Robyn Bachar's Blog, page 12

Author Thursday: Interview with Delilah Devlin

Delilah Devlin has returned! And she's here to talk about her new release, Burnin' Up Memphis. It's just the thing to warm you up on a cold winter's day. ;-)


1. Last time you were here you described your heat level as extremely spicy, like “Serrano peppers vs. jalapenos.” What is your favorite thing about writing spicy stories?

I love the fact I don’t have to hold back. My characters can go wherever they want–and they do!

2. Where did you get the inspiration for your new release?

I wrote five stories in my Delta Heat series revolving around five men who were Memphis PD cops. Along the way, two firefighters entered into the sexy play with my cops. It was natural to branch off and follow the guys at Firehouse 69. I still have stories to tell...
3. What is your favorite series to work on? Are you planning any new series?

Delta Heat is my favorite sexy series, but my first love is paranormal. I wrote a red-hot series The Dark Realm, set in New Orleans and filled with otherworld creatures. They were a kinky bunch and I took them to Hell, well, the Land of the Dead, anyway!

4. What are you reading now, or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

Most of what I’m reading right now is mythology and occult books—spellcraft, Norse lore, as I prepare to write the next in my Beau Rêve Coven series.

5. What are you working on now?

I’m finishing up edits on my next collection of erotic short stories, In Vikings’ Arms for Cleis Press.

You can find out more at these links!
Website: http://www.delilahdevlin.com Newsletter: https://madmimi.com/signups/39641/join Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Delilah-Devlin/e/B001IODMCA/ Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/DelilahDevlinFanPage Twitter: @DelilahDevlin Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/delilahdevlin/ She’s the one fire he may not be able to control.

When a roof collapse kills his best friend and his girlfriend clears out his apartment and leaves, firefighter John Cooper knows he shouldn’t sit alone in his empty apartment. But when he accepts an invitation to Club LaForge, his feet get colder with every step he takes inside.

The sights, sounds and smells of the BDSM club make him sweat, and not because he’s turned off. Yet he can’t bring himself to admit—to himself, or to his luscious guide, Moira—that this lifestyle might just be what he needs.

An experienced BDSM trainer, Moira senses that Coop is not only a Dom in the making, but exactly what she’s been looking for. A man to be her lover and her Dom. The only problem is, Coop isn’t looking for anything complicated.

Moira’s willing to start slow and easy, but even once there’s enough trust to bring Coop into her world—and to her Dom—she’s still worried he’ll look for the nearest exit.

Warning: Do you smell smoke? Don’t worry, it’s just a hot and sexy firefighter getting down and dirty. Contains BDSM scenes, ropes, floggers, some spanking, some sharing, and some five-alarm sex.

Available here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Samhain | Kobo | iTunes

Delilah Devlin is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of erotica and erotic romance with a rapidly expanding reputation for writing deliciously edgy stories with complex characters. She has published over a hundred thirty erotic stories in multiple genres and lengths. She is published by Atria/Strebor, Avon, Berkley, Black Lace, Cleis Press, Ellora’s Cave, Grand Central, Harlequin Spice, HarperCollins: Mischief, Kensington, Montlake Romance, Running Press and Samhain Publishing. Find out more about Delilah at www.delilahdevlin.com.

Author Thursday: Interview with A. Catherine Noon

Today's guest is the all-around awesome A. Catherine Noon. She's a Romance Diva, a NaNoWriMo Municipal Liaison, a textile artist (when does she find time to sleep?) and more! She's talking about her book SEALED BY FIRE, which I bought the second after I finished reading the blurb because it's totally my catnip.

Enjoy!

1. What flavor is your writing? (Contemporary? Paranormal? Spicy? Action? Space odyssey? Ninjas? All of the above?)

LOL! I love the “all of the above” answer. I write all sorts of things. What Rachel and I have published, so far, is M/M romance in the urban fantasy genre as well as science fantasy.

