Category: Interviews

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My Interview with Charley Davidson

*walks into the room and jumps finding Charley is already here and she doesn’t look happy*

Kelly: *waves* Oh, Hey Charley you are early.

Charley: Yeah, I had a little too much coffee this morning.

Kelly:  Thank you for stopping by to talk to me.

Charley: No problem. Got any coffee?

Kelly: So I bet you are wondering why you are here? 

Charley: Is it to try out your new coffeemaker?

Kelly: Well as you know Darynda was on my blog a few weeks back and we got to talking about you, your life story and of course Reyes.  So I figured I would give you equal air time. 

Charley: *cringe* Reyes is a little angry with me at the moment. I kind of bound his incorporeal self to his corporeal self, but I had a really good reason.

Kelly: Everyone wants to know more about Reyes, but I would like to know more about you.  What makes Charley tick?

Charley: Besides coffee? Well, I’m very fond of green chile stew, guacamole burgers, the son of Satan. Things like that. Oh, and solving murders. Few things are more satisfying.  

Kelly: Tell me how you feel about Darynda telling your stories?

Charley: First of all, she never tells the story quite right. I mean, I like coffee, but I don’t drink it 24/7. More like 22/7. And I do ponder things other than Reyes. Lots of things. Like yesterday I was pretending to dust the office, slaving over that duster thingy, wiping my brow every so often and sighing until Cookie, my best friend-slash-receptionist, took pity on me and finished the dusting herself. That kind of acting takes preparation. A concentrated effort. I only thought of Reyes three times throughout that whole ordeal.

Kelly: Is there things that you really wished she would leave out or add more of?  I heard something about a night with the chess club in high school.

Charley: Ah, yes, the night that will forever live in infamy. But you’re right. That kind of stuff really doesn’t need to be mentioned. Fortunately, there was this night with a fighter attack squadron from the Air Force base that did not make it into any of her books. Least not that I know of. I’ve only read the first one. Or, well, the first few chapters of the first one. And just for the record, I’m not THAT much of a smartass.

Kelly: If you were not the Grim Reaper (which I think is pretty kick ass) what would you do for a living?

Charley: I have a nice crack. I could’ve been a plumber. And I really like tattoos on men. I would love to have done something with tattoos. And men. Mostly men.

Kelly: What is the best part of your job as a Reaper?

Charley: Helping people cross. I get to see bits and pieces of their lives, who they loved, what their favorite color was. It’s a great honor.

Kelly:  Okay I have to ask Reyes… What is it about him that makes you go weak in the knees?

Charley: It’s one thing to see Reyes, to witness such utter perfection, but it’s another beast entirely to be touched by him, to hear his voice, smooth like fine whiskey and just as intoxicating. He is breathtaking, yes, but he is also the most powerful being I’ve ever met. To know this as he runs his fingertips over my skin is like being caught in a silken snare. On one hand, it’s intimidating. On another, I never want to leave it.

Kelly:  So I know some people have not had a chance to read your stories yet.  What would you tell them about you books to make them read them?  I mean besides heavy breathing on the phone and possible death threats?

Charley: I would just say that if they want to know more about me, about what I do as the grim reaper, there’s no better avenue. You could come to Albuquerque and follow me around, but that’s stalking and I’d probably have my Uncle Bob arrest you. No offense. Darynda does a pretty good job getting the facts down. She needs to brush up on grammar and such, but that should come with time. And she makes a mean mocha latte.

Kelly:  Charley, I have to say I was a little intimidated to have you here today. Being the Grim Reaper and all, but you are a wonderful girl.  And is it wrong of me to say that I was *pinches fingers together* kinda hoping Reyes would pop in.  Thank you for taking time away from your life for a few minutes to talk with me. 

Charley: You are very welcome. Thank you for having me. Sadly, if Reyes had popped in incorporeally, you wouldn’t have been able to see him, but you would have known it when he brushed across your skin. There are few things on earth that hot.

Kelly:  Charley, what do you say we giveaway and audio version of Second Grave on the Left to one lucky commenter?

Charley: I think that’s a great idea! I love the way Lorelei King narrates the audiobooks. She makes me sound good. Kinda sexy. Kinda schizophrenic. Or maybe that’s just me projecting.

Kelly:  Do you think we should ask them to answer a question as part of the rules? Got any suggestions?

Charley: I would love to ask your readers if they were surprised to learn that the grim reaper is a chick. I know I was.

Kelly:  Again thanks for stopping by Charley… Maybe next time I can get you, Reyes & Darynda to sit down and talk… *rubs hands together* that would be really fun.

Charley: That would be fantastic, but trying to wrangle Reyes in for any length of time can be tricky. We’ll need rope. And possibly a Taser.
Thank you again for having me! Darynda speaks very highly of you, Kelly Sue! 



Kelly:  Ahhhh Thanks Charley, I am very fond of Darynda too, & you!!! Oh and I can get a hold of a Taser and some very thick ropes!!!  

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!
Macmillian Audio has giving me one audio book of Second Grave on the Left to giveaway.

What a sneak peak of the book? 
Click Here


If you would like to win this audio book please:
Answer Charley’s Questions: Were you surprised that the Grim Reaper was a girl?
Leave your email address (no email, no entry)
Be a follower of my blog. 

Giveaway will run until Sept 10th 
Winner announced Sept 12th






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Interview & Giveaway with Donnelly Mackenzie

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Gayle Donnelly & Robyn Mackenzie to the blog today.

Gayle Donnelly and Robyn Mackenzie both hail from the Midwest.  Writing partners as well as friends (perhaps even sisters in another life), both are married and each has two wonderful children. The similarities don’t stop there. Both earned degrees in English education, both have a profound weakness for Starbucks coffee, and both are completely captivated by the ethereal beauty found in the Pacific Northwest. Their individual passions for writing and storytelling, led them to create Infinite Betrayal, the first book in their Infinity Series


Welcome ladies, I am so pleased to have you here today. I am very excited to talk about your new book Infinite Betrayal book 1 in your new Infinity Series
Gayle/Robyn: Thank you so much Kelly!  We’re so excited about having our story featured here!!
Kelly:  Can I get you ladies anything?  Coffee, Wine, Chocolate?
Gayle:   Sauza margarita on the rocks, no salt.  Wait, it’s after 12:00 right?
Robyn:  Wine works for me…Chardonnay please.
Kelly: Shall we get started?
Gayle/Robyn:   Sure Kelly!  Giddy up!
Q1) Can you each tell us a little something special about the other one?
Robyn: Probably one of the most special things about Gayle is she balances me and forces me out of my comfort zone when needed. She’s much more of an extrovert than I am and I’ve grown so much in that area because of her. She’s also the type of friend you can call at 2:00 in the morning and she’ll be at your house in 10 minutes, no questions asked.
Gayle:  There are several things I can think of but I think the most important is that she  – no matter what the situation – will always fill where I am lacking.  If I am depressed or stressed about something, she always ends up being my touchstone to bring me back to reality.  When I need something, she provides – no matter what.
Q2) What is it like co-writing a book together?
Gayle/Robyn: It has been such a fun and rewarding experience and it’s actually brought us even closer as friends. Our writing styles are very similar, which helps tremendously. We also do better when we get together to plot out the storyline and do character development. We seem to feed off each other’s creativity and imagination so the story quickly evolves. Most important, we take constructive feedback from each other extremely well because we have such a high level of trust in each other’s opinions.
Q3) Is Infinite Betrayal the first book you have co-written?
Gayle/Robyn:  Yes.  We were sitting out in my (Gayle’s) backyard by the pool watching the kids swim when Robyn looks over at me and says, “Ya know…we can do this…we can write a book.”  Of course, I looked at her like she was insane but the more we talked about it, the more we started believing we could write a story that readers would love.  Our process is ever-changing but we can adapt to each other with ease.  The key for us is that we don’t take offense to any constructive criticism that each other provides.  We accept each other’s opinion and actively listen to each other’s suggestions or critiques.   Our voice on paper is seamless and because of our personal relationship, we just work great together.
Let’s talk books:
Q4) Book one is Infinite Betrayal. Tell us a little about Mathias and Mina’s story
Gayle/Robyn:  Infinite Betrayal starts out with the death of Mina Roarke’s mother and the mystery surrounding the background of an absentee father.  She travels to Germany to try and get answers when she comes in contact with Mathias; who says he has been sent from this mysterious father of hers that she knows nothing about.  She soon finds out that her heritage is not what she ever thought it would be and is quickly thrust into a war between two species that have been in existence for thousands of years.  Mina becomes the target and well, you will have to read the story to get the rest!!
Q5) Tell us about Mathias & Mina…
Gayle/Robyn:
Mina is a complete smart ass but her best attribute is her loyalty to the people she loves.  She has major trust issues but once someone is in her fold, they stay there.  She has long, auburn hair, is about 5’6, lives outside of Seattle and works as an insurance adjuster.
Mathias is the youngest General of the Coteri.  His parents died when he was young so he was raised by Roderick, King of the Coteri Race.  He worked extremely hard to overcome the stigma of being raised by the king and proved to himself and everyone around him that he earned and deserved the rank of General of the German Coteri forces.
I do have an idea of how I saw Mathias but not Mina.  I really never tried to picture her as someone that already exists.  I can see her in my mind but there isn’t anyone out there that reminds me of her.
For me, Mathias is Taylor Kitsch:



Q6) Book two is Infinite Surrender.  This is your current work in progress.  Can you tell us a little more about it.
Gayle/Robyn: Infinite Surrender follows the story of Chloe and Talon, who are both introduced in Infinite Betrayal, and continues the storyline progression from the first book. It takes place in the Pacific Northwest but unfortunately, we can’t tell you too much about the story since we don’t want to give away too many secrets from the first book. We can tell you that Talon is all Alpha and he definitely meets his match in Chloe. Infinite Surrender is action-packed and introduces several new interesting secondary characters. And of course, the romance/heat level is hot, hot, hot! 
Q7) Book three is Infinite Desire.  What can you tell us about this book? 
Gayle/Robyn:  Infinite Desire takes place in New Orleans and centers around the General of the South; Devereux.  I don’t want to get too much into the story but I love the outline we have come up with.
Q8) Who came up with the idea for the Infinite series?
Gayle/Robyn:   Not to sound too Stephenie Meyer but, I (Gayle) had a dream about an older, extremely handsome man standing at the top of a royal blue staircase.  He was a powerful king over a non-human race and when he came to the bottom of the stairs, there were incredibly hot, warrior-type men surrounding him.  Now, either this was an incredibly M/M/M dream or I could take it and run.  I woke up, wrote everything I saw in my head down and then went back to bed.  Later the next day, I told Robyn about the dream and the world of the Coteri was born.
Q9) How many books do you foresee in the future for the Infinite Series?
Gayle/Robyn:  Right now, we have a trilogy planned.  If readers want more, hopefully we can continue the story.
Q10) Can you share with us a typical writing day when you are co-writing a book?
Gayle/Robyn:   Since we both have day-jobs, our writing consists of late night writing and weekend binges. Lots of phone calls and face to face meetings to make sure we’re on the same page with the storyline and character development.
Q11) Do you have any writing rituals. Things you have to have while writing?
Gayle:  I need my iPod in my ears.  Depending on what type of scene I am writing, I need background music.  That’s why when you listen to the playlists on our website, they fit the story in my mind perfectly.  Music is key for me when writing. 
Robyn: I actually do best when I close myself off from everyone and write in the peace and quiet of the night.  I usually get the family to bed and to sleep then get back up and get lost in my writing.
Q12) I have to say that I am in love with your slide show on the blog of your inspirations. I live close to Multnomah Falls and it is beautiful, the hot guys, and great landscapes but I have to say this picture is my favorite.  ————–>>> 
Do you have a favorite in your gallery?
Gayle:  Mine would be the shot of Robyn and me in front of the fountain at Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans.  This was Robyn’s first trip to the Big Easy and I so loved introducing her to the culture there.  We had such a wonderful time and fully plan on attending Authors After Dark next year in NOLA.
Robyn: Mine is definitely the picture of Multnomah Falls. I lived in Washington State for several years and even though the Falls are in Oregon, it just perfectly depicts the ethereal beauty of that part of the country.

