Happy Birthday Lex Valentine and Happy Halloween Everyone

Today our very special guest is author Lex Valentine because it's her birthday!  Hope it's a great one!

1).  Tell us your latest news?

October is a busy month for me. It’s my birthday on Halloween so I’ve got two contests going where readers can win an autographed copy of each of my print books! (Info on the news page at my website.) I’m also being interviewed a couple of places, and am guest blogging in a couple of places. I have three releases this month: Rousing Caine, a M/M ghost story in the Love Me Dead anthology from MLR Press, Ain’t Nuthin’ But a Hellhound, a dark tale in the Weirdly 3 anthology from Wild Child Publishing, and the print version of Fire Season!

The print book is especially exciting because Fire Season was recently nominated for a Rainbow Award and its hero, Holden Antaeus, won The Romance Studio’s Summer Hero contest.   

2).  When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve been writing since I was a child. However, this journey to being a published author began just over a year ago when this amazing author named Jennifer Leeland began commenting on my blog Sunlight Sucks. She thought I was good enough to be subbing my work to publishers. She said it so much I started to think maybe I could try this… so I did. I started subbing manuscripts in late August 2008 and got my first contract October 30, 2008.

3).  What are your current projects?

I’m working on Book 4 of the Tales of the Darkworld series. Ride the Lightning is Emily and Vahid’s story. Anyone who read Fire Season knows there was something brewing between those two secondary characters during the retreat. Now, you get to find out exactly what happened between them. I also have a couple of sequels planned for last year’s free Christmas story Christmas Hookup. One is a M/M short story called Christmas Catch. The other short story is M/F, entitled Christmas in Hell. I’m also contemplating a short Antaeus Christmas story, a freebie, and I’m about to polish the first 1K words of Bad Choices, a WIP I entered in Loose Id’s Hook contest. I just made the Top Twenty so I need to be ready in case I make it to the Top Ten.

4).  Tell us a little about all the other projects you have in the works. I understand you are also an artist.

I do book covers, website graphics, and book trailers on the side. Working in Photoshop is relaxing and lets my brain sort of drift from idea to idea as I work so I think a lot about my stories when I’m creating graphics. At the moment, I need to finish trailers for Renee Wildes’ Lycan Tides, Mina Carter’s Playing With Fyre, and put one together for Rousing Caine. I’m also working on a website for author Tess MacKall. Tess has a very southern, sultry way of writing so I had to make sure I captured that in her website graphics.

5).  Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Finding the time to write! LOL I’m the sole IT person at work so I get called at night and on the weekends a lot and I don’t get to take much vacation time. I think I have more than 180 hours on the books. LOL And it’s hard to shift gears and get in the mood to write when you’re exhausted.

As far as the craft itself goes, I’m not perfect but I’m told I write very clean. I do know that I tell more than I show so I almost always have to run a self-edit over a manuscript before it can be sent to a publisher. I’m also the queen of dropped words. I leave out a lot of the smaller words. My brain goes faster than my fingers.

6). Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

It’s truly hard to choose just one author as my favorite. I like so many authors for so many different reasons. I can say that I am especially addicted to Julia Quinn’s work. The sexual tension, the humor, the emotion she weaves into each story never fails to capture me. I love a perfectly written Regency and she just does it for me. Hits all my hot buttons and then some.

7).  When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I don’t think I ever came to that realization. I think it was just always in me to write. I don’t remember ever consciously sitting down and saying, “This is what I want to do.” It’s always just been something I did from the time I was very young. I started making up little stories and poems in probably 2^nd or 3^rd grade.

8).  How long does it take you to write a book?

It depends on real life truthfully. It seems like each of my stories has taken a different length of time to complete for different reasons. For a novel length manuscript, I try to give myself 6 weeks to complete it. I’ve been known to do a 7-10K short in a day. A 20-30K novella is generally 2-4 weeks.

9).  What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I’m not disciplined in the sense that I write X number of words daily or weekly. My writing “schedule” is dictated by my deadlines and the job that pays my bills. I can be very single minded, focused and well, driven, when I’m on deadline. I’ve been known to stay chained to my desk for three days, only getting up for food, drink, or a potty break… while turning out 7-10K a day.  Normally, though, I write on the weekends and sometimes a little after work or during lunch breaks. The bulk of my writing is done in Word Wars on the weekend with a group of Cobblestone authors. They let me in before I even got a contract from Cobb. LOL

10).  I understand you work in an interesting place?
I work at the largest privately owned cemetery in my county, which is interesting to me but not to everyone. A lot of people are frightened by the cemetery and uneasy being around the dead. I love the history. Our main mausoleum was built in 1911 so it’s almost 100 years old and it’s a gorgeous structure inside and out made with granites and marbles from all over the world.
11).  What do you want to know about the future?
I’d like to know that my daughter will be okay and have a good life. I’m not much to dwell on what’s far in the future and out of my control.
12).  Are you a morning person or a night person?
By nature I’m nocturnal, but I’ve had to learn to function well in the morning because I work 7:30am-5 pm.
13).  Do you like thunderstorms?
I like cooler weather. I’m from NoCal so I’m not a fan of the heat. Storms, rain, wind, lightning, etc don’t bother me at all and I love watching the elements when they are severe. Mother Nature can be breathtaking.
14).  What is the best way for readers to contact you?  Email, myspace, twitter,
etc?
Email works well. Also comments on my personal blog at sunlightsucks.com or the blog on my author website at lexvalentine.com. I don’t get on Twitter as much as I used to. Probably burned myself out by starting up an account for Lex that is separate from my personal Twitter account that I’ve had for a couple of years now. LOL
15).  Anything you would like to add?
I hope everyone has a great Halloween! Have a drink for me. It IS my birthday after all! Thanks for having me here today! It’s been a lot of fun.

