Spotlighting Favourites and Giveaway!

My publisher, The Wild Rose Press is holding a Rafflecopter Giveaway this week. There are lots of ways to increase your chances of winning a $10 gift certificate to The Wild Rose Press, so make sure to enter. Each week there will be a new code to find a new winner, which I will endeavour to post for you. Surely, you all know by now that I can be a bit slack in the posting of blogs department, so feel free to give me a prod in the ribs, or a 'hey, you!' comment if I've forgotten :)

But before that, I wanted to spotlight a couple of my all-time favourite titles from TWRP. The authors are also both a couple of my favourite people in the world. Hugely talented, they are also both so supportive and giving in everything they do. It's no wonder they write such amazing stories.

First up, Out of the Darkness by Lilly Gayle.
I'm not usually a huge fan of vampires, but Lilly's take on this genre was so fresh, intelligent and exciting. And the hero is to die for! I've been a firm fan of hers since devouring this book.

Her research could cure his dark hunger if a covert government agent doesn't get to her first.

Vincent Maxwell is a vampire with a conscience searching for a cure to his dark hunger. But when a scientist looking to create vampire soldiers captures and kills a fellow vampire, Vincent seeks out Dr. Megan Harper. While researching xeroderm pigmentosum, a light sensitivity disorder, Dr.Harper discovered a link to vampirism and she could hold a key to a cure and the answers to Gerard's death. But getting close to the beautiful scientist could endanger both their lives.

When researcher Dr. Megan Harper meets Vincent Maxwell, she believes he suffers from xeroderma pigmentosum, the genetic disease that killed her sister. Sensing a deep loneliness within the handsome man, Megan offers friendship and access to her research files hoping he will offer her a position in his company. But they soon become more than friends and Megan learns the horrifying truth. She's entered the dark and unseen world of vampires and Vincent is her only hope of survival.
(Pages 278) Hot

Excerpt:

Vincent didn't spare her a second glance as he opened the basement door and stepped down. The sound of his boot heel striking wood echoed up the steps as he disappeared into the darkness.
"But--" Megan switched on the light and hurried after him.
"The first thing you need down here is a table and some chairs," he said when he saw the stacks of unorganized data and reams of paper scattered across the floor. "Do you mind if I bring the ones down from the kitchen?"
"No." She turned back toward the stairs. "I'll help you bring them down." It would give her something to do while she sorted through the confused thoughts and emotions tumbling around inside her head.
Vincent touched her arm and heat shot straight to her belly, turning her insides all warm and fuzzy.
Warm and fuzzy was not good.
Warm and fuzzy made her think of more than just heated sex. It made her think of cozy evenings snuggled up under a blanket and shared feelings. It made her long for an emotional connection she couldn't risk. Not with Vincent. Not with a man who could potentially die a slow, lingering death.
"I'll get it." He let go of her arm and stepped back. "You start going through those papers and find that report you wrote comparing XP to vampire myths and legends. I'd be interested in seeing if you still have it."
He turned to go back up the stairs and Megan shivered. Why had Steve mentioned the vampire report to Vincent? And why was Vincent so interested in seeing it?
Vincent the Vampire.

Pssst - Embrace the Darkness is the next book in this series and features the gorgeous Gerard who you get to meet in the first book. HIGHLY recommended reading too :) 

The other book is one I'd bought and had on my kindle for a long, loooong time before I finally had the chance to sit down and read it. Once I started, I wanted to kick myself for not getting to it sooner! It has everything I love in a romance book. Amazing believable chemistry, engaging writing and paranormal/fantasy elements with a contemporary heroine. PLUS, it is set in Ireland, the land of my ancestors.

Beneath the fairie mound of Dunhaven's Door, two dreamers meet their destiny…

After a decade of trying to outrun her debilitating dreams, Keely returns to Ireland to face the ancient ring of stones and the man haunting them. Within the stones, she embraces her fairie heritage and her mystical gifts. But can she trust the handsome Halfling who shares her dreams and holds her heart?

When Keely reappears in his life, Colin's fairie blood threatens to gain the upper hand. Compelled to assist the lovely Halfling, he agrees to help her break the three-hundred-year-old curse on their families, but he'll do it on his terms—as a black wolf.
Together, two Halflings can stand against any power, but only love can break the bonds of bitterness. Will Colin’s arrogant plan to outwit the King of the Fairies doom Keely for eternity? Or is their love enough to break the curse?

