Catherine Bybee's Blog, page 14

Liz Carlyle, Interview and Giveaway!

Today we welcome author, Liz Carlyle. Author to over twenty historical romances, Liz has graced the New York Times and the USA Today bestsellers lists.

Currently on tour for her newest release, A Bride by Moonlight, I got the chance to interview her. 
Welcome, Liz!
Tell us about A Bride by Moonlight, and what inspired you to write it.
I think Assistant Police commissioner Napier inspired me to write it—as a reappearing secondary character, he had begun to push himself rather aggressively into my consciousness. He has a way of doing that, you see. So I realized he was going to have to have his own story—before he hijacked someone else’s entirely.

I see on your website that you write a lot of series books, is A Bride by Moonlight part of a series or a stand alone?
Napier has been seen occasionally in what is loosely called the St. James series, but we never really learned anything about his past. He has thus far been just this dark, shadowy presence. In A Bride by Moonlight, I finally explain what makes Napier tick.

What was the most challenging part of writing this book? The  most enjoyable part?
The most challenging part—and, frankly, the most enjoyable part—was to bring Elizabeth Colburne’s true character to the forefront, and to show how her past—a childhood of loss and loneliness—had scarred her, hardened her, and driven her to seek revenge. Lisette, as she is called by her friends, has also appeared in some of the St. James series books, though readers might not have recognized her. (Wink, wink.)

You have been highly successful in the historical romance genre, have you ever considered writing in any other romance sub-genres?
I did once write a contemporary story and I enjoyed the process greatly. But I rarely think of venturing beyond what I’m currently writing.

What is the most challenging part of your writing career? The most enjoyable?
My career is really focused just on the writing, and that day-to-day grind requires a good measure of self-discipline. I don’t do anything, really, in the way of promotion or much beyond just the writing, so it isn’t a very multifaceted process. You just have to make yourself put your rear in the chair. The most enjoyable part is the final proofread, once the manuscript has been typeset. By then, you’ve been away from it a little while, so you see it with fresh eyes.

The cover art for your books are breathtaking. I think One Little Sin might be a favorite of  mine. Do you have a favorite?
Wow. That’s a tough question. I have definitely been blessed by the Cover Gods, although I’ve had a couple of dogs, certainly. I always plead for dark, rich jewel tones because that’s what I like to look at. I guess my favorite cover of all time would be Wicked All Day, though I really, really loved One Little Sin. And the cover for this book, A Bride By Moonlight, ranks right up there. And as gorgeous as the Moonlight cover is, the stepback is even more so. The prettiest I’ve ever had—and I find more often than not that the stepback art falls flat for me. Not this time!

Can you share what you're working on next?
Yes, I'm just putting the finishing touches on my next book, In Love With A Wicked Man, which will be out later this year!

Thank you for the opportunity to chat.

You are so welcome, Liz. Great interview!



A BRIDE BY MOONLIGHTHistorical RomanceAvon BooksFebruary 2013ISBN: 9780062100283Number of Pages: 432
Royden Napier, Baron Saint-Bryce, is tall, dark, and ruthless—and on the hunt for a dangerous beauty . . . On the eve of her escape to the Continent, bold, beautiful Lisette Colburne accepts a proposal she dare not refuse: masquerade as the future bride of the steely-eyed Royden Napier and help him solve his most dangerous case. Soon Lisette is in even greater danger—of losing her heart to the one man with the power to destroy her . . .
Estranged from his aristocratic family, the enigmatic Napier has forged a reputation as Scotland Yard's most relentless police commissioner. He's vowed to bring Lisette to justice—but with every forbidden kiss and every tantalizing touch, he finds himself becoming less convinced of her guilt . . . and more certain he must have her. But when danger touches Lisette, can he save her?
Read an excerpt!
Amazon | B&N | Powell's | BAM


A lifelong Anglophile, Liz Carlyle cut her teeth reading gothic novels under the bedcovers by flashlight. She is the author of over twenty historical romances, including several New York Times bestsellers. Liz travels incessantly, ever in search of the perfect setting for her next book. Along with her genuine romance-hero husband and four very fine felines, she makes her home in North Carolina.

Website | Twitter | Facebook


Enter your email address below, using the Rafflecopter widget, for a chance to win a print copy of A Bride by Moonlight! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Liz Carlyle, Interview

Today we welcome author, Liz Carlyle. Author to over twenty historical romances, Liz has graced the New York Times and the USA Today bestsellers lists.

