Authors' Secrets Blog Archives - Page 226 of 229

Aug 1st Welcome Author Anna Durand

Give a warm welcome to Anna Durand, author of the Dangerous In A Kilt. Well, where is Anna? Looking around the only person I see is a HOT Scot (fanning self).

Now who might you be?

“Lachlan MacTaggart. I believe Anna is on her way, asked me to step in for at bit.”

Oh, oh, you’re the hero from Dangerous In A Kilt. Okay, lets have a chat, while we wait for Anna. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip, Peanutbutter or Snickerdoodle cookie from the plate, and let’s find out what makes this hero tick.

Lachlan MacTaggart, Tell us about the real you—

What event in your past has left the most indelible impression on you? Och, you ask hard questions, woman! I don’t enjoy thinking about it, my failed marriage and the…things that happened. It haunts me to this day.

What do you most value? Family means everything to me. My brothers can be irritating, and my sisters poke their noses into my business, but I love them anyway.

What is the type of woman you want to spend the rest of your life with? Ah…Another difficult one. Part of me wants nothing to do with forever, but since I met Erica, I’m torn. She’s smart, she makes me laugh, and yet she’s vulnerable enough to make me long to protect her. She could be a true partner in life, the only kind of woman who might change my mind about love.

What do you consider most important in life? Respect for others. I can’t abide bullies or those who would bend another to their will just for the sake of control.

What is your biggest secret? Well now, if I told you that it wouldn’t be a secret, lass. Besides, I can’t have Erica finding out about my worst mistake. How could she ever respect me again?

Thanks for being here Lachlan and answering the HARD questions. I guess Anna got hung up. If you don’t want to run into Erica, you might want to exit out the back door. Quickly.

The Hot Scot moves faster than I believed possible out the back entrance, and in the nick of time!

Well, well, would you look who just walked in. Welcome, Erica! Have a seat, grab a drink and there’s a few cookies left. Let’s find out a little about you.

Who were the biggest role models in your life? My parents. They taught me right from wrong and to believe in myself–though sometimes I forget that little lesson.

What kind of man do you want to spend the rest of your life with? Ugh, I don’t have the best track record with picking guys. But more than anything I want a man who’s strong but compassionate, has a great sense of humor, never lies to me, and–of course–loves my dog. Starting to sound a bit like someone I just met…

What kind of man would you never choose? The kind who sweet talks you until you can’t see straight, but underneath, he’s just a liar.

What is most important to you in life? Freedom. I may not have it much longer, seeing as I’m charged with embezzlement, so I intend to seize what little I have left to me.

What is your biggest fear? Picking another sleazebag like Presley Cichon. I fell for his honeyed words and got whacked upside the head for it. I never want to make that mistake again.

Finally, Anna, do you have any idea how close I came to having Lachlan and Erica in the studio at the same time? Not that it would have matter much, but Erica sure wouldn’t have answered my questions. I’d offer you a cold drink, but your characters drank them all and Lachlan ate all the cookies but two and Erica ate those, sorry. But thanks for stopping by. Do you have time for a question or two?

“I’m really behind, but yes, I’ll make time for one.”

Anna, Tell us a little about writing Dangerous in a Kilt. 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?

This story came to life in a roundabout way. I’d begun researching Scottish history for a planned historical romance, but when I realized how long the research would take, I decided in the meantime I’d write a different kind of Scottish hero–in a contemporary erotic romance. I also resurrected the underground club from Tempted by a Kiss and set key parts of Dangerous in a Kilt in that club, because I loved the atmosphere of it. I had a great time writing this book! I poured all my passion for writing into the story, creating characters I didn’t want to say goodbye to at the end and a scorching love story I never wanted to finish.

Oh, I totally understand and Lachlan is hot! Whew!

Anna Durand is an award-winning writer specializing in steamy romances populated with spunky heroines and hunky heroes, in settings as diverse as modern Chicago and the fairy realm. Her romances have to date won eight awards and her novel Intuition was a 2016 RONE Award nominee, while her short story Tempted by a Kiss was a finalist in The Romance Reviews 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards. Dangerous in a Kilt won first place in the 2016 Great Beginnings contest, contemporary romance category.

