Tuesday Tea with Naomi Clark ~ Finding Focus ( #SO @naomi_jay @evernightpub )

Hi all! Grab a cup of tea – or whatever it is you like to drink – and join in the discussion. Today we have Naomi Clark giving us a look into her writing process. Welcome Naomi!

I was about thirteen when I first got serious about novel-writing (as opposed to short stories and poetry, which I had been writing), I was the most disciplined writer you can imagine. I had a thick notebook that I took everywhere with me and every free second I had was spent working on my epic fantasy novel. Lunch breaks at school, on the bus, in bed at night...I was a fiend. And I was single-minded. I worked on that novel and nothing else. No poems, no short stories. Just that novel. I wasn't going to be distracted until it was finished.
    Some fifteen years later I'm a published author (although that fantasy novel is long buried and best forgotten!). So you'd think I'd be even more disciplined and focused than I was when I first started. And yet somehow, I've gone from focused to scatty. I'm usually working on at least two projects, sometimes more, as well as various freelance editing assignments. So how does that work?
    I think the answer is, when I was thirteen and scribbling away in my notepad way past my bedtime, I was afraid. I was afraid I'd never finish anything so big as an actual novel, and I was afraid I'd never be able to write anything else after that, that all I had was this one idea. Now I know I can finish an entire novel and – if I'm lucky – have other people read it. I know I've got more ideas than I'll ever have time for, and I want to write every single one of them! That makes it nearly impossible for me to stick with just one project at a time. I want to explore my imagination to the limits and every new idea demands my time immediately.
    Of course, you can't afford to be completely unfocused if you want to finish a novel, so I've learned to corral my enthusiasm somewhat. My week nights are usually spent on whichever project is calling me the loudest, whereas my weekends are dedicated to editing. I set myself a minimum daily word count each day and a minimum number of hours for editing. If I hit those goals I can reward myself by working on whatever takes my fancy. It's taken a while to get the rhythm right – I've started and abandoned so many projects that seemed like the most amazing idea ever at the time – but it's been worth working at. I've had to learn which ideas are actually worth turning into a full novel.
    Working this way, I've managed to find a balance between the single-minded determination of my teenage self (which meant I was disciplined but also terrified to try anything new) and the more fancy-free self I was a few years ago (which meant I was trying everything and finishing nothing). Every writer's way of working is totally individual and you'll never find the right method for you if you don't experiment!

Her book Shadow Cursed is available at Evernight Publishing! Click ---> Blurb/Excerpt/Purchase <--- for info!

Author bio:
Naomi Clark lives in Cambridge and is a mild-mannered office worker by day, but a slightly crazed writer by night. She has a perfectly healthy obsession with giant sea creatures and a preference for vodka-based cocktails. When she's not writing, Naomi is probably either reading or watching 80s cartoon shows, and sometimes she manages to do all three at once.

***Find Naomi here***
I'm all over the web. You can find me at the following places:
Blog - http://naomijay.blogspot.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/naomi_jay
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/naomijclark
I love to hear from people, so feel free to find me and say hello!

Six Sentence Sunday ~ Sunset Desires Feb. 26 ( #sixsunday @6_Sunday @DecadentPub )

Six Sentences from Sunset Desires

    “None of you knew,” Heather offered, seeming a bit put off by their lackluster reactions. She drummed her fingers on the wide arm of the weather-worn wood chair. “All our matches have been made through a very prestigious and respected matchmaking service. The owner, Madame Evangeline, had me complete extensive questionnaires. She runs background checks. Everything’s on the up and up and safe.”

For more, on Sunset Desires visit Decadent Publishing & for other Six Sentence participants visit www.sixsunday.com

Welcome special guest: author Naomi Clark ( #FF @naomi_jay @evernightpub )

Today we have author Naomi Clark visiting. She's an urban fantasy and paranormal romance writer, werewolf aficionado, snake-charmer, Mega Shark fangirl.

So, Naomi, what inspired you to become a writer?
I honestly can't pinpoint one thing, because I've always written. As soon as I was old enough to write, I wrote stories. I used to buy stickers (mostly of ponies) and write stories about them! It's impossible for me to remember what triggered the desire to tell stories, but it's always been a part of me.

When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
I was very young – primary school age – and I wrote a book about stars. It was about five pages long and very badly illustrated (drawing has never been a skill of mine!), and my teacher made it into a proper little book for me, complete with starry wrapping paper as a cover. What happened to it? I have no idea! I wish I still had it.

How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
Countless short stories – I did creative writing as a degree and spent three years writing short stories – and nine novels. I sold my tenth novel in 2009, four years after graduating university. Of the previous nine, only one has been published since, after about five years of rewriting! The others are really not fit to see the light of day...

What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
Urban fantasy and, with the release of SHADOW CURSED, paranormal romance. I occasionally dip into horror and crime for short stories, but my novels so far have all been in these genres. I have a lifelong fascination with the supernatural, unexplained, and paranormal, so when I started writing seriously, these were the topics I wanted to explore. I love the idea of magic and fantasy in the real world, with all the complications and benefits it would bring!

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The best is “get it written, then get it right,” and I wish I could remember where I read that! I used to struggle to finish projects because I worried so much about making them perfect on the first draft. That piece of wisdom encouraged me to let go and just write.
*The worst, I think, was “write what you know.” On the surface it's good advice, but sometimes I think it can be stifling and move people away from writing what they want to. It's advice to be taken with a pinch of salt.