Currently on tour for her newest release, A Bride by Moonlight, I got the chance to interview her. 
Welcome, Liz!
Tell us about A Bride by Moonlight, and what inspired you to write it.
I think Assistant Police commissioner Napier inspired me to write it—as a reappearing secondary character, he had begun to push himself rather aggressively into my consciousness. He has a way of doing that, you see. So I realized he was going to have to have his own story—before he hijacked someone else’s entirely.

I see on your website that you write a lot of series books, is A Bride by Moonlight part of a series or a stand alone?
Napier has been seen occasionally in what is loosely called the St. James series, but we never really learned anything about his past. He has thus far been just this dark, shadowy presence. In A Bride by Moonlight, I finally explain what makes Napier tick.

What was the most challenging part of writing this book? The  most enjoyable part?
The most challenging part—and, frankly, the most enjoyable part—was to bring Elizabeth Colburne’s true character to the forefront, and to show how her past—a childhood of loss and loneliness—had scarred her, hardened her, and driven her to seek revenge. Lisette, as she is called by her friends, has also appeared in some of the St. James series books, though readers might not have recognized her. (Wink, wink.)

You have been highly successful in the historical romance genre, have you ever considered writing in any other romance sub-genres?
I did once write a contemporary story and I enjoyed the process greatly. But I rarely think of venturing beyond what I’m currently writing.

What is the most challenging part of your writing career? The most enjoyable?
My career is really focused just on the writing, and that day-to-day grind requires a good measure of self-discipline. I don’t do anything, really, in the way of promotion or much beyond just the writing, so it isn’t a very multifaceted process. You just have to make yourself put your rear in the chair. The most enjoyable part is the final proofread, once the manuscript has been typeset. By then, you’ve been away from it a little while, so you see it with fresh eyes.

The cover art for your books are breathtaking. I think One Little Sin might be a favorite of  mine. Do you have a favorite?
Wow. That’s a tough question. I have definitely been blessed by the Cover Gods, although I’ve had a couple of dogs, certainly. I always plead for dark, rich jewel tones because that’s what I like to look at. I guess my favorite cover of all time would be Wicked All Day, though I really, really loved One Little Sin. And the cover for this book, A Bride By Moonlight, ranks right up there. And as gorgeous as the Moonlight cover is, the stepback is even more so. The prettiest I’ve ever had—and I find more often than not that the stepback art falls flat for me. Not this time!

Can you share what you're working on next?
Yes, I'm just putting the finishing touches on my next book, In Love With A Wicked Man, which will be out later this year!

Thank you for the opportunity to chat.

You are so welcome, Liz. Great interview!



A BRIDE BY MOONLIGHTHistorical RomanceAvon BooksFebruary 2013ISBN: 9780062100283Number of Pages: 432
Royden Napier, Baron Saint-Bryce, is tall, dark, and ruthless—and on the hunt for a dangerous beauty . . . On the eve of her escape to the Continent, bold, beautiful Lisette Colburne accepts a proposal she dare not refuse: masquerade as the future bride of the steely-eyed Royden Napier and help him solve his most dangerous case. Soon Lisette is in even greater danger—of losing her heart to the one man with the power to destroy her . . .
Estranged from his aristocratic family, the enigmatic Napier has forged a reputation as Scotland Yard's most relentless police commissioner. He's vowed to bring Lisette to justice—but with every forbidden kiss and every tantalizing touch, he finds himself becoming less convinced of her guilt . . . and more certain he must have her. But when danger touches Lisette, can he save her?
Read an excerpt!
Amazon | B&N | Powell's | BAM


A lifelong Anglophile, Liz Carlyle cut her teeth reading gothic novels under the bedcovers by flashlight. She is the author of over twenty historical romances, including several New York Times bestsellers. Liz travels incessantly, ever in search of the perfect setting for her next book. Along with her genuine romance-hero husband and four very fine felines, she makes her home in North Carolina.

Website | Twitter | Facebook


Enter your email address below, using the Rafflecopter widget, for a chance to win a print copy of A Bride by Moonlight! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm giving books away

Hey everyone...

Everyone loves free books. And I'm giving away copies via Goodreads.

So don't miss out, the giveaway will close in two weeks. International OK.




