Cate Masters's Blog, page 50

Quiet Celebrations

Thanks to all the authors who joined in the Valentine’s fun! I loved reading about each author’s special Valentine memories and traditions. I hope you did, too.
I did miss quite a few days of it, unfortunately. Behind the blogging scene, it’s been quite a harrowing few weeks. I rushed my hubby to the ER with chest pains, and after a nightmarish, 29-hour stay there, the hospital finally admitted him and performed a heart cath. We went through this three and a half years ago, and this was almost a duplicate, except during this procedure, they put in two stents. Strangely, into the very same artery as last time, but again because it was more than 90 percent blocked. The good news is, he has never suffered a heart attack. Ironically, this prolongs the diagnosis because symptoms aren’t definitive. But now at least the record can show a pattern. Hopefully there won’t be a next time, though.
Needless to say, my focus was with him. We celebrated my birthday late and low-key, but my private celebration was simply having him back home, recovering. Valentine’s Day was likewise subdued.
Hubby’s heart surgery, like every passing birthday, brings into sharper relief what I need to do with the time left. I’m not old by modern standards, but I do feel the pressure of dwindling time. I felt it keenly after the deaths of my cousin and uncle early this year, but even moreso now. I want to use what time I have left in a way that’s most meaningful for me. Second to my family, that means writing. I have so much yet I want to do, so many stories already begun or sketchily outlined as well as those that only exist in a vague inkling in my head – all these, I need to finish. And then some.
Likewise, edits are coming in for my contracted stories. This weekend, I tackled first-round edits on Cursed, book one of The Vitruvian Man series. I'm very excited about these stories. The setting, the hero and heroine are different from any others I've read. Originally, I'd planned a stand-alone story, but this world kept calling to me. It may keep calling after I finish the second book. There's a lot to explore there.
Do you feel more pressured as you age to do everything you set out to do? Did you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day? More importantly, do you make time to celebrate the life moments that don’t appear on any calendar?

Rachel Brimble Spills the Beans

Hi Rachel! So glad to have you at Spilling the Beans, where we can learn a little bit about you, and your book. Grab a cappuccino and let’s chat. Unless you have another favorite drink (alcoholic or otherwise)? Vanilla Latte is my favorite coffee… with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc coming in as the favorite alcoholic tipple ;)
Fur or feathers, petwise? Fur – my black Lab, Max is my third child and constant companion.
Love those furry babies. :) Any pet peeves? One thing that really burns your biscuits? How every member of my family leaves their dirty dishes BY the dishwasher and never actually IN it, GRRR!!!!
Here too. It must be contagious, lol. What’s your guilty pleasure? Far too much TV – I love British period dramas and US shows such as Castle, Rizzoli & Isles, Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy. My TV is constant full with shows I’ve recorded!
Favorite quote? “Set it up the way you want it to be.” Iyanla Vanzant
Love that. What’s your ideal day like? Kids go skipping off to school without a single word of back chat, yelling or moaning, I pour myself a large vanilla coffee and sit at the laptop by 8am. The words then flow effortlessly from my fingers until I take the dog for a walk. The sun shines brightly across the fields of England, the sun’s heat pleasantly warm on my skin and when I whistle, Max doesn’t ignore me but comes to heel immediately…we stroll back home without a bark or snarl or sexual advance on any other canine. Then I come back to the laptop and the words flow once again until 3.30 pm. The children come in, happy to see me with a lovely hug – they run off to their bedrooms eager to start their homework. We have a family dinner after which I run a hot bubble bath and treat myself to a glass of wine…. Okay, this is now even ideal, just fantasy, LOL!
Sounds wonderful. Beethoven, Beatles, Foo Fighters or Keith Urban (what type(s) of music makes you rock out)? I love a lot of 80s music as well as country rock and soft rock – I haven’t got a favorite artist although I am loving me a bit of Bruno Mars right now… ;)
Does music influence your writing? Do you have a music playlist for your book? Not at all – the only book I used music was a novella I wrote for The Wild Rose Press which was a part of their Class of ’85 series. I think deep down it was just an excuse to transport myself back to my youth, LOL!
A bit of nostalgia's good for the muse, lol. Which of your characters would you most/least want to hang out with, and why? Most – Cat from my latest release, “Finding Justice” (Harlequin Superromance). She is fun, feisty, honest and loyal. I want to be her when I grow up J Least – Nicholas Milne from my upcoming release, “The Seduction of Emily” (E-Kensington). He’s the villain of the story…nasty, nasty, nasty man!
While creating your books, what was one of the most surprising things you learned? It never fails to surprise me how characters take on a life of their own – I am part plotter/part pantser but no matter what I have planned for my hero and heroine, they will veer off in a different direction at some point and then I have to struggle to get them back on track. I’ve learned to trust my characters but sometimes it’s damn hard to do so!
Where can readers find out more about you? My latest news is always posted on my blog but I am most active on Twitter where I pop in and out FAR too much all day long, lol! Here’s my links: http://www.rachelbrimble.com/ http://rachelbrimble.blogspot.co.uk/ https://twitter.com/RachelBrimble http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Brimble/181873201887441?fref=ts
Rachel’s latest release – Finding Justice available now from Harlequin Superromance: Blurb: Old friends, new secrets Sergeant Cat Forrester lives by her own set of rules. When her childhood friend is murdered, Cat's world is thrown into chaos. Especially because Jay Garrett—a man from her past—is a suspect, and he needs her help to prove he's innocent. After all they once shared, how can she say no? The attraction flares between them, and getting involved with a suspect is a huge risk. But the more time Cat spends with Jay, the stronger the tug on her heart. He is the same caring, irresistible man she remembers. Yet she can't let her emotions interfere with the case—solving it is top priority. And as she digs deeper, she discovers Jay has secrets that may jeopardize any possible future together.Copyright © 2013 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited Links: Amazon Barnes & NobleBook Depository
Upcoming release – The Seduction of Emily by E-Kensington (available for pre-order) Blurb: Seduction is a wicked game, and no one plays it better than the devilish Will Samson in Rachel Brimble's captivating new novel. . . Since girlhood, Emily Darson has accepted that she will marry Nicholas, the son of her father's trusted business partner. The marriage contract safeguards her family legacy, Emily's fortune, and everything she values--except her independence. Only when a sinfully handsome scoundrel enters her life does Emily realize quite how much a loveless match will cost her. Will Samson has advanced from expert pickpocket to confidence trickster of the highest caliber. Now he has come to Bath to exact vengeance on the man who destroyed his mother--the man Emily will soon marry. But from his first glimpse of the enemy's bewitching, spirited fiancée, Will's plan changes. Amid the ballrooms and salons of elegant society, heated glances explode into scandalous kisses. Revenge is sweet, but surrender will be irresistible. . . Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble
Thanks for spilling the beans today, Rachel! Best of luck with your releases!

