Catherine Bybee's Blog, page 16

Interviews never get old

I'm excited to share with you an article that Affair de Coeur did on me in this month's issue. And lookie here, they are giving away the online magazine for free this month.

I'm on page 11.

So go on over and check it out. HERE is the link. Click on the package on the link to find the magazine.

Let's talk Dragons with Coreene Callahan

Spotlight:
Coreene Callahan – Author of The Dragonfury Novels and The Circle of Seven series.
Fury of Fire (Dragonfury Novel, book 1)
Buy links: Amazon: 
Barnes& Noble: 
Excerpt from Fury of Fire:
The smell of fresh blood propelled Bastian up the porch steps and through the open door. Broken glass crunched beneath the soles of his boots as he crossed over the threshold into the small house.         He was too late.         The Razorbacks, the rogue band of dragons that hated humankind and their dependence on females, had beaten him to the mother and child. He didn’t care that the infant had been sired by one of them. None of the bastards deserved to be fathers. To leave the female defenseless and alone—without any understanding of what was to come—then take the baby a month early? Christ, it was beyond unthinkable.         The enormity of his failure hit him like a body shot.         He should have come sooner. Two days ago when the results of her blood work popped up on Sloan’s system. Tentacles deeply embedded in human databases, his comrade could find anything, from medical records to homicide reports.         Fuck. It was Bastian’s fault.         Not her death—that had been inevitable the moment one of his kind impregnated her—but the manner of it. The violence in it. The needless suffering. Had he done his duty, the female would have been comfortable in the end.         With grim resolve, Bastian followed the scent of death down the narrow corridor. He inhaled deep and listened hard, sifting to find any trace of the enemy’s trail. He would honor the woman and then hunt the rogues down; take the child back before he became polluted by hatred. The last thing he and his warriors needed was another soldier in the Razorbacks’ ranks.         He spotted the blood pool on the tile floor from the kitchen doorway and—        “I’m so sorry…so sorry,” a female said, an agonized hitch in her voice. “Look how beautiful he is, Caro. All ten fingers and toes. Look how beautiful.”         The sound of an infant’s cry answered her, rising from behind the island.          Sucking in a quick breath, Bastian stepped around the edge of the gold-flecked countertop. He stopped cold, boots rooted to the floor, gaze riveted to the light-haired female. Pale green hospital scrubs covered in blood, she sat in devastation, a dead body next to her, a small, coat-wrapped bundle in her arms. Medical supplies lay scattered around her, the black bag by her side overflowing with gauze, rubber gloves, and plastic-wrapped packages. But it was the butcher knife that made him ache for her.         She’d saved the baby, knowing she couldn’t save the mother. Remarkable. She was undeniably remarkable. A female with the heart of a warrior.         Bastian swallowed past the lump in his throat and ditched his leathers, conjuring an EMT’s uniform. As a nurse, she would respond better to a paramedic, someone of common skill and experience. He didn’t want her to freak out, but time wasn’t on his side. The Razorbacks would track them quickly, and he needed her in the ambulance and rolling before that happened.
Knight Awakened (Circle of Seven series, book 1)                                                                      
Buy links:Amazon: 
Barnesand Noble: 
Excerpt from Knight Awakened:
The desperate gleam in Xavian’s eyes scared her to death. The hard press of muscle locked around her and his pace didn’t help much either. Each long stride took Afina further from safety, into the cool shadows of the stable and closer to full-blown panic.Had she overstepped her bounds? Was he angry with her for interfering?She bit the inside of her cheek and looked up into his face. He didn’t seem to be. Anger no longer lined his features. But then, nothing did. And his contained expression frightened her more than his fury would have. Something churned just before the surface, suppressed emotion she couldn’t see but knew was there.“Xavian?” She kept her voice soft as she looped her arms around his neck. Startling him wasn’t a good idea. He was wound too tight, and she was too vulnerable...within striking distance. Not that she thought he would hurt her. But honestly? Better to be safe than sorry. “Please, stop.”He slowed, the echo of his footfalls fading as he halted in the middle of the aisle. She held her breath, listening to the thump of his heart as he tightened his grip under her knees and turned his face into her hair. Each one of his breaths whispered over her temple, the hot rush sweet with a hint of mint.Not knowing what else to do, her hand stole to the nape of his neck, seeking, stroking to ease his tension. He murmured, pressed closer, curling around her as though he needed her touch as much as he needed to breathe. A small pang echoed in the center of her chest. Something was terribly wrong. He was hurting. The strong, brave warrior was in pain, and she couldn’t stand it. Couldn’t let it continue. The healer in her wouldn’t allow it.