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Goodreads Book Giveaway Wife by Wednesday by Catherine Bybee Giveaway ends March 18, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win
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Goodreads Book Giveaway Married by Monday by Catherine Bybee Giveaway ends March 18, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win

Rayne Hall, Guest Post

Today we welcome author, Rayne Hall. Rayne is on book tour for Storm Dancer, a dark epic Fantasy published by Scimitar Press, and she's here to talk magic!





WHAT IF MAGIC IS REAL?

In most cultures and periods, people have believed in magic, and they had professionals who studied the craft and followed its rules. Only in our modern western society do people think that magic does not exist.

What if the vast majority of people in the world and in history have known something we don't? What if this is simply a knowledge that eludes most modern westerners? What if magic is a scientific phenomenon that's still waiting to be discovered?

Magic, to the modern westerner, is like electricity would have been to someone in ancient Greece. Imagine explaining to someone in 1000 BCE how electricity works and what it can do. Lightbulbs? Carts that move without being pulled by animals? Telephone? Television? Internet? The good folks would either laugh at your gullibility, pity you for your madness, or whip you out of town for your lies.
Electricity existed in their world and the effects of it were all around them, but they explained these in ways that fit their view of the world. When they saw lightning in the sky, they assumed it was their God Zeus hurling lightning bolts in anger.

Perhaps there is magic all around us in our modern world, and we simply don't understand it, attributing its effects to other causes. Perhaps we are as ignorant about magic as the ancient Greeks were about electricity.

When I write fantasy fiction, I base my yarns on the premise that magic is real, but it requires skill to harness its force, and abuse brings danger.

The wizards in my stories are highly trained experts, each specialising in a field of their trade. Merida in Storm Dancer is a weather mage. By dancing, she can bring sunshine, rain or storm. She has travelled to a distant country where droughts ruin the harvests and the people are starving. Her gift of rain will bring relief.

The ruler has promised her everything she needs: privacy for preparations, a date when the right planets align, an energy-rich location at a river mouth, and an orchestra playing a specific tune. On arrival, she finds the conditions are not as expected. Her ritual is treated as a public spectacle in the arena, the date is wrong, and the only musicians are two drummers who have not rehearsed and don't know the tune.

The only way to raise the needed power is to draw energy from the spectators - an unethical method Merida has sworn to eschew - and to enter an extreme level of trance, potentially lethal, that will leave her vulnerable to attacks. What will she do?

--------------

Storm Dancer is the story of Dahoud, a demon-possessed siege commander who needs to atone for his dark past. When their lives intertwine, Merida and Dahoud are drawn into a whirling spiral of darkness. They have seared each other's hearts with betrayal. Now the only way they can stand against evil is as allies. Can they learn to trust?


Storm Dancer
Dark Epic Fantasy
Scimitar Press
Pages, 400
Word Count, 150,000
ISBN: 9781467516651 (Smashwords)
ISBN: 1230000010279 (KOBO)
ASIN: B005MJFV58

Demon-possessed siege commander, Dahoud, atones for his atrocities by hiding his identity and protecting women from war's violence - but can he shield the woman he loves from the evil inside him?

Principled weather magician, Merida, brings rain to a parched desert land. When her magical dance rouses more than storms, she needs to overcome her scruples to escape from danger.

Thrust together, Dahoud and Merida must fight for freedom and survival. But how can they trust each other, when hatred and betrayal burn in their hearts?

Caution: Storm Dancer is a dark epic fantasy, and contains some violence and disturbing situations. It not recommended for readers under the age of sixteen, and not suitable for YA blogs. Contains British English. Some words, spellings, grammar and punctuation will be different than American English.

Book Trailer | Amazon | Kobo | Smashwords | iTunes


Rayne Hall has published more than forty books under different pen names with different publishers in different genres, mostly fantasy, horror and non-fiction. Recent books include Storm Dancer (dark epic fantasy novel), Six Scary Tales Vol 1, 2 and 3 (mild horror stories), Six Historical Tales (short stories), Six Quirky Tales (humorous fantasy stories), Writing Fight Scenes, The World-Loss Diet and Writing Scary Scenes (instructions for authors).

She holds a college degree in publishing management and a masters degree in creative writing. Currently, she edits the Ten Tales series of multi-author short story anthologies: Bites: Ten Tales of Vampires, Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts, Scared: Ten Tales of Horror, Cutlass: Ten Tales of Pirates, Beltane: Ten Tales of Witchcraft, Spells: Ten Tales of Magic, Undead: Ten Tales of Zombies and more.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads


Comment below for a chance to win ebook, The Colour of Dishonour - Stories from the Storm Dancer World, from Rayne Hall!

