Interview of Author Diane Farr

Today I'm happy to be interviewing author Diane Farr.

Latest Release Title: "Wicked Cool"

Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8304-wicked-cool.aspxVideo link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLwHvOAD_vQ

BIO:
Diane Farr was first published at the age of eight when the Bakersfield Californian printed one of her poems. She has lived most of her life with her nose in a book – sometimes reading, sometimes writing. She is a four-time RITA finalist and the winner of a Golden Quill, a Blether Gold award, and a Lifetime Achievement award from RT Book Reviews. Her May 2010 release, Wicked Cool, took First Place in the YA Division of the 2009 Focus on Writers contest.

Q: What’s the first thing you did when you received word you were a RITA finalist?
A: Okay, now this is actually a very funny story. The first time I got “the call,” the president of Romance Writers of America, Tara Taylor Quinn, happened to be a member of my local chapter.

So when she called me one March night, I assumed it had something to do with chapter business. It never crossed my mind that she was calling in her capacity as President of RWA! Tara said, “Congratulations, Diane, you’re a finalist in the RITA awards.” What I heard was, “Congratulations, you’re a finalist in the reader awards.” I had no idea what the “reader awards” were, but I was, naturally, delighted. “Oh, how wonderful,” I said. “How did that happen?” She must have thought I was nuts, but she carefully explained the awards to me – again, I’m hearing “reader awards” – while I made pleased sounds in the background. I finally asked, “So when are they given out?” Tara said, “At the national convention, on Saturday night.” Dismay struck me. “Oh, no!” I said. “That will conflict with the…”

And then it hit me. Yes, you idiot, it will conflict with the RITA awards. Because it IS the RITA awards, and you’re a finalist.

I cannot imagine what was going on at Tara’s end of the phone call. She heard me say, “Oh no, that will conflict with the …” followed by an indescribable, barely-human sound – somewhere between a choke and a scream.

I do not remember the rest of the phone call. I remember running in circles, whooping until I hyperventilated, but I’m not sure if Tara was still on the line.

She has kept a polite, but wary, distance from me ever since.

Q: What part of the book is the hardest for you…beginning, middle, end. Why?
A: They are all hard, for different reasons. The beginning is hard because you have to come up with an idea. Not just any idea – a GOOD idea. Lots of ideas are tempting to think about, but you have to figure out – in advance of writing the book – which ideas will sustain a book-length manuscript and which will peter out halfway through. My books always start with characters. I often come up with fabulous people who are just perfect for each other – that’s not the hard part. The hard part is coming up with some good reason why these two fabulous people can’t just meet, fall in love and get married. Because if they do, there’s no book! So there must be an obstacle, and it had better be a doozy. Then you get to the middle and encounter a long, hard slog. Usually the original obstacle, whatever it is, threatens to grow tiresome and repetitive. So you have to throw something else into the mix and, again, if it’s not the right something, your book falls apart.
Finally you glimpse the end in sight – and feel an overwhelming urge to gallop towards it, neck or nothing. So the hard part with an ending is reining yourself in, making sure you don’t trample important plot points on your way to the finish line.

Q: Do you eat comfort food when writing? If so, what food inspires your imagination?
A: No, but I listen to “comfort music.” Classical, New Age or movie scores, mostly, because I can’t write to anything other than instrumental music. If someone starts singing lyrics, the words pouring into my ears distract me from the words pouring out of my fingertips.

Q: You’re on a remote island with a handsome man, a computer, and a “mysterious” source of electricity to power your computer. What do you do?
A: I miss my cat.

Q: Facebook, MySpace, Blogs, Chats, or Twitter. Which do you like best and why?
A: I’m a total Facebook addict. I play word games with friends and family all over the world – that’s what hooked me. My husband tells me that since I discovered Facebook, I would be happy if I were just a brain in a jar. He’s probably right. Especially if somebody would take the jar to the beach once in a while.

Q: What hobby do you enjoy when not writing?
A: I hate to fly, but I put up with it because I love to travel. I also enjoy theater, which was my first love. Oh, and reading. Did I mention reading?

Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all!
http://www.dianefarrbooks.com
http://www.wickedcoolbooks.wordpress.com
http://www.bestbyfarr.com
http://www.facebook.com/dianefarrpage
http://www.amazon.com/Diane-Farr/e/B000APO0CY/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1272818554&sr=1-2-ent

BLURB:
Zara Norland has a problem. It’s getting harder to hide who—or what—she is. Which is pretty ironic, actually. Because Zara doesn’t know who, or what, she is. Her sixteenth birthday is just around the corner, and according to all the fairy tales and legends, something is about to happen. If you have unexplainable powers or a mysterious past—and Zara has both—something huge happens on your sixteenth birthday, right?

Zara has never found fairy tales particularly helpful. But she has a feeling that this time, the old legends are right on the money. Here comes trouble.

EXCERPT:
I saved somebody’s life today. And the awful thing is I shouldn’t have done it.

I am so mad at myself.

I’m also mad at the world and fate and The Great Whatever, for sticking me with this mess. It’s totally not my fault! I mean, okay, yes, I did it. But what else could I do? This whole situation is so unfair it bites.

Most of all, I’m mad at Donald O’Shaughnessy and his cheese-brained friends, for horsing around at the top of the tallest water slide in the park. I mean, honestly—get a clue!

The bottom line is, if Donald had had one single ounce of maturity, none of this would have happened. But who gets to suffer for it? Who is hiding all alone in her room, shivering with reaction? Who is scribbling panicked thoughts into a journal because she has no one to talk to? Me.

I bet Donald is surrounded by his near and dear. I bet the O’Shaughnessy clan is making a big fuss. I bet they sat around all evening, exclaiming and hugging and eating chocolate cake, overjoyed to have him safe and sound and all that.

Let’s face it. It sucks to be me.

Why did I do it?

I already know the answer, of course. I did it because I could. Somebody had to step up, and it happened so fast…

One second, Meg and I were standing at the bottom of the water slide, looking up. Meg—who, despite her general teensyness, has a much bigger voice than I have—was screaming at the boys to knock it off. Because the boys were way overhead, at the top of the platform, acting like over-caffeinated baboons.

And the next second, the safety rail at the top of the platform gave way.

It had never occurred to us that something bad might happen. From what I know about boys—which is, admittedly, not much—they ape the mentally challenged on a regular basis. Meg and I weren’t yelling at the boys because we were afraid someone would get hurt. We were just afraid we’d get kicked out of the park. We were yelling, but we were laughing too, you know? Until this happened.

The platform was about a hundred feet overhead. It might as well have been a mile. I saw a human form grab, miss, and fall. I saw red hair and bright blue swim trunks silhouetted against the sky. There was nothing around him but air.

And that was that. I risked everything, absolutely everything, for Donald O’Frickin Shaughnessy. I don’t even like Donald O’Shaughnessy.

There wasn’t time to think. I don’t remember making a decision—although I must have, of course, because summoning Power is never an accident. But I acted so quickly, Donald didn’t even have time to scream.

He plummeted—briefly. Very briefly. The instant I saw him spread-eagled and flailing against the sky, a flash of heat left my body.

The power arrowed into Donald’s torso like invisible lightning. His back arched like he’d been punched in the gut. He shot upward slightly from the force of the impact, then hung in midair for about a nanosecond. And then he drifted gently to the ground and landed. Unhurt.

On his feet, no less. I must admit, that was pretty cool.

The whole incident took about five seconds…probably the longest five seconds of my life.

Did I mention that the water park was crowded? Well, it was. School has only been out for four days, and everybody’s celebrating. So there were a lot of people there.

A lot of witnesses.

Excuse me while I jump up and pace for a few minutes.

Interview of Tina Donahue, RBRU Member Author!