Day 14: Celebrate Amore with Taryn Kincaid

Taryn Kincaid
Cate: Woot! Taryn Kincaid is here to wrap up the Celebrate Amore event. Taryn, please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Taryn: Want to see my new bio? Here ya go! 

Taryn Kincaid lives in scenic Serendipity-By-the-Sea. (Go ahead. Try to find it on a map. If you do, Taryn will send you a smooch. Also a Nutter Butter.)  She is an Olympic caliber athlete in egg rolling contests and spends a great deal of her time petitioning the U.S.O.C. to introduce fantail shrimp competition. When she's not bungee jumping off the Palisades or parasailing up and down the Hudson River, she devotes her time to caring for her aging pet walrus,  arranging her voodoo doll-pin collection and practicing rhythmic chants.  At this moment, she is busy picking up loose wholewheat spaghetti sticks that spilled out of the cupboard and onto her kitchen floor. Wait. Is that something…sparkly?


Taryn  hangs around a lot on Facebook and Twitter with her trillions of fans and pops in at Goodreads from time to time. You can catch her on her website, http://tarynkincaid.com, and her blog, http://dreamvoyagers.blogspot.comwhere she lives for comments! She implores you to buy her books so she can retire.


Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon


Cate: lol, love it. What do you love most about Valentine’s Day?
Taryn:  The desperation.


Cate: Do you have a favorite Valentine’s Day memory?
Taryn: The urgency.


Cate: Do you have any romantic Valentine’s Day traditions?
Taryn:  The sizzle. (From whatever source.) (Although there is a great deal to be said for the Tall, Dark & Demon. Like Max. Oh. Max. Swoon.)


Cate: Nothing like some Valentine's Day sizzle! Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online.
Taryn: So happy you asked!
It’s FROST, and it will make your heart go thumpity-thump-pitty-pat for Valentine’s Day. (And it will also scorch its cockles.)


Cate: Care to share a blurb or excerpt?
Taryn: It just so happens, I have both. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!


BLURB:
Dagney Night, a sought-after succubus, is no stranger to blazing hot sex. But as Valentine’s Day approaches, she longs for something more. When oddly erotic paintings arrive for display at her art gallery, arousing everyone who views them, she wonders about the mysterious artist who created the works.


Maxwell Raines, a fire-sex demon, lives a life of solitude and seclusion behind the walls of his compound at Sleepy Hollow, channeling his lustful impulses into his art—until his muse deserts him and his temperature rises past the danger point. He needs sex. Now.


When Madame Evangeline arranges a torrid Valentine’s 1Night Stand for them, will the flames of their encounter be too hot to handle?


EXCERPT:
Dagney followed her sister’s glance, and her heart flipped like a gymnast unable to nail a vault. Darkness swathed the gallery with the exception of the lights above or below each of the paintings. The large man emerging from the shadows held her rapt. Waves of pure, unadulterated lust smacked her with such force she didn’t even see Lily and Campbell leave. The blast of raw desire crumpled her to the floor. Her gaze remained riveted on the tall hunk of ferocious male stalking toward her, radiating undiluted carnality. He set something carefully on the floor and grasped her by the elbows, his touch surprisingly gentle when he lifted her to her feet.
“I’m Maxwell Raines.”
Yeah. No kidding. Who else could a guy so hot, so studly, possibly be?
She told herself not to swoon. Ordered herself not to swoon. But, Goddess, that rumbling voice. More potent than a train barreling over the tracks. And he smelled so good. Sinfully masculine. A bit of musk, a bite of pine, an essence of dark, smoky nights. Sexy scents. Reminiscent of tangled satin sheets that had been given a good work-out.
Her legs turned to rubber, and she doubted they’d support her on their own. She’d be mortified if he’d have to scrape her puddled body up again. But he hadn’t yet relaxed his grip. Could she bullshit her way through the meeting without collapsing? “You’re late,” she said.
“I’m never late.”
“Well, the party’s over, Mr. Raines.” She waved a hand around the empty room.
“Depends on your perspective.”
“You’re big on perspective, are you?”
“I’m a painter.” A brief shrug accompanied his blunt words. “Obvious connection.”
“Right. But as you can see, everyone’s left.”
“You haven’t.” He gazed down at her, a black brow flaring. “And you’re what I’m here for.”


BUY: Amazon | Barnes&Noble |Decadent | ARe | Smashwords | BookStrand | CoffeeTime


Cate: Can't wait to read this one. What inspired you to write about the theme?
Taryn:  During the edits on LIGHTNING, my 1st book in the Sleepy Hollow series, my editor, Valerie Mann, commented that the hero could not paint burning lust with his tongue on the heroine’s, um, thigh, or something like that, during a torrid love scene.  So that got me thinking…what if he could?  And Max was born!


Cate: Anything else you’d like to share?
Taryn:  Yep!  My next scorcher, BLIZZARD, a very short, very hot release for Decadent Publishing’s The Edge series erotica, is tentatively scheduled for release on February 22, 2013. This one’s not a paranormal. It’s a contemporary. But lots of fun. Very HOT but very sweet. With a great HEA!


Cate: You lucky readers - Taryn has goodies for you!
Taryn:  If you will be my Valentine, I will be yours!  Leave a comment with your email and I’ll send you some Valentine’s and book swag goodies.






Cate: Thanks for joining the party, Taryn! Happy Valentine’s Day to all.

Today's the final day for Celebrate Amore! I hope you enjoyed all the guests - I know I did.

Tomorrow, I have another special guest who'll be Spilling the Beans. :) Stay tuned.