How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
For acceptances, the only way to celebrate is tell everyone you know, open the chocolate, and indulge! For rejection, I've learned to just keep moving. I used to take writing rejections very personally and assume they meant I was a terrible writer, but over the years I've learnt how subjective this business is, and that one person's “no way” is another person's “yes please!” And if you want to succeed as a writer, you need to have a thick enough skin to keep trying after a rejection.

In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
Ooh, that's a hard one! I think for Emmeline, SHADOW CURSED's heroine, I'd love to see someone like Emilie de Ravin – she's beautiful, ethereal, and spirited, just how I see Emmeline. For the hero, Rainart, maybe Christian Bale (not just because I have a massive crush on him, of course...). He's charming, sexy, and a bit dangerous, just like Rainart.

The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
SHADOW CURSED is the first in an interconnected series of novellas called The Brides of Darkness. They'll all be gothic, erotic romances, set in a fantasy-edged world. I'm working on the second at the moment. The inspiration came from two places – one call for submissions for an anthology about virgins, the other from an anthology looking for gothic flash fiction. I loved both concepts, but couldn't write anything that fit either! My flash fiction turned into a short story, the short story turned into a novella, and the novella became SHADOW CURSED. I've always enjoyed gothic fiction, but the kind I read is rarely romantic. I liked the idea of combining the romantic elements with the darkness and mystery of traditional gothic fiction.

*** Now for some fun info… ***
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
I'm a sucker for Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia, but really, in a pinch, any ice cream will do for me!

Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
Both, although I only own a cat at the moment. He's lovely, but very noisy – especially in the early hours of the morning!

Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
I already do – I have two snakes, a four year old California king snake called Remic and a three year old corn snake called Ket. They make great pets – easy to care for, very inquisitive and lively.

*** About Naomi’s book… ***

SHADOW CURSED is released by Evernight Publishing on 17th February. (http://www.evernightpublishing.com/)
*Released from Ottevar Asylum after eight hard years, Lady Emmeline returns to Nachtholm Manor to reclaim her birthright. But she has a battle on her hands - Rainart Eckhard refuses to give up his position as lord of manor, and whilst his cold attitude enrages Emmeline, his smouldering kisses leave her weak at the knees. Who is this dangerous, enticing stranger, and what secrets does he hide? Caught in a web of desire, curses, and self-doubt, Emmeline is not only fighting Rainart for Nachtholm Manor, but for her own heart as well.
*Interesting fact – I wrote most of it at work whilst my boss was in meetings, sneaking in a few thousand words here and there and emailing it all back to myself. I'm sure if my boss knew, she'd be pretty unimpressed, so shush!

***Find Naomi here***
I'm all over the web. You can find me at the following places:
Blog - http://naomijay.blogspot.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/naomi_jay
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/naomijclark
I love to hear from people, so feel free to find me and say hello!

Thank you for joining us here today, Naomi! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.

Tuesday Tea with Danielle Gauwain ~ Saved from the attic ( #SO @evernightpub )

Hi all! Grab a cup of tea – or whatever it is you like to drink – and join in the discussion. Today we have Danielle Gauwain giving us a look into her release Bound. Welcome Danielle!

Thank you C.R. Moss for having me here today. Happy Tuesday everyone! Bound was originally a compilation of short stories, proses and dreams that I had scrawled across the pages of two different journals. If it weren’t for my husbands’ efforts to clean out the garage, Isaac and Liz would have continued to be stuck in my journals, destined to live a long and dusty life in a box in the attic.
   While my husband was diligently sifting through boxes in the garage, he came across my journals. I gathered the collection of yellowing pages and brought them into the house. As soon as I opened the journals, a story seemed to jump from the pages. As I looked at the proses spread across my bedroom floor, I realized that they were all connected. Like putting the pieces of a puzzle together, I took each prose and constructed the bigger picture. When I stood back and looked at my creation from a bird’s eye view, Bound was born. For me, Bound is a product of the subconscious and conscious meeting for tea.
   For those of you who have not read the novel yet, Bound is a paranormal romance in which a woman who falls in love with a cambion. And for those of you who have read Bound and are anxiously awaiting the next book in the series, Rebound is projected to release in April.

Okay, I have to admit the word cambion caught my eye, and I looked up what it meant. For those who are curious about this particular paranormal/supernatural aspect, I found several differing explanations for it but the gist of it is, it's a legendary creature which originated in medieval times. Usually the half-human is born to a human mother after a union with a devil/demon/incubus, but it's said that it could be the product of a human male and a succubus. Sounds interesting either way. Best of luck to you, Danielle, with your stories! And, for those who want a taste of her book, here's an excerpt...