Q13) What is hardest part of co-writing a book?
Gayle/Robyn:  We work with one person as primary on a story…meaning they own the characters.  They have the best idea of what each character looks like, acts like, would say or do, etc.  The primary is also responsible for the base storyline.   The other is a support person…helping with plot, placement, wording, grammar, and how the story flows.   For both of us, the hardest part is trying to manage time.  We both have day jobs, we both have two kids, husbands, houses to keep, and sometimes it all just comes crashing down at around 2:30 am.
Q14) What do you say we do a little rapid fire questions for you two?
Gayle/Robyn:  Let’s do it!
Ready?
Set.
Go
Pepsi or Coke
Gayle:  Diet Pepsi
Robyn: Diet Pepsi
Pizza or Hamburger
Gayle: Hamburger
Robyn: Pizza
Vampires or Shifters
Gayle:  vampire
Robyn: shifters
Chocolate or Vanilla
Gayle:  chocolate
Robyn: chocolate
Coffee or Tea
Gayle:  coffee (or more specifically, Triple Grande, nonfat, no whip 3 pump Mocha from Starbucks)
Robyn: black coffee….Starbucks Pike Place roast
Morning or Night
Gayle:  night
Robyn: early morning right before the sun comes up
EBooks or Paperback
Gayle:  paperback
Robyn: paperback
Beach or Mountain
Gayle:  mountain
Robyn: mountain
Scottish Accent or Australia Accent
Gayle:  Scottish
Robyn: Scottish
Football or Baseball
Gayle:  Football
Robyn: Baseball
Q15) Is there anything else you like to add?
Gayle/Robyn: Thank you so much for your support of Infinite Betrayal, Kelly.  This has been a blast!
Kelly: Ladies thank you so very much for stopping by Books-n-Kisses. I look forward reading Infinite Surrender when it comes out in the fall.  What do you say we give away a copy of Infinite Betrayal?
Gayle/Robyn Absolutely!  We would love to hear from your followers if they have already read Infinite Betrayal or plan on reading it…. Comment away and we will pick a random post to win an E-copy
GIVEAWAY TIME: 
Gayle & Robyn are offering up an e-copy of book 1 Infinite Betrayal 

To enter:
Please answer Gayle/Robyn’s questions above
Please leave your email address (have to be able to contact you)
be a follower of my blog


Giveaway ends Sept 2nd
Winner announced Sept 5th

Where to find Donnelly Mackenzie: 

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Interview & Giveaway with Donna Grant

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome 
the wonderful Donna Grant to the blog today.

Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories.  She’s the author of more than twenty novels spanning multiple genres of romance—Scottish Medieval, dark fantasy, time travel, paranormal, and erotic.  Her latest acclaimed series, Dark Sword, features a thrilling combination of Druids, primeval gods, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her husband, two children, a dog, and three cats in Texas.  
To learn more about Donna and her books, please visit www.donnagrant.com.

Donna, Welcome to Books-n-Kisses.  I am so excited to have you here today.  Thank you for taking time out of your very busy schedule to sit down with me and talk about your books.
Donna: Thank you, Kelly!  It’s great to be here.

BK: First, I have to know how was your trip to Scotland? 

Donna: It was spectacular.  I’ve been wanting to go for as long as I can remember, and to finally see the place that holds such a special place in my heart was amazing.  Words cannot express the untamed beauty of the land.  I will be going back the first chance I get. J 

BK: Did you get some great inspiration for new books?

Donna: I did, actually.  How could I not driving amid the Highlands and visiting castles and lochs? lol

BK: Speaking of books tell us a little about your Dark Sword series:

{Bk1 Dangerous Highlander, Bk2 Forbidden Highlander, Bk3 Wicked Highlander, Bk4 Untamed Highlander, Bk5 Shadow Highlander & Bk6 Darkest Highlander}

Donna:  The Dark Sword series is a historical paranormal series set in Medieval Scotland.  I created my own mythology when I put together this series starting with one simple question: Why did Rome really leave Britain?


So, I took my own spin on things and used Druids.  Since no one really knows what the Druids were (evil or good or a mixture), I used them, both good and evil, to put the basis of my mythology.  IOW, I used the droughs, or evil Druids, who used their black magic to call up ancient gods long buried in Hell.

Those gods used the strongest man in each family as a host, and they won against the Romans.  But the gods wouldn’t leave the Warriors, so it took the droughs as well as the mies (good Druids) to bind the gods inside the men.

Yet the gods traveled through the bloodline through generations until a drough was able to unbind them, thereby giving us Warriors once more.

Some Warriors fought back against the villain, and together with other Druids fight to keep her from ruling the world.

BK:  I know the extremely talented Pickyme (aka Tricia Schmitt) did the cover art for Untamed Highlander, Shadow Highlander & Darkest Highlander, which I have to say that I love. How do you think they turned out?

Donna: I think they turned out brilliantly.  I’d been wanting the covers to show more paranormal, but my publisher was hesitant to do it.  I’m so pleased they went ahead and did it with these three books .
BK: Shadow Highlander release date is tomorrow (Aug 30th) and Darkest Highlander will be released January 2012.  Can you tell us what is next in the Dark Sword Series after Darkest Highlander? 

Donna:  The series will spin off.  I hate to call it that because it is the same characters and a continuing storyline, but something huge happens at the end of DARKEST HIGHLANDER that there’s a massive change.  So they opted to call it a spin off.  The new series will be called Dark Warriors, and the titles will be different, but I’ll have two sets of back to back releases.
MIDNIGHT’S MASTER – June 2012
MIDNIGHT’S LOVER – July 2012
MIDNIGHT’S SEDUTION – Nov 2012
MIDNIGHT’S WARRIOR – Dec 2012
BK: Do you know how many books you are going to have in the Dark Swords series or is it open-ended at this time?
Donna:  Ah, I know how many, but I can’t say right now.  It would ruin some things in the coming books.  I just turned in book 10, so there will be more after that. J


BK:  Can you share with us a little about the Dark Warrior Series coming in 2012. 
Donna:  Sure!  I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want any spoilers out there, but it’ll be a bit different.  I love where the books have taken me and where the characters are going, and I hope the readers do as well.

The stakes get raised with each book, and each Warrior has a lot more to lose – and gain.  Sometimes I even wonder how they’re going to get out of a situation. J
BK: Do you have any cover art for these books yet?  Is Pickyme (aka Tricia Schmitt) designing these for you?
Donna:  I’m supposed to see a cover soon, but unfortunately I have no idea if Tricia is doing the covers or not.
BK: Let’s learn a little more about your Donna.  Tell us 10 fun facts about yourself.
Donna: I love going to the movies. 
I get motion sickness.
I hate spiders.
I love a good glass of wine.
My favorite color is burgundy with black running a close second.
I wear a size 3 in kids shoes.
I used to work in accounting.
I have an extensive movie and TV series collection
I’m not a fan of cold weather.
I believe in ghosts.
BK: Who is your all-time favorite author and why?
Donna: Oh, I don’t think I can narrow it down to one.  So many authors have influenced me over the years.  One of my earlier favorites was Johanna Lindsey.  I devoured everything she wrote.

I loved Julie Garwood’s historicals.  Shana Abe has such a unique flow to her writing that just sucks me right into the pages.  I love how Lara Adrian develops her characters and her series.

And I could go on and on. J

BK: Have you ever thought about co-writing a book? If yes, with who and why?

Donna:  I don’t ever say never to anything, but this is one thing I’m not sure I would pursue.  For one, I’m a panster, meaning I have no idea where my story is going when I sit down each day to write.

And to co-write a book, both authors have to have the same idea for the story.  That’s not easy to achieve.
BK: Are you a plotter or panster?
Donna: lol.  Panster
BK: Do you ever get writers block? If yes, what do you do to move past it?
Donna: Not really.  Some days are harder to write than others and paying bills, going to the mail box, or even answering emails will give my mind the break it needs so that I can get back into the story.
BK: How has your family been supportive of your writing?
Donna:  Definitely!  My husband was the one to push me to try writing.  I wrote my first book while pregnant with my oldest, so both my kids have grown up with me at the keyboard. 
BK: Tell me about your Druids Glen Series?
Donna: My Druids Glen series was the first series published.  I love writing about Druids and Scotland, and I had such fun researching Druids.  The series centers around three sisters who hold magic to control elements.  It will take special Highlanders to hold their hearts and protect them as only a Highlander can.
BK: Do you foresee writing anymore books in this series?
Donna: No.  It was just supposed to be three books, but then I wrote Lugus’ story because he just wouldn’t leave me alone.  Then, I had so many requests for Frang to have his own story that I gave him one as well.

After that, I just couldn’t leave poor Aimery out there without his story.  J
BK: It looks like you are going to have a few re-releases coming up starting late summer.  Can you tell us a little about these books? Any one you are extremely excited to re-release?
Donna: I’ve been hesitant to re-release these older books.  For one, my writing has changed since they were first written.  I had intended to go back and revise them, but my schedule just wouldn’t permit it.

I was very excited about DRAGONFYRE, which was Aimery’s story.  I loved writing his book.  I’m also really excited to release the first contemporary paranormal I ever wrote – PRIMAL HEAT.  It’s a Halloween novella featuring werewolves.  It was fun to write, and has actually outsold many of my earlier books.

BK: Do you have a favorite character out of all your books?  Who & Why?

Donna:  Whatever character I happen to be writing at the time is my favorite.  I think because I’m so deep in their heads that they cannot help but become my favorite.

BK: Do you prefer writing series over stand-alone books. If yes, why?

Donna: I love writing series.  I love seeing characters from previous books and looking in on their lives once more.  Plus, as a reader, I get more invested in series than I do stand alone books.

BK: What is the best piece of advice you ever got about becoming an author that you would pass on to someone wanting to become an author?

Donna: Keep writing.  Stop revising and just finish the damned book.

It was invaluable advice.

Books-n-Kisses: Donna, Thank you so very much for taking the time to stop by my blog.  I have really enjoyed learning more about you and your books.

What do you say we do a giveaway to one of your fans?
Thanks so much for having me, Kelly.  Yes, I’d love to give away a signed copy of UNTAMED HIGHLANDER!

Giveaway Time: 
For a chance to win Untamed Highlander
Please tell me the one place you are dying to visit.
Please leave you email (I need away to contact you)
+1 Be a follower of my blog
+1 Follow Donna on FB
+1 share this on Facebook, Twitter or your own blog.  (Please leave me posting Link)
Giveaway will be open until September 2nd. 
Winner will be announced Septemeber 5th.
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Interview & Giveaway with Vicky Dreiling

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to Welcome Vicky Dreiling to the blog today.  Vicky is the author of the fan named “How to” Series, How to Marry a Duke, How to Seduce a Scoundrel and How to Ravish a Rake (Spring 2012)

Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the UK allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle.  That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her “Trouble.”

When she’s not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and most of all, long lunches with friends. She holds degrees in English literature and marketing. A native Texan, she shares her home with her daughter and a spoiled mini-lop rabbit that lives in a slightly gnawed cardboard cottage.



Hi Vicky, Welcome to Books-n-Kisses.  Thank you so much for stopping by and taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down and answer a few questions.


Vicky: Thanks for inviting me to your blog!

Q1) First, how was RWA?  Did you have a blast?  Are you finally recovered?

Vicky: RWA seems like a distant memory now, but I had a wonderful time. Every year, I see old friends and make new ones. The highlight of the conference was my very first book signing at the RWA Readers for Life Literacy Autographing.

Q2) Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Vicky: I’m from Texas and have held several interesting jobs including aerobics instructor, stay-at-home mom, and a 10-year stint in corporate marketing. I am a historical romance junkie and bought my first romance by accident at a supermarket. I didn’t know it was a romance until I started reading it. That book was ALMOST HEAVEN by Judith McNaught. I couldn’t put it down and have been hooked on historical romance ever since.