Please Help Us Welcome B.J. McCall

1) First, could you start by telling us what you are currently working on for publication and/or about your current release?

In October I will have two paranormal ebooks released. Embrace Forever is a futuristic tale about Jastra, a condemned female who is sentenced to life as a sex slave on the vampire prison planet of Draco, and her vampire master, Dauthus.
Embrace Forever will be published by Ellora’s Cave. Heartfire is the futuristic love story between a vampire who saves a shape-shifter, female dragon from the auction block. Changeling Press is the publisher of Heartfire.

December brings a Christmas werewolf tale titled Canine Call. The ebook will be part of the multi-author, short paranormal series, Holiday Howlz published by Changeling Press.

2) Could you please tell us a little about yourself?

Born in West Virginia, I live on the beautiful Central Coast of California. I’m an avid reader of all genres and have recently taken up the hobby of stargazing. I love the Central Coast’s mild weather and enjoy taking long walks. Daily I walk to the shore, looking for dolphins, whales, otters and sea lions.

I am multi-published in paranormal, sci-fi and contemporary genres, both in ebook and print. I currently write for four publishers: Ellora’s Cave, Changeling Press, Red Sage and Cobblestone Press.

3) Give us a sneak peak into your current release

My most recent release was Dark Obsession, the third story in my sci-fi Cosmic Cops series. Cosmic Cops is the nickname for the Galactic Enforcement Agency and the officers of the GEA don’t like it, but they have to live with it. The three stories in the series are about different members of the GEA.

Book One, Dark Ecstasy is Captain Isabet Renard’s story and Book Two, Dark Pleasures is about Lt. Sada Prentiss.

In Dark Obsession my Cosmic Cop is Captain Riva Vix.

Paradise Resort on Solis 6 is neutral terrain for Cosmic Cop, Riva Vix and professional thief, Landis Eden. For Riva, Landis is a dark obsession and she has one hard and fast rule, Landis can’t operate in her territory, Ryel.

Landis loves Riva and he wants more than a few stolen hours in Paradise. When the Galactic Intelligence Agency offers Landis a full pardon if he will steal a formula, Landis jumps at the chance to end his life of crime. But freedom comes with a perilous price. The operation is covert and the target is in Ryel.

All three books are available from Changeling Press and Fictionwise.

4) Tell us about your writing process. Do you outline or just start writing?

Often, I write a synopsis, but sometimes I just start writing to get the scene or the first chapter down while the idea is fresh. I may not get back to the story for days or weeks, but the genesis for the story is there.

I try to write daily and at times I will have several works-in-progress. Deadlines do dictate my writing schedule.


5) What genre is your favorite to write? Read?

I really enjoy writing paranormal and sci-fi with heroes and heroines who are vampires, werewolves, angels and warriors. I’ve often mixed paranormal and sci-fi together, creating vampire planets, shape-shifter warriors and celestial warriors.

I also love cop stories and have written both contemporary and futuristic cop heroes/heroines.

6) Favorite authors?

I enjoy a variety of genres and authors. I read Anne Stuart, Linda Howard, Janet Evanovich, and Tami Hoag. Has anyone not read at least one Nora Roberts?

Recent authors on the national scene and two of my very favorites are Angela Knight and Kate Douglas. Both are wonderful writers.

I read Michael Creighton, James Patterson, Vince Flynn and Dan Brown.

A dear friend, Emily Brightwell writes Victorian murder mysteries. I love all her books.

7) Is there a genre you haven't written, but would love to tackle in the future?

I’ve dipped my toe into magic in Knight’s Emerald and into urban fantasy, Earthly Pleasures, Jewels of the Nile I. The genres are exciting and I plan to write more warrior stories. I love the classic clash between good and evil.

8) What influenced you to submit your work for publication?

I had always wanted to write, but receiving a phone call from a high school friend inspired me. I hadn’t spoken to my friend in some time and her call telling me she’d written a romance novel and was soon to be published challenged me to starting writing the first chapter. After finishing that unpublished book, I was hooked.
I was rejected many times and sold my first story, Undercover Love, to Secrets, published by Red Sage. Ever so often I have an editor reject a story, but I revise and resubmit. Writing demands perseverance.

9) What gets you in the writing mood? Music, reading, etc.


Reading a good book inspires me to pick up my laptop and get back to work.

I love to write when it’s quiet and there aren’t any distractions. I do my best work when I am alone and the TV, etc. is off. I think my desire for quiet evolved from habits began in my early days of writing. I had a day job and I got up at 4AM to write for two to three hours before going to work. Over the years I have learned to cope with noise, but I love having the house to myself.

10) Any advice you want to give aspiring writers?

Just do it! If you want to write you must get the ideas out of your head and onto the page. Write a complete story, length does not matter, but write the beginning, the middle and an ending. Don’t stop at two or three chapters. Finish the book and you will learn from the experience.