Rating: Sensual
Page Count: 148
Word Count: 38394
978-1-61217-154-8 Digital

Excerpt:
“They were real, Colin. Saraid and Owein were real, not just fictional characters from a heartbreaking legend.”
“So it would seem.”
“They’re your ancestors.”
“And yours,” he reminded her. “You’re a descendant of Saraid and Owein, too.”
“I didn’t miss that detail.”
“Yes, but has it occurred to you what that means?” At her blank look, he added, “We carry Owein’s blood, Keely, as well as Saraid’s.”
She stared at him for a moment. Her disbelieving laughter took care of the residual tightness in her belly. “Fairie blood?” she scoffed. “Please!” A lifted brow was his only response. “That’s as ridiculous as it is impossible.”
“As ridiculous and impossible as sharing your dreams with a handsome Irishman for a decade?”
She narrowed her eyes at his taunting grin, but had to admit, he had a point. Fairie blood. Good God! How was she supposed to feel about that? She had no clue. She was going to need some time to come to grips with all she’d learned in the past few hours—if coming to grips with the unbelievable was even possible.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SALE! SALE! SALE!!

Beyond the Shadows is on SALE!

BTS was chosen as Book of the Month from one of my groups on Goodreads. I was shocked and honoured that they chose it, so wanted to give whoever hasn't got it yet a chance to nab it at a great price. Thanks so much, ladies and enjoy! :)

So - grab it while it's hot and Happy Valentine's Day! 

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-the-Shadows-ebook/dp/B00E51L2PC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1374744219&sr=1-1

Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beyond-the-shadows-laverne-clark/1117478120?ean=2940148884651

All Romance Ebooks - https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-beyondtheshadows-1349023-143.html

The Wild Rose Press - http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_139&products_id=5369

What a Girl Wants - Jennifer Snow

Please help me welcome Jennifer Snow to Novel Natterings. I met the lovely Jennifer online and was immediately struck by her effervescent personality and warmth. A perfect fit for Harlequin Heartwarming!

Its lovely to have you here, Jennifer! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am originally from Newfoundland on the East Coast of Canada, but now I live in Edmonton, Alberta with my husband and three year old son. I write contemporary romance for Harlequin Heartwarming, Secret Cravings Publishing, and The Wild Rose Press.

When you’re not writing, what do you do for fun?

I don’t understand the question. LOLJ

LOL. Silly me! You've got a bit on your plate there, for sure! When did you first consider yourself a writer?

At age four, but I seriously started submitting books to publishers at sixteen…a couple of years later, here I am lol.

Yep. Being eighteen was not THAT long ago, surely? Sure doesn't seem that way. I blame having children for making time fly! :) Do you remember what inspired you to write your first book?

Honestly, my first divorce (I say first, because I tend to make a habit of them lol j/k). The inspiration for my heroine’s character Madison Grey from Mistletoe Bachelors was me. I was annoyed with men, my ex in particular and a story about a woman jaded in love, with an aversion to men felt like a good story to write at the time. Luckily, it wasn’t published until seven years later and many revisions lol.

I love call stories. Can you tell us about yours and your reaction?

I was working when Victoria Curran, Senior Editor at Heartwarming called so of course I missed the call and it went to voicemail, but it actually turned out to be a good thing, because then I had a recording to listen to over and over again, and share with family and friends, and strangers at the bank lol. I was thrilled. I had targeted my story for that line because I feel my stories belong there, and I couldn’t be happier.

Good choice! What drew you to write your chosen genre?

I know nothing about history or  paranormal, scary, suspenseful stories creep me out and I can’t write a love scene to save my life lol, so that left sweet contemporary lolJ

If you could be one of your characters, who would it be and why?

At one time or other in my life, I’ve been a part of all of them. As noted above, Madison’s heartache was based on my own. Molly’s lack of funds and independent streak to do everything on her own without help in Mistletoe and Molly was me at age 24, Piper’s crazy dating scenarios in Mistletoe Fever-yep, those were mine…and Victoria Mason in my November Heartwarming release-The Trouble With Mistletoe probably represents my what if moments in life.

Ahh...those what if's. Great fodder for the imagination! What’s the most challenging part of the writing process for you?

None of it is easy, but the most challenging is not writing-I need to write everyday, otherwise I get agitated and annoyed.

Has anything coincidental happened in the real world while writing one of your books in terms of the characters, scenes or world you’ve created?

