The Embraced: Scribal Love

My Newest Release! A Paranormal Romance- Zenward's Magic

2011-11-16T18:02:00.001-05:00

Blurb
Plagued by a demon his entire life, Marius Zenward will stop at nothing to free himself from this horrible curse. Captivated by his mystery and torn by her desire, Corrigan Heilyn longs to be with him but is held at bay by the horrible secret that follows Marius from town to town.

Will the special magic that only he possesses set them free?

　

Excerpt
Corrigan Heilyn's desire for Marius was palpable. Her body cried out for his touch. His strong heavily muscled arms gently caressed her body and held her close. The gentle musk from his skin tickled her nose as she leaned in close to feel her lips tap against his stubbled chin.

Marius parted his lips allowing his ruby red tongue to peak through. They licked her lips ever so gently before she parted hers allowing it to slip inside her mouth. His kiss was ever so sweet and gentle. Yet her body was on fire. As he pulled her close only one thought was in her mind...

I need you.

http://www.amazon.com/Zenwards-Magic-ebook/dp/B0068M94P6/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321549184&sr=1-4

Ooo! Welcome Cover/Model and Actor Julian Christian to Our Fold!

2011-10-18T21:06:00.000-04:00

Scribal Love Welcomes Julian Christian

Hi! Thank you for stopping by The Embraced Scribal Love! Why don't you introduce yourself to our readers!

Greetings everyone, my pleasure to be here.

So how long have you been a cover model?

And what publishers do you presently model for? Oh wow its been about 6 years now. I have modeled for DCL, Red Rose Publishing, Harlequin, St Martins press and others.

What inspired you to get into the business?

I love romance and I love women why wouldn't want to be a romance cover model

Do you have any favorite romance subgenres? i.e. Historical, fantasy, science fiction etc?

Not really. I don't read romance novels I live them!

What is it like to work with DCL (Dark Castle Lord's Publishing)?

They are great, they treat you like a person and not just an object

How long have you worked with the company?

About 4 glorious years now

Do you have any favorite covers?

I love them all, especially Hawaiian Interlude by Kate Hoffman

Would you like to say anything else to our readers and any new fans?

I really appreciate their support and vote for Obama in 2012!!! Haha couldnt resist that one.

I'm sure you have many fans! Do you have a web page or Facebook page or other social media page so your fans can contact you or keep up with your work?

I have a facebook page under Julian Christian (my middle name) and fan page on facebook under Julian Fantechi

Thank you Julian For Stopping By! We Enjoyed It!

Welcome Author Toni Noel as She Discusses Her Latest Book 'Decisive Moments'

2011-10-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Scribal Love Welcomes Toni Noel!

Toni Noel is an author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Her newest release, Decisive Moments, is available for download from Desert Breeze Publishing.

What is the name of your latest book? And how did you come up with the title?

There are many Decisive Moments in life, times when a life hangs in the balance, times when the heart is at risk, the moments that drag before a lost child is found. For the characters in my latest book, those moments are life-changing and heart-wrenching.

What is this book about? And what genre is this book in?

My dark romance is about a gutsy photographer and the reclusive architect preventing her from photographing his boarded up house. She needs those photographs to complete her graduate project and earn her Masters Degree in Fine Art. With this degree the young widow will be able to support her young daughter, but the architect refuses to enter his home, scene of childhood trauma, and denies the headstrong photographer's request. She takes matters into her own hands, causing the architect to face Decisive Moments from his past.

How long have you been writing in this genre?

I've been writing romance for sixteen years, some of my novels are sweet, some scary, but all have happy endings providing the reader with a safe haven for the heart, the kind of books I like to read. Three books are available now, three more will be released in 2012.

Who is/are the main characters? And why did you choose them?

Amy Millington's pilot husband had no idea she'd conceived his child when his fighter plane crashed in the Nevada desert. Now five-year-old Marta is on a daddy search. Amy has no intention of ever remarrying, but Marta decides the architect who took an instant dislike to her mother will make the perfect husband and father for them. It's obvious the architect is unhappy, and Amy is drawn to the somber man the same way something she doesn't understand draws her back to his boarded up house. Does her daughter Marta hold the key to unlocking the mystery that has made Charles Harding's life so bleak all these years?

Where did the idea for your book come from?

On the way to lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant we passed a boarded up brick mansion in Mission Hills. Days later, I still couldn't get that house out of my mind.

In your opinion, what makes a good story?

I like believable stories with believable characters who do surprising or unbelievable things and create seemingly insurmountable problems only resolved when their two hearts work as one.

Can you give us a quick taste of what’s inside?

Excerpt -- Decisive Moments -- the end of the first-meet scene.

Anger -- or was it something else -- flared in his eyes as he stood. "There is no chance of you ever photographing my house," Charles said, a note of finality in his voice.
"Here's my card, in case you change your mind."
He slid the card into his desk without a glance. "I won't."
Amy tucked her purse under her arm and headed for the door. Across the room a burst of buttercup yellow caught her eye. Her own reflection in glass. The only spot of color in the dreary room was her best suit.

Do you have anything specific you would like to say to your readers?

Dark novels do not have to be depressing. In writing this book I believe I've found ways to draw the reader in and keep him/her engaged in the story while the dark secrets unfold.

Where can we find you on the web?

Visit my website: http://www.ToniNoelAuthor.com
Follow my Blog: http://www.toninoelauthor.com/blog.html
And on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ToniNoelWriter

Bio

Toni Noel is the author of three eBooks released by Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc, and three more to be released in 2012. She retired in 1995 as Senior Accountant for a government contractor to write full time, unaware how little she knew about fiction writing and how much she'd need to learn.

She worked so hard at getting her name into print the San Diego Chapter of Romance Writers of America awarded her a banner reading "Rejection builds character" commemorating the month she received three rejection letters in one day.

A firm believer in perseverance and keeping the faith, Toni made her first eBook sale in 2009 and couldn't be happier seeing her name in print on the covers of her eBooks she downloaded to her Nook.

Blurb:

To satisfy the requirements for her Master's Degree in fine art photography, Amy Millington needs to photograph Charles Harding’s childhood home, but his boarded-up-house holds painful memories for Charles. Without those photographs Amy cannot secure her young daughter Marta's future. Charles denies the gutsy widow's request. Her efforts to show him how to have fun lead him to allow her to photograph his home. Then Marta gets lost and Charles must help search his house for her. He finds Marta and his mother's long-lost suicide note. Knowing the reason his mother shot his father, then turned the gun on herself, frees Charles from his past, but can he free Amy from her painful past and teach her to love again?

Excerpt

The receptionist on a mission to block her path was no match for Amy Millington. On a mission herself, she darted past.

Her destination loomed ahead, the two closed mahogany doors leading to the office of Charles A. Harding, Architect.

So far, so good.

Now to outsmart the sedately dressed secretary seated at the desk just outside those doors. This formidable woman screened the architect's calls and had, on a daily basis for the last two months, refused Amy's request for an appointment.

Failure to accomplish her mission meant postponing graduation for six more months. No way. Too much was riding on her master's degree. Maybe even a Guggenheim Fellowship. Amy's new career, for sure, and with it, a secure future for her daughter. No way would she allow Harding's secretary to stop her now.

Taking a deep breath, Amy charged around the woman's desk to the doors and yanked, sending one crashing back against the wall.

The dark-haired man seated behind a massive desk looked up, surprised. His finely tailored suit matched the toasted pecan color of his eyes. His white shirt seemed almost too harsh for his silk tie softly patterned in rust and bark.

Amy's heart beat erratically, making her lightheaded right when she needed to be at her best. She didn't have much time. Building security would show up soon.

She met the man's unreadable gaze and forced her best smile. Three more strides brought her close enough to inhale the woodsy scent of his aftershave. "Mr. Harding, I--"

His threshold guard interrupted. "I'm sorry, Mr. Harding. This young woman wouldn't stop."

He frowned, but a hint of curiosity lit his eyes. "Never mind, Julia." He nodded at his secretary and she left the room, though Amy noticed she didn't close the door.

Then he returned his attention to the blueprints on his desk. The nerve of him. Like a naughty child in the principal's office, he made her wait.

A fresh wave of irritation at all her wasted time washed over her. Weeks of thwarted attempts to see this illusive man, and what did he do once she'd breached his gates?

Ignored her best smile. Ignored the stylish suit she'd purchased just for this moment, a suit bought with money she'd managed to cut from her school supply budget over the last six months. It looked like she wouldn't earn a second glance from this reclusive architect.

Finally he stopped shuffling the blueprints, rolled them up and stood. "Five minutes."

She extended her hand, ignoring his cold demeanor. "My name is Amy Millington." When he reluctantly offered his, she shook his hand, an artist's hand with long fingers, his smooth, uncallused palm unexpectedly warm.

"Charles Harding, but of course you know that."

Yes, she knew his name, and a lot more about him, thanks to her research. His presence seemed to fill the spacious room, crowding her. His quick gesture indicated she should take the chair near his desk. She sat, welcoming the chance to catch her breath and corral her thoughts.

He took his seat and cleared the space before him of work, giving her a moment to study him unobserved.

A stray curl tumbled over his forehead when he glanced down at his work, giving him a boyish look. He was definitely more good-looking than any photos she'd found of him, but he looked older than his years, and almost sad.

"So, Miss Millington, what's so important you couldn't wait for an appointment?"

"I wanted an appointment, but your secretary has refused to give me one each time I called. She insisted you were unavailable, that you would never make time to see me."

"Julia simply carries out my instructions." He opened a drawer, took out a yellow pad and slid the drawer shut. "What brings you to my office? Are you interested in building a home?"

Amy glanced at the framed renderings on the wall behind him. All were of rather sterile, contemporary dwellings built of stone and glass. Her artistic eye rebelled at those cold images created by the man seated across from her.

"House plans are not what I had in mind." She steadied her nerves and plunged on as she felt her five minutes ticking away. "I'm a grad student at UCSD just weeks from completing a master's degree in visual arts. Photographing architecture is my main emphasis. I came because of my interest in your great-grandfather's home designs."

Harding's frown returned so she hurried on. "He built six homes in Mission Hills. I've studied those designs, and over the past few months I've photographed the interiors of five of those homes as part of my graduate project. There's only one I still need. The house you own on Harding Road. At one time the man living there gave me permission to photograph the interior, but I'm now unable to reach him."

She watched as the architect's lips drew into a tight line, hardening his expression. A mouth revealed so much about a man.

With a deft motion, he slid open the drawer and stuffed the yellow pad inside. "I'm afraid what you're about to propose is impossible. The uncle you spoke to died." Harding came to his feet, ready to kick her out.

"But surely--"

"No." A muscle twitched in his strong jaw. "Five houses should be sufficient for your needs."

"Not photographing the sixth house will make my study incomplete. Please, could I--"

Irritation flashed in his eyes. "No one goes inside."

Why? It didn't make sense.

All right, time to try something else. "I'm sure you know the first C. A. Harding included ingenious details in his designs." To Amy's relief, his stiff stance relaxed a fraction.

"One interesting part of my research involved discovering the secret hidden in each of the homes he helped build. The house with the dumb waiter to the master bedroom is my favorite."

As if surprised to discover himself standing, Harding eased back into his chair.

Almost made him smile. Good. Maybe she could reach the real man beneath this hard shell. "Or maybe it's the house on Dixon Drive where shrubbery hides the outside stairs leading from the garden to the eldest son's bedroom."

Amazingly, Harding's sculpted lips twitched into a smile. What a difference a grin made in his looks. Gone was the grim set of his jaw, the skeptical frown. A cleft in his chin appeared. What could have made this handsome man so dour? So serious? Charles Harding needed to learn how to lighten up.

Ignoring the sudden tripping of her heartbeat as she realized she was staring at him, she hurried on. "I can just picture an adolescent son sneaking in late at night, no need to remove his shoes."

Leaning forward, Amy met the architect's gaze and smiled. "What about you? Are surprises hidden in your designs?"

"I'm more concerned with function. With practicality. My clientele demands modern efficiency for their money, clean lines and easy care. Hidden passageways are remnants of another time."

"That may be true, but what romantic times they were. Have you asked your clients if they might prefer something more imaginative? A design with a few soft curves to soften all the cold stone and glass?"

"What might seem appropriate in your art would be considered impractical in modern homes."

Modern designs held no appeal for her she'd learned. "Now, about photographing your house..."

Anger -- or was it something else -- flared in his eyes as he stood. "There is no chance of you ever photographing my house," he said, a note of finality in his voice.

"Here's my card, in case you change your mind."