Take classes, get critique partners, and enter contests. You need people to tell you what doesn’t work in your manuscript.

I like having my books reviewed and I appreciate the criticism as well as the praise.

Today We Welcome Sydney Somers to Mistress Bella

1).  Tell us your latest news?

A few ago, the first book in my Pendragon Gargoyles series, Primal Hunger, released from Samhain Publishing. Since the blurb does the best job of summing up what it’s about, here it is:

When the sun goes down, passion is unleashed. 

Kennedy Beaumont loves her bartending job, even if her spirited nature sometimes gets her in trouble. Like threatening to hose down one of Pendragon’s co-owners. When it comes to Tristan, she could use a good hosing down, herself—maybe it’ll help her stop casting him as the star in her wickedest dreams. Since he goes out of his way to avoid her, it ought to be easy to put him out of her head—until he reluctantly offers her a ride home.

Gargoyle shape-shifter Tristan Callaghan hasn’t had time for anything other than recovering the mystical dagger that was used to permanently lock his brother in a prison of stone. The cat inside him should have stopped craving Kennedy’s touch long ago, but now that she’s sitting next to him in his car, his very human need for her is sharper than ever.

The distraction is costly. In a split second, Kennedy finds herself thrust into a dangerous, millennia-old hunt for Excalibur. A hunt that marks her for death—and leaves Tristan with a painful choice—sacrifice his family, his quest…or the one woman meant to be his.

2).  When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve long had a love of writing, but didn’t get really serious about it until my first son was born seven years ago. Until then I’d spent months on end rewriting the first five chapters of my first book. We won’t talk about just how months that was. J But it’s strange how it took having less “me” time after he was born to make me really grab a hold of my dream of being published with both hands.

3). What books have most influenced your life most?

To Kill a Mockingbird is definitely one that has stayed with me a long time. In the romance world, I’d have to say a lot of Judith McNaught’s books made an impression in my early days of romance reading. I knew I’d loved writing before that, but not too long after my mother gave me Perfect to read, I decided that it was writing romance that made me happiest. Not too long after that I powered through Karen Robards backlist and realized how much I love suspense woven into a story, which I usually find ways to incorporate into most of my books.

4).  What are your current projects?

At the moment I’m working on the next books in my Pendragon Gargoyles and Shadow Destroyer series, and trying really hard not to give in yet to the covert operators series that has been brewing in the back of my head for months.

5).  Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Um, all of it? Writing in general is hard. Really hard, and it doesn’t get ant easier. I remember reading about how you have to really love it when I first started out, absorbing any article on writing I could get my hands on. But I never remember anyone saying, it’s always going to be this hard. Thankfully there are lots of really awesome days where the words just flow effortlessly and I’m so grateful that I get to spend my days writing, that the hard stuff isn’t so bad.

6). Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Does anyone really have “a” favorite author? LOL One of mine would be Kresley Cole because she always tells a highly entertaining story. I know every time I pick up one of her books, I’m in for a good time. Another favorite is Tara Janzen. One of the things about her writing is how easily she takes you right into a character’s head. Susan Elizabeth Phillips is another one because her books always make me laugh.

7).  When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I remember loving writing very early on and was particularly proud of the first suspense/mystery story I wrote in elementary school, Jenny and the Glowing Green Mittens. Guess I was a fan of the paranormal even earlier on than I realized. J In high school I started writing my first novel, a young adult book about a group of teens and a murderer in the south Pacific. Never quite got around to finishing that one as I started thinking about journalism as a career. But it didn’t take me long to realize that straight fact reporting didn’t give me the creative high I got from building my own worlds and putting my characters through the wringer. J   

8).  How long does it take you to write a book?

Novellas tend to take me one to two months when I’m on schedule (and having a baby can really throw that out of whack) and longer ones can take me 2-4 months or so.

9).  What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

Having three kids and a husband who keeps me on my toes, I’ve learned to be really flexible when it comes to my writing time. I used to write only at nights, but once my boys started school (which means really early mornings) and the baby came along (which means up a lot at night) I can’t stay up as late working as I used to. I tend to work in an hour of writing in the morning and another after lunch. Then a couple more when the kids are in bed. It’s the most balanced schedule I’ve been able to work out, even though there are plenty of days when it doesn’t work out that way at all.
10).  Do you have any strange handwriting habits, like capitalizing all your “r”s or
dotting your “I”s with heart (or anything like that)?
Not really, though when I’m writing by hand, you can always tell the days the words are coming fast and furious by how it gets increasingly harder to read when I’m typing it all up later.
11). What do you want to know about the future?
How far into the future are we talking? J I’d like to know that my kids are going to be healthy and happy. Thinking a lot further ahead, I’d love to know when the human race will start colonizing the universe and exploring space.
12).  Are you a morning person or a night person?
Mostly a morning person. I don’t require four cups of coffee before I feel half awake anyway. Though a morning without peanut butter can seriously screw with my head. J
13).  Do you like thunderstorms?
Definitely. Especially when I’m at our family’s summer camp on the river. Nothing like sitting out on the covered porch at night, watching the rain come down in drenching sheets with flashes of lightning streaking across the sky and booming thunder.
14).  What is the best way for readers to contact you?  Email, myspace, twitter, etc?
E-mail is usually the best to get in touch with me directly (sydney@sydneysomers.com) though I’m also on Myspace http://www.myspace.com/sydneysomers and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/sydneysomers . The best place to find out more information about my books would definitely be my website. http://www.sydneysomers.com
15).  Anything you would like to add?
Thanks for taking the time to interview me, Sky. It’s been fun. 