You can find Anna at:

Website/Blog: http://www.annadurand.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheAnnaDurand

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnaDurandFiction

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/annadurand

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+AnnaDurandFiction/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Anna_Durand/

Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/annadurand

Now, tell us what your book is about.

Dangerous in a Kilt

A feisty American. A hot Scot. Passion ignites.

Good-girl Erica Teague is out on bail, charged with a crime her ex-lover committed. Her desperate bid to experience one wild night of sizzling sex, before her trial and certain conviction, lands her in the arms of Lachlan MacTaggart, a hot Scot with a secret past. She can’t resist his offer to enjoy one month of sex and companionship with no strings. But when their hot fling gets personal, can their passion free their imprisoned hearts?

Read the first three chapters on Kindle Scout and, if you like it, vote for the book:

https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/TA1FZK0NG2X7

I am headed to Kindlescout right now to check out the chapters. Thanks so much for stopping by Anna and making Lachlan and Erica available for an interview. You’re welcome to come by any time! Sorry about the drinks and cookies.

P.S. Back from Kindlescout. You seriously need to go check out Dangerous in a Kilt! It’s Yummy! Good Luck Anna with Dangerous in a Kilt!

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged erotica, Kilt, Romance, Scotland by Tena Stetler with 10 comments.

Jul 29th Cover Reveal for An Angel’s Song!

Today I have another treat for you. This one from author Sharon Saracino. The cover reveal for An Angel’s Song, a paranormal romance, fourth in the Earthbound Series.

Award winning author, Sharon Saracino, was born and raised in beautiful Northeastern Pennsylvania. Always the girl with her nose in a book, and frequently announced that someday she was going to write a one. One milestone birthday (we won’t discuss which one!) she decided someday would be here and gone if she didn’t get her butt in gear. She plans to win the lottery just as soon as she remembers to purchase a ticket, fantasizes about moving to Italy, brews limoncello, and believes there’s always magic to be found if you only take the time to look for it!

Where to find Sharon Saracino:

WEBSITE FACEBOOK GOODREADS TWITTER

I convinced her to give us a sneak peek of An Angel’s Song even though she is still waiting on a release date for the book:

After ten years of separation, Tessa and Alec are called to the deathbed of Tessa’s father and tasked with solving a mystery that points to WWII, the Nazi régime, and the shadowy world of the Djinn. Although their passion still burns, forgiveness requires more than desire.

Alec, the Riddle King to the Defensori, is used to shutting out the world and working on his puzzles alone. But this time, he can’t shut Tessa out. This time, he needs his estranged wife’s help. Tessa and her gift hold the key, and failure could cost her sanity…or her life.

Insecurity, immaturity, and misunderstanding drove them apart. Can they rebuild their shattered trust and work together to rescue a captive Djinni, stay one step ahead of the servants of the Fallen, and save their marriage along with Tessa’s life?

How about an Excerpt?

“Tessa…” he stepped toward her and held out a hand.

“Don’t you touch me,” she warned, taking a quick step back, eyeing him warily.

Okay, so maybe he’d been an oblivious jackass. Hardly the first time, but maybe it showed progress if he’d noticed without someone else pointing it out?

“Look, I could have warned you, but frankly it just never occurred to me. You’ve had a long night, and you’re tired and hurting. I get it. I’m not happy about this, but believe it or not, I really am trying to help. I’m not the bad guy here.”

“Meaning I am?” She spat, stepping right up toe to toe, crossing her arms over her chest, and craning her neck to look directly into his face. “I fly thousands of miles, watch my father die, and then, before I can even process what that means, I am grabbed by you, of all people, and spirited off against my will without so much as a by-your-leave. And you have the audacity to stand there and tell me you’re not happy about this?”

Alec decided he definitely preferred angry Tessa. Her eyes deepened to the swirling blue of an angry sea and her chest heaved, straining the buttons of the wrinkled white blouse and thrusting her high breasts against the thin fabric. With her bright eyes snapping, red-gold curls tumbling over her shoulders, and her cheeks hot and flushed, pissed or not, she was freakin’ magnificent.

Cover Art by Debbie Taylor from DCA Graphics

Don’t you love the cover? The talented Debbie Taylor does it again! Paranormal Romance, a Genre close to my heart.

Thanks Sharon. Best of luck with An Angel’s Song!

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Paranormal, Romance by Tena Stetler with 10 comments.

