Archive for the 'Interview' Category

Happy Birthday Carina Press!

Published on June 7, 2011 in Carina Press and Interview. 57 Comments

Hello everyone! I am thrilled to be a part of the first anniversary celebration for Carina Press. Though my books have yet to be released, I have been so impressed with every aspect of working with Carina. Congratulations Angela and all of the writers, editors and staff who have worked so very this past year to make Carina Press the success its become.

I’m thrilled to be hosting Angela and Alissa today on my blog. Don’t forget to check out the details on the free book giveaway at the bottom of this post.

*does a snoopy dance*

—

In celebration of our one year anniversary, I asked as many of our Harlequin team members and Carina Press freelance editors as possible to write a short blog post, talking about what the past year or so has been like for them, working on Carina Press. I deliberately didn’t provide any direction other than that, because I wanted to see what people came up with, in the spirit of Carina’s 1st anniversary. I was so pleased when I saw what they’d all come up with, and had to say (and some of these posts made me just a little teary)! I hope you enjoy the post, and look for your opportunity to win a Carina Press book at the bottom of this post. ~Angela James

Alissa Davis is a freelance editor for Carina Press. You can follow her on Twitter.

Bring on the Good Books

I enjoy attending conferences—meeting authors and colleagues, going to parties and workshops. I especially like sitting on editor panels—talking about books, trends, new technology, the submission process and my personal pet peeves. But then, inevitably, someone asks the editors, “What are you looking for?” And some of us squirm in our chairs. Editors get asked this all the time and we don’t always know exactly what we want—beyond a gripping plot, tight pacing, detailed world-building, realistic dialogue, good conflict, well-developed characters and a memorable voice—until we see it.

Every year I tried to come up with a few specific things I wanted to acquire, but I usually also told the authors, “I just want good books.” It was an easy answer, a stock answer. And not entirely true. I did want good books. Really, no editor wants a pile of lousy submissions! But some good books, no matter how much I believed in them, weren’t a good fit for my publisher.

It’s usually a huge thrill to find a good submission. But until I began working for Carina last year it was lousy if, for whatever reason, my house wasn’t the right publisher for that book. Sometimes the sex was too edgy, sometimes the genre hadn’t sold well for us, and sometimes the lovers were both male or both female. And then there wasn’t any getting around it. Yes, I loved the book. Yes, it was worthy of publication. And yes, I wrote the author a really nice rejection letter encouraging her to keep submitting her story until she found the right home for it. Months later when I went on Amazon and purchased the book I’d fallen in love with, I was happy for the author—and sad that I’d missed out.

But now I’m here, celebrating both Carina’s one-year anniversary and the anniversary of my ability to recommend for acquisition any good book that hits Carina’s inbox and falls within our much broader submission guidelines. And oh, does it feel great to have so much more leeway! Some of the fabulous Carina books I probably wouldn’t have been able to acquire before include Tia Nevitt’s The Sevenfold Spell, Hunter Raines’s Paradise Found,  Julie Moffett’s No One Lives Twice, and Robert Appleton’s The Mysterious Lady Law.

If you’ve got a good piece of genre fiction, send it my way! It can meet one of my specific requests for this year—epic fantasy romance, foodie romance, and an m/m romance featuring heroes who are pitted against each other professionally—or it can just be the best damn book you’ve ever written. Either way, I’d love to take a look.

Carina publishes some incredibly talented authors, and I’m proud of every book I acquire and edit. But as I look over my list of titles, the ones that make me smile the widest are the books that I loved and, finally, didn’t have to reject.

To celebrate Carina’s one year anniversary of publishing books, we’re giving away some prizes. Today, on each of the nineteen blogs our team members are featured on, we’re giving away a download of a Carina Press book to one random winner (that’s nineteen total winners!) All you need to do to be entered to win is comment on this post. You can enter to win on all nineteen posts. In addition, on the Carina Press blog, we’re giving away a grand prize of a Kobo ereader and 12 Carina Press books of the winner’s choice. Visit the Carina Press blog to enter to win, and to see links to all 19 of today’s blog posts.

And a sincere thank you from all of us, to our readers and authors, for making Carina Press’s first year a success!

Author Interview – Leah Braemel

Published on June 6, 2011 in Interview. 1 Comment

Hello blog! Yes, I know I’ve been absent for a bit, but I have had good reasons. I’m starting edits on my last novella for Carina Press, due out this fall. I’ve done a first round for No Master, and I’m hoping that will be finalized shortly.

But enough about me. That’s not why we’re here today. :D

I’ve had the great pleasure of knowing Leah Braemel for a few years now. Her books are passionate, sexy and wonderful reads. Leah has been generous enough to let me interview her today.

Thanks for coming, Leah!

What or who inspired you to first start writing?

When I was about six or seven, my sister wrote her own Star Trek episode (she was ten and had a huge crush on William Shatner – this was during the original run of the original series in the 60s, and back then we had no idea this was known as fan-fic) That’s when I realized that all the books I’d been reading had been written by someone, and that I could write down the stories that played out in my head while I was supposed to be trying to get to sleep at night. So I wrote my own story and showed it to her. That’s when I learned the concept of Critique Partners – emphasis on critique.  I kept writing those stories, but didn’t dare show it to anyone for forty years.

If you could go back in time and lay claim to any book written, which one would you want and why?

Oh that would have to be Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. I LOVE the world Tolkien created, the characters, the quest, the whole idea that he’s taken myths from our world and created his own.

When you are writing and hit a stumbling block, what do you do to try and get over the hurdle?

For some reason I have solved a lot of plot problems soaking in a bath. If that doesn’t work, I start writing an email to one of my CPs outlining the stumbling block. Usually as I’m writing out the issue, something clicks and I can solve it myself. If that doesn’t work, then I’ll IM them and we hash it out in a brainstorming session.

