An Interview with Fawkes and Leslie by Carrie Ann Ryan

From five bestselling authors comes five brand new novellas sure to heat up the night.

From Carrie Ann Ryan‘s Dante’s Circle series, a demon from the fiery depths of hell must make his choice to follow in the footsteps of his father or love the submissive wolf who lays claim to his heart in His Choice.

From Marie Harte‘s Beasts of Burden, Eira, a fierce valkyrie, has spent fifty years trying to get a rise out of her goddess’s guardians. But when the battle-cat shifters give her what she wants, can she handle the heat—and the danger—that comes from loving them?

From Rebecca Royce‘s brand new series, the Alphas of each werewolf Pack are on the brink of war. Travis Michaels will use all in his power to keep innocent Lilliana out of danger and into his arms…away from rival Alpha Cyrus Fennell.

From Lia Davis’s Ashwood Falls series, buried pain, old lies, and dangerous secrets aren’t enough to keep the sparks from flying as Sarah Mathews and rebel leader, Damian Palmer, try to survive a new threat against their race.

From Leia Shaw’s Shadows of Destiny series, a war is brewing in the supernatural world. Rebel shifter Dalton’s only passion is protecting the colony, and flirtatious misfit, Eden, is a distraction he can’t afford. But as danger approaches, he learns that underestimating the sexy little wolf is a big mistake.

~~~*~~~*~~~

Hi! Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m here to do some fun trivia with my hero and heroine from my novella HIS CHOICE which can be found in the EVER AFTER anthology. We’re going to do a couple serious questions, then get to the cute and fun ones.

Carrie Ann: What series is your novella set in?

Fawkes: The Dante’s Circle series but you don’t have to read the other books first.

Leslie: Though there are characters from the other books in there too for those who have read it.

Carrie Ann: What is your novella about?

Fawkes: I needed to make a choice: Follow the steps of my father, Lucifer and take souls, or slowly die because I couldn’t feed.

Leslie: He made his choice and I got to finally find a mate that loved me for me.

Carrie Ann: Aww. I love you two. Okay, heat factor. Hot or Not?

Fawkes: Always hot. I’m a demon.

Leslie: *blushes. Yes. Totally hot.

Carrie Ann: Now the fun questions. Chocolate or vanilla?

Leslie: Chocolate.

Fawkes: Oh yeah. There’s nothing vanilla about us.

Carrie Ann: Leather or Lace?

Fawkes: I wear leather in battle, but I love Leslie in lace.

Leslie: I could try on some leather chaps if you want. *blinks innocently*

Fawkes: *coughs* Is this interview done yet?

Carrie Ann: LOL On that note, yes. You go off and find your uh…leather. *blushes* Thank you for coming!

***

USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan never thought she’d be a writer. Not really. No, she loved math and science and even went on to graduate school in chemistry. Yes, she read as a kid and devoured teen fiction and Harry Potter, but it wasn’t until someone handed her a romance book in her late teens that she realized that there was something out there just for her. When another author suggested she use the voices in her head for good and not evil, The Redwood Pack and all her other stories were born.

Carrie Ann is a bestselling author of over twenty novels and novellas and has so much more on her mind (and on her spreadsheets *grins*) that she isn’t planning on giving up her dream anytime soon.

Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:

Website | Facebook  | Goodreads | Twitter: @CarrieAnnRyan |

 

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/HIfjZ3

Amazon Print: http://amzn.to/1iZrI6K

BN: http://bit.ly/19WsOyZ

Kobo: http://bit.ly/16uixLb

ARe: http://bit.ly/1diciJB

iTunes:  http://bit.ly/17glkZ6

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For the chance to win a swag pack and a backlist title from Carrie Ann, just leave a comment below. Good luck!

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Carrie Ann Ryan interviews Hunter from An Unlucky Moon

Humans aren’t as alone as they choose to believe. Every human possesses a trait of supernatural that lays dormant within their genetic make-up. Centuries of diluting and breeding have allowed humans to think they are alone and untouched by magic. But what happens when something changes?

He’s spent the last few years in hell fighting in the demon games and doing things that would haunt even the fiercest of men’s nightmares. But now Hunter Brooks is back in the human realm, ready to take on the Pack that left him behind…and take the mate he’s just met.

 

Becca Quinn is one of the seven lightning-struck women—a human who isn’t so human and only needs to find her true half to unlock all that she could be. Hunter, the dangerous, sexy wolf, has saved her life twice, and yet she knows nothing about him—only that she wants to know everything she can.

 

Between the Pack’s council and strangers who could take everything away from them, Becca and Hunter have more to fight and everything to fight for. Hunter’s dark past takes over their courtship, and just when he thinks all his lost, he’ll find that Becca’s more than he—or she—ever thought.

 

Warning: Contains a sexy wolf who broods with the best of them, a woman who defines the term unlucky, and a chemistry that’s sure to make the wolf howl in all of us.

 

~~~*~~~*~~~

An Interview with Hunter

 

Hi everyone! Sometimes I just like to sit down with one or two of my characters and interview them. I spend months writing their story and when it’s time for the book to be out on shelves, it’s nice to come back to them to see how things are doing. Today I’m sitting down with Hunter, the heroine of An Unlucky Moon.

 

Carrie Ann: Hi darling! I’m so glad we had time to sit down.

Hunter: *leans down and kisses her cheek* Thanks for having me.

Carrie Ann: *blushes* Uh, what were we doing?

Hunter: *grins* We were going to sit down for an interview.

Carrie Ann: *clears throat* Oh yeah. So, tell me about life before you met Becca.

Hunter: Empty.

Carrie Ann: Oh honey. I’m sorry.

Hunter: I’m filled now. I lived for years in hell, killing demons for sport because my Pack betrayed me. Now that I have Becca, I’m better.

Carrie Ann: Thank God. Okay, tell me more about Becca.

Hunter: Mine.

Carrie Ann: You’re really good at those one word answers you know. How about you elaborate though so readers won’t think you’re some Neanderthal.

Hunter: I’m a wolf. That should answer all.

Carrie Ann: Hunter…

Hunter: She is perfect. She’s my mate. She’s my reason for living, yet so much more. I love the way she smiles, the way she laughs. The way she fights. I love her curves and the fact she’s not one to cower to anyone. I love the way she fits into my Pack and how she knows every single person, even down to the infants and cares for them all. I love that she’s still immersed within her inner circle of six friends and calls them her family. I love the fact that her best friend is a dragon who can kill anyone who looks at her wrong if I’m not there. I love the way she makes me a better person because I would do anything for her. Anything.

Carrie Ann: *blinks*

Hunter: Better?

Carrie Ann: *swallows hard and wipes away a tear* Yes, honey. I love you. Just saying. Okay, a fun question. Chocolate or vanilla?

Hunter: I’m not vanilla.

Carrie Ann: *giggles* You know that’s almost exactly what Becca said. Thank you so much for sitting with me. And readers? You should totally read their book if you want to know more about Hunter. Just saying. *wink*

 

An Unlucky Moon Excerpt

 

Hunter frowned. “I know I will have to court her. I plan to ask you and your mates for help.”

Balin blinked, his hand on the door. “You’re going to ask for help? I thought you were an Alpha wolf.”

“I’m the Beta of my Pack, but I’m a dominant. That doesn’t mean I don’t know how to ask for help when it’s necessary. Becca isn’t of my Pack, and I want her to remain safe. Bringing her into my Pack right now would be dangerous without all the facts, and I don’t plan on forcing her to be with me.”

Balin snorted then opened the door, leading them into the bar. “You’re saying all the right things, but I have a feeling you’ll act all wolf and think she should bend for you.”

Hunter clenched his fists. “I’m not as enlightened as some. Fate made her for me, and the course has been set. I will not break from that.”

The sweet scent of mate and woman filled his nose, and he turned to see the goddess of his dreams. She’d put her curly red hair in a tangle on the top of her head so little ringlets fell down her neck. Those pieces seemed to beg for his touch, and he had to remember not to reach out to her just yet. Her long neck would be perfect for his tongue, as would her ample breasts. There were more than a handful, and he wanted to know the color of her nipples.

