Fireworks, Romance Anthology, Interview Michal Scott
Give a warm welcome to Michal Scott a/k/a Anna Taylor Sweringen one of the authors of FIreworks, a romance anthology. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Anna and Fireworks, A Romance Anthology, specifically her contribution, Light the FIre Again.
What makes you laugh out loud?
Excellently executed slapstick. Even when I see what’s coming it’s experienced as a surprise. One movie that does this perfectly is It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World. I’ve seen it a hundred times and never fail to laugh at all the jokes as if seeing them for the first time.
Tell us something about yourself and allow us to get to know you
I’m a retired protestant minister who writes in three different romance genres: inspirational, gothic and erotic but focused around the second chance trope and the theme of forgiveness. This past year I’ve thrown my hat into the women’s fiction ring as well with an African-American adaptation of Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle operas. I’m native New Yorker, raised in Brooklyn from the time I was two and lived there for sixty years. My favorite thing to do was sit on the Promenade in Brooklyn Heights. I relocated to the Southwest two years ago with my husband of thirty years and our two cats, Scully and L’il Cat. Since we have no children, my mom calls them her grandcats.
What secret do you use to blast through writer’s block?
I outline my stories using the templates from Mary Buckham and Diana Love’s Break Into Fiction. When I’m blocked, I refer to the template that applies to that place in the story. The questions provided never fail to blast me into action.
Why do you write what you write?
As Michal Scott I write erotic historical romance set in the 1800’s because I’ve always loved history and appreciate the resilience demonstrated by freeborn African-Americans and those newly freed as they fought for their share of the American dream. I write at steamy and erotic heat levels because the power of the erotic mimics the power that created the universe and I want to tap into that power whenever possible.
What’s your approach to writing? Are you a plotter or follow your characters flow (Pantser)?
I’m an anal retentive plotter. I always start out asking the question “What if…” then plot and develop my characters like I’m on steroids.
SPEED ROUND FOR A LITTLE ADDED FUN:
Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>
Favorite movie: Notorious
Favorite book: Topaz by Beverly Jenkins
Last book read: The Money Man by Nancy Herkness
Favorite color: Black
Stilettos or flipflops: Flipflops
Coffee or tea: Tea
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: Paperback
Pencil or pen: Pen
Favorite song: God of Grace and God of Glory
Streak or not: Not
Favorite dessert: Apple pie
Favorite junk food: Mint chocolate Smashmallows
Favorite thing to do to relax: Watch old movies
Champagne or gin: Yeech. Neither.
Paranormal or Historical: Historical
Wonder Woman or Top Model: Wonder Woman
Favorite TV show: Law and Order
Hot or cold: Hot
POV: Third
I’d die if I don’t have: Love
Review or Not: Review
Immerse yourself in the seven explosive romance stories of Fireworks: A Passionate Ink Romance Anthology:
Light the Fire Again by Michal Scott
Butterfly’s Fire by Lyla Bellatas
The Glory Girl by Cindy Redding
Lie to Me by Jennifer Kayne
Passionate Pyrotechnics by C.E. Derosier
Illegal by Barbara Campbell
Love and Two Fourths by Jane Colt
All proceeds go to support the adult literacy organization ProLiteracy, so support a good cause while you enjoy some great sex.
A sneak peek between the pages of Light the FIre Again:
Even at night Coney Island’s boardwalk on the Fourth of July swarmed with people, strolling, buying from vendors, heading for the beach. Firecrackers crackled and popped, eliciting surprised screams and plenty of giggles. Children ran to and fro waving sparklers. Fireworks, small and sporadic, burst against the sky then died into the Atlantic.
Adelaide laid her head against Hero’s shoulder and watched it all with a tired but happy satisfaction.
She yawned. “I guess we picked the wrong night to consummate our love.”
Love. She’d actually said it. A frisson of fear pricked at the base of her skull. Had Hero said he loved her? She didn’t recall love among the litany of wants Hero had spoken that won her heart.