Video Blog Reading

I'll skip all the typing...and say it all on a video.






Not Quite Mine
Amazon

Mona Ingram, Interview

Today we have author, Mona Ingram. She's here today to chat about her book, Then Came Love. She'll be on virtual book tour starting today through to March 11th. Say hello and don't forget to enter the giveaway. This is a tour wide giveaway of one Kindle Fire, and ten copies of the ebook are up grabs!

On to the interview!

Tell us about Then Came Love.
I have a lot of Aloha in my heart for this book. The setting is a fictional lake in British Columbia, near where I grew up. If I close my eyes I can smell the sweet air, and hear the loons calling each other just before dark; the most hauntingly beautiful sound on earth. The love story is between a young woman who’s afraid of her husband and an undercover RCMP officer, who is searching for a marijuana grow op. The secondary characters are fun and charming, and as usual, I’ve included a few twists and turns in the plot, just to keep things interesting.

How long did it take you to write this story?
I always think about my books for a long time before I start writing. I was lucky on this one, as there were no interruptions, and it was finished in a little under a month.

It sounds like a very emotional story. Was this difficult to write?
Yes, in a way, it was. In true romance novels we rarely touch on difficult issues, but writers like myself are finding that with the new freedoms of being an independent writer, we can create content that is more realistic.

Did you have any research that was necessary to the story?
Yes, and it was interesting. My stepdaughter is married to a man who’s an expert at alternate energy sources, and he helped with information on the power conversion that was necessary for the grow op. I also did some research and marijuana grow ops in British Columbia and was surprised to find out that it’s a real problem.

What lead you to start writing in the romance genre?
I enjoy reading romances, and writing them came naturally. I always have far more ideas than time.

What do you love about being a writer?
Everything. I always know what my books are going to be about, and how they will end, but when I sit down to write, I'm never quite sure how we're going to get there. I know I'm not the only author who laughingly confesses to being surprised where they characters take us. That's part of the fun.

What authors have influenced you the most?
In the romance genre, I like Susan Elizabeth Phillips, the early stuff by Barbara Delinsky, and I like the irreverent and comparatively raunchy stuff by Tilly Bagshawe.

What's a typical writing day for you like?
I like to get up early and work for five hours, or 2,00-2,500 words, whichever comes first. After that, I spend a couple of hours on everything else, like general paperwork, cover design, promotion, and answering e-mails.

I see on your website that you love to travel, and have taken up residence in many areas. Do you have a favorite place you’ve lived or visited?
That’s a hard one. I don’t travel for shopping, although when I was younger, a friend and I had an amazing week in Hong Kong. Nowadays, my interests are trending toward the National Gallery in London (love the Turners), and anywhere I can see new scenery. As to living, I like where I am now…the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. Think golf, water sports, light industry, vineyards, skiing. We have it all.

Can you share your next writing project?
I’m in the planning stages for a trilogy. Three friends who end up coming back to their home town. Three inter-twined, but stand-along stories. It should be fun to write.


Then Came Love
Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 978-0-9879069-0-8
ASIN: B0080SDHWC
Number of pages: 103

Stuck in an unhappy marriage, Amanda Reimer grabs the opportunity to go on a short holiday by herself. An undercover cop, Jackson Galloway is a member of the RCMP Green Team, and he’s in the interior of British Columbia to find a marijuana grow-op. Jackson gives Amanda a lift to Loon Lake Resort and is intrigued by the gentle woman. The chemistry between the two is immediate and powerful, but Amanda is determined to stick to her marriage vows...besides, she’s afraid of her husband. Jackson is just as determined...to see Amanda again when the drug bust is over.

But will the growing love between Amanda and Jackson survive the pressures of finding the grow-op?

Join Amanda and Jackson in a journey of discovery, where the ultimate destination is love.

Read a sample!



Mona Ingram was born in Ontario, Canada. Her family moved to British Columbia when she was twelve, and she can't imagine living anywhere else. In recent years she has lived in the Okanagan Valley and on Vancouver Island. In addition to reading and writing, traveling and bird watching are among Mona’s favorite pastimes.