 

About Carrie Ann

USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan never thought she’d be a writer. Not really. No, she loved math and science and even went on to graduate school in chemistry. Yes, she read as a kid and devoured teen fiction and Harry Potter, but it wasn’t until someone handed her a romance book in her late teens that she realized that there was something out there just for her. When another author suggested she use the voices in her head for good and not evil, The Redwood Pack and all her other stories were born.

 

Carrie Ann is a bestselling author of over twenty novels and novellas and has so much more on her mind (and on her spreadsheets *grins*) that she isn’t planning on giving up her dream anytime soon.

 

 

Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:

 

Website | Facebook  | Goodreads | Twitter: @CarrieAnnRyan |

~~~*~~~*~~~

GIVEAWAY!

For the chance to win a swag pack and an An Unlucky Moon mug, just leave a comment below. Good luck!

 

 

 

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Carrie Ann Ryan interviews Maddox – Shattered Emotions

Maddox Jamenson is the Omega of the Redwood Pack, the one burdened by emotions stronger than his own. He’s spent his entire life shrouded in the secrets of his “gift” and the price he has to pay to keep it, yet the cost just escalated. He’s known a mate could be in the cards for him, but he can’t have what he wants. Not when the battles he has yet to fight could destroy her.

 

Ellie Reyes was the Central’s princess, the daughter of the most hated Alpha of all time, yet not prized. No, she’s spent her life as the toy of her brother’s sadistic torture and has endured a pain that no one else should have to even contemplate. Though when she’s rescued, the one person who could help her, her mate, turns his back on her for reasons unknown to her. As each day passes, the strength that everyone sees in her dwindles to a point that there may be no coming back from.

 

When the Centrals find a new way to attack, leaving Ellie’s only protection a mate that she doesn’t think wants her, they’ll both have to overcome their fears and fight for something stronger than their pain.  The war isn’t over and new players are coming that will decide the outcome. Maddox and Ellie’s connection will be tested even as their fragile bond is only newly forming.

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

Thanks so much for having us! I’m sitting her with my latest hero, Maddox, from SHATTERED EMOTIONS. His book is the 5^th book in my Redwood Pack series and I’m so freaking excited for you guys to read this one. Maddox is the Omega of the Redwood Pack, meaning he not only feels every single emotion from the Pack, but he also has a duty to heal what he can within the den itself. He’s been in the background for each book and has done what he could to protect his loved ones, but it hasn’t been easy.

Carrie Ann: Hi, Maddox. Thanks for taking the time to sit with me.

Maddox: You know I’ll always come to talk to you. It’s my duty.

Carrie Ann: *rolls eyes* You always say that. You never do anything for yourself, but I totally understand it. So tell me, what does it mean to you to finally have your mate?

Maddox: *swallows hard* Everything. I almost lost her more times than I can count. It wasn’t all the outside forces that did it though. I pushed her away for so long…damn, I’m surprised she even stayed.

Carrie Ann: Ellie stayed because she’s your mate and despite the fact that you two needed to talk, she also needed to heal. Something you understand quite well. Tell me what life was like before you met Ellie.

Maddox: Empty. Though after I met her and still couldn’t have her, I think it felt even emptier.

Carrie Ann: Tell me more about Ellie.

Maddox: She’s…she’s strong. She’s smart, funny, caring, and sexy as hell. She doesn’t care for her own well being and I’m working on that, but damn, I love her more than life itself.

Carrie Ann: I can’t reveal any spoilers but that one thing that happened at the end, you doing okay?

Maddox: *blinks* You’ll have to read and see.

Carrie Ann: *rolls eyes* You’re worse than I am when it comes to secrets, you know.

Maddox: *grins*

Carrie Ann: Okay, now fun ones. Chocolate or vanilla?

Maddox: Chocolate for sure. Though really, I love anything that I can lick off my mate. Ellie is funny because she hides it around the house. I know she didn’t have much of it living with the Centrals so she tries to indulge herself in secret. I add more to her stash when I can.

Carrie Ann: *sighs* I love you, Maddox. Just saying. Okay, I’m going to leave you here for a bit to go and interview Ellie for another blog, but I just want to say I’m so so so happy I got to write your story in SHATTERED EMOTIONS. Now readers, let me and Maddox know if you have any questions! You know the Maddox is secretive, but we might be able to pry a few things out of him!

Excerpt:

Ellie Reyes gripped Maddox’s hand as tight as she could. Yes, it was the first time he’d voluntary touched her since he’d picked her up out of the back of the Jeep when they’d first met, but, honestly, that wasn’t important now.

She’d think about the calloused hands of a hard worker—one who helped his Pack and brothers, not necessarily in his job—and how they would feel against her skin. She’d think about what it all meant later.

Maybe later she could even relish his touch and imagine the scents of wolf and forest washing over her.

Later.

Right now, all she wanted to do was hide in a corner so the others would stop staring at her. Or, she could raise her chin at them all and show them they couldn’t hurt her. Her wolf whimpered at the thought, not knowing if that were possible. She didn’t know if she was broken or strong anymore.

She’d been hurt far more than they could ever imagine. They had no idea what she could endure. Oh, they’d all guessed and given her their pitying looks, but they didn’t know.

They couldn’t know.

*****

Carrie Ann Ryan is a bestselling paranormal and contemporary romance author. After spending too much time behind a lab bench, she decided to dive into the romance world and find her werewolf mate – even if it’s just in her books. Happy endings are always near – even if you have to get over the challenges of falling in love first.

Carrie Ann’s Redwood Pack series is a bestselling series that has made the shifter world even more real to her and has allowed the Dante’s Circle and Holiday, Montana series to be born. She’s also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She loves meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens.

Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:

Website | Facebook  | Goodreads | Twitter: @CarrieAnnRyan |

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/17fbtSJ

ARe: http://bit.ly/14VlwHm

Kobo: http://bit.ly/13Qu5UN

***Giveaway***

Carrie Ann is giving away a special swag pack and a copy of her backlist to a lucky commenter. Be sure to leave your email to enter!

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Interview and Giveaway with Carrie Ann Ryan

Humans aren’t as alone as they choose to believe. Every human possesses a trait of supernatural that lays dormant within their genetic make-up. Centuries of diluting and breeding have allowed humans to think they are alone and untouched by magic. But what happens when something changes?

Ambrose Griffin is older than most, if not all, civilizations. As each year passes, he submerses himself into his training, only relaxing around his protégée and friend, Shade.  After losing his wife and children in the last Angelic Wars, he guards his heart and has no desire to share it with another.

Bookkeeper and romance novel enthusiast, Jamie Bennett dreams of being swept off her feet by a white knight. However, her life is no romance book. Since meeting Ambrose—a sexy, delicious angel—she’s been twisted inside out and doesn’t know why.  Things are happening that she can’t control and now her life is in danger. 

Balin Drake is stuck in hell, literally. His life of refusing to take souls, even though it’s part of his demon nature, has caught up with him. He’s dying and now must search for his true half, but even a mating may not save him. When he meets the two people who could fill that part, he’ll need to fight for something he hasn’t felt in over a century—hope.

Warning: Contains a rigid angel who needs a certain sexy woman to help him unwind, a book keeper who finds herself the creamy center of the best cookie ever, and a demon who has a certain taste for pressing them both against walls.

~~~*~~~*~~~

Thank you so much for having me today! I’m very lucky to have my heroine from Her Warriors’ Three Wishes today. Jamie was just a normal human living in a world that changed dramatically in Dust of My Wings (Dante’s Circle Book 1). Now? Well, you’ll have to read and see.

Carrie Ann: Jamie! I’m so glad you got a chance to sit down with me today.

Jamie: Thanks for having me.

Carrie Ann: So tell me, how much has changed since you first walked into that bar that night?

Jamie: Oh geez. The girls and I had just gone into Dante’s for a drink and to talk and then boom, struck by lightning.

Carrie Ann: And now you guys are paranormals. Or, at least you will be once you find your true halves.

Jamie: Yes, that’s what starts the process for our conversion. Apparently humans aren’t really human, but are diluted down versions of paranormals. When the lightning hit us, we all had our dormant DNA triggered.

Carrie Ann: Any hint as to what you turn into.

Jamie: Nope, you’ll just have to read and see.

Carrie Ann: What is it like to be mated to two men—an angel and a demon?