Thank you for sharing with us Sydney!  I'm sure everyone enjoyed it, and I love your book cover, it's exceptionally cool!

And here's... April Dawn

1).  Tell us your latest news?

Crushing Desire, my first historical novel is being released through Breathless Press. Expected release date Dec/2009. Bound by Love should be released soon after that.

2).  When and why did you begin writing?

Well, I’ve had stories in my head as long as I can remember, but I started writing romance when I was about fifteen. It was hard to get romance novels at that age because I had to sneak them from my sister, who snuck them from who knows where. When my supply ran low, I would make up my own stories on my computer.  It was a sort of placation for my romance novel starved mind I guess.

3).  What books have most influenced your life?

Well, I love Stephen King’s On Writing. He is very funny, and that was probably the only book on writing I have ever been eager and actually able to finish. I also love Little Women. That book inspired my love of historical romance as much as the novels I read as a girl.

4).  What are your current projects?

I am currently working on a number of novels. I have a pirate novel which is complete, and I’m looking for an agent to represent it. Also, I have a pair of novels about two sisters whose lives split in very different directions which I am close to completing.

5).  Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Editing… I have learned a lot about editing, and while I am grateful for any opportunity to learn and improve my writing, I have a terrible time with the length of the repetitive editing process. You edit it for yourself, then you alter it with your critique partners and personal readers, then you revise it for your editors. It is a lengthy, though extremely important, process.

6). Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

While I love many of the romance writers available today, I have to return to Stephen King. He has shown a great handle on flow, humor, and plot. Three things which are essential to a story.

7).  When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Well, I’ve always written. I get rather morose if I go too long without writing. The stories and characters are a part of me. I have had two novels completed for nearly five years now, both of which had been read only by one or two friends that asked to read them. I decided to share my writing about five months ago. I polished my manuscripts, and sent them off to publishers. Now that my first two novels are being published, I hope that you will all enjoy sharing the characters’ lives as much as I enjoyed it.

8).  How long does it take you to write a book?

I wrote Crushing Desire for National Novel Writing Month, but there are novels that I have had on the back burner for years now. It depends on how much I work on the particular story.

9).  What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I spend a lot of time working when I am inspired, and a lot of time on twitter when I am not inspired. I always have to make time for my son, who is one year old, and of course, my hubby gets some alone time after my son goes off to bed.

10).  Do you have any strange handwriting habits, like capitalizing all your “r”s or dotting your “I”s with heart (or anything like that)?
I can write just as well with my left as I can with my right because I’m ambidextrous. Of course, I have terrible handwriting so that isn’t saying much.

11).  What do you want to know about the future?
Which will finally win: Pepsi, or Coke? I’m telling you, it keeps me up at night.

12).  Are you a morning person or a night person?
I’m a morning person. Most of my best work is done in the quiet before my husband and son are up for the day and asking for breakfast and a diaper change consecutively.
13) Do you like thunderstorms?
I like them as long as I’m not in them. The lightening, from a distance, can be truly beautiful as it shoots across the sky.

14).  What is the best way for readers to contact you?  Email, myspace, twitter, etc?
Well, there are a number of ways that readers can get me. I have an email address aprildawnbooks@ymail.com Join my website for exclusives, and email blasts. http://aprildawnbooks.com You can also join me on twitter, myspace, or facebook by searching for aprildawnbooks. I have a number of other profiles on sites like goodreads.com, an excellent site for readers and authors alike.
 Here's a Link to April's trailer Here is the link for the trailer for Crushing Desire. Thanks - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHwRZPCUgP0



15).  Anything you would like to add?
2459 + 3345 = 5804
Thanks, I’ve been dying to do that.

Today's Special Guest is Shiela Stewart

1).  Tell us your latest news?

After waiting months and several publishers later I am happy to announce the release of the seventh book in my Darkness Series, Consuming the Darkness. I’ve had a rough 10 months with the publisher I was with selling to another publisher who then cancelled the line. I then took my books to another publisher who turned out to be nothing of what they claimed and so once again I was on the search for a place for my books. I was lucky to find Breathless Press and they were kind enough to take on all of my books. J Consuming the Darkness was supposed to be released in early spring but with all the transfers and sell outs it sat in my folders patiently waiting for its debut.

2).  When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve been writing all my life. As a child I would make up stories for friends and family and then as I grew, I began to write in note books, releasing all the tales that cluttered my brain. I often used writing as a release from stress, upset, and a means of escape.

3).  What books have most influenced your life most?

There aren’t any particular books that have influenced me but more so authors. In my teens and early adulthood I read a lot of V.C. Andrews books. I would say that was the start to my love of romance. I also read Stephen King books and the inner suspense writer in me immerged. But it was the style of Nora Roberts writing that spurred me to look into becoming a published author.

4).  What are your current projects?