Q3) When did you decide you wanted to be an author?



Vicky: I wrote in diaries as a kid, but like most authors, the urge to write romance came from reading the books. One day when my kids were in school, I decided to write a historical romance for fun. I confessed my hobby to a friend. In a twist of fate, she happened to have seen a notice for a class on how to write a romance at a local branch of a university. I signed up for the class, and that led me to join RWA.

At one RWA meeting, there was a workshop on writing contests. I got excited when I heard that some of the judges were published authors. I entered five of them with the hopes of getting ‘critiques’ from published authors. Something unexpected happened. I won four of those five contests. I even finaled in the Golden Heart contest with that first manuscript. Ultimately, I did massive revisions for an editor without promise of contract, but the book wasn’t strong enough for publication.

After a trip back to college and several years ramping up a marketing career, I decided it was time to write again. The second manuscript was HOW TO MARRY A DUKE. Shortly after I began writing, I also started traveling domestically and internationally for business. That partly accounts for why it took me three years to finish the book. During that time, however, I also wrote three drafts of the book. Obviously, I was very determined to do everything possible to sell. Then I met my agent at a regional conference, and in 2009, I sold HOW TO MARRY A DUKE to Grand Central/Forever in a 3-book contract.

Q4) Let’s talk about your books (which I must say I love) in your fan named “How To Series”
 Tell us about How to Marry a Duke.

Vicky: Thanks for your kind words about my books.

I got the idea for HOW TO MARRY A DUKE after watching one episode of The Bachelor TV show. When the episode ended, a premise popped into my head: The Bachelor in Regency England minus the hot tub and camera crew. At first, I resisted the idea. I couldn’t have those Regency misses jumping in a hot tub or going on overnight dates. Then I thought: But what if you could write a Regency-era version? I figured I had nothing to lose. How hard could it be? Can you hear my hysterical laughter all the way from Texas?

HOW TO MARRY A DUKE is the story of Tristan Gatewick, the Duke of Shelbourne, who needs a wife in order to beget the requisite heir he needs.The papers have dubbed him The Most Eligible Bachelor in England. Every silly belle in the ton is dropping handkerchiefs and fans for him to retrieve. Tristan is weary of playing fetch, so when he meets a matchmaker, he decides to retain her. Tessa Mansfield is a bit leery of Tristan, because he’s a notorious rake. However, she sees a golden opportunity for her matchmaking career. If she can successfully make a love match for the duke, maybe other gentlemen will seek her services. Unfortunately, Tristan is the most unromantic man she’s ever met. Nonetheless, Tessa is undaunted and sets out to teach him lessons in love. There’s just one little problem: Tristan and Tessa are having trouble resisting their growing attraction. Because the ‘courtship’ is public knowledge, they dare not give into their desire. He is honor-bound to marry one of the ‘bridal candidates,’ and she has a secret that could destroy them both.

Tell us about How to Seduce a Scoundrel

HOW TO SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL is a Regency-era spoof of THE RULES. The book features Lady Julianne and Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield (aka Hawk), two characters from HOW TO MARRY A DUKE. When Tristan who cannot stay in London asks his best friend Hawk to act as Julianne’s guardian, Hawk is reluctant, but he can’t say no to his best friend. Hawk figures it can’t be too difficult. But at the first ball, he waltzes with Julianne and is stunned by his desire for her. She’s his best friend’s sister and is off-limits. When starry-eyed Julianne realizes that Hawk has no romantic interest in her, she’s heartbroken at first, but she decides to get even. With the help of friends, Julianne writes a lady’s guide to snaring bachelors in the parson’s mousetrap. THE SECRETS OF SEDUCTION causes quite a scandal, and Julianne must keep her identity a secret. Meanwhile, Hawk is having the devil of a time resisting his gorgeous ward. He’s got his own baggage and doesn’t believe he’s worthy of her. As Julianne discovers that Hawk has dark secrets, she realizes that the man she’s always known needs her love and belief in him.

Tell us about the next book How to Ravish a Rake

HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE is a Regency version of What Not to Wear to the Ball. Miss Amy Hardwick has spent several years as a hopeless wallflower, but this year, she’s determined to shed her shy reputation. Amy yearns to be one of the pretty belles, but she knows that’s impossible. However, she’s determined to be elegant and creates her own daring designs for gowns. Soon, the ton declares her the Fashion Darling of the Ton. But Amy’s wonderful night takes a scandalous turn when the most notorious rake in London mistakes her for his hussy in a dark library. That rake is none other than William Darcett, the man the scandal sheets have named the devil. After a steamy encounter with him, Amy thinks she’s escaped with her scruples barely intact. But the devil has other ideas, and Amy is having trouble resisting forbidden temptation.

Q5) What is after How to Ravish a Rake?

Vicky: Sorry, I can’t tell you yet, but keep an eye on my website for upcoming news.

Q6) Which of your characters has been the toughest to write and who has been the easiest?

Vicky: Hawk was the most difficult to write, because he hides his dark past beneath a clown mask. If readers are interested, I have a Behind the Scenes feature on my website that discusses his characterization in more detail. This feature contains spoilers, so I recommend reading the book first. Here’s a link to the article: http://www.vickydreiling.com/funstuff.html

Tessa was the easiest character to write, because I knew her history early in the planning process of HOW TO MARRY A DUKE, and I had some idea of how her past would affect the choices she made as the book progressed.  


Q7) How did you come up with the idea for your “How to” Series?



Vicky: Once I got an agent, I needed to create sketches for follow-up books to HOW TO MARRYA DUKE (HTMAD) that we could submit to publishers. I positioned the follow-up books to contain spoofs of modern dating practices similar to HTMAD.

Q8) If you could co-write a book with any other author. Who would it be and what genre?



Vicky: I wouldn’t attempt it, because I can’t imagine meshing two voices in a novel. Some authors talk about developing their voices, but that doesn’t resonate with me at all. I write the way I write. Granted, I pay attention to diction to give my novels a historical flavor, so to speak, but I don’t overly season the prose with Regency parlance.

If you want to get an idea of what I mean by voice, take two historical romances written by two different authors and read portions of them aloud. You’ll probably note a marked difference in the cadence, the diction, and the sentence structure. I think there is a je ne sais quoi element to voice as well.

Q9) What are your writing rituals? Anything you have to have?

Vicky: I wear Bose Noise Cancellation headphones (from my old flying days) and listen to music on my iPOD. I’m a very good customer of i-Tunes. J

Q10) How does your play lists help you?

Vicky: I choose music that reflects scenes through either the lyrics, melody or both. In addition, each book has a theme song. The theme song for HOW TO MARRY A DUKE is I Believe in You by Il Divo and Celine Dion. Better Man is the theme song for HOW TO SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL. Right now, Sympathy for the Devil is the theme song for HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE. J

Q11) If you were not an author what do you think you would be doing?

Vicky: I can’t imagine my life without writing now.

Books-n-Kisses: Thanks Vicky for sitting down with me.



Okay… *evil look in eye*

Rapid Fire Time:

Ready?


McDonalds or Burger King? Shudders – neither. I don’t like fast food.
Summer or Winter? Spring. J
Ice cream or Frozen Yogurt?  I’m lactose intolerant. I love ice cream, but it doesn’t love me. L
Burgers or Hot dogs? Burgers.
Smore’s good or bad? Good.
Paperback or E-book? Both.
GPS or Paper Map?  GPS but I still get lost.
Coffee or Tea? Coke Zero
Action film or Romance?  Romance

Thanks Vicky again for stopping by Books-n-Kisees. I hope you enjoyed your time here and I hope that we can get back together closer to the release of How to Ravish a Rake.

Giveaway Time: 


Vicky is so great… 
She has offered to giving away one Signed Audio version of book 1 How to Marry a Duke 
& Signed copy of book 2 How to Seduce a Scoundrel. 

To Enter: 
Please leave a comment
Please leave your email (SUPER IMPORTANT PART!!!)

+1 Follow Books-n-Kisses Blog
+1 Sign up for News letter
+1 Like Vicky’s FB page

Only open to the US & Canada.
Giveaway open until August 31st
Winner announced Sept 2nd.


To learn more about Vicky’s books visit her website:
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Interview & Giveaway with Leslie Lee Sanders

 Hi Leslie, Welcome to Books-n-Kisses.  I am pleased to have you here today to learn a little more about you and your books. 
Leslie : I’m excited to be here! Thanks for having me.
Books-n-Kisses: Tell me a 10 fun facts about yourself.
Leslie: Well, I write erotica and erotic romance in the MM and MMF categories. I read everything from metaphysical books to horror and everything in between. Dark chocolate is too bitter for my taste buds. Most of my story ideas come to me in dreams. Some of my story ideas are inspired by music. Driving scares me. So, I stopped driving in 2001. Art (in every form) moves me. I’m a mother of three girls. I’m also a wife. And where are we? Ah, one more. Hmm, I enjoy watching hot, sweaty men sing and dance on stage.  
BK: Tell us about your book Benefits of Sharing. 
Leslie: Have you ever had a regret that held you back? In my story, Benefits of Sharing, Cara has a regret that goes back ten years and it’s keeping her from enjoying turning thirty. Her regret? Not enjoying wild and exciting experiences in college with her then crush Ryan. To cheer her up, her husband arranges a sexual tryst between his young coworker Isaac and Cara. As her birthday approaches, she’s quick to learn the Benefits of “Sharing.”
BK: In your story you have a M/M/F relationship.  What are the challenges of writing this type of relationship?
Leslie: Well, we have three main characters instead of the popular hero and heroine, or hero and hero. *wink* This is a challenge only because there are more personalities, backstories, dialogue and motives to incorporate into the story. That, and the fact that you have to equally give everyone their time in the spotlight because readers want to know and like each member of the threesome. You have to make sure all participants get equal attention or at least enjoy it as much as the others. In an m/m/f threesome, the men have to enjoy each other as well (maybe not at first but eventually). Oh, and another challenge…making sure you clearly know where everyone’s hands are during the love/sex scenes. Getting it all right should make for a satisfying and successful M/M/F relationship.
BK: Does your family/friends read your books? If yes, what are their reactions?
Leslie: A few has read my erotic romances. Their reactions don’t come as a surprise to me, some are uncomfortable with the diverse sex scenes, and others have a great reading experience. Instead of dwelling on their uncomfortable reading experience, I just look at it this way. You will never fully enjoy a great romantic flick if you keep covering your eyes when the hot lovemaking pops onto the screen.
BK: Do you ever get writers block? If yes, what do you do to get unblocked?
Leslie: The dreaded writers block. When my brain freezes up on me, I use a special trick to defrost it. I jump ahead. I start writing the next pivotal scene, or chapter. Or I jump ahead to the climax or even the end. If that doesn’t work, I type without looking at the screen to prevent self-editing which is sometimes what’s keeping me from making progress.
BK: What are your writing rituals?  Anything you have to have while writing?
Leslie: Music. Some writers need peace and quiet. All I need is music to match the mood of the story and I can write for hours. And if a particular song keeps the ideas flowing, I put it on repeat.
BK: Favorite all-time author and why
Leslie: I absolutely love V.C. Andrews’s novels, the first ones especially. My favorite is Flowers in the Attic. While reading that story I was completely immersed in the lives of the children and the wickedness of their grandmother. The family secrets and plot twists in her novels always keep me reading. That’s why I love to incorporate twists in my own stories.
BK: Favorite line or scene in Benefits of Sharing?
Leslie: Cara had once heard, “you only regret the things you don’t do.” Eventually time and fate had led her to a wonderful marriage with James. And being married to James was like falling in love over and over again as the years went by.
BK:  How long does it take you to write a story?
Leslie: To write the first draft of a novel will usually take me several months, maybe even a year or so. A novella could take a couple months for me to finish. And a short story a few weeks. It takes me a while to complete a project because I’m so busy with the day job (I work nights as a home health aide) and raising my family.
BK:  What is your next work in progress?
Leslie: I have several works in progress but I’m focusing more on Before the Darkness, a post-apocalyptic m/m erotic romance. Yeah, romance. It focuses on the budding relationship between two survivors of an asteroid impact and it will have a happy ending. I’m even playing around with the idea of making it the first book of a three book series.
Books-n-Kisses: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Leslie: Benefits of Sharing is now available at Breathless Press: http://www.breathlesspress.org/Book/361
To find more about me and my books visit my website: www.leslieleesanders.com

Once again, thank you for having me and thanks to you readers for reading!
BK: Leslie, Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down with me and share your story.  I look forward to reading more of your books in the future. 