Mona writes contemporary romance novels and takes great delight in creating unexpected twists and turns in her story lines. She frequently sets her books in areas which are familiar to her, immersing the reader in the setting. One reader recently commented that “after reading Fixing Freddie, I felt as though I’d been on a trip to Vancouver.”

Connect with Mona!
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

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Gold Digger or Just Smart?

A lot of people date for a lot of different reasons. Some are looking for a good time, some are looking for love. Some aren't looking at all!

Not Quite Dating isn't a book about a Gold Digger...not in my mind. It's about smart choices a single mom makes because she puts her kid first.

I wrote a blog for Amazon not to long ago click HERE to read that one. I talked about some of Jessie's motivation behind finding the 'right' guy to date.

Oh, and by the way... Not Quite Dating is on sale until the end of the month. $1.99 for your Kindle Copy.

C'mon...pick up your copy HERE

Wife by Wednesday - One Year Later

Today is a very, very special day for me. One year ago Wife by Wednesday debuted on the New York Times Bestseller List. It hit both the Print and the E-Book list. It was a day this author never thought would ever happen to her. Oh, I wished, and I prayed... but I didn't really think it was possible.

So here we are, one year later and my new publisher, Montlake, has re-released Wife by Wednesday. It's shinny and polished with new life between it's pages.

So, if you've not read Wife by Wednesday now is the perfect time for you to find out what all the fuss is about.

The New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling novel that launches Bybee’s popular Weekday Brides series

A wife by Wednesday…a love for a lifetime
Blake Harrison:
Rich, titled, and charming…and in need of a wife by Wednesday. Blake turns to Sam Elliot, who isn’t the businessman he expected. Instead, Blake is faced with Samantha Elliot, beautiful and feisty with a voice men call 1-900 numbers to hear.

Samantha Elliot:
Owner of matchmaking firm Alliance and not on the marital menu…that is, until Blake offers her ten million dollars for a one-year contract. And there’s nothing indecent about this proposal. The money will really help with her family’s medical bills. All Samantha will need to do is keep her attraction to her new husband to herself and avoid his bed. But Blake’s toe-curling kisses and sexy charm prove too difficult for Sam to resist. It was a marriage contract that planned for everything…except falling in love.

Kindle Amazon PrintB&N Print

And for your viewing pleasure. Hot off the press...

Blake and Samantha's Trailer

Want a Signed Copy of Wife by Wednesday?

As announced yesterday, Wife by Wednesday is going to air in a series of regional TV spots. It's one of five recommendations from Montlake author, Connie Brockway. It sounds like the perfect opportunity to give something away!

Snap a photo of Wife by Wednesday on your television, Monday, February 11, and be entered to win a signed copy of Wife by Wednesday. Your photos will be posted on Facebook, and one winner will be picked via random.org.

Send photos to bybee.assistant@gmail.com OR feel free to post them on the Catherine Bybee Facebook Fan Page. :)

The list of stations airing the segments are in the right column. Check it out!

Crazy But True

I remember the day, the very minute, I knew I wanted to be a writer. 

I looked at my husband from my computer one night and said, "I'm writing a book." 



To which he responded with something like, "That's nice, what's for dinner?" 
It took a few months for him to realize I meant what I said and even after I started publishing I think he still considered it a hobby. *insert angry face here* However, much of that is behind us now. *rolls eyes* Arguably, I'm a writer. A published author with several credits to my name. 
I've reached lists I didn't think possible, have the most amazing agent in all the land...and hundreds of thousands of readers have read my books. 
But you know what hasn't happened yet? 
I'm not in a brick and mortar bookstore. Until this last week. On February 7th Wife by Wednesday's Spanish translation was published by a division of Random House in Spain. Apparently, my books are in the bookstores in Spain. I of course live right here in the US of A, and haven't seen said books on the shelf, but I know they're there. 
I  am one of a select few of authors who are in this unique position. That day when I decided to write my first book I thought the bookstore was the only way to publish. The only way to be successful in this business. Boy was I wrong! 
I know a lot of writers whose books are shelved all over the world, but these writers still have to work their day jobs. Writing is my day job. 
It's my passion. 
The day may or may not come where my readers can walk into an actual store and pick up my books, but my level of success is not measured by this... it's a new world and I'm damn happy to be in it. 
So, dear reader, if you happen to live in Spain, or anywhere where el Contrato is on the shelf. Snap a picture of it there and send it on to me. 
Oh, and BTW... when my husband asks me 'What's for dinner?' I now answer... "Where are you taking me?"