I think the basis of most of my stories comes from something inspired from real world events. For example, the top secret screenplay that my mom and I are writing stemmed from a real life what if moment for me. I was waiting to turn left at a stop light and a big transport truck sat waiting across from me, and I couldn’t see around him, so at one point, he indicated that it was okay for me to turn, so I did. And immediately, I realized how much faith I had put in a complete stranger. What if the coast hadn’t been clear…and that’s where our movie starts.

Ooo! Keep us posted about your screenplay! It sounds great. Which one of your books is your ‘baby’ and why?

I will always love Mistletoe and Molly just because it’s such a fun story.

What are you working on right now?

Books three and four in the Brookhollow series that are set to release in Sept and Nov. And a few other side projects.

My goodness you're a busy lady! But I bet your readers are pleased about that! Latest news?

I’m happy to say that an article I wrote about being a romance writer and real life love will appear in Edmonton’s coolest magazine this month-Avenue!! Very excited for that.

Where can we find you and your books?

www.jennifersnowauthor.com  www.jennifersnowbooks.com  http://brookhollowseries.blogspot.ca  @jennifersnow18

And the books are sold at any of the e-retailers and at Harlequin.com. Print books will be on store shelves in the UK and Australia this year, but not North America at this time.

Check out the cover for Jennifer's latest release and have a read of an excerpt. 

Ethan snatched the phone away before Jim could answer the text, which he knew he was aching to do, and slid it into his shirt pocket. He pulled the truck to the side of the highway behind an old, rusted red Volkswagen Jetta and jumped down onto the gravel. He positioned two traffic cones in the inside lane, forcing the oncoming traffic to take the outside lane, as Bailey’s tow truck pulled in front of the Jetta and she climbed out, clipboard in hand.

“I’ll be here if you need me,” Jim called from inside the truck, reclining the seat and shutting his eyes.

“You’re not even going to get out of the truck?”

“It’s a simple backup call. I only came along to get out of clinic duty.”

Ethan shook his head as he closed the truck door. It amazed him how their work ethic differed so drastically. Jim was four years older, yet he’d never shown any interest in advancing his rank at the fire hall. Ethan had worked hard, proving himself to his senior coworkers and landing  the position of captain by the time he was twenty-four.

He approached Bailey at the front of the vehicle where she spoke to a short, frazzled-looking bald man. “I’ll just need your driver’s license and your credit card…and I’ll have you hooked up and ready to go in just a few minutes. Feel free to sit in the truck to wait. The air-conditioning is on and it’s much cooler in there.”

The man disappeared inside the cab of the tow truck and Ethan waited until he was out of earshot before saying, “This car has to be at least thirty years old.” He leaned against the bumper to watch her work and the metal frame creaked in protest.

“That thing looks about to fall off,” she warned as she put the tow dolly’s coupler in open position by lowering the locking lever all the way down and inserting the locking pin to secure it in place.

Good point, he thought as he stood. “So, before I forget, we’re holding Luke’s bachelor party at the fire hall tonight—poker, darts, beer, the baseball game.… If you’re not doing anything, stop by.” Bailey was a regular at their weekly poker games, much to the dismay of the other guys, whose wallets she emptied.

“Stop by? To Luke’s bachelor party—the ultimate boys night?” She sounded incredulous as she inserted the electrical plug from the dolly into the switch on the back of the tow truck. That way the brake lights and turning signals on the dolly would work while en route to the shop.

“Yeah, why not?” He knew Luke wouldn’t mind. Bailey had always been like a third, less-annoying sister to the groom to be, and she kept his ancient, rusted-out truck on the road.

“I have Victoria’s bachelorette party tonight. A wine and cheese  in the backyard of the Brookhollow Inn.” She crisscrossed the chains and connected them to the eyelets on the bumper of the car.

“That sounds awful.”

“You’re telling me.”

Why Write Romance? Rachel Brimble Tells All.

Today, I'm super excited to host Rachel Brimble on Novel Natterings. Rachel's first book, "Searching For Sophie" was the first Wild Rose Press book I bought before I was published by them. After reading it, I knew I wanted to be published by TWRP as it was nothing but quality. Since then, I've noted Rachel's writing has grown in leaps and bounds. I knew her star would shine bright and I've been watching her career flourish with a big grin on my face. If you've never read her work before - you're in for a treat!