Day 13: Celebrate Amore with Kate Richards

 Kate Richards
Cate: Yay, Kate Richards is here to help us Celebrate Amore. Kate please tell us a little bit about yourself.Kate: I live in Southern California with my husband and our menagerie of rescued pets. I’m lucky enough to write and edit fulltime, so I have a pretty good time.
Cate: Oo, fulltime writing - I'm envious. :) And hats off to you for being an editor too! You know how much I love Decadent. :)What do you love most about Valentine’s Day?Kate: It brings out the romantic in my usually stoic New England born and raised husband.
Cate: So cute! Do you have a favorite Valentine’s Day memory?Kate: I actually met him online three days before Valentines twelve years ago…so that would be it! We’ve been together ever since.
Cate: *sigh* Love at first email, lol. Do you have any romantic Valentine’s Day traditions?Kate: We combine it with the anniversary of our meeting and send emails to one another …and I usually score flowers and chocolate.
Cate: Niiice, lol. Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online.Kate: My latest release is Virgin Under Ground from Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand Series.  It can be found at most online bookstores like Amazon.comor Barnes & Noble .
Cate: 1NS's are addicting! Care to share a blurb or excerpt?Kate: Doctorate in hand, Jane Ann Summers is ready to return to the South Seas paradise of her youth, when the director of the institute—her mother—drops a bomb. She cannot return until she experiences more of life...a social life
Determined to waste no time, Jane searches for a shortcut and discovers the 1Night Stand dating service. A single night with a Dr. Gerard, geologist…and she can go home and get on with her fascinating study of world weather trends. The only question is whether to spend the night with him…after all, it would be her first  and maybe only time.
Dr. Lukas Gerard’s own field of study has shown him some alarming trends. He believes a killer earthquake may rattle the Western half of the United States in the near future. In preparation, he has converted an abandoned gold mine to a secret bunker, loaded with supplies and all the comforts of home. Only thing he needs is company in his hideaway. Unsure how to find the right companion, he turns to 1Night Stand, but neither he nor Jane are prepared for the sudden impact of one of Madame Eve’s connections.
Cate: Wow, sounds intense! What inspired you to write about the theme?Kate: I’m one of the co-creators of the 1Night Stand series and when Heather Bennett suggested I contribute to the new prepper line…I had an idea for combining the two ideas and this story was born.
Cate: Anything else you’d like to share?Kate: I had a lot of fun working on Virgin Under Ground. My husband and I spend a lot of time cruising the ghost towns of Northern Nevada, and the setting for the story is based on our explorations.
Cate: How cool is that? And spooky. Oo, you lucky readers, Kate has a surprise for you...Kate: I will offer a copy of Virgin Under Ground to one commenter.
Cate: Thanks so much for being here, Kate! Happy Valentine's Day, and happy anniversary!

Day 12: Celebrate Amore with Julia Phillips Smith

Julia Phillips Smith
Cate: Woo hoo! Julia is here to help us Celebrate Amore. Julia, please tell us a little bit about yourself. Julia:  Cate, this is fun to drop by and celebrate this romantic season with you and your readers.
A special shout-out to my grandmother Viola since today is her birthday!
I grew up in an arts-oriented family, surrounded by musicians, painters, photographers, a filmmaker, a stained-glass artisan and in my generation, writers. As a child I self-identified myself as a writer and a poet, always writing ‘novels’, short stories and poetry. My personal interest in acting and directing led to a film degree, but my husband’s bipolar disorder with intense agoraphobia meant he could only work part time jobs, so I pursued a fulltime day job with benefits and a pension. In the meantime, could I stop myself from creating stories? Of course not. I learned to write novels, which didn’t require a crew, who didn’t need to be fed, and it didn’t matter what the weather was doing or not doing. Always a silver lining!    
Cate: Happy birthday to Viola! And it's my birthday too. :) What do you love most about Valentine’s Day? Julia: I’m a total romantic, through and through. Even glancing at rows of red and pink Valentine’s Day cards in stores makes me happy. I’m a complete sucker for red roses, so the profusion of roses at this time of year just makes my heart smile. I’m also a big fan of Victorian ephemera, so I can’t resist the Victorian valentines that emerge from the 19th century to visit with us in the 21st.
Cate: Do you have a favorite Valentine’s Day memory? Julia: During my university days, I worked as an usher at a performing arts theatre. For the February ballet season I immersed myself entirely into whatever love story was unfolding onstage that season: Romeo and Juliet, Florimund and Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, Petruchio and Katherina from The Taming of the Shrew, Basilio and Kitri from Don Quixote, Colas and Lise from La Fille Mal Gardee, Danilo and Hanna from The Merry Widow—they usually scheduled the happily-ever-after ballets for the Valentine’s season and left the more dramatic couples like Seigfried and Odette from Swan Lake and Albrecht and Giselle for the fall seasons. Romeo and Juliet are technically too tragic for Valentine’s Day, but are so associated with the ultimate love-struck couple that they made the February winter season by default.
Cate: Do you have any romantic Valentine’s Day traditions? Julia: Not really. In the course of our twenty-year marriage, one or both of us were often working an evening customer service job on Valentine’s Day. Sometimes it was the fact that my husband’s agoraphobia made staying home a much more appealing option. But sometimes we’ve gone out for a romantic dinner out, and we have restaurant reservations for this year. He’s doing pretty well these days.
Cate: Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online. Julia: My latest release BOUND BY DRAGONSFYRE actually came out in May of last year, but I’m currently working on book 2 in that series, so it’s a great time to discover the Eighth Dominion.
This is a dark fantasy political intrigue with a strong coming-of-age theme.
Raised among the nobility, now a falconer's apprentice, Scorpius learns that a lord hides his monstrous appetites beneath velvet and jewels, while the leathery-winged dragon is honest about his own. His master shields Scorpius from the world outside their cottage, yet court intrigue eventually sinks its talons into everyone, especially those brought into the service of the House of Pruzhnino.
BOUND BY DRAGONSFYRE can be found online at Amazon, B & N, Kobo and Smashwords. Visit my blog where you’ll find the links in the sidebar:
http://julia-mindovermatter.blogspot.ca/ 
Cate: Care to share a blurb or excerpt? Julia: Sure!
~~
When Alegreza left, Scorpius stood as the obedient apprentice beside Richolf, suddenly sick to death of suppressing his every desire in order to serve, always serve. Scorpius spun on his heel and made to bolt away from this hideous ache in his chest.             Richolf yanked him to an awkward halt. For a split second, Scorpius nearly threw his master off.             “Oh no, you don’t,” Richolf said, pulling him close.             Scorpius stiffened, looking at the empty bend in the road.             “You are not going to ruin her chance for a good life,” his master said, shaking him slightly.             “Please stop saying that.”             “There are too many things you don’t understand.”             “Are there?” Scorpius dared not look at Richolf now. The fury that built inside him was too wild. Richolf loosened his grip slightly. “Believe me, Scorpius. If there is anyone who knows how you feel…”             Scorpius couldn’t bear it. He wrenched free, thrusting his arms forward with all of his considerable strength, pinning his master against the cottage.             “Why? Did your master sign Ingerith up? Is that how it’s done?” Scorpius’ anger didn’t soften the stab of regret coiling through his gut.             He shouldn’t treat his master this way. He let Richolf go and took a step back.             Before he could blink, Richolf grabbed hold of him, switching places to slam Scorpius face-first into the stone cottage wall.             “Of all people, Ingerith deserves better than what she’s endured,” Richolf said in the most chilling voice, shoving Scorpius painfully against the cottage.             Scorpius pressed his forehead against the cool stone, breathing deeply to bear the pain.             “I understand how you’re feeling, Scorpius. I have wrestled with those feelings every day, since before I brought you here from the nursery.”             “Just because you’re used to it doesn’t mean it should be this way.”             His master let him go. Turning as quickly as he could, Scorpius kept Richolf squarely in his sights.             “No,” his master said, eyes dark with warning. “It shouldn’t be this way. No one should have left an embarrassing reminder of an unseemly affair at the nursery, either. Why raise you to be a noble if they were going to hand you over to someone like me?”             Darting a glance at the empty bend in the road, Scorpius felt Alegreza’s absence like a severed limb. “Get inside before I lose what’s left of my temper,” Richolf said. With heavy steps, Scorpius turned and made his way through the door of the cottage. Everything felt like a nightmare. Nothing made sense anymore.             According to Richolf, he should be grateful that his sweetheart headed for the arms of a noble. Why not? That’s how his master’s lover made her way through life, through this unfair life full of cruelly-used slave girls and abandoned market girls. To the nobles, they were all game hens, anyway, weren’t they? Flapping madly in a doomed bid for life, while the hawks calmly climbed to that sweet spot in midair before diving in for the kill. ~~
Cate: What inspired you to write about the theme? Julia: A writing exercise at my yearly writers’ retreat almost five years ago gave me the adult character of Scorpius. Then in April of 2010 I stumbled upon an online serialized fiction hub, which I joined. Because I’d already met Scorpius through the writing retreat exercise, and had begun work on his adult storyline, I decided to turn to him in order to begin my serialized tale.
It seemed easiest to go back to Scorpius’ boyhood, as I figured it would help me get to know the adult character even better. I launched the tale, little knowing that by its conclusion, this back story would gather a passionate following who wanted the younger Scorpius to have his own book.  
Cate: Very cool! Anything else you’d like to share? Julia: It’s been fun chatting with you and meeting up with your readers. Hope everyone has a lovely Valentine’s Day!
BIO:
Award-winning filmmaker and author Julia Phillips Smith lives on Canada’s east coast with her husband and her mom, where the rugged sea and misty forests feed her thirst for gothic tales.  A graduate of Ryerson University’s film program, Julia’s previous writing credits include scripts for radio and television, along with Book 1 of her Dark Ages vampire series. A longtime blogger, she invites you to visit A Piece of My Mind (http://julia-mindovermatter.blogspot.com/).
Cate: Woot! Julia has a Valentine’s treat for you guys! Julia: I’m giving away a copy of the winner’s choice—e-format or paperback—of BOUND BY DRAGONSFYRE to one of your commenters, winner to be drawn randomly by the still-popular paper-entries-in-a-basket technique. Good luck!
Cate: Thanks for joining the party, Julia! Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Day 11: Celebrate Amore with Sabrina Devonshire

