Welcome special guest: author Karen Mueller Bryson ( #FF @karenmbryson )

Today we have author Karen Mueller Bryson visiting. Karen is an award-winning screenwriter, produced playwright and published novelist. She is the creator of Short on Time Books, fast-paced and fun novels for readers on the go. She's also a featured author at Arizona Dreamin' - Arizona's first romance-reader event! http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/

So, Karen, what inspired you to become a writer?
I knew I wanted to be a writer from the time I was four years old and first learned to read. My mom helped me write my first book and I was hooked!

When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
The first story I wrote that I tried to sell was called “Super Banana.” I was in 5th or 6th grade and created the character with my best friend at the time. I actually wrote a handwritten query and sent it to a magazine for kids. They replied with an encouraging rejection letter. I can only image what they thought getting a query from an 11-year old!

How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
When I got into junior high and high school, I spent all of my free time acting and writing took a back seat as a creative endeavor. I acted off and on until I was in my late 20s, when I wrote my first stage play. I became a playwright for several years and had some success. I began writing novels again in 2000 and then started writing screenplays in 2005. I now have five novels published and nine full-length screenplays completed.

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?

In screenwriting, I specialize in based-on-true stories, family films and faith-based stories. Most of my novels for adults are romantic comedy. I also like to write for young adults, mainly comedy/romantic comedy and I have a series of time-travel adventures for kids called The Incredibly Awesome Adventures of Puggie Liddell.

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The best advice: to be a writer you have to write! Write every day if possible. And don’t let anyone ever keep you from your passion and fulfilling your dreams.
The worst advice: You need an agent to succeed in the business.

How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
I always celebrate success by doing a little dance around the house! Since I can’t dance very well, I’m glad no one can see me because they might think I’m having a seizure! :)
I generally try to ignore rejection, especially when it is mean-spirited. It’s usually only one person’s opinion anyway!

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?

For One Last Class, I always imagined Jennifer Morrison in the role of Dr. Amy Campbell. Jesse Spencer would make a great Zak Spencer. The two actors had great chemistry when they were a couple on House!

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.
I’m promoting a line called Short on Time Books, fasted-paced and fun novels for readers on the go. They are each complete, stand-alone stories that readers can finish in one sitting. The adult series includes the romantic comedies: One Last Class, Twyla’s Last Trip, Hey Dorothy You’re Not in Kansas Anymore and Where is Wonderland Anyway.

I got the idea for Short on Time Books when I took a business trip from my home outside Phoenix to Los Angeles. I bought a memoir in the Phoenix Airport bookstore and I hoped to finish it on the trip. I read as much as I could traveling to LA and then tried to finish the book on my return trip to Phoenix. Unfortunately, I was only able to complete about 60 percent of the book and I still haven't finished it. I just haven't had the time since my return. That's how Short on Time Books was born; I decided to create a series of fast-paced and fun books that readers can actually finish in one sitting. Readers can now enjoy a complete story when they're traveling, commuting, or just spending an afternoon on the beach.

*** Now for some fun info… ***
Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
I am a bloodhound person! (If you had a bloodhound, you’d understand.)

Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
I live in Arizona! :) The hotter the better!

Are you a morning person or night owl?
I’m usually up by 5am and in bed by 10pm (except when I teach nights).

*** About Karen’s book/series… ***
The romantic comedy, One Last Class, is part of the Short on Time Books series, fast-paced and fun novels for readers in the go.
Thirty-two year old, Zak Spencer, is a washed-up teen idol, who decides to rebuild his life by returning to college in Arizona. Trouble ensues when Zak falls in love with the young professor, Amy Campbell, who teaches the one class he needs to complete his degree.
Purchase Information: Amazon.com
Interesting information: One Last Class is based on a screenplay, which was in the Top 24 in the Phoenix Film Festival Screenplay Competition. The main female character, Dr. Amy Campbell, is a young professor, who is applying for tenure. I wrote the screenplay and novel when I was a new professor, also applying for tenure.

***Find Karen here***
Website: http://www.ahorsewithnoname.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/karenmuellerbryson
Twitter: http://twitter.com/karenmbryson
Blog: http://shortontimebooks.tumblr.com/
Short on Time Books: http://www.shortontimebooks.com

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

Tuesday Tea with Erin Quinn ~ "romance for the thinking reader" ( @ErinQuinnAuthor )

Hi all! Grab a cup of tea – or whatever it is you like to drink – and join in the discussion. Today we have Erin Quinn visiting and giving us a look into her writing. She's also a featured author at Arizona Dreamin' - Arizona's first romance-reader event! http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/

About our guest, Erin ~
Erin Quinn is an award winning author who writes romance for the thinking reader. Her books have been called “riveting,” “brilliantly plotted” and “beautifully written” and have won, placed or showed in the Booksellers Best, WILLA Award for Historical fiction, the Orange Rose, Readers Crown, Golden Quill, Best Books, and Award of Excellence.
    She lives in Arizona with her husband, two daughters and three dogs (all of whom have made debuts in her stories—the dogs, that is, not the husband and kids.)
    She's here today to tell us about her Mists of Ireland series. Welcome Erin!