For now though, settle down, pour yourself your drink of choice and enjoy getting to know this fabulous lady just that little bit more.

Why write romance? 

I have been asked this question many times in interviews so I thought I’d tackle it in more depth to try and figure it out myself, lol!

Romance is universal and eternal. Human beings have, and will continue, to fall in love no matter what else changes or alters in the future. Technology is evolving at a rate that my near 40-year-old brain has given up trying to keep on top of. If I need something doing on my laptop or phone other than the basic input of letters or numbers, I go to Mr. B or my teenage kids.

As for romantic, emotional or spiritual guidance I don’t need anyone else but myself. I LOVE love. Simple. There is so much evil happenings in the world, why on earth would I want to spend up to seven hours a day (my average working day), immersed in more of the same that I see on TV and in the newspapers.

I write love stories. I write about people discovering more of who they are and the people with whom they want to share that journey. I write about highs and lows, success and failures…BUT I also write those intimate moments that bring us the ultimate joy, the knotting in the stomach, sexual anticipation and the moment someone makes you belly laugh or looks at you in such a way, you know in their eyes, there is no one more beautiful.

Am I lucky that I get to do that every day? You bet I am and I will be FOREVER grateful to my husband and kids for allowing me the time to do what brings me absolute joy.

My passion for writing leads me to answer the question of why I write romance. I do it because the stories that come into my mind dictate it. It’s out of my hands what sub-genre of book I will write at any given time.

Copyright © 2013 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited.

The scope of freedom has changed somewhat since I signed with Harlequin Superromance and Kensington but not to the point I feel as though my creative wings are clipped. My wonderful editor at Harlequin has given me free reign of whether my stories are contemporary romantic suspense or mainstream. My equally wonderful editor at Kensington wants Victorian romance but has given no specification of what TYPE of romance I write set in that period.

Then you have my latest release, “16 Marsden Place” a romantic comedy set in the fictional UK town of Potterford. J

 This story came from nowhere but had to be written – The heroine, Sienna Lloyd, literally popped into my mind fully-formed. No, this doesn’t happen often, I promise you! I knew she was sassy and sexy, I knew she had lost her father and I knew she ran a lingerie shop that was under threat of closure. As she started to talk to me, I realized she spoke with typical British irony about almost everything––constantly hiding any pain or fear under a gossamer thin veil of self-deprecating humor. I loved her instantly!

When Omnific Publishing offered a contract for the book I was thrilled because I hadn’t written a comedy since 2010 and wasn’t sure if I could actually still do it after writing so many romantic suspense and mainstream novels. Fingers crossed, I’ve managed it and readers will love Sienna and Jack’s journey equally as much as me!

Here’s the blurb and buy link:

There isn't a situation that can't be fixed by a coat of chocolate body paint or a liberal smear of Champagne Lick, right? Wrong!

Ever since her father was murdered by a gang of youths, Sienna Lloyd has named herself Potterford’s protector—her sexy lingerie shop is a place where the town’s women can visit and feel safe. But when that shop is in danger of closing, Sienna needs a solution that will keep her in Potterford, where she can always look out for her mother, friends, and clients.

The answer? Move the shop to her home at 16 Marsden Place. The problem? Her new neighbor, the delicious but seriously uptight Jack Beaton. Oh, and his four-year-old twin girls.

Jack has just moved to the tiny town of Potterford in a bid to start over. To build a new life that keeps his children safe from their violent and sex-crazed mother. So when he discovers his neighbor intends to open a sex shop right next door, Jack will do anything to ensure it doesn’t happen…including fighting every ounce of his attraction to the shop’s owner and his innate need to trust again.

Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/16-Marsden-Place-Rachel-Brimble/dp/1623420202/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370254988&sr=8-1&keywords=16+marsden+place

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/16-marsden-place-rachel-brimble/1115472157?ean=9781623420208

Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK.  After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. In 2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington--her debut was released in April 2013.

She has just recently signed a further three-book contract with Harlequin Superromance, continuing her ongoing series set in the fictional UK seaside town of Templeton Cove.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family and beloved black Lab, Max. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England…although she hopes a dream visit to Canada might just change her mind!

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

Links:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Official Blurb for Beyond The Shadows

I'm so excited to have received the official blurb today for my THIRD book (weeeee!!! Can you believe it??)

Getting that email today makes it another step towards becoming reality and not just a dream. Someone - pinch me!