 Sabrina Devonshire
Cate: Yay, Sabrina Devonshire is here to help us Celebrate Amore. Sabrina, please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Sabrina: Thank you for the interview opportunity, Cate. I live in Tucson, Arizona with my husband, my two children, and our fluffy dog, Sugar. I’m an avid swimmer and water lover so I can often be found near or immersed in a body of water. When not seeking an endorphin rush in a pool, lake or ocean, I help people achieve fitness goals and write books and magazine articles. I love traveling to off-the-beaten-path places where phones and electronic devices tend not to work well. Peru and Belize are two of my favorites.


Cate: Sounds like heaven. What do you love most about Valentine’s Day?
Sabrina: To be honest, I grew up loathing Valentine’s Day. In elementary school, I was the oddball misfit who hung around with other “unusuals” who enjoyed writing stories and spending afternoons wading in the river getting caked in mud catching frogs. On Valentine’s Day, I would always get cards from boys with “You’re cute” and “I love you” and “Be Mine” crossed out.


Cate: Kids can be so cruel! How awful. Do you have a favorite Valentine’s Day memory?
Sabrina: Every Valentine’s Day has been wonderful since I met my husband. We often travel to exotic places in January or February, so one year we spent Valentine’s Day in Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, hiking through the jungle and listening to the birds and the frogs.


Cate: Sounds wonderful. Do you have any romantic Valentine’s Day traditions?
Sabrina: My husband always places my Valentine’s Day card on my pillow and I do the same for him. I usually leave him a few chocolates as well.


Cate: Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online.
Sabrina: My latest release is an erotic and humorous sci-fi, Message from Viola Mari. Meteorite scientist Marissa Jones is a rescuer by nature. Her best-friend Jane, an aspiring writer, coerces her into taking a writing class since she’s insecure about going it alone. Marissa, a science geek awkward around men, is instantly attracted to writing teacher, Justin. Writing her real-life story as fiction, she gains a fresh perspective on craters she’s recently discovered off the La Jolla Coast. This book is funny, sizzling hot and full of surprises until the very end.


Buy Link (Amazon): http://www.amazon.com/Message-from-Viola-Mari-ebook/dp/B00AYTAC0A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359919425&sr=8-1&keywords=Message+from+Viola+Mari


Buy Link (Extasy Books) http://www.extasybooks.com/message-from-viola-mari/


Cate: Care to share a blurb or excerpt?
Sabrina: World-renowned oceanographer and meteorite specialist, Marissa Jones, uncovers evidence that a comet cloud will soon destroy Earth. When aspiring writer and best friend, Jennifer begs her to take a Saturday morning sci-fi writing class, Marissa reluctantly agrees. Writing her real-life story as fiction gives her an astonishing new perspective on the anomalous set of craters she discovered off of the La Jolla coast. But this favor for her friend stirs up more than scientific results… Writing teacher, Justin Lincoln, goads her constantly and taunts her with his irresistible curly blond locks and a steely physique he knows only too well make women drool. Marissa teeters on the edge of anger and raging attraction for this irritating man. But it’s a terrible time to let lust call the shots when the world's about to end and Marissa's the only one who can save everyone.


Cate: What inspired you to write about the theme?
Sabrina: I joined a Tucson writing critique group with four people, including famous meteorite hunter, Geoffrey Notkin. Notkin’s submissions ignited my interest in meteorites and catastrophic asteroid and comet events, which contributed to some of my plot ideas.


Cate: Anything else you’d like to share?
Sabrina: All of my books are exotic adventures. Expect to be transported to places you’ve never been before or would like to revisit. In MESSAGE, I’ll take you to La Jolla, CA to start and later to Prague, Czech Republic, Belize and another planet. My descriptions are very vivid—a reader recently told me she really felt like I took her back to Prague all over again, even though it’s been 20 years since her last visit.


Cate: Woot! Sabrina has a Valentine's treat for you.
Sabrina: I will do a random giveaway of MESSAGE (e-book format of any type from Extasy Books web site) to one person who registers for my blog www.sabrinadevonshire.blogspot.comand leaves a comment within a week of this post. Contestants should include an email address with the comment so I can forward the book.
Cate:  Thanks for being part of the fun, Sabrina. Happy Valentine's Day!