He slid the card into his desk without a glance. "I won't."

She tucked her purse under her arm and headed for the door. Across the room a burst of buttercup yellow caught her eye. Her own reflection in glass. The only spot of color in the dreary room was her best suit.

Here's a buy link for Decisive Moments so you can discover if there really is a ghost living in Charles' boarded up house.

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-template/Toni%20Noel/Page.bok
Or at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Kobo, Apple's Bookstore, All Romance eBooks.

Our DCL Publications Spotlight Week Continues with Actor/Cover Model Armando Gonzalez

2011-10-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

Scribal Love Welcomes Actor/Cover Model Armando Gonzalez!

Hi! Thank you for stopping by The Embraced Scribal Love! Why don't you introduce yourself to our readers!

Hello, My name is Armando Gonzalez

So how long have you been a cover model? And what publishers do you presently model for?

I've been a cover model for about 2 years now. I am currently only with DCL.

What inspired you to get into the business?

Well I actually got into this business by accident. I never planned on it but contacted by DCL through Myspace (whenever it was more popular than Facebook) lol. I was asked by them if I would be interested in doing some Romance cover modeling and they flew me out to Kentucky to meet them and the rest is history :)

Do you have any favorite romance subgenres? i.e. Historical, fantasy, science fiction etc?

I honestly don't have a preference. I like any of DCL's books.

What is it like to work with DCL (Dark Castle Lord's Publishing)?

I love working with them. Pam is great and so are all the authors and photographers and editors. I've gotten to meet a lot of them and really like each and every one of them!

How long have you worked with the company?

I've been with DCL for about 2 years now and will continue to do work with them.

Do you have any favorite covers?

Well at the moment its Within These Stone Walls by Desiree Lee which is my first cover. Awesome book by the way. Its a Def must read!!

Would you like to say anything else to our readers and any new fans?

Yes, I would love to thank all my readers and fans for all of their wonderful support. I have a lot of great fans and wish i could meet each and every one of them.

I'm sure you have many fans! Do you have a web page or Facebook page or other social media page so your fans can contact you or keep up with your work?

I do have a facebook page. Look for me at Armando Gonzalez in Harrisonville, Mo. I'm currently working on a web page for my fans and will let everyone know when its up and going. Thank you very much for your time and stopping by.

DCL Publications Is Our Latest Publisher to Be Embraced! Come and Join Us!

2011-10-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Scribal Love Welcomes Pam Seres Owner and Publisher of DCL Publications!

Hi Pam! Welcome to the Embraced Scribal Love! Tell us a little about yourself?

I come from a big military family and I love to travel & see new things.

When or how did your love for writing develop?

I think it's always been there in dreams or thoughts. I love The Tudor era!

So could you tell us a little bit about DCL?

DCL was started by Stuart Bazga & I due to our love of The Tudor era, castles, and romance.

What do you look for in your submissions and your authors?

I look for my authors to believe in the novel they have written. For submissions, I totally trust our head editor, Jean Watkins, as she can spot a real good story.

Do you take unagented submissions?

Yes as sometimes agents miss the bigger picture.

Do you take unsolicited submissions?

It depends on what you mean by unsolicited! lol

Joking aside, I have been in the bathroom at a conferences and have had new writers come up to me. I always encourage them to submit to DCL while washing my hands of course. lol

Would you say that your company specializes in any particular genre?

DCL first started with the castle & medieval theme. We know are open to many other genres.

How would you describe your relationship with your authors especially during the editing process? And through the development of the book?

For the editing process and development of the novel, I leave that to Jean Watkins & her team of many wonderful editors. Jean is tough but she only wants the best work possible to go out.

My relationship with the authors for the most part is positive. I love to promote them & see them advance in all areas.

What kind of product are you looking to deliver to your readers?

A great novel that will leave you enthralled and a great cover that will draw you in. DCL covers have never been better since under the direction of Annie Marshall. I can look at the covers she & her team does with pride.

Check out her latest venture for DCL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsJWDhMjEeM

What would you like for your readers to know about DCL Publications?

We have handsome & sexy Dark Lords on our covers & great stories!

Are there any authors or books that you are excited about?

For sure many!

Including yours Clare as you bring a different voice & Jean took one look at your submission and yes to it. That doesn't happen often! lol

I can always count on Kate Hofman, Veronica Towers, and Annie Marshal to bring about a great novel for DCL but excited to see what Miriam Newman & Susan Blexrud are starting to do.

And finally, where can we find you on the web?

www.thedarkcastlelords.com

On the front page of our website done by the fabulous Diane Davis White you can find all of DCL's social links to keep up with our latest happenings.

We've Embraced Our First Romance Cover Model! Welcome Kindred Spirit- CJ Hollenbach

2011-10-09T20:33:00.001-04:00

Scribal Love Welcomes Romance Cover Model CJ Hollenbach

Hi! Thank you for stopping by The Embraced Scribal Love! Why don't you introduce yourself to our readers!

I've been called "Ohio's Answer To FABIO." I always ask "But, what's the question?"

So how long have you been a cover model? And what publishers do you presently model for?

I have been romance novel covers for the past 12 years, but I've been modeling for the last 25. Really amazing since I'm barely 30 years old! ;)

I presently "freelance" for several different publishing houses.

What inspired you to get into the business?

I was in the first "Mr. Romance Novel Cover Model Pageant" almost 20 years ago in San Diego. I was sort of bitten by the romance industry bug. It took me 8 LONG years and a lot of hard work before I did my first cover, "The Stone Maiden" in NYC. Not quite an overnight success story....

Do you have any favorite romance subgenres? i.e. Historical, fantasy, science fiction etc?

I do like historical novels maybe because I look the part. Although, everybody seems to think I'd make a good(?) vampire, which may be an oxymoron.

What is it like to work with DCL (Dark Castle Lord's Publishing)?

A very cool group. The authors are great too. Kate Hofman is one of my favorites. I worked with the late Tracy Ranson . She was a sweetheart and will be missed by the industry.

How long have you worked with the company?

I've known Pam Seres for many years. I've worked for DCL several years too. I've lost track. Time flies when you are having fun!

Do you have any favorite covers?

I like "A Viking Seduction" because it's very "romance novel" looking. My latest cover in the "golden" series for Kate Hofman, "Golden Dreamer" is a favorite too. I designed the cover and my friend and romance cover artist legend, Lynn Sanders did the artwork. Love it!

Would you like to say anything else to our readers and any new fans?

I would like to thank each and every one of them for being so supportive of me in my 20 years in the industry. I can honestly say I wouldn't have been around this long if it wasn't for them! They are the greatest!

I'm sure you have many fans! Do you have a web page or Facebook page or other social media page so your fans can contact you or keep up with your work?

My website is www.cjcovermodel.com and I'm on Facebook- "CJ Hollenbach"

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Thanks so much for having me!!!

Bernadette Marie and The Art of Writing!

2011-09-19T19:47:00.000-04:00

Scribal Love Welcomes Bernadette Marie

The Art of Writing About Pancakes

By Bernadette Marie

Approached with a blog tour, and at least twenty different topics, you begin to grasp at ideas. I’ve been very blessed with my writing. I find the challenge refreshing when someone says, “write about this or write about that.” So I put it to one of my eight year old twins. “What should I write about?” His reply…pancakes!

When you think about a pancakes, you think about the batter. It can come from a box or be whipped up from scratch. You need all the elements before you start and a hot griddle to cook them up. But a pancake doesn’t have to be just plain. No. You can add a delicious array of yummy treats. Chocolate chips. Berries. M&Ms. And my niece’s favorite, Reeses Pieces! Add milk, eggs, a little sugar, splash of vanilla and pour onto a hot griddle. Remember, when cooking a pancake, the edges must be firm and the bubbles in the middle must be few or you can have a real mess.

What in the world does a pancake have to do with writing a book? We follow the same process.

Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser you need the ingredients to make a good story. You need to know what you’re going to write about and a plan of attack. Do you need to plot out every scene? Do you only need an idea in which to fly?

Mixing your batter for your story. Do you have a whisk or a toothpick. Is it going to be easy to guide through the facets of the story with the right amount of conflict and tension or are you going to have to add your own delicious array of yummy treats?

Is your story in need of berries and candies? Will you add something sweet or tart? What does your story need to drive the reader to the next bite?

Now throw it down and watch it sizzle. Remember, even in your story, if you don’t turn it at the right time its either going to break or burn. If you burn it, your reader will be left with a bad taste of your story and your writing. If you break it, well, we’ve all put down a book before it was over.

Once you’ve got the story bubbling just right, flip it. Make it golden brown and serve piping hot to the readers while they are hungry. Go back to the kitchen and whip up another batch, because if you’ve added the right ingredients and mixed in the right amount of yummy treats, they’re going to be hungry all the time and you’re going to want to feed them.

BIO:

Bernadette Marie has been an avid writer since the early age of 13, when she’d fill notebook after notebook with stories that she’d share with her friends. Her journey into novel writing started the summer before eighth grade when her father gave her an old typewriter. At all times of the day and night you would find her on the back porch penning her first work, which she would continue to write for the next 22 years.

In 2007 – after marriage, filling her chronic entrepreneurial needs, and having five children – Bernadette began to write seriously with the goal of being published. That year she wrote 12 books. In 2009 she was contracted for her first trilogy and the published author was born. In 2011 she (being the entrepreneur that she is) opened her own publishing house, 5 Prince Publishing, and has released contemporary titles and will begin the process, eventually, of taking on other authors in other genres. Also in 2011 she became co-owner of Seven Songs Press and will release a novella as part of an anthology with other very talented authors in November 2011.

Bernadette spends most of her free time driving her kids to their many events. She is also an accomplished martial artist, working her way to her second-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. An avid reader, she enjoys most, the works of Nora Roberts and Karen White. She loves to meet readers who enjoy reading contemporary romances and she always promises Happily Ever After.

LINKS:
WEBSITE: www.bernadettemarie.com
BLOG: www.authorbernadettemarie.com
EMAIL: info@bernadettemarie.com
FACEBOOK:www.facebook.com/authorbernadettemarie
TWITTER: @writesromance

BLURB FOR THE EXECUTIVE’S DECISION:

Regan Keller fell in love with a wealthy and powerful man once. He was her boss. When that turbulent relationship ended, she swore she’d never again date someone she worked with. That was before she literally fell into her new boss’s lap.

Zachary Benson is the head of a successful empire and used to getting what he wants in the boardroom and outside of it – and what he wants is Regan Keller. He’s determined to convince Regan that even though he’s her boss, they can share a life together.

However, when Regan’s past threatens to destroy the architectural firm Zach has invested his entire career in, he has to make an executive decision whether to choose his business or fight for the woman he loves.

We've Embraced Our First Editor! Jean Watkins Is An Editor With DCL Publications!

2011-09-16T17:11:00.001-04:00

Scribal Love Welcomes Jean Watkins

So tell us a little about yourself. How long have you been an editor?

I’m just me. Lol I am a mother of two who wears many caps. I began editing in 2006 when Pam and Stuart decided to give me a chance to try it.

What do you like about your job?

I love helping authors tell their story better. It has to be pretty well told on their own, I just tweak it to help the flow. It is my number one priority for the author’s voice to shine.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Me personally, I’m not interested in writing. I love reading stories spun by others. I enjoy “traveling” to new places and “meeting” new people. What really irks me is when the details don’t match, people switching “then” for “than”, stuff like that…it’s like nails on a chalkboard and jerks me out of a story. When Pam was starting DCL, she asked a mutual friend of ours on a loop if she would be willing to edit for them. I got nosy and emailed Pam off on the side to ask what exactly an editor did. She told, we talked, Stuart sent a pamphlet he was working on for me to try out and been here ever since.

What do you and DCL look for in a manuscript?

First of all, it has to be a story; it has to flow like a movie in my mind. If it has a few stops and stutters, I can deal with that because I usually have a suggestion or two to make to the author to help it flow better. If it is just a bunch of random scenes chunked together (and yes I have seen some like this unfortunately), then I can’t do anything with it. I have seen synopses that sound pretty good, but the stories fell flat. But then I have seen where the synopses aren’t all that, but the story telling is great. I try to be fair and I look at the overall picture with what the authors submit to us and not judge them based on one or the other.

How would you describe the house style at DCL? (i.e. is it face paced, sweet and romantic or just depends?)

On my side of the window, it’s fast paced…I’m always doing something. From other’s pov that are not behind the scenes like I am, they may not see us that way.

Do you have any favorite genres?

