Seelie Kay's Blog, page 6

This week in The Loft: Author Tena Stetler!

Joining me today in The Loft is international best-selling author Tena Stetler. Tena has written 18 paranormal romance books, no doubt drawing on past lives as a savings and loan branch manager, a paralegal for a criminal law firm, and an IT Manager for an electrical contracting firm. Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. When she’s not writing, Tena's time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking, or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors. Tena shares her Colorado home with her husband of many moons, a brilliant 11-year-old Chow Chow, a spoiled 25-year-old parrot, and a 42-year-old box turtle. 

Author Tena Stetler

S:  Good morning, Tena! I'm so pleased you could join me today.

Why did you start writing romance? 

T:   For me, crafting a romance is all about respect, trust, and love, except most of my characters are of the paranormal persuasion. I want to create a memorable love story with spice, adventure, and of course, a happily ever after. Characters that will grab hold of your heart and hang on long after you’ve read the last word and closed the book with a satisfied sigh.

S:  That's a worthy goal as an author.

Are you self-published or traditionally published?

T:  I am traditionally published. I guess you could say the path chose me. Recently, I’ve considered self-publishing, but find it would take time away from my writing, where my passion lives.

S:  Self-publishing is a lot of work. I admire those who attempt it.

Do you write in other genres?

T:  I do write in different genres. "Security Force of Two" was my first attempt at a mystery, maybe cozy. It was very well received and the first book in my Mountain Town Mystery Series. I also tried my hand at a historical, western, time travel paranormal all rolled into one. Whew it was a challenge. It turned out good and the reviewers loved "An Angel’s Wylder Assignment." Would I attempt it again? Jury is still out on that.

S:  What attracted you to your current partner? 

T:  He is kind, understanding, smart, funny, loves animals, and is supportive. He enjoys my books and loves to brainstorm with me.

S:  What  do you want inscribed on your tombstone? 

T:   She dared to dream and never gave up. 

S:  How do you want to be remembered? 

T:  As kind, determined and that I loved to write stories to entertain people.

S:  What do you consider your greatest achievement? 

T:   Writing and finishing a book that people enjoy.

S:  What’s the best advice you have ever been given?

T:  I have two. To write what you love. If you don’t your readers will know. The other is that Everyone gets bad reviews. Writing is subjective and not all will like your books. People can break your heart. Read the review only once, glean any bit of constructive information from them, if any, and never read them again.

S:  That's great advice.

What inspired "Security Force of Two?" 

T:  "Security Force of Two" is the first book in my Mountain Town Mystery series. All the books in the series can be read as a standalone.  A few years ago, I attended a writing conference. I had lunch with an individual from a publishing house. She was a hoot and talked about her father who was the chief of police for a small town. Growing up in that small town she knew everybody’s business more than most, being the chief’s daughter. Nothing really bad ever happened in her town. Our conversation got me to thinking, which is always a dangerous thing. What if the police chief of 35 years retired? What if his replacement succumbed to an untimely death in that tiny town that never saw much crime, let alone a violent murder? What if the retired police chief’s daughter left the CIA for a quiet life only to become mixed up in the investigation? The what-ifs went on and on. I made notes and stored them on my computer. As it turned out, when I arrived home from the conference, an email awaited me. My debut novel, "A Demon’s Witch," which I pitched at that conference was contracted by The Wild Rose Press.  which has since published 18 of my books. In my excitement, the file was completely forgotten.  Years later, I came across the file and reviewed it. "Security Force of Two" was born. I keep thinking, someday, I should drop the individual an email and let her know our conversation inspired my book. Then again, maybe not. 

Here's the blurb--

Miacoh Zane, a Special Forces veteran, returns to Aspen Ridge, Colorado a small town nestled in the Rocky Mountains, to settle his beloved grandmother’s estate. But the town holds painful memories and mystical family secrets he wants to leave behind for good.

Candle Bearclaw, is a gifted computer analyst/programmer with psychic talents she buried when recruited out of college by the CIA. After fifteen years, she abruptly resigns her position and returns to her sleepy hometown to discover her childhood crush has also returned and a violent crime has been committed.
Due to their covert operations experience, Candle and Miacoh are thrown together to assist Homeland Security, FBI, and her father, the former chief of police, with a murder investigation. As they search for the perpetrators, their secrets risk being revealed as the investigation takes an unusual twist that could blow the case wide open.

S:  Mystical family secrets. That's a great way to hook a reader.
Where can readers buy your book?
T:  All booksellers are listed here: https://books2read.com/u/bMN2X5.
S:  Tena, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Tena and her books, please visit--
Website:  https://www.tenastetler.comAuthors’ Secret’s Blog:  https://www.tenastetler.com/category/authors-secrets-blog/My Say What Blog:  http://www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/TenaStetler
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14187532.Tena_Stetler
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/tenastetler
BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tena-stetler
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/tenastetler/
Tumblr:  https://www.tumblr.com/blog/tenajean2014
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tena-stetler-10057978/
YouTube:  @tenastetler283Newsletter:  https://www.tenastetler.com/newsletter-signup/

He doesn't remember a thing...

Saint Con: Scintillating Romantic Suspense!

Excerpt:

Jessica was on the verge of tears. He really didn’t remember a thing. “We may have only known each other for days, but what we had was real. It was strong and passionate and overwhelming. As for why I allowed volunteers into my home for the search efforts—Sydney asked. And I agreed, because although I’d only known you for four days, we had one magical night. I wanted another.” Jessica gazed at him. “Sure, it’s not logical. But love doesn’t have to be logical. All that matters is that two people meet, and their hearts, minds, and bodies connect. That is what love is.” She studied Con. “But you don’t remember that, do you? And you most certainly don’t feel it.” Jessica was devastated. She brushed at her wet cheeks and closed her eyes, trying to settle herself. Finally, she gazed at Sydney and said, “I’m sorry, I can’t do this. You’re going to have to find another place for him to stay.”