Today it's my pleasure to interview multi-published RBRU Member Author, Tina Donahue! I'm so glad she joined our Yahoo group!

Latest Book: Lush Velvet Nights
Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8298-50-lush-velvet-nights.aspx

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m560M7pWyw&feature=PlayList&p=B0E8457DEA3BD67E&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=59


BIO: Tina Donahue is a multi–published novelist in contemporary, historical and erotic romance. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly,Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work; she has reached finals and /or placed in numerous RWA–sponsored contests, including recently winning Second Place in the NEC RWA contest for her erotic novel. She was the editor of an award–winning Midwestern newspaper, worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company, and is currently the Managing Editor for a global business document concern. Lush Velvet Nights is Tina’s fifteenth title.

Email: tina@tinadonahue.com
Website: http://www.tinadonahue.com

Q: What’s the first thing you did when you received word you’d sold a book?
A: I got the call from my agent. For a moment I froze, not understanding what he was saying. He’d only sent the book to the publisher on Friday and here it was the following Monday and he told me it sold. Like in three days. Not only that, but the publisher wanted to know if I was working on anything else.
I asked him to repeat what he’d just said. He laughed and did. I said, “Are you sure?” Honestly, I just couldn’t believe it. My first sale resulted in three contracts.

Q: What part of the book is the easiest for you to write? Why?
A: The ending. By that time I’m so emotionally invested in my characters the writing comes fast and easy. At that point, I know my story people better than I know my family and best friends.

Q: What part of the book is the hardest for you? Why?
A: The opening lines of the novel. To capture reader interest the first line or lines have to be unique so that the reader doesn’t toss the book aside, and those first words have to convey the tone of the story.
One of the best opening lines I’ve ever read was in Orwell’s 1984: “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” I hadn’t really been paying attention until I read the ‘striking thirteen’ part. Instantly, I thought – what the hell? That opening line conveys so well the doublethink that goes on in 1984. The 1+1 = 3 concept of rewriting history. Wow.

Q: What is your favorite romance book that you’ve read?
A: Although there are numerous romances by contemporary writers that are great, I have to say my most favorite romance ever is a classic – Jane Eyre. Even after all this time, the storyline is so damned feminist. Each time I pick it up, I’m amazed it wasn’t written within the last century. I found the turmoil between Jane and Mr. Rochester so rich, so tragic but ultimately satisfying. Even though the HEA is a bit poignant, it also makes perfect sense.

Q: You’re on a remote island with a handsome man, a computer, and a “mysterious” source of electricity to power your computer. What do you do?
A: That’s easy. Do some heavy duty research on my next love scenes with the guy, then fire up the computer and write my pages for the day. Nothing – and I do mean nothing – gets in the way of my writing. Of course, Mr. Hot Stuff doesn’t mind me working. He’s taking a well-deserved snooze after giving me a lot of hot and very romantic sex.

Q: What genre would you like to try writing in but haven’t yet done so? Why?
A: Urban fantasy. I’m always intrigued by the plotlines that are coming out. They’re so fantastic and they sound like a lot of fun to write.
On another note: After thinking about doing a paranormal for years, I finally wrote the damn thing. And I’m happy to say I’ve just sold it to Samhain. It’s set to release in early 2011. So, I might just try UF next.

Tell us where to find you:
Website and blog: http://www.tinadonahue.com
Publisher’s page (for my most current titles):
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-7772-adored.aspx
http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8080-50-deep-dark-delicious.aspx
http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8298-50-lush-velvet-nights.aspx

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#%21/profile.php?id=100000458023097

Anything else you’d like to add?
I host monthly contests and scavenger hunts at my website/blog with my titles as prizes (winner’s choice of title).
I’ve just finished up the first draft of my latest contemporary erotic romance and will have it in my editor’s hands within the next couple of weeks. So, stay tuned.

BLURB:Lush Velvet Nights

When wanton desires & love demand all…

During the day, Adriana’s a lonely corporate heiress, helming a supermarket empire. At night, she hires escorts, scripting provocative fantasies of kidnapping, lust, submission and endless longing. It’s all she has to excite her until she meets Nathan Wynn.

Tall, blond and muscular—like a modern-day Viking—Nathan’s a labor relations attorney representing Adriana’s union employees. His imposing presence intensifies her basest desires. When he protects her from an escort he believes is an attacker, she knows he’s wonderfully dominant and unrestrained. Fascinated by Adriana’s underlying sensuality, Nathan brings her to his secluded mountain estate, determined she submit fully to his hunger. At a gentleman’s club, he makes certain she denies him nothing.

Engaging in a seductive sexual journey, Nathan’s caught off-guard by his stunning need for Adriana. An attraction he fears because of past events in his life. A growing emotional connection she will not let him deny.

EXCERPT:
(In this scene, Nathan has stopped at a rustic gas station/restaurant just prior to reaching his mountain estate for a three-day weekend of hedonistic delights with Adriana.)

Nathan came to her side, hitting the glass with his elbow.

She lowered the window and took the cup he offered, hoping it didn’t mean they’d be stuck here for awhile. “Coffee?”

His eyes lifted from her bared legs to her partially unbuttoned blouse. “Hot chocolate. You like?”

“Is there whipped cream?”

“A double dollop. I insisted.”

Her delighted moan said it all. By the time he’d gotten back inside, she’d taken off the plastic lid and enjoyed her first taste. Decadently rich, it was the kind of drink served decades ago when quality and pleasure, not calories or fat content, mattered. “Oh my god, this is so good. Can I have yours too?”

He finished his sip and chuckled. “If you want, I’ll get a gallon of it before we take off.”

She swished her next taste around her mouth to cool the temperature and to savor the flavor prior to swallowing. “When will that be?”

“No more than five minutes. The officer said the plows are out and should have gotten past my place by then, so there’s no need for chains. You have foam on your upper lip.”

She reached up to finger it away. Nathan intercepted her hand. “I’ll do it.” He put his cup into the holder and brought his face to hers.

The world seemed to pitch, leaving her dizzy. On a sigh, she closed her lids.

He glided his tongue over her upper lip and licked off the whipped cream.

Electrified by his closeness and the act’s intimacy, Adriana could barely breathe. Her throat constricted, muffling her whimper. She smelled chocolate on his breath and tasted sweetness on his tongue as he slipped it inside her mouth, filling her completely, demanding she accommodate him.

Obedient, she suckled hard, pulling him more deeply within. Not yet satisfied, he angled his mouth for even greater penetration. Adriana mewled. Her free hand held the back of his head. She drove her fingers into his tangled, snow-dampened locks. Their appetite for each other became noisy and unrestrained, no different than kids indulging in their first sexual encounter. Nathan kissed her as if he meant it, his excitement real, not paid for, stoking her desire.

She couldn’t get close enough. The vehicle was too restrictive. He must have thought so too. To her dismay, he pulled in his tongue and broke free of her mouth. A protest rose to Adriana’s lips and died as he took her cup, settling it next to his in the holder. Hands on either side of her face, fingers warmed from their drinks, he looked into her eyes.

Her heart beat triple-time. Her thoughts raced. Did he see momentary lust or enduring desire in her gaze, a chance encounter or something deeper? Unwilling to hide her feelings or stop what was happening, she whispered, “Kiss me again and don’t stop.” Please.

Heedless of her request, he took obvious pleasure in exploring her brows, cheeks, mouth, chin.

She closed her eyes, not out of concern he’d find her looks wanting, nor from shyness. Her lids were simply too heavy to keep up. The wait for him too endless.

As though he’d been intentionally testing her limits, he reclaimed her mouth, his tongue driving so deep she had no chance of breaking away.