Hi Chris and thank you for having me here on the blog!
    I began writing twenty-five years ago and I’ve had an interesting (if convoluted) journey in publishing. I started out thinking I wanted to write mystery—but I didn’t want to write just a mystery. I wanted a twisty plot, but I also wanted romance and a spine-chilling thrills. I did my best in my first novel, Web of Smoke (recently back in print) which was a two-time Golden Heart finalist before it sold. Avon purchases and published that book shortly after I finished it. After that I switched gears a bit which is either the smartest thing I’ve ever done or the dumbest. I didn’t understand the industry enough to know that I should have followed my dark mystery with another dark mystery. Instead, I jumped to paranormal and totally short-circuited my career. At the time, no one was publishing paranormal and the mere hint of it in a novel was enough to get the door slammed in my face. My second novel, Echoes, took a long time to get published because of that. However, I love the paranormal genre, so it was probably a good decision in the long run to make that move. My next six novels have all had a paranormal element and I’ve loved writing them.
    In my most recent books, the Mists of Ireland series, I delve into different aspects of paranormal. The Mists of Ireland are part of a time-travel series that takes readers to Ireland to meet the families MacGrath and Ballagh. For centuries these two families have been entwined in love, jealousy and the mysticism of an ancient tome called the Book of Fennore. Surrounded by lore and superstition, this ancient Book wreaks havoc on humanity—but when it falls into the hands of the MacGraths and Ballaghs, it ignites powers within them that make them its most formidable enemy. Each of the four books within the series focuses on one of the MacGraths or Ballaghs and follows their journey through time as they try to defeat the powers of the Book and deal with the new reality it sets out before them. Reviewers and readers alike have called the Mists of Ireland series “filled with fascinating characters, wonderful detail, and the beautiful scenery of Ireland” and “An enthralling read. Quinn’s mélange of paranormal, time travel and romance is outstanding!”
    I thought I’d share a bit about the award winning second book in the series, Haunting Warrior, and give you a scene I loved and would never cut.
HAUNTING WARRIOR Summary:

Rory McGrath’s life changed the night he uncovered the secrets of the ancient Book of Fennore. Then the dreams begin of a woman whose touch is more real that any he’s known. Rory is plunged back in time and into the body of another man betrothed to the very woman of Rory’s dreams. Her hold on Rory is inescapable. She is his doom. His salvation. And his destiny.
Scene I loved and would never cut?
    Saraid’s people have been hunted down and all but annihilated. In desperation, her brother has arranged for her to marry the enemy and make him their ally. Terrified, but determined to meet her fate with dignity, Saraid agrees to become the wife of Ruairi the Bloodletter, named for his cruelty and violent nature. But on her wedding day she discovers her new husband is not the Bloodletter at all, but someone who wears the same face and looks at her with a stranger’s eyes.
   Below is the scene when she first realizes there is more to her new husband than the cruel warrior she sees. Her perceptions are filled with contradictions and I loved writing the complex emotions she experiences.
        There were too many to fit into the tiny church, so they gathered on the pathway before it. For a moment, no one moved or spoke. Then Cathán pulled a blue ribbon from his tunic and stepped forward, giving Saraid and the Bloodletter the signal to face one another. On wobbly legs, Saraid turned to the man she would wed. The monk in his long coarse robes emerged from the small gathering and stood patiently waiting for Saraid to put her right hand in the Bloodletter’s left. Her left in his right, wrists crossed. With a satisfied grunt, Cathán began to twine the ribbon around their hands, over and under until the knot of eternity was complete. She was numb through the monk’s speaking of the vows. If she did not know better, she would say the Bloodletter was feeling the same. There was a gleam of something that might have been panic in those blue, blue eyes. Did he dread this as much as she? But that would mean Ruairi the Bloodletter had feelings, and that could not be true.
        She took a deep breath when he lowered his head to kiss her, feeling dizzy and sickened and something else she could not define. As if sensing the turmoil inside her, he caught her gaze and held it for a moment, his searching, probing. She felt as if he were trying to say something with those enigmatic eyes, and for a flashing instant she felt again that sense of another lurking behind the sky blue of them. What a frightening mystery this man was.
        And then his mouth settled over hers and thought fled. His kiss was warm and soft when she’d expected cold and hard. The touch of his lips gentle and coaxing when she’d prepared for rough and invasive. The kiss was brief, and yet it felt that time stopped for the length of it, giving her the chance to feel every nuance, every unexpected instant. It seemed he tried to pull back and then hesitated, allowing just another moment of the contact that shocked her like a hot ember popping from a blazing fire to burn her. With their hands bound and trapped between their bodies, Saraid could do little more than allow it. She’d be allowing so much more later, when they were alone.
        He pulled away, just enough so that he could look into her eyes again, and she saw something there that she did not understand. Confusion that matched her own. A need—but not the kind she’d expected. Not lust, but longing.
        Then he was stepping back and a mask came over his features once more. His father stared at him for a moment, the look hard and warning, the message unmistakable. It was only then that it occurred to her that the Bloodletter might be as much a pawn as she.

What’s next?

HAUNTING EMBRACE, which released in November 2011, finished the Mists of Ireland series and now I am working on a new series which I’ve just turned in to my publisher. I don’t have a release date or more details at this point, but I’m very excited about. Readers have asked if I intend to write any other books that deal with the world I created in the Mists of Ireland and the answer is yes. I just haven’t got them on the schedule yet. They will be outside the story arch begun in Haunting Beauty, but they will feature a few of the characters who never got their own stories.