If you could have supper with any of your characters, which one would you choose and where would you take them?

Sam Watson from Personal Protection (and also Private Property)  He is such a larger than life character, with a natural charisma and a great sense of humor.  Where would I take him is more of an issue. I think I’d ask him to cook for me in his apartment so he could be as uninhibited as he wanted. ;)

Is there a type of story you would like to write, but are terrified you wouldn’t do a proper job? What is it and why?

I have an idea for a story set in Kingston during the 1838-39 rebellion that I started to write a few years back then stuttered to a stop because the task of getting all the details down pat was  daunting. There are so many history buffs who knows so much more than I do, I’m afraid I’d be sunk by some of the simplest details. But one day I’ll tackle it.

If someone gave you a minion tomorrow, what would be the first task you’d ask them to complete?

Clean my house!

E-books vs print books? E-readers vs. paper? Can’t we all just get along? What’s your preference?

I like them both. I’ve had a Sony Reader 505 whose battery recently died, and currently own both a Kobo and a Kindle 3; I also have bookshelves filled with print books. If there’s a book I particularly like that I bought as an ebook and it’s also available in print, I’ll buy a print copy too. And if there’s a print book I particularly like I buy an ecopy so I can take it with me when I travel for re-reads. My husband recently suggested that publishers need to start giving away an ecopy of a book with the purchase of a print copy the way some movies come with a digital copy of the movie to download onto your tablet/phone/computer. ;)

What project are you working on next?

I’m working on a series of related novellas following a bridal party. The last two manuscripts I’ve written are fairly heavy, so I’m enjoying working on something with a lot less angst.

How can readers find out more about you?

Readers can visit my website at http://LeahBraemel.com and can follow my blog there, or they can follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/LeahBraemel or on my author page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Leah-Braemel/95697551732 My blog also feeds to Goodreads and to my Amazon page as well.

Author Interview – Desiree Holt

Published on April 17, 2011 in Interview. 15 Comments

I am completely honored to have Desiree Holt on my blog today. This incredible woman has just celebrated her 100th book release, Downstroke. To celebrate, one lucky commenter will win their pick of an e-book from Desiree’s backlist.


What or who inspired you to first start writing?

I used to think it was all the mystery writers I read until I began my first mystery and couldn’t get past chapter three. Then I read a romantic suspense by Linda Howard and I was hooked. But I have to say, as my genres have changed and expanded, I owe a lot of that to Joey Hill who write incredible erotic BDSM love stories.

If you could go back in time and lay claim to any book written, which one would you want and why?

Trustee From the Tool Room by Nevile Shute. Because it’s an incredible adult fairy tale that makes you reread it over and over again.

When you are writing and hit a stumbling block, what do you do to try and get over the hurdle?

I usually work ion more than one manuscript at a time, so when I get stuck on one I can change to the other. Sometimes I just can’t hear the characters talking to me. Oh, and a good glass of wine often helps!

What was the strangest thing that ever inspired a scene/book? What was the end result?

Wow. Well, let’s see. I was having some blood work done and my doctor sent me to a specialist just to check out a couple of things. The guy was beyond sexy and I knew I had to put him in a book, so he became the hero of Downstroke< my 100th release which will be out in April. His wife says his head is too big to get through the door!

If you could have supper with any of your characters, which one would you choose and where
would you take them?

Ben Lowell in Rodeo Heat. I’d want a romantic dinner for two in a secluded villa so that we could play out some of the scenes in the book. Nothing turns me on like a hot, sweaty cowboy.

Is there a type of story you would like to write, but are terrified you wouldn’t do a proper job?
What is it and why?

I write a lot of BDSM but I’ve always been nervous about writing from the Domme point of view, afraid I wouldn’t get it right and offend someone. Delight Me, in the Ellora’s Cave 1-800-DOMHep series which I’m privileged to be in with some very talented authors, like you, is my first attempt at it. Fingers crossed.

If you could sit down with one author from any time in history, who would it be? What questions would you want to ask them?

I think Mary Stewart, strangely enough. I still reread her first release, Nine Coaches Waiting. I’d like to know what inspired her to write romance and how she came up with her plots and characters. She’s still a master as far as I’m concerned.
If someone gave you a minion tomorrow, what would be the first task you’d ask them to complete?

Bathe me. I think there are few things as sexy as being pampered in a bathtub.

E-books vs print books? E-readers vs. paper? Can’t we all just get along? What’s your preference?

Ebooks, definitely. Cost effective and I can carry 800 hundred books in a slim, purse-size instrument. Plus, I like to reread parts of books and this way I can flip around with having a ton of books to wade through.

If you were a superhero, what would your name be and what super powers would you possess?

A female superhero, of course, and my name would be Anacostia, like the river. I’d want to be able to leap buildings like Superman and deflect bullets like Wonder Woman.

What project are you working on next?

The book of my heart, which release April 11 from Ellora’s Cave, and coincidentally is my 100th release. I’ve been published since 2006 and I’m pretty psyched about this whole thing. Downstroke is the story of two people thrown together twenty years after a bitter parting. Set against the backdrop of the music industry, it’s the story of regrets, torment, suspense, and a love that’s grown into something ripe and mature, if only they can put aside the past to grab
onto it. He’s a country rock icon, she’s a private security specialist hired to protect him. Think Charlie’s Angels meet Crazyheart.

How can readers find out more about you?

Check out my web site www.desireeholt.com and my blog www.desireeeholtellsall.com.  And also on my web site you’ll find a lit of other blogs I post on. I’m easy to find. Come and visit me.

Thank you, Desiree!! And don’t forget to comment for your chance to win!!