An indelicate groan pumped from her chest, followed by his uncivilized grunt. His hand slipped from her face to her chest. With no concern for the outside world and anyone who might glance this way, he maneuvered his hand past her blouse, slipping his fingers inside her bra’s satin cup.

Instantaneously, her nipple went rigid, welcoming his palm. His fingers splayed over her breast, testing its pliancy, its weight, compromising her control. Her free hand gripped the leather seat, seeking some measure of restraint. Recklessly, her body slumped into his touch and male dominance. Again he proved it by interrupting their kiss. This time he pressed his lips to her neck.

Adriana’s head drooped forward, her cheek stroking his. Without breaking pace, his tongue swept her skin while his lips suckled her throat gently. Limp and defenseless, she let her thoughts scatter until he pulled down her bra cup and bared her breast.

Eyes opening, she lifted her face. Nathan eased back. He put up his armrest and hers then lowered his head. His tongue swirled around her nipple, his lips drawing it inside his mouth.

Blinking slowly at the intense heat, Adriana scanned the lot without really seeing it. Her mind told her people were arriving and departing. Eventually, someone would look over and see them through the windshield. In spite of the risk, her heart and body didn’t care. Chin lowered, she cradled his head in the crook of her arm, her hand on his tousled hair to keep him from stopping.

Nathan indulged himself, using her, warming her as the storm calmed somewhat, the snow falling lighter now, though still muting the sound of tires and voices. Minutes passed in a haze of rapture and peace, his actions a sanctuary against her loneliness and the cruelty of the outside world.

She could have stayed like this forever.

He appeared to have other plans. Finished for the moment, he lifted his face to hers, his eyes glassy with satisfaction. She didn’t have to ask why. His hand had abandoned her breast to settle between her legs. The tips of his fingers stroked the thin scrap of lace separating him from her clit.

Adriana reddened at how damp she was, how ready for him. Pride encouraged her to say something seductive, to convince him she considered their time together nothing more than another carnal adventure, just as he wanted. The raptness of his gaze stopped her. She spoke on a sigh. “How far to your place?”

“Less than ten miles.”

Her gaze lowered to his fingers. They’d left her thong to follow the lacy edge of her left stocking. With great care, he explored the fabric. She smiled. He adjusted his body as well as he could, bending over to give her an open-mouthed kiss on the inside of her thigh.

Delightful sensations rolled through her. His wet warmth reached the back of her throat, tingling it. Her mouth sagged open.

His lips moved over her flesh with his murmur, “Ready to go?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Good. We’ll take off as soon as I get you more hot chocolate. It’s not too crowded in there. Shouldn’t take more than another five minutes or—”

“Forget it.” Her voice cracked with emotion. She made no effort to conceal what she felt. “I don’t need it.”

“If you say so.”

“You know I do.”

Smug with what he’d accomplished, Nathan straightened. He gave her one last, lingering kiss, the tender kind that soothed the soul, and pulled on his seatbelt. Old snow, packed with ice, crunched beneath the tires as he pulled away.

Adriana glanced out the window then looked down at their drinks, suddenly noticing her exposed breast. Startled back into good sense, she pulled Nathan’s coat over her nudity, wearing the garment like a blanket, making certain it also hid her legs.

His head turned to her. “What are you doing?”

“What do you think?” She gave the officer a nervous smile as Nathan drove past the man’s cruiser.

“You don’t like the possibility of someone watching?”

Her head swung to him. She repeated, “What do you think?”

His smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. “Better get used to it. Won’t be long before we get to my place.”

Adriana stared at him and then the scenery. Pines, oaks and dogwood trees, burdened with snow, surrounded the homes they passed, many darkened, resembling what she’d imagined he’d own. He didn’t slow or stop.

She glanced at the mileage indicator, counting off two miles, three, four.

At length, the Rover slowed. He flicked on the left signal and turned. Adriana glanced up, her heart catching at what she saw.

Thanks, Tina, for a wonderful interview!

Those awkward post-sex moments. . .

You know what I mean.

In the heat of passion, the hero’s and heroine’s clothes are flying everywhere along with dialogue that would make a porn star feel right at home. Unable to keep their hands (or any other body part) off each other, the characters put themselves into near comas with their sexual gymnastics.

And then the bliss clears, leaving an awkward moment and the ever popular question of what now? I liken it to the end of that old (but great) movie The Graduate when Dustin Hoffman has won Katherine Ross’s heart and they run from the church (where she was supposed to marry another guy) and hop on a bus. As the miles grow between them and the church, their smiles begin to waver, they start to avoid each other’s gazes, you can almost hear their minds screaming: What in the F have I done???

While that was the finale of The Graduate, it’s generally signifies the start of the middle of my books. Since conflict drives a story, I have to have one or both of my leads have second thoughts about their proverbial roll in the hay or have one of them worry that the good times are over. In my latest release Lush Velvet Nights I approach the moment with humor while also using it to get in a bit of history to enrich Adriana’s character.

Here’s a blurb (for background) and an excerpt to illustrate what I mean:

BLURB:

Lush Velvet Nights - When wanton desires & love demand all…

During the day, Adriana’s a lonely corporate heiress, helming a supermarket empire. At night, she hires escorts, scripting provocative fantasies of kidnapping, lust, submission and endless longing. It’s all she has to excite her until she meets Nathan Wynn. Tall, blond and muscular—like a modern-day Viking—Nathan’s a labor relations attorney representing Adriana’s union employees. His imposing presence intensifies her basest desires. When he protects her from an escort he believes is an attacker, she knows he’s wonderfully dominant and unrestrained. Fascinated by Adriana’s underlying sensuality, Nathan brings her to his secluded mountain estate, determined she submit fully to his hunger. At a gentleman’s club, he makes certain she denies him nothing. Engaging in a seductive sexual journey, Nathan’s caught off-guard by his stunning need for Adriana. An attraction he fears because of past events in his life. A growing emotional connection she will not let him deny.

EXCERPT:

Comforted by his embrace, she slept deeper than the first time and dreamt of Christmas. She was little, no more than nine, and shaking one of Joe’s gifts, trying to guess what lay inside the box. The lack of sound and movement stumped but didn’t worry her. Joe knew she didn’t like the cashmere sweaters her dad’s secretary picked out for her year after year because her father refused to bother with the holidays. And she really hated the weird-tasting candy her mother sometimes sent her from European shops. Joe knew Adriana’s weakness for Hershey’s kisses. And how she loved charm bracelets that jangled as she swung her arm, capturing everyone’s attention as she entered a room. Sparkly pink headbands and barrettes were her next favorite choice. Had she told him that? She bit her lower lip and moaned because she hadn’t. Reluctantly, she peeled away the edge of the shiny red paper.


A deep voice called out, “Do you unwrap all your presents so slowly?”


With Nathan’s remembered question, Adriana’s dream evaporated. She opened her eyes. Wan light from the cloud-shrouded sky and last night’s snow spilled through the towering windows, telling her it must be mid-morning. The soft leather molded to her naked ass and back said she was no longer on the rug.
From moment to moment, you won’t know what to expect.


Propped up on her elbow, she glanced at the sofa serving as her bed with Nathan’s parka spread over her nudity like a blanket. When had that happened? To the right, near the end table, she saw her pile of clothes and her purse. He’d brought it into the great room? Why? Oh shit, were they leaving? Had his plans changed because of a problem with his practice?


Her first thought was to close her eyes and pretend to sleep to escape the truth. Her next was to face whatever came. She sure as hell couldn’t change it. On a disappointed sigh, she pushed to a sitting position, swung her legs over the sofa, noting she still wore her stockings and heels, then flinched as Nathan came around to her right, seemingly out of nowhere. She stared at the steaming mugs in his hands.


“You okay?” he asked.