Read more excerpts at www.seeliekay.com.

At all booksellers.

This week in The Loft: Author Sadira Stone!

Joining me today in The Loft is author Sadira Stone. Sadira writes contemporary romance with "heart and heat." Her stories highlight chosen family, friendship, and the sizzling chemistry that pulls unlikely partners together. After a 28-year career teaching high school English, German, French, and theater on US military bases in Germany, Sadira returned to the Pacific Northwest, and eventually settled in Las Vegas. When she emerges from her "writing cave," you’ll find her shaking her hips in Zumba class or on the dance floor, strumming her ukulele, singing in her community choir, taking in live music and comedy shows with her charming husband, or cooking up a storm.

Author Sadira Stone
S:  Good morning, Sadira!

Why did you start writing romance?

SS:   Funny story: I started out writing cozy mystery, but each story had a strong romantic thread. You’d think I’d take the hint, right? Around 2016, I read an article about how fun and lucrative writing erotic stories can be, so I tried writing one. Turns out that story wanted to become a full-blown romance novel, and I was hooked. "Through the Red Door" caught a small publisher’s attention, and I was off to the races.

S:  How do you determine the "heat level" of your stories?

SS:  In my humble opinion, sexual chemistry is an important part of the falling in love process, and sex with someone you love is one of life’s peak experiences. No way am I going to leave out the good stuff! I enjoy a deliciously slow-burn build-up to that pivotal moment, and the revved-up emotion that comes with a sizzling sexual connection. That said, I’m not interested in kink, power games, etc., so I don’t write those.

S:  Sex plays an important role in many relationships. Ignoring that makes no sense. 

Book banning is back in the news and even some very popular romance authors' books are being removed from school libraries. How do you feel about this trend? How do we fight it?

SS:   Obviously, I’m opposed to book banning. My parents were conservative and uptight, so my only real sexual education came from the public library. Should parents have the right to limit what their kids read? To an extent, I suppose so—though when it comes to teens, it’s foolish to think you can keep a tight rein on their information flow, and a fool’s errand to try. Better to talk out important issues with them and explain what you believe and why.  Do parents have the right to limit what other kids can read? Never. One way to fight this is to write to your local library and praise to the heavens what you love about their services. This gives them ammo to use at hearings aimed at limiting their collections and services. And if such a hearing occurs in your community, show up! Can you tell I feel strongly about this subject?

S:  In the U.S., people do need to fight against censorship of any kind, especially when it's directed at taxpayer-funded institutions, like libraries and schools. We cannot sit back and wait for someone else to do it.

Are you self-published or traditionally published? Why did you choose that path?

SS:   I started out with a small press, a wonderful way to learn the publishing business. After a few books with them, I went indie and plan to continue on that path for the foreseeable future. I love the control I have over covers, content, style, and publishing timeline.

S:  What attracted you to your current partner?

SS:   I met Hubs at the high school where we both worked. Does that make him my high school sweetheart? We were both recovering from bad marriages and connected over that and other common interests. I adore his humor, his generous support of my writing, his acceptance of my introverted nature, his willingness to try new things, and he’s a great kisser!

S:  I'm one of the first to say kissing is a lost art. You're a lucky woman!

If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?

SS:   How could I not? I’ve been a bookworm since I taught myself to read at age four. Books are the golden thread that runs through my life.

S:  Have you ever shelved or thrown out a manuscript? 

SS:   As a matter of fact, I have three as-yet-unpublished books I’d call cozy romantic suspense. I do intend to polish them up and publish them someday. They’re not quite as steamy as my Sadira Stone books, so I might choose a different pen name. Who knows? It’s nice to have options.

S:  What’s the best advice you have ever been given?

SS:   A wise old Southern lady once told me, “Honey, ever’body has something to teach you, even if it’s how not to be.” Best advice ever!

S:  That's very sound advice.

What do you want inscribed on your tombstone? How do you want to be remembered?

SS:   “She loved life and had a blast!”

S:  I like that!

What inspired "Passion in the Cards" and "Passionate Brew?"

SS:  The first two novellas in the Trappers Cove romance series were originally part of last year’s Zodiac Encounters anthology and have been expanded and re-edited. Book 3, "The Billionaire’s Christmas Castle," coming in October, is a full-length novel. This series was inspired by the Washington State and Oregon beach towns I love so much--Ocean Shores, Long Beach, and many more. I love their kitschy souvenir shops, antique shops, community festivals, arcades, hippie-dippy crystal shops, funky bars and casual restaurants, and their welcoming, we-don’t-take-ourselves-too-seriously vibe. I go to the ocean to renew and refresh my body and soul, and these steamy romances deliver that same experience for my characters—and hopefully my readers too! "Passion in the Cards" plays with one of my favorite tropes-- opposites attract, and "Passionate Brew" plays with another--enemies to lovers.

S:  Sadira, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Sadira and her books, please visit--

Website:  https://sadirastone.com

Social media:   https://linktr.ee/SadiraStone

This week In the Loft: Author Tina Donahue!