Day 10: Celebrate Amore

JoAnne Kenrick
Cate: Yay, JoAnne Kenrick is here to help us Celebrate Amore. JoAnne, please tell us a little bit about yourself. JoAnne: Hiya, Cate! Thanks so much for inviting me to help you celebrate Amore here on your blog today. About myself, let's see. I'm a romance author who dabbles in creating book trailers. Suppose you could say I'm best known for my Irish Kisses series, of which most of the books have been bestsellers on Bookstrand, ARe, and Amazon. Guess folks love my Irish bartenders ;) I know I do! 
Cate: What's not to love? :) What do you love most about Valentine’s Day?JoAnne: It's a darn good excuse to watch a super romantic movie, and to treat myself to some yummy chocolates and other decadent treats.
Cate: I like the way you think! lol Do you have a favorite Valentine’s Day memory?JoAnne: Honestly, this question takes me right back to High School - I bought this super expensive 'puffy' V-day card for a boy who didn't know I existed. I proceeded to sneak him the card, unsigned. I remember hearing from my friends for weeks after, how he had no clue who it was that sent him the card. But he was desperate to find out. tehehe One of my hairs had apparently got caught in the sellotape on the envelope; he quizzed every girl he knew with my color hair. Shame he never asked me ;) Yeah, I was super shy in school.
Cate: Aw, so sweet. Do you have any romantic Valentine’s Day traditions?JoAnne: Ha, yeah…I do. Disagreeing with my hubs that V-day isn't just a commercial holiday created to steal your money, and that it's okay to get me a lil pressie. The other tradition is, I always lose the 'discussion'.
Cate: Hope he makes it up to you in other ways. ;) Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online.JoAnne: You betcha! Hot Winter Kiss is my latest release, which is a snowed in wintery kinda romance set in a remote Irish castle. A May to December romance, barmaid of Bell's Irish Pub and granny gets a Christmas present of her dreams; a 1Night Stand with an Irish hottie…but she doesn't realize her rude hero and host at the castle is her date until later, and he just keeps on getting her knickers in a twist..in more ways than one. It's my favorite Irish Kisses book to date, because Sandra has been in each of the Irish Kisses stories; I've grown to love her like a sister. It's awesome she finally got her own HEA. If anyone of my characters deserves it, she does. She puts up with some crap from those Bell's boys.To find out more about Hot Winter Kiss or any of my other releases, please head on over to my website www.joannekenrick.com
Cate: Care to share a blurb or excerpt? JoAnne: Let's see… *scans Hot WInter Kiss for her favorite scene* here we go: The gentle snowfall transformed into a blizzard. Ardan flicked the windshield wipers to full whack. Lucky they only had another couple of miles to go and could walk if the car got jammed in a heap.Slowing the vehicle to a crawl, he prayed his mid-renovation Alfa Romeo would hold out. He would have used the four by four, but his mother had borrowed it.His passenger leaned against the window with her mouth wide open, her breath heavy. Damned woman slept, out like a log. How could he apologize for the terrible first impression he must have given her? Stupid digital books and noisy bar. He despised the bustle of the city, but he hadn’t meant to take his impatience out on her. Amy often said he had low tolerance levels. Guess she’d been right.Amy, his wife, had died on Christmas Eve two years earlier. He kept her pink blanket on the back seat where she always threw it no matter which car they used. “Living out in the sticks,” she’d say, “means you have to be prepared for anything. This blanket could be the difference between staying alive or freezing to death if the car ever breaks down.” He didn’t have the heart to throw the precious keepsake out or stash it in the attic.Reaching to the back—keeping his sight focused on the road ahead—he felt around for the cover. His digits landed on something soft and he yanked it to the front and brought it to his nose, searching for some semblance of comfort. The scent of her still wedged in the thick softness. The faint, but distinct waft of her favorite flowery perfume filled his nostrils, and his memory hurtled back to when she insisted on knitting the thing. Her little side smile, the sparkle in her violet eyes—as if it were yesterday.His heart lay heavy. A sigh escaped him and steamed up the window.Sandra shivered, and her knees knocked together. The poor lass was freezing. Instinct made him want to cascade his treasured knit over her, but his mourning for his dead fiancée made him pause. “Damn it, Amy wouldn’t want her ta catch her death.” He placed the blanket on her knees and lifted it around her shoulders. Without the harsh din of Laverty’s and her crass tongue to bug him, she was stunning. Naturally pretty. Shame about her foul cockney mouth.He’d known Sandra was a touch older than him but Christ, how old had she said she was? Word around the country club was the 1Night Stand agency had a spotless record—he trusted the match and figured there’d be a solid reason why Madame Eve thought they’d be good together.Distracted by his thoughts, he lost control of the vehicle, and the front end swerved to the right. He turned the wheel and eased his foot down on the brakes, the friction from the wheels over ice sending a high-pitched whir echoing across the frosted countryside. The back of the car jerked to the left and sent them skidding into a snowy embankment.“Bollocks!” He turned the engine over and nothing happened. He tried again, and again. Still nothing.She stirred but somehow neither the commotion nor his swearing woke her. Muttering under his breath, he poked her. “Sandra,” he whispered. No movement. He put his hat on and buttoned up his coat. Blizzard-like conditions and bitter night air–he didn’t want to freeze to death out there, and it’d take a half hour to trek to the castle.“Ya gotta wake up. We’ve got twenty minutes of light left—if we don’t hurry, we’re in big trouble.”“Hmm, what?” She stretched her arms over her head and yawned. “Are we there already?”“Me car’s dead.” He got a torch out of the glove box and maneuvered around black ice to open the door for Sandra. “We gotta walk the rest of the way.”“I ain’t bloody well walking anywhere, donkey ass idiot. I’d rather die in the snow.” She shivered and shrank farther under Amy’s blanket.“Ya get ya cockney ass out the car now. If we keep a steady pace, we’ll be by a fire sipping hot toddies in no time.”  Cate: Love a man who knows how to inspire a woman, lol. What inspired you to write about the theme?JoAnne: Sandra did. I always knew she'd get her own story the day I finished book one, Sweet Irish Kiss, but I didn't know who her dream guy was just yet. I had to get to know her…and she led me to the May to December theme. Also, she deserved to have her super romance experience since she's a mega romance reader herself.
Cate: Anything else you’d like to share?JoAnne: I hope you're not suggesting I share my man? hell no. That dude is mine! Mine, I say.
Cate: lol, I can understand why! Oo, you lucky readers, JoAnne has a surprise for you.JoAnne: I'd love to gift a reader of your blog an ecopy of Hot Winter Kiss! Comment with a chance to win. Recipes for a Valentines Irish cocktail fit for Bell's Irish Pub will get an extra entry point ;) 
Cate: Yum, very sweet! :) Thanks for joining the party, JoAnne. Happy Valentine's Day! 