Her eyes crept down his nudity, tarrying at his flaccid cock. Even deflated, it was magnificent—long and thick, the brownish skin matching the shade of his weighty balls. The fact he wasn’t dressed was a good sign. Obviously, his plans for her were still on and they weren’t leaving. She inhaled deeply to relax and smelled something scrumptious. “Is that hot chocolate?”


“Yep.” He handed her a mug. “While you were asleep, I plowed the drive, put on chains and drove back to the restaurant.”


She finished her sip with a delighted whimper and smiled at his lie and morning grubbiness. Tufts of hair stuck up on the right side of his head and his face needed a shave. “You did not.”


With one hand on the sofa’s back cushion, he leaned down and licked chocolate froth from her upper lip. The scent of sex on his skin and the damp heat of his tongue made her ears buzz.


He murmured, “How would you know? I pulled you off the floor, slung you over my shoulder, dropped you on the sofa then threw my parka over you and you didn’t wake up once. You kept snoring.”


Adriana ignored the snoring crack and attempted to calm her sprinting heart. “There’s no whipped cream in here.” She ran her finger around the lip of her mug. “That’s how I know.”


He swallowed his sip and cleaned his upper lip with his fingers. “Remind me to have the restaurant fire the delivery guy for not bringing any.”


“No need to be a prick.”


He arched one brow. “Sure you want to commit to that line of thinking while we’re still nude?”


Adriana took another sip of hot chocolate to hide her pleasure at his playful teasing. Few men had liked her enough to bother. As far as she was concerned, verbal banter held as much intimacy as a kiss. “Did the poor man also bring food?”


“Why?” Nathan’s eyes dropped from her rigid nipples to her growling belly. “Don’t tell me you’re hungry.”
“Enough to plow your drive and chain up your tires to get back to the restaurant. I’ll even buy.”


His shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. “My caretaker stocked the kitchen while you were passed out. He came over and said hi—you were still on the floor by the way. You didn’t say shit to him. Very rude,” he added at her giddy laugh. “But I forgive you. Come on, I’ll make you something.”


Her laughter wound down. She didn’t hide her surprise. “You can cook?”


“Are you kidding?” He sounded offended. “Cocoa Puffs and milk in a cereal bowl is one of my specialties, unless you’d like me to grill you a steak.”


“I’ll make us something.” She pushed to her feet, noticing the toasty heat. He must have turned the heater up full blast to allow for their nudity. “Where’s your kitchen?”


His eyes strayed from her thatch to her breasts to her mouth and returned to the tops of her stockings. “You can cook?” He sounded as if he couldn’t care less.


Adriana relished his attention and her next sip of chocolate. Her voice gurgled with its thick sweetness. “Joe taught me.” As a reminder, she added, “He was my dad’s live-in chef. Last night, I told you about—”


Nathan interrupted, “I remember, Adriana.” He met her eyes, earnestness replacing arousal. “He raised you. He loves you.”


She stared, stunned he’d recall something so seemingly inconsequential to anyone except her, pleased he’d actually been listening. Her hands trembled with emotion. She put her mug on the end table. “Yeah. I love him too. I even applied to Le Cordon Bleu so I could become a chef like him.”


“No shit.” Nathan frowned. “So why aren’t you doing that now?”


She waved her hand, dismissing the memory. “It was a silly whim I should have never considered.”


“That’s not what your face is saying.”


Adriana rolled her eyes.


Waiting for more, Nathan sipped his hot chocolate.


She sighed. “When Dad found out my plans, he contacted Stanford and had me hauled into the dean’s office. My advisor and a school representative relayed his message. If I withdrew from school, I was on my own. There’d be no more financial help from him and no reason for me to go back to his house because I wouldn’t be welcomed there.” Her shoulders lifted. “I was only eighteen and pretty mouthy. I told them I didn’t give a damn.”


He swallowed his sip. “Good for you.”


“Yeah, I thought so too until they added that my father would also fire Joe for talking me into being a cook. They made it sound as if it was something demeaning, not something to be proud of.” She rubbed her forehead, remembering the horrible scene, the lack of emotion on their faces. Her dad contributed big-time and they didn’t want to lose his funds. Although Adriana couldn’t blame them, she’d hated the way they’d handled it. Again, she sighed. “It was get my economics degree or else so I could someday take over the family business, since there wasn’t a son to do so. The advisor and rep even said that my father didn’t want me to disappoint him as my mother had. That was the worst threat of all. I knew if I withdrew from school, he wouldn’t only fire Joe, he’d make damn certain he wouldn’t get another job at any of the really nice places. That’s the way my father operated. You gave him total control or else. I was so worried about Joe I promised to stay in school and did. After that, I did whatever my father wanted so he’d leave the poor man alone. But don’t worry, I still know how to cook most stuff. Is your kitchen this way?” She pointed to the right and moved past him.


Nathan wrapped his fingers around her upper arm before she got too far. Adriana looked over without lifting her face, not wanting him to see her sadness and shame at an event so far in the past.


“It’s all right to be angry with him,” Nathan said softly. “At times, I still get pissed at my parents for what they did.”


Tears threatened. Adriana pushed them away. “Thanks.” She lifted her eyes to his. “But I’m okay. I had Joe, remember? Now, let me make us some breakfast.”


Awkward moments between characters are some of my favorites. They allow me to dig deeper into the hero and heroine’s souls…and to build empathy for them with the reader. :)

Lush Velvet Nights is available from Ellora’s Cave

Buy link: http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8298-50-lush-velvet-nights.aspx

Website/blog/YouTube video trailer for Lush Velvet Nights: http://www.tinadonahue.com/

Scavenger hunt: http://www.tinadonahue.com/?p=550

Monthly contest: http://www.tinadonahue.com/contest/



TODAY I'M RUNNING A SCAVENGER HUNT FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF MY TITLES, INCLUDING:



1. Adored

2. Deep, Dark, Delicious

3. Close to Perfect

4. Bad Boys with Red Roses

5. Take My Breath Away



Rules: Periodically throughout the day, I'll be posting questions here (four in all) and at my website (home page, click on scavenger hunt link). The first person to email me at tina@tinadonahue.com with all four correct answers will get her choice of one of the above books.



Hope to see you here and good luck!!!

More Bling!

I just got back from RT and I'm still smiling;-)What a great experience! I finally got to meet my critique partner, Francesca Hawley and my online buddy and fellow author in the Carnal Reunions Anthology, Cindy Spencer Pape. I had fun hanging out with both of them and we even managed a trip downtown to visit The Garden, one of Columbus' fetish shops. The clerks were adorable and offered to explain anything we uh...couldn't figure out.

All of the EC author that I met were fabulous and for once I got to feel tall! Well, not as short;-)I'm really looking forward to Romanticon this year and getting to know everyone a little better.

This was my first year to participate in Club RT and I can tell you, I didn't have a clue. It's a wonderful way to connect with readers but clueless me, I didn't realize how important the "bling" would be. I had a basket of chocolate, my business cards and a smile. It might have worked if I was a rock star.

The Friday E-Expo was so much fun! I sat between the very talented Dee Brice and a wonderful author, Kathryn R. Blake, who lent me a gold sharpie when mine quit working. She had produced a booklet with her cover and first chapter that was really slick. And I didn't write down the name of the software. Trust me, I'm kicking myself.

This was also my first booksigning and I can tell you as a newbie, I was terrified. When I showed up I had ten copies of Assassin's Kiss on the table but my other book, the Carnal Reunions anthology was nowhere in sight. Barnes and Nobles hadn't sent it. Our Resplendence publisher found out and brought Cindy and me five copies apiece. Thank you Leigh!