Joining me today in The Loft is author Tina Donahue. The Amazon and international bestselling novelist writes passionate romance--heat with heart. She’s won Readers’ Choice Awards, was named a finalist in the EPIC competition, received a Book of the Year award, The Golden Nib Award, awards of merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competitions, and second place in the NEC RWA contests. Before penning romances, she worked at a major Hollywood production company in Story Direction. Tina is an admitted and unrepentant chocoholic, brakes for Mexican restaurants, and has been known to moan like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally while wolfing down tostadas. She claims to be horribly shy despite the hot romances she writes.
Author Tina Donahue
S:  Good morning, Tina. Thanks for sitting down for a chat today.
Book banning is back in the news and even some very popular romance authors' books are being removed from school libraries. How do you feel about this trend? How do we fight it?
T:  I resent anyone believing they can tell me what I can and can’t read. How dare they. Mind your own business (MYOB) is my motto. When I was 17, I went to the local library to check out a romance I heard about. It had a few erotic elements, but was super tame by today’s standards. The librarian frowned at me and said, “What gives you the right to check out a book like this?” I said “My parents pay taxes, which means they pay your salary. Check the book out for me or I’ll contact the powers-that-be and tell them you’re censoring books here.” She didn’t say another word and checked me out. I have never and will never take crap from anyone.
S:  Do you think romance books have become “too spicy?”
T:  If you mean erotic, then it’s up to the author and the readers to make that decision. I know what I like to write and read… that’s where my opinion ends on the matter.
S:  After the publication of the “Fifty Shades” trilogy, it was reported that some readers ventured into the BDSM world seeking their own Christian Grey. Some were scammed, sexually assaulted, or otherwise harmed. Does an author bear any responsibility for those types of consequences?
T:  If you enjoy role-playing about being dominated then go for it. However, if you’re so trusting that you don’t set ground rules before you engage in BDSM, that’s on you. Authors don’t parent readers. They merely write stories. For me, personally, I think O in "The Story of O" needed serious psychological counseling. No way would I allow anyone to treat me like that.
S:  Authors don't parent readers. That's a very good point.
What was your worst date ever?
T:  Every date I had for prom in high school. I went to an all-girls high school, so getting a date when you don’t know too many guys is dicey. I met a few guys when I was in plays at all-boy high schools. That evolved into them being my dates at the proms. Talk about godawful. Boring, awkward, and not worth the effort.

S:  How do you get in the mood for writing? 
T:  I don’t have to get in the mood. I’m always thinking of storylines. I may read a news report then think, "Wouldn’t it be interesting if fill in the blank happened?" Or I’ll be driving and suddenly an idea pops into my head.
S:  Sometimes, it's hard to get the brain to shut down when you're a writer.
What’s the best advice you have ever given?
T:  Don’t give up.
S:  Good advice for a writer.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
T:  All the stories have been told. All you have to sell is voice--style. If I’m remembering correctly, that was in a Dean Koontz non-fiction book.
S:  What do you consider your greatest achievement?
T:  Being true to myself and living a life I want, not what society or others believe I should settle for.
S:  What do you want inscribed on your tombstone? How do you want to be remembered?
T:  The thought of being buried makes my skin crawl. I’m going to be cremated. The only thing I’d like to be remembered for is being fair and that I demand justice for everyone.

S:  What inspired "Target?" 
T:  I’ve always wanted to write a dark mafia romance, especially with protagonists unwittingly caught up in all that crime and wanting out.
S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "Target?"
T:  This is the first dark mafia romance I’ve written, and I enjoyed doing so. 
Here’s the blurb:
A Russian kingpin wants her dead… the only one who can stop it is the man sent to murder her.
Toni Flores loved her dream job working for a respected US senator until he raped her. She’s determined to bring him to justice, no matter the cost.
For years, Dimitri Valesky, head of a Russian crime family in America, has bought off those in government. Just like the senator responsible for Toni’s assault. When she won’t keep quiet about it and risks Dimitri’s business, he orders his stepson Michael to kill her.
Michael’s a lobbyist not a mafia enforcer. He refuses the insane demand, but Dimitri insists. The power he holds over Michael and his brothers is absolute… or so he believes.
Rather than murder Toni, Michael intends to romance her. Once he convinces her to keep quiet about the Senator, she won’t be a target any longer and Dimitri will back off on the hit. The plan falls apart and now they are dodging mafia enforcers, bullets, and Dimitri’s outrage.
Michael and Toni fight to stay alive and save those dearest to them as they also fall hopelessly in love.
Publisher’s Note: This contemporary dark mafia romance contains elements of mystery, suspense, action, adventure, adult themes, and possible triggers for some readers.

S:  That sounds really suspenseful! Where can readers can buy your book?
T:  It's available on Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HDWS8QN/.
S:  Tina, thanks so much for visiting The Loft today. If you'd like to learn more about Tina and her books, please visit--
MeWe:  https://mewe.com/i/tinadonahueWebsite/Blog:  https://tinadonahuebooks.blogspot.com/Newsletter:  https://tinadonahuebooks.blogspot.com/p/newsletter.htmlBookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tina-donahueInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/tinadonahuebooks/Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/146988.Tina_DonahueTwitter:  https://twitter.com/tinadonahueTriberr:  https://bit.ly/1CE2ec7Tumblr:  https://www.tumblr.com/tinadonahueAmazon Author Page:  https://amzn.to/1ChWFkOSweet ‘n Sexy Divas:  https://sweetnsexydivas.blogspot.com/Wattpad:  https://www.wattpad.com/user/AuthorTinaDonahueMastodon:  https://mastodonbooks.net/@tinadonahuebooks

It's release day for Saint Con!

It was a night dreams are made of, until the man of Jessica Knight’s dreams disappears.

