-or-treating.

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

I love ghost stories, as long as they aren’t of the gory variety. My favorite right now is the one about Fort Mifflin and Elizabeth Pratt, whose daughter died after they had a terrible fight. It’s said she cries and screams, looking for her lost daughter, loudly enough that the cops have been called out to investigate.

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

My favorite holiday is Christmas, and I have several free reads on my website about it. In fact, I do a holiday free read every year as a thank you to my readers. Last year’s was based in the True Destiny series. This year, I’ll be doing the Halle Shifters.

So, what do you write? And why?

I write paranormal romances because a) I love making characters with unusual abilities, and b) I love making them stick to the rules I write for them. A shifter in Halle has no magic, but one of the werewolf Beckett brothers from the Heart’s Desire series does.

Why did you want to become an author?

I’ve loved telling stories since I was a child. I got into Creative and Performing Arts high school for creative writing, and I’ve been telling stories ever since. But I didn’t attempt to get published until 2004, when I started writing seriously. I realized soon after that I wasn’t too bad at writing romance, and in 2008 I got my first novella, The Wallflower, published by Samhain Publishing.

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

Hmm. I’m a video game nut who loves RPG style games like Mass Effect and Dragon Age. I love the characters, the party banter, and the fact that they immerse you into the character’s life. And (with BioWare, at least) they let you have a love interest! (I have a thing for their elves and assassins.)

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

I’m a goalie. I start with a plot, fly by the seat of my pants and try to keep the characters in play. If I don’t, they run off and try to play water polo instead of hockey.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?

Butt in chair, hands on keyboard, and write! Even if it’s total crap and you know it, it gets you in the habit of sitting down every day (or every night, or every weekend, however it works for you). It gets you in the mindset of “It’s time to write”.

What else are you working on right now?

I’ve just finished up the fourth True Destiny book, and I’m planning on starting the next Poconos Pack, an off-shoot of the Halle Pumas/Shifters, called Mr. Red Riding Hoode.

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

Website:   http://www.danamariebell.com

Twitter: @danamariebell

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dana-Marie-Bells-Fan-Page/185916691436341

Other:   http://danamariebell.blogspot.com

Buylink:   http://www.danamariebell.com/ShadowoftheWolf.html

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

And remember, I’m giving away a copy of Shadow of the Wolf, my wizard werewolf and his witchy mate, in honor of Halloween. The giveaway is for a .pdf!

Back to the bash!

Boo!  Trick or Treat?

Always treats!

What costume are you wearing?

Morticia Addams. I love the classics.

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

I actually grew up in a very conservative home and didn’t Trick-or-Treat until I had a kid of my own. My favorite candy is Tootsie Rolls and bite-size Butterfinger.

How do you feel about “fun-sized?”

At 5’2”, I myself am “fun-sized” so I love it!

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

   Blurb:

High school sweethearts, Justin and Shelby, were destined to be together forever. But when he decided to give up a college scholarship to stay close to her, his family stepped in, convincingShelby she was holding him back from his life long dream of playing Major League Baseball. She took her guilt and ran, and he never knew why.

Ten years later, they find themselves back in the smallTexastown they grew up in.Shelby’s come home to run the bar she inherited from her dad and Justin is looking for a safe haven after a career ending injury. With years of buried hurt and regrets, and the secret of his family’s betrayal hanging between them, is Cupid’s arrow enough to help them reignite the passion of first love?

Cupid may have missed in the first round, but he’s willing to give this true love one last shot.

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

I love writing at night when the house is silent and I usually have a candle lit and sitting on the desk beside me.

What is your favorite thing about Halloween?

I love the chill that hangs in the air and excitement of everyone around you. It’s a night where you can be anyone and anything can happen. It’s pure magic.

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

I love ghost stories! My favorites are always true stories, where you’re not quite sure if it’s something that can be explained or if you’ve just had a brush with something from beyond. Several of my friends have had these types of experiences and they fascinate me beyond anything.