I have two on the go right now. I’m working on a book that is the beginning of a series. The demon series was written several years ago but wasn't publish quality. I’ve been rewriting it and I’m hoping to submit it to publishers this winter. The series is a look into three generations of demons with the patriarch being related to Satan himself.  Awaken the Demon is about a young woman, running from an abusive relationship and into the arms of a demon. Little does she know, she too is a demon and Satan wants her soul.

5).  Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I hate research. LOL If I didn’t have to ever research anything I would be a happy woman. But that’s not possible so I plug through it.

6). Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

As I stated above, Nora Roberts was the one that encouraged me to seek publication for my own work. I love everything she has ever written especially her pseudonym, J.D. Robb’s In Death Series. I love the way she describes the scenes she writes. It makes me feel as if I was actually there. She has a way with writing that draws the reader in, makes them feel a part of her books. Her characters are real, have real quirks, problems and it’s that that allows the reader to connect with them.

7).  When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always told stories. It was second nature to me. But it wasn't until 2005 when my hubby encouraged me to look into publishing houses did I consider it. Well…actually, he pushed me into it. LOL He contacted a local publisher and asked how I would go about getting published. They sent me a booklet with information and publishing houses that focused on Romance. The instant I received that book, I knew I wanted my stories published and read.

8).  How long does it take you to write a book?

I have been known to pump out a book in three weeks. When inspiration hits, I’m helpless to my muse. With my previous publisher I was releasing a novel every two months so I had to write fast. LOL

9).  What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I tend to write when inspiration strikes. If that’s during the day, I’ll sit in my office for hours working. Often though, the inspiration strikes at night when the house is quiet and the darkness calls me to create.

10).  Do you have any strange handwriting habits, like capitalizing all your “r”s or dotting your “I”s with heart (or anything like that)?
Well, you really had me thinking about this one. LOL I used to, when I was a teen, replace the ‘o’s in my words with smiley faces. But now, as an adult, I spend most of my time on the computer and not writing as much freehand that I’m afraid my handwriting has become rather messy.
11).  What do you want to know about the future?
Nothing. I like the element of surprise. Besides, I’m too paranoid to look into the future. If I saw anything bad, I would probably obsess about it and then what fun would my life be if I did that. I like to live for the now and hope my future is sunny. J
12).  Are you a morning person or a night person?
I would say I’m both, if that’s possible. LOL I find I do my best writing at night, but I rarely can stay up late anymore. Aging is hell. LOL I’m good from 9 am to about midnight.
13).  Do you like thunderstorms?
I hate them with a passion! I have always been afraid of them. As a child I lived on a farm. Once summer night we had a nasty storm with winds strong enough to shake the house. Could have been a tornado, I’m not sure, but I remember being so terrified our house would be picked up and blown into the sun and we would all burn to death. I was eight, what do you expect. Since then, I’ve had a strong fear of storms.
14).  What is the best way for readers to contact you?  Email, myspace, twitter, etc?
I’m  practically everywhere. The easiest way for readers to contact me is by email at shielas@shaw.ca
They can also stop by my wesbite for information on me and my books at www.shielasbooks.ca
My twitter address is : http://twitter.com/ShielaSue
facebook : http://www.facebook.com/shiela.stewart?ref=profile
15).  Anything you would like to add?
I would like to say thank you for this wonderful interview and the opportunity to meet new readers.

Angela Addams' New Book is Being Released Today!

1) First, could you start by telling us what you are currently working on for publication and/or about your current release?

My current release is entitled The Temptress and it is due to release on October 23 at Cobblestone Press.

The Temptress is a short story about a young college student named Kyle Roberts who finds himself deeply in lust with his English Literature professor. He can’t control his raging fantasies and obsesses over her to the extreme. She is constantly in his head, tormenting him with her seductive body. But is he really the one in control? Strange things start to happen, fantasies seeming to turn into reality and Kyle begins to wonder if his prof has a few secrets of her own.

She seems to know what he is thinking, desiring, and after a night of intense erotic fulfillment, leaves him more confused than before. Are his fantasies coming true or does his professor have the ability to control his mind? Kyle suddenly finds himself on a journey into a realm that he thought was only make-believe, the realm of a vampire temptress.  

2) Tell us about your writing process.  Do you outline or just start writing?

My writing process is not as well organized as I think it should be. I have great intentions to plot things out in detail but I get bored of that pretty quickly and just move on to the writing part. Usually, I get an idea and play it out in my head for a few days. Once I have a basic plot figured out I whip out my laptop and write it all down. For the most part it starts with a scene and goes from there. Sometimes this scene is the beginning and sometimes it’s something that happens somewhere else in the piece. I don’t usually write in sequence. I like the freedom to write the scenes that are urgently demanding escape from my brain. It keeps my fingers typing anyway. I’ve never suffered from writer’s block. (Is there a piece of wood around? I feel like I should knock on wood right about now.)

For a short story like The Temptress, I write the first draft over a few nights, two or three hours a night and then set it aside for a few days before starting my second draft. With my novels (I’ve written three) I write a basic outline of plot, where I want to start, climax, some key plot points, and where I want to finish and then I start writing. As I’m writing, I add to my plot notes along the way. Things usually change as I’m going through. I figure out that something isn’t going to work, or I have a brilliant idea that I want to add, so my outline is never set in stone.

3) What genre is your favorite to write?  Read? 