When self-proclaimed good girl Jessica Knight literally bumps into apparent bad boy Connor O’Brien in a suburban Milwaukee wine bar, she is skeptical—of his intentions and the prospect for real love. A former priest, Saint Con is now a street lawyer for Milwaukee’s homeless. After a night of sizzling romance, Jess begins to thaw, and in the days that follow, she is so charmed by Con that she allows herself to start falling in love. Unfortunately, on their first real date, Con fails to appear. Jess doesn’t know if she’s been ghosted or if Con was unavoidably detained, but she leaves their meeting spot devastated. Until she discovers that Con is missing. Really missing. The police won’t help because he’s not a vulnerable adult nor is there proof that he has been harmed. So, it falls to Jess and her friends to find him. After surmounting numerous obstacles, Con is finally found, gravely injured and in a coma. Suddenly, it appears a promising love match may be over before it really began.

Excerpt:

Her best friend, Sadie English, who had been waiting for her return, giggled. “I’ve heard about catching diseases from public toilets, but I’ve never heard about catching a man.” A sly expression crossed her sweet face, and she extended her hand to Connor. “Hello, I’m Sadie. What apple cart did you fall off of?” She tossed her head of burgundy pink-tipped curls and her stylishly trimmed eyebrows pitched up over curious brown eyes.

Connor rolled his eyes as he took the stool next to Jessica. “Name’s Con.” He shook her hand. “Both lawyers?”

Sadie burst out laughing. “Hell, no. I enjoy my life. You won’t find me trapped in some windowless office working sixty hours a week. I’m into bagels.” Sadie pointed at the tee shirt she was wearing, bearing the words, bagels are my everything.

Con made a face. “Bagels?”

Sadie grinned. “My family owns Bagels & More. We make twenty kinds of bagels daily.”

Jessica nodded. “Not just bagels, but bagelwiches and bagel cakes and stuffed bagels. My favorite is the egg-in-the-hole bagel.”

Connor studied Sadie. “I think I know your father. Tall, thin, gray hair? Name of Jeb?”

Sadie stared at him. “How the heck do you know my father? I’ve never seen you in the store and believe me, I’d remember.”

“St. Ben’s Social Justice Committee. I’m the chair.”

Sadie’s jaw dropped. “You’re the guy with the traveling justice center? The guy who got kicked out of the seminary and became a lawyer?”

“Or, as your father claims, got dumped into the devil’s lair.”

Sadie bounced up and down on her stool, her eyes wide with excitement. “My God, I can’t believe it.” She grabbed onto Jessica to steady herself. “Jess, this is the guy I told you about. He travels around Milwaukee County offering legal services to the unhoused. In an old food truck.” She bounced again. “And you have a motorcycle. You’re a biker. Not that kind of biker, but a member of God’s Warriors. You guys are amazing. You do so much good, but in secret.” Sadie pounded on Jessica’s back. “I can’t believe he’s that guy.”

Jessica’s eyes narrowed, and she stared at Con. “She’s kidding, right? You’re not Saint Con.” She shook her head in disbelief. Even she had heard of the guy. She nudged Sadie. “Trust me, he’s no saint. He hit on me.”
At all booksellers!

 

This week in The Loft: Author J. Arlene Culiner!

Joining me today in The Loft is contemporary romance author J. Arlene Culiner. A social critical/satirical artist, and impenitent teller of tall tales, J. Arlene has crossed much of Europe on foot, living in a mud house on the Great Hungarian Plain, in a Bavarian castle, a Turkish cave dwelling, a haunted house on the English moors, and on a Dutch canal. She now resides in a 400-year-old former inn in a French village. Observing people in cafes, in their homes, on trains, or in the streets, she eavesdrops on all private conversations, and delights in hearing any nasty, funny, ridiculous, sad, romantic, or boastful story. She claims when she can't uncover really salacious gossip, she makes it up!

J. Arlene Culiner

S:  Why did you start writing romance?