BEYOND THE SHADOWS

He’s immersed in shadows—can she help him fight his way to the light?

Constable Kelly Appleton’s life turns upside down when her partner—the man she secretly loves—is shot. The lines between work and pleasure blur as she helps him recuperate, but frighteningly, his hold on reality loosens too.

After his brush with death, Nathaniel O’Leary questions everything—his life, his relationships, even his recent capture of a serial killer. When ghosts and an ominous shadow come calling, Nate struggles to stay grounded. Suddenly, keeping his hands off his sexy partner is the least of his problems.

As Kelly and Nathaniel work together to right a possible miscarriage of justice, they realize the shadow is a portent of death directly related to the serial killer. Terror strikes when the shadow reveals Kelly is the next target.

With evil closing in, can their love banish the shadows forever?

I can't wait to share this story with you all - but in the meantime, here is a little taste of how I visualize Nate...enjoy...

Darkness Series - Lilly Gayle and Giveaway

I'm so excited to have Lilly Gayle guest blog on my site today! Lilly's Out of the Darkness was one of the very first TWRP books I'd read. Quality writing, sexy and intelligent reading, I was hooked from the very first page. This lady knows how to write a FANTASTIC story. I remember pestering her to hurry up and write the next book in this series. I wanted Gerard's book so badly (you will too once you've devoured OotD) so I was shameless, even though I didn't know her so well then. Then, one day I got an email from TWRP (I'm signed up as a first-reader for them) to read and evaluate a manuscript that had just come in. I do believe I screamed a little and did a little jig in my excitement when I saw the title and author :) Okay - enough of me and my girl-fan squealing. Lets hear from Lilly and how she came to write the Darkness series.

When I first decided to write about vampires back in 2005, I knew I wanted to stick closely to some of the original legends. No glittering vampires for me! I also wanted my hero to have a conscience. In my opinion, a heroic vampire wouldn't want to be a vampire. So, I had him searching for a cure, and Out of the Darkness was born.

The book wasn't published until 2010, but it gave me my start as a published writer.

The legend I followed in Out of the Darkness was a Hebrew legend about Adam's first wife, Lilith.

Hebrew legends say God created man and woman together and in the same fashion. The first female was Lilith. She saw herself as Adam’s equal, but Adam wanted a helpmate. Lilith refused

to be subservient and left Eden. That’s when God created Eve from Adam’s rib. Lilith later became a succubus, seducing mortal men while they slept.

According to vampire lore, after Cain killed his brother, Able, God cursed him to walk the earth in darkness for eternity. The myth also claimed God cursed him with an eternal craving for blood because he craved the blood of his brother. After Cain left Eden, Lilith went to Cain, gave him her blood, and awakened him to his immortal nature.

In the sequel to Out of the Darkness, Embrace the Darkness, Vincent's friend Gerard wants more than just the cure Vincent sought in the first book. He wants answers.

In the second book, I further explore  vampire myths and legends. And my favorite—and  the one I think best fits my series—dates back to Mesopotamia around 4000 B.C.

The ancient Sumerians ruled Mesopotamia. They built a dynasty; the first cities,  city and state religions, and civilization. But war, death and disease was rampant.

Young men died in the prime of their life, suddenly and unexpectedly on the battlefield or from diseases caused by war and destruction. Legend claimed that by dying under such extreme circumstance, the spirits became conscious in the grave, their desire to live so strong they rose up from the grave.

In Embrace the Darkness, I explore this legend further and hope that it brings the myth of vampires into a more believable, fictional world.

I had a lot of fun writing these two books and hope to write at least two more in the series. I hope that you will check out either or both of my books and let me know what you think.

Leave a comment for me today, for a chance to win a digital copy of Out of the Darkness, the first book in my Darkness Series.

Lilly Gayle~http://lillygayle.com

Author of paranormal and historical romance:

Helpless Hearts- a western historical romance: Can a former gunslinger find redemption through love? Available now on Amazon and B&N.

Embrace the Darkness-a paranormal romance: To find their way into the light, they must first EMBRACE THE DARKNESS. Digital copy available now on Amazon. Available through other retailers in digital and print formats 6/21/2013.

Back list available on Amazon.

Doing the Happy Dance!

WOOHOOO!!!!

Yep - that's EXACTLY how I feel right at this moment!

Last week, I got a wonderful email from THE best editor in the world (Fran, you rock) saying she would like to offer me a contract for BEYOND THE SHADOWS. 