Jamie: *blushes* Well, I’m never alone unless I ask for it. They’re so caring—even if they can kill a rogue in an instant if needed. You’d never think men so big and so…gruff…could be so gentle.

Carrie Ann: Jealous! I love the fact that you took down such a stoic angel. Ambrose is a fan favorite and Balin seems to be just as popular to those who have read it.

Jamie: *grins* I’m one lucky girl.

Carrie Ann: Do you ever feel overwhelmed?

Jamie: Sure, but I think a woman in any relationship can be. It helps that Balin and Ambrose are also in love so it’s the three of us working together, plus our individual relationships.

Carrie Ann: Any secrets in making it work?

Jamie: Communication. I make sure I let Balin and Ambrose know what I’m thinking. We lost too much time because we’d been too afraid to share what we wanted and desired.

Carrie Ann: Can you tell me about what I hear about Balin’s passion for pressing his mates up against walls?

Jamie: *blushes* Read the book.

Carrie Ann: Point taken. Okay, thank you dear for coming by and I’m so, so happy that I got to write your story. And readers, Jamie and I will be here if you have any questions. Thank you so much!

 

Excerpt

God, talk about pathetic. It had been a year since she’d seen him, and she wanted to throw herself at him. The image of her doing so filled her mind and she held back a groan. She wasn’t a desperate woman; she could handle the temptation.

The laughter echoing in her head, which sounded suspiciously like Faith, could easily be ignored.

Becca went back behind the bar while Ambrose stood back and gestured for her to walk first. That was good, that way she wouldn’t be caught staring at him like a starving dog clamoring after a bone.

A meaty, delicious, mouth-watering bone.

She blinked. That was enough of that.

 

Available Digitally:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | kobo | ARe

Available In Print:

eStore | Amazon

Author Bio:

Carrie Ann Ryan is a bestselling paranormal and contemporary romance author. After spending too much time behind a lab bench, she decided to dive into the romance world and find her werewolf mate – even if it’s just in her books. Happy endings are always near – even if you have to get over the challenges of falling in love first.

Carrie Ann’s Redwood Pack series is an bestselling series that has made the shifter world even more real to her and has allowed the Dante’s Circle and Holiday, Montana series to be born. She’s also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She loves meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens.

Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:

 

Website | Facebook  | Goodreads | Twitter: @CarrieAnnRyan |

***Giveaway***

Carrie Ann is giving away a special swag pack and a copy of her backlist to a lucky commenter. Be sure to leave your email to enter!

Read Full Post »

Interview with Shannon K. Butcher

After a devastating injury, Lucas Ramsay knows he’s finished as a soldier.But when the general who saved his life asks him for a favor, he says yes. All Lucas has to do is keep the general’s daughter from getting on a plane to Colombia — which is easier said than done…

Independent to the core, Sloane Gideon is a member of the Edge-a group of mercenaries for hire. But she’s not on the clock for this mission. Her best friend is being held by a vicious drug lord, and Sloane must rescue her — no matter how many handsome ex-soldiers her father sends to dissuade her.

With little choice, Lucas tracks Sloane to Colombia-where she reluctantly allows him to aid her in her search. But as they grow closer to the target, they grow closer to each other. And before the battle is over, both will have to decide just what they are willing to fight for…

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

NT: Hi Shannon! Thank you for being my guest today.

Shannon: Thanks for having me!

NT: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Shannon: I think I was different than a lot of writers in this.  I never even thought about writing until I was 30.  I mostly wrote my first book because I wanted to see if I could do it.  Being married to a writer, I thought it would help me become more sympathetic to him, as well as helping me learn some skills that might be useful when he ran into a problem with his books.  I wrote that first book and loved it (the process, not the book, which was awful).  So I wrote another bad book, and another, all with an eye toward getting better.  After starting thirty-two bad books and finishing eight, I finally wrote one that wasn’t so bad.  I’m not sure exactly where in that process I decided to try to do this professionally, but by that time, the work was publishable (barely) and I started sending it to agents.

NT: You have a new release on March 1st, can you tell us about LIVING ON THE EDGE?

Shannon: LIVING ON THE EDGE is the first book of a brand new romantic suspense series, The Edge.  The series is centered around the characters who work at a mercenary company that’s run by a woman.  It’s a return to the style of my first two romantic suspenses (NO REGRETS, NO CONTROL), with plenty of action and intrigue.  There’s a larger, overarching story that flows through all the books, with a big cast of characters, which I love writing.

NT: What inspired the idea for this new series and how many books do you have planned for it?

Shannon: It’s always hard to say what inspired an idea for me.  Books, TV, music, movies…it all kind of melts together in a big pile of goo, and sometimes things float to the top.  That’s what happened for this series.

How many books there are in a series is not something that’s entirely up to me, but if it was, I’d write 8-10 in this series.

NT: Which do you find easier to write — your suspenses or your paranormals?

Shannon: When I’m getting toward the end of a suspense, I’m dying to get out of the real world and into my paranormal world where magic and monsters are real.  Then, by the time I’m finishing up a paranormal, I’m ready to get back to the real world where I don’t have to explain so much and spend so many words world building.  I love both, and I’m really happy that I have the opportunity to switch between genres.  I think it keeps the work fresh, and keeps me from burning out.  Both very good things. 😀

NT: Do you have a writing routine? What is your average writing day like?

Shannon: When I’m in writing the rough draft of any book, I pretty much fall out of bed and start writing.  I’ll break during the day to deal with email and to play with folks briefly on Twitter or Facebook.  Each day there’s a specific word count goal that I want to achieve, and I try to work until I get at least that far.  How many words that is depends on whether I’m on schedule or lagging behind.  I’ve learned that the schedule has to be fluid and move as things change and life happens, so I always build in a week or two of wiggle room so I never turn things in late.

When I’m not writing the rough draft, there’s almost always planning, outlining, revision, copy edits, or page proofs to work on.  And in the rare times when I’m not doing one of those, I work on promotional efforts, work with other writers, and travel to meet readers.

NT: When not busy writing, what do you like to do in your spare time? (If there is such a thing 😀 )

Shannon: Spare time is rare, but I’ve learned to schedule in fun so that I don’t go insane and start killing heroes halfway through a story.  I love to craft with friends.  We get together and each do our own thing, spending the day together laughing and eating food we probably shouldn’t.  I play with beads or glass, and sometimes quilt.  If you keep an eye on the contest page of my website, I sometimes give away the fruits of my labor.  They may be lumpy and lopsided, but I like to share none the less. 😀

NT: The next question is a two parter (and totally not my fault!) 

1. What can your fans look forward to from you in the near future?

Shannon: I have four releases in 2011:
February—ON THE HUNT is an anthology with Gena Showalter, Deidre Knight, Jessica Andersen and me.  It contains a Sentinels novella, which is Neal’s story, and it takes place between books 3 and 4 of The Sentinel Wars.
March—LIVING ON THE EDGE is the first book of my new romantic suspense series.
August—BLOODHUNT is book 5 of The Sentinel Wars, and is the first book that focuses on the Sanguinar race.
November—RAZOR’S EDGE is book 2 of The Edge series.

NT: 2. I have a friend that loves the Sentinel Wars series and this question is from her. If you do not plan to do more books in that series, what bribes would you accept to continue it or what begging position do you prefer your readers to assume? 😉

Shannon: Bribes?  Awesome!  I’ll take mine in shiny bits of colored glass. J  I do plan to continue the Sentinel series, and I’ve contracted for 9 books so far.  I’d love to write several more books so that each of the main characters I’ve introduced can get their own story, but we’ll have to see how things work out.

NT: How can readers contact you?

Shannon: They can email me using the link on my website: www.ShannonKButcher.com, or Tweet me @ShannonKButcher (don’t forget the K or you’ll end up talking to a jazz singer, and that’s definitely not me), or come by the fan forum, where there’s a specific place for asking me questions: http://skbbooks.proboards.com/, or visit my fan page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shannon-K-Butcher/136762219616, or my personal page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001028124810#!/profile.php?id=100001028124810.  I’m really not hard to find. 😀

NT: Thank you so much for blogging with us here at Novel Thoughts!

Shannon: Thanks for asking me!  I hope to do it again sometime!

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

Shannon is giving away a copy of LIVING NIGHTMARE to one lucky reader. To be entered, just leave a comment below.