Day 9: Celebrate Amore

Paula Martin
Cate: Yay, Paula is here to help us Celebrate Amore. Paula, please tell us a little bit about yourself. [image error] Paula: Hi, Cate, thanks so much for having me on your Valentine’s blog celebration. I’m a contemporary romance author from the UK. I live in North West England, and have two daughters and two grown-up grandsons. I had some early publishing success in my 20’s with three romances published by Mills and Boon/Harlequin and one by Robert Hale, but then my family and my career as a teacher left me with hardly any time for writing for many years, apart from a few short stories and articles. I came back to writing novels about five years ago, and have had four contemporary romances published in the last two years, with another one due out this month.
Cate: Congrats! What do you love most about Valentine’s Day? Paula: It’s a long time since I celebrated Valentine’s Day as I have had no significant ‘other’ for many years, but I love all the cuddly Valentine toys which are so cute.
Cate: Aren't they? :) Do you have a favorite Valentine’s Day memory? Paula: When I was sixteen, I received a Valentine card signed simply with a big question mark. I never discovered who sent it, but always hoped it was from a boy called David. I was crazy about him at the time but was too scared to ask him, in case he said no! Teenage love can cause such angst, can’t it?
Cate: Love that story. :) Do you have any romantic Valentine’s Day traditions? Paula: Valentine’s Day is not as ‘big’ here in the UK as it seems to be in America, but people still buy cards (either jokey or romantic), and maybe flowers, chocolates, or other gifts, for their partners.
Cate: Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online. Paula: My new novel, due for release this month, is ‘’Dream of Paris’ – and Paris, of course, is known as the City of Love, and is probably the most romantic place for lovers. My hero and heroine visit Paris twice in the story, and each time is a life-changing experience for them both. It will be available on Amazon, B&N, and other outlets, in both e-book and print format. Here’s the link to my Amazon author page, which will contain the details of my new book as soon as it’s released. http://www.amazon.com/Paula-Martin/e/B005BRF9AI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Cate: Very cool - great theme! Care to share a blurb or excerpt? Paula: Blurb: Anna Richards has a dream of going to live and study in Paris, but when Matthew Carlton comes into her life, her dream changes direction. Attraction sparks between them, but Matt’s behaviour is strangely inconsistent. Anna is shocked when she discovers the reason and is sure there is no future for them. Can Paris work its magic and make her dream come true?
Excerpt: [image error] Matt has kissed Anna for the first time and now they’re in a small bistro on the Left Bank. Arnaud brought them a bottle of wine without Matt having to order it. She looked across the table at him, afraid he was about to tell her the kiss meant nothing. “Paris has gone to our heads, hasn’t it?” he said with a small smile. She lowered her eyes and stroked her fingers up and down the stem of her glass. “Is that all it was?” Slowly she was returning to reality, even though she tried to cling to the dream. Her heart jerked when he put his hand very gently around hers. “Do you want it to be any more?” She raised her head again until her eyes met his. “Do you?” He studied her for a long moment, and then sighed. “We’re playing with words, aren’t we? All I hope is you won’t hate me when you look back at this.” She frowned, not understanding. “What do you mean? Why should I hate you?” “I’m worried you might think I’ve been taking advantage of you.” “I don’t understand.” “I know how much you love Paris, Anna, and Paris is a very romantic city.” “And you think that’s why this has happened? That we’ve been swept away by the atmosphere here?” “I don’t know.” He drained his glass and reached for the bottle again. “I suppose we won’t know, either of us, until we get home, will we?” “I know already.” She held out her glass for him to pour more wine, and went on, “But what about you? Has it just been the magic of Paris for you?” “No.” “So what has it been?” The silence seemed to go on forever. The candle on the table sent flickering shadows across Matt’s face and she knew he was deep in thought. She looked down and, as she took another sip of wine, she saw her hand was trembling. “If you want the honest truth, I’ve wanted to kiss you for weeks.” Her head shot up. “What? “You mean you didn’t realise?” “No, I—For weeks, you said?” “Yes.” He smiled. “The first time was when we played that crazy tennis game—and the prom night, of course, and after the staff meeting—and ever since we arrived in Paris.” She stared at him, hardly able to believe what he’d said. All the time she’d been thinking it was an impossible dream, he’d been wanting to kiss her. “Why didn’t you?” His gaze met hers for a few tension-filled moments, and then, without breaking eye-contact, he reached to push a stray strand of hair back from her cheek. His soft fingers traced the outline of her ear as he tucked it behind, and stayed near her earlobe, gently caressing the side of her neck with his fingertips His eyes softened. “Because I’ve been trying not to fall in love with you.”
Cate: What inspired you to write about the theme? Paula: I’ve always loved Paris, ever since my first visit there when I was in my teens, and even though I’ve been there many times since then, it has never lost its magic. I actually wrote this story about thirty years ago, and decided to rewrite it. Of course, the world has changed a lot since then, so I had to do a lot of updating. The biggest problem is nowadays everyone has a cell phone, which makes it much easier for people to keep in contact – and causes a problem when you want the hero and heroine not to be able to contact each other! Other changes worked more in my favour, especially the Channel Tunnel which has made it so much easier, and quicker, to get from England to France.
Cate: Anything else you’d like to share? Paula: Readers can find me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/paulamartinromances and at my blog http://paulamartinpotpourri.blogspot.co.uk/ My website is http://paulamartinromances.webs.com/
Cate: Oo, you lucky readers! Paula has a surprise for you. :) Paula: I’m happy to give a PDF copy of ‘Dream of Paris’ to one lucky commenter (as soon as it is released this month) Thank you again for having me as your guest – and Happy Valentine’s Day! 
Cate: Thanks for being part of the fun! Happy Valentine's Day to you!  