This book has been the hardest one I've ever written. Its gone through more drafts than any other with lots of changes and a major re-write to the main plot, but it was totally worth it. Now, it is a book I'm super proud of and one I can't wait to share with you all.

Hot cops; sizzling chemistry; ghosts and the afterlife; a serial killer on the loose, all set in the magical land of New Zealand. These guys could be Nate and Kelly:

Oh! And the most exciting part for me? This will be available in PRINT as well as digital! That mad   dream I have of swimming about in a pile of my books re Scrooge McDuck may well be a possibility yet! :)  

Exciting New Author - Leanne Davis

I'm excited to introduce you to debut novelist, and fellow Wild Rose Press author, Leanne Davis. Doesn't that word sound wonderful, Leanne? Author. Woohoo!! Congratulations, and after reading the blurb and excerpt of POISON, I'm looking forward to many more books from you :)

Tell us a bit about yourself.

First, thank you for having me today to talk a little about me and my debut contemporary romantic suspense, Poison.

I live in a small town out of Seattle, Washington with my husband and two little kids. I earned a business degree from Western Washington University. I worked in the construction management field until my daughter was born and I’ve since been home with my kids and writing part time.

When you’re not writing, what do you do for fun?

I love to camp and go boating with my family. We spend much of our free time going to destinations all across Washington State. I especially love to horseback ride with my dad, who has ten horses. He takes me to beautiful, remote locations where only horses and serious hikers can get to. That is about as far from writing and computers as I can get!

Ooo. I've got serious horse-envy! I'd love to do that. When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve been writing since I was thirteen, and only stopped for a few years in college…so other than that I have always considered myself a writer. Writing has always been more of who I am than what I do. Publishing was something I wanted to do, but writing is something I have to do…no matter what.

Do you remember what inspired you to write your first book?

I was thirteen when I wrote my first hundred page novel. (It resembles the story and writing of Anne of Green Gables which was my favourite book at the time. My ten year old daughter is now reading it after she was miffed she isn’t allowed to read Poison) From that first novel on, I always had short stories and then novels in progress. I have five stories in my head for every one that I get written!

I love call stories. Can you tell us about yours and your reaction?

Before I was contracted my editor worked with me on my first four chapters to show me some of the mistakes I was making with some of my mechanics. She then had me rework the entire manuscript and resubmit it to her. So…I had about two more months of waiting, when on a Sunday morning at 9:30 I checked my e-mail and there it was…my answer. My entire family was home…so I snuck into the bathroom to read it…just in case it was a no. I would have been crushed and would have needed a few minutes before I could face telling anyone; especially my oldest daughter who has loved this process and riding it with me. When I found out it was a contract offer I literally was jumping around the bathroom dancing…so maybe it was a good thing no one could see me! Then I burst out and nearly screamed; my book is being published!!

I got goose-bumps and a big grin reading that! :) What drew you to write your chosen genre?

My head is full of stories, I don’t know that I choose them…they just are there. So for me it’s always been contemporary stories of fiction that could happen. My debut novel is a romantic suspense…but most of my novels are not. I love to read and write novels that could happen…so I have the escape of fiction but I like the realistic feel that the story could possibly happen.

If you could be one of your characters, who would it be and why?

Kelly from my second book, Notorious. She is a tall,  famous model, rich, and able to do anything she wants in life…so kinda the opposite of the barely five foot, stay-at-home, writer-mom that I am! It’s fun to live other people’s lives, without disturbing my own!

What’s the most challenging part of the writing process for you?

Editing! I get the story down, the characters pretty much who I want them to be, with only a few plotting problems or conflict issues…but oh those mechanics. I spend much of my time on line edits…often more than it takes me to write the story. Many author’s indie publish nowadays without professional editing…and it makes me nuts. Fix the mistakes! Since it is such an issue for me I am hyper aware of it others.

You can't see me, but I'm nodded furiously here about the importance of professional editing! Has anything coincidental happened in the real world while writing one of your books in terms of the characters, scenes or world you’ve created?

 I wrote Poison in 2003, years later my best friend named her son the reverse of my character John Tyler. She had no idea I had written a novel or the characters names! A family member also married a John…I should have changed his name but once my characters are named it’s nearly impossible for me to call them by anything else!

Freaky! Great minds think alike, huh? :) Which one of your books is your ‘baby’ and why?