“Please, tell me what is wrong,” she whispered, fingers playing in his hair, sifting through the thickness. Good goddess, it was a wonder, the softness. She’d never imagined a man could have such beautiful hair. Not that she was noticing. No, not really. She touched to reassure, not to—Drat. Now she was lying to herself.She ordered her wayward hands to still. When neither listened, she returned her attention to Xavian. “Let me help you.”A fine tremor racked his large frame. 
She tightened her grip. “Put me down so I can help.”
“Nay,” he said, his voice half-growl, half-groan before he shuddered and moved forward, continuing into the interior of the stable. “You’re mine.”Mine? Or rather, his? What the devil did that mean?“Ah, Xavian, I think mayhap...” She trailed off, catching a glimpse of movement in her periphery. Three stable lads, pitch- forks hanging from limp hands, gaped at them, mouths wide open. Wonderful. Now they had an audience. She glanced at Xavian, knowing he wouldn’t approve. He was having some sort of breakdown, and no man worth his weight would relish wit- nesses for that.Afina hung on as he took a sharp right at the end of the aisle. Two strides later, and he’d walked them through a doorway and into the tack room beyond. Sacks of grain occupied one corner, fat companions to the array of bridles hanging on the chamber walls. The long leather strips hovered above saddle horses, some in use, some patiently awaiting the weight of their next charge. With little room to maneuver, Xavian stopped in the center of the room and, one arm still around her, dropped her feet to the floor.As she found her balance, he murmured, “La dracu, you feel good...so warm.”The whispered words tickled the side of her neck then rolled like a dark wave down her spine. His voice was decadent. The resonance one of perfect pitch; deep enough to tie her up, light enough to make her want to relax and trust and give. But two years of running—of Vladimir—had ruined any chance of that.Her hands flat against his chest, she pushed, needing distance. He tightened his grip, shackling her against him while he inhaled, burrowing deep to press his lips to her pulse point. The contact—mouth to neck, skin to skin—hit her like a thunderstorm, and heat gathered with an alarming rumble. Afina swallowed. “I, ah...Are you all right?”“I’m so cold inside...so cold.”Cold? Afina frowned and rubbed his upper arms. Odd, he didn’t feel chilled.  “Xavian, look at me,” she said, her tone tight.One arm nestled against her back, he buried his free hand in her unbound hair, pulling her flush against him. Her fingers curled, and finding the edge of his sleeveless tunic, she shook him. He raised his head, blue eyes glowing with unsettling heat. Afina froze. She felt her eyes widen and heard her lips part on a strangled gasp. Could he be...what...Good goddess, was he—“Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.” He cupped her cheek with a warrior-rough palm. Holding her there, his gaze half-searched, half-pleaded as he leaned in and kissed her, whisper-soft. “Please, draga. Warm me...make me forget the cold for a while.”Afina’s breath got tangled up in the back of her throat. Wonder nipped at her, drowning out the little voice that whispered a warning. Somewhere deep inside she knew she should listen, heed the kernel of fear coiling low in her belly. But the fact he wanted her—the way a man did a woman—trumped good sense, spinning her into a world filled with new possibilities.She wanted them all, craved the moment of freedom. Longed to let loose, and just once, do what she wanted instead of pleasing someone else.And Xavian? His desire was the perfect foil.Without shame or seduction, he asked, leaving the outcome up to her. But what to do...accept his touch or deny her yearning? Ignoring the lust-filled ache would be safer, but curiosity was a powerful thing. And as she stared into his eyes, blue as the Danube, warm as a hot spring, she remembered Bianca.Ever since her sister had danced across their small cottage, Afina had wondered about her secret meetings with Bodgan. Her enjoyment had been obvious, a curious splendor that had left Afina dissatisfied with her own life.The restlessness hit her full force. It wasn’t fair that everyone knew joy except her. Life had dealt her a series of denials, but not today. Today was about her, about what she needed—what she wanted—and for once, she followed desire, titled her chin up and invited his kiss.
INTERVIEW:
Welcome to my corner of the blogging world.Let's get a little of the formalities out of the way.
Coreene: Hi everyone! A huge thanks to Catherine for having me here today. I’m really excited to have the opportunity to hang out with you!