Day 8: Celebrate Amore

Georgie Lee
Cate: Yay, Georgie Lee is here to help us Celebrate Amore. Georgie, please tell us a little bit about yourself. Georgie:  Hi Cate. Thanks for having me here today. I was born and raised in Southern California and I’ve always been a history buff, voracious reader, writer and a movie lover. I especially enjoy classic films because they have such witty dialogue. I grew up writing many different things, poetry, short stories, and plays, but my professional writing career began at a small cable TV station in San Diego where I wrote marketing videos and public service announcements. I dreamed of being a screenwriter, so I moved to Los Angeles and earned my MA in screenwriting. I never conquered Hollywood, but at least I tried and I have some fun stories to tell about my time in the entertainment industry. I’d always enjoyed reading romance novels so one day I started writing one. It went on to become Lady’s Wager, my first published novel.
Cate: Very cool. What do you love most about Valentine’s Day? Georgie: Chocolate. The romance and stuff is nice too, but hands down, the chocolate wins every year.
Cate: lol! Do you have a favorite Valentine’s Day memory? Georgie: About ten years ago, one of my good friends got married on Valentine’s Day. It was an out of town wedding, so my husband and I enjoyed a nice weekend away. We stayed in a hotel, and had a great time celebrating and partying with our friends. It was a great way to spend Valentine’s Day.
Cate: A getaway sounds wonderful... Do you have any romantic Valentine’s Day traditions? Georgie: My husband and I exchange cards on Valentine’s Day in which we always write something sweet to each other. We may forget about gifts, or we may not be able to go out, but we never forget the cards. We keep them to remind us of how much we love one another.
Cate: So sweet! Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online. Georgie:  Studio Relations is a love story set in 1935 Hollywood as is about a vivacious female director and a handsome studio executive must overcome their professional differences to find love. Vivien Howard hasn’t forgiven Weston Holmes for almost derailing her career five years ago. Female directors in 1930s Hollywood are few and far between, and a man who coasts by on his good looks and family connections can’t possibly appreciate what it took for her to get to where she is. But when the studio head puts Weston in charge of overseeing Vivien’s ambitious Civil War film, she realizes she has a choice: make nice with her charismatic new boss or watch a replacement director destroy her dream. Weston Holmes doesn’t know much about making movies, but he knows plenty about money. And thanks to the Depression, ticket sales are dangerously low. The studio can’t afford a flop—or bad press, which is exactly what threatens to unfold when an innocent encounter between Weston and Vivien is misconstrued by the gossip rags. The only solution? A marriage of convenience that will force the bickering duo into an unlikely alliance—and guide them to their own happy Hollywood ending. Studio Relations is published by Amazon’s Montlake Imprint and can be found on Amazon or by following this link - http://www.amazon.com/Studio-Relation...
Cate: Care to share a blurb or excerpt? (suitable for general audiences, please) Georgie: Studio Relations by Georgie Lee Available from Montlake Romance Hollywood 1935 Vivien Howard marched into Earl Holmes’s office and threw the script on his desk. “Storm of the South. This is it. This is the picture I want to direct next.” Earl picked up the script and flipped through it, unfazed. “The Civil War? It’s been done, and badly.” “Not the way I’m going to do it.” “I read the script a couple of months back. It’s a war movie. A woman can’t direct a war movie.” He tossed the script onto his large mahogany desk and leaned back in his leather chair, his hands clasped over his round belly, his graying eyebrows knitted as his eyes bored into her. Earl’s imposing attitude would have cowed a lesser director, but Vivien had played this game too many times with the old studio head to be scared off now. “It’s a love story set during a war.” “The Civil War.” “I know exactly how I’m going to shoot it.” She sat down on Earl’s plush leather sofa, pushing back her shoulder- length curly brown hair. She crossed her legs, thankful Miss Hepburn’s popularity had made wearing trousers respectable. Even if the Women’s Decency League proclaimed pants the ruin of womankind, Vivien preferred them to skirts and always made sure they were femininely tailored to complement her dark hair and eyes. Being one of only a few female directors in Hollywood, she played a man’s game, but she was always careful to remain a lady. Her career depended on this tightrope walk. Earl leaned back in his chair and studied her. She knew he was intrigued, but she also knew he hated to let directors think they were getting their way, even if they were. “The boys in New York won’t like the idea of a woman directing a war movie,” he replied, selecting a cigar from the humidor on his desk. “If you pitch it right, they’ll love this project.” “But I’ve got to love it first.” He clipped off the end of the cigar and placed it between his lips. Vivien picked up the large silver lighter from his desk, popped open the cap, sparked the flame, and held it out to him across the desk. “You love the money my films make. You also love how good my successful films make you look to the boys in New York.” Earl leaned forward and lit his cigar, then sat back in his chair, slowly drawing in the smoke. Vivien knew she had him. She smiled, waiting for him to make the next move. “Who’d you have in mind for the lead?” he asked. “Peter Davies. He’s perfect.” “He’s a supporting actor. You need a leading man with box office draw, someone like Gary Roth.” Vivien perched on the edge of his desk. “Peter has leading man potential. All he needs is the right role, and this is it. ” “And the fact that you two are dating?” “Has nothing to do with it.” Vivien was on shaky ground, and she knew it. “The boys in New York are going to insist on a big star, especially when they get wind that I’m letting you direct a war movie,” Earl protested. Vivien fixed him with a serious look. “It’s a love story, and you know it. It’s also the best script to come across my desk in years, and I’m the best director to do it.” “We still need a star to headline it.” “And we’ll have one when I cast the female lead.” Earl chewed on the end of his cigar, eyeing her. “Fine. You can do it. Start tomorrow.” “I’ll start today.” Vivien jumped to her feet. She’d been planning the film on the sly for weeks and relished the chance to finally work on it out in the open. Earl shook his head, snatching the black phone off the receiver. “I don’t let any of my stars push me around half as much as you do.” Vivien smiled over her shoulder as she made her way to the door. “That’s because no one makes as much money for you as I do.” “Don’t make me regret this, Vivien,” Earl called out after her. “You won’t, I promise.” She winked, then slipped out the door.
Cate: What inspired you to write about the theme? Georgie: My love of classic films and Gone with the Wind helped inspired Studio Relations. I knew from my film studies background that there were a few female directors working in Hollywood during the 1930s. While the major studios did employ women behind the scenes, women usually worked in publicity, writing or the costume shop. It was the rare female who stepped behind the camera, and she faced a number of obstacles, from demanding studio bosses to disapproving women’s groups. Also, the 1930s saw a great deal of change in Hollywood from the conversion to talkies to the introduction of the Hays Code, which dictated what could and could not appear on screen. Outside the studio gates, the Great Depression was raging and Europe was heading toward World War II. There was a lot of conflict both on the soundstage and off for me to play with. I touch on all these subjects in Studio Relations, but especially what it was like for a woman to work in a man’s world in 1935 Hollywood.
In Studio Relations, I also pay homage to my favorite film Gone with the Wind, by making the film Vivien directs a Civil War movie. I drew on my knowledge of Gone with the Wind’s production to help me make the scenes dealing with the production of Vivien’s film seem authentic to the time period. It was fun to pull from both my knowledge of classic Hollywood and Gone with the Wind to help make Studio Relations an engaging story.
Cate: Anything else you’d like to share? Georgie: I want to thank everyone for stopping by today and I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Day.
Bio A dedicated history and film buff, Georgie Lee loves combining her passion for Hollywood, history and storytelling through romantic fiction. She began writing professionally at a small TV station in San Diego before moving to Los Angeles to work in the interesting but strange world of the entertainment industry. Her traditional Regency, Lady’s Wager and her contemporary novella Rock ‘n’ Roll Reunion are both available from Ellora’s Cave Blush. Labor Relations, a contemporary romance of Hollywood is currently available from Avalon Books. Mask of the Gladiator, a novella of ancient Rome is now available from Carina Press. When not writing, Georgie enjoys reading non-fiction history and watching any movie with a costume and an accent. Please visit  www.georgie-lee.com for more information about Georgie and her novels. Social Media Links Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/georgie.lee.96 Twitter: @GeorgieLeeBooks Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2985551.Georgie_Lee Buy Links Studio Relations - http://www.amazon.com/Studio-Relations-ebook/dp/B008RBSNYY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1354932766&sr=8-2&keywords=studio+relations 
Cate: Thanks for joining the party, Georgie! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Day 7: Celebrate Amore