Giveaway Time:
We will be giving away an e-book of Benefits of Sharing. 
To Enter:
Please leave a comment
Please leave your email (need a way to contact you)

Extra Entries:

+1 Follow my blog
+1 Share this on FB,  Twitter or your blog (please leave a link)


Giveaway ends August 26th
Winner announced August 29th



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Interview & Giveaway with JD Tyler

Books-n-Kisses to super excited to welcome JD Tyler to the blog today.



J.D. Tyler is an award-winning, multi-published author who writes for New American Library under three pseudonyms. Whether this is due to an overdose of ambition or a multiple personality affliction, she’ll never tell.

J.D. writes dark, sexy paranormal romance and has a huge thing for shifters, vampires, the Fae, and just about everything else that goes bump and grind in the night. She can’t get enough of those dangerous supernatural heroes, and the fun of creating her own was just too much temptation to resist… so she didn’t. J.D. doesn’t do self-denial.
When she isn’t writing, J.D.’s idea of a good time certainly isn’t cleaning house (sniff), bungee jumping (not in this lifetime, or the next), or camping (her idea of “roughing it” is a slow bellboy). She enjoys reading, being pampered like the diva she is, and spending time with her awesome family. She lives in Texas with her husband and two teenagers.


JD, Welcome to Books-n-Kisses. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down and talk with me about your new book series.  

JD: Hi, Kelly! Thanks for inviting me here for a visit today!

Kelly: Do you need anything before we begin? Coffee, tea, soda?

JD: Coffee I suppose, since it’s too early for a margarita. J

Kelly: It might be a little to early, yes… *wink, wink* Shall we begin?

JD: Mmm, good coffee. Sure! Fire away.

Q1) Can you share 5 fun facts about yourself?

JD: Ooh, a fun one! Let’s see…

1) My friends know that I’m a huge Bon Jovi fan!! (I go to their concert every time they come to Dallas!!)
2) I, along with my family, was once country star Mickey Gilley’s special guest at his show 
in Branson, MO. My family knows Mickey’s steel guitar/fiddle player/comedian, so we got in free and met Mickey after the show. Very cool.
3) I once met country star Charley Pride in a restaurant in Dallas. I saw him walk through the door, and he was SO tall, broad, and handsome I thought he was a Dallas Cowboy at first. Then he spoke to me and I saw the RCA recording logo on his jacket, the HUGE Rolex on his wrist, and realized who I was speaking with. I almost had heart failure. J
4) My house is haunted. My husband, the snarkiest “ghost non-believer” in the history of the world, recently saw his very first ghost, a lady in a robe, walking down our stairs in broad daylight and almost choked on his lunch. He no longer laughs when the kids or I tell our ghost stories or watch TAPS Ghost Hunters on TV.
5) Thanks to the English teacher I had as a senior in high school, I can still recite the ENTIRE prologue to the Canterbury Tales in Old English, from memory. We had to say it for a grade, and she taught it to her class by playing the old 33 on her record player (early DVD, baby readers) over and OVER. For weeks. Thanks loads, Mrs. Dale. Twenty-seven years after high school, that nifty little talent makes for great fun when my friends and I get drunk.

Q2) Tell me a little about your 3 pseudonyms? I mean 3 really… WOW!!! How do you keep them all straight?

JD: In addition to writing paranormal as JD Tyler, I write romantic suspense as Jo Davis, and paranormal erotica as Jo Carlisle. Honestly, it’s not as hard as it sounds writing-wise. I work on one book at a time, and all of my focus is on that story and those characters at the moment. The most difficult thing for me is being organized enough to keep up three websites! Sometimes I get behind and am late sending in updates to my web folks.

Let’s talk books…

Q3) Please Describe Primal Law in 140 characters or less. (oh and I will count them….. just kidding.. I won’t, well maybe I should!)

JD: Here’s a short blurb (sorry, I didn’t count the characters!):After a massacre leaves Jaxon Law crippled, he must relearn how to fight-and battle the anger and guilt threatening to overwhelm him. But when Jax rescues a beautiful woman who awakens his primal instincts, he is unprepared for the dangers that lie ahead. Soon he must decide if the deep connection he feels with Kira is worth defying the ultimate shifter law…


Q4) How did you come up with the idea for the Alpha Pack series?


JD: My publisher asked me to write a shifter series, and I was thrilled. I wanted it to be suspenseful and fast-paced, and very sexy. I thought, why not combine Navy SEALs/military-type heroes with shifters and Psy abilities? I hit on a whole new concept I thought could work well, and it does. I love these Alpha heroes!

Q5) Primal Law is Jaxon Law’s story.  Tell us a little more about Jax. *wiggles eyebrows*

JD: Jax is a tattooed, goateed, motorcycle-riding bad boy with issues. His biggest source of guilt is that he trusted the wrong woman, and she literally turned out to be a witch who’d helped set up the ambush of his team. Now, there’s no way he’d ever trust another female, or so he thinks…

Q6) It looks like Black Magic is up next.  Black Magic is a novella in your Alpha Pack series. Would you like to share a little with us. (sorry no cover art just yet)

JD: BLACK MAGIC is a stand-alone novella involving our Sorcerer/black panther/Necromancer Kalen Black and Dr. Mackenzie Grant, the lady who’ll eventually be his Bondmate. This will be the story of how the spark between them becomes a blaze, and how a sacrifice on Kalen’s part will alter his destiny. This sets up their full-length book, which will be the 3rd of the series. Kalen’s story will be explosive!

Q7) The next book in the Alpha Pack series is going to be Savage Awakening.  This is Aric Savage’s book.  Can you share a little about Aric and his book?  

JD: Aric’s story was fun to write because he’s such a snarky bastard, which of course hides a big heart. His journey is one of self-forgiveness and learning he’s worthy of love. He’s met his match in his lady love, Rowan Chase, who’s a tough LAPD police officer and doesn’t take crap off anybody. Hands down, she’s the best heroine I’ve ever written, and they make an explosive couple!

Here’s a blurb:
After a mission goes wrong, Aric Savage is taken prisoner. Half-dead and despairing, he makes a stunning discovery: his Pack mate Micah Chase, who was reported dead, is a fellow captive. When the Alpha team goes into full-rescue mode, accompanying them is an absolute stunner with sable hair—and a spine of solid steel.
LAPD officer and Psy Dreamwalker Rowan Chase has one priority: her brother Micah’s recovery. Still, she can’t help but be drawn to Aric, the ruggedly handsome wolf shifter who pleasures her as no man ever has—however fleeting their affair is destined to be. But when Aric’s life is endangered, Rowan must ask herself what she’s willing to sacrifice in the name of love, for the man fated to be her Bondmate.
Q8) I noticed that there are quite a few pack members.  Will everyone be getting a story?

JD: It’s my fondest hope that everyone will get a story in the future! I’m not sure who will come after Kalen (book 3), but I have an idea or two…

Q9) Do you have any idea who will be after Aric?

JD: Kalen Black’s full-length story is book 3.

Q10) Do you have a favorite pack member?  If so, who & why?

JD: It’s so hard to pick a favorite among these guys! They’re all sexy and loveable in their own way, and they’re all different, appealing to a woman’s various tastes in men. Right now, Kalen is getting a lot of my attention, since his novella and full-length book are up next. He’s a fascinating hero, very different and dynamic. Hammer is also shaping up nicely, and in Aric’s story (SAVAGE AWAKENING, April 2012), the reader learns his real first name and why he’s so secretive. He’s the team’s gentle giant, one of my favorite types of hero.

Q11) Tell us about your typical writing day.

JD: I get up by 7:30 or 8, get coffee, check email. Then I reread what I’ve written the day before to get me into the groove. Then I write, write, write! I’m usually done by 4 in the afternoon because my brain is tired.

Q12) So reading over your bio I see that you are not into bungee jumping. But what is something off your bucket list that you can share with us.

JD: I’ve never been to Europe, and I’d love to visit Italy, Greece, and England! I’ll see all the sights. And of course I’ll fly there and back first class! Someday…

Q13) Going back to your 3 different pseudonyms.  Do you prefer writing in one genre over another? 

JD: All of the genres I write fulfill the need to tell a story, and each genre is different. I have to say, though, that paranormal is my favorite.

Q14) How many books on average do you write in a year?

JD: 3-4. My publisher keeps me busy, and that’s a very good thing. J

Q15) Do you prefer writing series or stand-alone books?

JD: I’m a series kind of gal. I enjoy creating a “family” of heroes and then telling each one’s story.

Q16) Where do you find inspiration?  (places, music, pictures, dreams, people)

JD: I get inspiration literally from everywhere. The news, music, photos, people-watching. I’m a incurable daydreamer, which drove my teachers nuts, and yet I managed to turn that into a career!

Q17) What is the best piece of advice you got about becoming an author that you would like to share?

JD: If you want to be a published author, it’s like any other highly selective career—lose the excuses, plant your ass in the chair and write! Join a professional writers group such as Romance Writers of America, learn the business, and hone your craft. And like any other career, prepare to hear the word “no” a lot, then forge ahead again and again until you get the “yes!” you’ve been working for.

Q18) What are your thoughts on ebooks vs paperbacks?

JD: I enjoy both formats, and I buy both. I think ebooks will continue to rise in popularity, but I think there will always be a place for paperbacks.  

Q19) Can you tell us what you are currently working on?

JD: Right now I’m working on BLACK MAGIC, Kalen’s novella, which will be out in March 2012. Then up next will be Aric Savage’s story that I just finished, SAVAGE AWAKENING, out on April 3, 2012.

Books-n-Kisses: Again a HUGE thank you to JD for stopping by my blog and share with us her newest book.

JD :Thank you again for inviting me here!

Kelly:JD, What do you say we give the readers a chance to win Primal Law?

JD: Sounds great! I’m giving a signed copy, so good luck, readers!

Giveaway Time:

One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of Primal Law. 
To enter please leave a comment below
along with your email (no email, no entry)

Extra points
+1 Follow Books-n-Kisses blog
+1 Like JD FB page


Giveaway will stay open until August 26th
Winner Announce August 29th




Posted on

Interview & Giveaway with Darynda Jones

*Squeeeekkk* Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!!!!  Welcome Darynda to Books-n-Kisses.  I am so beyond excited to have you here.  Thank you for taking time out of your very busy schedule to stop by and answer a few questions.  *Squeeekkk*
 
Winner of the 2009 Golden Heart® for Best Paranormal Romance for her manuscript FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT, Darynda was born spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike. After the Golden Heart final, she pimped herself as best she could, landed an amazing agent and sold to St. Martin’s Press in a three-book deal. Darynda lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of more than 25 years and two beautiful sons, aka the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. She can be found at www.daryndajones.com.
 
Okay, I am fine now really
 
Darynda Jones: HAHAHA!!! I was just commenting the other day how much I sound like a dolphin when I get excited. Thank you so much for such a wonderful welcome!
 

 

*GASP* YYyyyyoooooouuuuuuu have the same shoes on as me!!!!  We are shoe TWINS!!!!
 
Okay, really I think I am okay to start now…….. 
 
BK:Where to start, hhmmm…… Let’s start with how did you come up with the idea for Charley and her story.
 
DJ: Charley was born in a dark alley with a group of magical elves watching over her.
Just kidding. She was born out of desperation. Simple truth is, I wanted to get noticed. So I thought, what would happen if I took Buffy, threw in a little bit of Stephanie Plum and tossed in a hefty dose of Lorelei Gilmore from the Gilmore Girls? And voila! Charley was born.
And let’s face it, with a combination like that, she’s bound to get into any number of disastrous situations. Being a magnet for trouble, both eliciting it and causing it, she often has to use her smarts and sarcastic wit to get out of the plethora of binds in which she finds herself.
 