I grew up reading the Hardy Boys series, a few Nancy Drew, but the boys were always more exciting to me. Lol I love my mysteries, horror, romance, sci-fi, erotica, comedy, young adult, inspirational…I have a wide range and it just depends on my mood.

What are some of your latest projects?

Currently, I’m working on getting our older books cleaned up and converted for Kindle, trying to keep up with edits, do new releases. Then I will begin learning to do EPUB files so I can tackle Nook next.

Are there any hints or tips you could give a prospective author looking to submit with DCL?

First and foremost, if you don’t have someone reading your work like a critique partner, read it out loud! This will help you to notice that your complete thought didn’t make it to the page or that you missed a crucial bit of information that will make everything tie in.

And…keep trying! Keep working on your craft no matter how the rejections pile up. You may be “ahead of your time” or you may just simply need a few books under your belt to perfect your story telling. None of us started the race running; we all had to crawl first.

Is there anything you'd like to plug or promote today?

I think DCL has a little something for everyone. We have Vampires, Mysteries, Sweet Romance, Regency, Contemporary, Native Americans, Steamy Romances, Sci-Fi, eclectic stories, Time Travel and so many others currently available with several new authors on the way.

(I would name drop, but I don’t want to leave anyone out!)

Thanks for dropping by!

Thanks for inviting me, Claire!

Call For Submissions- Honor Guard Line- Decadent Publishing

2011-09-07T14:30:00.000-04:00

Decadent Publishing is actively seeking stories that fit our new Honor Guard line.
The Honor Guard line is composed of contemporary multi-national romance stories with a heat level of 3-5 and word count between 10k-30k.

Setting: US embassies around the world. The hero can be any alpha male having to do with embassy operations: Marines, MP, CIA, Homeland Security, NSA, etc.

The heroine can be an American or foreign national. Her age should be 25+ (can be Late Escape--romance between couples age 50+--as well). If your setting is in India, Australia, Norway or wherever, we need "local flavor". Tap your travel experiences!

If you write about the military, make sure it's accurate. Give us fun, adventure, romance, interesting settings, strong characters and hot lovin' combined with cultural insights. HEA is mandatory.

Decadent is also taking submissions in our popular 1Night Stand line and is open for general sunmissions in the following catagories. Please keep word count between 5-50k at this time.
See SUBMISSIONS page on the website for details. http://www.decadentpublishing.com/index.php?osCsid=084930d6cc456d4ae1915b6958c5a3e5&content=submissions

Historical paranormal romance
Late Escape romance (couples who are 50 years of age or older)
May-December romance
Comedy (romance or mainstream fiction)
Time travel (romance or mainstream fiction)
Erotic Romance
GLBT (especially F/F)
Non-Fiction (Biography, historical, memoirs, autobiography)

The Blood Kissed Series Featuring 'Of Course I Try' and 'The Ghost of Vampire Present' by Seleste deLaney

2011-09-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

Scribal Love Welcomes Seleste deLaney

What is the name of your novel?

I actually have a short story and a novella in the Blood Kissed series right now: Of Course I Try and The Ghost of Vampire Present

What first attracted you to writing vampire fiction?

I actually swore for a long time that I wouldn't write any more vampire fiction because it's so notoriously hard to sell, but the draw of sexy men with eternal life proved too much to resist. I think vampires are kind of Peter Pan for adults. They never grow old, they can sometimes fly, and fairly often, they become obsessed with an ordinary mortal. There's a reason Peter Pan is a classic, I mean, who doesn't want a guy to swoop in their window (in a non-creepy way preferably) and hang on their every word and move?

Who is/are your main character(s) and is he/she a vampire?

My main character is Jocelyn Reyes, and she's actually the (mostly) ordinary mortal. Both of her love interests, however, are vampires. Max Shaw and Chad Akerman come from different times and have hugely different attitudes toward romance, being a vampire, and Jocelyn.

How would you describe your vampire character? Is he/she a lover or fighter? Is the beast within held at bay? Or does he/she go with her passions?

I'm going to have to answer this separately for each of them.
Max is the lover who is willing to fight when the moment calls for it. As a lover, he's very sensitive to Jocelyn. When it comes to violence, he's Mr. Walk-softly-and-carry-a-big-stick. He would never go looking for a fight, but he also wouldn't hesitate to kill someone if necessary. He's definitely the more likely of the two to keep a tight rein on his vampire impulses. He has a carefully laid plan for most things that will make the fewest waves possible.

Chad, on the other hand, is much more in-your-face. He's cocky and likes to mouth off, which can get him in trouble. As a lover, he introduces Jocelyn to things she's never done--he likes his kink with a side of bondage. When it comes to fighting, he's less worried about keeping things quiet, and more intent on getting the job done. While he's not necessarily likely to vamp out randomly, hiding his vampire powers isn't at the top of his priority list. His plans are usually brash, but he is quicker on his feet when the time comes to decide what needs to be done.

What are your thoughts on some of the traditional weaknesses of vampires? Sunlight, crosses, wooden stakes etc. Did you incorporate any of that into your fiction? If not what were some of the weaknesses that your character must avoid?

I use them to a degree (some of which doesn't come out until the novel-length piece that I'm still working on). In my mythology, as vampires age, they are overall harder to kill and a simple stake through the heart won't do in one that's a few centuries old. Younger vamps, however, are vulnerable to such things unless they have special protections. The same goes for sunlight and fire. Since my stories don't have a religious bent to them, I don't utilize the holy relic angle.

Go crazy and tell us about your book! Include an excerpt if you like!

Thanks!

"Of Course I Try"

Love is a wonderful thing. Unless you don't get a choice in the matters of your own heart.
Jocelyn has loved Max since the day she met him. Even when he scares her enough to leave, she can't resist going back. No matter how many times she tries to break free from him, she ends up in his arms and bed again.

Not this time. Jocelyn needs to be free, and Max isn't going to stop her from walking away -- no matter how hard he tries.

EXCERPT

(Warning: This story starts off steamy so it’s for mature audiences only!)

When I came to his house tonight, I'd come to say goodbye. I remember that, even as his hands cup my breasts, squeezing them tenderly and rolling my nipples between his fingers. By the time Max lowers his head and sucks one tightened bud into his mouth, I can't recall why I wanted to leave.

Candles and patchouli incense burn in the room as my body writhes against sage sheets so soft they feel like silk. They aren't, though. I know his silk sheets—they’re black. The low light and spicy scent play on my senses, intoxicating me until the room disappears.
All I know are his hands and mouth on my body. Rough and soft. Dry and wet. Cool and warm.

His lips cover mine, and I give myself to the kiss as he reaches down and tugs off my panties. I'm wearing the lace ones. I'd come to say goodbye wearing the black lace panties he loves. But by the time they're gone, I don't consider why I'd do something like that because Max's mouth has left mine and traced a line down my abdomen.
I know I should fight this, but I can't. I don't want to. I want Max—for as long as he'll have me.

Rough hands cup my ass as he wedges my legs apart with his shoulders. Then despite, or maybe because of, the little moans that betray me, his lips travel lower, trailing kisses down to the inside of my thigh. His breath tickles as he hovers there, reaching out his tongue to trace a shape on my skin. It's a heart. I don't know how I know, but I'm sure.

"Please, Max—" A little voice in my head screams that I should finish the sentence with "stop", but I don't. I can't.

A deep chuckle vibrates against my clitoris, making a shiver run all the way to my toes. Then his magical tongue caresses the already sensitive nub, and I cry out. He sucks it into his mouth just to the line where pain and pleasure meet—treading it but never crossing over.

I'm helpless beneath him, a prisoner to my body's yearnings. My back arches off the relative safety of the bed, and Max takes full advantage. With the ease of years of practice, his hands slide beneath me, pulling me closer to him as his tongue delves into me.
I can't think anymore. I can only feel. The pressure of his hands on my ass. The silky motion of his tongue inside me. The rough grazing of his teeth.

My hands clutch at the soft, green sheets and ball them in my fists as pleasure rips through me. I've never experienced orgasms like this with anyone else. Only Max. Wave after wave of sensation as my muscles contract around his tongue. It's never stopped moving, never stopped drawing me to my peak.

I cry out his name. The only word that matters. Max.

Soon enough, I can't even feel. Then there is nothing.

When I wake in the morning, everything is hazy. I remember coming over, remember the sex. The incredible, mind-altering sex, but then I'm blank. It isn't the first time.

There's a note on the pillow next to me.

Jocelyn,

I'm glad you came back. You have no idea how much I missed you.

Love forever,

Max

Something clicks in my brain, and I realize it isn't the first time I've read those words either.

"The Ghost of Vampire Present"

Jocelyn has finally found her knight in shining armor in Chad, and ghosts are the last thing on her mind. Even when one shows up in her bedroom on Christmas Eve, Jocelyn's a bit more concerned about the other guests on the agenda. She'd prefer to never see another vampire, and the ghost tells her to expect not one, but three.

When the one from her past shows up even though he's supposed to be dead, she decides she's dreaming and suffers through the night. By the time dawn breaks, she's not so sure anymore.

But if it's not a dream, that means her nightmare is far from over.

EXCERPT

“Wake up!” a shrill voice commands.

I bolt upright, startled from a dream involving a castle and riding a horse bareback, blankets tumbling from shoulders covered with nothing but thin spaghetti straps. My breath comes out in tiny puffs of condensation as I yank the blankets back up. My eyes dart around, searching for whatever woke me. Where my clock should be is another black space in the darkness.

Another power outage. Fabulous.

“Damn it, girl, get some clothes on. If you're dressed in nothing but a nightgown when they get here, you‟ll never survive the night.”

My head jerks toward the sound. There she stands, at the foot of my bed, the tiny slip of a woman I'd barely known but recognize instantly by her glowing white curls and delicate features. Grandma Cooper. Even her dress is familiar because my mother had said it was in poor taste to bury the dead in white. Makes them look washed out. But even the choice of her funerary outfit had been part of Grandma‟s will, and though we didn‟t know it until she died, Grandma spent a lot of money to have lawyers who made sure every instruction was followed to the letter.

My mouth goes dry and my fingers shake as they reach beneath my pillow. Sure, I know her on sight, but she still shouldn't be here. And that means a weapon isn't the stupidest idea ever. But, if I turn my head to the side at all, she disappears as if she‟d never been there in the first place. Only when I look straight at her does she have substance, her body catching enough of the moon's light coming through the window to be visible against the darkness. And apparently with enough solidity that next time she speaks, her hands grip the covers and jerk them right off me.

“I told you to get dressed! Chop, chop!”

For a long minute, I sit there shivering in my nightie and staring at the blankets in her hands. “But...but...you're dead.” Please don't say vampire. As I think it, I realize she can't be one. Regardless of whatever else they can do, I'm pretty sure vamps can't disappear without moving.

“As a damn doornail. It doesn‟t change the fact you messed with the way of things and the time has come for you to face some hard facts.” Her eyes actually twinkle as she smiles.

“And I've been waiting a lot of years to help you figure all this out. Now, time's a-wasting. Get up and put on some damn clothes.”

She's the antithesis of the fairy godmother I‟d always wished for. All she needs now is a lit cigar between her fingers to totally bastardize that particular childhood fantasy. By this point, I already know I'm dreaming. I mean, shit like this doesn't happen, right? I banish the idea that I shouldn't have watched my boyfriend turn to dust when I shoved a stake into his heart either, and instead, I do what any sane person would do when they want out of a dream—listen to the ghost. I get my ass out of bed and go to the closet. Then I grab my heavy terrycloth robe and start to slip it on.

“Oh no you don't. Trust me when I say you‟re going to want something a little more versatile.” She yanks my flannel-lined jeans and a thick, green cable-knit sweater from the depths of the closet and hands them over.

When the power comes back on, I‟ll roast, but I‟m not about to argue with a dream-ghost. Then again, no electricity means no light, and since Max, I‟m not very fond of the dark anymore.

After tugging the clothes on, I say, “Fine. I‟m playing along, but I refuse to do this with the lights out. So if you don't mind, could you magic-up some electricity or something?”

She snorts. “No, but the power's coming back on soon enough. I have it on good authority.” She waves me toward the living room. Once we‟re sitting— me curled up in the papasan, her slouching on the couch—she says, “Your mother never believed me about you. She said I was nothing but a crazy old woman with too much time on her hands to fantasize.”

“Wonder how often she says it about me,” I mutter. Mom has never made any bones about the fact she thinks I'm wasting my life or my insistence on waiting for Mr. Right. Then again, she hadn't approved of Max, so maybe she had a point.