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Shannon K. Butcher Interview

First in an all-new paranormal romance series

CAUTION : readers MAY feel the heat coming off the pages.

They are the Sentinels…

Three races descended from ancient guardians of mankind, each possessing unique abilities in their battle to protect humanity against their eternal foes—the Synestryn. Now, one warrior must fight his own desire if he is to discover the power that lies within his one true love…

Helen Day is haunted by visions of herself surrounded by flames, as a dark-haired man watches her burn. So when she sees the man of her nightmares staring at her from across a diner, she attempts to flee—but instead ends up in the man’s arms. There, she awakens a force more powerful and enticing than she could ever imagine. For the man is actually Theronai warrior Drake, whose own pain is driven away by Helen’s presence.

Together, they may become more than lovers—they may become a weapon of light that could tip the balance of the war and save Drake’s people…

NT: Hi Shannon! Thank you for being my guest today. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Shannon:  Hi!  It’s great to be here!  Thanks for having me.

I’m an engineer turned writer.  After traveling around the country with my engineering career, we finally settled in the KC Metro area, surrounded by family.  I live with my #1 NYT bestselling author husband, Jim Butcher, our teenage son who does his best to give us aneurisms with his choice of clothing, and our ferocious Bichon Frise.

NT: When did you know you wanted to be a writer? How long did it take for you to make your first sale?

Shannon:  It wasn’t my plan to be a writer.  In fact, I never thought it would even be possible for me to write a book, much less one that anyone would want to read.  As Jim was working on his books, he’d hit a rough spot and I’d want to help him get through it.  So, I’d read his work, figuring I’d use my massive troubleshooting skills to find the problem.  I saw none.  When I told him, he said it was because I didn’t know what to look for.  I told him to teach me so I could help, and after a few years of hearing all the craft lessons, they sank in and I realized that writing a book is like building with blocks.  It’s less art than science, which was up my alley, so I gave it a shot.  It took me three years to write a book that was sellable.  In those three years, I’d started 36 awful books and finished 8 of them, but I knew none of them were of publishable quality.  Finished book #9 did the trick.

NT: You have a new release this month, can you tell us about BURNING ALIVE?

Shannon: Burning alive is about a woman who has been seeing visions of her own death for as long as she can remember.  In those visions, a man watches while she burns alive, smiling, doing nothing to stop it.  One night, she sees him sitting in a diner, only a few feet away from her and knows her time is up.  She’s going to die.  She’s tossed into a world where magic and monsters are real, and an ancient, dying race of hot sword-wielding warriors need her to survive.  She knows that helping them will mean her death, but she falls for Drake and can do nothing less.

NT: What inspired the idea for this story?

Shannon:  Gosh.  I don’t know.  It’s likely bits and pieces from all the sci-fi and fantasy books I read growing up, but I don’t think I could put my finger on any one source of inspiration.

NT: Which of your characters’ story was the hardest to write? Which was the easiest?

Shannon: I think Grant Kent’s story was the hardest to write.  He’s a player, which is not only at the opposite end of the spectrum from me, I don’t even know anyone like that, personally.  So, NO ESCAPE was a lot more difficult to write than NO CONTROL, which featured my favorite hero, Caleb Stone.  Caleb was by far the easiest character to write.  He fell out of my brain, fully formed with a history and a family and roots.  Usually I engineer my characters, designing them to fit a specific purpose, but Caleb sprang to life in a way no other character has so far.

NT: Do you have a writing routine? What is your average writing day like?

Shannon: I have two modes.  During writing mode, I fall out of bed, caffeinate and start writing until I can’t any longer.  I knock out a rough draft in about a month, which makes it necessary to recharge with my non-writing mode, which is when I do revisions, travel, promotional stuff and all of the other business-related tasks that tend to suck up a lot of time.

NT: What aspects of your life have you found creeping into your stories?

Shannon: For me it’s the little things.  I write about guns I’ve handled, food I’ve eaten, quirks in people I see, etc.  Thankfully, the big horrible things that happen to my characters are mostly not drawn from personal experience.

NT: Is there anyone you use as a sounding board when you’re stuck on a scene?

Shannon: Sure.  Jim is awesome for that.  We talk shop all the time, plotting out stories or fleshing our characters.  I also have a great group of beta readers who help me make sure my work is as suck-free as possible.

NT: What was the most interesting thing you had to research and what was the hardest thing to research?

Shannon:  I loved doing all the research into cutting edge military stuff.  I watch the Military Channel all the time (‘cause it’s one of the things Jim likes, too) and love to see what’s new.  The hardest stuff to research are all the small details that come from actually living a lifestyle or doing a specific job.  I write about cops all the time, but I’m sure that there are small things I’ll never know because I’ve never been a cop.  Some of those details you can get by talking to folks who do the work, but there’s no real substitute for actually *doing* the work.

NT: What was the most memorable reader reaction you’ve received about your books?

Shannon:  I had a woman’s husband email me once.  He said he’d never read my books and never planned to, but he wanted to thank me for writing them.  Apparently, his wife read them and he reaped the benefits of the sexier bits. 🙂

NT: When not busy writing, what do you like to do in your spare time? (If there is such a thing *G*)

Shannon:  I love beads.  Any bead, anywhere, anytime.  I often refer to myself as a bead whore for obvious reasons.  I also have been known to quilt on occasion, though not for a while.  And my new obsession is City of Heroes.  Jim sucked me into that, and we go adventuring far more often than we should.  He plays Harry Dresden, and I play Helen Day (the heroine from BURNING ALIVE).  We fight crime!

NT: What are the latest additions to your TBR? What are you most eager to read?

Shannon: I’m reading MAVERICK by Lora Leigh right now.  I have a Suzanne Brockmann book on my bedside table and looking forward to the next J.R. Ward novel.

NT: Any advice to aspiring authors? What craft books helped you that you would recommend to aspiring writers?

Shannon:  My advice is very practical.  If you want your work to improve to the point you can sell it, you need to write a lot.  And then write more.  And then some more.  Once your work is ready to sell, then I highly recommend getting out to meet people.  The it’s-who-you-know-thing goes for the publishing world, too.  Find an agent you love and see where they’re going to be.  Go to conventions or writers’ meetings and get yourself out there.  Once you’re more than just a name on a query letter, the time you get for consideration by an agent or editor will go up.

If you want to learn more about writing craft, check out Jim’s Live Journal.  There’s a link to it on my website (www.shannonkbutcher.com), and the lessons there are the same ones he taught me that allowed me to go from engineer to published author.

NT: What can your fans look forward to from you in the near future? What are you working on now?

Shannon: I’ve got a stand-alone romantic suspense coming out in October.  It’s called LOVE YOU TO DEATH, and is some of the creepiest stuff I’ve ever written.  January 2010 is when book two of The Sentinel Wars comes out.  It’s called FINDING THE LOST and features another one of the sexy Theronai warriors.  The third book (which is not yet titled) is scheduled to come out in September 2010.

I’m currently working on a short story for an urban fantasy anthology (DARK AND STORMY KNIGHTS), followed by another paranormal, and the beginning of a new romantic suspense series.  It’s too early for details on those, but check my website in the future and I’ll post updates.

NT: How can readers contact you?

Shannon:  There’s a contact link on my website where readers can email me.  I love to hear from you all, so feel free to drop me a line.  I also have freebies I give away if you send a SASE.  Bookmarks, book thongs, autographed book plates are all yours for the asking.

NT: Thank you so much for blogging with us here at Novel Thoughts!

Shannon:  Thanks!  It’s been fun!  I appreciate you asking me to play along.

Happy reading!

*****Leave a comment for the chance to win a signed copy of BURNING ALIVE. Good luck! 🙂

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Interview with Sasha White

NT: Hi Sasha! Thank you for interviewing with RRAH. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

SW: Hmm.. Okay. I’m female, short, round, and have a bit of a temper.

How’s that?

More? hmm. I love to travel, writer, read, travel, eat. and bake. *grin*

More still?

I have two cats, who I  love..and hate.

NT: When did you know you wanted to be a writer? How long did it take for you to make your first sale?