BK:Have you ever sat down with Charley and asked her how she feels about you telling her story?
 
DJ: Oh, my gosh, I have! It turns out, she had NO IDEA.
I was like, really? And she was like, yeah, really, I had no idea. It was weird.
But she seems to be coping with it well. The death threats have stopped and she hardly ever calls and pants into the receiver anymore. That part’s kind of sad actually. I was getting used to it. Even looked forward to it after a long day of writing. But it’s all good.
 
*GASP* Why can I see Charley doing that….. 
 

BK: Would Charley say you are telling the true story or leaving parts out?

 
DJ: Well, she did get upset that I left out her romp with the chess club when she was in high school. Apparently, “it was a night that will live in infamy.” (Her words.) But I told her I’m not writing erotica. I can only keep so much of her story. Sheesh.
There are some other parts of her life that I really want to bring in someday. Can you imagine what it would be like to grow up the grim reaper? She got herself into many a bind, let me tell ya. Some of the stories are hilarious and some are heart-wrenching. I hope she lets me tell them someday.
 
Art work by Picky Me
BK: So the Uber-Talented Tricia “Picky Me” has created a picture of the Super-hot Reyes. Do you think that she did him justice?  Was this how you pictured Reyes?
 
DJ: Hold on while I wipe off the drool. (That was embarrassing.) I think Tricia did an AMAZING job. I picture him very much like her rendition, so much so it’s a little eerie. The build. The lines. So, so hot.
 
BK: Speaking of Reyes –Are there any deep dark secrets you want us to know about him that he doesn’t want us to know?  Like does he have fuzzy slippers or love bunnies?
 
DJ: Reyes has so many secrets, it’s unreal, and I am hoping to bring more and more of them in as his story progresses. Most of them are about his tragic past, both on and off this plane. But he does have a favorite pair of sneakers he refuses to part with. I’m dying to find out why. And of course, he loves silk (the feel of Charley’s hair), he loves gold (the color of Charley’s eyes) and he loves chocolate (the taste on Charley’s tongue…for obvious reasons).
 
BK: So for those who may have been living under a rock.  Tell us a little about your series.
 
DJ: Well, as you’ve probably guessed, the series is about a female PI who was born the grim reaper. She solves mysteries for both the living and the dead. She has a best friend-slash-receptionist who is the coolest sidekick a grim reaper could ever hope for, a dark and mysterious lover who gives her more trouble than he’s probably worth, and an associate in the form of a skip tracer who once tried to have her committed. Along with the rest of her circle—some alive, some not so much—she attracts trouble like a wet floor attracts a lawsuit. But she does it with style.
            
BK: You also have a short story on your website titled ‘For I Have Sinned’ (add cover pix at posting) Tell us a little about this short story and where people can find it.
 
DJ: I love For I Have Sinned because it is from another person’s POV, a woman who recently passed away. We get to see Charley (and several other characters, namely Reyes) through someone else’s eyes. The idea was actually my agent’s. She’s somewhat of a genius. And I think it turned out really well, especially since short stories are not my forte.
You can either get it for your ereader at pretty much any online store or you can read it on your computer absolutely free at the Heroes and Heartbreakers website.
 
BK: What is up next for Charley & Reyes after Third Grave Dead Ahead?  More books?  Please say there will be more books….. *Big Grin*
 
DJ: There will be more books! Woohoo! My amazing editor wants the series to continue, as do I, so I am working on the outlines for the next three in the series as we speak. So excited!
 
BK: I read that you will have a Young Adult book titled Grimsight.  Can you tell us a little about this book and when it will be released?
 
DJ: Yes! The first YA in the trilogy will be out in April of 2012. It is about a girl whose life is irrevocably changed when Death starts high school in her small town. Sadly, it will not be called Grimsight. *insert sad face* I rewrote so much of the story that Grimsight really doesn’t fit anymore, so my editor and I are currently brainstorming titles. And, yes, I am open to suggestions! J
 
BK: Darynda, Thank you so much for stopping by Books-n-Kisses
 
DJ: Thank YOU!!! I am thrilled and honored to be here.
 
BK: Oh Wait!!!
 
DJ: Okay.
 
BK: I forgot I have this lonely little book thong created by the super crafty Mandy over as Shiny Stupid Designs. 
 
DJ: KEWL!!! Isn’t it beautiful???
 
 
 
 
BK: Darynda, what do you say we do a giveaway of Second Grave on the Right to go with this book thong?
 
DJ: Absolutely! I would love to give away a signed hardcover of Second Grave to go with Mandy’s gorgeous creation!
 
 
 
BK: Again Darynda, THANK YOU so much for stopping by.  I had a great time sitting down and talking with you.  Let’s do it again for Third Grave Dead Ahead.
 
DJ: I would love to! Thank you again!
 
BK: It’s a date!!!
Giveaway Rules:
 
+Leave a comment 
Leave your Email (no email, no entry)
 
 
Extra Points
+1 Be a follower of my blog

 

 

+1 Follow Shiny Stupid Blog 
+1 Like Shiny Stupid’s FB page 
+1 Like PickyMe’s FB page 
+1 Like Books-n-Kisses FB page 
Giveaway will be open until August 26th.
Winner announce August 29th.
Posted on

Interview & Giveaway with Kallypso Masters

 Books-n-Kisses is pleased to Welcome Kallypso Masters to our blog.

Kally, Thank you so very much for stopping by Books-n-Kisses to talk about your Rescue Me series. I am so excited to have you here *squeeekkk*. I have to say a huge thank you for allowing me to advance read Master at Arms, the first novel in the series.
Kally: I’m thrilled to be here, Kelly! You were the first reviewer to ask to interview me for a blog. Such a honor! Thanks so much!
Kelly : *looks around* Looks like it is just me and you today. Shall we get started?
Kally: Wait! Let me see if I can tear the guys away from the Masters at Arms club playroom so they can join us. Hopefully, they won’t dominate the interview. You know how much they command attention. *Kally calls Masters Adam, Marc, and Damián in. Master Adam stands with hands on hips (same pose he’s in on the cover of MASTERS AT ARMS); Master Marc flicks his riding crop against his thigh; and Master Damián glares, hoping to intimidate Kelly. Kally leans over to whisper to Kelly, “Deep down, Master Damián’s really a pussycat. Just don’t tell him I said so.” Oh, now Master Damián turns his glare to Kally.*
Kelly: *Leans over to Kally* they don’t scare me…. *wink, wink*
Q1) Tell us a little about yourself.
Kally: I’m 53 and have been writing off and one for more than 35 years (since high school). My background is in journalism and technical writing/editing, but this is my first novel. I’m happily married (28 years) and have two adult children. This past spring, I decided to quit my day job and try a one-year experiment to see if I can make a living writing full-time. I pulled out my Nobody’s Angel manuscript, which I’d drafted in May 2009, and started editing. Then I realized it was part of a series—and I started writing Masters at Arms to discover how the three masters came to be together and such good friends.
Q2) Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Kally: in 8th grade, I wanted to be a journalist. But I was so shy (I kid you not!) that, when my first assignment for the high school newspaper was to interview the principal, I froze and quit working for the school paper. But I wrote romances for fun. I had a rough childhood and being able to read a romances and watch characters go through all kinds of hell, but still have a happily ever after, gave me hope for my own life. I wanted to write stories like that, too!
     I joined Romance Writers of America in the early 1990s, but could never finish a novel. Still don’t know what that was about. Then I went to college, earned a degree in journalism in 2001 (at 44), and went to work as an editorial assistant. That was the job I quit in April after almost 10 years. I had just attended an Artist’s Way workshop and realized this was a shadow-artist job—and a crazymaker to boot. (That’s Artist’s Way jargon.) I was so drained after work that I hadn’t written anything creative in two years. Now when I see people who knew me from that time, they tell me “You’re alive again!” Writing erotic romance is good for my soul!
Q3) How did you get into writing BDSM?
Kally: I attended the annual Kentucky Romance Writers workshop in March 2009 and met a lot of local writers who were writing erotic romances. This was my first foray back into RWA in about 15 years. (We didn’t have erotic romances when I left the association!) I’ll admit, the first thing that caught my attention was how much they were making writing them. Maybe I could make a living writing fiction! So, I went home and wrote one without even reading anyone else’s. (It’s not to be published—at least not without a LOT of work!)
     Then I downloaded my first erotic romance—Cherise Sinclair’s CLUB SHADOWLANDS. (I didn’t even have an e-reader yet and read it on my desktop computer in PDF.) Oh.my.God! Amazing! I wanted to write stories like that with strong, loveable Doms! Within a month, I drafted NOBODY’S ANGEL. It was the second novel I finished, in as many months, so I seemed to have gotten beyond that mental block about finishing. But life and work intruded and I wasn’t able to write any others or revised that one until after I quit the “evil day job.”
Q4) Do you see yourself writing in any other genres?
Kally: I think I’ll always have some element of bondage and discipline in whatever I write. For instance, after I finish the RESCUE ME series (with the February 2012 release of NOBODY’S PERFECT), I’ll probably work on a Western historical I plotted it one morning in my Artist’s Way “Morning Pages.” It looks like it will be a ménage, like NOBODY’S ANGEL. In historical novels, it’s socially acceptable for a man to turn a woman over his knee and spank her at the drop of a cowboy hat. And think of those delicious beds with the headboards that just beg to have a woman restrained to them. Whips and ropes were easy to come by, too (pun intended). Oh, and what if there’s a lawman involved and he brings his handcuffs? Anyway, you get the picture. I’ll definitely have bondage and discipline in that one, set in 1883 Deadwood, S.D.
     By the way, the other books in the RESCUE ME series are basically m/f—although I don’t always know what the Masters are going to come up with, so we’ll see. For instance, I’m not sure how far Master Damián will go when Karla comes to him for advice on how to become the perfect subbie for Master Adam. (Master Damián’s got a wicked smile on his face—and now Master Adam’s the one who is glaring.) Oh, I can’t wait until I start writing Karla and Master Adam’s story, due out in December! I just put them on the page and see where the story goes.
Q5) Briefly tell us about the Rescue Me series.
Kally: Masters at Arms begins the journey of three men, each on a quest for honor, acceptance, and to ease his unspoken pain. Their paths cross at one of the darkest points in their lives. As they try to come to terms with the aftermath—forging an unbreakable bond—will they ever truly become masters of their own fates? Or would fate become masters of them? (Book One in the Rescue Me series.)
Q6) What is your favorite line or scene in Masters at Arms?
Kally: That’s like asking me which of my children I love most. There are too many favorites. I often put them in my “Six Sentence Sunday” blogs (http://kallypsomasters.blogspot.com), though. Here’s one, though, but actually several consecutive lines that I just can’t break up. This is Master Sergeant (Adam) Montague giving Damián a wake-up call and inviting him to work at the BDSM club he plans to start now that he’s retired:
“Well, last time I checked, most of the ladies at BDSM clubs are more interested in a firm hand and a stiff cock. You still seem to have both of those in your inventory. Sure, there may be some chicks with a foot fetish, but you still have a good one, don’t you?”
Q7) What gave you the idea to write the Rescue Me Series?
Kally: I love stories where the hero and heroine rescue each other. While one might rescue the other physically, there always has to be the emotional rescue, as well. I write about redemption, reunions, and overcoming unspeakable horrors in life to find true love.

Q8) Out of all the Masters who has been the most difficult to work with?