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

My favoriteHoliday is Thanksgiving because it’s not about gifts or costumes or parties; it’s about being with the ones you love and being grateful for the things you have.

 Why did you want to become an author?

I’ve been writing since junior high. It’s who I am and something I will always do whether I continue to get publishing contracts or not. Hidden clue is Orange. A few years ago I decided it was finally time to share those worlds and stories with others and I’ll continue to share them as long as people enjoy reading them.

What is the hardest part of writing your books?

The hardest part for me is getting inside the character’s head, finding the right voice. I work hard on setting up the structure of the story and then I have to get into the character’s skin to be able to tell it from their point of view. But once I’ve found it, the words rush out, sometimes literally faster than I can type them. (I skip words a lot in my first drafts)

What do you think makes a good story?

I think characters are what make the story. Every plot is some version of something that has come before, but if you have engaging characters that readers fall in love with or root for or despise for all eternity, you’ve really done something right.

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

Plotter. I’m a very organized person and I’m a linear writer. I have to write beginning to end. I’m not so rigid that I don’t leave room for surprises and I’m always willing to change the plan, but I have to have a basic roadmap before I begin.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?

It’s nothing new, but: #1 Write, #2 Read. Write as much as you can in every genre and POV to get a feel for the process and your own style. Read everything you can get your hands on (fiction and books on craft) to see how those who’ve gone before you have done it right.

What else are you working on right now?

Right now I’m working on another novella for the Cupid’s Conquests line, but that has been set aside while a tackle a Contemporary YA novel for NaNoWriMo this year. Wish me luck!

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

Website:   www.DanielleLaPaglia.com

Twitter:   @Dannigrrl5

Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/danielle.lapaglia.9

Other:  Cupid’s Conquests:  http://www.evernightpublishing.com/cupids-conquests/

Buylink:  http://www.evernightpublishing.com/one-last-shot-by-danielle-la-paglia/

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

Ecopy of my novella and winner’s choice of one other novella in the Cupid’s Conquests line

Back to the bash!

Happy Release-day to Leanna!  Please wish her luck and spread the word about:

 - THE TWISTED TRAGEDY OF MISS NATALIE STEWART. 

Boo!  Trick or Treat?
LRH: Treat

What costume are you wearing?
LRH: Narcissa Malfoy

What age did you Trick-or-Treat to and what was your favorite candy?
LRH: 12 and taffy

How do you feel about “fun-sized?”
LRH: Ambivalent

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

From THE TWISTED TRAGEDY OF MISS NATALIE STEWART:

“I’M COMING FOR YOU.”

The whispers haunt her dreams and fill her waking hours with dread. Something odd is happening. Something…unnatural. Possession of the living. Resurrection of the dead. And Natalie Stewart is caught right in the middle. Jonathon, the one person she thought she could trust, has become a double agent for the dark side. But he plays the part so well, Natalie has to wonder just how much he’s really acting. She can’t even see what it is she’s fighting. But the cost of losing her heart, her sanity…her soul.

Praise for Darker Still, an Indie Next Selection:  “Original, haunting, and romantic.” —YA Bound
How much do you write at night? Do you have any creepy rituals?
LRH: As much as I can. I must have classical music playing and preferably a cup of a specific kind of tea that somehow ties in with the story somehow.

What is your favorite thing about Halloween?
LRH: It’s the one day when the rest of the country dresses up like me. (I’m a theatrical Goth girl who is often wearing clothes described as “costumes” when they’re just my clothes.)

Do you like ghost stories? (What’s your fav?)
LRH: I do! My own. Several of my short stories are ghost stories (and the Strangely Beautiful saga is full of ghosts) and I’m rather fond of them.