I sat between the fabulous Eden Bradley and very popular YA author, Heather Brewer. Heather sold out her three stacks of books within the first hour but the fans kept coming to talk and have their picture taken. She carried her vampire theme through with antennae balls stamped with the logo her books. Very cool idea and went over big with her fans.

I got several good ideas about bling at this conference and one of them was that functional items like antennae balls, eyeglass cleaning cloths and key-chains are winners but people also like to read excerpts and get a feel for your books. I'm making my list for Romanticon and it will definitely include bling!

See you there;-)
Hugs,
Paris

Interview of Paris Brandon, RBRU Member Author!

It's my honor to be interviewing Paris Brandon, a fellow Ellora's Cave author and Mid-America Romance Author! I've known Paris since she first published, and am thrilled to watch as her career skyrockets!

Tell us about yourself, Paris!
Thanks so much for inviting me. A little bit about me? It was a dark and stormy night…just kidding . Let’s go with the condensed version. I can’t remember a time that I didn’t make up stories to amuse myself and years ago I joined RWA after attending a book signing for my favorite Harlequin Temptation author at the time, Lynn Michaels. She actually invited me to attend a meeting of the Heartland Romance Authors and I was hooked!

Latest Book: "Head Over Heels"
Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8181-138-head-over-heels.aspx
You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jgYmmsBB6g
 
In September of 2008, I got the “call” from Ellora’s Cave that they wanted to buy my first erotic contemporary OW/YM novella, "No Holds Barred" and I’ve been happily writing and selling my work since then. I have three novellas and Book One of a paranormal shifter series out now. My most recent release is part of the multi-author Red Stilettos series and my story, "Head Over Heels" is Book One, released February 12.


Q: What’s the first thing you did when you received word you’d sold a book?
A: You mean besides jumping up and down, screaming and crying? Oh, I called my husband, who was at work at the time and told him the good news. Then I called my critique group and e-mailed everyone I knew. Uhm…I was a little excited!

Q: What part of the book is the hardest for you? Why?
A: I’m a plotter. I sit down and plot the book out, develop my characters so that I know who they are and why they do the things they do so that I can make them believable in any of the situations that I put them in. I write the first three or four chapters then make sure the rest of the book lines up but I’m constantly asking myself if my characters are behaving logically. The beginning is always the most challenging for me because I really try to figure it all out by the time the first draft is complete. That said, I went totally against what I usually do and wrote the first two chapters of "Head Over Heels" and then wrote the ending! Every book is a new experience but starting the darn thing is always the hardest for me!

Q: Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
A: It’s so hard to choose because I love them all but I think Kira, the heroine of "Assassin’s Kiss", my paranormal/shifter novel is probably my favorite so far. She overcame everything I threw at her and still remained hopeful. She knew there was an answer as to who she was and if there were others like her and she overcame all of the obstacles to find her place in the world. She even ended up saving the hero (after he’d saved her several times). Did I mention that I’m partial to kick-ass heroines? Can I say that here:-)?

Q: What hobby do you enjoy when not writing?
A: I love research. I could happily spend hours scouring dusty bookstores looking for something that sparks my imagination. You can find everything from Celtic history to The New York Public Library Science Desk Reference on my research shelves. My favorites though are the journals, written by everyday people from any period of history. That’s where history lives for me. Uhm…I think I’ve veered off the path. Can you tell this is one of my passions?

Q: What’s your strongest point as a writer?
A: I’ve been told that I create great characters. I’ve had a couple of critique partners and reviewers mention the same thing so I’m going to take their word for it.

Q: What is your favorite romance book that you’ve read?
A: I wish I could pick just one! I love Jennifer Crusie. Her last two books have been co-authored with Bob Mayer and are just a fun reads. Agnes and the Hitman, has got to be one of my all time favorites. Anne Stuart’s Ice series for when I want dark alpha heroes and anything by Lynn Smith! Her Bride series was hysterical and her older Harlequin titles gave me hope that I was finally going to be able to read about fearless heroines.

Q: You’re on a remote island with a handsome man, a computer, and a “mysterious” source of electricity to power your computer. What do you do?
A: This is a fantasy, right? Then the handsome man looks like Josh Holloway (Sawyer, from “Lost”) and I’d tell him that as long as he killed and cleaned whatever food he could find, I’d cook it but he’d have to clean up because I had a deadline to meet. Of course after the deadline…I’d need more inspiration for the next book. Hey, this is a fantasy! I mean really, would you send an SOS:

Q: Any other information you'd like to give us?
A:
Website: http://parisbrandon.com
Enjoy the adventure of sensual
Ellora’s Cave Titles: http://www.jasminejade.com/m-524-paris-brandon.aspx
Resplendence Titles: http://www.resplendencepublishing.com
I belong to two group blogs. Drop by anytime, we’re always talking about something in the writing field or promoting one of our new releases!

Saturdays: http://www.shapeshifterseductions.blogspot.com
Tuesdays: http://www.sixsexysirens.blogspot.com
If you’d like to receive my newsletter, stop by my website and sign up! I always love to see new faces and feel free to drop me a line on my contact page.

BLURB for Head Over Heels

Height-challenged Bella Jacienski literally falls head over magic red stilettos into sexy philanthropist’s Rhys Vincent’s arms and wonders if the legend attached to the shoes is true. Has she found her heart’s desire, a passionate, lust-crazed lover who wants only her­—always?

Rhys can’t keep his big hands off the curvy shopkeeper. Her smile captivates him and her lush body has him behaving like a primitive Neanderthal. Heated glances and sizzling touches turn into a hot office interlude and wild break-the-bed sex that only make him want her more. She thinks the shoes are magic but Rhys knows that Bella is all the magic he needs.

Excerpt: Rated: Adult

Rhys Vincent ground his back teeth and took Veronica Smith–Hathaway’s elbow as they crossed the street. It was snowing and not for the first time did he wish he were wearing boots instead of dress shoes with his tux. Ronnie didn’t seem to notice the puddle that soaked her designer heels or the frigid wind that tore at the edges of her flimsy black evening coat. Neither had been designed for January in Kansas City.
 
Veronica—Ronnie—was his best friend Brian’s estranged wife. She had insisted she knew a shop that had the fedora they needed to complete the scavenger-hunt list—right after he’d politely refused her offer to give him the best sex of his life. Was it too much to ask for a woman who didn’t have an agenda to want to have sex with him? He’d been down the revenge-sex path years ago and it was one he didn’t want to take with a woman he’d known for twenty years.

He’d promised Brian that he’d keep an eye on her and that meant he couldn’t very well let her walk around alone in the Crossroads art district after dark.

As CEO of the Vincent Foundation, he’d put Veronica in charge of the annual event as a favor. One he was coming to regret. He was still trying to figure out why Brian was so worried about a wife he’d clearly been neglecting for the past year when Ronnie leaned over and peered into a dimly lit shop.

“There it is,” she hissed, pointing at a weathered brown fedora, jauntily perched on a torso mannequin’s head. Before he could figure out why she was hissing, he glanced through the window, started to shout and everything went into slow motion.

He saw a pair of curvy legs that ended in sexy red spike heels leaning forward and overbalancing a rickety ladder. The bell over the door jangled as he pushed it open and sprinted three full strides. He reached her before she finished screaming.

“She” was an armful of black and white fluff he grabbed and swept out of the way as the ladder fell.
 
Maybe he couldn’t breathe because she’d smacked him square in the chest but he didn’t think so. Although it could have been because her arms were wrapped solidly around his neck, as if she didn’t intend to let go anytime soon. Fine by him.

He didn’t know if she was shocked that he’d caught her or because she knew the shudder that rippled through her like a faint orgasm had telegraphed its way into his fingertips. She looked like a naughty fairy-tale princess with big blue eyes. A fall of silky dark hair brushed the top of her black turtleneck and her creamy cheeks were flushed as bright as an apple. She knew.