I like to write and read Paranormal anything…but I prefer if there are some hot erotic scenes worked in. Actually, it’s kind of embarrassing, but I find novels a little boring these days if they don’t have some passionate erotic scenes worked in.

4) Favorite authors?

My favorite authors are Kelley Armstrong, D.B. Reynolds, Kresley Cole, and Gena Showalter. Their heroines are super strong and can always take care of themselves, which I think is a great thing in paranormal literature. I also love the hot and steamy sex scenes that these women are so skilled at writing. They are all very talented at what they do.

5) Is there a genre you haven't written, but would love to tackle in the future?

6) What's planned next for your writing career?

I have just recently signed with an agent and am currently working on edits for my first paranormal, urban fantasy. So we should be submitting to publishers soon. I have four or five ideas rolling around in my head at the moment for novels, some work directly off of the novels my agent has and some are totally new series ideas that I have planned.

7) Do you work well with deadlines?  Or do they stall your writing process?

I work extremely well with deadlines. I am very type A ; ) Actually, I prefer it because I’m not a procrastinator and work well if I know that there is a deadline at a certain time that I have to work towards. That way there is no excuse for slacking off, which at times I am tempted to do. I set weekly quotas for myself, that way I have a goal to reach every week. When I am off on holiday, I write 10K a week and when I’m working full time, (yes, I do have a day job) I scale that back to 5k a week.

8) When did you first start writing?

I first starting writing as a child…no seriously, I wrote my first collection of short stories, with pictures, at the age of six. I still have it actually. I don’t know where my need to write came from really. I always liked reading but I can’t explain how that turned into a passion for writing. My teachers picked up on it right away and always encouraged me. I had a great high school teacher who inspired me to pursue writing seriously…and then I went to university and, well, my writing took a backseat to everything else. I got some really nasty feedback that crushed my confidence and I put down my pen for almost five years. But that nagging urge to write, thankfully, never really left me and I picked up the pen again after I graduated and started thinking about bigger projects. It took me four years to write my first novel. It’s not the greatest but I did get some recognition for it in a contest and received some very positive and encouraging reviews. So, I tried again and again and again and here I am.

9) What influenced you to submit your work for publication?

I have a deep desire to become an author and write for a living. That desire motivates me more than anything else ever could. I want it, so I work for it. It hasn’t been easy and I know that I have a battle ahead of me, but I’m making progress and I will not give up.

10) Do you belong to a critique group?  If so, how has this helped your writing, would you recommend it to others?  If not, would you consider joining, if not, why do you like to work alone?

11) What is the best way for readers to contact you?

Readers can visit my website at angelaaddams.com

I tweet as angelaaddams and I also have a blog at http://www.blog.angelaaddams.com/

They can also contact me at angelaaddams@live.ca with any questions or comments. I’d be extremely happy to hear from any reader.

12) Any advice you want to give aspiring writers?

Yes, I do have advice…do not give up. Things seemed to happen for me all at once. I got a contract with Cobblestone Press and an offer from an agent after a little over a year of trying. I could have given up many, many times what with the amount of rejections I received, but I didn’t; I kept submitting. If you give up, you make room for someone else to take your place; do you really want that other person getting your shot at doing what you love and getting paid for it? Probably not. So shove the rejections aside and keep submitting, keep writing, because you’re the only one who this matters the most to.

Thanks, Angela, that's very encouraging to all of us who are hoping to be writers one day!

Please help us welcome Renee Lyons, author and Publisher of Lyrical Press

1).  Tell us your latest news?

Well, a lot of interesting things have happened since I finished Tempting Darkness, the third Templar Vampire book. My husband, Frank and I decided to open Lyrical Press, a commercial fiction publishing house. It was a huge decision and requires an extreme amount of work, but it’s so worth it. The moment we launched I knew it was right move on our part. I heard my mother in my head telling me “you are exactly where you need to be, doing exactly what you need to be doing”.

I am also working on the final installment of the Templar Vampire series. It’s titled Blood Covenant. It’s Tristan’s story. Once people realize it’s the last book they ask about Raphael and why he isn’t getting his own story. All I can say about that is, you’ll have to read Blood Covenant to learn why!

2).  When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve been writing since I was roughly ten years old. It’s a compulsion. Although I love (and I mean *love*) Lyrical, there is always that part of me who was, and still is, a writer. Just when I think my creative well is dry, a new scene “pops” into my mind and forces me to write.

3).  What books have most influenced your life most?

Just one book always jumps out at me when I think of which one influenced me most. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. What a book! It’s so vivid I swear while reading, you forget your not actually in the medieval age. You get lost in the pages of that book.

4).  What are your current projects?

Other than Blood Covenant, I am also (very slowly) working on another book. It’s untitled as of yet. It plays on the angel/demon mythology is a way I feel is pretty original. But then. most of my writing centers around religion in one shape or form. I guess that’s my way of trying to make sense of things in my own mind.

5).  Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I guess now would be finding the time to write since the majority of my days are spent running Lyrical Press. That, and trying to put unique spins on tried and true genres because what I write (vampire and demons) have been done zillions of times over.

6). Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Sherrilyn Kenyon is right up there as one of my favorite authors. She creates these amazing worlds with such rich characters. She makes you want to visit her world again and again.