Jul 28th TItle, Cover and Release Date Reveal for Beast of All by JC McKenzie

Today I have a treat for you from author JC McKenzie. Title, Cover and Release Date for Beast of All. A Carus Novel, Book 5.

I convinced her to give us a sneak peek of Beast of All:

Beast of All cover “Two months ago my world collapsed and the beast reigned. Seven weeks ago the SRD captured me. Nine days ago, they injected me with something vile. Today, I break free. And tomorrow? I’ll make them pay.”

Badass Shifter Andy McNeilly wakes up from a horrible nightmare, only to discover it wasn’t a dream, and she’s no longer quite so badass. Chemically curbed, Andy has lost touch with her feras and beast when she needs them most. Can she regain control of her supernatural abilities in time to reap retribution from her enemies, or will she fall as fodder in a power play for control of Vancouver’s seedy underworld?

I wheedled an excerpt for Beast of All out of her too! Just for you. Enjoy!

No feras. No beast. Whatever they shot me with blocked my communication with the animals. Did it prevent shifting as well? I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to call a form and change. Only a headache answered. Dread flittered across my skin. Was this permanent?

As the Carus, the genetic throwback to the first demi-god progeny of the beast goddess, I caged a beast with rage and power rivaled by few, and possessed more than one animal familiar to shift into.

At least, I did until the SRD shot me full of chemicals. Would I ever regain my abilities? Hear the indignant screech of the peregrine falcon? Or the lusty purr of the mountain lion? Or soulful howl of the wolf?

My heart hammered, punching bone. A buzzing sensation filled my head. The “wrongness” of my condition grated against my nerves, slicing them into slivers like a planer shucking off wood shavings.

Something in my abdomen swelled, as if the beast pushed against whatever barrier caged and hid her from me.

I’ll get you out, I told her, not knowing if she could hear. We’ll make them pay.

Release Date: October 19, 2016

Cover Art by Debbie Taylor from DCA Graphics

Don’t you love the cover? The talented Debbie Taylor does a wonderful job! Look forward to getting my hands on the new release. How about you? Only 84 more days!

Thanks JC. Best of luck with Beast of All!

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Paranormal, Romance, shifters by Tena Stetler with 7 comments.

Jul 13th Welcome Author DeeDee Lane

Give a warm welcome to DeeDee Lane, author of My Law Man, just released on July 8, 2016!

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 DeeDee.

DeeDee Lane is a Seattle author and a member of Romance Writers of America. Her mystery scenarios and characters turn up on boat cruises and many corporate and private events around Puget Sound. She and her husband love to go on road trips, especially if there’s time to check out a tinfoil rooster or the largest truck stop in the world. Originally from central Wisconsin, DeeDee was raised on a farm and surrounded with great stories of the West. DeeDee is author of the Slip in Time series including My Mountain Man, My Gambling Man and My Law Man.

You can find out more about DeeDee on her web site www.deedeelane.com

Or check out her author page on Amazon.

So DeeDee how about answering a few questions.

“I thought you’d never ask.” Dee grins from ear to ear.

What secret do you use to blast through writer’s block?

The main secret I use to blast through writer’s block is inspired by Stephen King in his book about writing and reinforced by Cindy Kirk at a seminar during the Emerald City Romance Writer’s Conference. Both authors said to get past writer’s block you have to just write. At first when I heard this advice I was somewhat skeptical—okay—I’ll admit it–mad! I mean really how are you supposed to just write when… well… you just can’t? But then when I did the seminar with Cindy Kirk she allowed that “writing” was also researching, writing down notes, making your outline, practicing how to write a love scene, and brainstorming book titles. While it may not be as satisfying as getting a bigger word count on your Work in Progress it still moves your book forward. For me this works because it feels like progress and my writer’s block just becomes a necessary part of my process rather then something to avoid. So bottom line…my secret? I don’t avoid writer’s block, I embrace it.

Do you see yourself in your characters?

Yes I see bits of myself in my characters but no I don’t write any of my characters based on me or my life. For example, in MY LAW MAN Phebe gets dressed up in a fancy red dress to attend a Valentine’s Night Gala at the Cowboy and Western Museum. Those moments of Phebe reacting to the dress, the event, how she feels in a swishy, frothy, halter style red dress is all me and how I would feel going out and looking and feeling beautiful.