Thanks to Paris Brandon for doing this interview! She's a Member Author of this blog's Yahoo group and can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancebooksrus

Interview of Annie Alvarez, RBRU Member Author!

It's my pleasure to interview fellow RBRU Member Author Annie Alvarez today!

BIO:

I can put together a lesbian erotica at the drop of a dime, but ask me to write an autobiography and my mind goes completely blank. So, here goes...
I was born in New Orleans Louisiana. That's right, the Big Easy or the bathtub, whichever you prefer. Anyways, when I was born, Mercy Hospital was still called Mercy, so I've got a few years under my belt.At the age of 5, my family moved to sunny South Florida. I spent the next 27 years baking in the sun and enjoying the constant, predictable weather.
As a teenager, I caused my share of trouble, which I will not go into here. Needless to say, when I turned 18, I came out to my friends and family. I'll never forget that day, either. My picture was plastered on the front page of the Miami Herald's Sunday edition. For those of you who don't know what the Miami Herald is, it's only the largest newspaper in South Florida and my picture took up half the front page. Woohoo! My first fifteen minutes of fame.
I've had my share of relationships, some were good and some were downright wrong. At the age of 32, a mutual friend introduced me to my current partner, who lived in Texas. We seemed to hit it off, even though she spoke with a funny accent. She returned to Texas and I followed her. We've been together 13 years now and I wouldn't trade a single day of it. We don't have kids even though we both want them. What we do have is 3 cats who are highly opinionated, and 2 huge, lovable dogs.
I never said, oh geez, when I grow up, I want to be a writer. No, that didn't happen to me. What did happen was that imagination sideswiped me one day and an erotic story complete with characters, consumed every bit of my waking moments. To get it out of my head, I put it on paper, smart huh? Well, that's what started my writing career. I successfully have four published ebooks, The Hightower Series, and I'm working on the forth.
My stories center on Izzy and Tamara, both vampires and both very sexy, but deadly. It's full of hot, explicit love scenes between them and sometimes- other partners. A lot of people have asked me if I tend to write from experience, my answer is yes, and no. Yes, because I write lesbian erotica and I'm a lesbian, duh. No, because I'm not a vampire although some days, I wish I was.
Well, there you have it, my life in a nutshell. Of course, I left stuff out...I already share my dirty mind with you; I can't very well go sharing my dirty laundry, too!

Q: What’s the first thing you did when you received word you’d sold a book?
A: I did my infamous happy-happy-joy-joy dance. Then I called my partner, all my friends and spread the good news. In that order. I was so stoked, I had to read the email a few times before it registered!

Q: What part of the book is the easiest for you to write? Why?
A: I find it all easy to write except, when my muse has a different idea on where the story should go. That’s when it becomes a battle of the wills between my characters and I and believe me…they are opinionated!

Q: Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
A: Oh, that’s easy. It would have to be Tamara Hightower. I see her as my complete opposite. She possesses everything I don’t. Patience, a great sense of humor, patience, a canning ability to read people, patience. Oh, did I mention patience?

Q: If one of your books became a movie, which celebrity would you like to star as one of your heroines? Tell us about your heroine.
A: Kate Beckinsale, as Tamara. She was fantastic in Underworld! The way she portrayed the tough, cold vampire side, even though she was falling in love. Yeah. That’s definitely Tamara!

Izzy is a little harder to cast. Half witch, half vampire with spells running amok all the time. She’s young and bubbly…Maybe you have a suggestion or two?

Q: Do all your heroes and all heroines look the same in your mind as you “head write”?
A: Absolutely not! I actually “see” them as different people. That’s what helps me get in their head, so to speak. I “see” Tamara as a more refined person, but not stuck up. She always has a reason for doing something. She’s intelligent and overly cautious.

Izzy is a bubbly, happy go lucky, save the planet nut that loves to live life to the fullest. She wears flip-flops, and has a killer tan. She likes to sun bathe a lot.

Jazz? Well, as a vampire, she got stuck in the hippie era and refused to put it behind her. She likes to wear flowy, tie dyed clothes. She’s a good mixture between Tamara and Izzy.

Q: Facebook, MySpace, Blogs, Chats, or Twitter. Which do you like best and why?
A: I don’t like any of them because people and I’m referring to readers, don’t really get to know your work. They are all looking for more, whatever’s…ranch buddies, flower power petals, who knows. However, having said that, you can find me on all, except chats. I haven’t checked that one out, yet.

Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all!
Yes! I take reader’s emails. If you have a question of comment let me know. Annie@anniealvarez.net
http://www.anniealvarez.net
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Naughty-Little-Vamp/222738366205 
http://naughtylittlevamp.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/Anniealvarez
http://www.myspace.com/anniesreality
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board

BLURB:

Is it not enough that I have put up with her blatant disobedience and have tolerated her abandonment to our way of living and our life together? As Matriarch of the Hightower Clan, I should take what rightfully belongs to me. No one would deny me that right, but I want more than just her body standing next to me. I want her heart and love to follow willingly.

EXCERPT:
It was close to the Winter Solstice and Connecticut was cold, but that didn’t bother me. The sleepy little town teamed with suppressed energy that built stronger as each night passed. It was enough that it made me edgy and that wasn’t an easy thing to do. Luckily, Faelyn bumped up against New York and Massachusetts so it was only a quick run into the city to visit one of Kaley’s Donor Centers, or find an unsuspecting donor to calm my jittery nerves. Either would do for me. I’m not picky about feeding, but I do draw the line on Demons. It takes weeks to get the retched taste out of my mouth.

I heard the branch Layla was standing on creak. I smiled and turned to her. “You are a goddess, and yet, you stand on a limb that cannot hold your weight.”

“This is not about me.” She stepped onto a thicker branch. “This is about you maintaining order in your clan. You’ve sat here night after night, indulging in self-pity, watching what you once had instead of reassuring your clan that your strong hand will continue to protect them.”

“They are vampires,” I said, stretching my leg off the branch and casually swinging it. “They should take care of themselves.”

Layla firmly grabbed the limb above her and swung her body close to me. “Need I remind you that you are only as powerful as your clan? If you continue to lose members, you will have failed your mother as well.” She paused. “Look.” She pointed across the street. “In the three weeks you have been perched here, she hasn’t noticed you because she’s moved on with her life, as should you.”

Layla was right. Yesterday, their neighborhood was a typical foliage-covered, standard-looking suburb, and tonight…it glimmered with shiny, white Christmas lights and solstice wreaths cleverly hung from trees. Their house was no exception. They were preparing for the Winter Solstice. Layla had an incredible knack for making a point and this one stung. I already felt as though I failed Izzy and now for a little extra spice, she added mother to my already simmering pot of failure. Maybe she had been right. What I needed was a good fight to get my head and my new priorities screwed on straight.

Anything else you’d like to add?
In these times when M/M is quite popular, I have dedicated myself to writing about what I know, F/F erotica. If you want a little break, join my lovely vampire ladies as Izzy battles to keep her humanity and Mistress Tamara battles to keep Izzy.

POS sufferers unite!

I wanted to write something witty, sharp and meaningful and to quote my 12 year old nephew, "I got nothing."

For most normal people, having nothing is no big deal. For a writer, it's an automatic death sentence and I am sitting in the corridors awaiting my fate. No. I'm not suffering from the dreaded writer's block. I have named my affliction, POS - wait! It's not what you're thinking really!

POS stands for Promotions Overload Syndrome. Many authors are affecting by this crippling disease, just ask one.