J:  I enjoy writing realistic contemporary romances. Why? Because falling in love is such a wildly exciting, but turbulent, experience. When writing about love, I identify totally with my characters, thus get a chance to experience all the emotions again--from a distance, of course.
S:  How do you determine the "heat level" of your stories?
J:  I don’t determine anything. My characters decide the heat level. If they are unconventional free spirits, how they initiate sexual contact is going to be different from those who are staid or self-protective.
S:  I have to agree with you. I never know what the heat level will be until I'm finished writing the book.
Are you self-published or traditionally published? Why did you choose that path?
J:  I am traditionally published. I am not a marketing person, therefore the challenge of finding good beta readers, a good editor, a good book designer, and a good marketing strategy are far beyond my skills.
S:  Do you write in other genres? 
J:  I write mystery, but I also write serious non-fiction about certain aspects of Central and Eastern European history. I find that doing intensive research in different countries is highly stimulating. For my last non-fiction, "A Contrary Journey," I did 12 years of research in Ukraine, Romania and Austria before finishing the book.
S:  Researching history can be tricky. You never know where you'll be led. But the journey is so satisfying.
What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you as a writer?
J:  I left far too early from a wonderful book signing in Winnipeg in order to catch a plane so I could make it to the next book signing in Saskatoon. At the second signing, however, no one showed up, and I sat around all evening feeling embarrassed and very sorry for myself.
S:  I think most of us would throw a pity party if that happened to us.
If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?
J:  Of course, I would. Why pass up the opportunity to do something so exciting?
S:  Have you ever shelved or thrown out a manuscript? 
J:  I have quite a few of those abandoned manuscripts. Either the storyline hasn’t inspired me enough to work on them again, or they are too mediocre, or I just haven’t gotten around to them.
S:  What inspired "Desert Rose?"
J:  I wanted to again visit--in fiction--the semi-ghost town of Blake’s Folly, Nevada. I also liked presenting Rose Badger, a wonderfully exciting heroine. Rose had a very tricky, unpleasant past, but she has re-created herself in the most positive way possible. She’s clever, intelligent, and very charming… and all the local men are crazy about her. After her mother neglected her, Rose was raised by her grandmother, Polina. Polina appears in the first book in the Blake’s Folly series—"A Room in Blake’s Folly." Polina was a Russian singer who lost her son and husband in WWII. After her village was destroyed, she became a war refugee, and ended up in Blake’s Folly. Here, she fell in love with Cal, a gentle, intelligent local man. Writing about Rose, their granddaughter, I got to visit with Polina and Cal again and tell readers how their love story evolved.
S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "Desert Rose?"
J:  Rose is the very superficial local town flirt, but that’s only a way of hiding the person she really is--a very complex singer with a considerable knowledge about Russian song. Even Blake’s Folly, a rundown has-been, has a very interesting past, one that goes much further back than the old Wild West days. And because my gorgeous hero, Jonah, is half-Paiute, we learn about his world and his history, too. You can read a short excerpt on my website--https://www.j-arleneculiner.com/desert-rose)
Here's the blurb--
Secrets are the best protection against love
Rose Badger is the local flirt, and if the other inhabitants of backwoods Blake’s Folly, Nevada, don’t approve, she couldn’t care less. With a disastrous marriage, and a dead-end career far behind her, settling down is the last thing she intends to do. Newcomer Jonah Livingstone is intriguing, but with his complicated life, he’s off limits for anything other than friendship. Besides, Rose has a secret world of her own—one she won’t give up for any man.
The last person geologist Jonah Livingstone expected to meet in a semi-ghost town is the sparkling and lovely Rose Badger. But Rose, always surrounded by many admirers, doesn’t seem inclined to choose a favorite. So why fret? Jonah keeps his personal life well hidden…and that's the best way to avoid disappointment.

S:  Wow, that's a powerful story. Where can readers buy "Dessert Rose?"
J:  It's available at--
Books2read:  https://books2read.com/RosesDesert

My Book:  https://mybook.to/RosesDesert

Book Trailer:  https://youtu.be/tHPrIciT0XU
S:  J. Arlene, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about J. Arlene and her books, please visit--
Wild Rose Press Page:  https://tinyurl.com/3wkcnunm
Author links:  https://linktr.ee/j.arleneculiner

This week in The Loft: Author Kate Hill!

Joining me today in The Loft is romantic fantasy author Kate Hill.  Kate also writes as Saloni Quinby. A self-professed "vegetarian New Englander," when she's not writing, Kate enjoys reading, working out, watching horror movies, and researching vampires and Viking history. She also runs the "Compelling Beasts Blog," which is dedicated to antagonists, antiheroes, and paranormal creatures. 
Author Kate Hill
S:  Good morning, Kate! It's a pleasure to have you visit The Loft again.
Why did you start writing romance?
K:  I started reading romance novels back in the 80s. I loved them, in particular the heroes. Most of the heroines were extremely hard for me to relate to, and regarding LGBTQ romances, they were practically non-existent and most were pure erotica instead of romance. I also enjoyed horror, fantasy, and science fiction, but I didn’t find many romances that crossed genres in a way I really hoped to see. I started writing the books I wanted to read. Now it’s easier to find diverse characters, kick-ass heroines, and cross-genre stories. That makes me so happy.
S:  While I began writing early, I really wasn't exposed to the romance genre until I was in law school and needed a break from reality. That's what drives my stories now. I want readers to step back and immerse themselves in someone else's story.
Are you self-published or traditionally published? 
K:  For years, I worked with small press publishers and it was great. I learned a lot and met many fantastic people. If you can work with a publisher, definitely go for it. There are so many perks to it. They provide editors, proof readers, cover artists, formatting, and generally, they help with marketing, too. The down side to working with a publisher is you must conform to their rules. Even the least restrictive doesn’t offer the total freedom of indie publishing. I recently decided to stop writing for publishers and have gone completely indie. As much as I enjoyed working with publishers, there’s only so much time in the day, and there are stories I’ve wanted to write that weren’t getting done due to time constraints. The reason I started writing was to tell the stories I want to read, and I want to continue doing that.
S:  What was your worst date ever?
K:  The one that sticks in my mind was with a person I met in a class and knew a little. When they came to my house, they started looking through my cabinets, which quite honestly freaked me out so much that I didn’t continue the date.
S:  I've caught people doing that. Not sure what they thought they'd find in my medicine cabinet or my underwear drawer. So creepy.
If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books
K:  Definitely. Creating stories is in my nature. I love it.
S:  What’s the best advice you have ever given?
K:  If you make a mistake and someone acts like they’ve never made one, then they’re a liar. Everyone makes them. Do not take their bad attitude to heart. Learn from your mistake, but don’t let anyone make you feel like they’re perfect and you’re not. No one is.
S:  That's a good lesson to remember.
What inspired "Sofia’s Silver Bullet?"
K:  I wanted to write a bad guy turned good hero--usually, my favorite kind! What better place for it than in my Pandemonium universe in which demons have taken over the world? Arturo is an ex-hitman, and he’s also a vampire whose creator is half-vampire and half-demon. Arturo has inherited some demon traits that are uncovered in the story. Sofia is a great match for him because they’re both part of the rebellion against demons. She kicks butt, and she understands betrayal as much as Arturo.
S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "Sofia’s Silver Bullet?"
K:  It’s the second story in my indie-published Silver Hearts series, set in the Pandemonium universe. Other Pandemonium books are available from Changeling Press. Silver Hearts stories are short, sexy, age-gap paranormals. I’m currently working on the third story, "Shauna’s Silver Swordsmith."
Here's the blurb--
Arturo--As a mortal, I was a hit man. I’m not proud of it. Since becoming a vampire, I’ve done my best to turn my life around, but violence is in my nature. When demons take over the world, I jump into the rebellion against them. Then I cross paths with a sexy young vampire with more attitude than an alpha werewolf. Like me, she’s no stranger to betrayal, but that won’t stop me from winning her heart.
Sofia--Demons destroyed my world. Now I dedicate my life to the rebellion against them. I’m temporarily partnered with a gorgeous vampire from Boston who exasperates me, mostly because he’s impossible to resist. I’ve been betrayed before, but maybe it’s time to take a risk for love?