Please feel free to add/follow Erin at the links below:
Website: http://www.erinquinnbooks.com
Blog: http://quinnessentials.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ErinQuinnAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ErinQuinnAuthor

What’s next? A contest!

Tell me what you love about your favorite books (twisty plot, to-die-for hero, paranormal world, breathtaking descriptions, spunky heroine….?) and one lucky commenter will win an eBook of Haunting Desire, the third book in the Mists of Ireland series.

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

Welcome special guest: author Caris Roane ( @carisroane #FF )

Today we have author Caris Roane visiting. Caris has published over fifty Regency romance novels and novellas as Valerie King. In 2005, Romantic Times gave her a Career Achievement award in Regency Romance. Recently, Caris tackled the paranormal genre and built a unique vampire world of her own. The series is called Guardians of Ascension. She's also a featured author at Arizona Dreamin' - Arizona's first romance-reader event! http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/

So, Caris, what inspired you to become a writer?
I was a reader first and loved the works of Georgette Heyer, the forerunner of the Regency genre. Years later, I was in a bookstore, and saw that an entire rack of books was dedicated to the genre and I had that oh-so-fatal thought: I could do this.
So, I did.

When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
My first novel, called A TANGLE OF HEARTS, (100,000 words) is buried somewhere in all my memorabilia. I never once tried to sell it. I wrote it for me, to prove to myself that I could complete a book. After that, I began writing with an eye to selling.
And no, I have no intentions of resurrecting it.

How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
My first sale was A DARING WAGER. Before that, I had written about a third of another book, but had given up on it because my critique group at the time felt the whole thing was too dull. I think they enjoyed the characters, but the plot didn’t have enough life. So you could say, I wrote one-and-one-third books before I sold a novel for the first time.

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 in both the Regency genre and the paranormal genre. I LOVE them equally, I really do. And before you say they have nothing in common, they have one major element that they share: the challenge of world-building.

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The best piece of advice I ever received about writing was to be more generous with the reader. I received that advice in the early years and have thought about it at least a thousand times over the last two decades. Be generous with the reader!
As for the worst piece of advice, I honestly can’t think of one.

How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
I don’t have specific rituals for either celebrating the sale of a book or for dealing with a rejection letter. When I do make a sale, I tend to call my favorite peeps. As for rejections, well, I shed whatever tears, if any, are necessary and move on. I don’t burn them, I don’t keep them, I don’t display them, I let them go as quickly as I can. If I can gain some wisdom from them, I’ll try to glean the message.
But what I have learned about submitting and selling is that it’s highly—and I can’t stress this enough—subjective. I had one agent reject my current series, then tell me to submit it elsewhere because another agent might love it! She was right and the agent I sent it to was able to sell the same rejected series at auction. It’s a huge lesson for all authors to learn, the supreme subjective nature of who likes your work, and who doesn’t. We have a similar situation on Amazon right now. I’ll have my work slammed into the earth by one reader then praised to the skies by another. It’s not personal to me, it’s a reflection of the varied reading tastes of an ever-changing market.

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?
I’ve never been able to imagine actors or actresses playing any of the roles, except one: I think Angelina Jolie could give Endelle a run for her money. She’s the ruler of Second Earth in my Guardians of Ascension series, snarky as anything, and goes by the nickname: Scorpion Queen. Although, I would have to add that I always thought Johnny Depp could play my half-villain, half-hero, Casimir, quite well.

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.
I think to some degree each book is a stand-alone read. Each story focuses on a specific hero and heroine. Although for maximum enjoyment, here’s the reading order:

ASCENSION, BURNING SKIES, BRINK OF ETERNITY (novella), WINGS OF FIRE, BORN OF ASHES, and the current release, OBSIDIAN FLAME.

*** Now for some fun info… ***
What’s your favorite color?
Green, it’s easiest on the eyes.

Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
I have had both cats and dogs and love them equally. And though my wonderful cocker spaniels died a few years ago, I haven’t replaced them because right now I’m working all the time. Once my life settles down in a few years *fingers-crossed*, I plan on getting a dog or two. Right now, I have two cats: Sebastien and Gizzy.

Are you a morning person or night owl?
Morning person…always have been.

*** About Caris’s book/series… ***

OBSIDIAN FLAME: Enter a world of winged vampire warriors and the women they crave. She needs more than a lover. For a hundred years, Marguerite has been imprisoned and used for her powerful psychic abilities. Her only relief comes from her regular visits with Thorne, her vampire lover. His every touch leaves her hungry for more…and aching for their next encounter. When Marguerite is finally set free, she returns to Mortal Earth to begin a new life for herself, leaving her old life behind. But why can’t she stop thinking about Thorne?
He needs more than her blood. Now that Marguerite is gone, Thorne craves her more than ever..and follows her to Mortal Earth. Unfortunately, he is not the only vampire who wants her. As one of three powerful women with obsidian flame abilities, Marguerite is a valuable treasure—and a dangerous weapon. For Thorne, she is a soul mate he must protect at any cost…even his own life.
I absolutely loved writing this story, because Thorne is the leader of the Warriors of the Blood and has been an important character for all five books. He’s become an old friend.
The series is published by St. Martin’s and available in print and in e-book format.