Give my readers a cliff note version of you.
·         How has Amazon Montlake been to work with?
Coreene: In a word…fantastic! The Montlake team is an incredibly talented and professional group with years of publishing experience behind them, and it shows. All my questions get answered, and I am included in many of the decisions that impact my books. And the Montlake authors? Such an amazing group of people: supportive, savvy, and generous!
·         What do you think about self publishing?
Coreene: Self publishing has really come on in recent years, and I’m so glad that it has. It’s an important tool in a writer’s toolbox. The opportunity to self publishing has opened a lot of doors and given authors more say than ever, the freedom to control our own destinies, so to speak. And that is a great gift, particularly when it allows someone to make living doing what they love...namely, writing.
·         What do you love about being a writer?
Coreene: Oh, so many things. Getting to make stuff up for a living. Not having to rush out the door to go to work every morning and wearing my PJs to the office is a big perk. Interacting and chatting with readers everyday. Being able hang out with my writing buddy, Winston (my golden retriever) all day long. I could go on! The list is endless, really.
·         What do you hate about being a writer?
Coreene: You know, there isn’t a thing that I hate about being a writer. I love the job, from writing the first draft to the revision stages. That isn’t to say that it’s easy. Some days are unbelievably hard, as though I’m banging my head a brick wall. But even when the words come hard and the story seems like it’s falling apart, I love it. The worse day I ever spent writing was still better than a great day anywhere else.
·         Nearly all romance novels have shhh, sex, in them. How do you answer the never ending question, Why do you write THAT kind of book? Or even better… How do you do your RESEARCH?
Coreene: Oh, boy…did someone just set off a bomb in here? My husband loves to joke that he is the R&D department (Research and Development) for the sexy scenes in my books. I let him believe it. *grin*
Buy honestly, here’s the real deal…
Sex is an important part of any healthy, romantic relationship. Let’s face it, we (as human beings) need physical connection to strengthen the emotional ties we feel for the one we love. We communicate so much through touch: caring, need, empathy, understanding and, of course, love. No words necessary. Sometimes the right touch is all we need to feel connected, loved and respected in return.
So in order for me to create impactful characters—the kind a reader can identify with—it’s important to not only give a character depth and dimension, but also to tell the truth. How? By asking relevant questions and exploring real issues that most people experience every day. Interpersonal relationships consist of a complex mix of things. But a romantic relationship requires sexual connection and touch. The strength of that bond is both an important and natural part of the human experience. A good romance novel sheds light on these issues. So I’m never embarrassed about creating authentic characters or modeling healthy sexual relationships, never mind writing the red-hot love scenes you’ll find in my books.
·         What do you like better, Twitter or Facebook? Why?
Coreene: I enjoy both, but for different reasons. Facebook is about longer conversations with more than one person in the mix, which I like because I’m interested in other people and love to chat. Twitter engages people in short snippets…connection that is fast and easy to sustain on the fly. I also find that I connect with different people on each site. A lot of my author friends are on Twitter, so I’m able to keep up to date with what they are doing, whereas I chat more with readers and book lovers on Facebook.
·         And the most important question ever... Do you roll your toilet paper over the roll or under the roll?
Coreene: Over, of course! And if I find a roll that’s “under”? Call me crazy, but I switch it to roll “over”!
·         Tell us about your latest release and were we can find it.
Coreene: Well, I have two latest releases! And I’m incredibly excited about both!
FURY OF SEDUCTION (Dragonfury Novel, book 3), is about an ex-homicide detective turned dragon-shifter and his struggle to not only control the incredible power he now possesses, but also to protect the woman meant to be his.
KNIGHT AWAKENED, the first book in my Circle of Seven series, is about elite assassins in 14thcentury Transylvania and the magical order they protect. Dragons show up in this series too, so get ready for the fallout!
Thanks so much for inviting me to visit today! I had a blast answering all your questions and hope you enjoyed the excerpts! For more about the Dragonfury Novels and the Circle of Seven series, please stop by my website www.CoreeneCallahan.com. I’d love to hear from you!