Kally: Oh, that’s a tough one, they’re all a pain in the…. *Kally glances over at Master Marc, flicking the crop again* Um, they like to hold their personal pain inside, so it’s been quite a feat getting them to reveal their secrets. Each time I think one is the worst, then another ’fesses up about something and floors me. But, I’d have to say, it’s Master Marc.
     I know, he seems like the most easy-going one. His sense of humor and love of women. Then a beta reader pointed out that he hadn’t grown at all in Nobody’s Angel. Well, HE was really holding secrets from me, one that has really has affected every relationship he’s had since his early 20s. That one is revealed in Masters at Arms, but who knows what else he’s going to reveal as I do the major rewrite of ANGEL?
Kelly: *rolls eyes* I should have guessed… *winks at Master Marc*
Q9) So, now that we know who is the most difficult who has been the most pleasurable to work with?
Kally: Oh, Master Adam. I think I’m a little in love with him myself. *OMG, as Karla would say, did he just wink at me? *MELT* He’s gritty, tells it like it is, but has such a big heart. I call him my guardian of lost souls. I love how he watches over Marc in the hospital, chases away Damián’s night terrors, and keeps watch over the hurting Karla, despite his wayward…thoughts. He seems to have his head on the straightest, too (well, until Karla starts pursuing him in earnest in NOBODY’S HERO). As you know, he’s clueless when it comes to Karla. I think he’s finally met the woman who can help him find his lost soul, even if she is 25 years younger.
Kelly *sigh* Oh Adam, Adam, Adam…. What ever will I do with you?  OH I have an idea……..
Q10) What kind of research did you have to do for these books? i.e. the sex scenes?
Kally: My, Kelly, do you have sex on the brain?
Kelly:  Who Me? Proceed…. Please….
Kally: I actually had to do a lot more research on things like the Marines, the Second Battle of Fallujah, and the treatment of amputees and casualties. And the places where the story is set. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Surviving incest and being an unwilling sex slave.
The sex scenes just come naturally to me. (Why is it every time I say “come” Master Marc grins wickedly?) *Kally returns her attention to Kelly.* Um, where were we? Oh, yes! Sex scenes. I love to write them. My editor, Jeri Smith, says I write the most awesome sex scenes, too—very hot, but tender. Of course, I do research on some of the BDSM aspects for those scenes in NOBODY’S ANGEL and for MASTERS AT ARMS where Savannah is being tortured. *Kally notices that Master Damián has a very sad look in his eye.* (Kally whispers to Kelly: He’s always wondered what happened to Savannah, but when he looked for her after his discharge and rehab, it was as if she vanished from the face of the earth. So sad. He never got over her.)
Um, I also got quite an education reading Cherise Sinclair’s MASTERS OF THE SHADOWLANDS series. (Highly recommended!) I also found a lot of photos of BDSM equipment and implements in Wikipedia and Google searches. Most recently, I’ve joined the fetlife.com, an online community of BDSM enthusiasts, to read discussions and learn more about the lifestyle, and especially the emotions relating to the lifestyle. As you know, my books are all about the emotions.
Q11) Do you feel that you have learned anything from your characters? If so what?
Kally: Sex should be fun! Get playful with it! Once you’ve established trust, then anything goes—as long as it’s safe, sane, and consensual.
Q12) Any deep dark secrets about the Masters you want to share with me? I won’t tell a soul. *fingers crossed*
Kally: Well, most of the secrets even *I* don’t know yet—until the characters show up on the page when I’m writing. I am not a plotter, although I jot down ideas for scenes and conflicts in my writing journals. They just reveal the most amazing things as I write and journal.
     Okay, you will recall the scene where Master Adam is having his fight wounds dealt with by Karla’s mom in her kitchen. (The famous “Karla sees Adam without his shirt” scene from my blog.) Well, Adam’s back is not only scarred from the ambush in Afghanistan that killed Marc’s brother and another man, but he also has made it a memorial to all under his command who have died as a result of the battles he’s led them into. And you’ll have to wait for NOBODY’S HERO to learn how he memorialized them. *Master Adam growls* Well, I hope he’s going to let me reveal that to you!
Kelly: *snickers*  I can’t wait to learn more…….
Q13) If you could spend one day doing anything you wanted with any of your Masters, who would it be, why, and what would you do? *leans forward, puts elbow on knees and chin in hands* Details please. *wiggles eyebrows*
Kally: Okay, I did establish earlier that I’m happily married, right? And my beta man is so the antithesis of any of the masters (although some of the sweeter things they do are reflections of my dear hubby).
You know, I’ve given this one a lot of thought. And, truth be told, I think I would go riding through the mountains of Colorado on the back of Master Damián’s Harley. I’ve never been on a Harley and have really been wanting to experience that. I hear it’s quite exhilarating—and sensual. My hubby gave up his motorcycle (a Honda) before I met him. So, this will probably remain a fantasy. *Master Damián smiles wickedly and gives Kally a virtual tip of the hat.*
Kelly: *winks at Damián *
Q14) Tell me the one book you think everyone should read.
Kally: The one that has changed my life most recently—for anyone wanting to recover his or her creativity—THE ARTIST’S WAY, by Julia Cameron. It was a workshop for that book in late March, and the resulting “Morning Pages” and “Artist’s Dates” (two of the tools taught in that book), that I was able to recover my own creativity. The result is MASTERS AT ARMS and my new career as a writer. But this book isn’t just for writers—it’s for anyone wanting to reconnect with that inner child who doesn’t care what anyone thinks about what she or he creates. Anyone who just wants to create for the sheer joy of it all. I know I write first and foremost for myself. If what I write moves me, then maybe it will move someone else. But, that book opened new doors for me, just at a time in my life when another one was closing.
Q15) Tell me what is up next in the Rescue Me series?
Kally: In September, NOBODY’S ANGEL, Master Marc’s story. He’ll meet his lady love while pulling Dungeon Monitor Supervisor duties at the Masters at Arms Club. But she gets away and when he finds her again, she seems more interested in his non-Dom Search-and-Rescue partner, Luke.
In December, NOBODY’S HERO will share Karla and Master Adam’s romance. Karla fell in love with Adam that Thanksgiving morning nine years earlier. Then, in the depths of her own grief, the person she runs to is Adam, who made her feel so safe before. Karla is not at all into BDSM, but she solicits the club’s subbie trainer, Master Damián, to teach her in private how to be the perfect sub for Adam. Master Adam, of course, is tortured by his attraction to her, trying not to give in to his baser needs and take advantage of the innocent Karla. But when he sees her with Master Damián, he suddenly feels the need to protect her from his surrogate son, the sadist. So, she’s definitely going to test the bond between Adam and Damián, just as Karla’s limits are tested and explored in the BDSM lifestyle!
Then, in February, Master Damián and Savannah (now Savi), will find each other yet again in NOBODY’S PERFECT. Secrets will be revealed and they will be thrown together in a desperate situation. Master Damián will try to break through Savi’s stronger-than-ever fortress walls and get her to experience what they did on that perfect day at the beach cave all those years earlier. But they’ll soon see that neither of them is the same as the 19-year-old they had been then, and will have to find ways to adjust their needs and sexual appetites, as well as deal with trust issues resulting from too many secrets in the past, and so much guilt.
Q16) Is there anything else you would like to share with me and my blog followers?
Kally: If you enjoy reading full-length erotic romance novels with lots of emotion (you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and sometimes you’ll scream), then I think you’ll enjoy the Rescue Me series. And, if there’s a secondary character you meet along the way who you think should have his or her own romance, just e-mail me at kallypsomasters@gmail.com and let me know! I can see this series continuing beyond these first four books. You can follow along at my blog with excerpts on WIPs and other craziness at http://kallypsomasters.blogspot.com. And feel free to friend me on Facebook (Kallypso Masters) or follow me on Twitter (@KallypsoMasters)!
Books-n-Kisses: Thank you, Kally, for stopping by my blog and sharing your Masters and the Rescue Me series with me and my followers. I hope to have you back when each of the romances in the series is released. I would love to interview each of the Masters before his book comes out, if they’re feeling up to it…. *wink, wink*
Kally: Well, they were a little quiet today, but I can just see the wheels turning in their heads. I think they’d like that very much. *Kally hears someone growl and wonders which one is balking at the idea.*
Kelly:  I think they are afraid I might top them or something… *snickers, hehe*  I girl can dream right…. *winks & blows a kiss at the 3 Masters*
Q17) Oh, one last question Kally. Do you think we should give away a copy of Masters at Arms to one of my followers?
Kally: I thought you’d never ask! I’d love to! Please comment below, including your e-mail address and we’ll select a lucky winner on August 15th.  
Giveaway Time
You heard the Girl…
Leave a comment along with your email (VERYIMPORTANT PART)
We will pick a winner on Monday August 15th
if my new Facebook Page Books-n-kisses makes it to 100 likes by Monday morning I will giveaway a second copy of Masters at Arms 
Posted on

Interview & Giveaway with Em Petrova

Hi Em, Welcome to For the Love of Books.  Thank you for taking the time to sit down and talk with me.
For The Love of Books: Please tell us a little about yourself
EM: I’m a multi-published erotic romance author, wife and mother of four. I make my nest in backwoods Pennsylvania where I am lucky enough to submerge myself in my imaginary worlds. I consider myself a publishing whore and have books from several publishers including Red Sage, Breathless Press, Loose Id, Ellora’s Cave, Etopia Press, Decadent Publishing and some anthologies from Sizzler. Also I have a new book coming October 1 under the pen name Em Peters—a mainstream paranormal called Moon Child from Whiskey Creek Press.
FLB: I read on your blog that you wrote your 1st book at the age of 12.  So it is safe to say that you always wanted to be an author?
EM: I never dreamed I could become an author. I was raised to see the practical side of life and though my family encouraged creative outlet, I never once thought I could make a career of it. A few years ago I realized writing had become my passion and I decided to make it a goal to be published.

FLB: Tell us about Deux

EM: Deux is about finding love in an unusual place at a time in a woman’s life when she least expects it. A lonely divorcee Margot falls for a happily married woman named Jane who seeks the missing component in her life. This is the first book of The French Kiss Chronicles and is available from Breathless Press. Deux:  http://www.breathlesspress.org/Book/305

FLB: Tell us about Trois

EM: Trois is Book Two of The French Kiss Chronicles. The story of Margot and Jane is continued when Jane’s husband demands a taste of the women’s decadent pleasure. This book has been Miz Love’s top read and a Night Owl Romance Top Pick. You can find it here.
Trois: http://www.breathlesspress.org/Book/290
FLB: What is up next in this series?


EM: QUATRE is the third book. In French quatre means “four.” I bet you can imagine what’s in store with this book! It will be released October from Breathless Press.


FLB: Can you tell us about your current work in progress? 

EM: Oooh, yes, I love talking about this book! It’s a ménage a trios called BLOWN DOWN with two hunky logger heroes and the sexy boss who torments them. It’s set in rural Pennsylvania, which is close to my heart since it’s my stomping ground. Who wouldn’t love chainsaw-wielding studs?

FLB: I love to know what is in authors To Read Pile… What is in yours?
EM: As an author, I love to support my fellow authors. In my to-be-read pile is The Lothario Series from Red Sage author Roz Lee as well as Suzanne Rock’s Immortal Realm Series from Red Sage. I recently finished Gem Sivad’s “Quincy’s Woman” from Ellora’s Cave. And next on my list is JoAnne Kenrick’s “When a Mullo Loves a Woman” from Decadent Publishing. Can’t wait to dig into these hot reads!
FLB: Who would you say is your favorite author? Or who do you look up to most?
EM: Hands down my favorite author is Anne Rice. I adore her rich worlds and intricate plots. I strive to create a bit of macabre in all my books in her honor.

FLB: How do you come up with the ideas for your stories?
EM: My characters speak to me first. I clean houses part-time for extra cash and you wouldn’t believe who pops up while I’m vacuuming, scrubbing and dusting. I listen to my characters for a few days before I uncover their secret desires. At that point the plots usually reveal themselves to me. Mindless work really does breed great plot twists!
FLB: What are your writing rituals? Anything you have to have while writing?
EM: I’d love to say I write hot sex in a silky bathrobe with a glass of Zinfandel at my elbow, but with four kids I carve time out of the day any way I can. In fact, author Suzanne Rock and I have a couple free workshops about this very subject coming up at the Coffee Time Romance yahoo loop and during the Savvy Authors Summer Symposium. Our class is called “Writing Sex Scenes When You’re Not Feeling Sexy.” It offers tips on adding spice to your writing during those humdrum periods of your life. I’d love to see you all there! You can learn more about this at http://smolderingheat.wordpress.com
FLB: Is there anything else you would like to add?
EM: Thank you so much for your time today. I enjoy hearing from readers, so please leave comments! Yes, you can ask anything!
FLB: Thank you Em for taking time to sit down with me.   I look forward to reading your next book


Giveaway Time
I will be give one lucky follower Trois


To Enter: 
Please leave comment below
Email (VERY IMPORTANT)


+1 Follow my blog


Want to learn more about Em?