***Find Caris here***
Website: http://carisroane.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001511486532
Email: carisroane@gmail.com

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

Today, Caris will be giving away a signed print copy of the author’s choice of the first five GUARDIANS OF ASCENSION novels, 5 RTC cards, two bookmarks, as well as a pair of silver, hand-crafted, wing-based earrings. This giveaway is international. To be entered into the drawing, please leave a comment with your email address. The drawing will take place two days after the interview, on Sunday, May 6th. Good luck, everyone.
Finally, you can ask Caris anything today about her winged vampire warriors, what inspired her to write them, why ‘wings’, why she’s drawn to vampires rather than other paranormal beings, etc., or tell us what your favorite paranormal beings are and why you like them as much as you do.

Tuesday Tea with Erin Kellison ~ Inklings of new possibilities ( @EKellison )

Hi all! Grab a cup of tea – or whatever it is you like to drink – and join in the discussion. Today we have Erin Kellison visiting and giving us a look into her writing. She's also a featured author at Arizona Dreamin' - Arizona's first romance-reader event! http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/
About our guest...
    Erin Kellison is the author of the Shadow Series, which includes Shadow Bound, Shadow Fall, Shadowman, and the e-novella Shadow Touch. Stories have always been a central part of Erin's life. She attempted her first book in sixth grade, a dark fantasy adventure, and she still has those early hand-written chapters. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in English Language and Literature and went on for a masters in Cultural Anthropology, focusing on oral storytelling. When she had children, nothing scared her anymore, so her focus shifted to writing fiction.

She's here today to tell us about her Shadow Kissed series. Welcome Erin!

First, thank you to Chris for having me here today on her blog and for hosting the authors of Arizona Dreamin’. Chris, you’re awesome!
    I like to think that I have decent self-discipline. Anyone who writes books has got to have their fair share. But I also consider myself to be easily distractible. The internet, laundry, celebrity gossip—I fight distractions every day. But the absolute worst (and best) kind is another idea for a story. It usually happens at the beginning of book (when I am still working out the kinks and I think maybe this other story would be better) or at the end, when I know the rest of the story so well that there are no more surprises for me.
    I was at the end of writing Shadowman, the third in my original Shadow series, when the idea for Fire Kissed started burning in my brain. I write dark fantasy mixed with modern fairy tale. But for Fire Kissed I wanted to add a third layer—powerful families whose structures and practices leaned toward the old world. I had only the kernel, no real story in place, but I was excited to play with it.
    I finished the manuscript for Shadowman, turned it in. And began the work on what would become Fire Kissed. The idea took over my day dreaming. I’d accost my husband with mini brainstorms. He’d nod while I jabbered at him, then instruct me to go write this or that idea down. (I have a habit of having epiphanies, then forgetting them.) The world-building is fun, but for me, there is little point writing anything down until I have my characters. Once I know my hero and heroine—who they are and basically where they are going—then I can write.
    And so I give you Fire Kissed, book one in my Shadow Kissed series, a spin-off of my original Shadow world. It releases July 1, but I’m crossing my fingers for early copies to give out during my Arizona Dreamin’ book clubs. I am so excited I can’t wait.

Blurb:
Fae Fire
    It is Kaye Brand's power to wield. But outcast from her kind, she's been selling herself to the highest bidder - money for her survival in exchange for a magic glimpse into the flames of the future.
Angel Ice
    One of the angelic Order, Jack Bastian has no use for a female like Kaye, as provocative and unexpected as her blazing beauty. Yet he has no choice but to hire her to uncover the secrets of his sworn enemy and her former fiance, Ferrol Grey.
Magekind
    War is inevitable between the defenders of the Order and the mage Houses who threaten to engulf the world in Shadow. For Jack, mage-born Kaye is off limits, no matter how hot the impossible attraction between them. But in the coming darkness, beset by danger and desire, everything is about to change...

Excerpt:
    “That won’t be necessary,” Jack said. Though he could read human minds easily, Kaye’s was a complete and utter blank, like all of the soulless mage-born. But he knew human nature well enough. If he remained at ease, she wouldn’t burn him. Most likely.
    Pillow lines creased one cheek. Her auburn hair was flat on that side as well, wavy on the other. Black eyes. Her legs were braced apart, athletic in their youth. The skirt was still rucked up high on her thighs. Her stance was full of fight, so the life she’d been leading hadn’t broken her yet. Very good.
    “Although historically I’m your mortal enemy--” Jack began. Mages, like the fae, had always defied Heaven. He added a smile to make the acknowledgment seem friendly. “Today, I’m your prospective employer, Jack Bastian.”

Please feel free to add/follow Erin at the links below:
Website: http://www.erinkellison.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/erin.kellison
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ekellison

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

Tuesday Tea with Kristine Cheney ~ Chivalry Isn't Dead ( @SpartanHrtBooks )

Hi all! Grab a cup of tea – or whatever it is you like to drink – and join in the discussion. Today we have Kristine Cheney visiting and giving us a look into her writing. She's also a featured author at Arizona Dreamin' - Arizona's first romance-reader event! http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/
    About our guest, Kristine ~ She's an award-winning, best-selling author of paranormal and contemporary romance and is an Arizona native, living in Surprise. She’s been married twenty-two years to her high school sweetheart, Brett, and is the mother of Taryn, Brett Tyler, and Zackary, and is Grammy to Parker, Ivy, and Evely'nn. A huge Labrador lover, she is mom to yellow lab Magnus and to the very naughty (and quite huge) white Labra-Doodle puppy, Brody.
    Hobbies include writing passionate love stories that involve chivalrous characters, dashing adventure, forked humor, and the ever-true good vs. evil dilemma. Her favorite place to relax is anywhere within close proximity to a beach or wooded lake. A huge history buff, she plans to one day make a trek across the US to get her fill of American wonder (with hubby, labs, and lap top in tow).
    She loves a good hot cup of coffee with Crème Brule liquid creamer and sugar. A maestro with a bag of frosting, Wilton cake decorating lessons only fueled her artistic fire. She's pretty darn awesome at creating a deluxe wedding, baby shower, or themed birthday cake that will make your toes curl.
    She's here today to tell us about her Spartan Heart Saga and Secret Santa books. Welcome Kristine!