S:  I have to admit, demons make me twitchy! But taking a risk for love is always a satisfying read.
Where can readers buy your book?
K:  It's available from  Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Sofias-Silver-Bullet-Kate-Hill-ebook/dp/B0C4K3GZSK.
S:  Kate, thanks for joining me today. If you'd like to know more about Kate and her books, please visit--
Website:  https://kate-hill.com/
Blog:  https://kate-hill.com/blog/

Newsletter:  https://kate-hill.com/index.php/newsletter/

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Kate-Hill/e/B002BLS7OW

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kate-hill

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16157.Kate_Hill

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/katehillromancewritingandmore/_saved/

Tumblr:  https://www.tumblr.com/blog/katehillromancewritingandmore

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KateHillRomance

This week in The Loft: Author Madison Michael!

Joining me today in The Loft is author Madison Michael. Maddy writes steamy romance, set in her hometown of Chicago. Her stories are focused on rich sexy men and smart sassy women who battle wits, misread one other, and ultimately, fall in love. Today, she has chosen to write her own guest blog, in which she expounds on a multitude of issues. Welcome, Maddy!
Author Madison Michael
Maddy on free speech and sexy romance--
Book banning is back in the news. How do I feel about it? I hate it, no ifs ands, or buts. I believe in making informed and wise choices about what we read, and especially about what we allow children to read. But banning books from everyone is censorship, plain and simple. And in this country, at least for the moment, we still protect free speech. If we can use the First Amendment to protect hate speech, shouldn’t we use it to protect books? I think the work of groups like the ACLU to protect free speech, all speech is critical to maintaining the country our founding fathers envisioned. For me, that includes my right to write spicy romance, which is the only genre I write. Usually, I throw in a billionaire or two, so that I can create a luxury world we only dream of, but ultimately, I am writing contemporary romance.
Are my books too spicy? Are books in general too spicy? Maybe a better question is are they moving toward too much violence and darkness. Look at mafia romance and dark romance or throw BDSM into this conversation. The bottom line? Just as my luxurious world of yachts and private planes is designed to offer escape, pushing the safety envelope is escape for others. I can respect all of these genre’s, including my own, provided authors are clear with their blurbs, their cover art and with disclosures of triggers when necessary.

If someone doesn’t want a spicy billionaire book, there are plenty of sweet ones to choose instead. But for me, in 2023, a heroine over thirty is likely having sex. Perhaps she has been married before, or in a serious relationship. Either way, this is no high school ingenue, these are successful business women living their lives, and those lives include sex.

That said, we need to be responsible authors, too. We need to research anything out of the ordinary and present it correctly, just as we wouldn’t make hemlock safe to ingest in our novels, we shouldn’t be flippant about one-night stands, unprotected sex, or kink. Get your facts straight.

Maddy with "more about me than you want to know"--
As you can see, I'm opinionated. I’m also outspoken and moody. I love to watch political news, read several newspapers each day and I adore arguing politics with friends, and foe. I think my current partner, Michael, loves politics, and arguing, as much as I do. We can raise discourse to dangerous levels, but we always kiss and make up. It helps that Michael and I love a lot of the same things, food, great movies, road trips, cats and oh, cats. Did I mention cats? He indulges me on that front—well, on most fronts! I am moody, and inconsistent in my writing, heads down for days, then writing nothing for a week. I love to make lists, hate to exercise, love to eat, and cook, but only for company.
Writing romance means blocking special hours for nothing but writing, no interruptions, a commitment to sprint with others, accountability. It also takes me away to another world, allows me to meet sassy women, powerful men and spend a few hours in a privileged world of too much money and not enough love. I would love more discipline in my approach to writing and the business of being an author, but I can’t imagine doing anything else. I would love that big success, that number one bestseller, but that is not why I write. If no one read my books, I would still write them. Stories flood my brain and I love telling them.
Time to meet "the Crazies"--

Take my current book, "Crazy to Believe," and my current series, All’s Crazy in Love. I was visiting friends, ten women sharing a beach house for a long weekend. There was so much laughter and music, joking and teasing, because we have known each other forever. And advice, we gave each other oodles of unsolicited advice, a/k/a meddling. And the crazies were born. On paper there are eight. Each has physical traits of a friend, or a mannerism, or a plot point. It keeps them close to. me, writing about them, thinking about them. Besides, they are fabulous, so they make great stories!

I love grabbing a diet Dr. Pepper, or an iced coffee and sitting down at my computer to continue this series. I think you will love reading it as much as I loved writing it. To get you started, there is a free prequel, "Crazy to Wed," available from my website www.madisonmichael.net. Grab the prequel, and then read "Crazy to Believe" and by then, "Crazy to Dream," and "Way Past Crazy" should be ready for purchase. Also, "A Crazy Rich Dilemma" is coming soon, too.