The first book in a trilogy I have called  Zenith Falling. It was way different kind of story for me for everything from the setting, to the careers, to the romance. And that made it challenging and extremely fun to write.

What are you working on right now?

Book #2 of a new series named River’s End. It is set in a fictional town based on a place I often vacation at in Eastern Washington which is a successful horse ranch run by four brothers… and eventually each brother has their own story to tell.  I am only a couple of chapter’s in but I can’t wait to get back to it, as I’ve been a bit distracted with publishing demands of late. But nothing is like working on a new novel!

Latest news?

Book #2 of my Seaclusion Series Notorious has been contracted and hopefully will be out soon. It is the story of the brother and sister of John and Cassie from Poison, and how they find their way together after being lost (for different reasons) in their own lives.

Great news! I love series books. Where can we find you and your books?

Poison is available on Amazon’s KDP Select for now.

As of July 5^th, Poison will be available in print and other distributors. 

Buy Poison now on Amazon!

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BLURB:

Cassie Reeves betrayed John Tyler a decade ago, but now, John is the only person Cassie can turn to for help protecting her son from her violent ex-husband. John’s quiet life as a small town doctor in Seaclusion, Washington has no place in it for Cassie, her son, or the feelings Cassie’s presence rekindles. John and Cassie’s mutual attraction reignites, despite everything that drove them apart a decade ago, and threatens to destroy them now. No matter how much Cassie has changed, and tried to right her past wrongs, there is no escaping her ex-husband. Cassie knows that only she can end what her ex-husband has started. But will she survive long enough to have a chance at the happiness that has escaped her for so long?

EXCERPT:
Cassie sighed and pushed the flowers onto the counter between them. She tidied her desk, avoiding his gaze. Finally she stood and gathered her things.
He watched her. He didn’t like hearing Tim was scared his mom wouldn’t come home from work. What kind of knowledge was that for a kid to have? Hell, he didn’t like that Cassie was scared that she wasn’t going to come home from work. He didn’t think anyone could fake the fear she had of the innocuous floral arrangement.
Cassie was just about to hustle past him, when he put a hand on her arm to stop her. She paused, looking at his hand, then up into his eyes. Her lips trembled. She quickly dropped her face from his view. She raised a hand to wipe at her cheeks. Tears?
Damn it all to hell. A stab of genuine sympathy filled him. He put a knuckle under her chin and forced her to look up him. Her eyes were glazed in moisture. She was trying not to cry. He swallowed, unsure why her efforts to hold back tears from him put a knot in his throat. Had he become so heartless with his anger that he couldn’t let her fear a man she seemed to think wanted to physically harm her?
“Cassie—”

Risk Factors Book Tour and a Lovely Rhose

I am super excited to introduce to you one of my very favourite people and authors, Calisa Rhose. I met this lovely lady (and extremely talented lady!) online through one of my publisher's author loops. Calisa is one of those women it is impossible NOT to bond with and I'm so excited to be a part of the tour for the release of her second book, Risk Factors. Check out the great giveaways she's got going on, leave a comment and don't forget to check out her other stops to increase your chances of winning!

Now, enough of my prattling, you want to hear from Calisa. Here she is...Hi, Calisa! Its wonderful having you come to visit us at the bottom of the world.J Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Calisa Rhose is an Okie, born and bred, through and through, and proud of it. While growing up, when she wasn’t on the back of a horse, she could be found with pen and paper in hand. Her writing career began with poetry in her younger days. Then she discovered Rock-n-Roll and cute musicians. Poetry turned into stories of romance and dreams. These days she lives with the same man who convinced her to take a romantic journey with him almost 30 years ago. After raising three strong daughters she spends her days loving their granddaughters, hoping for a boy someday, and writing. When she’s not writing, you can find Calisa putting on her editor hat and working to help other published and aspiring writers.

She is working on more projects with her favored contemporary cowboys, first responders  and firemen, as well as, the occasional ‘other’ heroes- and their sexy female counterparts, those sassy, stubborn heroines.

Find Calisa at her website/blog http://calisarhose.wordpress.com

Twitter@CalisaRhose, Facebook/Calisa Rhose, Goodreads and Amazon

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Probably when Home released with WRP! Lol But in my heart I knew when I finished my first serious ms in ’05. Up til that moment it was all practice. J

Do you remember what inspired you to write your first book?