SW: That’s a super hard question for me to answer, simply because I’ve never thought of myself as someone who always wanted to be a writer, yet apparently, when I was 12 years old I told my Mom I was going to write a book someday.  I never thought about writing again until I was 25, then I gave some brief thoughts, becoming a travel writer so I could pay to travel the world.  I wrote a couple of travel articles that year, then moved onto something else.  It was 7 years later when I decided that I didn’t want to be 40 years old and still dependent on tips to support myself (I’ve always been a waitress/bartender) so I got serious.  I didn’t want to go back to school at 34 years old, and I decided I’d give writing a try.  That was just under 5 years ago.  As an avid reader, I thought why not?  Turns out I have a knack for it.

As for how long did it take to have my first sale, don’t hate me, but I sold the first thing I wrote, right away. I think it had more to do with knowing my target, and writing for that target than it does anything else.  Also, I started out with very little knowledge of this business.  I didn’t know it was supposed to be Hard to get published, so I  had no fear and just went after what I wanted…and go it.

NT: You have a new release this month, can you tell us about PRIMALE MALE?

SW: PRIMAL MALE is the sequel to SEXY DEVIL, and it has psychics, shape-shifters, suspense and hot sex…with a little romance thrown in. *wink*

To be more specific, it’s Drake Wheelers story. Drake is in Sexy Devil, the big blond and quiet dude who is usually in the background.   He tends to stay in the background because he is an empath, and being surrounded by people can be rough on his psychic shields.  Which is also why he chose to be a sniper when he was in the military . Because it was a long range thing.  But now, he’s ex-military, working for a private security company, hunting things that go bump in the night.

PRIMAL MALE is the story of how, when he finds the right woman, he learns to feel his own emotions again, instead of just everyone elses.

NT: What inspired the idea for this story?

SW: It’s a sequel, so Drake was a character who showed up before, and it was time for him.  As for the way the story went, with shapeshifters and such…well, I have no idea where the inspiration came from. I just know that I tried to stay true to the characters, which meant not letting the paranormal aspects take over.

NT: Which of your characters’ story was the hardest to write? Which was the easiest?

SW: They were all hard on some level, but what was hard about them was different for each.  I would have to say the stories that flowed most smoothly from my fingertips were THE CRIB, in the Pure Sex anthology, DEVIL’s JEWEL in Sexy DEvil, and NO ANGEL in Most Wanted.  Obviously I find novellas easier to write. LOL

NT: Do you have a writing routine? What is your average writing day like?

SW: Nope, no routine.  Unless you want to count procrastinating until I have t pull a couple of all nighters a routine. *grin*

I don’t really have an average writing day either.  Or maybe I should say the average is different for every book I write?  Sometimes ideas cook in my head for a while before I start putting them on the computer.  Sometimes I can sit down with no firm idea in mind, and just write, and it flows like magic.  I don’t write every day, (I wish I did) and I don’t do plot charts or character analysis on paper.  I think of myself as an organic writer…and by that I mean I really have no real clue as to how I do this, other than to plant my butt in the chair and get my fingers tapping on the keyboard.

NT: What aspects of your life have you found creeping into your stories?

SW: Pretty much all of them. LOL  Fantasies, reality, experiences.  Things I’ve seen, things I’ve done.  Memories of people I’ve loved, or hated.  Swirl it all together with my imagination and thats where the books come from.

NT: Is there anyone you use as a sounding board when you’re stuck on a scene?

SW: I have a few people, it all depends on what/where  I’m stuck on.  I would say I regularly call up Delilah Devlin, Cathryn Fox, and my Mom. *grin*   All are people I can count on, and are helpful and inspiring in their own ways.

NT: What was the most interesting thing you had to research and what was the hardest thing to research?

SW: Yikes!  You’re making me expose all my weaknesses here.

I’m not a research person. Not a book person, or search engine person.  I mostly find people who are knowledgeable in what I need to know, and talk to them.  Therefor research is fairly easy.   I would probably say the most interesting thing I did for research was attend a Lifestyle BDSM weekend Conference. *grin* This is when I was writing WICKED.  Karl, the hero, was a secondary character in a couple of other books, and I’d said he was a lifestyler…so I wanted to make sure his story was true to him.  While I personally have a few friends who are in that lifestyle, and I admit I’ve dabbled a little, dabbling isn’t enough to truly understand it, and write about it realistically.  So for three days and two nights of workshops and lectures on all aspects of BDSM — from BDSM and the law, to contracts, to levels of power — I emersed myself in it.    People were wonderfully open and honest and giving with me, and I learned a lot!

NT: What was the most memorable reader reaction you’ve received about your books?

SW: When I re-relesed MEANDROS as a Free Read (PDF download) on my website, I got a letter from a reader who it hit a personal button for.  A very emotional letter, that touched me.  I’m not going to say more than that, because you need to read MEANDROS to have any idea of what I’m talking about.

NT: When not busy writing, what do you like to do in your spare time? (If there is such a thing *G*)

SW: I’ve recently gotten back into Photography, and working with digital graphics.  I love movies, playing pool, and even working out.

NT: What are the latest additions to your TBR? What are you most eager to read?

SW: I just finished A Lick Of Frost, by Laurell K. Hamilton.  I’ve read some of the Merry Gentry books, but missed others.  I’m not a die hard fan, but I do enjoy them.  This one, I just could not resist the title. LOL

RED by Jordan Summers was one I read just recently that I loved!!  Can’t wait for the next book in the series.

I’m reading SUNSTROKED by Cathryn Fox right now, and love it. She has such as sweet and humorous way that is oh so sexy too.  BETRAYED by Jamie Leigh Hansen is on my TBR, as  well as VANISH by Tess Geritsen.

NT: Any advice to aspiring authors? What craft books helped you that you would recommend to aspiring writers?

SW: I am not a craft book person.  I have a couple, and I even occasionally pull them off the bookshelf.  But I rarely read more than a page of them.  I just think I’m not a book learner.  Even in school I never was…so I really have no suggestions for books.  As for advice.  If you want to write, then write.  If you want to be published, don’t give up.

NT: What can your fans look forward to from you in the near future? What are you working on now?

SW: Well, in the last three months I’ve had four releases, so that’s it for a while.  I do have another release from Kensington set for June or July 2009.  MOST WANTED is a single author anthology that is three novellas, and each novella is either connected to, or a sequel to one of my other Aphrodisia books.

Here’s the Blurb:

MOST WANTED
Bad boys—they’re the best lovers around. Submit to the pleasure of their dark and dangerous passions…

“Hidden Cravings”
PI Lexy Signorino has spent the last year trying to forget her insatiable desire for Devon Kaye’s rock hard body. But when he turns up one night asking her to help him find his missing cousin, she’s ready to surrender to sweet sensual satisfaction…

“Unrestricted Access”
Jillian Furst has lusted after detective Jackson Barrows long enough and decides it’s time for some female seduction. She sends him flowers and a steamy letter with explicit instructions for a sexual fantasy that keeps them busy in bed all night long…

“No Angel”
Anna Blair looks sweet and innocent, but playboy Gabriel Mann discovers she’s far from it. Mess with her and she’ll mess right back. And that’s just the way he likes it—down and dirty carnal pleasure that keeps him coming back for more…

NT: How can readers contact you?

SW: They can always email me by using the CONTACT link on my website.  Or they can join the WICKED WRITERS Chat loop. WICKED WRITERS is a group full of readers, authors, and aspiring authors.  It’s a chat loop, where we talk about life, love, happiness…and BOOKS!

NT: Thank you so much for blogging with us here at Novel Thoughts!

SW: Thank you for inviting me!!

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Interview with Cindy Gerard

NT: Hi Cindy! Thank you for interviewing with RRAH. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

CG: I’m pretty boring, I’m afraid.  I love music, my family, our animals – hubby raises quarter horses and we have 2 house cats that pretty much run over us plus a Brittany spaniel, named Margaret who is absolutely adorable.  I like to read (of course) love to travel – some of my travel adventures include swimming with the giant manta rays in the Grand Caymans, hiking the Grand Canyon, white water rafting, and getting robbed while in Rome :o).  Since I sold my first book back in 1991, I’ve gone on to write 40 more and hope I have another 40 in my future.  I LOVE crafting stories, love the romance of them, the thrill of seeing my books on the shelves and adore hearing from my readers.