The blurb for the series, "All's Crazy in Love"--

Eight women – Seven single by chance or by choice. One dare – marry in twelve months or less. The stakes are high. Losing is not an option.

When eight friends from childhood reunite at their twentieth high school reunion, they realize they only see each other at weddings and funerals. This is unacceptable to friends as close as this. The answer—obviously—more weddings. To get the ball rolling, the lone married woman, Gabriella dares her friends to marry or else. When they laugh off her idea, she doubles down on her challenge and raises the stakes.

Gabriella doesn’t care if Avery is so shy that she’s hardly even spoken to a man, or that Rachel can’t choose between the multitude of guys she sleeps with each month. Gabby ignores every argument, instead selecting the worst price for each of them to pay if they lose.

The Dare is on. The women open their hearts to every opportunity that crosses their paths, no matter how unlikely or elusive the man might be. They’ll help each other – as long as it doesn’t cost them the win.

Within weeks Avery finds a fellow cat rescuer, Sofia’s heart flutters with new possibilities at work, and Willow spars and sparks with her horrible neighbor. Melinda has to be coached, but not Harper. After twenty years, she’s finally flirting with her high school sweetheart.

All’s Crazy in Love offers eight steamy romances—from first love to second-chance romance, from unexpected babies to unexpected attraction. Get to know eight wonderful women who find each other, themselves, and a chance to snatch the biggest prize of all—love. Read these stories and more in the All's Crazy in Love series coming soon.

Travel with life-long friends as they discover love, test friendships, and race to cross the finish line.

Let the games begin…

The blurb for "Crazy to Believe"--
She’s Betting on Love and the Stakes are High

The “Crazy Eights” have been best friends for thirty years, but they rarely get together. The remedy? An audacious dare contrived to bring them together for weddings—their weddings. Each participant must marry within twelve months or complete a personally mortifying task.

Meet Sofia, beautiful and brilliant, longing for a family. Starting over after a divorce, Sofia is focused on her career, not some foolhardy dare. She’s set her sights on a new job, a new home and reluctantly accepting her single, childless status. Independent and determined, she can’t foresee she will both win and lose her heart’s desire in the next six months.

Jeremy Klein, genius engineer and inventor, is also making big life changes. He’s sold his startup to become a billionaire CEO overnight. Unfortunately, his ego hasn’t caught up yet, and despite family pressures and turning forty, he is gun-shy about returning to the dating game.

Then Jeremy meets Sofia. They bond over shared business interests and a chemistry that sizzles. Their attraction is immediate and so electrifying that a one-night stand quickly morphs into planning a future.

But plans can change. Accusations threaten to derail their relationship, Sofia’s career and Jeremy’s position. Spies, lies and misunderstandings abound until those “Crazy Eights” step in, scheming and manipulating to secure Sofia her happily ever after.

The stakes are high. Win the bet and lose your heart; or lose the bet along with your dignity. When the wager is nothing short of true love, are Jeremy and Sofia crazy to believe?

In the tradition of The Beguiling Bachelor Series, Madison Michael creates a romance series about independent and sassy women, sexy and successful men, love, passion, and lasting friendships. Infused with a bit of suspense and plenty of humor, Crazy to Believe is a complex romance you’ll be reading all night.

Buy link--  https://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Believe-Alls-Love-Romance-ebook/dp/B0BSDTLD2J
Author links--  

Website:  www.madisonmichael.net

Facebook:   www.facebook.com/madisonmichaelromance

Instagram:   www.instagram.com/madisonmichaelromance

BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/madison-michael

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Madison-Michael/e/B01EVUGG6G 

Goodreads:   https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15221601.Madison_Michael

First review for "In the Midst of Angels!" Five stars!

[image error][image error][image error][image error][image error] "Seelie Kay writes a sweet romance that makes your heart swell with emotion." First review for "In the Midst of Angels!" Contemporary romance with a heavenly twist!

This week in The Loft: Author Lisabet Sarai!

Joining me in The Loft is reknowned author Lisabet Sarai. The author of over 100 erotic romance and erotic stories, Lisabet writes in a variety of subgenres, including historical, paranormal, scifi, ménage, BDSM, and LGBTQ. She has also written plays, tutorials, scholarly articles, marketing brochures, software specifications, self-help books, press releases, and a 500-page dissertation. Although she grew up in New England, she now lives in Asia with her husband of more than 40 years and two rescue cats, as she pursues a career entirely unrelated to her romance identity.
Author Lisabet Sarai
S:  Good morning, Lisabet! I have to say, I am impressed by your academic accomplishments. I couldn't face the dissertation, so I went to law school. Not sure how five degrees led me to writing romance, though.

