Interview Anita Kidesu Author of Surprise, Surprise!
Give a warm welcome to Anita Kidesu , author of Surprise, Surprise. 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 Anita’s Surprise, Surprise!
What inspired this particular story? “Surprise, Surprise” is a continuing story in the “Surprise” series. The first book was a short story for my publisher based on a candy heart I was given, “Surprise Me.” That short story turned into a book, “Surprise Me Again.” The couple in the story have identical twin sons, that I felt needed their own story, so “Surprise, Surprise,” was born.
Why do you write what you write? I need to explain that I also write under my real name, Tina Susedik. Under that name, I write romantic mysteries. But for some reason when I write as Anita Kidesu, my stories all end up as menage. I have no idea why since it has never been my lifestyle. One of my brothers says I’m weird.
You’ve got a time machine, a cloak of invisibility, and one hour. Where would you go, and what eavesdropping would you do? That’s a tough one. I’d love to go back and see my grandparents in Germany when they were young. I’ve always been intrigued by Abraham Lincoln. It would be interesting to see him write the Gettysburg Address. Or eavesdrop on our Founding Fathers as they worked through creating our country.
What’s your favorite part of being an author? Creating characters and putting them in interesting situations. I also like to see where my stories are going to end up. Then there’s the research for my historicals.
What’s your approach to writing? Are you a plotter or follow your characters’ flow (Pantser) I’m a Pantser through and through. I get an idea for a story, have a general idea where it’s going to go, then let the characters take over. Sometimes it’s fun, other times, it can be a pain when they won’t talk to you.
Favorite movie: None
Favorite book: Knight in Shining Armour
Last Book read: The Winter Sister
Favorite color: Blue and yellow
Stilettos or flipflops – flipflops
Coffee or tea: Tea
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: Ebook and paperback
Pencil or pen: pen
Favorite Song: Thank You by Led Zepplin
Streak or not: NOT
Favorite junk food: M&Ms
Favorite thing to do to relax: Jigsaw puzzles
Champagne or gin: champagne
Wonder Woman or Top Model: Neither
Favorite TV show: Big Bang Theory
Hot or cold: Hot
POV: Third person
I’d die if I don’t have: My family
Review or not: Review
Tell us a little about Surprise, Surprise.
Identical twins Jon and Matt Sandberg have each met the woman of their dreams—Jon while signing up for a cruise; Matt at a book convention. But when they discover they’ve fallen for the same mysterious woman, neither wants to let her go. They’ve shared a woman before, but Reenie is more than a passing fantasy. She’s so much more and could end up driving a wedge between their brotherly bond.
Registered Nurse Reenie Anatole is seeing double. At least, that’s what she thinks until she realizes she’s been sleeping with two men–twin hotties who have stroked her to magical heights of pleasure…separately. The situation leaves her embarrassed and infuriated until she learns their meeting was a fluke, and neither of her lovers knew. Now, she can’t help but be intrigued by the thought that two men might be better than one.
A peek between the pages of Surprise, Surprise.
“Wow.” Sally interrupted her friend and aimed her drink to a table across the room. “Would you get a load of those two guys. What a sexy pair.”
“What two guys?” Reenie picked up her glass and faced the direction Sally pointed.
“Those two. The twins. They. Are. Gorgeous.”
In the past, Sally had shown an interest in sex with two men—especially with twins. Reenie never quite understood it but had to admit reading ménage stories were a real turn-on. She looked across the room at a tall man standing by a table. All the oxygen in her lungs escaped. She swore time stood still as her heart stopped. Grabbing Sally’s arm, she gasped.
“Oh, my God. It’s him.”
Sally frowned. “Him, who?”
“Bart, the guy I’ve been telling you about.”
“You mean that tall guy by the table over there.” Sally nodded her head toward the man. “The one who looks as if he wants to devour you?”
Reenie’s raised her glass to her lips and met the man’s eyes. With her stomach flipping and her core springing to life, all she could was nod.
Sally nudged her in the side. “Or the identical one sitting at the table? Who, by-the-way, looks as if he wants to devour you, too”
Lowering her drink, Reenie glanced from the man standing to the man sitting. Both were staring at her. Both were… They couldn’t be… They… Shit. There were two of them. Two Barts. Her stomach rolled. Her drink threatened to rise to her throat. Which one had she slept with? If she’d had sex—make that incredible sex—with them both, did they know it?
The standing Bart was frowning at the sitting one. Now the sitting one rose and faced the other one. It seemed as if their exchange was getting heated. Oh, lord. That could only mean she’d been with both of them and neither one had known about it.
“There can’t be.”