Posted on

To Celebrate National Talk In Elevator Day, I am hosting an Interview & 2 (yes 2!) Giveaways with Laura Kaye

[See down below for TWO separate giveaway opportunities!]


Kelly: I walk into the building and head towards the elevator. I hit the button and wait.  The elevator doors open, and I walk in, hit the button to the top floor. The doors close and someone taps me on the shoulder *GASP* I whirl around and see Laura Kaye laughing at me…

Kelly: Good Lord, give a girl a heart attack much? *gasping for air, trying to slow my heart down* 

Laura: Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you, Kelly! Gee, I sure hope you’re not scared of elevators. I just wanted to say hi.

Kelly: *laughs* Well, hello yourself! Thanks for doing this interview today with For the Love of Books. But, Laura, what you are doing in the elevator?  I thought we were meeting up on the top floor?

Laura: Change of venue! Today is National Talk in an Elevator Day, so it seems more appropriate to meet here, don’t you think?

Kelly: Alright then, let’s talk about Hearts in Darkness.

Laura: I’d love to! Hearts in Darkness is my debut contemporary romance about two strangers who find acceptance and dare to find love while trapped for four hours in a pitch-black elevator. Here’s the blurb:

Makenna James thinks her day can’t get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out.


Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he’s terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he’s trapped in his own worst nightmare.

To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?


Kelly: How did you come up with this story?

Laura: Two things provided inspiration for this story. First, I work in a building where the elevator fails. A lot. I’ve only been stuck in it once, for about a minute, but it’s not unusual for it to stop working every couple weeks. Second, I was playing the “what if” game with myself—a great source of story inspiration—and asked What if two opposites got trapped together somewhere? And what if one of them was claustrophobic or scared of the dark? It all clicked together pretty quick after that!

Kelly: *looks around* Do you know why this elevator is taking so long?

Laura: *shrugs* I’m sure it’ll start up sooner or later. Don’t worry. Shouldn’t be more than, oh, four hours to so…

Kelly: Hmm. Too bad Caden’s not here, then. *blushes*

Laura: *chuckles and nods* Amen to that. *long, dreamy sigh*

Kelly: Have we seen the last of Caden & MJ?

Laura: How about a really unhelpful answer? *laughs* Probably! I definitely plan to write a free read that will be available through my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, but I probably will not write any additional novella-length stories about them. Sorta pains me to say that, but I’m pretty certain their story’s told.

Kelly: Tell me a little about your other books Forever Freed and Just Gotta Say.

Laura: *sits down* Might as well get comfortable. *Kelly sits too* 

Well, Forever Freed is my debut paranormal romance, novel-length, about a reclusive, empathic vampire who falls in love with the woman he planned to kill and her young daughter, then must fight his ancient guilt, bloodlust, lie by omission and an old vampire rival that threatens everything he holds dear. It was the first novel I wrote and the first I sold, and will always hold a special place in my heart! 
Just Gotta Say is my debut erotic romance. It’s a contemporary ménage a quatres about a woman who plays out a particular fantasy with her guy roommates, hoping that being with all of them won’t jeopardize her long-term chance of being with the one she wants the most. Forever Freed is available now in print and ebook, and Just Gotta Say will be out in the early fall as an ebook.


Kelly: So Hearts in Darkness is Contemporary, Forever Freed is Paranormal and Just Gotta Say is Erotic. Which genre is your favorite to write?


Laura: My first love is paranormal romance. It’s what I most love to read and most identify with as a writer. However, I enjoy writing in multiple genres. I never sit down to write one or the other—the characters appear in my head, start talking to me, and as I get to know them, the type of story emerges. I have two series releasing late this year, and they’re both paranormal (one’s a contemporary fantasy romance based on Greek mythology, and the other’s a dark paranormal story that takes me back to my vampire roots!).

Kelly: *I still don’t think we’ve moved. Really must be trapped. Gulp* What are you currently working on?

Laura: Right now, I’m working on book two in my Hearts of the Anemoi series, a four-book contemporary fantasy romance series about directional wind gods the Greeks associated with the seasons. Book 1, called North of Need, releases on November 1. Book 2, my current work in progress, is called West of Want, and releases March 2012.

Kelly: Are any of these other stories set in elevators?

Laura: No, but we won’t hold that against them! *winks*

Kelly: Thank you Laura for taking time out of your busy schedule to hang out with me in this damn elevator and answer some questions.

Laura: Any time. Just name an elevator, and I’ll be there!

Kelly: What do you say we do a giveaway to one lucky person?

Laura: I’d say that’s a great idea. So, in addition to the Treasure Hunt giveaway—see the details below—one commenter who shares a story about talking to a stranger in an elevator (preferably TODAY, but we’ll be flexible!) will win a free ebook of Hearts in Darkness! Comments through 7/30 12 noon PST.

Kelly: Good, now let me out of this elevator. *Laura pushes a button and the doors open* How’d you do that?

Laura: I have a special relationship with elevators. *laughs*

Kelly: You trapped me in here on purpose?

Laura: *laughing her ass off*

Kelly: It’s a good thing I like you…. *walks away shaking head, takes about five steps and turns around*  Hey Laura, why don’t you tell the folks about your Treasure Hunt…….. 

HINT: the secret word looks like this picture. But is hidden somewhere on my page.


Two strangers. Four hours. One pitch-black elevator.

It’s National Talk in an Elevator Day (seriously!) and what better day to celebrate Hearts in Darkness?  This top-rated contemporary romance is about two strangers who find acceptance and dare to find love while trapped for four hours in a pitch-black elevator.

And, did you know…???

Hearts in Darkness is the #4 Top-Rated
Kindle Contemporary Romance on Amazon?

So, we’re celebrating all this elevator-related goodness with a Treasure Hunt Giveaway! Here’s how to play:

1) Find the hidden word on each of the participating sites, usually 1 page off the main page
2) Keep track of the sites/words as you search
3) Email your findings to laurakayepromotions AT gmail DOT com and put Treasure Hunt in the subject heading. Entries accepted through 12 noon PST Saturday 7/30!

What can you win???

GRAND PRIZE: $50 AMAZON GIFT CERTIFICATE
FIRST RUNNER-UP: $20 DIGIBOOKS CAFÉ GIFT CERTIFICATE W/20% OFF CODE
SECOND RUNNER-UP: BAG OF HEARTS swag bag

Here’s where the treasure is buried:

1) For the Love of Books https://books-n-kisses.com
2) Book Wenches http://www.bookwenches.com/laurakayestreasure.htm
3) My Eclectic Bookshelf  www.myeclecticbookshelf.blogspot.com/  
4) MyVampFiction www.myvampfiction.com
5) Where’s my Muse? http://csmaxwell.blogspot.com/
6) Author AJ Nuest http://www.ajbooks.blogspot.com/
7) Author Jill James http://www.jilljameswrites.com/blog
8) Author Joya Fields http://joyafieldswriting.blogspot.com/
9) Author Sarah Grimm http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com
10) Author Sharon Buchbinder www.sharonbuchbinder.com/blog


When you’re done, stop over to Laura’s own blog for another fun giveaway opportunity!

Yet Another Giveaway
Thanks for reading and playing! And don’t forget to comment for the giveaway here!
For the Love of Books is giveaway a e-copy of Laura’s Book Heart in Darkness. 
This giveaway (and this one ONLY) will be open until August 1st. Winner announced Aug 3rd.


To Enter:
Leave me comment
your email address


Extra Entry’s:
+1 Follow my Blog
+1 Follow my Facebook Page
+1 Re-tweet this giveaway (please leave link)
+1 Facebook this giveaway (Please leave link)
+1 Go Friend Laura’s Facebook Page


Laura Kaye
Hot, Heartfelt Romance – Because everyone longs to belong…
Laura is a multi-published author of paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance with five books releasing in 2011

Read the reviews here!
Buy from amazon! | Buy from DigiBooks Café!
Follower Laura Kaye on twitter | facebook
Posted on

Tri-blog with Stephanie Julian Interview & Giveaway

LITERAL ADDICTION Paranormal Book Club, Book Monster Reviews and For the Love of Books are very happy to welcome Stephanie Julian to our sites today.  
Stephanie is the author of the Magical Seduction, Lucani Lovers, and The Fringe series, as well as the new Forgotten Goddess series. 



A former reporter for a daily newspaper, she enjoys making up stories much more than writing about real life, and is happily married to a Springsteen fanatic, with whom she shares two sons who love her even when they don’t have any clean clothes and dinner is a bowl of cereal. 







Stephanie’s most current release, “Grace in Moonlight”, Lucani Lovers Book #5 was released on July 20, 2011 and has been eagerly anticipated by fans.

For those readers with us today that have not read Lucani Lovers, we thought we’d at least give you the synopsis of “Grace in Moonlight” to peak your interest:

Synopsis:
Kaisie Giliati is the lucani king’s best tracker. He’s used to hunting and capturing his prey with little resistance. He’s also old enough to know exactly what he wants, and the feisty redhead who stirs him like no other is at the top of his list. Too bad she’s the enemy and seemingly impervious to his charms.
Grace Bellasario has a target on her back, two children to protect from their evil father and she’s in love for the first time in her life. With a man who should hate her—a man she has no business craving. But does she ever. Grace doesn’t have a chance in hell of shaking Kaisie off her tail. Now he just needs to keep her alive to live happily ever after

Want to read more? Click HERE


Stephanie’s other current release, ”What a Goddess Wants”, Forgotten Goddess Book #1, was released on July 1st and has been hailed “Brutally vivid” with “Flaming hot passion that just leaps off the pages”.  Book #2 of the series, “How to Worship a Goddess” is due out on 12/1/2011, and we’re sure it will get similar praise. 


Since this is the first book in a series, it deserves a little introduction as well.

Synopsis:

It’s OK no one remembers Etruscan Sun goddess Tessa. But when a demon threatens her life, she must turn to mythology’s darkest warrior for protection.. 


Caligo of the Cimmerians has never met a woman as warm, sunny and inviting as Tessa. Their sizzling mutual attraction quickly sweeps the two of them into a love story that’s worthy of the gods.

What to read more? Click HERE

Since we have Stephanie with us on all 3 sites today, let’s get right to the heart of the Event and see what Stephanie had to say to us when we peppered her with questions. 

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews/For The Love of Books:  Hi Stephanie, thank you so much for joining us all today!  We can’t wait to learn a little bit more about you and your new series. 
Stephanie: And I’m thrilled to be here.


LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews/For the Love of Books:  We usually start out our interviews learning a bit more about our Guest Author.


Q1):  Can you tell us 3 things about yourself that we couldn’t find out on the Internet? 
Stephanie: My favorite running shoes are my new Adidas Marathons. Love them. I have a bright red cruising bike I compare to the Wicked Witch’s bike in The Wizard of Oz that I ride whenever I get the chance. And I’m an Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja addict. I spend way to much time killing pigs and chopping fruit.


Q2):  What is a typical writing day like for you?
Stephanie:I roll out of bed, stumble to my desk around 7 a.m., clean out my email and start to write around 8 a.m. I try to write at least 2,000 words a day, hopefully more, sometimes less. I try to spend most of it writing but I’m easily distracted. I run every other day so I have to work that in too. I try to write from 8 to 4, but I always spend some time talking to my guys when they get home from school.