Excerpt for Bound:
   “Good evening.” A deep voice reverberated around her.
   Liz jumped and turned around quickly. It was the man with no name.
   “You scared me!”
   “Forgive me; that was not my intent.”
   “Now my suspicion has been confirmed,” said Liz.
   “Which is?”
   “That you are stalking me.”
   The man threw his head back and laughed. “Did it ever occur to you that you are everywhere I go?”
   “On Charlie’s roof?” Her eyebrows furrowed.
   “I just wanted to see the city from a different vantage point.”
  “What vantage point would that be?”
   “Yours.”
   They stood there for a moment gazing at each other. His presence was enchanting, yet ominous. Intriguing, yet scary. Liz swam in a sea of emotions. The man stood by patiently, as if he were waiting for her to come around.
   “Who are you?” Her voice was so soft that she didn’t know if he would hear.
   “Isaac Ainsley.”
   She noticed that he wore a black trench coat, which seemed to flow behind him like a cape. He moved toward her slowly, as if he were trying to tame a wild animal. Silly. If anyone were wild, it was he. He stood about two feet from her, and Liz looked up at him, astonished again at how he towered over her.
   “May I ask you something?”
   She nodded with hesitation.
   “What are you searching for?”
   “I don’t know what you mean.”
   “Yes, you do.” He lowered his eyes.
   Liz shrugged. “If you mean in life….health, happiness….”
   “No, that’s not it,” Isaac’s accented voice echoed. “There is a burning in your soul so great that it seeps through your every pore. It radiates from you. Tell me what it is.”
   “I’ve had a long night. I’m not trying to be rude, but….”
   “Would you like me to leave?”
   But strangely, Liz did not want him to leave. She ignored the question, hoping he would not notice. But she knew he would, as he was keen and perceptive.
   “How do we keep meeting this way? How do you always know where I am?” she asked.
   “I believe you know how,” he said, with a smile in his eyes.
   Liz could hear The Killing Moon by Echo and the Bunnymen playing in the bar beneath their feet.
   Fate up against your will….
   Through the thick and thin
   He will wait until you give yourself to him….
   He edged closer to her again, this time taking ownership of the space between them. Isaac was a mere six inches from Liz. She was mesmerized by his blue eyes, which seemed to glow in the dark.
   “May I answer the question for you?” Isaac said, as if he were asking Liz permission to help her. She was silent. She felt paralyzed, and her breathing became shallow.
   Placing his hands on her shoulders, Isaac leaned in and put his mouth to her ear. His breath was warm and sweet smelling, like honey.
   “You yearn for a love that is unrelenting, a love that is obsessive and addictive. You long to be dominated and enslaved by this love. You crave a level of eroticism and lust that is sinful.”
   Liz closed her eyes as his voice swirled around her, making her head swim. Isaac took a step back, releasing her shoulders. When she opened her eyes, Liz found him looking at her, the way someone would look at fish in a bowl: observing, waiting.
   “Ahhh.” He exhaled in pleasure. “Now we are getting somewhere.”
   Liz could not identify her emotions. She felt as if she were walking against a strong wind. She resisted, trying to regain control of her being. She focused on the roof beneath her, trying to concentrate on something other than him.
   Isaac snickered as if he knew what Liz was doing. He broke his stare from her. All at once, she was able to take a deep breath, her head reeling. She turned her back to him and tried to get her bearings.
   “Sweet dreams, Elizabeth Triest.” His last words whirled around her, touching her hair, her face, her dress.
   She turned quickly to meet him. “Isaac, wait.” But it was too late as he was already gone.
   He knew her name, and she never told him. No one called her Elizabeth, except family.
   She stood in wonder, dropping her purse on the ground next to her.

***Find Danielle here***
Friend her on Facebook
Learn more about her at her Website
Buy Bound at Evernight Publishing

Thank you for joining us here today, Danielle! It was a pleasure getting to know more about you and your work.

Six Sentence Sunday ~ Sunset Desires Feb. 19 ( #sixsunday @6_Sunday @DecadentPub )

Six Sentences from Sunset Desires

A length of dirty-blonde hair that had escaped her ponytail fell across her eye. She swept it back. “I don’t believe this. Did you guys know about her plan to pimp us out?”
    Ivy and Seana shrugged, perplexed expressions on their faces. They shook their heads.

For more, on Sunset Desires visit Decadent Publishing & for other Six Sentence participants visit www.sixsunday.com

Welcome special guest: author Shiela Stewart ( #FF @ShielaSue @DecadentPub #SO )

Today we have author Shiela Stewart visiting. Raised on a rural farm in Saskatchewan, Shiela Stewart relied on her vivid imagination to fill her days. Never did she realize that her need to tell a story would someday lead to becoming a published romance author. In the fall of two thousand and six, Shiela published her very first book and hasn’t stopped since.
   When not writing, Shiela spends time with the love of her life, William and their three children. She has a strong affection for animals which is evident in the five cats, one dog, three turtles and ten fish she owns. Some of her passions aside from writing are drawing and painting and proudly displays her artwork in murals in her home.
   Her favorite time of day is sunset and she loves to stargaze.

So, Shiela, what inspired you to become a writer?
I really don’t know that anything in particular inspired me. I’ve always loved to tell stories, even in my youth. I remember being 8 and telling a fascinating story of a scarecrow to my cousins. I guess it’s just in my blood.

When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
I was 14 when I wrote my first full story. It was a tale of a teenage girl who delves into the black magic with dire consequences. It’s still sitting in my manuscript box of possible stories to fix up.

How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
Thirty-Five. I have a wild imagination. LOL

What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
My preference is Paranormal romance. My second would be suspense. The first scary movie I saw was a movie called Straight Jacket. I was nine or ten. I snuck down the stairs and watched in the shadows. My parents had no idea. As terrified as I was, it also gave me a rush. Since then I’ve watched more paranormal and scary movies than I have romance or comedy. Oh, and it’s awoken the inner prankster in me. I love jumping out of the shadows to scare people.
   One of my favorite memories is being 14 and standing in the bathroom which was on the second floor, window open and making cow noises whenever someone walked by. I would do it at night. Watching their baffled faces was priceless. Now I add that into my books. Yep, I’m a sick person. And loving it. LOL

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
I don’t think I ever got a bad piece of advice. Best advice: Never give up and always refine your work.