“Can’t be what?” Sally asked, taking Reenie’s glass from her hand. “Shit, friend. You look as if you’re seeing a ghost.”
“Not a ghost. Two ghosts.” Reenie grabbed Sally’s hand and pulled her toward the door. “We need to get out of here.”
Sally yanked her hand from Reenie’s. “No way, girl. This is getting interesting.”
If she couldn’t leave, could she hide under the table or behind Sally? Maybe if she acted like nothing weird, life altering, and utterly embarrassing was happening, she could get Sally to leave with her. “What do you mean?”
“First, those two hunks are staring at you like they want you on the menu tonight. Then you act as if your life is about to end, and now they look ready to beat each other up. Even if that doesn’t seem interesting to you, it sure as hell does to me.”
Keeping her eyes averted from the Barts, or whatever their names were since she couldn’t imagine any parent giving their twins the same name, she listened to Sally give a blow-by-blow description of how the men were now nose to nose, each pushing a finger into the other’s chest.
“They’re coming over here,” Sally whispered, sending Reenie into a panic.
Reenie took a step toward the back of the bar and the women’s bathroom.
Sally grabbed her elbow. “Not so fast. Something happened between you and those guys, and I expect to find out what.”
Before Reenie could think of a way to get out of here, the men stood before her—Bart one and Bart two. Now that they were side-by-side, she noticed the difference. Bart two, the one from Chicago had a tiny scar at the corner of his bottom lip, whereas, the other one didn’t. Chicago Bart and office Bart. Even though she was mortified to know she’d slept with them both, she was even more mortified when her system spiked to life.
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Surprise, Surprise!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Anita Kidesu, Romance, Surprise by Tena Stetler with 10 comments.
Guest Post Jean M. Grant Author of A Hundred Breaths
Give a warm welcome to Jean M. Grant, author of A Hundred Breaths. Jean and her book share the same birthday. TODAY! Yippee!! Wish her a happy birthday and 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 Jean and A Hundred Breaths! Take it away Jean!
Exploring the Silver Veil
The Silver Veil is my primary paranormal element in the series. Loosely based on ancient Scottish culture and lore books, I delved into the world of The Silver Folk, or Ancients. I created a culture that could have very well existed, that utilized natural powers accessed across a veil between this world and the next. Healers harnessed their ability by their conduit of water. Feelers heightened their aura-sensing and emotion-feeling through fire. Seers experienced visions whispered on the wind. All three gifts found root in Mother Earth.
The Ancients of the isles are written as having been present in the isles for centuries. They pray at the circles of stones, but who or what built them is still a mystery. Heavily influenced by the Norse raiders, over time they have assigned Norse god names to their powers of Water, Fire, Wind, and Earth. Who has these abilities? Some, but not all. How strong are their powers? It depends on the person. The abilities are inherited, but who, what, and how intense the power is up to the gods.
In all three of the books of the soon-to-be trilogy, there is a clash and blend of cultures and religion: Christianity in the Scots (along with a hefty dose of superstition), the gods of the Norse culture, and lastly, the spirituality of the Ancients.
With any special ability, there are those who wish to do harm, though all the Ancients I’ve written (so far) use their gifts for good. However, there are drawbacks to these abilities…curses and “side effects.” You’ll need to read on in each of the books to see how our protagonists overcome these deficits and harness the inner power within them…
Speed Round Just for Fun and learn a bit about Jean.
1.What is your favorite book of all time? Outlander
- Where do you relax to read? Bed, couch
- What sound drives you right up a wall? Arguing children
- What sound relaxes you? Old-time crooners
- Favorite drink? Coffee & Coffee
- Walking in the sand, shoes or barefoot? Barefoot
- Favorite pet: My cats!
- Snow? Love or hate? Dislike
- Doing ________ is like nailing jello to the wall. Herding children
- Rock and Roll, Country, Jazz or Classical? Rock & Roll
- What can’t you leave the house without? Lip balm
- Calendar or not; Paper or electronic? Yes, paper!
- Favorite place to write. Desk, coffee shop
- What is your decadent indulgent? Anything sweet
- You’ve just won $1,000.00, you have only 24 hours to spend it, so what will you buy? Ticket to New Zealand
- Plotter or panster? Plotter first
- Introvert or extrovert? Extroverted Introvert
- Flight or fight? Situation dependent
- Favorite Monster? Loch Ness Monster
- Magic or Not? Definitely
A little about A Hundred Breaths:
Healing his heart…with her last breath.
1263, Scotland
Simon MacCoinneach’s vengeance runs deep. The blade is the only way to end the blood-thirsty Nordmen’s reign upon Scottish soil. His soul might be lost, but the mystical Healer he kidnaps from the isles could be the answer for his ailing mother…and his heart.