As an added bonus, check out this kick-ass excerpt from Downstroke.

Blurb

It’s been twenty years since Charley Roper and Dallas Creed parted with great bitterness. In that time she’s made a career for herself with the FBI and private security and he’s been a country rock music icon…tumbled to the bottom and risen again. Now someone’s trying to kill him and Morgan Creed wants Charley to protect his brother
and find out who’s after him. When they meet again after all this time it’s obvious the chemistry is still there, stronger than ever. They’re older but are they wiser? Caught up in the bitter wash of memories and the tension of a killer in stalking mode, Charley and Dallas begin a roller coaster ride that is emotional erotic and suspenseful. Is their love
strong enough after twenty years to pull them back together?

Twenty years ago Dallas Creed and Charley Roper were lovers with their entire future ahead of them. Until they split. Badly. Now he’s a country rock icon who made it to the top, hit bottom but is back at the top of his game. And Charley’s the private security specialist hired to protect him from an unknown killer in stalking mode. Caught up in the
bitter wash of memories they begin a roller coaster ride that is suspenseful, emotional and erotic. Is their love strong enough to erase the past and bring them back together before the killer strikes again?

Excerpt

So here I was, waiting for my first glimpse of the man on a stage since he and his pickup band played the Raccoon Saloon all those years ago. It was time to find out if I’d actually managed to wipe Dallas Creed out of my system. If bottling up my emotions and using other men to wipe away traces and memories of him had worked at all.

The night had a magical quality to it, a perfect Texas night with stars blinking against a black velvet sky. A very soft breeze stirred the air, chasing away the last heat of the day. The sense of expectancy in the outdoor concert facility was nearly palpable.
Anticipation fairly zapped through the air like bolts of energy. I could even feel it myself, the kind of feeling you got on Christmas morning when you ran downstairs, or when you were right on the brink of the most outstanding orgasm you’d ever had. Seventy-five hundred people moved restlessly in their seats in front of me. An almost equal amount
were spread out on the rise of the hill behind me, drinking and staring at the stage with binoculars, even though at the moment there was nothing to see. They were all waiting for the same thing.

The curtain was drawn across the stage, heightening the edge of expectancy. Especially for me, much as I hated to admit it. What was behind there? What was his band like now after they’d tasted success once and were back on top with him again?

I could feel the energy sizzling through the crowd. Well, why not? If nothing else, Dallas Creed had always had an electric presence. Add in the staging, his suck-my-tongue voice and the electricity of his music and you had a knockout winner.

The soft notes of a viola floated in the air from behind the curtain, joined immediately by violins, and I wondered what the hell? Violins? Then I realized it was a synthesizer. And obviously a damn good musician coaxing music from it. The
sound that mimicked violins seemed to hold the audience in thrall, as if they were expectantly awaiting a grand moment. The music built and built as the magician behind the synthesizer added the full-throated sounds of woodwinds and the rich tones and powerful chords of an organ, swelling to a crescendo. The last note held and held and held, flowing out into the crowd, pulling at us as if to say, Wait for it, it’s coming.

Then I heard the familiar first downstroke of the rhythm guitars as they began the intro to the first song. The curtain drew back slowly to reveal the band onstage, the bass guitar and keyboards now adding their voices, the drums accenting them with a syncopated beat.

All sound ended abruptly and the crowd stilled for a breathless moment. The band launched into a rich intro to one of Dallas’ hits, an upbeat tune called Cowboys Get It Right, a song I realized the synthesizer had laid the foundation for. The spotlight came up and the man himself jogged onto the stage.

To my dismay, my traitorous heart tripped at the sight of him and an emotion I refused to name clogged my throat. Dallas Creed was definitely a lot older, forty-three to the twenty-three he’d been the last time I saw him in person. Newspaper photos had kept me up with his aging process, but no picture could do justice to the energy still
radiating from this man. The energy that had drawn me to him in the first place.

Author Interview – Kendall Grace

Published on March 8, 2011 in Interview. 1 Comment

I was lucky enough to get two kick-butt author’s lined up for interviews this week (actually I totally double booked, but Kendall is awesome and let me shift her to today (Izadork)). The very cool Kendall Grace is with me here today on my blog and has agreed to answer some of my half-baked questions.

Thanks for coming by today, Kendall. :)



What or who inspired you to first start writing?

The voices in my head :) I figured it was either start writing or entertain the real possibility that I was going crazy.

When you are writing and hit a stumbling block, what do you do to try and get over the hurdle?

I force myself to write, even if I feel blocked. I often must go back and delete some of what I’ve composed, but just the act of writing itself helps to move me past those frustrating moments.

What was the strangest thing that ever inspired a scene/book? What was the end result?

I don’t know if this is necessarily strange, but it was a small thing that turned into a work I’m very proud of. I was listening to “Sweet Home Alabama” and the idea of my current release, “Southern Exposure” came to mind. The idea of a small town in Alabama intrigued me, and when I decided to throw a NY City attorney heroine into the tiniest town possible, my book was born.

Is there a type of story you would like to write, but are terrified you wouldn’t do a proper job? What is it and why?

I have an interest in writing a ménage, as I love to read them, but I fear I wouldn’t write one well. There’s so much to keep in mind—the mechanics of the love scenes, the emotional growth of each character individually as well as how they all react to one another. It may be one of those situations where I would just have to bite the bullet and give it a try. In the meantime, I’ll just keep reading other authors’ work!

E-books vs print books? E-readers vs. paper? Can’t we all just get along? What’s your preference?