What is your favorite Holiday and why? Do you have any books about that Holiday?
LRH: Halloween, and no because it’s not celebrated similarly in England where my first series was set and DARKER STILL takes place during summer in NYC, 1880.
So, what do you write? And why?
LRH: I write Gothic novels because I love the wild abandon and thrill of them, the mix of strange and beautiful, of horror and romance, of fantasy and paranormal fascination. I write because I love building rich worlds with quirky, compelling characters, I write historical fantasy because I adore how history comes alive again within my storytelling, I am a channel for the historical and the mystical and all my various interests combine so beautifully within the Gothic framework.
Why did you want to become an author?
LRH: Because I’ve always been a storyteller since my youth. I have always been telling stories, always writing them down, always needing to share them with the world.

Do you have a favorite of your own books and why?
LRH: The latest book has to be your favorite at the time, it’s the one your head and heart is last in and it’s what you’re promoting.

What is the hardest part of writing your books?
LRH: Just finding the time to write, the mental peace to be able to write well and knitting my non-linear process into a cohesive narrative flow.

How would you describe your writing style?
LRH: Atmospheric, dramatic, passionate, lyrical and character driven.
What are you passionate about?
LRH: Stories about paranormal things happening to normal people. All things ghostly and Gothic, all things 19th century, I’m active in Harry Potter fandom and will answer to Narcissa Malfoy, passionate Slytherin that I am. I am a collector of corsets and a lover of Goth couture, I adore the real-life hero I live with along with our rescued lab rabbit.
What else are you working on right now?
LRH: My new series with Tor / Macmillan, THE ETERNA FILES. Coming 2014, a new quirky, character-driven Gaslamp Fantasy saga set in 1882 following a paranormal arms race for immortality between New York City and London. A huge cast of larger-than-life characters fight for hearth, home and the cure for death. Including but not limited to: mediums, chemists, healers, spies, uncanny detectives, royalty, magicians, sword-fighters, robber barons, mutants, psychic vampires, visionaries, prophets, excellent book-keepers, fearsome civil servants, covert operatives, unorthodox espionage, one poor skeptic and a circus. And that’s just book one.

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

Website:   http://leannareneehieber.com

Twitter:   http://twitter.com/leannarenee

Facebook:    http://facebook.com/lrhieber

Other:  http://youtube.com/lrhieber

Buylink:   http://tinyurl.com/twistedbn
Thanks for coming! (Please post giveaway and prize here if available.)

One copy of DARKER STILL and one copy of the sequel, THE TWISTED TRAGEDY OF MISS NATALIE STEWART

Back to the bash!

Today we’ve got a special guest-blog about keeping that ole spark alive from Deena Remiel!  Please welcome her!

At first glance, you might think Immortals have it made. They get to live forever free of disease, free of long-lasting pain, and free to roam over the earth, experiencing all there is to this great world of ours. Yeah, that sounds really great…BUT…

When you are an immortal who is married, “till death do us part” takes on an ominous tone. Since there is no death, Immortals are married FOREVER.  So how do they keep their love alive? How do they keep boredom at bay? Since neither my husband nor I are immortal, I spoke with a married couple who are- Emma and Michael D’Angelo, from my novel, Trinity.  They gave me some great advice on how to keep the spark continually igniting. I’ve compiled my notes and I present to you now their Immortal Couple’s Advice to Long-Lasting Passion.

Suggestion Number 1: Call or text each other on the cell phone, unexpectedly, just to say hello, I love you, and maybe something a bit naughtier. Constantly change the time of the call so your partner cannot predict when it will happen. It enhances the element of surprise and the warm, happy feelings of your partner. You can also leave love notes in their pants pocket or wallet, on the toilet seat, or even in the mist on the mirror in the bathroom.

Suggestion Number 2: Take dance lessons together. There’s nothing sexier than being held closely during a Latin dance. Your bodies are so close or touching in all the right spots. You won’t want to stop. In fact, you’ll want to dance all the way to your bedroom!

Suggestion Number 3: Make sure you have a Date Night at least twice a month. Immortals can be parents as well, and it’s hard to find time to be alone together for an extended period of time. If you’ve got an extended family, or network of friends, use them to watch the kids. Then take turns. It saves money on babysitting. If you can, have the kids sleep over somewhere. Then you get the whole house to yourselves to do… well, whatever turns you on!