2. Where do you get your inspiration?

I am inspired by all sorts of things. I think in images, and a potent one can help me see a scene or a character. Sometimes it’s an image of a person, such as an actor or model. Other times it’s a setting, such as a road leading down a tree-lined lane or a cityscape. It depends. Songs will inspire me too – sometimes directly, if the lyrics suggest a story; other times by the mood they invoke.
3. What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I adore telling stories. Being an author lets me do that and get paid. I’d write even if it didn’t make me money; that I get to sell books is a privilege and really fun because it lets me buy yarn and travel, two other favorite things.

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

I’m reading a book by Deb Dixon called Goal, Motivation, Conflict, as well as several knitting books. I’m a calligrapher, and just bought several books on Celtic knotwork and art. I’m excited to give them a try.

5. What are you working on now?

This week, Rachel (my coauthor) and I are working on getting Book 3 of the Chicagoland Shifters series out the door, which is called Cat’s Cradle. It’s Mitch’s book, and we get to explore one of our favorite characters in detail. Having a ball!

You can find out more at these links:

SEALED BY FIRE is available from LooseId LLC. An All Romance eBooks Bestseller!

The Chicagoland Shifters series:
Book 1 BURNING BRIGHT, available from Samhain Publishing.
Book 2 TIGER TIGER, available from Samhain Publishing. An All Romance eBooks Bestseller!

The Persis Chronicles:
**Coming Soon!** Watch for EMERALD KEEP from Torquere Books, out April 2015!
Check out EMERALD FIRE, available from Torquere Books.
Check out "Seeking Hearts", available from Torquere Books.

Check out COOK LIKE A WRITER , available from Barnes and Noble.
Check out "Taking a Chance", available from Torquere Books! An All Romance eBooks Bestseller!

My links: Blog | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | LinkedIn | Pandora
Knoontime Knitting: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Ravelry
Noon and Wilder links: Blog | Taurus and Taurus (NSFW) | Website | Facebook
The Writer Zen Garden: The Writers Retreat Blog | Forum | Facebook | Twitter | Meetup
Team Blogs: Nightlight | Nightlight FB Page | Beyond the Veil | BtV FB Page | Nice Girls Writing Naughty | NGW FB | NGW Twitter

SEALED BY FIRE, by A. Catherine Noon and Rachel Wilder

Vanya is a sorcerer’s apprentice who finally achieves his goal, initiation as a sorcerer--only to find that he, himself, is the intended sacrifice in their ritual. When the ritual goes wrong, his master flees and he is left with the creature that his master summons.

Stranded on this side of the portal, Nash is a powerful being with only one desire--find the sorcerer who stranded him and wreak his revenge. Vanya agrees to help, and in the process, he and Nash find more than they ever bargained for: love, friendship, and belonging.

Can they protect themselves against the sorcerer’s growing power, or will he destroy all that they hold dear?

Author Thursday: Interview with J. Leigh Bailey

Today's guest is YA and NA LGBT romance writer J. Leigh Bailey. She's talking about inspiration and her upcoming release in the anthology MYTH AND MAGIC—QUEER FAIRY TALES. Very cool. :)


1. What flavor is your writing? (Contemporary? Historical? Spicy? Action? Space odyssey? Ninjas? All of the above?)

There are a couple common themes in everything I write, most importantly the achievement of a Happy Ever After (or at the very least as Happy For Now) ending. Whether I’m writing about werewolves or gay teenagers, there’s always at least an element of romance. Even my horror stories include a love interest. Outside of that, I’m a sucker for anything that involves self-acceptance and a building family (whether family by blood or by heart). That being said, I primarily write Young Adult and New Adult LGBT (male/male) romance.
2. Where do you get your inspiration?

