Tuesday Tea with Mariposa Cruz

Hi all! Grab a cup of tea – or whatever it is you like to drink – and join in the discussion. Mariposa Cruz is here today to talk about her new book Roar! that's come out with The Wild Rose Press. Welcome, Mariposa!

My background:
~ I’ve been scribbling stories in notebooks since childhood. In college I published my first short story and wrote articles for the school newspaper and I’ve been alternating between fact and fiction ever since.
~ In my freelance writing I’ve been fortunate to meet a variety of real-life characters including the lead for a Jimmy Buffet cover band and a baby rock diva. I love writing paranormal romance because it opens a whole realm of possibilities.

Inspiration for Roar!:
My dad warned me about bears prior to our family camping trip to Yosemite. No bears raided our camp, but they roamed through my dreams the entire trip and have resided in my imagination ever since. After I finished Howl, I knew my next shifter story would be about bears. As with many of my stories, the research for Roar! started in the Children’s section of the library. I’ve found that research aimed at kids tends to be more user-friendly (plus I see enough fine print reviewing contracts for my day job).

Blurb:
~ Focused on the bottom line, Linda Underwood answers to no one. Linda’s world is torn apart when a black bear shifter turns her weekend rendezvous into a desperate struggle for her life. As a recently-turned shifter, she is determined to beat her affliction by ignoring her beastly impulses.
~ After the accidental death of his wife, shifter Flynn Cromwell finds solace immersed in his work in a remote mountain cabin. When he discovers Linda’s ravaged body near the brink of death, he’s compelled to protect her. Can Flynn save Linda from her own stubborn nature and defend her from a vicious shifter with a taste for her blood?

Excerpt:
~ “What’s this?” Flynn snatched her right foot.
~ “Hey,” Linda protested. She tried to pull free, but he held firm. As his thumb traced the sole of her foot, a shiver of pleasure raced along her leg.
~ “You don’t seem the type to have ladybugs inked on your toes, what’s the story?”
~ “There is no story,” Linda hissed. Flynn held her foot higher.
~ “All tattoos have stories, spill it.”
~ “When I was little my mother called me Ladybug, don’t you dare tell anyone!” Linda said.
~ “I’ll take it to the grave.” Flynn raised his other hand then gently lowered her foot.
~ They ate in silence for a few minutes, which suited Linda since her previous meal ended abruptly. She was in no mood to discuss her personal life with a total stranger who paused and stretched, the sun glinted on his unruly dirty blond hair. Linda caught Flynn’s scent, dark and rich. For a moment, she longed to climb into those muscular arms, breathe him in while her mouth explored the sweet taste of his full lips.
~ Flynn’s gaze met hers. “You want me.”
~ “That’s ridiculous, I just met you.” Linda snapped her cheeks flushed. Maybe her mind snapped after the attack. No woman with an ounce of sanity would be attracted to someone so irritating.
~ “It’s animal magnetism, baby, don’t fight it.” Flynn murmured his deep voice an octave lower.

For more on Roar! visit The Wild Rose Press

For more about Mariposa Cruz visit her Blog

Welcome special guest: author Mariposa Cruz

Today we have paranormal romance author, Mariposa Cruz, visiting. She balances writing with working as a fulltime corporate paralegal. As a writer she has interviewed a variety of characters from cowboy crooners to rock divas. Her articles have appeared in local magazines and indie newspapers. She currently resides with her own pack of two teens in Reno, Nevada.

* So, Mariposa, what inspired you to become a writer?
I’ve loved books since childhood and I soon discovered creating stories was as much fun as reading them.  Any pursuit that gives you a license to daydream is a good thing.
* When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
My very first paranormal romance was written in high school with my best friend.  We filled an entire notebook with the story of our gang of friends falling in love with a group of guys who happen to be a werewolf, a vampire and a mad scientist.  Between bursts of giggles we took turns reading the finished story to our friends during a party.  Fortunately for us, they found it as funny as we did.
* How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
I’ve been scribbling stories in notebooks since 7^th grade, so I’ve lost track of exactly how many stories I wrote before prior to my first publication.
* 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 women’s fiction, paranormal and I’ve started work on a contemporary romance.  I’ve been fascinated with the supernatural since childhood and I love to put a paranormal twist on everyday problems.  For a werewolf, losing your cool at work could have lethal consequences.
* What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
A work friend wanted me to get involved with his business enterprise (one where you sign up as many friends as possible to sell stuff).  He loaned me one of his motivational tapes to inspire me.  According to the tape, to be successful in this enterprise you have to treat it like a job be consistent and show up every day—not dabble like a hobby. The tape’s message motivated me to apply the job mentality toward my writing—I set up files and weekly goals.  By being focused and organized I’ve accomplished more and have had fun at the same time.
I guess the worst writing advice is “write what you know” because stretching beyond my comfort zone has helped me grow as a writer.
* How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
I allow myself to feel thoroughly bummed about a rejection for a little while, but I force myself get the manuscript back out to market as soon as possible.  When I received the good news from my editor about Howl, I bought a chocolate crème pie to share with my kids.
* 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?
Cameron Diaz’s wide-set blue eyes remind me of Kate.  Gerard Butler with his intensity would make a perfect Jack.
* 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 working on the follow-up book to Howl right now and I think there may be more stories coming from Haven, California.
*** Now for some fun info… ***
* What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Tin Roof Sundae
* Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
Though readers of Howl might suspect otherwise, I honestly like both dogs and cats.
* What’s your favorite day of the week?
I am definitely a Friday’s child, especially since one of the local nightclubs started having Salsa lessons on Friday nights!

*** About Howl … ***
I read Kipling’s The Jungle Book, while writing Howl.  I loved his poem “The Law of the Jungle” and decided it would become the principle bylaw for the pack in Howl.  Shortly after Howl was published, I discovered that my wolves are not alone in their devotion to Kipling’s poem—“The Law of the Jungle” is recited by Wolf Pack fans prior to UNR’s men’s basketball games.

Blurb for Howl

As if Kate Owens doesn't have enough problems as a struggling single mom and paralegal, a brutal animal attack outside her office plunges her into turmoil. At work, she is attracted to her rescuer, Jack Walker, an attorney wary of commitment. Every morning after the attack she awakes drenched in blood beside the body of a mangled stray. Kate's days become a battle to maintain control while her nights are a disturbing blur of dreams. Will Kate's nightly madness harm her young daughter? Lone wolf attorney, Jack Walker understands the reason for his paralegal's exhaustion and haunted demeanor. Jack has pursued the beast since law school graduation and he knows the creature's relentless thirst for revenge. Can Jack save Kate from her attacker and her own savage nature?

Howl is available at The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/-p-3921.html

***Find Mariposa Cruz here***

She features author interviews and other writing-related musings at her blog http://mariposacruz.blogspot.com

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