I have been a fan of eBooks for a while, as I have a huge issue with clutter. Books were overtaking everything and the idea of storing them all electronically made sense. As a writer, just having my work out there is satisfying. I don’t feel the need to be able to hold a print book in my hand. And with the way the market has begun to favor electronic books over print, I think more and more authors will begin to feel the same way. In the end, we want our stories read. If they’re read on paper or an eReader screen really shouldn’t matter.


What project are you working on next?

That would have to be projects—LOL. I often juggle a few books at once. Whether that is wise or not I can’t say, but since I’ve had two recent releases it has to be working on some level! I have a novella featuring a sexy single-engine pilot and the woman who is co-owner of the Charter Company. This is the first book I’ve written where the couple bickers. A lot. It’s very fun to write. I also have a novel-length book that features a Native American hero and a woman who escapes a bad marriage by relocating to a miniscule town in Georgia. An Apache shaman helped me with the research on this book and it is full of Native American beliefs and culture. Both of these projects are still in progress, although the novel is complete. It’s just not where I want it to be yet. Does that ever really happen, though? :) I have a few others in the works in varying stages of completion.


How can readers find out more about you?

My books are available at Ellora’s Cave. Readers can visit me at www.authorkendallgrace.com I am also on Facebook and Twitter. Those links are available on my website.

Thank you so much, Kendall for stopping by!

*does a snoopy dance*

Author Interview – Inez Kelley

Published on March 6, 2011 in Interview. 2 Comments

I’m thrilled to have the wonderfully talented Inez Kelley visiting my blog today. She’s let me pick her brain about a few things (and didn’t run away screaming) and I’m here to share them with you.

Thanks for stopping by my blog, Inez!

What or who inspired you to first start writing?

Two people. My grandmother wrote in secret. To my knowledge, she finished one story, a sweet romance. I have that manuscript and it is one of my most prize possessions. The second was an 11-year-old girl. I myself was 11 as well and asked what she was writing. I read her story and realized I wasn’t alone, other people also had weird stories and voices in their head. If she could write them down, so could I. I literally started that hour, writing in my science notebook.

If you could go back in time and lay claim to any book written, which one would you want and why?

Well I’d say Harry Potter for the royalties but then it would have been a different story. Honestly, none. I wouldn’t want someone claiming mine so I’ll give others the same respect.

When you are writing and hit a stumbling block, what do you do to try and get over the hurdle?

I have been known to stare at the same word for 3 days. I can’t plow ahead, I must fix it now before moving on. I may walk away, read or listen to music, talk it out with some Crit buddies but ultimately I push forward. Doesn’t mean I don’t have to go back and rework the scene later but at least there are words on the page TO FIX.

What was the strangest thing that ever inspired a scene/book? What was the end result?

Oh wow. *thinking* It’s weird what can inspire a story really. A fan-made video for Lord of the Rings inspired Salome at Sunrise but I don’t think that is too weird. A song can inspire a scene or a tone and often does. Sometimes it’s a comment someone makes in conversation. I think the strangest thing would have to be stepping on a Matchbox car one night. That spawned a story that kept growing. It became my freebie series and is available on my website.

If you could have supper with any of your characters, which one would you choose and where would you take them?

To date it would be John Murphy, hands down. He has entranced me since he first spoke. I think he’d feel more comfortable at a diner than anywhere so I’d order some pie and just listen.

Is there a type of story you would like to write, but are terrified you wouldn’t do a proper job? What is it and why?

*shifty eye look* You’ve been tip-toeing through my hard drive, haven’t you? I have a finished historical that I love. It’s a medieval romance heavily steeped in religious beliefs of the time and is beautiful… but it sucks. I am not ready to tell that story yet. One day maybe. I also have a YA that I *WILL* finish one day that is not a romance. I love that story but it drains me to write it.

If you could sit down with one author from any time in history, who would it be? What questions would you want to ask them?

I automatically went for Shakespeare since he created so many words that have become commonplace but then my mind threw out a stop sign. I think maybe the writers of the Old Testament. The questions there could fill a book themselves. Or maybe Bram Stoker, the father of the vampire lore.

Can’t I just have a Dead Author Party and invite them all?

If someone gave you a minion tomorrow, what would be the first task you’d ask them to complete?

LAUNDRY!!

E-books vs print books? E-readers vs. paper? Can’t we all just get along? What’s your preference?

I have both and like both and don’t want either to go away. I love the convenience of digital and the ease of having thousands of books at my fingertips. I also love the feel of a traditional book in my hands and until the powers that be make it easy to sign an ebook, more fan-friendly.

If you were a superhero, what would your name be and what super powers would you possess?

LOL uhm… damn, you ask hard questions. The Frost Queen. I want to freeze time.

What project are you working on next?

In the next month, I am finishing edits on an August release with Carina Press titled TURN IT UP. That’s a romantic comedy. I also want to get my fantasy story out the door. It needs a solid day or two for a final polish then out he goes! Currently I am working on a soooper sekrit project. *insert evil laughter* I expect that to fill my next few months.

How can readers find out more about you?

They can visit me at her website http://inezkelley.com/ Follow me on twitter at @Inez_Kelley or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/inez.kelley

Thanks so much for stopping by, Inez! And if you get that freezing time superpower, please let me know. I could certainly use your help. :)

And don’t forget to check out Inez book, Sweet As Sin at Carina Press!

Author Interview – Taige Crenshaw

Published on January 31, 2011 in Interview. 0 Comments

It’s been a while since I’ve had the pleasure of having one of my author interviews up. Well I’m breaking the ice in 2011 with the amazingly talented Taige Crenshaw! Thanks for coming over today, Taige to chat with us.