My first book was actually hand written and illustrated by yours truly when I was in 5^th grade. It was titled something like “Bubblegum” and I ‘donated’ it to my school library. I’m still trying to track that little book down! What inspired it? Probably my love of writing, even back then, and my love of bubblegum! LOL

As for my first published book- Home is part of a series written by Oklahoma authors that I got involved in with my local OKRWA chapter mates. You can find the whole series at the website here http://www.talesofthescrimshawdoll.wordpress.com and they are ALL on sale right now for .99 on Amazon and B&N! Home was inspired by my interest in the Vietnam era in general, but particularly the latter part, so is set in 1967.

I ADORED Home, and highly recommend to anyone that hasn't had the pleasure to read it yet. (I've even added the Amazon link on the picture for your convenience!)J 

I love call stories. Can you tell us about yours and your reaction?

For Risk Factors I pitched to my editor at a blog pitch and she asked for the partial. I polished it but it was two or three weeks later before I finally got the nerve to send it to her. It took me another two months before I got the nerve (again) to follow up with her and then she read it on the spot and asked for the full. It was only a week later I believe that she offered the contract. And to think it might have all gone a lot faster if I’d sent the partial right away and followed up a week later! J I learned my lesson. Does that mean I’ll do that next time?> Prolly not. LOL

Oh, my gosh! A pitch! You were sooo brave! What drew you to write your chosen genre?

I live in a contemporary world with firemen, EMTs who fly around in helicopters and where women can be anything they want, including a veterinarian. What’s not to love about it? But I also write contemporary paranormal because I’m a firm believer that almost anything is possible in this world…even shape shifters. My Cherokee ancestors taught me that. J

What’s the most challenging part of the writing process for you?

Writing. LOL Rather making myself write. I find so many shiny baubles that pull my attention from it that I can easily spend a whole day wrapped up in emails, surfing blogs and playing on my website and blog. Horrible. Once I tame that beast the hardest part is probably-as a pantser- keeping facts straight as I write. Viv in this book is 28, but off and on she was 27. Lol I got that all fixed though. I think, hope! :lol:

LOL - I'm with you, Calisa! I've just come across during edits, that my WIP hero gazes at my heroine with green eyes, when in fact, they're hazel! The curse of the pantser...J

Has anything coincidental happened in the real world while writing one of your books in terms of the characters, scenes or world you’ve created?

Not so far, no. I don’t know if I’d recognize if it had, either. I tend to live in the now a lot and miss cool connections like that.

Which one of your books is your ‘baby’ and why?

I think Risk Factors is right now. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s the latest one, or because of the journey these characters and I have been through to get to this day. But it feels different somehow.

What are you working on right now?

Right now- a lot. LOL A fireman won’t leave me alone so I spend a good amount of time thinking about that one, but I’m researching facts about heart diseases for a new one. That hero has been whispering at me for some time and on Saturday he’d had enough of my ignoring him, so I’ve started that one. I also have a couple of paranormal things on the back burner simmering and steeping. I’m hoping to submit one of those this year.

That is exciting news to hear for your fans!! Latest news?

Oh! The long-awaited release of RISK FACTORS! It came out on March 4^th and I’m still dancing.

Where can we find you and your books?

You can always pop into my website bookshelf and on Amazon, B&N and most other ebook outlets.

RISK FACTORS - Buy Links:

LPI- http://lyricalpress.com/risk-factors/

amazon- http://is.gd/OOGR4t

b&N- http://is.gd/PfGvg9

Book tour competition details:

At the end of this tour I’ll be picking one winner to gift either a signature rose rock for a USA winner or a $10 GC of choice (Kindle or Nook) for one overseas or in Canada. Either winner will also get a PDF copy of Risk Factors!

The more you stalk me and comment, the greater your chance to win on April 8^th. I’ll announce the winner on the 10^th. Thank you for joining me on this fun journey’s end and good luck to all!

As a special bonus, I’ll be pooling all my blog hosts and the one with the most comments on their blog for my post will also win one of the same prizes as the winners! They need your help to win! Please note, this also includes my two hosts before today, so I’d appreciate if you check my official blog tour schedule and give them a chance to win by going to their blogs too.

Thank you so much for stopping off in this part of the world, Calisa! It was an absolute pleasure having you visit. 

Folks - don't forget to leave a comment to be in with a chance of winning some fabulous prizes! 

Good luck with Risk Factors, Calisa and all your current and future WIP's.