How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
When I first received a rejection letter I was disappointed. When I received the second, third and so on, I was devastated and ready to give up. Thanks to my hubby who pushed me to continue I was finally accepted.
   Learning that one of my stories was accepted was incredible. I began screaming, “I did it!” My hubby and I went out for dinner to celebrate.

In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
From the moment I started writing Awaken the Demon I envisioned Robert Downey Jr as Draco. He’s got that sexiness about him yet on the other side he’s dangerous. And I think Ellen Page would be a perfect Missy Green. She has that sweet quality and on the other side she’s a tough cookie. In the second book,

Offer the Demon, Mila Kunis would be a perfect Aurora. She has that sweet face but packs a hell of a punch. And Scott, Chris Pine or Jenson Ackles would be great. As for the villain. Satan. All you’d need is some black smoke that growled when it spoke.

The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
Awaken the Demon is book one in the Demon series. Offer the Demon is the second book and the third is Claiming the Demon (Title to change). Awaken the Demon came from a dream, or nightmare for some, of a young woman running from demons only to find out she is one.

*** Now for some fun info… ***
What’s your favorite color?
Blue

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate

Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
More of a cat person but I do love dogs as well.

Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
Dear God no! Can’t stand slithery creatures.

Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
I love a soft misty rain on a cloudy day.

Are you a morning person or night owl?
Neither. I’m at my best in the afternoon.

What’s your favorite day of the week?
Saturday. I can spend all day with my hubby.

What’s your favorite number?
2

If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be and why?
Right where I am. I’m a Canadian and proud of it. I would however love to visit Scotland.

If you were stranded on a desert island and were only allowed to have five modern conveniences with you, what would they be?
My Laptop. A never ending slurpee machine. Cell phone. Microwave. Coffee machine.

*** About Shiela’s book… ***

Awaken the Demon was originally written in 2000. It was one of those stories that stuck with me, one I couldn’t let go. I entered it into a contest in 2005 and came in second. The only reason I didn’t win was because at the time it didn’t have a happy ever after ending. I revised it and again it sat waiting to find a new home. I submitted it to Decadent Publishing in 2011 and to my joy it was accepted.
Blurb: Running from an abusive Fiancé, changing her name, Missy Green is looking for a new life. Taking temporary refuge in a group called The StarrGazers, she does her best to blend in. Problem is, the owner, Draco Starr has put his sights on her.
   Born and raised in the pits of hell, Draco was sent to earth to collect souls for Satan. Having served his time he starts his own business. When word gets out that a child born from demon and human is alive, he is determined to find her and make her his own.
   Discovering who Draco really is terrifies Missy, but it’s nothing compared to finding out she too is a demon. Coming to terms with who she is, dealing with her attraction to Draco, Missy begins to embrace her new life. Until her fiancé enters the picture and changes her life forever.
Purchase at Decadent Publishing:www.decadentpublishing.com

***Find Shiela here***
Readers can find me on my website at www.shielasbooks.ca
My Blog: That’s What She Said: http://shielassays.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shiela.stewart
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ShielaSue
LinkIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shielastewart

Thank you for joining us here today, Shiela! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.

Comment to this post by telling Shiela the name of any movie or book involving a Satanic aspect. The prize is an ecopy of Awaken the Demon. Please leave your name and email so if Shiela draws your comment she can contact you about the win.

Arizona Dreamin' 2012 ~ A Girl's Night Out with romance authors!

Hello Readers!
I sincerely thank you for being so supportive of my writing career. Now I want to return the favor! How about a glorified Girl's Night Out with romance authors!
On Saturday, June 2nd I will be part of an event called "Arizona Dreamin" - a connecting of writers with readers.

Tickets are only $35 and here's what you get:
~ Meet 20 authors of various genres of romance ~
~ Choose 6 you find the most interesting for "Book Clubs" - 10 readers with 1 author in 30-minute sessions to ask them questions and talk about their books ~
~ Event Bookstore with discounted book pricing ~
~ Free Hospitality Suite with snacks and beverages ~
~ Massages for tips ~
~ Meet Jimmy Thomas, international book-cover model, and have your photo taken for a charitable donation ~
~ All-you-can-eat Buffet Dinner ~
~ Man of Our Dreams cover model competition during dinner ~
~ Huge raffle baskets ~
~ FREE goody bags for everyone ~
~ Meet with two publishers to see if there is a book in you ~
PLUS - You can add the Friday evening Wine Reception to your itinerary for just $5 (includes all of your snacks & beverages) if you send the money via PayPal to shop@goodnightpublishing.com and put my name (C.R. Moss) & Wine Reception in the "message to seller" on PayPal.

Think that's awesome? There's still more:
Hotel suites include a hot breakfast and are only $79 a night when you mention "Arizona Dreamin." A suite with 2 double beds and a sleeper sofa can sleep 3 comfortably, and that brings the rate down to less than $27 per person per night (plus tax).

For more information, go to http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/

I hope you'll come! I guarantee it will be fun!