Isles-born Gwyn reluctantly agrees to a marriage alliance with this heathen Scot in return for the sanctuary of her younger brother from her abusive Norse father. Her brother’s condition is beyond the scope of her Ancient power, for larger healings steal breaths of life from her own body.
As Simon and Gwyn fight to outwit her madman father and a resentful Norse betrothed, Gwyn softens Simon’s heart with each merciful touch. Gwyn’s Seer sister foresees a bloody battle—and an end to the Nordmen—but Simon will also die. Will Gwyn save Simon on the battlefield even if it means losing her last breath?
A peek between the pages of A Hundred Breaths!
She breathed two deep life-giving breaths.
Pull breath from my body.
Heal this man with my own breath.
A thermal life filled her fingertips as she clasped the Healer’s stone in her pocket. For something small, water was not necessary. However, if left unattended, it
could and would kill.
The man faltered but didn’t move from her light grasp. Wind rustled her hair as Eir surrounded her. Unlike her mother, she never plaited it for healing. She liked to feel Eir’s fingers upon her and the fiery rush of healing as it flowed through her arms to the injured person, as the wind lifted her hair, announcing its presence.
“What the—?” He drew in a sharp breath.
She mouthed the rest of the chant, invoking the goddess’s power. She moved closer to him, their bodies an intimate—and stirring—distance apart. His nearness captured her breath, and not just from the healing.
“What are you doing?” His words said one thing while his body said another. He didn’t step away. His breathing hitched and then steadied.
“It’s not the devil’s works,” she clipped.
“Then what in the devil are you saying? That’s not Norse.”
She ignored him. He placed a gentle, nearly sedated hand on her free arm in protest, but he did nothing. Her healing had a way of stunning and spellbinding her charges. It was working.
A long moment passed. She opened her eyes and stepped back, releasing her hold. He let go of her other arm and immediately reached to touch the wound. Her stomach twisted as she broke from the enchantment. This was her father’s enemy, a murderer. Finished with her prayer, she stepped away, hit with coldness.
Buy Links:
Amazon, Barnes&Noble Kobo and Google Play
About the Author:
I write historical and contemporary romance, women’s fiction, and travel magazine articles. I love sharks and microbes, and have degrees in Marine Science, Biology, Microbiology, and Immunology…but now…I write. 😊. I love flowers so much, and have multiple gardens, that I baby-talk to them in the spring and summer to encourage growth.
Social Media links:
Website https://www.jeanmgrant.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/JeanGrant05
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jeanmgrantauthor/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16582543.Jean_M_Grant
Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jean-m-grant
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Jean-M.-Grant/e/B0728KFXP9/
It was wonderful having you with us today. Thank you for celebrating your birthdays with us! Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with A Hundred Breaths!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Hunddred Breaths, Historical Romance, Jean M Grant, magic, Scotland, The Silver Veil by Tena Stetler with 11 comments.
Interview Debbie Peterson Author of Heart of the Storm
Give a warm welcome to Debbie Peterson, author of HEART OF THE STORM!
This is a tough question for me because I fall in love with all of my characters. How can you not when you spend so much time with them? HOWEVER… if I must name an all time favorite it would be Sir Cailen Braithnoch, the ghostly Scottish Knight from Spirit of the Knight. He is brave, strong, loyal, captivating and quite charming. When this man wants something, he doesn’t let anything or anyone stand in the way of him getting it, regardless of the impossibility of the task. He will find a way!
Still, I feel I must also tell you that the character of Wolf Dircksen Van Ness, our hero in the Heart of the Storm, is a mere heartbeat behind Sir Cailen when it comes to my favorite characters. In fact, the only reason Sir Cailen wins the contest is because he speaks with that incredible Scottish brogue of his that just melts me all the way down to my toes (which, by the way, Dawson McBride captures perfectly in the audio version of this book).
Why do you write what you write? e. Contemporary, paranormal, suspense, etc.
I love stories where love conquers all despite overwhelming odds and obstacles. In the paranormal setting, especially when it comes to the love between a ghost or immortal and someone who is very human, I can write a story where an impossible love becomes quite possible after all. What can be more satisfying than that?
If writing is your first passion, what is your second?
My second greatest passion is genealogy and family history. I love digging into the past and uncovering my family roots. I even have some DNA test results to prove that. Many of my lines can be traced back well over five centuries. As I come to know some of my ancestors, their stories of hardships, sorrows as well as those things that gave them their greatest joy, they often find their way, in one form or another, into my books. One such ancestor is a great-great grand uncle who died at the battle of Chickamauga during America’s Civil War at the age of nineteen. He shows up as a ghostly soldier in Spirit of the Rebellion.