The exciting Spartan Heart Saga begins with Book #1 and is Dorien & Evageline's story.
Spartan Heart, Part One ~ Blurb:

Sent away to college in America, Evangeline swore she would never return to England. Anger loses its value when tragedy forces her home to assume ownership of the family's beloved Greco-Roman museum.
    Placing a foolish, drunken kiss on a Greek statue in the museum's basement, Evangeline unknowingly frees a Spartan prince from an evil oracle's curse. Suddenly, her lonely life is invaded by the rakish man with knowing emerald green eyes who never eats or sleeps, and seems to know her every thought and feeling.
    Falling in love is dangerous, especially when it's with a man who has already been claimed by the bitter oracle Demona. From the moment of her kiss, Evangeline is swept into Dorien's world of mystery, danger, and passion. The Oracle's fury only mounts as they unravel Demona's darkest secrets, but not before Demona finds out about their unborn half-breed immortal twins.
   Demona uses her knowledge of the future to manipulate, but sometimes love has a will, and a heart...of its own.
Excerpt:
Her father rested in a casket of dark mahogany wood, etched with Hellenistic vases and statues of art. Her mother’s casket was a rich iridescent lavender. Edged like a round Grecian pillar, it was adorned with flowing fountains and lush gardens made from mother-of-pearl and diamond dust. Evangeline had cared nothing about cost. Her parents deserved the best.
    Taryn leaned forward and whispered in her ear. Somehow Evangeline knew what her best friend was going to say.
    “Evan, it’s time. Are you ready, love?”
    With a furrowed brow, she shook her head. But it mattered little that she wasn’t ready. The time to face her darkest fear was now. She wasn’t sure how long she had held her breath. Her body burned its need for air. She sucked in deep, but it felt scarce and thick. Every muscle in her body threatened to spasm in revolt. Taryn and Eliza helped her to stand. Every agonizing step only brought her closer. She was surprised she made it to the caskets.
For more excerpt goodness, visit: http://www.kristinecheney.com/p/spartan-heart-saga.html

Spartan Heart, Part Two. The exciting Spartan Heart Saga continues with Book #2 and picks up where Spartan Heart, Part One left off!
Oh! So sorry for that deliciously naughty cliff-hanger...muhuahuahuahuahuahua!
(But for a peek at it, visit: Smashwords)

Spartan Heart, Part One & Spartan Heart, Part Two are available in one print volume ~ Spartan Heart! Get it here: Amazon.com

The exciting Spartan Heart Saga continues with Book #3, Spartan Surrender, Thessalus & Taryn's story.

Blurb:
Stubborn and independent, Taryn Hampton takes a calculated gamble. Despite the dangers of a half-breed birth, she’s run off to Blackpool Sands, determined to deliver Thessalus’ baby alone. But when complications arise, desperation soon sets in. With no one around to save Taryn and her unborn child, she’s forced to barter with an evil nemesis for the safety of her newborn. Cursed to endure the consequences of her foolish decisions, she must face this eternal punishment with a mother’s sacrifice.
    Thessalus Agiad wants only Taryn, but the willful woman refuses to submit to her feelings. Finding out about his unborn, half-breed babe, he’s aware that Taryn loves him, but she’s still terrified of his immortality. To make matters worse, she now fears his child that grows within her belly. Tired of her repeated rejections and the endless game of chasing after her, Thessalus gives the woman he loves an ultimatum.
    The Oracle Demona is wretched, as ever. Tipped off by one of her visions, she awaits the day to retaliate against Dorien and Evangeline. Aware of Taryn’s impending folly, Demona exploits her mistakes to the point of utter devastation. The Witch hires the rakish immortal, Dastan, to carry out her evil plans, knowing well that he’s just another pawn in her self-rigged game.
    Enamored with Taryn Hampton, Dastan wants the feisty vixen for himself. Thessalus Agiad is the only man who stands in his way. Hired by Demona to kidnap Taryn, Dastan decides it’s an added bonus to torment his enemy. But Taryn is sick with fever, and he gets more than he bargained for when she becomes a tempting siren in his bed. It matters not that his comely hostage believes that he is Thessalus.
    Curses, manipulations, and fears may decimate everything that lies between Taryn and Thessalus, but sometimes love can balm the scars of a wounded soul, and force the most stubborn heart to surrender.