One Month Ago Today...

One month ago today Not Quite Dating was released. It's only been a month! Hard to believe it.

Jack and Jessie have reached many milestones. It's the first book I released that surged to the top of the Amazon charts... reaching as high as the top 4 over all and #1 in several sub-categories on the day of release.

I reached the top 5 in Ebooks Bestseller List on DBW.

There are 162 reviews on Amazon averaging 4 and 5 Stars. Goodreads readers have rated this book 283 times.

I've had over 50,000 readers pick up Jack and Jessie's story. That's huge!

Why am I spitting out these details?
Let me tell you why...

When I released Binding Vows back in 2009 I believe I sold under 30 copies of the book in the first month.
If I had given up then... I would never have gotten to where I am.


Never! Give! Up!

Now... the blurb for Katie and Dean's story

Not Quite Mine


Gorgeous hotel heiress Katelyn “Katie” Morrison seems to have it all. But when she crosses paths with Dean Prescott—the only man she’s ever loved—at her brother’s wedding, Katie realizes there’s a gaping hole in her life. After the ceremony she gets an even bigger surprise: a baby girl left on her doorstep. Determined to keep the newborn until she learns who her mother is, Katie has her hands full and doesn’t need Dean snooping around…especially when his presence stirs feelings she thought were long gone.
Dean Prescott knows Katie is lying to him about the baby. He shouldn’t care what the woman who broke his heart is up to…and he most certainly shouldn’t still be aching for her. Yet Dean can’t ignore the need to protect Katie—or the desire to be near her every chance he gets. But when he and Katie solve the mystery surrounding the baby, their second chance for happiness could be shattered forever.

Spotlight on CJ Archer

SPOTLIGHT: To Tempt The Devil by C.J. Archer
Blurb:He’s dark and dangerous…and she can’t stay away…Seven years have passed since Rafe Fletcher fled London. Now he has returned to make amends, only to find his brother, James, bound for debtors’ prison. Unable to clear James’s debts, Rafe does the next best thing, promising to watch over his brother’s betrothed in his absence. There’s just one problem: the shy, sweet girl he once knew has grown into an alluring young woman—one who wants absolutely nothing to do with a man like him.Lizzy Croft isn’t fooled by Rafe’s dark good looks; she remembers all too well the hot-headed rogue he once was. But when Lizzy is framed for murder, she has no choice but to trust the man who once beat his brutish stepfather half to death, the man whose recent past is shrouded in mystery—the man who is slowly, inexorably winning her heart. Loving him would be the greatest risk of all…

An excerpt:This is the scene where the hero and heroine meet. The heroine, Lizzy, is telling her betrothed, James, that the master of revels, Gripp, may shut down the theatre company she works for in London (she's a seamstress). Then the hero walks in.
“You believe Gripp will force the company’s closure?” he asked.“Walter Gripp is a vindictive man and he has the power to do it. There is nothing and no one standing in his way.”“Want me to kill him for you?” The voice came from behind her. It was deep and low, quiet yet commanding. The sort of voice that belonged to men in control, respected men who didn’t need to shout to get attention.She recognized it although she hadn’t heard it in many years. She felt cold through to her bones even as a warm flush crept up her neck.“He’s jesting,” James said.Lizzy didn’t turn around but she could feel Rafe’s presence the way an anvil feels a hammer’s blow.“Lizzy, you remember my brother,” James went on. “Rafe. Rafe Fletcher,” he added, perhaps to remind her that the brothers had different fathers. He’d left London suddenly on that terrible day when their mother died. Lizzy had no idea where he’d gone or what he’d been doing, because she’d never asked James and he’d never offered the information. Indeed, he rarely mentioned his brother at all and never discussed the incident that had led to his departure. But Lizzy hadn’t forgotten him. Rafe Fletcher was not the sort of man a girl, or indeed anyone, could forget.And now he was back.She forced herself to turn, but she couldn’t bring herself to look up at Rafe’s face. She stared at his boots instead. They were good boots. Sturdy with scuff marks on the toes and…was that a bloodstain?She suppressed a gasp but not a shiver.“Light the fire,” Rafe said. “She’s cold.”James hesitated, then did his brother’s bidding. Lizzy clasped her hands in front of her and kept her gaze down. Her insides roiled and surely her face must be the color of burning coals. It felt hot enough. She tightened her grip on her fingers.“I doubt you remember me,” Rafe said above her. Far, far above her. “You were still a child when I left.”Seven years ago, she’d been fourteen, hardly a child. She wished she could tell him that, but she just nodded instead. She’d tried so hard to leave the shy, speechless girl behind, yet here she was again with her flushed cheeks and twisted tongue. So much for all the practice she’d put in over the years. While the actors worked on remembering their lines, she’d studied them: the way they spoke to one another, what they said, when they laughed or teased or offered a sympathetic frown. She’d forced herself to imitate them when she’d rather have sat in the corner and hidden behind her sewing. Eventually she’d felt confident enough to put her observations into practice. Tentatively at first, then more often and with more people. It had worked. Old acquaintances commented on how she’d emerged from her shell, and new ones were none the wiser. None suspected the amount of effort and time she’d put into remaking herself.But Rafe Fletcher had stripped all that hard work away as if it were merely a layer of the thinnest silk. And she hadn’t even looked at him yet.“So do you?” he asked. “Want me to kill this Gripp for you?”“Rafe,” James warned. “Stop teasing her.”“Who said I was teasing?”