Tuesday Tea with @crmoss ~ Interesting Tidbit about Valentine's Day & a Sneak Peek ( #SO @decadentpub )

Hello everyone! Happy Valentine's Day to you! Thanks for stopping by. :) Have your favorite beverage handy? Good. Have a seat then and join me for a discussion on Valentine's Day.
   I did some poking around on the net to find out about the history of Valentine's Day and stumbled across this interesting tidbit at History.com, "Origins of Valentine's Day: A Pagan Festival in February ~ While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial--which probably occurred around A.D. 270--others claim that the Christian church may have decided to place St. Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to "Christianize" the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Celebrated at the ides of February, or February 15, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.
   "To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at a sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification. They would then strip the goat's hide into strips, dip them into the sacrificial blood and take to the streets, gently slapping both women and crop fields with the goat hide. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed the touch of the hides because it was believed to make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would each choose a name and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage."
Whether or not you're into the holiday, you have to admit that information is intriguing, right? Perhaps it's a good thing that the holiday has been modified. Could you imagine the commercials for something like that? Go to your corner store and buy your goat today! With coupon you'll receive a free bowl! And talk about the ultimate dating game... Place your name in a container and whoever chooses you gets to keep you for a year? Hmm... I sense a story there. This is going in my file. ;)
   So, what do you think about what's above in pink? How do you feel about this holiday? Love it? Like it? Hate it? Don't care one way or the other?
   In the spirit of romance and the holiday, I wanted to share a look into my next 1NS Decadent Publishing release ~ Sunset Seduction...

~ Blurb ~
One evening. One date. Easy, right?
   Heather Tramonto, a business woman with only her career and a quickie on her mind, is all set for her 1NS date and a bit of adult fun–no conditions, no commitment–when a surprise shows up at her door.
   Lane Stanwyck is entering the dating world after years of an estranged marriage and the passing of his hostile wife. When Madame Eve schedules an anonymous tryst for him–no conditions, no commitment–he believes it to be the perfect arrangement for his first time out in the dating field in ages. That is until he sees the woman of his dreams.
   One night. No strings. That might be a problem for this pair.
~ Excerpt ~ (unedited)
Releasing the granite, she breathed deep, grasped the glass then downed the rest of its contents. She served herself some more wine. It’d been ages since she thought of Lane. Why now? Soon her mystery man would knock on her door, and she’d have an anonymous tryst to slate her sexual hunger and satisfy her need for human connection.
   Her request through Madame Eve had been simple. She didn’t care about the man’s age or what he did for a living as long as he seemed pleasing to the eye and able-bodied in all the ways that counted for a superfluous rendezvous. There’d be no real names, few personal details, exchanged between them. She’d call him Mr. X. He’d call her Ms. Z. She’d dyed her hair black, bought some colored contacts to change her blue eyes to brown and with the tan she gained while in the Caribbean, she could almost pass for being something other than the fair white, light brown haired woman of northern European decent she actually was. Then again, she had tan lines from her teeny bikinis. She’d just have to keep the lights low.
   But why reflect on an ex-lover when a new one should show up any moment?
   Blind dates. That’s why. She cringed and rubbed her temples.
   A friend had set her up with Lane on her first and, until now, only blind date. Madame Eve had arranged this night for her. And things with Lane Stanwyck hadn’t worked out too well. Could that be the reason for her foreboding?

Sunset Seduction ~ Coming soon to Decadent Publishing! To buy my first 1NS book, visit Sunset Desires at Decadent Publishing.

Happy Valentine's Day & Happy Reading!
C. Moss

Six Sentence Sunday ~ Sunset Desires Feb. 12 ( #sixsunday @6_Sunday @DecadentPub )

Six Sentences from Sunset Desires

     Heather reached across the small cocktail table in the southern porch style beach bar and patted her hand. “I set up a date for your last night here on this beautiful island. You know, end your trip to Grand Cayman with a tickle and bang.” Grinning, she relaxed back into her seat. “In fact, I tried setting some up for all of us, but since I had to work around the men’s schedules, Ivy’s, Seana’s and mine will happen after we return home.”
     Astonished, Gwen shook her head.

For more, on Sunset Desires visit Decadent Publishing & for other Six Sentence participants visit www.sixsunday.com

Welcome special guest: author Amy Corwin ( #FF @amycorwin @GoddessFish )

Today we have author Amy Corwin visiting. She is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America and recently joined Mystery Writers of America. She has been writing for the last ten years. She writes romance, historical and cozy mysteries. To be truthful, most of her books include a bit of murder and mayhem since she discovered that killing off at least one character is a highly effective way to make the remaining ones toe the plot line.
   Amy’s books include the three Regency romantic mysteries, I BID ONE AMERICAN, THE BRICKLAYER’S HELPER, and THE NECKLACE; Regency mysteries, THE VITAL PRINCIPLE, and A ROSE BEFORE DYING; and her first cozy mystery, WHACKED!, will come in in 2012 from Five Star.
   Join her and discover that every good romance has a touch of mystery.

So, Amy, what inspired you to become a writer?
I’ve wanted to be a writer as far back as I can remember. In fact, in first grade we were given an assignment to create our own book, complete with cloth-covered cardboard covers and pages sewn to the spine. I wrote about the adventures of a germ traveling through a little girl’s stomach, thereby showing what would be two lifelong loves: biology and writing.
   So I’m not sure what genetic kink I inherited that made me want to write, but it’s definitely there.
   I played around with writing during school, but when I realized how difficult it would be to earn a living as a writer, I got a job in the computer industry. One day while on a business trip, I was sitting in my motel room and thought: this is it. If I’m ever going to write, I need to do it.
   So I did.