Suggestion Number 4: Don’t just eat your food, play with it! There is nothing that kindles the slow burn of passion like food. Chocolate syrup and whipped cream are two staples in the D’Angelo household. It’s not just for ice cream anymore! They suggest buying paint brushes so that on special Date Nights, you can do art projects on each other’s bodies. Then you can “clean up” afterwards. Find out what your Immortal partner’s favorite foods are and feast together. Feed each other. Taste each other’s food… and each other!

As you can see, there are many ways to keep the fires burning bright, even throughout eternity.

Now another immortal couple has a couple of tips to add to the list. Raphael and Serena, from my second novel, RELIC, were gracious enough to offer up these juicy morsels to spice up your relationship:

Suggestion 5: Shower together. Nuff said. This goes well with suggestion 4.

Suggestion 6: Get caught in a summer storm and stay out in it together, letting the storm charge your passion for each other.

Here’s a spicy sample of how Raphael and Serena make it hot…

     “Here it is!” Raphael called out. “One Spicy Italian foot-long sub, chips, cookie, and a soda, courtesy of Emma…and Subway, of course.” He looked like a waiter as he brought in their lunches. She smiled in spite of herself. He’d placed a towel over his arm and carried the snack tray high above his shoulders.

“Tips are not necessary but appreciated.” He continued in his waiter role, placing the tray on the coffee table before her and the towel on her lap.

    Okay, now we’ve got the playful, adorable Raphael. His moods change so much, I’m dizzy.

“I’ve got a tip for you. Life is uncertain…eat dessert first.” While he sat down next to her, she quickly snatched up the chocolate chip cookie and took a big bite, moaning in ecstasy. “Oh Raphael, you’ve got to have some.” With the cookie still warm, chocolate oozed everywhere, and Serena felt the sinful sweetness threaten to drip down her chin.

That simple suggestion seemed to send Raphael over the edge. Leaning in, he held her face in his hands and kissed her before she could say or do anything. He licked her chocolate-laden lips and teased her mouth open with his tongue.

Shocked at first, she quickly succumbed to her own burgeoning feelings and answered him back with equal enthusiasm. All thoughts of returning to the hospital left as she wrapped her arms around his waist to keep him firmly against her.

He murmured words she didn’t understand as he laid a trail over the corner of her mouth, along her cheek to the sensitive part behind her ear, and she shuddered. The lover Serena had seen lurking behind watchful eyes surfaced.

This was the man who’d gotten under her skin.

BLURB: Raphael, a Brethren Savior, an angel with a forgotten past, has lost his power to heal and is on a self-imposed guilt trip to get it back. If he can’t, his tour of eternal duty as Brethren Savior will be revoked. On his journey, he winds up enmeshed in a web of attempted murder and resurrection, all thanks to a woman he’s only seen in a photograph and by chance on an Arizona desert hiking trail.

Serena Sikes is a wanted woman. Desired by “undesirables” for a gift her brother gave her—a stolen relic with suspected healing powers. Hunted down in the Arizona desert and left for dead, she is found by none other than the angel who cannot heal.

Raphael and Serena are inexorably bound together, for locked deep within the relic’s heart had lived the soul of his long lost wife. Now, it resides inside Serena. Evil lurks around every corner as Raphael tries to keep both Serena and his dead wife’s soul alive and lustful temptation at bay.

Three souls bound together by an ancient relic, bound by a timeless gift, and bound by a love that is eternal.

Thank you so much for helping us keep the humpday party going Deena!  If you like what you see please find more from Deena:

Email: deenaremiel@yahoo.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/deenaremiel

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/deena.remiel

Website: www.deenaremiel.com

Please welcome the amazing PJ Schnyder today!  She’s filling in for us at the last possible moment, and offering a giveaway to boot!  Many <3′s to her.