Here's a peek into Secret Santa.
Blurb:
Holly Gordon’s estrangement from her family makes loneliness of the Christmas season hit close to home. Volunteering for the annual Ashton Falls Secret Santa Program is more than a comfort, it’s a blessing. Just knowing she’s able to help another hurting soul experience the joy of a heartfelt Christmas makes her own reality a tiny bit sweeter, that is, until Marcus Jenner ends up on her list.
    Marcus Jenner is more than a bronze, muscled looker. This Chickasaw loner isn’t happy being placed on the town’s Secret Santa list. Suffering from the blow of a devastating loss, he has chosen to withdraw from living almost completely. For the life of him, he can’t figure why this pretty little blonde keeps bumping into him, calling him by name, and insisting on giving him presents. Unfortunately for Marcus, every time she does, a billowing cloud of havoc seems to ensue. Why can’t this uninvited vixen leave him alone?
    They say time and fate have all of the answers. Holly, in all of her innocence, is drawn to Marcus like a moth to the flame. But Marcus has no intentions of submitting to the threat of his newfound feelings. A painful exchange pushes their lives into a pendulum chaos. His demand for privacy is granted by Holly’s hidden illness. Her sudden absence hits him hard, especially when the arrival of a stranger delivers the rest of his gifts. Right away, he knows something’s horribly wrong.
    Love and selfless giving can rouse a wounded, sleeping heart. But sometimes a Secret Santa gets a few unexpected gifts of her own.
Excerpt:
With a loud growl, Marcus lifted her over his shoulder like a five pound sack of flour. Stepping over the threshold in a rush, he set her down hard on her feet, the click of her heels thumping hollow upon contact with the fine, redwood porch. His long body leaned toward the table and with a foiled ripple, snatched up her present. Her jaw dropped in horror when he shoved it into her hands, crushing the pretty gift box. “Save it, woman! I don’t care about your list, or your present. Goodbye, Holly.” With a large step backward, he breached the safety of his house. The blurred flash of his swinging red door slammed directly in her face.
    Tears stung Holly’s eyes and blurred her vision. The solid lump forming within her gut was nothing short of nauseating. Every muscle in her body trembled with grief, while her soul filled to the brim with a heavy burden of sadness. Giving the package a careless, disgruntled toss, she watched the box tumble several times before coming to a tilted stop within the dimple of a fancy bench cushion.
    Stomping her boots, Holly hit every wood step on purpose. If she were lucky, the echo of every hollow knock would rock that jerk right where he stood. But deep inside her heart, she truly wasn’t angry. Why did she find it so difficult to blame him? Raw, exposed emotions got the best of her. Every cell in her body throbbed with the sting of being wounded. All of her willpower reduced to calamity and waste, she ran crying to her car. How could anyone refuse the joy of a present?
For more excerpt goodness, visit: http://www.kristinecheney.com/p/secret-santa.html

To buy the books, find the purchase links here: http://www.kristinecheney.com/p/buy-now.html

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Website: http://www.kristinecheney.com
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Youtube.com Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4DH3ipxVbQ
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Kristine's happy to run a contest! Here are the details from her...
Want a chance to score any Spartan Heart Saga or Secret Santa e-book?
1) Follow my website (via GFC+) at www.kristinecheney.com
2) Consider following me at my other links above.
3) Leave a comment below. :)
Thank you for visiting!
XOXOXO
KRISTINE CHENEY

Welcome special guest: author Judy Duarte

Today we have author Judy Duarte visiting. Judy sold her first book in 2002 and has published more than forty more novels since then. A two-time Rita® finalist with MULBERRY PARK (2009) and ENTERTAINING ANGELS (2010), she was awarded two Maggies and a National Reader’s Choice Award for her heartwarming stories. Judy lives in Southern California.

So, Judy, what inspired you to become a writer?
I’m an avid reader. Back in 1996, I began wondering if I could write a book of my own. So I purchased a computer and played around with a story idea. Before long, I was caught up in creative process. I found Romance Writers of America, and the rest is history.

When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
In 1996, I began work on LEGACY OF THE HEART, a historical romance that takes place on a wagon train. That 90,000 word manuscript was my very first attempt at writing. It’s now under the bed, hiding amidst the dust bunnies.

How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
I wrote three more historical novels after LEGACY OF THE HEART. And I’m hopeful they’ll eventually be published. In fact, one of them was a Golden Heart finalist in 2001. I recently revised that manuscript, and my agent is currently trying to sell it.

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 contemporary

romance for Harlequin Special Edition, one of their home and heart lines. I also write inspirational women’s fiction for Kensington. If my historicals take off, I’ll be writing in that genre, too.
Writing different stories for different publishers allows me a change of pace sometimes, while still providing the readers with heartwarming reads.

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The best was: Never give up on your dream. It will happen, but not if you quit writing.
The worst was… Hmm. I can’t say that I’ve ever gotten any bad advice… Well, if I did, I filed it away as unimportant and kept dreaming and writing and submitting.

How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
Selling a book leaves me with a high that lasts for days. Even after more than forty sales, it’s still a thrill to learn that a publisher wants to buy my book.
As for rejections, I’ve found that putting them aside for a few days or a week gives me a better perspective. I usually revise with the rejecting editor’s comments in mind and resubmit a better proposal the next time around.

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?

In THE RANCHER’S HIRED FIANCEE, I described the hero, Ray Mendez, as looking enough like Antonio Banderas to be his younger brother. The heroine, Catherine Loza, could be played by Katherine Heigl.

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.
THE RANCHER’S HIRED FIANCEE is book 2 in a series called Brighton Valley Babies. The first book, A BABY UNDER THE TREE, was released in December of 2011.
This series is a spin-off of the Brighton Valley Medical Center series and The Texas Homecoming series. But this book—and the series—all stand alone.