When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
Well, I have many “first stories.” There’s that one about the germ… I wrote a terrible fantasy in college and actually subbed it to several agents (who thankfully rejected it). After I graduated, I wrote a romance that I subbed to Silhouette. They actually liked my writing, even though they rejected that story, and asked me to work on something else.
   Having no sense whatsoever, I did not do as Silhouette asked. In fact, I didn’t try another manuscript for about ten years until I was sitting in that motel room…
   That manuscript was awful, unfortunately. And so were the two that followed. But along the way, I found several critique groups and was finally able to write something that two agents fought over. That manuscript became I Bid One American, a Regency romantic mystery.
   The other manuscripts have long since been deleted and/or burned.

How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
I’m not sure how far back to go with this. :)
   If I count everything, it was probably four or five. That includes the terrible fantasy I wrote in college, because I actually did submit it to agents.

What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
I write Regencies, Regency mysteries, contemporary mysteries, and paranormal romance. My favorite genre is mystery, whether it is historical or contemporary.
   Each of the genres I write in was inspired both by my love of mysteries and various writers like Georgette Heyer, Barbara Michaels, Sue Grafton, P.G. Wodehouse, and Jonathan Gash.

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The best is: just write. If you want to be a writer, then you need to write and that’s really all there is to it.
   I’ve received so much bad advice that it’s hard to pick just a few items. Most bad advice consisted of silly strictures or rules that are simply untrue or ridiculous. Like the brilliant statement that “every sentence containing the word ‘was’ is passive and must be eradicated.” Not only does it show a complete lack of comprehension about what is or is not passive, but it shows a mindless inability to evaluate when you might, really, want to use passive voice. Sorry. That’s a pet peeve of mine. But it’s just one piece of terrible advice I’ve received over the years.

How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
This sounds terrible, but I neither celebrate acceptances nor weep over rejections. When I get a rejection, I check my list to see where to submit the manuscript next and I go over it again to see if there’s something that can be improved. Then I punch holes in the rejection and put it into my 3” binder. There are a lot of letters in there.
   If I get an acceptance, I start the work of figuring out what this publisher wants, needs, desires, and demands so I (hopefully) don’t make any egregious errors in dealing with them.
   Sigh. Maybe I’ just a little too business-oriented. :)

In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
Wow. That’s tough because I don’t envision any actor or actress portraying any of my characters. I always have very specific images for my characters and they don’t look like anyone I’ve run into. In fact, I toyed with the idea of getting one of those police ID kits to help me build pictures of my characters (but it was too expensive).
   If someone held a gun to my head (and I didn’t take it away from them, first, because I mean…really. Really? You want to go there?) I might select someone like Sam Elliot for Knighton Gaunt in The Vital Principle if he could do a British/English accent. (You see the problem?) He’d also need to be a little taller and darker. But he sort of has the right attitude. Tom Selleck is too handsome. Selleck could play Nathaniel Archer, though, in I Bid One American, but only if he can do a British accent. Orlando Bloom is a possibility, too, for Nathaniel. It’s hard to come up with British actors who are tall, dark-haired, and dark-eyed, who would fit. (Most are short with really bad teeth-sorry.)
  However, there’s one big exception. Oriana Archer looks like Gene Tierney, except a little plumper. And English. That’s the problem with doing Regencies set in England, you sort of need British actors and actresses. :)
   A younger Clint Eastwood could have done the hero, John, in Vampire Protector.

*** Now for some fun info… ***
What’s your favorite color?
Teal

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Vanilla (I’m boring) but it has to be homemade.

Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
Both, although more dog than cat. But both, really. We have two dogs and two cats, right now.

Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
No. Definitely not.

Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
Rain. And cold. In fact, if it’s rainy and cold I love it.

Are you a morning person or night owl?
Morning when I can get my fanny out of bed. :)

*** About Amy’s book… ***

The Vital Principle
An inquiry agent seeks to expose a spiritualist as a fraud only to uncover a murder.
   In 1815, inquiry agent, Knighton Gaunt, is asked by Lord Crowley to attend a séance with the express purpose of revealing the spiritualist as a fraud. When the séance ends abruptly, an unseen killer poisons Lord Crowley, leaving Gaunt to investigate not fraud, but murder.
  Suspicion turns first to the spiritualist, Miss Prudence Barnard. But as Gaunt digs deeper into the twisted history of the guests at Rosecrest, he discovers a series of deadly secrets. Long-time friends soon turn against one another as the tension mounts, and Gaunt is challenged to separate fact from fiction before another death at Rosecrest.
   The Vital Principle is the first mystery in the Second Sons Inquiry Agency series and features coolly intellectual Mr. Knighton Gaunt, the agency’s founder. This witty, historical whodunit in the tradition of Bruce Alexander’s Blind Justice will keep you guessing until the unexpected end.
   “Murder, mystery, and a dash of romance combined with witty dialogue and unforgettable characters make The Vital Principle a book that will definitely go on my keeper shelf!” —Lilly Gayle, author of Into the Darkness and Slightly Tarnished.
~ Excerpt ~
***In this scene, Pru Barnard is accused of murdering their host, Lord Crowley during the séance she conducted. Inquiry agent, Knighton Gaunt, is not so sure, however, that she’s the guilty party, but he does think she lied about being able to speak with the spirit world.***
   “So you lied—” Mr. Gaunt said.
   Pru interrupted, shaking her head. “No, I merely—”
   “It was not the truth!” His lips thinned and anger ignited a slow burning fire in his eyes. “Her husband did not speak through you. Admit it.”
   She tilted her head to one side, examining him. “Do you believe her husband did not love her?”
   “I have no idea. That’s not the point.”
   “Then you don’t know if it was the truth or not.” She offered, instinctively knowing the men would tear her apart like a pack of hungry dogs if she reacted emotionally. Her mind raced ahead, abnormally clear, encased in the fragile ice of logic that could shatter at any moment and leave her raging at their accusations. “And it eased the dowager’s mind. So I fail to see I did anything wrong.”
   Mr. Gaunt said, “You mislead—”
   “No. I told a desperately lonely woman what she needed to hear. That’s the sum of it. There are many truths. You have yours. I have mine.”
   “There is only one truth.”
   “Nonsense.” She folded her hands at her waist and turned partially away, unable to bear the intense scrutiny of his hard eyes. Her fingers felt stiff and icy with fear. “I refuse to discuss this any further. It’s futile. You’ll believe what you wish. If you chose not to trust me, then so be it. But regardless of what you think, I did not kill Lord Crowley.”