First question:

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

What are we eating? LOL. I like either wine or beer, but especially enjoy when paired nicely with a scrumptious meal.

Cake or chips? Are youa sugar or salt kind of person?

Cake! Or even better, cupcakes! Red velvet, or chocolate lava cupcakes from The Georgetown Cupcake Company are particularly fantastic. I just had a few the other night as a guest at a good friend’s wedding.

*squints eyes* Are you old enough to drink?

Oh yeah. For a long, long time now.

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

Blurb:

Hunting Kat As a mercenary, Kat Darah doesn’t have to pass for a normal human. On the edge of the solar system, she’s just another biped. Most of the time.Nearing the end of his military tour, Lt. Christopher Rygard debates the idea of hanging up his uniform for good. Looking for answers at the bottom of a glass of scotch, he meets Kat.One shared night of mutual desire seems harmless. But when their tryst is interrupted by attackers hunting Rygard, Kat must reveal her other form, the predator beneath the human façade.Together they embark on a dangerous mission—a race against time to meet the enemy’s demands, while trying to deny the passion between them. Rygard is faced with a terrible choice in the face of duty: Report the existence of a human turned shape-shifter. Or forget he ever met her.Status: Released July 4th from Carina PressYou can purchase Hunting Kat in eBook format at the following locations:

Carina Press

Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

You can purchase Hunting Kat in Audio book format at the following location:

Audible.com

What makes your characters so special?

There are different kinds of strength. Some of my characters are kick a$$ and wicked strong in the physical sense. Others are challenged in a physical way and their strength is the kind that comes from recovering, overcoming odds and building a new life.

Every one of my characters is tested in my stories, beyond the limits they knew they had. Every one of them is a survivor.

So, what do you write? And why?

 I write sci-fi and paranormal romance on the sweeter side. There’s something about all the possibilities and sheer fun of writing romances with science fiction elements or paranormal twists. The world building becomes every bit as much a part of the story telling as the characters are. And honestly, I love writing happy ever afters (or for nows) for my characters.

Steampunk is another love of mine. My steampunk stories are not all romance, but they all have the Victorian aesthetic particular to steampunk worlds and technology.

And then there’s urban fantasy. These stories allow me to get darker, grittier, and not centered on the romance although there may be romantic elements in them.

Writing in these various subgenres allows me to stretch my imagination and step outside my comfort zones a bit. Every new story brings a new challenge.

What would your characters say about you?

 I’m mean to my characters. Not gonna lie. I put them through hell and bring them out the other end evolved. So whatever they have to say about me, there might be a lot of cursing involved.

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

 I wouldn’t say my hobbies are dangerous…I do enjoy training in mixed martial arts. Specifically, I’ve studied Muay Thai (Thai Kickboxing), Jun Fan/Jeet Kun Do (Bruce Lee’s style of martial arts), Kali (weapons training) and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu (grappling). Fitness is very important to me and I try to keep up a healthy routine of yoga, strength training and cardio.

Also, I very much enjoy playing StarCraft II and World of Warcraft, as well as Diablo III and similar games. I’m interested in trying out Mass Effect III.

What is the hardest part of writing your books?

Continuity. Now that I’m in the second and third books of my series, it’s important to me to maintain the voices of my characters from book to book. I also want to be sure details I’ve mentioned in previous books are carried over accurately in later books in the series.

What else are you working on right now?

The draft of the second book in the Triton Experiments series is close to complete. I’m also revising the third book in the Terra’s Guardians series. Plus, there’s lots of plot bunnies for future books in both series as well as more steampunk stories in the outlining stage.

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

1. a.     Twitter: http://twitter.com/pjschnyder
2. b.     Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pjschnyder
3. c.      Website: http://pjschnyder.com
4. d.     Others: http://pjschnyder.tumblr.com/

 Thank you so much for joining us at Romance Author Hotspot, expecially last minute PJ!  You’re our saving grace

Even better for readers – PJ is offering a giveaway (ebook copy of Hunting Kat) to one randomly selected commenter!