Hannah Howell is another author who takes hold of you and doesn’t let you go. I just love her to pieces. Three words about Mrs. Howell’s books…medieval Scotland and vampires. Really now. Does any book need more than that other than being in the hands of a writer who can do that sort of story justice? Luckily for readers, Mrs. Howell is an awesome writer. She also happens to be a fantastic person. I met her during my first book signing and was reduced to a babbling idiot. I think I actually screamed “ohmygod! You’re Hannah Howell!” directly in her face. She just smiled, nodded and asked me to sign my book for her. When it comes to my writing career, was the single best moment to date – other than actually getting contracted!

7).  When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Probably around when I started writing at ten. Creating worlds and characters just always made me happy. It was also something that came pretty natural for me, so in that, I know I was very lucky.

8).  How long does it take you to write a book?

It used to take me no more than three months. Now, with Lyrical Press demanding most of my attention, it takes me much, much longer. I will probably take me about a year to finish Blood Covenant.

9).  What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

Well, it’s pretty much fit it writing when I can at this point. I’m sure by next year things should settle into a more regulated schedule of writing and working the publishing house.

10).  Do you have any strange handwriting habits, like capitalizing all your “r”s or dotting your “I”s with heart (or anything like that)?
I used to make an insanely fancy capital “I” until my mother pointed out it was illegible. Now, I really don’t have any strange habits other than having the most horrendous handwriting in creation. I don’t know if it’s from growing accustomed to using a keyboard all the time or because I have a slight muscular issue with my right arm. Whatever the case, I now scrawl rather than write in anything remotely decent.
11).  What do you want to know about the future?
Without hesitation, what my daughter will grow up to be and if she will be happy doing it. Next would be where we’ll be living in five years because my husband and I want to relocate out of New York.
12).  Are you a morning person or a night person?
I used to be a night person until my daughter was born. Now, I’m forced to be a morning person. I wake up almost every day at 6am, and am already working by 6:15.
13).  Do you like thunderstorms?
When I’m inside, yes. That’s perfect “snuggle” weather. Getting caught out in one? Not so much.
14).  What is the best way for readers to contact you?  Email, myspace, twitter, etc?
At my Lyrical email address :  publisher@lyricalpress.com.
15).  Anything you would like to add?
Only that I’m thrilled you’ve allowed me this opportunity to talk with you. It was a genuine pleasure. Thank you!

Today We Greet Author Olivia Starke

1).  Tell us your latest news?

 I am thrilled that my first release Mind Games is out at Cobblestone Press! It’s a paranormal Tryst (short story.)

www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/mindgames.htm

2).  When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve been writing since I could lift a crayon. I was very artistic in my toddler stage. Lucky for me we had a white house and I drew murals and what letters of the alphabet I could pen along the side of the house one day. I also did so on whatever wall surface I could, my folks (try as they might) couldn’t inhibit my creative spirit!

About a year ago I decided to leave the world of real estate behind (I was a realtor) and pick up my laptop to give writing a shot. Originally it was to rewrite a children’s book I wrote in 7^th grade involving a love story between a unicorn and Pegasus. I ran across an online class given by Lori Wilde about how to write romance. I’ve been a closet romance reader for years and love happily ever after endings. The class was great and I got the bug J and I’ve come out of the reading closet as well.

3).  What books have most influenced your life most?

I can’t think of a particular one. I absolutely love the classics such as War and Peace and my favorite book is The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. The characters are living and breathing on the pages and I wish to become even a quarter of the writers they were.

4).  What are your current projects?

I’m working on a series of vampire short stories.

5).  Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Trying to get friends and family to understand IT’S A CAREER. I don’t sit around all day watching television! I spend about three hours as soon as I get up working on promoting my story and myself as an author. I fit in my other obligations for the day such as walking my four dogs, taking my disabled mother on her errands, caring for my 4 horses, etc. In the evenings I write. I have friends and family with 9-5 jobs who think I can pick up errands for them they don’t have time for, which I simply can’t do. It’s frustrating at times trying to set boundaries.

6). Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and Heather Grahams works J She has a great knack of mixing mystery and romance.

7).  Do you have any strange handwriting habits, like capitalizing all your “r”s or dotting your “I”s with heart (or anything like that)?
8).  What do you want to know about the future?
How successful I’ll be! But I guess you’re as successful as you decide to be.
9).  Are you a morning person or a night person?
Night person all the way, it’s the only time my brain functions to write. My creativity simple won’t flow in the mornings.
10).  Do you like thunderstorms?
Happy little thunderstorms, yes. Tornadoes NO! I live in southern Missouri which is part of tornado ally, and it puts a damper on the thrill of spring and early summer.
11).  What is the best way for readers to contact you?  Email, myspace, twitter, etc?
I’d love to hear from readers and other authors !
www.oliviastarke.webs.com  www.twitter.com/romancingthepen romancingthepentoday.blogspot.com  oliviastarke@ymail.com I’m on Facebook as well look for Olivia Starke !
12).  Anything you would like to add?
Anyone who has ever wanted to give writing a shot I encourage them to do so! There are so many opportunities out there now with e-publishers for writer’s just starting out. Also, I believe the world needs more Happily-Ever-After and romance always offers that J

Today's Special Guest is Barbara Edwards

1)     First, could you start by telling us about your current release?