Bio

Taige Crenshaw is a multi-published author with books available at Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Liquid Silver Books, Loose Id, and Total-E-Bound. Taige has been enthralled with the written word from time she picked up her first book. It wasn’t long before she started to make up her own tales of romance. With novels set in today, in alternate dimensions, or in the future she writes with adventure, fun sassy heroine’s, and sexy hero’s. Always hard at work creating new and exciting places Taige can be found curled up with a hot novel with exciting characters when she is not creating her own. Join her in the fun, frolic, interesting people and far reaches of the world in her novels. You can find out more about Taige at her website: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com or blog: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/blog.

Power of Attraction

A woman whose destiny has been ordained from birth meets the man who has been prophesied for her–but there is more to him than meets the eye. With prophecies and legacies to fulfill, which way will she go: to a man who may be possibly her mate, or to a dark legacy that could take her life.

Thanks for being here, Taige. What or who inspired you to first start writing?

Writing has been in my blood and soul forever. For as long as I can remember I’ve always been an avid reader and a writer. When I was a child I used to make up my own stories and share them with my family and friends. As I got older I continued to write. When I went to college I started getting more information on actually writing professionally. I joined some writing organization and started to learn my craft.

If you could have supper with any of your characters, which one would you choose and where would you take them?

All of them otherwise they would be jealous. LOL.  And we would have a pot luck dinner. Everyone bring a dish. It would be so we can eat like family. Since that is what I think of them as.


If someone gave you a minion tomorrow, what would be the first task you’d ask them to complete?

Create a duplicate of me so I can write even more. LOL.

E-books vs print books? E-readers vs. paper? Can’t we all just get along? What’s your preference?

Both. There are some books I already started buying in print so I keep them that way. The same for books that I have in ebook. And there are some wonderful books in ebook that aren’t in print. And I think we all should get along. A quality story is a story no matter the format.


If you were a superhero, what would your name be and what super powers would you possess?

The ability to create stories that made peoples soul resonate. And I would be called Rhythm Maker.


What project are you working on next?

Power of Attraction, book 1 in my Blackstone Haven series releases today. Indigo Rain, book 1 in my Phoenix Intelligence Agency will be released on March 14, 2011.

I just submitted a few days ago Power of Instinct book 2 in the Blackstone Haven series. Started working on 3rd book in the Blackstone Haven series. And 2nd book in the Phoenix Intelligence Agency.  I’m working on some joint projects.  There are a few surprises I have in store for the series. I’m also self editing some books in my series that I have at various publishers. It is going to be a sizzling and busy year. LOL!

As a reader, what are some of the things that draw you to an author?

They would invoke all the emotions in me. From happiness to tears.  I love when a writer takes me to the high of happiness then the release of tears then back to that wonderful place of satisfaction of romance.

What favorite book of yours would you love to see be made into a movie? Why?

That is hard to choose.

In romance – Saving Grace by Julie Garwood

In Mystery – In Death series by JD Robb

In Paranormal -  Vampire Huntress series by LA Banks


How excited do you get when you find out a new book by your favorite author is coming out soon? What do you do?

I get hyped. Do a dance and am at door when store opens or on website refreshing obsessively. LOL!

How can readers find out more about you?

Here are some places you can find me on the web.

My Website: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/

My Blog – http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/blog

Chat Group ~ Crenshaw Café – http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crenshawcafe

To sign up for my Newsletter ~  http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/newsletterandgroups.shtml
To email me: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/contact.shtml

Satin Notes (Free Reads): http://www.satinnotes.com

Buy January 31, 2011 –  (http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1061) at Total-E-Bound.

Author Interview – Susan Helene Gottfried

Published on October 18, 2010 in Interview. 9 Comments

I have had the pleasure of knowing Susan for a few years now. And while we have never met face-to-face, I still consider her a great friend. If you haven’t read  Shape Shifters: The Demo Tapes  then you need to check them out! Trevor=awesome!

Welcome to the blog Susan.

What or who inspired you to first start writing?

No idea. I often say my need to write is a birth defect. It’s the way I’m wired. According to my mother, I wouldn’t even start talking until I could speak in paragraphs.

If you could go back in time and lay claim to any book written, which one would you want and why?

Okay, don’t laugh. The Horse Whisperer. That or TC Boyle’s East is East. Both made me cry, they were so beautifully crafted. They also made me want to write such good stuff.

When you are writing and hit a stumbling block, what do you do to try and get over the hurdle?

I actually delete the last paragraph or two. I’ve learned that when I get stuck, it’s because I’ve gone off in the wrong direction. Fixing that and getting back on track solves all.

What was the strangest thing that ever inspired a scene/book? What was the end result?

Oh, man… I couldn’t even begin to guess. I’m inspired by practically anything — much of which you can see on the Meet and Greet at West of Mars — from buying chicken to tennis shoes. I think it just depends on how open to inspiration I am at any moment.

If you could have supper with any of your characters, which one would you choose and where would you take them?

Definitely Trevor because he’s so much fun. I think I’d take him to the O — the Original Hot Dog Shop to you non-Pittsburghers — because even though I don’t think they make meatball subs, they make mean fries and dogs. And besides, I took the late Layne Staley (of Alice in Chains) there for fries one night back in… what was it? ’90? ’91? It was when Alice toured with Slayer, Anthrax, and Megadeth. Layne, my assistant at the time, and his bodyguard left the club we were hanging in and headed out for fries. I WARNED him not to order the large…

Oh, yeah. We were talking about taking someone out. Maybe I shouldn’t take Trev to the O. I clearly have some very good memories from there already.

Is there a type of story you would like to write, but are terrified you wouldn’t do a proper job? What is it and why?

Oh, pretty much any idea I get scares me. I write pretty light stuff, but I’d like to think there’s a more serious undertone going, as well. I guess I’d like to be able to write the heavier themes and do them proper justice. (Now watch, someone who’s read Trevor’s Song will say I handled the heavy stuff in there just fine.)