She looked into his eyes, studied his face for a reaction to the four letter word.
“Not the wrong night. Just the wrong place.” He smiled. Love, warm and welcoming, shone in his gaze. “I know just where to take you so our love making can have the privacy we deserve.”
Her stomach lurched with joy, but fear still chilled a small part of her heart. A small part yet large enough to make her quake. She needed to hear him say it, so she said it first.
“I love you, Hero.”
Buy links:
Fireworks: A Passionate Ink Romance Anthology – https://amzn.to/2Utag6T
About the Author:
A recent transplant to the Southwest from New York, Michal Scott is the erotic romance pen name of Anna Taylor Sweringen, a retired United Church of Christ and Presbyterian Church USA minister. Anna has been writing seriously since joining Romance Writers of America in 2003. She also writes inspirational romance as Anna Taylor and women’s fiction and gothic romance as Anna M. Taylor.
author links:
Website – https://michalscott.webs.com
Twitter – https://twitter.com/mscottauthor1
Amazon Author Page – https://amzn.to/2TSHzRn
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Fireworks!
Views: 0
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Anna Taylor Sweringen, FIreworks, Light the FIre Again, Michal Scott, Romance Anthology by Tena Stetler with 13 comments.
Rainbow Sprinkles by D.V. Stone
Give a warm welcome to D.V. Stone, author of Rainbow Sprinkles, One Scoop or Two Series by The Wild Rose Press. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about DV and her Rainbow Sprinkles. Great to have you DV. I see you’ve brought a guest.
Yes, this is Gloriana Jones from Rainbow Sprinkles.
Nice to meet you Gloriana! Got time for a few questions?
“Sure.”
Ok lets start with, who are you really?
Tell us three things we’d find if we looked under your bed?
Usually nothing. But when Nathan came over for our first date I was in such a panic, that I kicked all my discarded outfits under there. Maybe some dust bunnies.
What makes you laugh out loud?
Basset Hounds especially my neighbor’s woeful pair Fred and Sadie
What makes you angry?
When people are careless of others’ feelings. Especially when they say mean things and follow it with It’s just a joke or I was kidding. Passive-aggressive behavior is a hot button of mine
What do you sleep in at night?
Girl, I’m a woman of a certain age. Your body changes. When I was young I was always cold. Now a cami and boxers
Who were the biggest role models in your life?
My late husband, Frank. His joy in life was making other people happy. My other is my best friend Lt. Janet. She showed me how a woman could do a tough job with grace and dignity.
What kind of man do you want to spend the rest of your life with?
Nathan James. He is kind and sweet. A little bit awkward but he makes me laugh.
What kind of man would you never choose?
I don’t care for someone who is bossy or thinks a woman should be secondary. I also don’t believe in the 50/50 idea in relationships. Both sides need to give 100% as much as possible and then be understanding when their partner falls short occasionally.
What is most important to you in life?
ICE CREAM! Lol, but it is important. Honesty, integrity, kindness, and faith.
What is your biggest fear?
Spiders, I even hate talking about them. I also worry about my business.
DV, Tell us a little about writing this story. Was it fun or difficult? Do your characters always act as you expect? Are you a plotter, or fly (write) by the seat of your pants?
My publisher, Wild Rose Press called for short beach read types of stories with ice cream as the main ingredient. The name Gloriana Jones was rolling around my mind. Since I have experience with owning my own ice cream place it was a match made in heaven… or a least over the Rainbow.
Thank you both so much for stopping by. How about telling us a little about Rainbow Sprinkles? I just love that title! LOL
After the rain comes the rainbows.
Retired from the Department of Corrections, Gloriana Jones is forging on with the plans she and her now-deceased husband dreamed of—bringing joy and happiness one ice cream cone at a time to Lake Unami. Bad weather is drowning her dream, though. Rainbow Sprinkles is losing money. Gloriana wonders how she and the shop will survive.