Sheila Stewart
Cate: Yay, Sheila Stewart is here to help us Celebrate Amore. Author, please tell us a little bit about yourself.Sheila: Hi Cate. Thank you so much for having me here today. Tell a bit about me huh? Okay here goes.I was born on a planet called Turat I come from a race of super aliens with the ability to control others with my mind. I’ve come here to take over your planet. Okay, that’s not true, obviously, but wouldn’t it be more exciting than to say, I’m a romance author with 20 published novels. I’ve been married to a wonderful man for 27 years and together we have three grown children.
Cate: You're right, I love the first version, lol. What do you love most about Valentine’s Day?Sheila:  The chocolates JAside from that I love that for one day, people all over the world can show their love in so many ways. We’ve set aside one day out of the year that allows us to say, “I love you. You’re the only person for me and being with you makes my heart glow”
Cate: So sweet. :) Do you have a favorite Valentine’s Day memory?Sheila: Yes I do. My first valentine with my husband. We were both seventeen and had only started dating three months earlier. I’d never paid much attention to Valentine ’s Day before that. It was just another day to me. So when the day rolled around I didn’t think much about it. Then my sweetie showed up at my door with a bright pink heart box of chocolates. It was the most incredible gesture, I’d ever had. It was so simple, yet it meant so much to me. .I kept that box for years until we moved to a small town nineteen years ago and the truck carrying our stuff was in an accident and a lot of our stuff was lost. I was so sad that it went missing.
Cate: But the memory lives on, at least! Do you have any romantic Valentine’s Day traditions?Sheila: Not really. My hubby and I go out for supper and just spend the day together. We spent a lot of holidays apart when my hubby worked in a mine that now, any day I’m with him is special.
Cate: So true. :) Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online.Sheila: My latest release is called The Naughty Angel. Ariel is a goodie goodie angel tasked with protecting the children in her charge. But something is missing from her life. Love. With the help of Madam Eve’s 1 Night Stand service she’s matched with a gorgeous man who she hopes will rock her world for just one night.Edison is a demon out to find another minion for his master. He’s decided to enlist the help of Madame Eve under the rouse of needing to find that one special person. Good and Evil come together in a mind blowing experience that will leave them both gasping. And could very well be the end of them both.
Readers can find The Naughty Angel and all of my books on my website at www.shielasbooks.com, or Decadent Publishing http://tinyurl.com/b9x4sxn
Cate: Love that Madame Eve. :) Care to share a blurb or excerpt? Sheila: I would love to.
“You’re a demon!”
“And you are an angel.”
“There’s no need to say it with such disdain.”
He leaned one arm on the door, resting his body against it and lifted one eyebrow as he responded. “It’s fitting for how I feel for your kind.”
“My kind? You are the scourge of the earth.”
“Right. And your kind is perfect. I think not.”
“We do not claim what is not ours to take.”
“No, you just possess the bodies of innocent souls to do your bidding.”
“They offer their service to the Lord.”
“Yes, ‘offer’.” He made quotations with his index fingers. “I think we should discuss this in privacy.” He motioned to the couple standing by the door across the hall.
Reluctantly, she stepped inside and he closed the door behind her. “This is a mistake. Surely the woman in charge, this Madame Evangeline, has made a mistake. I couldn’t possibly be fitted with such a detestable creature.”
“Pot calling the kettle black there, sweet cheeks.” She touched her face, confused. “Not those ones.” He motioned to her backside and instantly her face flush with warmth.
“How dare you!”
“What? You came here for sex, right?”
She was aghast at his candor. “Must you be so vulgar?”
“It’s how I roll, sugar. Did you expect your date not to admire your body?”
“I did…well, I assumed he would. That’s not the point.” She stiffened her shoulders. “Keep your eyes to yourself.”
“Happy to.” He let out a long breath. “So…now what?”
“I leave."
“Good luck with that. Storms brewing and they’ve shut the roads down until it clears. I hear it could be several days.”
“I have other ways of leaving.” All she had to do was wish herself elsewhere. No storm could prevent her from returning to heaven.
“Huh, that’s a new one. A cowardly angel.”
She stiffened in response. “I am not a coward!
Cate: What inspired you to write about the theme?Sheila: I’ve had this idea in my head for a while but never really did much about it. Then one day I was watching Supernatural (My ultimate favorite show) And Castiel (An angel) kisses Meg (A demon) because he saw a couple do it in a porn and wanted to try it. I was so thrilled and it made me laugh. That was when I decided it was time to put my idea to use. Just the thought of good and evil coming together in one night of unbridled sex intrigued me. Who would ever guess the two would match. So I put a spin on it, brought them together with neither knowing the other was their opposite until they meet and let them flow. I had so much fun with this story. Edison is a rather crude male who doesn’t hold anything back. It was fun to let myself go and be a dirty man for a change.
Cate: Anything else you’d like to share?Sheila: I have a blog called That’s What She Said where I share one of my previously published works. Every Monday and Friday I post a chapter of the story. I’m sharing Secrets of the Dead, a paranormal romance and it a big hit. Want to check it out go to http://shielassays.blogspot.ca/Here’s a glimpse:
Secrets of the Dead  by Shiela Stewart Jessica Coltrane is a die-hard skeptic who believes that ghosts and paranormal activity are nothing more than a figment of some poor fool’s over active imagination—until she finds herself locked inside a house with the enigmatic paranormal investigator C.J. Dowling, that is.
C.J., born with the ability to see and speak to the dead, thought this would be a job like many others. Calm and self-assured, he knows his business. After all, he’s been listening to the Secrets of the Dead since he was three. He’s prepared for anything—except the smart and sexy Jessica.
Working together in close quarters, C.J. and Jessica find it’s all too easy to get under one another’s skin during the day. As darkness falls and the tension between them mounts, a spark is ignited. Fueled by passion they give into their desires…only C.J. and Jessica aren’t alone.
At the light dawns the couple discovers they’re trapped. Trapped with the ghost of a child long forgotten, an amorous entity that is threatening Jessica, and a powder keg of a spine-tingling mystery that might just be better left buried.

Cate: Readers, you're in for a treat. :)Sheila: Tell me about your most memorable Valentine’s Day memory and one lucky poster could win a copy of The Naughty Angel. Please leave your email address in your comment.
Cate: Thanks for joining the party, Sheila! Happy Valentine's Day.