Inspiration comes from everywhere. Mine usually starts with someone I see, either around town or on TV. The inspiration that led to my first Young Adult novel (GUYLINER, coming next August from Spencer Hill Press) was a cashier at Taco Bell. Here was this kid, maybe fifteen-years-old. He had dark hair that hung in his face and his right arm was covered in burn and skin graft scars. He was so quiet and withdrawn. Finally, when I handed him my money he looked up. He had the brightest blue eyes I’ve ever seen and they were outlined in thick black eyeliner. The liner seemed so incongruous with the reserved demeanor. I spent the whole time at the restaurant bombarded with questions. Where did he get the scars? What happened? Why eyeliner? Was it an Emo affectation or a rebellious statement? From there the plot for GUYLINER almost outlined itself. In the end, my character Graham was nothing like this boy, but Taco Bell guy was definitely the catalyst.

3. What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I write for the same reason I read. Let’s face it, the world can be a very scary, depressing place. I like knowing good will conquer evil, the guy will get the girl (or the guy!), and everyone will live happily ever after, no matter the crap they have to deal with first. I especially like that I get to mastermind the whole thing. Then there’s the psychological benefit—I can’t tell you how many of my “issues” have been worked out vicariously through my characters. I can explore emotions and situations that I’m not comfortable with in real life. My characters can say and do things that I can’t or won’t. It’s cheaper than therapy!

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

My TBR pile is a constantly growing entity. At the top of the pile is Sonali Dev’s A BOLLYWOOD AFFAIR. It’s getting fabulous reviews and Sonali is one of the sweetest people I know, so I can’t wait to finally read her book. I’m under deadline right now and I want to be able to take a lot of time to fully immerse myself into her story. The other book I’m really looking forward to is OFF CAMPUS by Amy Jo Cousins. It’s a New Adult Male/Male novel that sounds fantastic. I have to wait though, since it doesn’t come out until late December. It’s going to be my Christmas gift to myself.

5. What are you working on now?

I’ve got a couple of things in the works.

Next month—December 14—I have a short story coming out in part of a Bold Strokes Books anthology, MYTH AND MAGIC—QUEER FAIRY TALES. My story, “A Hero in Hot Pink Boots” is a Young Adult, LGBT twist on the classic fairytale, Puss in Boots.

Next year I’ve got two books releasing—a New Adult Male/Male (title still pending) coming from Carina Press in April and then in August, GUYLINER will be released.

In the meantime, I’m writing the second book in my New Adult trilogy and trying not to be too giddy about the exciting things coming up.

You can find out more about J. Leigh Bailey at these links:
Website: http://jleighbailey.net/ Twitter: @JenniWrites Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JLeighBailey Myth & Magic: Queer Fairy Tales

Myth, magic, and monsters—the stuff of childhood dreams (or nightmares) and adult fantasies.

Delve into these classic fairy tales retold with a queer twist and surrender to the world of seductive spells and dark temptations.

Author Thursday: Interview with Sandra Jones

My guest today is Samhain author Sandra Jones, and she's celebrating the release of her new book Her Wicked Captain with a book tour and a giveaway!

1. What flavor is your writing? (Contemporary? Historical? Spicy? Action? Space odyssey? Ninjas? All of the above?)

Lots of historical action. LOL! Think corsets, whiskey, pistol duels, river pirates, and Southern drawls.
2. Where do you get your inspiration?

It usually starts with an image. In this case, I was intrigued by Gambit from the X-Men! I just love a handsome rogue with Southern gentility, and I’ve always been fascinated by riverboat gamblers and their ingenious cheating devices. Add to that the real-life story of Caroline Dye, the 19th century Arkansas “seer” who told fortunes over playing cards, and I knew my latest story would be about a gambler hero and a fortuneteller heroine.

3. What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Being a storyteller. I enjoy creating characters and their worlds. But the best part is hearing from readers who enjoyed what I wrote. :-)

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

I’m reading chapters by my critique partners at the moment. They’re all wonderfully talented, published authors. But as for a TBR, I’m reading The Jewel by Beth Williamson next.

5. What are you working on now?

The next River Rogues book—Kit’s story. He’s a gunslinger who makes an appearance in book one, so be sure to watch for him. ;-)

You can find out more about Sandra at these links:
Website: www.sandrajonesromance.com Twitter: @sjonesromance Facebook She played right into his hands.