Buy The Vital Principle at Amazon

***Find Amy here***
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Blog

Thank you for joining us here today, Amy! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.

Amy will be giving away a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Visit Goddess Fish Promotions to see a list of her tour locations. The more places you visit and comment at, the more chances you have of winning.

Tuesday Tea with Shyla Colt ~ A Reaper's Temptation ( #SO @ShylaColt @evernightpub )

Hi all! Grab a cup of tea – or whatever it is you like to drink – and join in the discussion. Today we have Shyla Colt giving us a look into her release Wicked Temptations. Welcome Shyla!

A bit about me ~ I’m a stay at home mom who moonlights as an author, an editor and in my mind adventure. I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. But it wasn’t until last year I found the courage to submit my work. Nothing like your 30th birthday to give you a swift kick in the heiny. I’ve had many careers: sound and lighting engineer, a flight attendant, and an office manager. But I think this by far is the most satisfying! Thanks for stopping by and reading my ramblings.

Blurb for Wicked Temptations:
     After years of faithful service to Lucifer, redemption is the last thing, demon Boden expects when he’s kidnapped by angels during battle. Yet, that’s the situation he finds himself in when he’s assigned to the reaper Anna; and taken to a secluded location for rehabilitation. There’s something about the porcelain skinned blonde that creeps under his skin and makes his cock stand at attention. If he’s not careful she may awaken the humanity that lingers deep inside of him.
     Anna is overwhelmed by the task given to her. Boden has been Lucifer’s number one officer for years, and his reputation precedes him. The real challenge is revealed when the tall, dark and handsome demon with the blackened soul proves to be a wicked temptation she can’t resist. Can she win him over or will she be forced to watch him walk back into the hell he’s been living in for the past two centuries?
How the Book came into

being:
     Wicked Temptations really came about while I was writing Don’t Fear the Reaper. My minor characters really jumped out at me, and refused to leave me in peace until I told their story. My hero Boden was the villain in my last book, but there was something about him I found, redeemable, and fascinating. I couldn’t wait to get down working on his story, and as I brainstormed it hit me like a ton of bricks. Anna, the somewhat bitter reaper would be a perfect match. Thus, Wicked Temptations was born.
Research:
     With the Fallen series in general I always find myself doing religious research. For example, the holy artifacts they use. My background in Catholicism really helps with broad ideas, but for details I hit the bible, the library and the web. I’m known as the “queen of research” to my friends. So for me this is one of my favorite steps when writing a story.

Pick up a copy of Wicked Temptations at Evernight Publishing
Find Shyla at these locations...
Blog/Website
Twitter

Last chance for a cover flat! #MM @crmoss @DecadentPub

I've been blogging all weekend about my new release now available through Decadent Publishing and offering a great prize! This is your last chance to enter for a cover flat signed by me and cover model Jimmy Thomas! How do you enter?
    ~ Visit and comment on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and/or today's post(s) here on my blog.
    ~ Visit and comment on my post at the 1NS Blog: decadent1nightstand.blogspot
    ~ Visit and comment on any of my posts yesterday at Goddess Fish Party
The more times you comment, the better your chances of winning! Don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you if your name is drawn. Drawing will take place after 6 PM PST today!
Happy Reading!
C.R. Moss

PS ~ Don't forget to stop by Shyla Colt's blog tomorrow & say 'hi!'

Six Sentence Sunday ~ Sunset Desires ( #sixsunday @6_Sunday @DecadentPub )

Six Sentences from Sunset Desires

     “You did what?” Gwendolyn Tramonto’s jaw dropped open in surprise. Her heart skipping a beat, she glanced at her cousin, Seana, and her sister, Ivy, whose mouth hung open in a large O, then stared at her cousin, Heather. Gwen whiteknuckled the local-brew beer bottle.
     Heather reached across the small cocktail table in the southern porch style beach bar and patted her hand. “I set up a date for your last night here on this beautiful island.

For more, on Sunset Desires visit Decadent Publishing & for other Six Sentence participants visit www.sixsunday.com

Saturday Snapshots ~ More "Sunset" #SO @crmoss @DecadentPub

In celebration of my first Decadent Publishing release Sunset Desires I'm talking about sunsets.
Yesterday, I visited Decadent's One Night Stand blog and shared some pics and also background information about my story.
Today I'm sharing photos I recently took of a sunset here in Las Vegas.
I like how the colors paint the clouds in this pic.

It looks like the tree's on fire in this one.

This picture was taken at a slightly different angle. Not only do I like it since there's more blue/purple than orange/yellow, but I saw faces in the clouds. I took the liberty of penciling where I saw eyes, nose, hair...see the last pic.