Here's the dirty...we write, what we think is an awesome story. A publishing house accepts our manuscript and then we have to figure out how to promote our baby. Yes, publishing houses do promote, but let's get real for a minute...they can only do so much and no matter how much they do, we the creators of the story think it's never enough. We have to step in and get our name out there and rightfully so.

We must introduce ourselves to the world and let everyone know who we are and what we've written, and oh yeah, that they want to buy it. So, we start with the small Ning groups at first, then we incorporate the Yahoo Groups. By this time, we've got a Kazillion email addresses and passwords to remember, but that isn't enough! We squeeze in a blog of our own! Just in case, you know?

My problem is that I am so preoccupied with keeping up with the Jones that my Muse took a temporary vacation. I think she's in the Bahamas with the Smith's.

I have resolved to fix this and bring my Muse back. I am dwendling down the list I commit myself to. If you don't see me somewhere, it's not that I don't care, I promise. It's that I want my Muse back. Pronto!

I need to keep my readers happy and I can't do that with my Muse sipping Margaritas on a deserted Island, hiding from me. Statistics stated that the f/f genre, was not a favorable one and in spite of that, I have done pretty good. Not great, but good and I don't want to ruin it by streching myself so thin that I disappear.

I invite you all to get to know me, visit my website and my blog. You just might like something you read.

Here's are my words of wisdom, when the POS interferes with your writing, it's time to take the BS out back and put it to rest!

Annie :0)

http://www.anniealvarez.net/

"Mother Goose Day": Naughty Adult Rhymes!

Before I start, I've got some great news! "Strip Poker for Two", an erotic romance book by April Ash, tied for first place in the "Best Book Title Contest at: http://thebookboost.blogspot.com
Check my website for information about the book: http://www.aprilash.net.

Yep...It's the official "Mother Goose" Day! But this blog is NOT for kids!

Just the mention of "Mother Goose" brings back childhood memories of quirky tales I loved as a child...ones each generation imparts to the next. Do you have a favorite? Jack and Jill? Little Bo Peep?

Consider these rhymes as tales for adults by "tweaking" them...and you can come up with some naughty wording to fill a page!

Jack and Jill went up the hill
and lovemaking they did do
they did this every day they could
Now Jill will eat for two.


Jack be nimble
Jack be quick
Let's make it a threesome
So go call Rick.




Little Jack Horner sat in a corner
eating his Christmas pie
he spread some on me
and ate heartedly
and contentedly I did sigh.

Peter , Peter, pumpkin eater
had a wife and couldn't keep her
Made love to her every night
Never did she stray from sight.

Simple Simon met a callgirl
going to the fair
Said Simple Simon to the callgirl

Let me taste your ware.

Said the callgirl to Simple Simon
Show money and your dick
Said Simple Simon to the callgirl
No money but I'm quick!

So how many rhymes can you convert to naughty short tales that would make Mother Goose blush? Book idea: Madam Goose Tales for Naughty Adults!

Photos: Flickr: M.V.Jantzen, Max Sparber's photostreams.

http://www.mariannestephens.net
http://www.aprilash.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancebooksrus

Interview of Sandra K. Marshall, RBRU Member Author

It's my honor to interview a good friend, Sandy. I've known her for all of my RWA and Mid-America Romance Authors years, and she's one of the people who motivated me when I felt like quitting. Happy to have her here today!

Sandy, tell us about yourself!

Marianne, thank you so much for having me here today. I've really enjoyed myself in this relaxed atmosphere.

Bio: I worked for a major airline for thirty-six years and did extensive travel during that period. In 1999, I retired to write full time and seriously worked toward publication.

I had an idea for a book at the time the riverboat casinos were starting up in the Mid-west. To write this book, I did research by working for nine months at a local riverboat casino. After I started my first book I knew I had enough information for more books. Fortunately, there were secondary characters who wanted their stories told to.

Here's the title of my latest book, buy link, video link.
"ADDICTION" is my latest book, the buy link is http://www.eirelander-publishing.com/addiction.htm and my video link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e684nldayz0

Q: What’s the first thing you did when you received word you’d sold a book?
A: I was totally numb. I had worked so hard for so many years that it was hard to believe it actually happened. Who did you tell first? I was on-line so the first person I told was my mentor and critique group, and then my hubby.

Q: What part of the book is the easiest for you…beginning, middle, end. Why?
A: The beginning is the easiest for me. Those first few scenes just come to me, and I have to write notes so I won't forget them.

Q: What part of the book is the hardest for you…beginning, middle, end. Why?
A: The hardest part of writing a book is the end because I know what the end is going to be, but I have a hard time getting there. I think it's because I'm in a hurry to finish, and I need to take my time and get it right.

Q: If one of your books became a movie, which celebrity would you like to star as one of your heroines? Tell us about your heroine.
A: I'll use the heroine from Addiction. Sandra Bullock looks like Jolene Dubois except Jolene is taller. My heroine is an alcoholic, so she battles that addiction every day of her life. She also is fighting for her life because someone is stalking her.

Q: If one of your books became a movie, which celebrity would you like to star as one of your heroes? Tell us about your hero.
A: I'll use the hero from Addiction here. Jake Farrell is a black-haired blue-eyed Irishman who has an ornery grin. I'm not sure who I would want to play him. An Irishman for sure. lol

Q: What hobby do you enjoy when not writing?
A: I love to read when I have time to. Also, I love to travel.

Q: Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all!
A:

http://www.skaymarshall.com
http://www.eirelander-publishing.com
http://www.myspace.com/s_zinn_marshall
http://www.facebook.com/sandramarshall
http://www.sandramarshallblog.blogspot.com
I'm also on Twitter as SandraKMarshall

Q: Anything you’d like to add?
A: Here are two review sites for Addiction:
http://bkwalkerbooks.weebly.com/1/post/2009/12/-read-review-of-addiction-by-sandra-k-marshall.html
http://ddrreviews.blogspot.com/2010/01/addiction-by-sandra-k-marshall.html

I was pleasantly surprised by them. It gave me validation that I could be a writer.

BLURB for "Addiction"

Two men are after the same woman but for very different reasons.


Dark-haired beauty, Jolene Dubois has a serious problem, and it's not just battling alcoholism. Late at night, she receives whispered calls. "Jolene, I want you. I'm coming for you." Shivers climb up her spine and ice flowed in her veins.
What does he want? She must figure it out before she trusts the wrong person.


Jake Farrell, the handsome rogue is an operator with women, but is he hiding something dark and sinister under his cheery facade. The detective, Andy Martin, who investigated her father's murder, continues to ask her out. Les Voodré, an alcoholic she met at AA follows her everywhere, and Ron Keisler, her AA sponsor is always there when she needs him. Could her caller be one of these men?


To further complicate her life, she fights a host of addictions, alcoholism, smoking, gambling and sex.Jolene is determined to beat the alcohol and to stay out of the clutches of the fiend who phones her.


EXCERPT:

Jake pulled into Parma Woods Conservation area off FF Highway across the road from the Missouri river
“I’m glad the weather cleared for our target practice."


“Yeah, it’s a nice sunny afternoon.” Jolene jumped out of his dark blue SUV. Twenty minutes in the vicinity of Jake had put her through pure torture. She wished she could’ve thought of a way out of the demonstration with a reasonable excuse but none came to her during the day. How did she get herself into these situations? Because the man drew her to him like bees drawn to nectar with his laughing eyes, his daring manner, and that body.
  
Glad she kept some extra clothes in the office, she’d changed into a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved green t-shirt before meeting Jake. Leaning inside, she pulled her Smith and Wesson out of her purse, and pushed the lock on the door before she closed it.  

“Let’s go inside and pay for our hour.” Jake headed for the office. 

Well, so much for courtesy. He just walked off and left her. She surveyed the row of covered booths briefly, and hurried after him.  

