Romance Author Hotspot

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

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

First Questions:

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

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

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

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

Releases on Saturday!

Blurb: ‘Tweet’

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

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

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

What makes your characters so special?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Website: www.boonebrux.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/boonebrux

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BooneBruxAuthor

Thank you so much for coming!

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

First Questions:

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

Wine

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

Chips

*squints eyes * Are you old enough to drink?

Only just…. <grin>

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

Blurb:

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

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

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

What makes your characters so special?

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

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

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

 Why did you want to become an author?

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

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

What would your characters say about you?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Life is busy.

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

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

I love sprinting in chat rooms with fellow authors.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?

Write from the heart and write what you love.

Write every day even if it is only 100 words.

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

What else are you working on right now?

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

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

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

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

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

Website: http://annieseatonromance.com

Twitter:  annieseaton26

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

Other: http://annieseaton.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for coming!

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

Tell me if you would like to win

Winter of the Passion Flower

Or Holiday Affair.

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

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

First Questions:

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

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

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

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

*squints eyes * Are you old enough to drink?

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

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

Blurb: Her instincts tell her he’s dangerous…

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

His powers of persuasion are impossible to resist…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Website: http://www.terryspear.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear

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

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

Thank you so much for coming!

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

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

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

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

 First Questions:

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

Dark Beer, please.

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

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

*squints eyes * Are you old enough to drink?

Way old enough!

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

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

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

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

What makes your characters so special?

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

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

What would your characters say about you?

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

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

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

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

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

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

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

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

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

What else are you working on right now?

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

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

Website: www.alexabourne.com

Twitter: @AlexaBourne

Facebook: http://facebook.com/AuthorAlexaBourne

Other: http://alexabourne.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for coming!

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

Today Kacey Hammell swings by for a visit, a chat, and a GIVEAWAY!

Protection. Adventure. Love.

Boys will be boys. Big brothers will always be big brothers (obviously!!) and they’ll always be the biggest pain in the butt! Recently, things have shaken up in my house…

My big brother recently said to me (after his girlfriend read Sinful) … “What the **** Why Romance Books?”  I can’t have my friends know you write that stuff!

My brother doesn’t think I should be writing such things! He jests of course, but is a tad serious as some of his pal’s wives/girlfriends are reading my stories now too. So I have to say to him, Romance makes the world go round. You know, true love, romance, love at first sight. He shakes his head and his girlfriend and I give him the evil eye.  Romance isn’t just for women we tell him, but he doesn’t understand why a woman would flip through pages to read two people having sex. Okay, in my brother’s defense…no, he really doesn’t have one to be honest. LOL  The man lives in the ice age, I swear!

Unless it’s a hunting, hockey or sports issue magazine, I don’t think I’ve ever seen my big brother pick up a book. Oh, ‘cuse me, the telephone book as he searches for places to get hunting, fishing, hockey equipment. *eye roll*

Men do read romance, I know they do, and I know quite a few that write it. My husband doesn’t read it, mind you, unless I force him to read a scene for me (which he grumbles about), so I know my brother isn’t alone in his shock and dismay that romance is a hot genre. I think he’s shocked to know his little sister – whom he would protect tirelessly from boys – writes spicy and explicit romances!  But hey, a girl has to grow up and find her own path, right?

I will say this though, and in my big brother’s round about way of telling me he’s proud…he said, “Well when all your stories go into print, I’ll buy multiples of every one and sell them at work for ya.”  Awww, big brother does care! LOL

So readers, do the men in your lives read romance? Do they get you to read passages of hot, sexy stories out loud to them? Would you you’re your husband/significant other to read romances and maybe *gasp* learn something! LOL

I’d love to know what you think!

Interested in the Giveaway?  Kacey’s offering up the choice of an e-copy of either “Sinful” or “Last Man Standing” to a randomly selected commenter below!  Join in the party before 11:59 EST on Thursday the 5th for your chance to win.

If you enjoyed Kacey’s blog please follow her!  Facebook, Twitter, Website/Blog

Meet Fantasia Frog Designs!

Let the games begin! Starting the month of October, there’ll be guest appearances from fabulous authors all over. Stay tuned. Stay alert.

The excitement is yet to begin!

Coming soon! Be prepared!