“Not nearly as much as she said it about me. After all, you don't tell her all your secrets.” Grandma winks at me, her face suddenly looking years younger. “When she was a girl, I made the mistake of thinking she was the one, and I told her all of mine. She would've locked me up when she was fifteen if she could have.”

“And she wasn't 'the one'? Whatever the hell that means.” I couldn't help but wonder how Mom would feel about not measuring up to what Grandma expected. Maybe it would've made her go easier on me. I doubted it though. Especially since I don‟t have a clue what she‟s talking about.

“Ha! Hell no. I wasn't entirely sure it was you either, but then I saw how they treated you.” The power kicks on then, everything whirring back to life. She waves a hand, almost as if she has done it by magic.

“Everywhere you went, at least one was around. When you started your cycles, hoowee, then it was like sharks circling prey. Of course, they never really knew it was you specifically. They could just sense something special and it drew them. But I knew.”

“Knew what? And why is there always a mysterious they? Who the hell are they anyway?” Apparently, dream-me tends toward the bitchy and sarcastic. I kind of wish I could drag her out into the real world upon occasion.

“Knew you were special to them. To the vampires.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, blocking her from view and praying when I open them, she‟ll be gone. Even with the wish firmly in mind, I can‟t stop myself from saying, “What vampires?”

She laughs, the sound half-snort, half-smoker‟s cough. “Most likely all of them. But you better get your little ass ready because three are planning to visit you tonight.”
I gape at her and, when a word finally comes out of my mouth, it doesn't exactly make much sense. “Three?” Because, you know, one or two would be perfectly normal.

“Are you deaf, girl? Yes. I said three: one from your past, one from your present, and one you haven‟t had the pleasure of meeting yet.”

“But—”

“Don't interrupt; this is too important. One and only one can be trusted. When he comes to you, do what he asks. Your choices tonight can alter the fate of humanity, so for once in your life listen to your elders and don‟t be stupid.”

Thanks Seleste for Dropping by!

Pretty Souls by Julie Particka- A Paranormal Young Adult Novel

2011-09-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

Scribal Love Welcomes Julie Particka

What is the name of your paranormal novel?

Pretty Souls

Who is/are the main character(s)?

Elle, a bitten werewolf, and her foster sister Cass, a half-vampire.

What is it about?

Pretty Souls is the first in the (young adult) Paranormal Response Team series and it focuses on the hunt for a demon spawn who is stealing people's souls. It's kind of Buffy the Vampire Slayer-ish…without the training and back-up. Elle and Cass have to find their way in the supernatural world all on their own.

Is your main character good, evil or torn in between?

Good

What are some of his strengths and weaknesses?

She has increased speed, strength, healing and senses of smell and hearing from her werewolf half. On the flip side, she is very insecure about her appearance and tends to get tunnel-vision, focusing on her prey and ignoring other possibilities around her.

What first attracted you to writing paranormal fiction?

I was really drawn to the mix of reality and fantasy because it's so full of possibility. Plus I love the idea of something "other" living right next door.

Go crazy and tell us about your novel! Include excerpt or blurb if you'd like!

Thanks!

Blurb:

My life followed a simple pattern.
Run to keep my inner wolf asleep. Make sure my blood-sucking foster sister, Cass, feeds. Hunt for supernatural trouble when we should be sleeping. Keep my grades up and my head down.

It was mostly a game.

Until people started wandering around like living zombies. Until people I care about started getting hurt. Until the menace came knocking on my front door.

Game’s over.

Time for the soul-stealer to realize just because he’s hunting something doesn’t make it prey.

Cass and I bite back.

~The Paranormal Response Team~
Saving the World Before Breakfast

EXCERPT

Why couldn’t tonight have just been a normal night? I had homework to do; so did Cass. We might’ve been able to swing giving a wayward vamp a slap on the wrist for getting a little too friendly with a homeless person or something. But we really didn’t have time for anything weird.

Even with six years experience tracking scent trails, I still hadn’t known what to expect at the end of this path. But even my best guess sure as hell wasn’t to find Diego Martinez walking into the automatic doors at Sears. Especially since they’d been locked for hours.

Cass and I watched from the parking lot as Diego rebounded off the glass and stumbled back a few steps before striding up to the door again. “What do you think, Elle? Sleepwalking?” Cass tilted her head from one side to the other.
I pulled my lip between my teeth—thinking once more how I should really stop chewing on it—as Diego bounced against the glass again. “It’d seem like running into the door over and over would kind of disrupt his REM cycle.”

Cass shrugged, the movement shifting her black duster so the wind caught the hem and fanned it out behind her. “Well, why don’t we go see if we can wake him up? Unless that’ll make you get all tongue-tied.”

The breeze worked so much better for her than me. She got the avenging angel billowing coat. I looked like the victim of a tragic wind tunnel accident. I yanked loose strands of hair from my face with a grimace and snapped, “I’ll be fine.” It didn’t help my demeanor at all that when I tugged my hair away, several pieces of fur flew right back into my face.

Whoever concocted the whole werewolf thing really should have done away with shedding.

“You sure, Sis? Don’t plan on drooling and falling all over yourself?” Cass moved toward Diego without waiting for a reply. What Cassidy wants and all that.

“Yeah. Completely over my Diego issues,” I said to the night air as I jogged to catch up to her.

She reached Diego, grabbed his arm, and whipped him around. “Hey, Diego, old buddy, you have football practice tomorrow. Shouldn’t you be in bed?” With his momentum toward the mall interrupted, Diego tried to walk forward in the new direction. Until he ran into the five-foot high, platinum blonde brick wall. Cass’s body didn’t repel him the way the door had, but she wasn’t letting him leave either.

“Damn it, Diego, just stand still.” I expected him to ignore me, too, but he stopped pushing against Cassidy and did the best impression of a statue I’d ever seen. A really hot statue with deep brown eyes, gently curling chestnut hair, bulging muscles, and....
Cass snapped her fingers in front of my face. “Yep, you’re doing great.” She rolled her eyes and turned back to him.

I snarled and squared my shoulders; my crush on Diego was a thing of the past. Not my fault he was still nice to look at. “His breathing isn’t steady,” I said, after listening for a few seconds. “How’s his heart rate?”

“Too fast for sleeping.” She parked her hands on her hips. “Drugs?”

A thin line of saliva formed at the corner of Diego’s mouth and dripped toward his collar, building a shiny bridge of liquid. He also started bleeding. The impacts with the door had left a small gash on his forehead. My eyes darted to Cass, who glared at him, then back to the blood pooling in the cut.

“No way. Diego wouldn’t do drugs; he’s smarter than that.” There was absolutely no reason at all to worry about the blood. It was just a little. Everything would be fine. I held my breath and watched as it dripped from the cut and ran down his face, mingling with the drool. “He actually looks kind of like a zombie.”

“Hello? Heartbeat and breathing. Definitely not a zombie.” Cass stood on tiptoe and waved her hand in front of his face. Without warning, she stilled and her nostrils flared. “Besides, his pupils are dilated. I vote for drugs.” She dropped to her heels and backed away.

“But I don’t smell anything...off about him.” If he was high, it should have left some sort of scent—in his sweat, his blood, something.”

“Yeah, well your nose isn’t exactly in tiptop shape like this, is it? I told you not to shift back so soon. But no—you see Diego and poof.” She made jazz hands. “Elle is human again.”

“It wasn’t like that.” Actually it was, but not for the reason she thought. We’d reached the end of the trail. There was no reason for me not to shift back.

“Sure it wasn’t.”

I closed my eyes and counted to five—she didn’t deserve the whole ten. “Whatever. I still don’t buy drugs.”

Cass turned on me and got right in my face. Not good, not good at all. “Use a little logic, Elle. Ockham’s Razor says drugs.”

“Who-ha’s what?”

She shook her head. “Ockham’s Razor. It’s a scientific principle that basically says that all things being equal, the simplest answer is usually right. Drug abuser trumps living zombie.” She turned and took a step away.

“Based on that theory, we shouldn’t be what we are either.”

Cass stopped and her shoulders tightened, stretching the coat across her back. When she finally spoke, it was through tightly clenched teeth. “No, we are the simplest explanation for us. We’re just the ones no one wants to believe.” She strode toward the edge of the parking lot.

“Drugs or not, we can’t just leave him here!” She spun around and glared at me with eyes that had grown much darker than their normal cornflower blue. “Fine, then let’s take the stupid, stoner jock home. Maybe in this state you can convince him you’re the love of his life.”

My teeth clamped down on my tongue. She’d avoided showing teeth when she spoke. If I’d had any doubts, that simple act confirmed my suspicions. We were in trouble. “Come on, Diego, let’s get you home.” I tugged on his arm and made sure to keep him downwind from Cassidy as much as I could.

***

Cass didn’t attack Diego on the way to his house, but she never dropped back to walk with us either. I hoped she was just irritated that we didn’t find anything more interesting. Hoped, but doubted it.

We slunk through the shadows behind the Martinez’s house until we had a clear view of their deck—and the sliding door with a bar across it. “Crap.” I dug through Diego’s pockets, searching for keys. Nothing. They probably had an alarm with coded doors.

“We could always break in.” Cass stepped out of the shelter of a towering pine tree and moved toward the door.

I yanked her to a stop. “Are you nuts? I don’t want to have to explain any of this when their security alarm goes off.” I didn’t want Diego’s problems, whatever they were, to get any undue attention either. I might have been over my crush, but I wasn’t a bitch.

“Fine. Then let’s just dump him on the deck and be done with it. He can sleep it off with the mosquitoes until the sprinklers wake him up in the morning.” Cass crossed her arms against her tiny frame and tapped her foot. Streetlights reflected off her eyes, making them look as black as oil.

I didn’t have a better plan and unless there was something else waiting for him, Cass posed the biggest threat to Diego. I looked around the yard with its enormous flowerbeds and lush green lawn. A deep inhale told me that a family of deer lurked in the trees nearby, and they were more of a threat to the chrysanthemums and asters than to Diego.

My sense of smell wasn’t top notch in my present state, but it would have to do.

“Fine. The deck it is.” Cass tried to grab Diego’s other arm, but I brushed her fingers from his leather jacket and pulled rank with a look. “Stay here.”

I tried to lead him quietly up the wooden steps, but in his lumbering state, he tripped and made far more noise than I liked. And then the security lights went on. I swear this house is out to get me.

Luck must have decided to cut me a break though, since his parents didn’t come running outside.

“That doesn’t look very comfortable.” I glanced around at the metal furniture. Very weather-resistant, but not great to sleep on. A storage box next to the door held some thick, flowered cushions that I spread on the glider. Diego sat without resistance when I pushed him. “Look, your parents are probably going to be pissed if these get wet in the morning, but I can’t just—” I bit my lip to stop the babbling nonsense about to spew out of my mouth.

Diego stared at me blankly, and I willed him to say something. Anything. His silence hung heavy in the air.

Heaving a sigh, I started talking again. “Please just stay here. Your parents’ll help you in the morning.” Still no response, not even a blink. “Try to get some rest.” With a gentle nudge from me, he lay down and closed his eyes.

I gave him one last concerned glance before joining Cassidy under the pine tree.
She didn’t even bother trying to hide her toothy grin. “Is he all tucked in now? Snug as a bug in a—”

While she was busy mouthing off, I lunged for one of the fearless rabbits that live in our town. It must have decided we weren’t a threat. It was wrong. With the bunny gripped in my left hand, I drove my right against Cass’s throat, slamming her back against the tree trunk. Pine needles drifted around us as I glared at her and snarled, “Are you a freaking idiot?”

“What the hell? I was just kidding.”

I wished I could believe her, but since she talked with her mouth mostly closed, I couldn’t. Besides, she couldn’t hide her eyes. Stark, inhuman blackness coated her irises. I hated those eyes. Covering the shudder that ran along my spine, I pulled her forward a few inches then slammed her back against the trunk. For a moment, as more pine needles drifted to the ground, the rabbit ceased struggling in my grip. The lack of scratching was an improvement, but I hoped I hadn’t killed it by squeezing too hard.

“I’ll ask you one more time. Are you a freaking idiot?” My voice hissed from between clenched teeth. When Cass didn’t answer that time, I took a different approach. “When was the last time you ate?”

Her lips curved into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, and she spoke with deliberate slowness. “I ate dinner earlier tonight, Elle. You know that. You were there. Jen made tacos, and Eric told us all about his boring day at work.”

My body trembled, but not with fear. Cass was so far gone she had the nerve to try to play with me. I supposed I had to count myself lucky that was all she was doing. I gritted my teeth and shoved the rabbit at her face. The movement must have made its shock wear off because it began thrashing around again, claws scraping at my forearm. “Eat it.”