Coming out the door as she reached it, he asked, “What took you so long? I thought you’d run off.”  

“I was looking around.” Damn, she would like to slap that impudent grin off his face. “There’s no way I’d miss showing you up.” 

“Hmm, we’ll see, won’t we?” Jake arched a black brow with a lopsided smile. 

She shrugged. “Yes, we will.” If he kept his distance and didn’t upset her hormones, she’d hit the target.  

“I’ve set up a target for you.” He pointed. “I’m going to try you at different distances, and we’ll see if you can really shoot.” 

Jolene squinted a bit and saw a human shape of white on black. “I’m not used to this type of target. Where am I supposed to aim?” 

“Aim at the heart for the kill.” He placed his hand at her waist, steered her closer to the object and stopped about thirty yards away. “Is this close enough for you?” 

“Fine.” Just get away from me, she screamed mentally and shook off his arm.  

Jake stepped back. 

Jolene raised her gun, clasped in both hands and sighted, then pulled the trigger. Smiling, she set her sights on the heart again and fired until she emptied the clip, released it then put another in. 

“Wait a minute, let me go check to see if you hit it.” He jogged toward the target. 

Scowling, she resisted the urge to see if she could make him dance. With the gun to her side, she yelled, “Well, how did I do?” 

As she watched him shake his head, dismay clawed at her. Could she have missed? Fool! She’d been so sure she could repeat the ten in ten bulls-eyes. Jake would think she was just a big bragger. 

“Come and see for yourself,” Jake yelled.  

You would think he would just tell me if I missed or not. Jolene walked briskly from the covered shooting range and strode up to him. “Well, did I hit the target?” She’d never live it down if she missed.  

Jake glanced at her. “Hey, where’s the confidence you had earlier today?” Taking her arm, he pulled her forward and pointed at the silhouette’s heart area. “This guy’s dead. There are ten shots right here.” He directed his gaze to where the testicles would be on a man. “I only see one miss.” 

She looked down at the crotch and laughed. “Oh, I didn’t miss. I meant to hit there.”  

“Remind me not to piss you off.”  

She heard a discharge, then a whishing sound as a projectile whizzed between them. It sliced through the target removing any evidence of the head. Shocked, she crouched down, staring all around, and then Jake shoved her to the ground and dropped on top of her.  

Someone had shot at them. Was it Rutherford’s friends? Trembling, she laid still until slowly realizing her face was in the dirt, and she couldn’t breathe. Panting, she turned her head gulping in air. All quiet. She wiggled. How long did they have to lay here? It had to be safe by now. 

In the distance, she heard a motor roar to life, and tires spin on gravel as the vehicle took off. Could it be the person who shot at them making a getaway? 

“Don’t you think they’re gone?” She humped her bottom up. Not a good idea, she realized when she felt something hard in the front of his pants. She flattened her body to the ground. “Did you have to jump on top of me?” She struggled against the hand Jake pressed on her head.  

“Shh,” he whispered in her ear. “I want to hear if anyone moves, so I’ll know where the shot came from.” 

Spitting out dirt, she just wanted to make a run for it. Bushes rustled on the bluff and a deer leaped from them. 

Jake waited a moment then removed his palm from her lips.  

She listened for more gunshots. Would someone pepper them with bullets? Her heart pumped frantically, and she wanted to run, not lie there like a willing target caught right in a potential killer’s crosshairs. When nothing happened she squirmed under him. “Get off of me.”  

He hugged her body a minute longer before he slid to lie at her side. His hand stayed firmly on her back and held her in place.  

After a few seconds, she asked, “Don’t you think it’s okay to get up now?” 

“He was on the bluff across the road.” He stared at the high steep bank across the road. “I don’t see anyone there, but let’s go in a zigzag to the nearest cover. Do you think you can do that?”  

“Yeah.” Anything would be better than waiting for something to happen.  

Adrenaline pumping, with the gun in her left hand she put her right one in front of her chest ready to push up. Would someone shoot them before they had a chance to run? Her stomach knotted into a thousand little nerves. At the same time Jake grabbed her around the waist and jerked her up. Her feet hit the ground running with Jake’s arm guiding her.  

As they neared the Conservation office building, Jake pushed her next to the wall and peered around the corner. “I think it was a warning, or otherwise we would both be dead.” 

“Warning of what?”  

“I wish I knew.”  

Jolene struggled loose of his grasp and peeked around the bend, too. “What are we waiting for? I don’t see anything.” 

“We’re staying here until I determine no one’s still there. He could’ve moved to a new place and be waiting for us to come out of hiding to pop us off.” He crouched down. “Just in case, I’m going to make a run for my SUV and bring it around for you.” 

“No way, I’m going with you. Besides, you don’t know if that shot was for me or for you.” She bent over and took off. A hand grabbed her around the waist, and Jake forced her to his side away from the road and half-carried her to the SUV. 

“What the hell do you think you’re doing? Trying to get yourself killed?” He pushed her down next to his vehicle, unlocked the door with the clicker and opened it. “Get in and stay down.” 

Jolene did as she was told. Crouched on the floor, nerves screaming, she waited for Jake to open his door. What in the heck was taking him so long? He should be on the other side by now. She raised her head to see if she could see him. 

Not detecting him, she started to exit the vehicle just as the driver’s door opened. 

Jake climbed in. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”  

She slid back onto her seat and closed the door. “I was coming to look for you.” She stared at his taut jaw as he started the engine. “I was worried because you took so long.” 

“When I tell you to do something, do it.” He clenched his fingers around the steering wheel, backing up and driving down the long driveway. 

“Well, aren’t you the bossy one.” She’d worried about the stupid man for nothing. “What were you doing?” 

“I let the guys inside know about the shots because they might need to call the police.” He turned east on FF highway. “I gave them our names and phone numbers in case they needed to contact us.” He glanced at her. “It could’ve been hunters who strayed off their grounds, but even if it were the next person might not be so lucky.”  

Does he expect me to fall for his story about hunters? The tautness of his forearms told her he didn’t buy what he was selling either.

Thanks to Sandra K. Marshall for doing this interview. She can be found at this blog's Yahoo Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancebooksrus

BLOGMANIA CONTEST

Hi Everyone,

Tomorrow, April 30th is the big blogmania contest. I hope you'll start with my blog, http://www.sandramarshallblog.blogspot.com and enjoy and all day shopping spree right in your own home.

1. Be at any of the blogs participating in the Blogmania Event as early as possible on April 30th. The easiest way to find a Blogmania Blog is to look for the Blogmania Badge.

2. This is an international event, so understand that there will be some differences in time zones. My advice is to start early and stay late to catch all the blogs.

3. Each blog will have their own giveaway requirements. Read them carefully, follow through, and then move on as quickly as possible. If you run across a blog that you really like and want to spend some time exploring, copy their URL and then visit them after Blogmania is over.

4. We will have a 100+ blogs for you to visit. Each one will post their number like this. ( This is blog 47 of 100) This is to help you keep track of which blogs you’ve visited, and which ones you still need to reach. I’d suggest that you prepare a blog sheet which is numbered from 1 – 120, then mark off each numbered blog as you visit them.

5. All blog links provided will also have a number like (Blog 89 of 100). Look for the blogs that you haven’t yet visited and follow those links until you’ve checked off all the blogs on your sheet.

6. We have all types of blogs participating in Blogmania, which means that the range of items in their giveaways are diverse. I have previewed many and they are awesome.

7. Why not contact a friend and partner up. Compare notes, share loot, or organize your own friendly neighborhood Blogmania Competition.

Best of luck everyone.

Sandy aka Sandra K. Marshall
Author of Addiction
http://www.eirelander-publishing.com/addiction.htm