Q3):  Did anyone or anything special inspire you to become an author?
Stephanie: I have always been a reader and that more than anything inspired me to be a writer. I wanted to tell stories and have readers fall in love with my characters. When I was in sixth grade, I found my mom’s copies of Kathleen Woodiwiss’ books. The Flame and the Flower and The Wolf and the Dove really got me into reading romance. Then I discovered Harlequin Presents and Bertrice Small and Rosemary Rogers and I never looked back.


Q4):  Was there any special inspiration behind the creation of the Forgotten Goddess series?
Stephanie: I was already writing books in my two Etruscans series, Magical Seduction and Lucani Lovers, and I’d already mentioned a few of the goddesses in some of those books, so I knew the gods and goddesses were hanging out on the periphery of the world. I got to thinking about what exactly these deities did now that they didn’t really have much to do in the world anymore. And that’s how the Forgotten Goddesses were born.

Q5):  Out of all of your series and books, is there one that you are particularly proud or fond of?  Why?
Stephanie: I love them all but I’m particularly proud of the way the Forgotten Goddesses series expands on my Etruscan world. I’ve got all these characters floating around and I’m very proud that I’ve been able to make all the themes and story lines fit.

Q6):  If you could sit down with 2 of your characters in a room full of readers, who would you want there, what question would you be sure to ask each of them, and how do you think they’d reply?
Stephanie: Cat would be one. She’s been a reader favorite since she showed up in Kiss of Moonlight. I would have to ask Cat how she sees Tivr, the Etruscan God of the Moon, fitting into her life. She would turn bright red, smile and deflect the question. The other would be Salvatorus, the salbinelli. Sal is an Etruscan satyr who’s been around for a really long time. I’d love to know how he got that New York accent but he’d probably tell me to do something anatomically inappropriate with that question.

Q7):  With Fantasy and Paranormal Romance being such popular genres these days, what intrigued you most about it, and how did you decide which ‘Super Group’ your characters would fall into?
Stephanie: I love that I’m able to create worlds within our world. I can play with magic and have fairies and elves and witches and werewolves. Since I based my books on an Etruscan mythology, there is some fact in almost everything I have in my books. The ancient Etruscans actually believed in magic and deities so I had to be faithful to some of that.


Q8):  Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Stephanie: I love research. I love thousand-page books I get from Amazon about Etruscan religion and culture and art. I scour those books for the tidbits of information to use to give my stories flavor and then I let my imagination fly.

Q9): What do you like to do when you’re not writing? 
Stephanie: I like to run and ride my bike and read. I read at least an hour a day, if not more. I love to spend time with my guys, my husband and two sons. And I love talking writing with my writing buddies.


Q10):  When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
Stephanie: It’s the only think I’ve ever really wanted to do. I think I was in elementary school, reading Little House on the Prairie, and I knew that writing was what I was going to do with my life. Luckily, after college, I got a job at a newspaper that allowed me to write for a living.


Q11): Since creating the Forgotten Goddesses series, how much research time do you put into this series?
Stephanie: Lots. I probably had at least a hundred hours in but I’ve been using this information through three series, about to be four.


Q12):  What is one of your fondest childhood memories?
Stephanie: Spending time with my mom at bookstores. Toys were something she’d usually say no to but she never said no to a book.

Q13):  When you sit down and begin to write, what are some of the things you MUST have with you for the process?
Stephanie:  My Junior Mints. I’m a self confessed addict. I have them on the desk to write with every day.


Q14):  If you could co-write a book with any other any other author who would it be and why?
Stephanie: Hmm. JR Ward comes to mind right away. I love her Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Nalini Singh would be another. Her Psy/Changeling series is amazing.


Q15):   Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Stephanie: Yes, for as a long as I can remember.


Q16):   Your thoughts on e-books vs. traditional paper books?
Stephanie: Personally, I never thought I would be an ebook reader but then I got a Nook Color and now the only paper I buy is for research. The convenience of ebooks is just impossible to beat.


Q17):  Do you feel that have learned anything from your characters?
Stephanie: Yes. I’ve learned that I can love a bad boy, even though he’s fictional.
Q18):  What upcoming release are you looking forward to reading the most?
Stephanie: Meljean Brook’s Heart of Steel. Cannot wait.
Q19):  This is another of our staple questions…  What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview but have never been asked?  How would you answer that question?
 Stephanie: When is the Etruscan series going to end? Hopefully never!!!
Q20):  Is there anything specific you’d like to say to your readers and fans while we have you with us today?
 Stephanie: Thanks so much for reading. And I want them to know I’m just as avid a reader as they are and I love to talk books. Please don’t be afraid to contact me on Facebook or Twitter. I always hang out there.
LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews/For The Love of Books:  Stephanie, thank you so much again for joining us today!  We’ve really enjoyed hosting this web Event for you and getting the word out about the new Forgotten Goddess series.
Stephanie: Thanks so much for having me. I’ve really enjoyed my time here today.

Stephanie has offered to giveaway a e- copy of her new book Grace in Moonlight to one lucky reader.  To enter please leave a comment or question along with your email address. 


Giveaway will be open until July 29th.. Winner will be announce on Monday August 1st. 

Extra Enteries:
+1 Be a follower of my blog (click join over on the right side)
+1 Follow me on Facebook 
+1 Follow Stephanie on Facebook

Want an extra chance to win What A Goddess Wants books head over to
LITERAL ADDICTION Paranormal Book Club
& Book Monster Reviews

Want to learn more about Stephanie and her books? You Can find her here:

Website: http://stephaniejulian.com/index.htm
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Julian/52545546702?ref=ts&sk=wall
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/StephanieJulian
Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1365342.Stephanie_Julian
Posted on

Interview with Hannah & Emma from Deena Remiel’s bk1 Trinity from the Brethren Series

There is a soft knock on my door.  I know who it is so I say “come in”.  In walks the cutest little girl, bouncing all over the place. 

For the Love of Books: Hi Hannah, I am Kelly from For the Love of Books.  

Hannah: (waves shyly and sneaks a smile)

FLB: Hi Emma.

Emma: Hello, Kelly. Thanks so much for inviting us over.

FLB: Thank you for coming.  I am so excited that you both wanted to sit down and talk about your story.

Em: Our pleasure. It is quite the story, right Hannah?

Ha: (nods head vigorously and bites her lip)

Em: You are going to utter some sounds out of that mouth, right? You said you’d talk, right? (laughs)

Ha: Mm hmm.

FLB: Are you two ready?  Anything you don’t want to talk about?

Em: Well, we can talk about anything, and if I feel the subject is too mature for Hannah, we can have her sit out in the hall for a bit. (sits down and Hannah immediately sits on her lap)

FLB: Emma, What was going through your mind when Michael started telling you who and what you where and want he was?

Em: Ha ha, I thought he was utterly insane! I mean, I’d known him for 6 years and he goes and starts spewing about special gifts and all. (shakes head) I initially threw him out, you know. I consider us lucky that he was tenacious and refused to leave the property.

FLB: Speaking of Michael where is he today?

Em: Oh, he’s training some new teachers at our school. Then, he’s got a meeting with his boss, E.L. Having two lives can get a little crazy! He sends his regards and told me I should invite you over for a barbeque this weekend so we can all hang out together. 
So there it is, your invite. (smiles)
FLB: Perfect!  I would love to come over… 

FLB: Hannah, What was it like to train with the Brethren?

Ha:  It was so much fun. (she scoots to the edge of Emma’s lap, nearly falling off) I got to use a real sword that was bigger than me, and I got to guess what the Brethren were hiding in a box, and tell the future! And I never got a scratch on me while we were practicing either.

FLB: Hannah, you didn’t seem scared of them at all during your whole ordeal.  Were you?

Ha: Nope. I thought they were my brothers until Mama said they were called Brethren. (giggles) But they are so nice and really big and strong.

FLB: Hannah, what was it like seeing your Warriors fight for you?

Ha: At first it was really crazy. I mean, I’m just a little girl and they were fighting to protect me. But then, when the Ancient Warrior Soul took over, it was awesome to be fighting with them.

FLB: Emma, how do you feel that Deena told your story?  Did she stay true to the actual events or did she leave important parts out?

Em: Hmmm. I believe she did a great job conveying the events as they occurred. (puts hands over Hannah’s ears) Now, I didn’t tell her everything that went on in the bedroom, but I told her most. If I did, it probably would have turned into an erotic novel!

FLB: Do you think that you have seen the last of Namirha?

Em: Oh, we’ve seen the last of Namirha as Namirha. But Evil is ever-present, ever-ready to do battle for world domination. He’ll turn up again, I’m confident, but in other forms.

FLB: Emma, what do you think of your healing powers?  Were you overwhelmed using your powers during the battle?

Em: I think it’s wonderful that I can heal people. I shall never forget how many souls I saved during this past war, how many people I returned to their families, how many angels I returned to the Beyond. I was very much overwhelmed by my powers at first. When you think about it, it’s not every day you come by powers such as these. But as the Good kept falling, I knew I had to do my part to save them, and my confidence grew exponentially.

FLB: Hannah, how do you like having Michael as your Daddy? 

Ha: It’s the coolest! Not only is he my dad, but he’s my principal, too! Some kids get sent to the principal for bad things, but when I go, it’s because he wants to see me and give me hugs and kisses.

FLB: Hannah, do you like being a big sister?

Ha: Oh yes! (she claps her hands) Blessing and Asher are the cutest little babies. I get to feed them sometimes, but I don’t like changing their stinky diapers. Yuck!  My favorite thing to do is play with their little toes. And sometimes I sing them to sleep. That’s really cool, because their angel auras glow as they fall asleep.

FLB: Hannah, tell me the benefits of a Daddy that has wings?

Ha: Benefits?

Em: What’s so great about Daddy having wings, sweetie?

Ha: Oh, I love it when he tosses me high in the air and catches me. That’s a lot of fun. And I also love flying with him. I get to see all the places in between where we were and where we’re going.

FLB: Emma, when all of this started did you ever think you would find the love of your life and be as happy as you are right now?

Em: Ha, you know, the only good thing I got out of my first marriage was Hannah, and I wouldn’t change a thing about that. But after I was screwed over by my ex and my ex best friend, I didn’t think I’d ever find anyone to complete me. Besides not trusting a soul anymore, Prophet’s Point is a very small town, with few viable options in the dating department. But when Michael showed up six years ago at my school, I don’t know, something in me softened towards him. And once we found out we were destined to be together, it just all fell into place. Of course there were bumps along the way, but I’ve never been happier in my life than I am right now with Michael, Hannah, and the twins.

FLB: is there anything else either of you would like to add?

Em: Well, I should tell you that Raphael, a Brethren Savior is on a mission that is proving to be quite intriguing. Something to do with a relic, that’s all I know. I can’t wait to see how it all turns out! We should be hearing from him soon.

FLB: Emma, Hannah, Thank you so very much for stopping by For the Love of Books and sharing your story with us. 

FLB:  Hey Hannah, What do you think about sharing your story with one of my followers?  Maybe we should give them a chance to win your story?

Ha: Ooh! A giveaway? Someone gets to win something? Yes, let’s do that! You come up with how they can win, and I’ll give them my story, okay?

FLB:  Okay I will set up the giveaway.
Emma & Hannah get up to leave.  When Hannah’s spins around and say she forgot something.  Yes Hannah?

Ha: I wanted to add something……can I?

FLB:  Of course Hannah.  What did you forget?

Ha: That what I liked the most about practicing with the Brethren was playing around with Kemuel’s ears and face when we were done. He would let me sit on his lap and mold his face into silly expressions and fold his ears up so he looked like an alien. It was funny…. (giggles)

FLB:  Oh Hannah, I am sure that he loved every minute of it too… I hope the other Brethren didn’t tease him about it..

Ha: (just smiles)

FLB: *Looks at Emma*  Wow, forgot how much fun 6 year olds are.  Thank you again for stopping by.


GIVEAWAY!!!!!! 
Please leave Hannah & Emma a comment or question, your email and Hannah will pick one person’s comment and they will win an e-book of Trinity. Giveaway will be open until July 31st. Hannah will announce the winner on August 1st.  


Want to learn more about Deena?  Please find her out here: 

Web Links:

www.decadentpublishing.com