Buy links:Amazon (kindle):Amazon (paperback): 
Author links. Website: Facebook: Twitter: 

I'm giving away signed copies...

Be sure and sign into your Goodreads Account and put your name in the hat. I'm giving away 4 signed copies of Not Quite Dating.




 

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    Goodreads Book Giveaway
 

   
       
   

   
     
          Not Quite Dating
     
     
          by Catherine Bybee
     

     
         
            Giveaway ends December 16, 2012.
         
         
            See the giveaway details
            at Goodreads.
         
     
   
   

      Enter to win

Fiance by Friday's Blurb

For those of you salivating for Gwen and Neil's story... here is a teaser for you.

I think you're gonna like this one. Really, really like this one!

Fiance by Friday by Catherine Bybee
Coming May 21st, 2013
Montlake Romance









Gwen Harrison:

The beautiful, high-born daughter of an English duke came to America to take over her sister-in-law’s matchmaking business. But just because she’s the boss doesn’t mean she can’t fantasize about making her own perfect match with bodyguard Neil MacBain. Will the enigmatic man who haunts her dreams cost her more than she bargained for?

Neil MacBain:

The retired Marine can’t deny the effect blue-blooded Gwen has on his troubled soul or his battle-hardened body. But as a client, Gwen is off-limits—until a threat from Neil’s past returns…and Gwen is caught in the crossfire. Now to keep her safe he will risk it all: his career, his life…and his heart. 




Pre-Order your copy NOW HERE!




A completely unedited excerpt from Fiance by Friday




She pushed her way through the crowd on a collision course with Neil. He kept his lips in a thin line as she approached and gripped the long neck bottle at his side. Slipping between the woman on the stool next to him and Neil’s massive frame, she slapped her hand on her hip and growled. “What are you doing here?” He blinked, once, and picked up his beer. “Having a drink.” She wanted to scream. “Having a drink,” she repeated. He tilted the bottle back, took a swig. “I know what you’re doing, Neil. And I don’t like it. I don’t want or need a bodyguard.” “That’s debatable.” If stomping her foot would knock some sense into him, she’d stomp better than a farm girl in a vineyard. Poking a finger into his chest, she moved closer. “Do you have any idea how difficult it is to have a love life with a two-hundred thirty pound bodybuilder standing in my way?” A muscle in his jaw tightened. “Two-hundred and fifty.” “Ahhh!” She did scream now, in a growling frustrated kind of way. He lifted his beer again, but before he could take a swig, Gwen grasped it from his fingers and tilted it back herself. In a move that would make Eliza and Karen proud, she pushed the empty beer bottle back into his hand and slid between his thighs. His jaw twitched again. The strong musky scent that was pure Neil swam up her nose. She dropped one hand to his thigh and left it there. “This is how I see it, Neil. You have two choices. Either back off or step up.” Gwen squeezed her hand before twisting out of his personal space and marching back to the girls. A satisfied smile stretched over her face. 

Make Welcome ~ Toni Anderson

Welcome to my corner of the blogging world, Toni.
How has Amazon Montlake been to work with?
Hi Catherine. Great to be here and thanks for having me here today. Montlake Romance has been great to work with. I’m really enjoying the team and the other authors at Amazon.

What do you think about self publishing?
I think it’s wonderful authors have other options nowadays.
What do you love about being a writer?
I love setting my own targets and working to my own schedule. I love getting those voices out of my head and down on paper so people don’t think I’m nuts went I start talking to my imaginary friends in the grocery queue.