Interesting, eh? I hope you enjoyed the pictures!

For more on my newest release, Sunset Desires, feel free to read over yesterday's post and stay tuned for tomorrow's six sentences. Also visit: Decadent Publishing to pick up a copy of Sunset Desires today.
And don't forget to comment on my post at the 1NS blog and on the posts here at my blog yesterday, today and/or tomorrow and over at Goddess Fish Party on Sunday February 5 to be entered into a drawing for a cover flat of Sunset Desires which is signed by me and cover model Jimmy Thomas! Each comment earns one entry so the more times you comment over the weekend, the more chances you have to win. Remember to leave your name and email. I will choose a winner on Monday, February 6 after 6PM PST and email the winner to discuss details. International respondents are welcome too!
Happy Reading!
C.R. Moss

Talking about "Sunsets" & new release info! #FF #SO @crmoss @DecadentPub

Hi everyone! This is a special weekend for me because today is the release of Sunset Desires, my first release through Decadent Publishing for the company's 1NS series!
     To celebrate this release, I'll be popping up all over the net during the month of February with guest blogs and interviews. Today you can find me at the 1NS blog talking about sunsets, sharing pictures, and giving some insight into the story behind the story.
     Then the rest of the weekend, I'll be here on my blog sharing more photos and snippets from Sunset Desires. Comment on my post at the 1NS blog and on the posts here at my blog today, tomorrow and/or Sunday and on Sunday over at Goddess Fish Party and you'll be entered into a drawing for a cover flat of Sunset Desires which is signed by me and cover model Jimmy Thomas! Each comment earns one entry so the more times you comment over the weekend, the more chances you have to win. Remember to leave your name and email. I will choose a winner on Monday, February 6 after 6PM PST and email the winner to discuss details. International respondents are welcome too!
     Sunday, February 5th I'll be at Goddess Fish Party & Tuesday, February 7th I'll be over at Shyla Colt's blog & on Saturday, February 11 I'll be at SOS Aloha giving a peek into my life and what's coming next for me. Stay tuned to my blog for more dates and places I'll be visiting this month.

~ Blurb ~
     A blind date. A hot tropical evening. She’ll be someone he can’t forget. He’ll fulfill her ultimate fantasy.
     Gwendolyn Tramonto is stunned to learn her cousin set her up with sex on the beach and it’s not the drink. But after a several year dry spell of no relationships, no dates…no sex, Gwen decides to take her cousin up on her offer and go out on the blind date. For once, she’d like to indulge in a fantasy, be wined and dined instead of the other way around, and if she and the man ended up in bed together, that would be a nice bonus.
     Evan Cadell is looking forward to the date his uncle arranged for him through an exclusive matchmaking service and taking a one night break from work, life and all its demands. From Gwen’s profile, Evan knows what her fantasy is and believes he’s the man who can make it come true.
     But will one night in paradise be enough to satisfy their desires?
~ Excerpt ~
     “Do you like what you see?” His sinfully rich, accented voice carried across the room.
     Heat filled her cheeks. With a hard gulp, she nodded, not able to take her focus off his beautiful body. Each toned muscle created a wonderful form, from his defined deltoids and biceps to a six pack abdomen she could wash a shirt on. She chuckled internally. Her descriptive thought pattern may have been cliché, but appropriate all the same. He strolled over to her, his tall form of rippling muscle closing and destroying the buffer between them.
     “I hear your fantasy is to be on a tropical island.” Evan glanced off to the left where a large picture window framed the beach and water. “We have that part covered.” He stood behind her, their bodies an inch—maybe two—apart, returning his gaze to hers in the mirror. “That you wanted to be picked up by a handsome guy and by the looks I’ve been getting from you, I seem to have your approval.” Brushing a lock of hair behind her ear, he whispered, “And that you wanted to be in a private location for an erotic assignation. Isn’t that so?”
     Images from vampire movies she’d seen over the years filled her mind. He may not have been a vampire, but he was just as sensual as one. What spurred on thoughts of Nosferatu? His voice? His confident moves? He inclined his head, his gaze transfixed on hers in a mesmerizing stare, almost daring her to deny the attraction. His mouth, so very close to her throat, let slip wicked hot breath against her skin. If he were a vampire, this would be the part where he’d bite her. She pushed the fictional thoughts aside, desiring reality, welcoming him to kiss her…lick her…suckle on the curve where her shoulder met her neck. She leaned back, bare parts of her skin encountering the hard planes of his chest.
     “Shall we…?” His voice rumbled in his chest and against her back.
     Shall we what? her mind screamed as sexual tension warred with her logic. She swallowed hard again. How much of her fantasy did he know?

Don't forget to comment and pick up a copy of Sunset Desires at Decadent Publishing!
& here's a sneak peek at my next 'Sunset' book coming soon to Decadent...

~ Blurb ~
     One evening. One date. Easy, right?
     Heather Tramonto, a business woman with only her career and a quickie on her mind, is all set for her 1NS date and a bit of adult fun–no conditions, no commitment–when a surprise shows up at her door.
     Lane Stanwyck is entering the dating world after years of an estranged marriage and the passing of his hostile wife. When Madame Eve schedules an anonymous tryst for him–no conditions, no commitment–he believes it to be the perfect arrangement for his first time out in the dating field in ages. That is until he sees the woman of his dreams.
     One night. No strings. That might be a problem for this pair.

Happy Reading!
C.R. Moss