NT: When did you know you wanted to be a writer? How long did it take for you to make your first sale?

CG: I was a slow starter.  I had always been a reader and devoured everything I got my hands on – from biographies to epics and sagas to nonfiction – but it wasn’t long after I discovered romance novels that I got bitten by the writing bug.  I wrote and reworked my first book a dozen times before I finally sent it out.  It never sold, but I learned a lot writing that book.  M my forth completed manuscript finally caught Elizabeth Barrett’s eye for the now defunct Loveswept line at Bantam.  Seemed like a dream come true.  Still does.

NT: Is writing a full-time job for you or do you juggle another job?

CG: Once upon a time – not so long ago – I worked full time as a trainer for the Iowa Department of Human Services.  It was a high pressure, very detail oriented position and I finally had to make a decision to continue with it or the writing.  I chose the writing. I’d been published for about 10 years in category romance at that point and figured it was time to see if I could make it as a full time writer in the single title market.  Fortunately, it’s been working out very nicely, and quitting the ‘day’ job proved to be a very good decision.

NT: You have SHOW NO MERCY out this month. Followed quickly by TAKE NO PRISONERS in November and WHISPER NO LIES in January 2009. Tell us about the books. What inspired the idea for this series?

CG: Thanks for the plug! :o)  SHOW NO MERCY actually hits the shelves today in many locations so I’m jazzed X 10!  But to answer your question, I’d written the 6 Bodyguard books, felt that they had had a good run but that it was time to move on to something a little different and a little bigger.  During the writing of the last BG book (INTO THE DARK) several secondary characters materialized who were so intriguing and compelling that I knew I had to write their stories.  Of course, I didn’t know their stories at the time, but I took a page from Field of Dreams – “If I write it they will come” – and Black, Ops., Inc. was born.  The first 3 books of the series features Gabe – the Archangel – Jones, Sam Lang and Johnny Duane Reed.  I love to write fast paced, high-octane romantic adventure suspense and these boys – and the rest of the men of Black Ops., Inc. – were tailor made for that type of story.  They’re alpha warriors, patriots, irreverent and intriguing.  And yeah, a little bit wounded.  What’s not to like?

NT: Which of your characters’ story was the hardest to write? Which was the easiest?

CG: They are all hard in many ways and all easy in many. At any given time, in the process of writing any given book, someone is going to give me trouble then alternately come alive on the page with very little effort on my part.  Of the Bodyguard books, I’d say Darcy and Ethan’s story (TO THE BRINK) was the most difficult to write because they had a past that just begged to be told, yet the action all took place in the present.  I resorted to using flashbacks to make things work – a technique I generally avoid – but it was the only way to make their story come together.  In the end, it turned out being one of my favorite books because there was so much texture to both the story lines and to the characters.

NT: Do you have a writing routine? What is your average writing day like?

CG: Writing’s my job. I treat it like one which means I’m up every day and in my office by 7:30 or 8:00 am and I write until 5:00 or 6:00. Sometime, depending on how tight my deadline is, I also write weekends.  Like many writers, I do have a few little ‘rituals’ I indulge in when I work.  I HAVE to have music playing and I have to have a vanilla candle burning.  Other than that, the cats and the dog wander in and out of my office, curl up on my desk or on the love seat or on the floor at my feet and keep me company as I work. I also have bird feeders stationed outside my windows so I have something to look at when I’m stuck and searching for inspiration as I stare vacantly out the window :o).

NT: Is there any plot/setting/character that you’re dying to write but haven’t yet?

CG: Oh, I think every writer has one of those.  I’m no exception. I’ve got a book that’s been setting on the backburner for a few years.  It’s more of a romantic suspense caper than an action adventure but one of these days, I’m going to finish it and then we’ll see what happens.

NT: What aspects of your life have you found creeping into your stories?

CG: Ha. As I said, my life is very boring so, seriously, there is very little worth incorporating into any of my action adventure novels. I did, however, have the ultimate pleasure of going on a white water rafting/camping adventure in the Grand Canyon recently and some of the experiences I had on that trip made their way into a novella – DESERT HEAT – which was part of the RESCUE ME anthology that was out in July with Cherry Adair and Lora Leigh.  It truly was a great adventure that involved not only running the rapids of the Colorado in the bottom of the Canyon but hiking up steep, cavernous terrain and on one occasion, jumping off a 40 foot cliff into the river.  Talk about the ultimate rush.  Nothing like what our Army Airborne Rangers deal with in the courage department but I’ve got to tell you, it was a huge leap of face – literally – for me to take that a gigantic step off that cliff.

NT: Is there anyone you use as a sounding board when you’re stuck on a scene?

CG: I have a few sources I count on when I need an ear to help me work through either a difficult plot point or a character relationship issue.  All are fellow writers and friends and I trust and respect them implicitly.  I also feel very fortunate to have them in my life both professionally and personally.

NT: Who are some of the authors who inspired you when you were still working towards becoming published? Who are some of your favorite authors to read?

CG: This is always a difficult question to answer because I’ve had so many influences and inspirations throughout the course of my career.  I’m always afraid I’ll leave out someone important.  BUT, in the beginning, I was moved, inspired and awestruck by LaVryle Spencer, Sandra Brown, and Tom and Sharon Curtis.  I still read Sandra but the others are retired so I’ve turned to a plethora of writers – again, too many to name.

NT: What was the most interesting thing you had to research and what was the hardest thing to research?

CG: I love researching foreign countries.  I fell totally in love with Sri Lanka when I wrote UNDER THE WIRE and set a good portion of the book there.  One of the most difficult things to research and read about is the horrible business of human trafficking which played a part in WHISPER NO LIES, book 3 in my Black Ops. Inc. series.

NT: What was the most memorable reader reaction you’ve received about your books?

CG: I continue to be humbled and amazed by the mail I receive from military families.  Both husbands and wives who have spouses deployed as well as both active duty and retired military personnel.  Let me tell you, nothing tugs harder on my heart than to receive a letter from a soldier or a marine who is deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan who writes to thank me for accurately portraying what they go through before, during and after their tours or duty are over.  I mean – I’m the one who is thankful to them for all they endure!  I’ve had young men tell me that my books have saved their lives because I touched on so many of the things they were feeling and struggling to deal with.  Again, it’s a very humbling experience.

NT: When not busy writing, what do you like to do in your spare time? (If there is such a thing *G*)

CG: I’ve already mentioned travel.  In addition, we have a family cabin in northern Minnesota.  I love spending time up there with family and friends.  Often I work up there but just as often, I make it a stress free zone and just enjoy the beauty – and the laughs when it’s a girls only week at the lake.  I like to go to movies and there are some amazing dramas on TV these days.  I love, for instance, The Closer, Saving Grace, NCIS, Rescue Me, Bones – just to name a few.

NT: What are the latest additions to your TBR? What are you most eager to read?

CG: Again – too many books to count make my TBR stack precariously wobbly.  These days, when I read, it’s mostly research books.  For instance, I’m dying to get to my copy of Killing Pablo – the story of the hunt for Pablo Escobar, the notorious and brutal Colombian drug czar, as I plan to set part of my current work in progress in Colombia.

NT: Any advice to aspiring authors? What craft books helped you that you would recommend to aspiring writers?

CG: You know, I’ve never been one for craft books.  Probably should have been :o) but I learned to write by reading and by trial and error.  I would read and reread favorite books over and over again, searching for clues as to how that author evoked a particular emotion in me, how they developed the relationship between the H/H, how they twisted that plot point into something compelling instead of something predictable.  Then I would try to emulate those techniques and apply the principles to my own work.  It’s always been a lot of hit and misses for me as I work to improve my craft.  I do, however, recommend Bird By Bird, by Anne Lamot for those times when the muse deserts you or energy leaves you or doubt overcomes you.  She never fails to give me something to shore me up and get me lead me back toward productivity.

NT: What can your fans look forward to from you in the near future? What are you working on now?

CG: I’m currently pulling together additional books in my Black Ops, Inc. series.  Hopefully, we’ll have some titles and pub dates in the very near future.

NT: How can readers contact you?

CG: I love for readers to visit my website at www.cindygerard.com.   They can either send me an e-mail or better yet – visit my message boards and leave comments which I always respond to.  I also blog on a regular basis with the amazing and talented crew at www.ridingwiththetopdown.blogspot.com.  It’s a great place to hang out.