Why do you write what you write?

The Slip in Time series is a time travel, western, historical, romance as categorized by The Wild Rose Press and probably any publisher. I can’t say I set out to write for this specific line in fact I hardly knew it existed. For me, this series was completely inspired by the Cowboy and Western Museum and how it had the power to take someone back to a specific place in time. Oh, and romance…that was first. I knew when I started writing fiction I wanted to write romance. I love reading all kinds of books, in fact at this moment I’m reading a women’s fiction book AT THE WATER’S EDGE by Sarah Gruen. But as far as writing goes…I knew it had to be romance…definitely a happily ever after ending.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Zumba, grow tomatoes, cheer for the Green Bay Packers or the Seattle Seahawks, and travel with my husband. Oh yes…gosh…I almost forgot because it’s so new–I’m learning how to play the ukulele!

The Ukulele, huh, that’s interesting.

Now tell us a little about your new release, My Law Man.

Phebe Brooks is single, cynical—okay bitter—and fighting to stay out of jail by doing community service at the Cowboy and Western Museum. While cleaning a jail cell in the “Lawmen of the West” exhibit, Phebe slips back in time and into the arms of a man who resembles her first love, Rafe Morrow.

Newly hired as Eagle Rock’s sheriff, Rafe, a former sharpshooter in the Union Army, came west to start anew. This seems possible until his town is overtaken by a sassy female constantly complaining about wearing a dress and then a band of outlaws set on robbing the gold from an incoming stagecoach.

Can Phebe and Rafe cooperate long enough to save the town? For Phebe, it’s worth the risk. She’s determined to let go of past mistakes, get herself on the right side of the law, and have a future filled with love and passion.

Do you have a sneak peek for us from the book?

Holy crap! The hoof prints below were left by some super-sized horse. Phebe examined the prints littering the wet dirt. The buffalo prints she’d seen in a display at the museum were an exact duplicate. She picked up her pace to catch up with the sheriff’s long-legged strides. They were headed across the valley and west of the town to Taylor’s Crossing, the bridge across Snake River.

Ever since Phebe stopped screaming and stuffed her mouth with bread, he’d been telling her she was in Eagle Rock in 1866. From third grade on, she’d known Eagle Rock was the original name for Idaho Falls and was established in 1865. Through a maze of panic sedated by warm carbohydrates covered in butter, she demanded the sheriff take her to the bridge, the place to cross Snake River. In 1866 it would be the old-fashioned bridge like the tintype pictures she’d seen at the museum.

Phebe was so absorbed in her inner history lesson she smacked straight into the sheriff’s chest. Damn, he had some muscles. Phebe examined his chest and arms. About six foot two or thereabouts, the man was rangy with a thin build and muscles everywhere. His arms continued to hold her as she flailed around while still clutching the woolen shawl around her shoulders and her bunched-up skirts. What she wouldn’t give right now for a puffy parka with a hood, and mittens, and boots, and pants, for goodness sake, pants would be better than all this flipping fabric.

He pointed dead ahead. “Here’s where Harry Rickets used to ferry folks across the river.” He gestured further west. “And there’s Taylor’s Crossing, the bridge built by Matt Taylor in 1865.”

Phebe gasped. “Matt Taylor, as in James Madison Taylor?” The bridge was identical to the yellowed pictures she’d seen hanging on the museum walls.

“We don’t use fancy names in these parts, but I think you’ve got it right.”

“And the year is 1866?”

“Lady, I’m starting to get a mite cross.” He took off his hat and swiped his brow. “I have told you again and a—”

“—Wait a sec, what’s your name?”

Phebe’s heartbeat accelerated. Two realizations hit her like a ton of bricks. It was 1866, which meant she’d time traveled, but there was more. With his hat removed, Phebe studied the sheriff’s full face…his sandy brown eyes, the scruffy beard covered up the bottom of his face, but she recognized him…from a long time ago.

I love time travel stories, adding it to my summer read list right now. Where can we buy My Law Man?

Buy My Law Man at Amazon

Buy My Law Man at The Wild Rose Press

Buy My Law Man at Barnes and Noble

Oh, by the way, My Law Man has a new 5 star review from Anna Duran, you might want to check it out.

It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime and good luck with My Law Man.

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Romance, Western by Tena Stetler with 15 comments.