Her ebony eyes shifted to the rabbit then back to my face. “I’m not in the mood for rabbit tonight, Elle.” Her fake grin slipped to something more condescending.

The expression came close to making my blood run cold. Not close enough though. I was furious enough to beat her senseless. “Too bad, because I’m beyond caring what you want. You were stupid enough to come out hungry. Patrolling without feeding? I can’t trust you like this, and we aren’t leaving until you eat the rabbit.”

Cass crossed her arms and, leaning her body against the tree like she didn’t have a care in the world, blinked at me. Long and slow.

I tried not to let my human instincts take over, but I felt my heartbeat speed up. The fear almost suffocated me, but I choked it down and shoved every inch of anger into my voice.

“And really, I don’t care if I have to force you.”
Cassidy gave a tiny harrumph and raised her arm. “Fine. Whatever. Hand over poor, little, innocent Thumper.” My hand still gripping her throat, I slapped the wriggling mass of bunny into her open palm.

Her eyes narrowed to slits when I didn’t let her go. “Don’t you trust me, Sis?”

Exhausted with her stupid games, I sighed. “Just eat the damn rabbit so we can go home.”
At long last she raised the animal to her face and opened her mouth, revealing canines that had extended to nearly an inch long. Without another word, she plunged her fangs into the bunny’s quivering flesh. I held onto Cass until the sucking noises reached a nice steady rhythm, and the muscles that had locked into place finally loosened. Even though I let her go, her lips stayed glued to the small animal, whose struggles had long since ceased.

The drained body of the rabbit hit the ground with a quiet thump, and Cass raised an embarrassed blue gaze to me. “I’m sorry.”

I simply shook my head—too tired to do anything else. “Don’t you ever do that to me again. Neither of us may be happy with the hand life has dealt us, but whether you like it or not, you have to feed.” I spun around, stalked into the woods, and headed toward home.

“And I don’t plan on ever being dinner.”

Cass could follow me, or she could sulk until dawn. I didn’t care. I still didn’t think Diego’s problem was drugs, and I just didn’t have the energy to coddle a moping bloodsucker.

Enter "The Portal" A Hot and Sensual Contemporary Paranormal Fantasy by Daisy Dunn

2011-09-02T12:00:00.014-04:00

Scribal Love Welcomes Daisy Dunn!

Daisy Dunn is an author of paranormal/contemporary/fantasy. Her newest work The Portal is available from Secret Cravings Publishing.

What is the name of your latest book? And how did you come up with the title?

My latest book is called The Portal. It is about a doorway that sucks people into it and transports them to an alternate universe. To escape from this universe, they need to wait twelve hours before they can open up the portal again and return to safety.

What is this book about? And what genre is this book in?

This is a cougar/contemporary/fantasy short story about a woman named Gianna, who steps through a portal into an alternate universe. She is taken prisoner by the ruling queen, who is sexually attracted to her. Cole has been in love with Gianna for years, but she has pushed him away because of their ten year age difference. Cole also ends up in the alternate universe, but he is a guard. When he sees the love of his life taken prisoner, he will do anything to free her and take her back through the portal to safety and his arms.

Who is/are the main characters? And why did you choose them?

Gianna Thomas is almost forty, and I wanted someone with confidence and a settled down type of attitude.

Cole Evans is ten years younger and a student when he first meets Gianna. He looks young and hasn't quite filled out yet. She pushes him away, not because of his looks, but she feels he has to sow his wild oats. Little does she know that he only has wild oats for her. Five years later, he is a brilliant scientist and has filled out looking like a grown man, big, strong, and still in love with Gianna. I wanted Cole to be confident, like Gianna, but know he has some growing up to do. I also wanted him to be like a bookworm with a super hot exterior and a heart of gold…sigh J

What is the coolest or best part about your book? (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc..

My favorite scene is when Cole, as a guard for the queen, is finally alone with Gianna, the queen's prisoner, and reveals himself to her (he is wearing a helmet with a visor that covers his face). She is taken back by how much he has matured, and he finally lets his bad boy come out and kisses her passionately for the first time. I felt like a voyeur in the room while typing this scene.

Do you have a favorite character in the book? If so, why?

I fell in love with Cole. He is so sweet, and so in love with Gianna. She has pushed him away, but he never could let go of her. He bides his time, matures and finally takes charge of the situation, which he wasn't able to do five years ago when he first met her. His confidence grew before my eyes and I found myself cheering for the sexy bookworm.

Is this book part of a series? If so? What can we expect in future books?

I wasn't planning on making this into a series, but I got so much positive feedback about the alternate universe, that I have book two already outlined. I'm not sure when it will be out, but definitely next year. I'm thinking of calling it “The Sinful Portal” but that has yet to be determined.

If not? Are you considering expanding it?

Since I'm writing a sequel, I think I'll expand the story and bring in old characters here and there. I have at least two more books in mind.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

No, I'm very happy with the way it turned out. Yay!!

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I based the whole book on one small thought (okay, it was a naughty fantasy of mine) and knew I could do something with it. I spent a week building the fantasy in my mind, giving faces and emotions to the characters and building the scene. After a week of intense thought, I typed my fingers to the bone and “The Portal” was born. I learned to think things through thoroughly and write what excites me and hopefully, it will excite the readers.

Do you have a publisher? And if so, why did you choose them?

Yes, I'm with Secret Cravings Publishing. I have four books coming out with them in the next few months. They are an amazing company that's growing in leaps and bounds. They believe in communication with all the authors, and after getting to know them and the other authors, it feels like one big happy family!! I also just received a contract with XOXO Publishing this week for a Christmas anthology coming out in November. It's been an exciting year!!

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I have three…

1. Christine Feehan - her books were the first paranormal romances I have ever read, and I love her style of writing. I am a huge fan and wait anxiously for her next novel.

2. Charlene Teglia - her books introduced me to the world of erotic romance. Once I read her books, I knew I not only loved erotic romance, but I wanted to write it as well.

3. Lacie Nation - her first book just came out on August 31^st called So Beautifully Broken. Her second book comes out in November, tentatively called One Courageous Dare. We have met through Secret Cravings Publishing and shared our stories back and forth being critique partners. She has helped me so much and given me wonderful tips that I have taken to heart. She is a fabulous friend and mentor.

What books are you reading now?

I'm reading the erotic Viking Series by Jaid Black…HOT!!

What are the current writing projects that you are working on?

As I mentioned earlier, I'm working on a sequel to The Portal, but I have two other books I'm working on. I'm writing a paranormal (vampire) series called the Hunger Series and books one and two are slated to come out October 11, 2011 (Hunger's Prey) and January 2012(Hunger's Desire). I have book three outlined and ready to go. I also have another fantasy erotic romance short story I'm working on. The problem is, what to work on next?

Do you write full time? If not, do you hope to do so one day?

I wish I could write full time. I have a Monday to Friday office job that I actually like. I have wonderful friends and co-workers there that really make going to work not a chore (except for getting out of bed early every day…yuck). So, I squeeze writing in where ever I can. Even if I'm sitting in front of the TV, my laptop is always within reach to work on my books. One day I hope to retire from work and write full time. This has always been my dream in life. Fingers crossed J

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I've always wanted to write ever since I read my first romance novel at seventeen, but I doubted myself terribly. This year, I said to hell with it…I have stories to tell and why not write some and see what a publisher thinks of them. Well, I've submitted three books this year and all three are being published. I'm kicking myself for the self-doubt I had and not doing this sooner.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

GRAMMAR!!! I know the basics, but there are always things that I over look in the grammar department. I have a grammar software program that I use to help me before I submit a book to the publisher. It has helped me so much and taught me where and when to use the dreaded “Comma”.

Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?

Don't give up or listen to that negative voice inside your head that says you aren't good enough to be published. YOU ARE!! I still fight with self-doubt, but when it comes, I try to shoo it away. Stories are mean to be shared, not hidden away, so get on your keyboard and type like a fiend. J

Where I can be found:

Website: www.daisydunn.ca
Email: daisydunn23@gmail.com
Facebook: Daisy Dunn
Twitter: @daisydunnauthor
Where to buy: http://www.secretcravingspublishing.com/DaisyDunn.html

THE PORTAL

Blurb:

Cole Evans has been in love with Gianna Thomas from the first moment he laid
eyes on her when he was a student at the University. He pursued her
relentlessly, but Gianna would not date him because of their ten year age
difference. She broke his heart when she pushed him away for good, afraid to
be known as a Cougar.

Five years later, Cole is now twenty-nine years old and is ready to fight for
Gianna. Before he does, he takes one more trip through the portal he created
into the alternate universe he has stumbled across. He has been chosen as a
guard for the ruling queen of this world and is shocked when he sees that one
of the prisoners is Gianna. He needs to get her out of this place, away from the
hungry gaze of the queen and into his arms once and for all.

Excerpt:

The queen walked up to the row of women and looked them up and down one by one. Gianna was about to say something to the queen as she stepped in front of her, but decided it would be best to keep her mouth shut for now. I need to be an observer for now. Don’t open your mouth or draw attention to yourself in any way. Gianna told herself over and over. She was never known for holding her tongue at the best of times, so she was trying extremely hard to do so. She was still confused about where she was, but the answers she needed would come in time. She hoped.
Once the queen looked at each of the women, she walked to her throne and regally sat down. She snapped her fingers, and the guards moved into action. Every woman had a guard grab her arms from behind and hold her firmly in place. Then five different guards walked to the front of each of the five women with a knife in their hands. Their tops were gently cut open and their bras sliced apart in the front, exposing their breasts. The guards, who had just cut the tops and bras, placed their knives back in the sheaths attached to their belts. They then stepped out of the way for the queen’s viewing.

Gianna was horrified. None of the other women fought back or said anything. She wanted to scream and tried to pull her arms out of the hold the guard had on her from behind, but to no avail. He was far too strong for her. She was so embarrassed by her nakedness to a room full of people. She turned her head back and forth to see if the other women were protesting, but none of them moved or made a sound. She didn’t know what to do, so she decided she would hold her tongue just a little longer.

The queen sat quietly for a moment staring at the women. No one made a sound while the queen deliberated. She then spoke three words, “Three and five.”

The guards pushed Gianna, who assumed she was number three, and the woman who was standing in the fifth position, forward. The rest of the women were led out of the room by the guards that were still holding them.

The guards then looked back to the queen for guidance. She blatantly stared at Gianna’s breasts and then to the other woman’s breasts.

The queen spoke again. “Make them hard.”

Two guards stepped forward, one in front of each of the two remaining women, and started stroking their nipples. Gianna was even more horrified then she had been when her top and bra were cut open. She stared to struggle, but the guard behind her held on tight. She kicked his lower leg with her high heels, but ended up striking his knee-high leathers boots. Two other guards quickly stepped forward and grabbed her legs, pinning them down on the ground, so she couldn’t kick. The guard standing before her resumed his stroking of her nipples.

He rolled her nipples between his fingers, and as they grew in length, he pinched and stroked them till they were hard and extremely erect. He seemed to be enjoying the task he had been commanded to do.

Gianna was devastated by what was happening to her, but even more upset because her body was enjoying this guard’s touch. She could feel it all the way to her core. Her pussy throbbed with every one of his tugs and twists on her nipples. She tried to look him in the eyes, but his visor from his helmet covered them. She could see part of his face, but not much. His mouth looked familiar, the shape of his full lips looked sexy and inviting. She had let down her guard and was enjoying his electric touch.

The queen interrupted her now blissful state. “Enough. Step back.”

Gianna almost thought she saw a look of disappointment on what she could see of the guard’s face as he released her nipples and stepped out of the way of the queen’s view.

The queen stood up and stepped down from her throne. She walked up to the two women and stared at their breasts. One by one she ogled the women and then finally stood in front of Gianna. She flicked her elongated nipples, first one and then the other. She turned and walked away through the hidden door in the wall.

The guards knew which one of the women the queen had chosen. The one holding Gianna passed her to the guard, who had stroked her nipples only moments ago and said, “The queen has made her choice. Take her to the bathing room so she can be prepared for tonight.”

End Excerpt

Thanks Daisy for Dropping By!

Contemporary Romance Author Lacie Nation's Newest Book 'So Beautifully Broken'

2011-08-31T00:00:00.001-04:00

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Scribal Love Welcomes Lacie Nation

Lacie Nation is an author of contemporary romance. Her newest work So Beautifully Broken is available from Secret Cravings Publishing.