*****Leave a comment for the chance to win a book from Cindy’s backlist!

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Michelle Monkou Interview

NT: Hi Michelle! Thank you for interviewing with RRAH. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

MM: I wear several hats as wife and mother, but also as a legislative analyst for a life insurance trade association, and as a romance writer.  I live in Maryland, but was born in England, and grew up in Guyana.  As a child in elementary school, I excelled in reading, which naturally translated into writing my own stories.  Early in the 90s I joined a local RWA chapter and learned the basic craft for writing romantic fiction.  In November 2002, I received my first sale with a two-book contract under Black Entertainment Television’s Arabesque Imprint.  Since then I have written ten books and now am contracted with Harlequin’s Kimani Romance.

NT: When did you know you wanted to be a writer? How long did it take for you to make your first sale?

MM: I always wrote stories and poetry, without a thought about making it a career.  I absolutely love to read, bordering on an addiction for all kinds of books. Some genres are more of my favorite than others  – like women’s fiction and romances.  The dream of being published took shape in the early ’90s when I had a toddler and an infant, attending university at night for my Masters in International Business, and working a day job.  The goal toward getting published moved slowly, but the dream never went away.  In 2001, I finished up my first contemporary book which took about six months to complete.  About three months later, I sold it to BET Books in a two-book deal.  Open Your Heart was published in November 2002 earning an Emma award nomination for Favorite Debut Author.

NT: Is writing a full-time job for you or do you juggle another job?

MM: I have a day job that follows the career path that I simply fell into after I graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor’s in English.  I like the stability of having a day job, including 401Ks and health insurance benefits.  Simple necessities that are not the norm of a writing career, especially in these tough economic times.  The indirect benefit of juggling the day job and the writing career is discipline.  Without the focus and skill of multi-tasking, I couldn’t finish my books on deadline.

NT: You have a new release this month, can you tell us about NO ONE BUT YOU?

MM: No One But You is the first in my Ladies of Distinction series about sorority sisters in post-university life, sharing dreams, experiencing heartache, and looking for love.  This book under Harlequin’s Kimani Romance was released in April 2008.

In college, Jackson Thomas and Sarafina Lovell were joined at the hip—soul mates. Right up until the day he chose his family business over her! Now Jackson is back, and Sara plans to give him one sultry goodbye kiss to prove she’s moved on—until his sizzling kiss awakens memories of passion too hot to ignore.…

Jackson knows he was a fool to let Sara go, and he intends to win her back. To convince her he is still worthy of her love, she’ll need a lot of sweet, sensual loving…and he’ll need a little help from her friends.

NT: What inspired the idea for this story?

MM: My own personal history inspired the premise of the story.  I met my husband in college, then after graduation a few years later, we married.  I remembered how, in college, we would daydream about our lives together and with family.  However, we didn’t have the drama that unfortunately visits so many relationships.  Our relationship went quite smoothly with a happy ever after.  In the story, No One But You, I wanted to shake up the happy, predictability of enamored college sweethearts.  The story poses the WHAT IF question about past loves. What if the only obstacle was timing and with a second chance, this person re-enters your life.  Would you grant that second chance?  Would you be willing to try to recapture that spark?

NT: Which of your characters’ story was the hardest to write? Which was the easiest?

MM: Laura Masterson in Here and Now was the easiest.  The character is a physical therapist who was dumped by her boyfriend for his goal to be an Olympic athlete.  After he is hurt and his career threatened, he comes back into her life.  At the time, before I crafted the story, I had to undergo physical therapy after a car rear ended me.  Research was a breeze.

The hardest character was Omar Masterson in Straight To The Heart because he was my youngest hero, thus far.  There was a fine line between having him go through his angst with finding a job that he could feel passionate and being mature enough to deal with his girlfriend’s issues.

NT: Do you have a writing routine? What is your average writing day like?

MM: Since I have a day job and young teens, I write in the evenings and weekends.  Around 9 p.m., after kids’ homework and their other nightly duties are taken care off, I write.  Then on the weekend, I write for long hours and into the wee hours, especially on Saturday.  I have my jump drive on hand so I can work anywhere there is a computer and I have my Alpha Smart which is so much lighter than my laptop.

NT: Is there any plot/setting/character that you’re dying to write but haven’t yet?

MM: I have a sexy thriller set in the Caribbean with great characters waiting in the wings.  The timing is right in the industry since steamy and hot are in and a thriller allows for some great yucky things to happen to lots of people.

NT: What aspects of your life have you found creeping into your stories?

MM: I don’t tend to hold in my problems.  And I will tell it like it is rather than fester on unspoken issues.  My heroines are not mousy and have that right amount of cynicism toward life and love.  So far, this type of character works for my story and I have personal satisfaction when I hear from readers holding up my heroines as role models.

NT: Is there anyone you use as a sounding board when you’re stuck on a scene?

MM: I use Celeste O. Norfleet or Candice Poarch when I’m stuck on a scene.  Thankfully I can return the favor, too.  But they know my voice and style.  When I explain my story, I have their attention.  They can help me without taking over my story.  If they are not available, then I get my handy writing pad.  Writing long hand tends to keep the wheels moving as I create scenes or the plot, in general.

NT: Who are some of the authors who inspired you when you were still working towards becoming published? Who are some of your favorite authors to read?

MM: Favorite authors include: Nora Roberts, Patricia Gaffney, Candice Poarch, Celeste O. Norfleet, Francis Ray, Donna Hill, Beverly Jenkins.

While I worked toward being published, I listened to authors such as Nora Roberts, read Kristin Hannah, and enjoyed authors of the line that I was aiming for, such as Donna Hill, Robyn Amos, Rochelle Alers, Shirley Hailstock.

NT: What was the most interesting thing you had to research and what was the hardest thing to research?

MM: The most interesting topic I researched was the history of the underground railroad.  I wanted a bed and breakfast (Finders Keepers) to be the central meeting point for the characters.  A safehouse used in the underground railroad provided the perfect haven for souls seeking freedom.  The house was not only a refuge, but a place to grow strength for the continued journey.  This “character” in the story was needed by the heroine and hero.

NT: What was the most memorable reader reaction you’ve received about your books?

MM: It might sound trite, but each reader’s letter touches me because most of all the person took the time to write me.  I’ve had a soldier from Iraq who shared his enjoyment of my story.  Unfortuately he died before I could respond.  God bless him.  I’ve had letters from prison.  I’ve heard from young girls who feel as if the story talked to their hearts.

NT: When not busy writing, what do you like to do in your spare time? (If there is such a thing *G*)

MM: In my spare time, I enjoy watching movies.  British comedies are fantastic.  I usually try to catch up on my reading.  Sometimes just hanging out with friends with no looming deadlines is a great way to wind down.

NT: What are the latest additions to your TBR? What are you most eager to read?

MM: Celeste O. Norfleet is one of my favorite authors.  Anything she writes, I have in my library.  Thankfully, she’s prolific.

When Love Calls – Celeste Norfleet

Riding the Rails – Kimberly Kaye Terry

Sweeter Than Honey – Mary Morrison

NT: Any advice to aspiring authors? What craft books helped you that you would recommend to aspiring writers?

MM: Aspiring authors don’t lose heart.  Keep supportive, healthy minded people around you.  I attended writing workshops.  I didn’t tend to read too many craft books.  At some point, you need to follow your instinct.  Too much information can be crippling or contradictory.  Most of all, you have to write to be a writer.  You have to complete the book to be an author.  An editor needs actual work in her hands before she can award you with the prize of being published.

NT: What can your fans look forward to from you in the near future? What are you working on now?

MM: Gamble On Love, the second book in the Ladies of Distinction series, is due out in October 2008.  This book is filled with drama and loads of sexy.  Readers will not be disappointed.

At the moment, I’m writing the third book – Only In Paradise set on a tropical island.  We’ll see if rules of employment between boss and employee will stand to keep them apart.  Somehow I don’t think so.  Only In Paradise will be released in 2009.

NT: How can readers contact you?

MM: Readers can contact via email at michellemonkou@comcast.net.  Visit my website at http://michellemonkou.com for updates, along with http://myspace.com/michellemonkou.  For those who prefer using snail mail, my post office box is P.O. Box 2904, Laurel, MD  20709.