Ancient Awakening is a paranormal romance. In Ancient Awakening, Police Officer ‘Mel’ Petersen investigates a death only she believes is murder. By disobeying direct orders from the Rhodes End Chief, she risks her career to follow clues that twist in circles to her backyard and lead the killer to her.

Her neighbor Stephen Zoriak is a prime suspect. Steve worked for a major pharmaceutical company where he discovered a weapon so dangerous he destroys the research. He is exposed to the dangerous organism. He suspects he is the killer and agrees to help her find the truth.

In the course of their investigation Mel and Steve find the real killer and a love that defies death.

2) Could you please tell us a little about yourself? I’m a native New Englander with a love for history, antique roses and travel. This past summer we visited Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon, a trip I’ve dreamed about for a long time. My husband, a retired police sergeant, and I are restoring a Gothic Victorian built in 1872. Please don’t picture a mansion: its two bedrooms with a wonderful wraparound porch decorated with gingerbread.

3) Give us a sneak peak into your current release.

 Excerpt from Ancient Awakening:

“Don’t touch me, Mel, not unless you’re willing to do a lot more,” he warned as her hazel eyes flared golden.

“Don’t threaten me, Steve. You’re…”

He pulled her into his arms despite the alarm bells clanging in his head.

Danger! Danger! Danger!

Her widened eyes met his. Mel’s hands were trapped against his chest, but she didn’t push him away. Instead, her fingers curled into his shirt.

Her mistake. His mistake was to crush her mouth under his.

Mel’s soft lips parted. Need exploded. The taste of black coffee didn’t hide her sweet flavor. As her tongue tangled with his, her arms slid around his neck and her fingers burrowed through his hair.

Steve hungered to peel the starched shirt off her soft shoulders, lay her on the thick turf and ease his desire. He tasted her brows, her cheek, along her throat, seeking the source of her call. Her pulse whipped under his mouth, awakening another need.

His teeth gently closed on the vulnerable vein.

He wanted, wanted, wanted…

Cold alarm chilled his pounding blood.

Steve gasped for air. He’d forgotten his own ironclad rule. Mel’s eyelids flittered open to reveal the molten glow of desire but he forced himself free.

He had no right to touch any woman. Not until he knew he hadn’t become what he had set out to destroy.

4) Tell us about your writing process.  Do you outline or just start writing?

Like many writers I write without an outline. I do know the beginning and the end before I start. It’s how my mind works. I dream about the story and when I wake, immediately record the details. I have a file with all my proposed projects and a second folder full of research material for each one. Since Ancient Awakening is the first book in Finding Rhosdes End series, I also keep a detail bible. 

5) What genre is your favorite to write?  Read? As you can tell by my website, I’ve written historical romance and romantic suspense before paranormal romance, but I think I’ve found my niche. I love creating all the haunting details and dark secrets. I read almost everything when I have time.

6) Favorite authors? I love Jayne Anne Krentz, JD Robb, Linda Howard, Anne Stuart, Elizabeth Lowell, I don’t hink this is long enough to list them all.

7) Is there a genre you haven't written, but would love to tackle in the future?

 Not any more. I really like what I’m doing with this series. I might go back and write more historical romance if an idea really grabs me.

8) What's planned next for your writing career? I’m working on the second book in the Finding Rhodes End series, although that makes it sound too simple. I also have the third and fourth in the works. All are set in New England, all centered in Rhodes End.

9) Do you work well with deadlines?  Or do they stall your writing process?

I love deadlines since I tend to fritter time away if I’m not under pressure. They keep me sharp and focused.

10) When did you first start writing? I don’t remember. I had a diary when I was young, wrote lots of stuff I later threw away as worthless, then tried poetry, essays, and finally books. I still have my poetry. Every once in awhile I think about posting it to my blog.

http://barbaraedwards.net/blog/blog.asp

11) What influenced you to submit your work for publication?

I always wanted to tell my stories to people. The only way to do that is to publish. When I joined RWA, I thought I’d get published within a few months. I realized I didn’t know enough and set out to learn. You need to be tenacious to finish a book that someone else will take a chance on.

12) What gets you in the writing mood?  Music, reading, etc.

Nothing. I either am or not. Despite that, I write every day. It’s too easy to say I don’t have it today. Then time passes and nothing gets written. Some of my most productive days are when I didn’t ‘feel’ like writing.

13) Do you belong to a critique group?  If so, how has this helped your writing, would you recommend it to others?  If not, would you consider joining, if not, why do you like to work alone?

I had a critique group when I lived in Florida (Connie and Tina, I love you both) but haven’t found anyone to replace them since I moved back to New England. I think Its really important to find the right kind of critique group. Without them, I wouldn’t have finished that first book I published.

14) What is the best way for readers to contact you?

My website www.barbaraedwards.net or my blog http://barbaraedwards.net/blog/blog.asp

15) Any advice you want to give aspiring writers?

The only way to become published is to write. Find what works for you, write what you love and don’t give up.

I have a personal story about quitting. Several years ago, I went through a very dry spell: nothing worked, I didn’t sell, I had personal problems, all in all a discouraging time. I decided I couldn’t do this any more. That day I was puzzled when I received a rejection letter. I looked at the return address and couldn’t remember sending out a submission. To my surprise it was something I’d submitted TWO years before. I started to laugh and realized it didn’t make any difference who bought my work. I can’t quit. I am a writer, its who I am as well as what I do.