What is the name of your latest book? And how did you come up with the title?

So Beautifully Broken, the title popped into my head when I was on the verge of sleep one night. I literally sat up and said “That's it!”

What is this book about? And what genre is this book in?

It's a contemporary romance novel about overcoming pain and addiction.

Who is/are the main characters? And why did you choose them?

Lilly Banks and Jack Hollister, I chose them because they just fit together. She is a broken mess with nowhere to go, and used to be. The balance each other out.

What is the coolest or best part about your book? (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc..)

The coolest part about the book is when Lilly finally overcomes her fears about trusting Jack. When she finally realizes he won't hurt her the way so many others have.

Do you have a favorite character in the book? If so, why?

Lilly, of course, she is so innocent in so many ways. In the beginning of the book, she is just so lost and broken in her addiction. When she decides to get better and is in a clear mind, she realizes she is an amazing person. She learns how to love and let someone love her.

Is this book part of a series? If so? What can we expect in future books?

No, it's not part of a series.

If not? Are you considering expanding it?

No, I couldn't stand the thought of putting these characters through any more drama. I decided to let them live on in fictional peace.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

No, I don't think I would. I'm happy with the way it turned out.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I learned that I don't like writing fluff and fillers. LOL… if I could write dramatic scenes I would be a happy camper!

Do you have a publisher? And if so, why did you choose them?

I do have a publisher, Secret Cravings publishing; I submitted my manuscript to them because they were extremely helpful when it came to answering all my questions. They take the time to help new authors grow into their own. I don't think I would have gotten through this entire process without everyone associated with them.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

There are so many authors I look up to, I couldn't begin to choose just one.

What books are you reading now?

I'm in between books at the moment. I don't really know what I will read next.

What are the current writing projects that you are working on?

I just received a contract for my second book called One Courageous Dare.

Do you write full time? If not, do you hope to do so one day?

I am extremely lucky because I work from home. That gives me the ability to write when I have ideas. One day I would absolutely love to write on a full time basis.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I have always loved to write. It's very cleansing and helps me deal with things I wouldn't normally discuss with anyone.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Creating characters that people can connect with, anytime I write one, I worry if people will love them as much as I do.

Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?

Don't give up. The publishing world is huge and there are plenty of opportunities out there. You just have to find the publisher that's right for you.

Get 'Reclaimed' by Diane Alberts! Our Paranormal Celebration Continues!

2011-08-22T15:08:00.003-04:00

What is the name of your paranormal novel?

My book is named Reclaimed. It had a few other names before the final name was chosen, and when you read the novel, my favorite one pops up. Watch for it!

Who is/are the main character(s)?

Sabrina is the main character, followed by Isaac. Isaac is not normal…and he has a few twists and turns thrown in that will surprise you. You’ll think you have it figured out, but you’ll be wrong.

What is it about?

It’s about Sabrina, who moves to England. She dreams of an incredibly gorgeous man, and then meets him in real life. Though excited to meet the paragon she’d dreamt of, she now is left wondering how she saw him before she ever met him.

And after that, things just continue to grow stranger. The line between reality and dreams turn out to be very blurred.

Is your main character good, evil or torn in between?

Sabrina is good, but she is surrounded by a mixture of good and evil, and it makes her head spin. She doesn’t know who to trust, or what to believe in.

All she knows is that the world as she knew it no longer exists—and there are some really scary creatures walking alongside unsuspecting humans.

What are some of her strengths and weaknesses?

She had an enormous amount of patience, and kindness, but at the same time she is not afraid to kick ass and tell you how she really feels. She stands up to a challenge with a smile, and will fight for what she believes in.

But in additions to this, she tends to trust too quickly, and fall too easily for others lies. She wants to see the good in everybody, and this could easily be her downfall.

What first attracted you to writing paranormal fiction?

I absolutely adore writing a new world, creating a place that exists solely in my head. It is also why I love reading it. How awesome is it that a writer can take a creature—well known or made up—and make us, the reader, truly believe in this character.

And I love seeing how the creature/place reacts to everyday life. Do they act humanely, or are they cruel? In the end, they more often than not are just like us. Human, no matter what they might be called. They love, fight, hate, and cry.
But they will also eat you for dinner. ;)

Go crazy and tell us about your novel! Include excerpt or blurb if you'd like!

After moving to England, Sabrina tumbles into an unknown world when she meets the man who has appeared to her in her dreams. She finds herself wondering how it is possible Isaac could be in her dreams before she met him. The shocking answers catapult her into a world where ruthless creatures roam freely along unsuspecting humans, and battle lines are clearly drawn.

While embarking on a dangerous and passionate affair, a bitter enemy appears from Isaac’s past that will stop at nothing to remove her from Isaac’s arms. Permanently. In order to establish a foreseeable and solid future, Sabrina must first deal with a tumultuous past. Navigating a shadowy world she never knew existed; Sabrina fights for her new found love…and her life.

Thanks Diane For Dropping By!

Experience the Passion With "Enspiritu Sancti" by J S Wayne

2011-08-06T00:00:00.008-04:00

Scribal Love Welcomes J. S. Wayne!

What is the name of your paranormal novel?

“Espiritu Sancti”

Who is/are the main character(s)?

Isabel Roquefale is a student studying in Romania. Lilliana Jursik is a strange local woman who stirs Isabel’s imagination…and her passion.

What is it about?

Lilliana and Isabel have been lovers for nearly a year when tragedy strikes and Isabel dies. Lilliana, a vampire, blames herself for Isabel’s death and goes to the mausoleum in the family chapel to say one final goodbye to her lover before she goes to join Isabel. But, as both women are about to learn, some passions even survive the grave . . . .

Is your main character good, evil or torn in between?

Lilliana’s inherently good, even if she herself doesn’t believe it. But Isabel’s death hits her hard and makes her question her place in the world. For the first time in her life, she finds herself considering the possibility that maybe simply being a vampire makes her evil by nature.

What are some of her strengths and weaknesses?

Lilliana’s a vampire more in the “vein” (pardon the pun) of the original Dracula. She doesn’t go out during the day if she can avoid it, but she can function in daylight. She prays freely in full view of a cross and douses herself liberally with holy water.
Her greatest weakness is her own self-doubt, which escalates into fully realized loathing with Isabel’s death.

What first attracted you to writing paranormal fiction?

I’ve always loved the things that go bump in the night, since I first saw the original Dracula with Bela Lugosi! When I saw a paranormal erotica challenge on Writing.com, I saw a chance to stretch myself a little; a year ago, I’d’ve been the first person to scoff at the very idea of ME writing erotic romance. So I wrote a story that was romantic, but very dark at the same time. And the result, after some tweaking, was “Espiritu Sancti.”

Go crazy and tell us about your novel! Include excerpt or blurb if you'd like!

Espiritu Sancti by J.S. Wayne
Genre: Erotic Romance, Horror, Paranormal

When Isabel Roquefale earns a scholarship to study in Romania, she's thrilled. As a lifelong devotee of vampire legend, the opportunity is a dream come true. While she's there, she encounters the beautiful Lilliana. Something about the woman calls to Isabel, stirring her blood and her desire in ways she's never known and compelling her to offer herself completely to Lilliana.

But Lilliana has a secret; one that Isabel pays a tragic price to learn. When Isabel awakens in Lilliana's ancestral mausoleum, at first, she believes it's a hideous practical joke. She quickly learns otherwise. And both women are about to learn that some desires survive even death.

Special Content Alert: Lesbian, Gothic Horror

It was a fine night, cool but not unpleasantly so, and the stars and a sickle moon hung in the sky as if placed there specifically for their benefit. It was then, while they stood next to each other, not quite touching, that Lilliana began to speak of her loneliness.

"It has been a long time since I've had a lover. My last love affair ended badly, and ever since, I've kept people at a distance. Have you ever been wounded by love?" Lilliana turned the full force of her eyes on Isabel.

Isabel thought it over. "I . . . think so," she'd said. Her fingers clenched, belying her apparent hesitancy. "My last boyfriend was a real bastard," she said bitterly. "He was a football player and fucked his way through the entire cheerleading squad while we were together. I thought he was going to marry me," she replied, her tone changing from venomous to pensive as she thought of how foolish she'd been. She dropped her gaze to the floor as a hot flush spread across her sharp cheekbones.

"Bah!" Lilliana waved her hand dismissively. "Men will say whatever will make a woman do what they wish. There is no more truth in men's words than those of a mockingbird. Only a woman can truly speak with complete candor to a woman. May I be candid?" Her eyes bored into Isabel's.
Lilliana's eyes seemed to gather the light of moon and stars and transmute into silver. They were the most striking eyes Isabel had ever seen; Isabel's knees went weak for the second time that night, this time with desire.

Unconsciously arching her back a little, revealing her throat, and pushing her full, firm breasts outward, Isabel let out a quavered, "Y-yes."

"I want you tonight." Lilliana reached out one cool finger to trace it gently down Isabel's cheek. "I want to love you. Will you allow me?"

Isabel's eyes slid closed, and she gasped a little at the sensations stirring deep within her. She made a tiny whimper of a sound; whether it was acceptance or negation, she could not have said.

But Lilliana allowed her no chance to consider the matter further. Pressing her lips against Isabel's, she lightly flicked her tongue against the soft gates. As if she had spoken a magic word, Isabel's lips parted to permit Lilliana full access. Her tongue darted and probed. She caught Isabel up in a fierce yet tender embrace, crushing her breasts against Isabel's. Lilliana's arms ratcheted around her, as if the woman feared Isabel would fly away if the grip were loosened.

Isabel was interested in going nowhere except deeper into Lilliana's embrace. She'd experimented, certainly; who hadn't tried it on at least once with a member of their own sex? It was almost a rite of passage. But she had never been kissed like this before. The arms which held her were feminine and shapely but in no way weak. The woman's mouth touched her as light as a breeze but seething with passion the likes of which she had never known.

She moaned against Lilliana and pressed herself more fully into her mysterious lover's arms, her blood singing at the wonderful feel of another female body against her own. Lilliana deepened the kiss, as if trying to inhale Isabel's very soul.

Isabel found herself on the bed, staring in wide-eyed wonder as Lilliana released the strings of her bodice and somewhat timidly pulled it down to reveal her snowy breasts. Her nipples were taut and puckered, the exact shade of strawberry-flavored milk; large aureoles haloed them in the same rosy hue. Isabel's mouth watered. Lilliana cupped her full breasts and held them up in the glow of the candlelight for Isabel's perusal.

If the ceiling had collapsed at that instant, Isabel would surely have been crushed. She could spare no thought for anything but her desire to taste the ripe delicacies being offered. She brushed kisses over Lilliana's breast a scant instant before her mouth closed around the pink berry, teeth gently nibbling and tongue flickering at the stiff nub.

Buy Red Roses and Shattered Glass, featuring “Espiritu Sancti,” at www.nobleromance.com/books/260

Thanks J. S. for Dropping By!

Liz Strange Entices Us With the 'Dark Kiss Trilogy' and 'The Embrace of Life and Death'

2011-08-05T00:00:00.001-04:00

Scribal Love Welcomes Liz Strange!

What is the name of your novel?

I actually have two vampire themed novels out at present. Born of Blood and Retribution it's the final novel of my Dark Kiss Trilogy, and The Embrace of Life and Death is an off-shoot of this series.

What first attracted you to writing vampire fiction?

I love everything about it, especially those written in a darker, gothic tone. I am fascinated by the idea of immortality and how different individuals would embrace that gift, the possibilities are endless.

Who is/are your main character(s) and is he/she a vampire?

The main characters, and vampires, in The Dark Kiss Trilogy are Rachel and Giovanni.

In The Embrace of Life and Death the main characters are Kieran, a vampire and Azrael, an angel. Kieran also happens to be Giovanni’ vampire progeny.

How would you describe your vampire character? Is he/she a lover or fighter? Is the beast within held at bay? Or does he/she go with her passions?

Giovanni is the ultimate “bad boy”, but he still hangs onto his ability to love and have feelings of compassion and loyalty. He has been haunted by the events surrounding his change for hundreds of years, but when he find Rachel he realizes the bigger truth of what and who he is. He is a lover and a fighter, fiercely protective of all he cares about.

What are your thoughts on some of the traditional weaknesses of vampires? Sunlight, crosses, wooden stakes etc. Did you incorporate any of that into your fiction? If not what were some of the weaknesses that your character must avoid?

I follow along the traditional school of thought when it comes to vampires. Mine cannot go in the sun, never age/get sick, grow in strength with the length of their immortality, and are extremely difficult to kill. The only aspect I didn’t adhere to was the religious aspect, my vampires are not afraid of crosses/churches/religious objects.