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Bronwyn Jameson Interview

Amnesia had stolen millionaire businessman Donovan Keane’s memory. But one look at treacherous beauty Susannah Horton, and Van could picture every delicious detail of the weekend they’d spent in his bed. She’d staged their affair to ruin an important deal—a deal about to go to her fiancé. Not that Van would let that happen. During one hot night, he’d destroy her engagement, take back the deal and walk away with all the memories he’d need. Good thing, because he’d never be able to get her out of his mind.

NT: Hi Bron! Thank you for interviewing with RRAH. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

BJ: My pleasure. I’m ever so chuffed to be here at Novel Thoughts for the first time. A little about me: I’m an Aussie wife, mother and farmer, who loves horses, reading, movies, reality TV and cruising blogs. In my spare time I write sensually rich romance for Silhouette Desire. Most of my 14 books to date have been set in Australia, and whether they’re more at home in a city suit or cattleman’s books my heroes are all tough guys with heart.

NT: When did you know you wanted to be a writer? How long did it take for you to make your first sale?

BJ: Growing up I didn’t know it was possible to make a career from writing (other than as a journalist, which I did work as for a time.) I started writing my first book on my 40th birthday, after reading a magazine article several months earlier on “how to be the next Barbara Cartland.” I didn’t want the pink ruffles, but I loved the idea of making up the kind of stories I loved to read. I fell in love with romance writing that first day but it took me 5 years to make the first sale.

NT: Is writing a full-time job for you or do you juggle another job?

BJ: See question one.

NT: You have TYCOON’S ONE-NIGHT REVENGE out this month. Tell us about it.

BJ: Tycoon’s One-Night Revenge tells the story of Susannah, who runs away on the eve of a very convenient marriage to Mr. Perfect after receiving a mysterious voicemail. Donovan Keane, a blast from her past, is threatening to expose the truth behind her “perfect” arrangement. Susannah and Van spent a torrid weekend together before he disappeared, leaving her hurt and vulnerable to this business merger marriage which will save her business…and also vulnerable to his accusations. When a wild storm traps Susannah and Van at a wilderness resort, she misses her own wedding and is forced to face the secrets of that previous weekend with Van.

NT: What inspired the idea for this book?

BJ: Two things. Firstly, Susannah was a secondary character in a previous book, The Ruthless Groom. I received a lot of mail asking for her story and I wanted to tell it, to give her side of the runaway bride’s story. Secondly, a friend’s son lost a piece of memory after an accident and I always thought that would be a cool element to use in a story. What if the missing memory included a night in a woman’s bed…and he had no recollection? (Not my friend’s son, I hasten to add, but my fictional character.) When I was working out why Susannah ran away and the “mystery man’s” story, the amnesia fit well. Not complete forget-everything amnesia, but a piece of time completely blacked out in Donovan’s memory.

NT: Which of your characters’ story was the hardest to write? Which was the easiest?

BJ: I don’t even have to think about this. Tycoon’s One-Night Revenge is the most difficult book I’ve ever written for a number of reasons, the major one being that I didn’t plan it while writing The Ruthless Groom. I had to write this story around the established events and timeline of that book, and turn Susannah into a heroine in her own book. A lesson learned: plan for sequels, don’t write them as afterthoughts!

By contrast the easiest was The Ruthless Groom, the third book in my Princes of the Outback trilogy. I wrote the 3 brothers’ books back-to-back and by the time I got to Alex’s book I knew the characters so well and the story I wanted to tell — it just flowed. Wish that happened more often!

NT: Do you have a writing routine? What is your average writing day like?

BJ: My routine is to potter around doing a bit here and a bit there before going into a complete panic when I realise I have to write three-quarters of a book in a couple of weeks. I wish I could be a five-page-a-day writer, every day — no, wait, I wish I were a twenty-page-a-day writer, every day — but it seems I need to work my way into a story, to get to know the characters and the essence of their story, before I can write strongly and ever more quickly toward the end.

NT: Is there any plot/setting/character that you’re dying to write but haven’t yet?

BJ: Always. It’s the next one, the one I’m not writing now, and it’s always a brilliant, enticing, shiny new geegaw that distracts me from my current story. Apart from that: I’d like to write a thriller one day, something taut and hot (the story, not the hero.)

NT: What aspects of your life have you found creeping into your stories?

BJ: Mostly that would be the insecurities of my heroines, the fact that they all have secret fears and vulnerabilities beneath the sophisticated or confident or capable veneers. I think a lot of readers relate to that — at least, I hope so. The other thing is my Australian settings, the colours and texture of the Australian way of life, and a bit of the language as well. Readers tell me that enjoy the little quirks of our language, things I don’t even notice when I’m writing.

NT: Is there anyone you use as a sounding board when you’re stuck on a scene?

BJ: I have a couple of very good brainstorming buddies — Yvonne Lindsay and Trish Morey — who I sometimes run a problem by. They’re a fab help; and sometimes just the process of articulating the problem leads to a solution.

NT: Who are some of the authors who inspired you when you were still working towards becoming published? Who are some of your favourite authors to read?

BJ: My inspirations when I started out where the fabulous Australian and New Zealand category romance authors who were (and still are!)huge on the international stage. Emma Darcy, Helen Bianchin, Miranda Lee, Susan Napier, Robyn Donald. They were proof that this was possible, even from this far corner of the world.

My favourites to read are those whose stories I lose myself in time after time: Linda Howard, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Barbara Samuel, Loretta Chase, Judith Ivory.

NT: What was the most interesting thing you had to research and what was the hardest thing to research?

BJ: Most interesting: the world of diamonds for the Diamonds Down Under continuity series (out now!) link: www.diamonds-downunder.com

Hardest: another continuity project, The Bought-And-Paid-For-Wife, not only because it’s set in moneyed, exclusive Connecticut (a long way from home in every sense) but also because of my character’s backstory which resonated on a personal level; it was difficult to research and VERY difficult to write about.

NT: What was the most memorable reader reaction you’ve received about your books?

BJ: I love every reader letter I receive; it’s hard to single out one. One that does stick in my mind, I think because it was very early in my career, was from a reader who wrote to tell me about arriving home after a particularly horrendous day at a job she hated. She found my book she’d won in a website contest in her mailbox. I’d gift-wrapped it prettily, included a couple of extra little things, and it was like a gift of sunshine on the grimmest day. I love that she was able to walk in her front door that evening with a smile on her face, and then she could lose herself in the fantasy world of my book.

NT: When not busy writing, what do you like to do in your spare time? (If there is such a thing *G*)

BJ: See first question.

NT: What are the latest additions to your TBR? What are you most eager to read?

BJ: I’ve just started Anne Gracie’s The Stolen Princess which I’m enjoying immensely. I’m looking forward to Anna Campbell’s Untouched and also to reading all the books in the Diamonds Down Under continuity. We came up with the original idea, plotted the continuity elements together, put the whole package together, and it’s going to be such fun to see how each book turned out.

NT: Any advice to aspiring authors? What craft books helped you that you would recommend to aspiring writers?

BJ: I suspect I have read half the craft books ever published, but I’m not going to recommend any because what worked for me may not work for the next person. What I will say to aspiring writers is, read the books, read the articles, listen to the workshops, and take from each what works for YOU. There is no rule that says you MUST do things a certain way; I say there are no rules, just tools. Find what works for you; what makes you a happy and confident writer. And I think the best tools are reading widely and voraciously (and reading actively, absorbing the magic but also identifying why the story and the characters work for you as a reader) and writing, writing, writing.

NT: What can your fans look forward to from you in the near future? What are you working on now?

BJ: For 2009 I have a pair of closely connected books, as yet untitled, that involve a sister swap, the wrong brother, a Cinderella makeover, a British billionaire with a James Bond voice and an Aston Martin, settings in Belgravia and Paris and the south of France, a wedding at a glorious country estate, polo and art and opera and shopping. The research was more fun than should be legal and I an now addicted to Tatler magazine! To make use of all my copies, I am thinking of extending the series with two spinoffs.

NT: How can readers contact you?

BJ: Via my website at www.bronwynjameson.com.

**Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of TYCOON’S ONE-NIGHT REVENGE!

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