If you could sit down with one author from any time in history, who would it be? What questions would you want to ask them?

Ulp. No idea. None whatsoever. I think that’s partly because we have such great access to other writers these days via Facebook and Twitter.

If someone gave you a minion tomorrow, what would be the first task you’d ask them to complete?

Social networking for me! No, not Tweeting. Forums and the like. I’d love a screener, “Hey, Susan, here’s something you ought to see.” Or even, “Hey, I’m going to post your book reviews over at *this* site so they get a wider audience.”

Of course, I’d also love it if my assistant were to take some of the fiction from my blog — even though it’s available now in actual books — and put it up on Scribd for me. I’ve been meaning to get to doing that for awhile now, but I’m too swamped.

Can I have my minion do both? And if I shake it, will it glow like the one minion did in Despicable Me?

E-books vs print books? E-readers vs. paper? Can’t we all just get along? What’s your preference?

Right now, I still prefer print to e-, but that could be because I need an e-ink reader, not my iPod. Which I bought to use as an e-reader. I LOVE the idea of e-books and I fully support them. I give my own e-books away to deployed troops via Operation e-book Drop.

If you were a superhero, what would your name be and what super powers would you possess?

I’d be Super Susan, and my power would be to make all bow before me.

What project are you working on next?

I actually have a few in the works. Demo Tapes: Year 3 is the closest to completion. The Demo Tapes projects are anthologies of the fiction I’ve posted on my blog. Then I’m working on a follow-up to Trevor’s Song, and something brand new that I’m outlining. This will be the first time I’ve outlined a book. Should be interesting.

How can readers find out more about you?

http://westofmars.com — there you’ll find The Meet and Greet, my author’s blog that’s full of my fiction. You will also find Rocks ‘n Reads, my more traditional book blog, and Win a Book, my publicity blog for authors and bloggers.

I’m also on Twitter (@WestofMars) and Facebook. I have a personal page and a West of Mars fan page, which is SO under-loved, it’s not funny. Stop in and like me!

Author Interview – Stacy Deanne

Published on October 12, 2010 in Interview. 4 Comments

I love when I discover a new author. Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Stacy Deanne!

What or who inspired you to first start writing?

What inspires me is how happy writing makes me. I feel like I was put on earth to do this. I know it’s my destiny and that fuels my desire.

If you could go back in time and lay claim to any book written, which one would you want and why?

The Portrait of Dorian Gray because it’s one of my favorite novels and is so fascinating.

When you are writing and hit a stumbling block, what do you do to try and get over the hurdle?

Most times when I hit a block it’s because I’m mentally tired and don’t realize it. Sometimes I’ll take a break from a book for a few days or more and come back to it when I’ve regrouped mentally. Other times I might just be having a block with a certain scene, not writing in general. For me I’ve realized that when you come to a scene that’s hard to write you can’t force it. It means you might not need that scene after all and most times that’s right. So I end up getting over the block when I stop trying to force a scene just because I wanted it in there. Just because I want it doesn’t mean it should be.

Is there a type of story you would like to write, but are terrified you wouldn’t do a proper job? What is it and why?

I write crime fiction, mysteries and interracial romance but I’d like to tackle a historical interracial romance. I wouldn’t say I’d be terrified to but I must admit writing a historical book would intimidate me. There’s a lot of research any author has to do but you have to be very accurate to pull off a historical novel. But it would be fun to write.

If you could sit down with one author from any time in history, who would it be? What questions would you want to ask them?

Edgar Allan Poe. I’d ask him if he killed Lenore and who the heart belonged to in TellTale Heart.

E-books vs print books? E-readers vs. paper? Can’t we all just get along? What’s your preference?

I read ebooks. I hate reading print books now. The only time I’ll read print is if the book isn’t available as an ebook and I have to have it. Other than that, yes I now skip books that are only in print. I think it’s so silly how people get in arguments over ebooks and print. I see no big deal at all. The story is what should be important and not the package it’s delivered in.

If you were a superhero, what would your name be and what super powers would you possess?

My name would be “The Determinator”. I would possess the powers to give everyone self-confidence, self-respect and the drive to follow their dreams and make something of themselves.

What project are you working on next?

I’m always working on something. I have many projects already completed and some I need to edit. I’ve been concentrating on my new crime/mystery & interracial romance series. The first installment, “Giving Up The Ghost” comes out in 2011. It’s my fourth release. The main characters, Bree and Steven are detectives who appeared in my ’08 novel Melody. I have three other books done in the series as well as other unrelated projects.

How can readers find out more about you?

They can Google or check out my website: http://www.stacy-deanne.net. I am all over the next including Facebook, Goodreads and many Ning groups. Readers can send me a FB request and I’ll add them as a friend.

Last but not least I’d like to give a shout out to my wonderful new publisher, the award-winning Peace in the Storm Publishing. I am very excited to be working with them and so far having a lot of fun. I encourage readers to seek out the fascinating titles this publisher has to offer. Check out the PITS website for more info: http://www.peaceinthestormpublishing.com

Author Interview – Emily Ryan-Davis

Published on October 4, 2010 in Interview. 1 Comment

Today on the blog I am pleased to introduce you to Emily Ryan-Davis!  I took a peek at Emily’s official EC bio and the first line had me laughing.

“Emily Ryan-Davis lives in Maryland with her loving husband and hateful guinea pig.”

I want pictures of the guinea pig!!!

Welcome Emily!

What or who inspired you to first start writing?