*** Now for some fun info… ***
What’s your favorite color?
Green—at least, these days.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Strawberry—especially if it’s homemade!

Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
Both! Sadly, Tina, our cat, hates dogs with a passion. So we haven’t had the heart to adopt a new pet.

Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
No, I haven’t wanted any kind of scaly or exotic critter.

Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
I love cold, rainy days, especially if I can stay inside.

Are you a morning person or night owl?
I love the wee hours of the morning, when the household is quiet.

What’s your favorite day of the week?
Sunday, which is a day for church and family.

What’s your favorite number?
Ten.

If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be and why?
Heaven would be awesome. Other than that, I’m happy just where I am. :)

If you were stranded on a desert island and were only allowed to have five modern conveniences with you, what would they be?
Wow, that’s tough. All the important modern conveniences need batteries or electricity or some kind of power source! So how about a lighter, a knife, a spear, a hammer and nails…

*** About Judy's book(s)… ***
Fake Fiancée…True Romance!
    The Antonio Banderas look-alike standing on the porch in Western gear wasn’t at all what actress Catherine Loza had expected. But when the tall, dark and totally irresistible rancher asked her to play the role of his fiancée to get the local matchmakers off his back, well…it was an offer the actress couldn’t refuse.
    Brighton Valley mayor Ray Mendez thought he’d come up with the perfect plan. But as his fake engagement awakened stirrings of real romance—and real passion—he soon found himself wondering if he could persuade his costar to make their arrangement of convenience permanent. A proposal from the heart—and a baby on the way!—might just convince her that he was for real…
    Brighton Valley Babies—A new generation of cowboys—and cowgirls!—is on the way.
The Rancher’s Hired Fiancée
Harlequin Special Edition
By: Judy Duarte
Coming out ~ June 2012
ISBN: 978-0-373-65675-2
Pre-order here: Amazon.

***Find Judy here***
WEBSITE

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

You're welcome! I'd also be happy to host a contest. I'll give autographed copies of my backlist--including MENDOZA'S MIRACLE, book 3 in the Fortunes of Texas, a Harlequin Special Edition, March 2012--to three lucky commenters.

Tuesday Tea with KC Klein ~ Pushing the Limits ( @KCKleinbooks @AvonImpulse )

Hi all! Grab a cup of tea – or whatever it is you like to drink – and join in the discussion. Today we have KC Klein visiting and giving us a look into her writing. She's also a featured author at Arizona Dreamin' - Arizona's first romance-reader event! http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/

About our guest, KC ~ She's the author of Dark Future, a sexy futuristic time-travel. She became serious about writing three years ago and was as surprised as anyone when her stories took a turn toward dark and snarky. Today, she divides her time between taking care of her family and driving in circles around Arizona, too busy creating stories in her head to pay attention to mere road signs. KC would love a visit at kckleinbooks.com. You can also find her at Twitter and on Facebook.
    Welcome KC!

First, I want to thank C.R. for asking me on her blog. I am so excited about Arizona Dreamin'. It's a bit surreal for me. Last year I went as a reader and this year I'll be going as an author. It still blows me away when someone comes up to me or shoots me an email to say that they've read and loved, DARK FUTURE. (I have to interject here and say I was one of those people who read her book and emailed her about it. The story was dark and gritty and an absolute pleasure to read! I can’t wait to meet KC this June!)
I have been racking my brain for over two months to come up with something interesting about how I write. Here's what I got: I write in yoga pants and leopard slippers. I write most of my books long-hand in a spiral notebook. I suffer from mild dyslexia so I use a computer program to help read my work back to me.
    Okay, other than the leopard slippers, not real interesting. But what I do find interesting is WHAT I write. I'm finding that I like to push the envelope when creating stories. I like tortured characters and morally ambiguous situations. Recently, a reader said something along the lines of…she’s not afraid to push the limits of what might be “comfortable” to read, and instead explores the very dark side to what is turning out to be a very intriguing dystopian world. After I read that I thought perfect, that's exactly what I want. I never want to create stories that are safe. To me writing is daring, thrilling, and absolutely exhilarating, but only if I have the courage to let go.
    Below is an excerpt of my debut novel, DARK FUTURE. If you find that you like it put your email in a comment below, and I will send a random winner an e-copy of my book. For a shorter read, I also have an anthology, HOTTER ON THE EDGE, out with two other fantastic authors, and a small-town, contemporary romance, TEXAS WIDE OPEN, coming out this September. I hope to see lots of readers at AZ Dreamin' and I promise to leave my leopard slippers at home. (But what if we want to see these leopard slippers of yours? ;) )
DARK FUTURE is available

here: Avon Romance.

Blurb for Dark Future
    Awakened in the middle of the night by a future version of herself, Kris Davenport is given a mission: go forward in time to save the world—and His life. Of course, her future self doesn't tell her who he is, just sends her into an abyss and straight into an alien invasion.
    He turns out to be ConRad Smith, the callous, untrusting Commander of Earth’s army and the world’s last defense. There’s only one way to know for sure if this strange woman is an alien spy—slice her throat. Except, he didn’t anticipate the heat he would feel as he interrogates the hot-tempered, warm-blooded woman. For a man whose sole focus has been survival, she's more temptation than he can handle. But a world on the brink of destruction leaves no room for love…and time is running out.