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!

Today Robin Covington joins in the party with a guest-blog and a giveaway!

Sizzling Romance. Burning Up the Sheets . . . One Page At a Time

 Hey there! 

You know, when people learn that I write hot, steamy romance novels I often get mixed reactions.  Most are intrigued, some are unsure about how to react to that news, and many more ask questions.  Everything from, “Where do you get your ideas?” (everywhere) to “Are you going to quit the evil day job?” (I wish).  But, the most common question I get is whether the books I write are about me.

Really?

I am a forty-three year old mother of two (9 & 7 years old), a wife, attorney, girl scout volunteer, school volunteer and PTA member. Oh, and I don’t write women’s fiction.

So, the answer is no.

And that begs the question: How do I get my ideas and how do you keep it real?

One word:  Research.

Now, my research for ideas and ways to get under the skin of my characters is fun. Of course it is! Why would I do this if it wasn’t fun?  For my current novel, I got to pick the brain of my local undercover vice cop to see what my hero, Jackson, would have to do in order to be good at his job.  I read Perez Hilton to get an idea of what it must be like for the children of famous and ambitious people to live in a fishbowl – just like my heroine, Michaela. I watched episodes of “Gossip Girl.”  For other books, I’ve talked to sex phone operators (not by the minute), convicted felons, and the former assistant director for big Hollywood movies. Rough job, huh?

And, then there is my standing research into all that is young, hip and sexy. (Remember – I’m a forty three year old PTA Mom and while I am still mind-bogglingly sexy, I am not as young or as hip as I used to be.)  For that, I have a subscription to Cosmopolitan magazine which I use to stay on top of the current dating and relationship scene (Seriously more complicated than when I was out there).  And, I use Apps to stay on the cutting edge of today’s twenty-something.  One of my favorites?  Urban Dictionary.  It gives me a word-a-day, allows me to create a favorites list for future reference, and makes me laugh out loud. A recent favorite:

“Splenda Daddy:  A man who strives to be a Sugar Daddy but just doesn’t have the funds to pull it off.”

Love. That. Stay tuned, it will show up in a book sometime.

So, while the stories I write are not about me, I can dig into some fun research and learn enough to make the people and the settings believable.  But, the most important part of touching a reader with my story is the emotional truth of my characters and I have that in spades.  I have been in love. I have been heartbroken. I have been jealous and afraid.  I have given someone up because I was not the one for him and I loved him too much to stay. I have stood in the white dress and known that I was looking at “The One.”  Life has been one big research project when it comes to love. 

I’m still working on the happily ever after . . . .

This is an exciting time for me. My debut novel, A NIGHT OF SOUHERN COMFORT, from the Indulgence line at Entangled Publishing releases on June 15^th and my dream to see my work in hands of readers is finally coming true. (GIVEAWAY=>)For one commenter, I will give you a digital copy of the book when it comes out!

Thanks for stopping by Robin!  See more from her on:

Website: www.robincovingtonromance.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobinCovingtonRomanceAuthor?ref=tn_tnmn

Twitter (@RobinCovington): http://www.Twitter.com/RobinCovington

Hi all – we’re experiencing some technical difficulties, if you follow on @RomancAuthorHS we’ll let you know when everything is resolved.  In the meantime our featured author is: Betty Anne Harris!  Let’s welcome her to the party with an excerpt from her recent book:

Beyond the Point

In this much anticipated sequel to Eureka Point, the former Katie Montgomery, aka Lizzie Harrison, has now settled into a life of domestic bliss with her new FBI special agent husband, Tom Owens. With the help of her new friend and landscape designer, Abigail Grant, Lizzie has taken the plunge and started a new interior design business in the scenic, old seaport town of Eureka, California. Tom’s partner and best friend, Scott Landrew, appears to be smitten with Abby. When Tom is called out of town on business, he leaves Lizzie and Abby under Scott’s watchful eye.