As a kid I wanted to “be creative” – I didn’t want to be a teacher or a lawyer, I wanted to “be creative”. I tried to fake inspiration and would draw random shapes thinking if I drew enough randomness something artistic would emerge (it didn’t by the way). I was a reader, though, and I read a LOT from ages 9-17 (before I discovered online chat RPGs, where I could write with other people instead of reading by myself). Somewhere along the way I realized I couldn’t create anything that made me feel like I’d Made Something by drawing, but I could do that by writing. So I started writing. I was off and on for a long time and then I hit a stride and was just on. I don’t know that I can attribute the writing to a who or a what because when I was 13 and tried my first romance novel, I didn’t know any other writers, I just knew the books I read and I knew I wanted to “be creative”.

If you could go back in time and lay claim to any book written, which one would you want and why?

I’d like to lay claim to Orson Scott Card’s HART’S HOPE, which is one of few books I look at and think “beautiful”. The worldbuilding, the character journeys, the prose style, the language. I read HART’S HOPE and marvel at the beauty of it and wish I’d created something so lovely.

When you are writing and hit a stumbling block, what do you do to try and get over the hurdle? Depends on what my goals are at the time. If I’m nowhere close to the end of a project and don’t have deadlines of any sort, I sometimes just walk away and spend a month focusing on diet and exercise, or on reading through my library’s romance section, instead of writing.

If I’m focused on the end and I get stuck I find people who will read and brainstorm with me until I talk myself into a decision that needs to be made (my usual source of stumbling – I don’t like to commit when I know the decision I make won’t be reversible without undoing a lot of work).

What was the strangest thing that ever inspired a scene/book? What was the end result?

In 2002, I worked at a nonprofit music school. I was the daytime desk person and I was often there before students and teachers started arriving. I was usually the person available to unlock the doors and let piano movers or piano tuners inside when they needed to perform maintenance or move a piano upstairs for an upcoming recital. One such time, a team of piano movers showed up to haul a huge piano up into the gymnasium. They weren’t the regular guys. No, these guys were big, burly, tattood and a little foul-mouthed.

This happened at the end of October when I was frantically trying to find a premise for a NaNoWriMo project. The tattood foul-mouthed piano mover instantly settled in and demanded to be a character but all I could think about was him dropping his end of the piano and finding a fairy princess inside.

Even for me, that premise was a little outlandish. I couldn’t figure out how to make it work in terms of an adult relationship. I kept picturing the fairy princess as some young little girl and kept thinking of her as Thumbelina—but what the heck was Thumbelina doing inside a piano? I had no idea what to do. I put it all aside until four years later I named the foul-mouthed piano mover (Francis Ryan O’Grady, in case you’re wondering) and realized his initials spelled FROG. So…maybe I wasn’t so far off on the Thumbelina angle.

Anyway, to make a long story short (and it is short, coming in at about 6k), I wrote a paragraph of “Changing Thumbelina” and entered it in a Nathan Bransford blog contest. The paragraph won first place and a year later I got around to actually writing the whole short story – which is available at Freya’s Bower, by the way. So, that’s the end result.

If I had more time and “what’s the SECOND strangest thing” question, I’d tell you about the result of a hope chest, a licorice whip and a shapeshifter… but hopefully you’ll be able to read that result yourself later this year.

If you could have supper with any of your characters, which one would you choose and where would you take them?

I’d like to have supper with Rory, the hero in a gothic romance I’ve been playing with for YEARS now. I’d probably just take him to the nearest inn for dinner because restaurants weren’t quite the thing in his time period, and I’d spend my time staring at him and demanding to know why he picked me.

Is there a type of story you would like to write, but are terrified you wouldn’t do a proper job? What is it and why?

I’m…not really? I used to think I couldn’t write futuristic at all but I’m slowly learning I can. I’m up for a challenge when it comes to “type of story” and I get a small ego-kick out of being able to say “Hey, I can write gothic AND futuristic! Look how diverse I am!” I would like to write a steampunk romance and I might some day if the current batch coming out doesn’t turn out the way I want it to (lots of steampunky broody heroes, lots of hot steam-powered-toy friskiness), but I’m not going to anytime soon – not really out of fear but because I’ve decided I need a genre that I can just read to enjoy instead of reading to write.

If you could sit down with one author from any time in history, who would it be? What questions would you want to ask them?

I’m not sure. I don’t exactly identify with the author, I identify with the characters written by the author. Right now I’m completely hung up on the secondary characters in Elizabeth Hoyt’s latest release so I’d probably pick her and sit her down to grill her for answers about her heroine Temperance’s brothers (I sure hope they get books). Or maybe I’d glue myself to Carolyn Jewel and ask her to tell me more about Xia’s childhood. I love Xia.

If someone gave you a minion tomorrow, what would be the first task you’d ask them to complete?

I’d tell my minion to revise the three full-length novels I have growing mold out of neglect. I’m a very word-stingy writer who would rather throw it out and write something new than delete words already written and write them again on a very large scale. (The second task would probably involve cooking all my meals for me.)

E-books vs print books? E-readers vs. paper? Can’t we all just get along? What’s your preference?

I read both ebooks and print books and in some cases I read print books as digital files. I’m still on the fence about the usefulness of an e-reader to me because in general I don’t mind reading on the computer. I have a netbook so I can take files with me to bed as long as they’re PDF or HTML (my netbook is Linux and if any of you out there have the ear of digital reader software developers will you ask them to create a version of Adobe Digital Editions for Linux? Thanks).

I will be honest and say I buy fewer print books than I used to. This is primarily because I no longer want to keep every book I ever read (my tastes have refined a little in my old age) and an ebook I don’t want to keep or reread is much easier to store than a paper book. If I read an ebook I absolutely must own in print (BITING NIXIE by Mary Hughes, in case anybody wants a title of a recent read-in-e, bought-in-print). Aside from authors I know personally, I do most of my print-book reading via the library. I have an awesome library system.