Excerpt for Dark Future
    “Mmm, you taste human. Like salt or more like … warm sunshine?” He pinned me with his gaze. His eyes spoke a primal language. Desire warred with anger; need against punishment.
    I looked away. Embarrassed. Violated. His body crushed mine, suffocating in its nearness. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even breathe without crushing my breasts against him. I always considered myself strong and physically fit, but he subdued me with barely any effort. Heart racing, I panicked.
    The feeling of no control would break me—complete powerlessness always did. I used whatever weapon was available; whatever maneuvers would give me a fighting chance. This was no different. I turned my head, opened my mouth against his neck, and … sunk my teeth in.
    He cursed. Grabbed hold of my shirt, picked me up, and slammed me back against the wall.
    A painful whoosh came from my lungs. My vision rocked—brain swished inside my skull.
    “You bit me.” He sounded shocked.
    My head hurt so bad I had to blink hard to keep my eyes in their sockets. “You licked me,” I shouted back.
    He assessed me, aqua blue eyes hooded with thick, long eyelashes, for what seemed like an eternity. “I will ask you one more time. Who are you?”
    “I’ve told you everything.” My voice sounded desperate, tired, even to me. “I went running and fell into the dark … I’m a doctor at a hospital. If you don’t believe me, just call them. I’ve worked there for years.”
    He stood still, his body hard against mine, creating an insurmountable barrier. His face so close I could see his pupils enlarge, almost hiding the hard blue of his irises. The rage in him lived and breathed. One hand ran along my scalp in a mock caress, grabbed hold of my hair and pulled.
    “Liar,” his voice barely a whisper, the knife was back … shaking at my very exposed, very vulnerable artery. “There hasn’t been a hospital anywhere on Earth since the year 2075.” And in one efficient movement, he drew the knife across my throat.

Here’s a quick peek at the story, To Buy a Wife, KC has in the anthology Hotter on the Edge…

In a harsh land where corruption rules and women are few, cold realist Hudson Land must purchase a wife to save his farm. Instead of an auction, he witnesses the start of an execution. With his first look at a beautiful woman in years, Hudson knows he has to have her—no matter the cost.
    Lake, a chemist and a rebel fighter, is resigned to her death, but when some back-hill farmer rescues her from the chopping block she has no intention of simply becoming his wife. She’s pledged her life to the Rebellion and being bought for some stranger’s bed doesn’t change a thing, even if his soft caresses are damn distracting.
    As lies and secrets build between them, are the quiet moments they’ve shared enough to stand against two warring factions in a world where only the strong survive?
For more about this wonderful anthology, visit HotE.

Thanks for joining us here today, KC!

Welcome special guest: author Vijaya Schartz ( #FF @Vijayaschartz )

Today we have author Vijaya Schartz visiting. Award-winning author Vijaya Schartz is a daredevil, a world traveler who brings exotic settings to her writing. She writes girls with blasters, guns, swords, and adds a kick to contemporary shape shifters, futuristic and historical romance. Her compelling stories will keep you entranced, turning the pages until the last line.

So, Vijaya, what inspired you to become a writer?
I always wanted to write. I read fluently at age three and started writing poetry at six. I read extensively as a teen, and I admired authors, especially the classics. Although I thought I could write, I didn't realize at the time that writing could become an occupation.

When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
My first poem at age six was a rhyming Christmas tale, but after so much time and so many travels, it disappeared long ago. Just as well. It was probably humiliating.

How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
My first book published, Ashes for the Elephant God, was the fourth novel I completed. Later I rewrote the other books and they are now published as well.

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 like to write action and romance, whether it's in futuristic, historical, or contemporary settings. Although I am known for my sci-fi romance, I also have contemporary romantic suspense novellas, paranormal shape shifters, and I'm working on a medieval fantasy series based on authentic post Arthurian legends.

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
Best: write every day
Worst: write what you know. I would say write what you want to know, because through research and travel you can become familiar with anything, if you are passionate about it. I write about space travel, yet I've never been in space. That's a big item on my bucket list.

How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
You can't please everyone. Rejection is a fact of life. As long as my readers love my books, I can handle rejection. I celebrate both with chocolate and wine. For acceptances, I do a little dance around my home office. Sometimes I shriek, often I sing. I treat myself to a nice French Restaurant.

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?
My April 1st release, NOAH'S ARK, is the prequel to the Chronicles of Kassouk series. Kostas, the hero, is a Space Marine with a terrific physique and a deadly secret. For him I would picture some hunk like John Cena of The Marine action movies (love the cleft in the chin) or maybe The Rock. My heroine is a no-nonsense ship captain with sassy short blond hair and daddy issues. She is an optimist with a good heart. I could see Charlize Theron in that role.

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.
NOAH'S ARK is the prequel for the Chronicles of Kassouk series. It takes place centuries before the first book. It's the story of the human settlers who colonized this farflung planet. Book One in that series is White Tiger, Book Two: Red Leopard, Book Three: Black Jaguar, Book Four: Blue Lioness. All these books are available in all eBook formats. Noah's Ark is coming to eBooks April 1, 2012, and White Tiger, the first in the series, is coming to paperback this spring, to be followed by the other books in paperback soon after.

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

Vijaya says, "I always have a contest going on my website. Just click on CONTEST at top right at: http://www.vijayaschartz.com."