What do you hate about being a writer?
Nothing much. Maybe the expansion of my butt, and bad reviews. I need to schedule more exercise for the former. The latter I don’t mind that much J—it’s all about finding your audience. Not everyone is going to love your work. It’s a fact writers have to live with.

Nearly all romance novels have shhh, sex, in them. How do you answer the never ending question, Why do you write THAT kind of book? Or even better… How do you do your RESEARCH?
Ugh. This drives me mad because people are rarely shocked if I kill someone in a story but, god, if my characters have sex it can turn into the Spanish Inquisition. No one ever offers to be my next victim although I have a few people in mind J. Romance novels are about relationships and the place where people are most intimate (generally) is while stripped bare (emotionally as well as physically) having sex. My family copes with the idea of me writing sex scenes so everyone else can take it or leave it. 
What do you like better, Twitter or Facebook? Why?
I like both actually. If I had to chose I’d go for Facebook because it’s more visual and I get to see what my nieces and nephews are up to. But I love following something on Twitter and just being so connected to the world. But I don’t have a smart phone so I get to leave it all behind when I’m not online. I like that too. 
And the most important question ever... Do you roll your toilet paper over the roll or under the roll?
If I do it in the dark anything can happen. Otherwise it’s over. J
Tell us about your latest release and were we can find it.
My latest release is DANGEROUS WATERS, a Romantic Suspense story set in a remote town on Vancouver Island. It features a RCMP heroine and a former Special Forces hero. There’s a cold case mystery and a current murder to solve. I hope people enjoy reading it and much as I enjoyed writing it J. It comes out on November 20th and is available in print, digital and audio from Amazon, as well as other bookstores.

Links:
Check out Toni’s website and Amazon Author Page for a list of current titles, her blog and Facebook Author Page for writing news. She also has an infrequent newsletter for special announcements. If you like dogs or weather talk there’s her personal Facebook page, and Twitter(@toniannanderson) for up-to-the-minute chatter. And if you like pretty pictures she’s on Pinterest. 

Here is the blurb:
DANGEROUS WATERS, November 20th, 2012.
Known as the Graveyard of the Pacific, Barkley Sound is notorious for surging swells with the power to pull helpless victims into its merciless abyss…

Sergeant Holly Rudd arrives in the coastal community of Bamfield after local divers discover a body with a knife jutting from its chest in the waters of Barkley Sound. As she investigates the crime, Holly soon realizes the sleepy town is rife with secrets. But what unsettles her most is the residents’ insistence that she bears a striking resemblance to the victim of a murder from three decades earlier. She shrugs off the uncanny likeness as a coincidence. But her simmering attraction to Finn Carver, one of the divers who discovered the corpse, isn’t so easy to ignore.

Finn, a former Special Forces soldier, knows it’s best to keep his distance from Holly. Yet it isn’t long before they both give in to the consuming desire they share. And as the danger escalates, Finn and Holly must rely on each other to thwart the plans of a cold-blooded killer who’s intent on keeping the past buried.

Missed my Book Candy TV Event?

Did you miss me last night on Book Candy TV?

That's okay... here is the recording of the live broadcast.

I'm on Book Candy TV Tonight!

THIS WEEK ON BOOK CANDY TV-  ME! Whoot!

Join New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Catherine Bybee, as she
shares insights to her latest release!

We'll open the chat lines for Q&A's, and a chance for readers to win a $25
Amazon Gift Card!
In this session:

DATE: NOV. 28th, 2012
TIME: 6:00PM Pacific / 9:00PM Eastern

How to join:
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- use the guest tab (not registered users tab)
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Make Welcome ~ Nancy Herkness

Today I'm welcoming Nancy Herkness. Be sure and read the interview and then check out Nancy's giveaway at the bottom of the page.

Thank you for being here today, Nancy.