Go crazy and tell us about your book! Include an excerpt if you like!

Born of Blood and Retribution (Book 3 The Dark Kiss Trilogy)

The world’s first vampire has come calling – and she isn’t happy.

After the brutal showdown with the Demarais and the reunion with Giovanni, Rachel is looking for nothing more than some peace and quiet. Harshika, the world’s first vampire, has other ideas. She's not pleased with the immortal race as a whole, finding them weak and too “human”. When called before her, the immortals are given an ultimatum: Submit to Harshika as her subjects or die. Now Rachel and her old friends must join with new allies to discover Harshika’s weakness…hopefully in time to gain freedom for them all.

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Born-Blood-Retribution-ebook/dp/B005ETS2KM/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1312211625&sr=1-8

Born of Blood and Retribution:

Kieran is a hundred-and-twenty-year-old immortal, originally hailing from the harsh, famine-stricken life of 1880s Ireland. He has surpassed death and thrived, gaining wealth, power and knowledge. Azrael is the angel of death, but his mission is far from ominous. He is the protector of the grief-stricken, and the champion of lost souls. The two are polar opposites in mission and nature, yet are inexplicably drawn to one another. The Supreme One sees all, and when he discovers the truth about the relationship he is enraged. Their commitment to be together must be stronger than his determination to keep them apart.

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Life-Death-Liz-Strange/dp/1608203506/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1312211625&sr=1-1

Readers can find out more about me at:

My website: www.lizstrange.com

Lyrical Press: http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=authors&authors_id=127&zenid=7iee3qsu0p6nu9ti5bbe8bjk64

MLR Press: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowAuthorBooks.php?list=_ABKLIST70&author=Liz!Strange

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/LizStrangeVamp

Fulfill Your 'Blood Oath' With Cammie Eicher

2011-08-04T00:00:00.001-04:00

Scribal Love Welcomes Cammie Eicher!

What is the name of your novel?

Blood Oath

What first attracted you to writing vampire fiction?

When I was a teenager, I discovered “Dracula,” the novel – and my mother told me the story handed down through the family that some of our ancestors were serfs on the estate of the “real” Dracula. Ta-da – a lifelong fascination with vampires was born.

Who is/are your main character(s) and is he/she a vampire?

Giorgio Montrosa and Leykin Reneau are both Ancients (as my vampires prefer to be called.)

How would you describe your vampire character? Is he/she a lover or fighter? Is the beast within held at bay? Or does he/she go with her passions?

Giorgio is several hundred years older than Leykin and is chief enforcer for the Council of Elders, which is the ruling body of the Ancients. He is charged with training Leykin as an enforcer; they are also lovers. Leykin was raised in Minnesota, where few Ancients live, by the woman she called Grandmama. Giorgio lost his parents during the Dark Times, before the current rules were established, and has a reputation for being the biggest, baddest enforcer of them all. When his world and his woman are threatened, no one better stand in his way!

What are your thoughts on some of the traditional weaknesses of vampires? Sunlight, crosses, wooden stakes etc. Did you incorporate any of that into your fiction? If not what were some of the weaknesses that your character must avoid?

My Ancients aren’t immortal; they live about a thousand years. At age 13, they go through their changing in a ritualistic ceremony and become fledglings. Gradually they are able to tolerate sunlight and eat the same foods as short-livers. However, my vampires are all lactose-intolerant and silver is poison to them. Holy water, crosses, none of those things affect them – unless they’re made of silver, that is!

Go crazy and tell us about your book! Include an excerpt if you like!

This is book four of my Shadow Ancients series BUT you don’t have to read them in order! Blood Oath can be read as a stand-alone book, as can the others.

In Blood Oath, the Ancient world is rocked after the famous model and talk-show host Nekia, an old and powerful Ancient, is executed for treason and murder on council orders. When her body is found in a state park by “regular” humans, short-lifer geocachers, the crisis accelerates. And when information is leaked to the tabloids that not only is Nekia a vampire, but so are many other famous people from around the world, the high elder orders the clans to gather in their homelands, cancels all scheduled ceremonies and forbids his people to use their mental talents to connect with one another.

Instead of working together, Giorgio and Leykin follow separate orders. As he seeks to find first who moved Nekia’s body and then who killed the high elder’s closest friend, what appears to be a routine bodyguard assignment for Leykin turns into a nightmare as a powerful cadre of Ancients attempt to overthrow the council.

Here’s an excerpt:

Giorgio stood on the wide veranda of the limestone mansion and stared up into the dark sky. Once there had been nothing above but starlight, before man ruined beauty in the name of progress.

He wanted to see the constellations. He needed to focus on something beautiful. The argument with Leykin had pulled him back to the ugliest moments of his life, when he killed other men not for justice but on an elder’s whim. In those days of blind obedience, he hadn’t respected the value of life. He killed because he wanted to advance. He wanted power. He wanted the things that being the best enforcer in the Ancient world could bring.

Now all he wanted was to ensure Leykin’s life. She was good, yeah, but she wasn’t good enough yet. A split second of indecision, one wrong move, and she’d be the one with her heart ripped out and her throat slashed.

“Giorgio, I am ready.”

The high elder’s command sounded inside his head. Giorgio pushed his dark thoughts away and prepared to give Misha an update. His steps were heavy as he walked through the house and up the stairs to Misha’s second-floor office.

Misha was his usual cool self. As he bowed to the high elder, Giorgio wondered if he could stay so collected during a troubled time like this. Then again, he wasn’t expected to. Enforcers needed a reserve of rage to call on if they were to do their job right.

Again, his thoughts returned to Leykin. Did she have the capability for unbridled rage? More importantly, would her upbringing, so much gentler than Giorgio’s, keep her from acting on it?

“Please tell me you have good news.”

Misha’s voice revealed the strain missing from his face. The weariness it held was testimony to the unprecedented task Giorgio had accepted. With footage of Nekia’s tarp-covered body playing over and over on televisions worldwide, as well as instantly accessible on computers and smartphones, the slightest misstep could reveal the Ancients’ presence in the world and lead to unimaginable consequences.

Giorgio hated to tell this man he respected how little had been uncovered so far. Taking a deep breath, he answered, “We know the names of those on the corpse detail. They were ordered to stand guard and keep short-lifers away by whatever means were necessary.”

“I assume these men have been interrogated.”

Here came the part Giorgio really hated.

“We have been unable to locate them, sir.”

Misha’s hands tightened on the arms of his chair, and his eyes took on the gold glint that made

Giorgio back up a few steps.

“How can this be?” Misha asked, his tone deceptively gentle. “You have the services of every enforcer in the Ancient world at your disposal, and you’re unable to locate four men whose identities are known. Is that correct?’

“Yes, sir.”

“You have led the search for these men yourself?”

“Yes, sir,” Giorgio repeated.

“I suggest you take advantage of the enforcers we have scattered across the globe. And I would suggest you begin intensifying the search now.”

Giorgio bowed and uttered a final “Yes, sir,” before hurrying toward the door. He was almost there when Misha’s voice interrupted him.

“I would also ask that you institute a lockdown for every Ancient who has known Nekia well. It would not surprise me if someone is using this situation for his own agenda. I’m certain we both know to what end.”

Walking rapidly down the hallway to the steps leading to the first floor and his escape, Giorgio slid back into enforcer mode. Attempts to overthrow the council had been made in the past decade, first by the Ancients Underground, an informal association of young malcontents, and then by Nekia herself, with the unwitting backing of Harrington, the sitting senator from Louisiana. In a classic double-cross, Harrington had planned to get Nekia seated on the council and make her his puppet; Nekia hoped to use Harrington’s influence to gain an elder’s seat. Soon after, Giorgio suspected, she would have found an excuse to have him marked for execution.

Luckily, both plans had unraveled, but not without two deaths and a kidnapping. He wondered now if the prophecy of the Book of the Ancients had been fulfilled. A shiver snaked along his spine. If so, these moments of discord would soon be an all-out battle, not only among the Ancients but against short-lifers as well.

* * * *

Quincy leaned back in his leather club chair and closed his eyes. Calling on the empathy that linked his people, he searched and found the men who had worn the gray uniforms of the Confederate Army with him.

Tomas Petrov — Thomas Peters 150 years ago.

Stefan Margios, known among the Rebs as Steven March.

Duncan Phipps and Quincy himself, the final of the Gray Ghosts, nicknamed for their ability to

infiltrate the Union ranks and slip safely out again.

One by one, he made the mental connection and invited each man to join him before dawn.

They’d banded together once to save their people and their way of life from being discovered.

The time had come to do it again.

“Sir?” Remir’s voice intruded.

“What?” Quincy snapped, his eyes opening.

“The high elder requests your presence.”

Quincy smiled. Perhaps overthrowing the council would be easier than he expected.

“Call a driver,” he said. “And tell the kitchen staff to delay dinner. I may be late.”

Humming to himself, Quincy searched through his closet for the right suit and tie. It wouldn’t do to meet with Tsarentza in his slacks and golf shirt. He needed to look good. Trustworthy.

Twenty minutes later, satisfied with his appearance, he stepped into the backseat of the long, dark sedan. Remir took the front passenger seat. Normally, Quincy wouldn’t bring his enforcer to a meeting at the high elder’s home, but nothing was normal in the Ancient world today. He intended for Tsarentza to see him as an equal, despite Quincy’s lack of elder status.

Intimidation was an art he’d learned at a young age and was fond of employing. It was surprising, Quincy mused, how even the most powerful had their weak spots. He intended to find the high elder’s and exploit it.

That, after all, was what had made the Gray Ghosts so successful and so feared.

* * * *

Leykin immediately recognized Quincy Hawthorne. She squared her shoulders and adopted an enforcer’s stance before opening the front door to admit him to Misha’s home.

“Good evening.” She bowed a half-bow, as befitting an Ancient of standing. Only the elders received a full bow; the Prophetess was greeted with the most formal of Ancient honors, a bow with fingertips placed to forehead.

“We meet again,” Quincy said, offering a charming smile. “Have you taken the place of the beautiful Belle DuPont as the high elder’s enforcer?”

“Oh, no. I am still learning. I can’t even dream of such a high position.”

Quincy patted her shoulder. “No need that you should. There are many equally satisfying positions for an enforcer these days.”

She acknowledged the compliment with a small nod of her head before turning to lead Hawthorne to the elevator hidden off the entry alcove. His enforcer remained behind as they rode to the third floor with only the hum of the lift breaking the silence. When the doors opened, Leykin waited until Hawthorne stepped out to lead the way to Misha’s study.

The heavy oak door was open. Misha called “Please, come in,” when he spotted the duo.

Once again, Leykin admired how Misha’s study was arranged to demonstrate his power. He sat behind a massive desk while across from it, small club chairs awaited visitors. A wing chair was placed to his left, beside the window, and she wondered if the high elder chose to retreat from the demands of his position by sitting there and watching the world outside.

As was customary, Leykin left the room as soon as Hawthorne was seated. She closed the door and assumed a watch position a few feet away. Still, thanks to the superior hearing of Ancients, she could have listened in if she wanted to.

She didn’t. Granmama had taught her it was impolite to eavesdrop. Anyway, there were times when knowledge was a one-way ticket to an execution.

As she waited in the hall, her boots sinking into the sumptuous carpet, her thoughts flashed back to her argument with Giorgio. She hated to fight, but sometimes it was inevitable. This had been one of those times. He needed to understand how she felt. He needed to recall his days as a new enforcer, and his dreams and ambitions.

“I’ve got the blood of Ancients from seven centuries on my hands, forced to prove what kind of man I am.”

A chill ran through her at the remembered words. How many had he killed? Dozens? Hundreds?

Did she really want to know?

End Excerpt.

Thanks Cammie For Dropping By!

Are You Ready For "Eternity"? A Hot New Vampire Novel By Berengaria Brown

2011-08-03T00:00:00.015-04:00

Scribal Love Welcomes Berengaria Brown!

What is the name of your novel?

“Eternity”

What first attracted you to writing vampire fiction?

I’d already written two books in this world, both with ghosts as secondary characters. Then one day one of the minor characters in both the previous books knocked on my head demanding his own story. Then he told me he was a vampire. I was quite surprised, but he did point out I’d given him a traditional Hungarian name.

Who is/are your main character(s) and is he/she a vampire?

This is an MMF ménage. Both the heroes are vampires: Atal, the man who demanded his story be told, and his partner, Tsadowq (Zadok). The heroine, Yolanda, is a human but she’s tough enough to keep them in line.