Will the suspicious events that are taking place prove to be just harmless coincidences, or are they signs that the dangerous drug cartel may still be after Lizzie? Will Lizzie and Abby’s first joint assignment be the beginning of a wonderful partnership, or will Lizzie’s past put them all in danger?

Hihi!  Our fun begins this weekend with Robin Bielman.  Please welcome her and enjoy yourselves:

Starter Questions:

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

 Oh no! I, uh, am not a wine or beer drinker. BUT, I love a strawberry margarita or any other fruity cocktail.

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

 I have the biggest sweet tooth ever! I could live on cake and cupcakes. Seriously.

*squints eyes * Are you old enough to drink?

 Aww, thanks. I wish I heard that more often. J I did get carded all the time in my twenties. I even got carded once for an R-rated movie when I was like twenty-five.

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

Blurb:

 Their love was ancient history…until their paths crossed again

 Samantha Bennett put Dean Malloy out of her mind five years ago, when he broke her heart after a summer fling. But now he’s back in her life, and ready to steal a heritage protection contract that could make or break her career–if he doesn’t steal her heart first. Samantha’s vowed to hate him, but it’s more than anger heating the competition between them.

 With sparks flying across the conference table and sizzling in every touch, Dean proposes a weekend liaison. Anything to have Sam again; anything to get her out of his system. But the unresolved feelings between them complicate both their personal and professional lives, and one wild weekend could turn into a disaster that would destroy the one job that means more to Samantha than anything. For a shot at love…is it worth the risk?

 What makes your characters so special?

 Sam and Dean have never stopped loving each other. They’re both fiercely independent and driven, but once they reunite the complexities and pitfalls of their relationship fade away. They rediscover they have the forever kind of love if they’re willing to take a chance.

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

What would your characters say about you?

 They would say I’m very quiet when you first meet me, but buy me a few strawberry margaritas and I won’t shut up. Just kidding. (Sort of.) 

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

 The older I get, the less fearful I am! I’m quite dangerous in the kitchen – I bake a mean banana bread, and love to run, hike, and take my dog, Harry, for walks. Whenever I’m on vacation, I love to zipline, and skydiving and hot air ballooning are on my bucket list.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

 I’m dying to go to Europe and spend time in France and Italy because I’ve never been. I so want to see the Eiffel Tower and Amalfi Coast.

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

 This is my first sale! And yes, it’s special. I got the offer to contract Worth the Risk just before Christmas. (Best present ever!) When the email arrived, I had to read it over and over again, and then have my hubby read it, to confirm I wasn’t seeing things. Then I jumped up and down and squealed for a while, and once I got my emotions under control, I called my mom. She cried. Being with Entangled Publishing has been a wonderful experience that I hope to repeat again and again and again.

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

 My character, Dean, in Worth the Risk is pretty special to me. He’s what sparked the idea for my book. I was reading an article in Outside magazine about the Best Jobs, and when I read one about heritage protection, I knew I wanted to write a hero with that occupation. Dean is loyal, protective, approachable, and stubborn. He’s incredibly passionate about the environment. Nothing matters more to him. Until he crosses paths with Sam again.

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

 I am a total pantser! I love sitting down to write and letting my characters lead the way. Since writing Worth the Risk, though, I do briefly outline my stories, just so I have some idea of where I want to go. But that often changes—and I love when that happens! I love when my characters take me in a direction I didn’t see coming.

What else are you working on right now?

 I recently finished a second novella that features McCall, a character I introduced in Worth the Risk. I’ve paired him with the perfect girl to mess up his life – the widow of his best friend – and had a wonderful time writing it. I’m also finishing up revisions on a contemporary YA.

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

 Website:http://robinbielman.com   

Twitter:http://twitter.com/RobinBielman          

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

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

 Thank you so much for coming!

Thanks so much for having me! RAH rocks!

I’d love to give away an eBook copy of Worth the Risk. Please leave me a comment about your favorite thing to do outdoors and you’re entered.