A trip to upstate NY to see his first granddaughter is bittersweet for Nathan James. Without his wife, he’s lonely. Though he is filling his days with work as a private business consultant, he’s left empty and unfulfilled. When his car breaks down, the only light he sees is coming from an ice cream shop on the boardwalk.
With the aid of two guardian angels, electricity sparks, but will the two weather the summer storms and find love a second time? Or will all their hopes and dreams melt away?
A sneak peek between the pages of Rainbow Sprinkles.
“Do you mind if I wait until the tow truck gets here?” He plucked the wet shirt away from his chest with the long fingers of one tanned hand. “It must be electrical, even the radio stopped working.”
“No, you’re welcome to hang around as long as you need.” Gloriana riffled through a cardboard box under the counter, pulled out an extra-large t-shirt, and tossed it to him. “Here you go. The restroom is through there.”
Mr. Gorgeous beamed a perfect toothy smile. “Thanks. I’ll be right back.”
When he disappeared into the hallway, and the door clicked shut, Gloriana fanned her face. What the hot fudge was wrong with her? “Coffee. Make coffee.”
Buy Links
About the Author:
Hi, my name is D. V. Stone. Rainbow Sprinkles, a contemporary romance, is available now. I host Welcome to the Campfire, a weekly blog. I am also a multi-genre author of two independently published books. Felice, Shield-Mates of Dar is a fantasy romance. Agent Sam Carter and the Mystery at Branch Lake is a mid-grade paranormal. Oh, and Rockhouse Grill. Here’s a little more about me.
Born in Brooklyn, D.V. Stone has moved around a bit and even lived for a time on a dairy farm in Minnesota before moving back east. Throughout her wandering, she always considered herself a Jersey Girl. She met and married the love of her life, Pete—a lifelong Jersey Man, and moved this time to Sussex County. They live with Hali, a mixed breed adopted from the local shelter and their cat Baby.
D.V.’s career path varied from working with the disabled to become a volunteer EMT, which in turn led to working in hospital emergency rooms and then in a women’s state prison. After a few years, she took a break from medicine and became the owner of Heavenly Brew, a specialty coffee shop in Sparta NJ, and a small restaurant in Lafayette. Life handed some setbacks, and she ended up back in the medical field, but this time in a veterinary emergency hospital.
During the poor economy, she was laid–off from a long-time position she cared about. Devastated, D.V. wondered what to do with her life. Finding comfort in her love of reading, she realized it was now time to follow her dream of writing. It’s been a long road but worth every minute of it. Now a published author, she also works in a people medical office again.
“Thank you for taking the time to read about me. Each time you open the pages to one of my books, I hope you’ll be swept away by the story and find encouragement in your own life, never to give up on hope.” D.V. Stone
Website Facebook Twitter Instagram
Pinterest Bookbub Goodreads Newsletter
Welcome to the Campfire Blog Amazon Author Page
It’s been great having you with us today. Good luck with Rainbow Sprinkles!
Views: 1
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged D.V. Stone, Fantasy Romance, One Scoop Or Two Series, Rainbow Sprinkles by Tena Stetler with 21 comments.
A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING – 99 Cent Sale – #MFRWHooks
For #MFRWhooks this week I’m celebrating Christmas in July with 99 cent Sale on A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING! from the award winning A Witch’s Journey Series. A small town paranormal romance/mystery. It’s down to the wire, will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans? Then Lathen’s covert military mission threatens life as he knows it. Torn in too many directions will Pepper and Lathen make it to the alter?
So pull up a chair and get comfy, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about A Witch’s Holiday Wedding!