How would you describe your vampire character? Is he/she a lover or fighter? Is the beast within held at bay? Or does he/she go with her passions?

Both the vampires are several hundred years old and have developed ways to adapt their environment to suit them. They only bite people who want to be bitten, gaining their nourishment in other ways the rest of the time. And they really, really appreciate a strong, tough woman, who is fit enough to keep up with them. They can both be very fierce when their woman is in danger, but mostly they are gentle and solve problems with their brains rather than their muscles.

What are your thoughts on some of the traditional weaknesses of vampires? Sunlight, crosses, wooden stakes etc. Did you incorporate any of that into your fiction? If not what were some of the weaknesses that your character must avoid?

Because Atal and Zadak are older, they’ve planned their lives to blend in. Atal is the head of night-shift security at a big city office and apartment building. Zadok works in the financial sector online from home. That avoids them needing to be outside in sunlight much, although they don’t sparkle or melt, it’s just painful. The world-building in the book demonstrates the way they have adapted their lives to appear normal, to blend in.

Go crazy and tell us about your book! Include an excerpt if you like!

“Eternity” is a stand-alone story set in the same world as “Intensity” and “Complexity” with some of the same characters reappearing.

Eternity Blurb

Yolanda is a bodyguard and used to dealing with men. But falling in love with two vampires is a different kind of challenge. How will she deal with her job AND them?

Yolanda is very attracted to night security guard Atal and his partner Zadok. She agrees to a morning of acrobatic sex with the two yummy men, only to find herself falling in love with them, and wondering if they are vampires—if vampires truly exist.

While working as a bodyguard with one of the building’s clients, Yolanda spends her free time with the vampires engaging in a lot of excellent sex and getting to know them and their stories. But one evening there is a kidnapping attempt on her client. Now they all have another problem to solve and Yolanda is frustrated by the vampires’ determination to protect her at all costs.

Eternity PG Excerpt

“Won’t you please come up to our apartment when I finish this shift, Yolanda? You know how much Tsadowq and I want to make love to you. We won’t do anything you don’t want, but we can promise you, anything we do, you will enjoy very, very much.”
Atal’s chocolate-brown eyes burned into her hazel ones, the lust in them scorching her to her soul.

Yolanda gulped in a deep, but shaky, breath. Her libido was screaming, “Hell, yes,” but her brain was saying, “Wait.” She hesitated.

Atal stepped out from behind the security desk on the concourse level of the Smith Tower building, and drew her gently into his arms. When she made no attempt to resist him, he pulled her tightly against his body, grinding his cock into her belly. He bent his head and possessed her mouth in a torrid, carnal kiss that took the last of her breath away and left her knees wobbling so badly, it was lucky he was holding her tightly, or she may just have melted into a puddle on the floor.

Yolanda dropped her gym bag to the carpet, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and rubbed her aching nipples over the hard wall of his chest. Their mouths parted for the merest moment as they both dragged air into their lungs, then Atal’s head bent once more, as he dived in for another kiss. This time, his tongue explored her mouth, running along the insides of her cheeks and behind her teeth before tangling with her tongue.

“Fuck, woman, you’re hot. Feel how much I need you.” Atal’s cock burned hot even through his uniform pants and her jeans. And hard. And huge. God, she wanted to feel that inside her. It had been so damn long since she’d had a real live cock in her. Not to mention how scrumptious Atal looked. Over six feet tall to her five-four, olive skin compared to her pasty whiteness, short black curls she wanted to run her fingers through, and a long, lean, muscled runner’s body she wanted to grab on to. And Zadok was just as yummy. He was almost as tall as Atal but stockier and heavily muscled, with black hair and eyes and tanned skin.

“Okay, you’ve convinced me. Another kiss like that and you’ll be calling the cleaning crew to scrape me off the carpet because I’ll have melted!

Buy Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/eternity

Berengaria Brown

http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/

http://berengariabrown.webs.com/

Thanks Berengaria For Dropping By!

Spicy Romantic Suspense Author M.S. Spencer Captivates Us With Her Novel "Losers Keepers"

2011-08-01T12:00:00.001-04:00

Scribal Love Welcomes M. S. Spencer!

M. S. Spencer is an author of contemporary romantic suspense. Her newest work Losers Keepers is now available from Secret Cravings at http://www.secretcravingspublishing.com/MSSpencer.html.

What is the name of your latest book? And how did you come up with the title?

Losers Keepers. In my answer below I claimed I am not interested in writing a series yet, but I confess I have indulged in a series of sorts when it comes to the titles of my books. Thus: Lost in His Arms, Lost & Found, and now Losers Keepers. Since in the story we meet the heroine after she’s lost her own true love, just before she finds him again, it seemed apt.

My fourth, just contracted, is simply titled Triptych. I tried subtitles: Loss, Love & Larceny, or Three’s Company, but everyone shook their head in dismay and I gave up. Still, if anyone has a good idea how to insert a form of “To Lose” into the title I’m open to suggestion.

What is this book about? And what genre is this book in?

Losers Keepers is a full-length adult contemporary novel, combining spicy romance with suspense. It is set on the Atlantic barrier island of Chincoteague (where Misty’s descendants live). Dagne Lonegan, aka Dear Philomena, advice dispenser extraordinaire, hoped that spending a year on the Eastern Shore island of Chincoteague to write her novel would clear her sinuses, if not her heart, of any feelings for Jack Andrews, erstwhile lover and long-time jerk. It’s just her luck that her first week on the island she’s in the right place at the right time to be involved with a murder. Only she doesn’t know it. Unfortunately, the murderer doesn’t know she doesn’t know. Strange and dangerous things begin happening to her, interfering with her new romance with Tom Ellis, the handsome manager of the National Wildlife Refuge. Complications ensue when her Jack arrives to take charge of the murder investigation.

My family and I have been visiting the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the beach on Assateague Island since my (now grown) children were small, and I know and love the place. Imagine my surprise and joy when photos of the famous annual Chincoteague Pony Swim were splashed across the front page of the Washington Post the day my book was released. How cool is that?

Here is the purchase information:

Losers Keepers, by M. S. Spencer

eBook, 72,000 words, M/F (3 flames), contemporary romantic suspense

ISBN 978-1-936653-95-9

Buy link: http://www.secretcravingspublishing.com/MSSpencer.html

Who is/are the main characters? And why did you choose them?

Like my first heroine, Dagne Lonegan is a writer. You know what they say: Write what you know! The novel she is expecting to write is not a major part of the story, however. Her advice column is. Every chapter is prefaced with a letter from a lovelorn young creature which mysteriously mirrors the events in her real life. The hero is purely fictitious. Really.

What is the coolest or best part about your book? (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc.?)

I love the ending. I always have a smashing denouement and this one is no exception. But actually an image toward the very end, after the dramatic conclusion, is my favorite. It involves a very old fisherman and a halo. That’s all I’m saying.

Do you have a favorite character in the book? If so, why?

That would be the ancient fisherman, old Bill Nettleton. He is both part of the story and a kind of deus ex machina, a little mysterious and too, too sweet.

Is this book part of a series? If so? What can we expect in future books? If not? Are you considering expanding it?

No to both options. The characters, plots and settings in each of my five books are unique. I have too many stories to tell to settle down with one. Perhaps down the road I’ll want to expand a story or follow the heroine on her next adventure, but not yet. Besides, once you have the happy ending, what else can happen?

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Not at all. Although I had to oust one character I dearly loved. But I mitigated the pain by adding a new and equally annoying character.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I always learn stuff while researching my books. While I know Chincoteague very well, I still had to check out fish and wildlife regulations on hunting, the historic cemeteries, folklore and history of the island, including men’s lodges at the turn of the century and famous murders. I also learned the correct terms for the phases of the moon. And I added a new word to my vocabulary: “coriaceous” meaning chewy. Isn’t that a glorious word?

Do you have a publisher? And if so, why did you choose them?

I have 2 publishers. Red Rose published my first two books, Lost in His Arms and Lost & Found. They are still available. Losers Keepers (and the upcoming Triptych) are published by Secret Cravings. For my first book I did research on publishers interested in my genre. I had decided to go with e-publishing for various reasons, the most important being my belief that it would be the preeminent publishing format in the near future (was I right or was I right? The latest study shows a 160% increase in sales!). I also like the quick turnaround, the higher royalties, and the ability to do everything from submission to editing on-line. That way I can keep my bunny slippers on all day.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Probably Jane Austen. Her writing is so precise and perfect—it’s as though she spent whole days pondering every single word she wrote. Her sentences are like miniature paintings, drawing a scene or emotion in only a few sharply appointed words.

What books are you reading now?

In the Garden of Beasts, by Erik Larson. It’s about the last American ambassador to Berlin before World War II. It’s a fascinating account of life under Hitler’s regime before he revealed his plans. I find on-site accounts given while history is in the making provide an alternate view that can help explain why people acted in a certain way, one which those of us with the benefit of hindsight may find inexplicable.

What are the current writing projects that you are working on?

I have signed a contract with Secret Cravings for Triptych, a tale of three sisters, three lovers, and three spirits guarding a dangerous river. It involves lost artworks, stolen prototypes and a resident genius. The inevitable result? Jealousy, sex, love and a little larceny.

Both Miranda Cabot and her sister Honor prefer their solitude to romance, Miranda having watched her husband die in flames on the Potomac River rocks called the Three Sisters. Not so the youngest, Sybil, who invites a mysterious Frenchman calling himself the Chevalier du bon Arnaque to stay with them in their mansion overlooking the Sisters.

Misgivings about the stranger’s intentions lead Miranda and Honor to ask their neighbors Dieter Heiliger and his grandson Corey to chaperone. Three beautiful, strong-willed women living in a house with three handsome, virile men results inevitably in an intricate web of jealousy, sex, and intrigue. Add in long-lost master artworks, stolen prototypes and a resident genius and you have a recipe for romance. Who will end up with whom, and will the Three Sisters take another life as the legend calls for?

While I await an editor for Triptych, I’m editing my latest romantic mystery, The Torpedo Factory Murders.

Here’s a taste:

Waiting out the rain, Georgia Delaney takes stock of her widowhood and the handsome man standing in the door to the bar. Little does she know she will meet that man again and again under both passionate and terrifying circumstances.

Hugh Brody waits for his date, too conscious of the beautiful woman sitting by the door. Little does he know that she will hate him for trying to destroy her beloved art center, and even suspect him of murder. Nor that she will be drawn inevitably into his arms.

Little do either of them suspect they will be embroiled in not one, but two murders, in which the fate of the Torpedo Factory, an art center housed in an old munitions factory on the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria, will be decided.

Do you write full time? If not, do you hope to do so one day?

Pretty much. I have a pension which enables me to spend most of my time writing. I have a part-time job as Executive Director of the Friends of the Torpedo Factory, which permits me to get out of the house and mingle with creative souls (the Torpedo Factory is a former munitions plant on the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, now home to over 150 artists in all media).

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Interesting question. Like most authors, I have been writing since I learned to hold a pencil (the wrong way as it turns out—which is why I still have a callus on the ring finger of my right hand). I’m not sure whether I wrote because I had something to say or whether I wrote because I wanted to do something with my hands and after failing miserably at visual art and music went with Option #3. Perhaps both.

The desire to create and to share that creation is a strange phenomenon. It depends a bit on ego—the assumption that what you say is important. But there are other factors. Most artists are rather solitary in their habits. When I’m writing I won’t answer the phone or the door. I enjoy being alone. On the other hand, I’m not satisfied unless I know someone else is reading it. I don’t think that is unique to me.

Before I get too far into the weeds, I’ll stop here. But I blogged on July 31 on the Urge to Write at Long and Short Reviews (http://lasrguest.blogspot.com). By all means, tune in and sound off.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

It is extremely difficult for me to write the first draft of a novel. When I have a story in mind I may not see all the details but I know what the ending will be. I’m as impatient as readers to get to the denouement (or the sex, or the answer to the puzzle). My first draft of Losers Keepers ran 30,000 words. As I started editing it I found great gaps in the story where my galloping desire to get to the happy ending made me leap ahead (how’s that for a metaphor?). By the time I’d finished the second draft it was 60,000 words.

Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?

I recently blogged on the top ten do’s and don’ts for aspiring writers (see Joanne Troppello’s blog, http://joannetroppello.weebly.com/1/post/2011/07/guest-author-meredith-ellsworth.html. If I were to distill that I’d have two indispensable bits of advice: (1) Submit, and (2) Trust your editor.

Thanks M. S. for Stopping By!