If you were a superhero, what would your name be and what super powers would you possess? My name would be, um…Whimsical Writer Woman and my super powers would be creating a dirty story out of random blips of inspiration, like the Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme.

What project are you working on next?

Next (and by “next” I’m talking at least another month from now because I have a few things going on in progress right now) I’m probably going to return to my sort-of futuristic working-titled “fauxgyptian”. Or I might let the m/f/m stepcest Marine story hold my attention after all.

How can readers find out more about you?

Hmm. Well, I’m not much of a blogger but I do like to e-mail. Readers can always just pull up an email message and write to say hey. Or they can poke around on the site I share with my friend, critique partner and sometimes-coauthor Elise Logan. That site is called Scorched Sheets and it’s at http://www.scorchedsheets.com. Probably the very best way to find out more about me is to read my stuff. I always tell people the excitement happens inside my head, not outside it, so I think the kinds of stories I write at any given time say more about me than just about anything besides sitting down and having a conversation with me. I’m all for having a conversation, though!

Author Interview – Rhian Cahill

Published on September 27, 2010 in Interview. 2 Comments

I met Rhian at my first RWA conference in 2008. We had a great chat before a session and it felt like we’d known each other for a long time rather than a few minutes. I’m thrilled to see her publishing credentials growing like crazy since then. Please make her feel welcome today on the blog!

Thanks for joining me here today, Rhian! Let’s get started with my first question. What or who inspired you to first start writing?

Tough question to answer. I’m not sure one thing can be pointed at, I’ve always written but I think I’d have to say Nora Roberts and Heather Graham were the two authors that made me think about pursuing publication.

If you could go back in time and lay claim to any book written, which one would you want and why?

I can’t think of any. I’d just like to be able to claim my own books as great ones that others would like to have written. *grin*

When you are writing and hit a stumbling block, what do you do to try and get over the hurdle?

I tend not to hit too many stumbling blocks because Mr. Muse likes to write a number of wip’s at once. He on the other hand just moves off to a different story if the characters aren’t behaving.


What was the strangest thing that ever inspired a scene/book? What was the end result?

My book Coyote Wild came about after we took a family holiday in the US. We were traveling through Yosemite National Park and this scene just popped into my head. Of course I didn’t realize at the time that the guy was a coyote shifter. lol

If you could have supper with any of your characters, which one would you choose and where would you take them?

Brogan (Coyote Wild) & Saxon (Singapore Fling). Bed.


Is there a type of story you would like to write, but are terrified you wouldn’t do a proper job? What is it and why?

I have an idea about a woman recovering from cancer, I’ve even written some of it and got lots of notes but what scares me is I’m not sure if this is a HEA and I love those. I usually don’t read books that don’t deliver a HEA or at least a HFN.


If you could sit down with one author from any time in history, who would it be?

What questions would you want to ask them? Nora Roberts. I don’t have any questions in mind, I’d just love to sit and chat.

If someone gave you a minion tomorrow, what would be the first task you’d ask them to complete?

Clean the bathrooms. God I hate bathrooms!

E-books vs print books? E-readers vs. paper? Can’t we all just get along? What’s your preference?

I love the immediacy of ebooks but I also like print books on my bookshelves (just ask my Hubby) so I can’t say I prefer one over the other. Here in Australia we pay high prices for print books and our selections aren’t always the best so ebooks work for me there.

If you were a superhero, what would your name be and what super powers would you possess?

I’m not sure I’d want that kind of pressure. Imagine all the people wanting you to perform. Then again a secret identity wouldn’t be bad….

What project are you working on next?

A hot contemporary romance, a hot contemporary ménage, the third Coyote Hunger book and edits on a hot contemporary quickie. Yeah, blame Mr. Muse. *grin*

How can readers find out more about you?

Head over to my website www.rhiancahill.com I also hang out at two group blogs. www.downunderdivas.wordpress.com &  www.internationalheat.wordpress.com There’s also my twitter http://twitter.com/RhianCahill and facebook  http://www.facebook.com/rhian.cahill Oh, and if you want to chat I can be found in the Heat Wave Reader group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Heat_Wave_Readers/

Authors are readers too! What are some of the things that draw you to an author?

If I’ve read their work and loved it I’ll go hunt up all their other releases. If I’ve never read them before it’s the book cover and blurb. I rarely read excerpts though.


What favorite book of yours would you love to see be made into a movie? Why?

This is a tough one. Movies rarely do justice to a book so I’ll have to pass on this. I don’t want some director screwing up the way I feel about a story.


If you could ask your favorite author to do something for you, what would it be?

Keep writing. Write faster. *grin*

If you could have supper with any character, which one would you choose and where would you take them?

You know there are soooo many. Do I have to pick just one?

What story/character ideas would you like to see authors write more?

I love contemporary, paranormal and suspense but you know I think as long as it’s got a HEA or HFN I’m good with whatever, just keep writing good stories.

What story types/characters are you sick to death of seeing? I hate, HATE women who wait for a man to rescue them. I like my heroines to be tough enough to make it on their own but smart enough to accept a good man by their side.


How excited do you get when you find out a new book by your favorite author is coming out soon? What do you do?

If it’s an ebook I’m refreshing the book page continuously until it goes live and if it’s print I make sure my local bookshop is getting it in and holding a copy for me. *hangs head* I’ve also been known to send emails nagging authors for a particular story I’m waiting on. lol

OMG if I see another author promo of _____ I’m going to scream! Why?

I’m okay with most forms of promo but I really hate it when an author belongs to a group or twitter or facebook and does nothing but promo. I like to interact with authors whenever possible and the more open they are to their readers the more likely I am to keep buying their books.

Thank you for coming out today and spending time with me.