You’ve got a time machine, a cloak of invisibility, and one hour. Where would you go, and what eavesdropping would you do?
Being the history buff that I am, this too is a most difficult question because there are countless places I’d like to go, people I’d like to meet and historical moments I’d like to witness. However, since we are talking romance today, I think I would choose to get in that time machine with my invisibility cloak wrapped tightly around my shoulders and head off to India, early 17th century. I’d like to witness the very moment Shah Jahan first gazed at and became smitten with Arjumand Banu, who later became known as Mumtaz Mahal or “the chosen one.” Though their conversation was probably brief that day, it was significant enough that Shah Jahan never forgot Arjumand. In fact, he waited five years before he could take her as his bride. The deep love they had for each other was legendary and when she died after giving birth to their 14th child, he was inconsolable. His grief and despair compelled him to build one of the famous “Seven New Wonders of the World” in her honor. We know this monument as the Taj Mahal.
A sneak peek between the page of Heart of the Storm.
About a half an hour before sunset, the unease she had carried for the past several hours turned into a sudden feeling of dread. Panic overtook all rational thought and settled into her soul. Something terrible had happened. She raced toward her supplies and grabbed her backpack. Her fingers shook as she unzipped the bag and yanked out her phone. She called Greg’s number several times over before it dawned on her that he had already boarded a plane headed for Colombia. She wouldn’t be able to contact him until the morning.
Despite all attempts to banish it, the dread grew stronger with each passing hour. A growing notion that Wolf and his crew never left the sub took firm hold. The conscientious men of the Wieven could very well have remained behind to ensure that all went according to plan. The thought of such an occurrence made her sick to her stomach. What if they could die as she had always feared? What if they died in that sub along with Mercado’s men? She couldn’t sleep, and she couldn’t eat. All throughout the long hours of the night, she restlessly paced along the shore, waiting, hoping, and praying.
By the time the gloomy morning arrived, what little hope she’d carried throughout the long night dissipated. Somewhere in her heart, she finally accepted that her beloved captain wouldn’t be coming for her. Not now. Not ever again.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Debbie Peterson, fantasy, Heart of the Storm, Paranormal, Romance by Tena Stetler with 8 comments.
A Magic Redemption
Click on the cover to read more or purchase
A Magic Redemption (fifth book in A Demon’s Witch Series).
A Magic Redemption has been in the process for quite some time. Synn the Heroine of the book has wandered in and out of most of the books in A Demon’s Witch Series. I always knew I’d have to tell Synn’s story, but had to wait until all the pieces fell into place from the other books in the series. I’m super excited to share her incredible adventure and heart-warming story with you now. I certainly hope you enjoy reading A Magic Redemption as much as I did writing Synn’s tale.
Synn, a demon, carries extraordinary magic and power, but there is more within her than she dreams. Kidnapped as a child, her captors murdered her family and forced her into training as a warrior assassin. When an assignment goes horribly wrong, she finds herself at the mercy of the friends and family of her intended target. Offering valuable information in exchange for protection, she gains her freedom, but it is not without its challenges.
Gavin Shaughnessy is the publican at his family’s Irish pub. He is certain Synn is meant to be his and isn’t bothered by her past. He must find a way to convince her, their future together is stronger than the dark memories that haunt her dreams.
When her past comes calling for revenge, will their love survive the raging inferno she brings down upon them? Or will the searing path of destruction destroy all they hold dear?
A peek between the pages:
The road to her cottage took them by the pub. He didn’t want to spoil a great day by stopping by Shaughnessy’s. But he had a nagging feeling that was exactly what he was supposed to do. Prior experience taught him nothing but trouble would come if he ignored his gut. “Mind if we stop by the pub on the way home. Storm can stay in the truck for a few minutes. I want to make sure—”
“Everything is all right?”
“Of course it’s all right. I’ve taken time off before.” Gavin bristled. “I had a life before—” He stopped mid-sentence. No way was he going to spoil this day.
She shifted in her seat to face him. “Before what? Me? Before your sister married an assassin? Or Brandy became engaged to a vampire? Before your world came crashing down amid demons, vampires, witches, and world ending shit?” She paused, closed her eyes, and leaned her head against the seat again. “I didn’t mean that. I’ve been on edge since the dream—nightmare—premonition. Call it what you want. Today was a nice reprieve. But when we hit the edge of town—what’d you call ’em—” she tapped her temple. “My spidey senses went off.” She shivered.
Available from Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon AU, Amazon CA, Kobo , itunes, Barnes and Noble Wal-mart.com
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Magic Redemption, Demons, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Tena Stetler, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