Welcome to my corner of the blogging world.
Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog, Catherine!  And many congratulations on the recent publication of NOT QUITE DATING!  It’s so exciting to see it hitting all the Amazon lists. Love the cover too.
Thank you. It’s been a very exciting week. Can you tell us a little about you and the stories you write?
I studied English and creative writing in college where, believe it or not, my senior thesis was a volume of original poetry.  A native of West Virginia, I now live in New Jersey with my husband and a couple of mismatched dogs. 
My first two romances, A Bridge to Love and Shower of Stars, were published by Berkley Sensation.  I debuted in romantic suspense with Music of the Night.  My current release Take Me Home is the first in the Whisper Horse series published by Montlake Romance.
It sounds like you like to write different genres. I’m with you there. I’m asked all the time about my experience working with Amazon Montlake. How has it been for you?
Working with Montlake has been a terrific experience.  The folks there treat authors as respected partners.  I’m as happy as a pig in, well, mud.
“Mud” ~ Snicker… you obviously don’t know me really well. I’d have just said shit. But I get ya. And I agree.
So much is changing in the industry. What do you think about self publishing?
Self-publishing empowers writers to create work from their hearts.  If your book doesn’t fit into a publisher’s marketing plan, you still have a way to get the story into the hands of readers.  It’s also great for keeping your backlist available; when the rights reverted to me, I self-pubbed all three of my previously published novels.
Good for you. For writers that have been around a while, self publishing is a Godsend. What do you love about being a writer?
No commute.  All right, on a serious note, there is nothing more exciting than conjuring people, places, and emotions out of my brain.  I can create whole worlds to live in with just a computer keyboard.  What could be cooler than that?
Nothing! And my commute is from my bedroom to my office. Once in a while a sig-alert of the cat skidding between my legs is a problem. What do you hate about being a writer?
Creating whole worlds to live in; it’s exhausting!  Writing commercial fiction is a balancing act between art and business.  Right now I’m staring at a looming deadline I thought I would have no problem meeting, yet the book refuses to end.  My Muse and my M.B.A. (metaphorically speaking--I don’t really have an M.B.A.) are duking it out.
I’m sure you’ll get there. It is hard work. Some people don’t believe me when I say that.
Nearly all romance novels have shhh, sex, in them. How do you answer the never ending question, Why do you write THAT kind of book? Or even better… How do you do your RESEARCH?
Falling in love is one of the most intense experiences a person has in their life.  Writing—and reading!--romance novels allows me to feel that way over and over again.  Let’s face it, physical attraction is an important part of any romantic encounter, so the sexual aspect is crucial to the progress of the relationship. 
As for how I do my research, it’s the same way mystery and horror writers handle theirs: I use my vivid imagination.
What do you like better, Twitter or Facebook? Why?  Facebook.  I like the visuals, and I’m too long-winded to fit my, ahem, brilliant insights into 140 characters.
LOL. And the most important question ever... Do you roll your toilet paper over the roll or under the roll?
OVER!!!!!  I feel strongly about this.
YES! I’m a OVER girl too.  Tell us about your latest release and were we can find it.
Writing TAKE ME HOME took me back to my roots.  I was born and raised in a small town in the mountains of West Virginia, and I spent my childhood summers with my pony Papoose.  You can see how those two facets of my early life molded the story of Claire and Tim in the book description below:
When Claire Parker left Sanctuary, West Virginia, she thought it was for good. But now she’s back, reeling from an ugly divorce. Readjusting to small-town life is harder than Claire expected, so she’s surprised, and grateful, to find companionship in Willow, an abused Thoroughbred mare. Willow is Claire’s “whisper horse,” and they share a special, rare bond. Except Willow isn’t the only one helping Claire heal; Willow’s ruggedly handsome veterinarian, Dr. Tim Arbuckle, is seductive…and secretive.
Devastated by his wife’s death, Tim thought he’d never find love again. The stoic, sexy doctor was sure he’d left his heart behind when he came to Sanctuary. But Claire stirs up emotions he thought he’d buried long ago. For the first time, the doctor can almost see past his grief…until Willow falls gravely ill. Tim and Claire must save Willow’s life and, surrounded by the beautiful mountains of West Virginia, find a love so encompassing, so intense, their lives will never be the same again.TAKE ME HOME is available from Amazon (digital, print and audio), Barnes and Noble (print) and by order from any bookseller. 
To read an excerpt check out "Inside the Book" on Amazon.  
Amazon:http://amzn.to/S3YSIGBarnes and Noble:http://bit.ly/U8GmiY

I run an on-going giveaway with changing prizes on my website www.NancyHerkness.com so please pay me a visit and enter. 
Fellow Montlake author Nancy Naigle and I blog together about our small town romances at Sister Towns: http://sistertowns.wordpress.com/.  I’m a mountaineer and she’s a Virginia gal so we have a lively time.
I would love to see you on Facebook too: https://www.facebook.com/nancyherkness.