Why did you start writing romance?
L:  I’ve been writing all my life. I became addicted to words at an early age. But I never seriously considered publishing my work until I read, "Gemini Heat" by Portia da Costa. It was in the Virgin Books Black Lace series. Black Lace originally labeled their books as “erotica for women, by women,” but in fact, they’re now marketed as erotic romance. Anyway, I loved Portia’s book. It was intelligent, imaginative and emotionally satisfying, as well as seriously steamy. Having had a rather colorful love life before marrying my husband, I thought I could create something in a similar style, drawing on personal experience as well as fantasies. I wrote the first three chapters of "Raw Silk" and sent them off to Black Lace on a lark. Imagine my amazement when they offered me a contract! In fact, I knew very little about the classic romance genre or its tropes when I started. Unlike many romance authors, I didn’t grow up on a diet of Harlequins. So I had a lot to learn--most importantly, that you can’t call something romance unless it has a happy ending. I’d always thought "Romeo and Juliet" and "Wuthering Heights" epitomized romance, despite their tragic conclusions.
S:  How do you determine the heat level of your stories?
L:  Almost all my stories are sexually explicit. I’ve always been fascinated by the way love and lust entwine. Writing is a way for me to explore those connections. For a particular book, the heat level depends on the characters and the genre. But I will be honest--readers who are uncomfortable with eroticism will probably not enjoy my work.
S:  I have learned that I cannot intentionally determine the heat level of my books. It all depends on the characters and the story. 
Are you self-published or traditionally published?
L:  My first books were published in print, by traditional publishers in London and New York. That was way back in the year 2000. Later, I worked with a variety of indie publishing companies who did both eBook and print, most notably Totally Bound. I learned a lot about the romance genre from them. I first dipped my toe in the self-publishing pool in 2014, with my holiday short, "Slush." The process turned out to be easy and fun. Since then, almost all my new books have been self-published. I’ve also been reclaiming the rights from my publishers for my previous titles and self-publishing new editions. The main reason I like self-publishing is that I have total control--over the content and the cover, the release schedule, the pricing, and the marketing. Although we can all benefit from external editing, I would sometimes have serious disagreements with my editors, both about language and about the story itself. In some cases, I was forced to change things in directions that did not feel right to me. Now, for better or worse, I can write what I like, including the sort of genre mash-ups that I love to create. Of course, self-publishing is also more lucrative. I’m not writing primarily for the money, but I’m pleased to be getting a bigger slice of the pie.
S:  I have to admit, I am intimidated by self-publishing. I admire those who have pursued that path and succeeded.
Do you write in other genres?
L:  Some of my books would be categorized as erotica rather than romance. But even those tales tend to have romantic elements. Under the romance umbrella, I’ve tried my hand at many sub-genres, including historical, paranormal, science fiction, LGBTQ and D/s. I love diversity and I’m easily bored. I don’t like reading an author whose books are all clones of one another. No one can complain about this with my work. From a marketing perspective, this is probably a bad strategy. I don’t really have an author brand. I like to surprise my readers, but I’ve learned that many consumers of books really prefer predictability. That’s one of my pet peeves about romance.

S:  I have been all over the place with my sub-genres, too. I don't even think about the genre until I finish the story.
If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?
L:  I don’t feel that I actually chose my career as Lisabet Sarai. To some extent, it chose me. But it has been a fantastic experience, deeply satisfying, and full of joy. I’m very grateful that I’ve been led in this direction.
S:  What inspired "By Moonlight?"
L:  "By Moonlight" was inspired by the poem “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes. (https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43187/the-highwayman) This tale of tragic love and sacrifice has been a favorite of mine since I was in high school. As a teen, I thought the poem was devastatingly romantic. Of course, this was before I started writing romance. I didn’t realize that to qualify as Romance with a capital R, a story needed a happy ending. When I decided to write my own version of Noyes’ story, I knew I had to change the ending. It just wouldn’t do to have Bess and her bandit beloved perish as they do in the poem --even if they do live on as ghosts. In fact, I wanted to play with the conflict in the original, to show Bess ultimately getting the better of the men who mock her and condemn her to death. "By Moonlight" deliberately borrows the atmosphere, and indeed some of the dialogue, from the Noyes poem. The first two chapters follow the source quite closely. I tried to capture the sense of danger, the terrible risk Bess takes in accepting a wanted outlaw as her partner. Then the story veers off into unexplored territory--as indeed it would have to if the lovers are to have the Happily Ever After they deserve.
S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "By Moonlight?"
L:  If you look at genre categories, you’ll notice that this story is labeled as FF. Yet, you might not get that idea from the blurb. That is deliberate. I don’t want to give away the highwayman’s secret.
Here's the blurb--
I’ll come for you by moonlight--though Hell should bar the way
In her eighteen years on earth, Bess has never traveled more than twenty miles from her Devonshire village. The raven-haired innkeeper’s daughter has little time to dream of adventure as she labors from dawn to dusk to keep her abusive father satisfied.
Then, at the weekly market in Tavistock town, she meets a handsome dandy who claims her with a single stolen kiss. When the gallant gentleman makes a midnight visit to the inn, Bess learns that her new lover is none other than Kit Latour, a notorious French highwayman who has been boldly relieving the local nobility of their valuables. Well-aware of the risk she’s taking, Bess still offers herself to the seductive outlaw. Even Kit’s darkest secrets cannot quench the flames of her love.

S:  That's a great story line! Where can readers buy your book?
L:  It's available at--
Kinky Literature:  https://www.kinkyliterature.com/book/1183-by-moonlight-/

Amazon US:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C99C59RY

Amazon UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C99C59RY

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1413596 Barnes and Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/by-moonlight-lisabet-sarai/1143711659?ean=2940166073495
Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/by-moonlight-8

Apple Books:  https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id6450718058

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/180643788-by-moonlight

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/books/by-moonlight-by-lisabet-sarai

S:  Lisabet, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Lisabet and her books, please visit--
Lisabet’s Fantasy Factory (website):  http://www.lisabetsarai.com

Beyond Romance (blog):  http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/83387.Lisabet_Sarai

Twitter:  https://www.twitter.com/lisabetsarai

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/author/lisabetsarai

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lisabet-sarai

Medium:  https://medium.com/@lisabet_63394

Mailing list signup:   https://btn.ymlp.com/xgjjhmhugmgh