A bit about A Witch’s Holiday Wedding:
Elemental witch, Pepper McKay and former Navy SEAL, Lathen Quartz have built Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on enchanted McKay land. During a romantic interlude on Halloween night, Pepper happily agrees to become Lathen’s wife. What better day than Winter Solstice for their wedding in a town that loves celebrations and Christmas. However, planning a wedding and operating their wildlife center takes a toll on both Pepper and Lathen.
When the couple takes a much-needed break for Thanksgiving with family in Colorado, a Maine snowstorm fills the center with injured wildlife. Lathen finds himself drawn into a covert military mission, while trying to deal with issues concerning friends and family. Pepper wants to cancel the wedding. Is she having second thoughts? Will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans?
A sneak peek between the pages of A Witch’s Holiday Wedding: The hook.
Half an hour later, Lathen turned the truck onto the gravel drive to the cabin, slowed, and stared at the dark SUV parked in front of the cabin. Slowly he guided the truck behind the vehicle, noticing that the plates were government issue. What the hell is this?
Pepper leaned forward in her seat. “What’s a government SUV doing sitting in front of our home?”
“Maybe it’s the DIFW,” Lathen said hopefully. He turned off the headlights and cut the engine. The doors opened on the SUV, and four men in suits stepped out and waited.
Oh shit, this doesn’t bode well. He recognized one of the men, Lt. Commander Raymond Sale. Lathen jumped out of the truck as Pepper opened her door. “Pepper, why don’t you go on inside, let Tonk and Ember out, but keep them close. I’ll just be a minute.”
Pepper glanced from the men and back to Lathen. She opened her mouth to protest, but he shook his head and glanced toward the cabin where he could hear Tonk and Ember barking. For a beat he watched Pepper turn and walk the path to the cabin. He turned his attention to the men standing in the driveway.
Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.
Views: 0
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged #MFRWHooks, A Witch's Holiday Wedding, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Suspense, Tena Stetler, wildlife rescue, Witches by Tena Stetler with 4 comments.
A Witch’s Holiday Wedding #MFRWHooks
For #MFRWhooks this week I’m celebrating Christmas in July with A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING! from the award winning A Witch’s Journey Series. A small town paranormal romance/mystery. It’s down to the wire, will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans? Then Lathen’s covert military mission threatens life as he knows it. Torn in too many directions will Pepper and Lathen make it to the alter?
So pull up a chair and get comfy, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about A Witch’s Holiday Wedding!
Click on the cover to read more or purchase.
A bit about A Witch’s Holiday Wedding:
Elemental witch, Pepper McKay and former Navy SEAL, Lathen Quartz have built Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on enchanted McKay land. During a romantic interlude on Halloween night, Pepper happily agrees to become Lathen’s wife. What better day than Winter Solstice for their wedding in a town that loves celebrations and Christmas. However, planning a wedding and operating their wildlife center takes a toll on both Pepper and Lathen.
When the couple takes a much-needed break for Thanksgiving with family in Colorado, a Maine snowstorm fills the center with injured wildlife. Lathen finds himself drawn into a covert military mission, while trying to deal with issues concerning friends and family. Pepper wants to cancel the wedding. Is she having second thoughts? Will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans?
A sneak peek between the pages of A Witch’s Holiday Wedding: The hook.
After she set her glass down, Lathen brushed a couple strands of hair out of her eyes and searched her face. “Are you all right?”
“I’m tired, my wedding is in a couple weeks, I have ghosts fighting over who is going to do what. Guests that have no idea the place is haunted and… Your family and pack, my parents, Gwen… To top it all off, the head of my clan, who is a ghost, is sitting in front of me wanting to know who is coming to the wedding and whether the ghosts will be outed. How could I possibly be all right?”
“When you put it that way.” Lathen chuckled. “It sounds just a bit… I don’t know…crazy?” His right eyebrow winged up. She saw mischief sparkle in his eyes. “We could still elope,” he offered.
Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.
Views: 0
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Witch's Holiday Wedding, Christmas In July, magic, Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Tena Stetler by Tena Stetler with 3 comments.