Possessing uncanny people-reading skills like her mama, Philadelphia “Dell” Samuels has spent thirteen years in her aunt’s rustic Ozarks home, telling fortunes over playing cards and trying to pass as white. But the treacherous Mississippi River childhood her mama dragged her away from finally catches up to her on a steamboat captained by her old friend Rory Campbell.

Known to his crew as the Devil’s Henchman, Rory is a gambler in need of a miracle. Following the cold trail of his boss’s wife and bastard daughter, Dell, Rory has only one goal in mind: saving his crew from the boss’s cruelty by ruining him. The only one who can defeat the Monster of the Mississippi is the man trained to take his place. Rory’s convinced he can lure his boss into a high-stakes game against a rival, and with Dell’s people-reading skills, the monster will lose everything.

Under Rory’s tutelage and protection, Dell agrees to the tortured captain’s plan. Passion and peril quickly bring them together as lovers. But when Rory’s plan goes awry, the lives of the innocent depend on Dell’s ability to read the situation correctly—and hopefully save them all.

Her Wicked Captain is available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iTunes, and Samhain Publishing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Historical romance author Sandra Jones was born and raised in Arkansas. She loves living in a cabin overlooking White River where she enjoys watching eagles and dreaming about the adventurous frontiersmen who once traveled past in steamboats. When she’s not reading, writing or researching, she’s the cook for her cranky old tom cat, her husband of more than 25 years, and her two grown sons. She also loves to chat with her fans.

Author Thursday: Interview with Charlie Cochrane

My guest today is author Charlie Cochrane, who has my new favorite answer to the first question. :) Enjoy!


1. What flavor is your writing? (Contemporary? Historical? Spicy? Action? Space odyssey? Ninjas? All of the above?)

Not all, but some. I write mysteries (historical and contemporary) with a distinct dash of slash – think Agatha Christie meets Oscar Wilde – and gay romances (of all sorts) with a pinch of spice. I don’t write full on sex scenes (they remind me too much of stuffing the Christmas turkey) but I do like to show the emotional side of a physical relationship.

2. Where do you get your inspiration?

Any and everywhere. A piece of music can make a storyline appear in my head, as can a chance viewing of something in the street. I’m a great people watcher – a ten second interaction I witnessed in a rugby club car park turned into a whole novella about a cross dressing actor and a rugby playing architect.
3. What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Getting e-mails from people who’ve read my books and enjoyed them. Especially when they find something in the stories or characters which I didn’t realize I’d put there. It’s interesting how readers notice things; two separate people have pointed out how one of my leading men (not in this book) had Asperger’s syndrome. They both should know, so I have to assume they’re right although I hadn’t realised the fact up to that point. I must have written that particular character from observation, without appreciating how much I’d assimilated along the way.

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

A book about Mallory and Irvine, who may or may not have reached the top of Everest in 1924. They died in the attempt, although Mallory’s body was located a few years ago. He’s quite a hero of mine – gallant, brave, slightly scatty, gorgeous, complex, adorable, and seemingly fated to lose his life on that mountain. I’d better move on to the next question before I start tearing up…

5. What are you working on now?

The twelfth book in the Cambridge Fellows Mysteries series, which will be out from Riptide next year – after book 11 and the relaunched books 9 and 10. I’m into the denouement of the mystery and just have to put a final twist or two into the tale.

You can find out more about Charlie at these links:
Website: http://www.charliecochrane.co.uk Twitter: @charliecochrane Facebook Blog: http://charliecochrane.livejournal.com Tea and sympathy have never been so deadly.

Schoolteacher Adam Matthews just wants to help select a new headteacher and go home. The governors at Lindenshaw St Crispin’s have already failed miserably at finding the right candidate, so it’s make or break this second time round. But when one of the applicants is found strangled in the school, what should have been a straightforward decision turns tempestuous as a flash flood in their small English village.

Inspector Robin Bright isn’t thrilled to be back at St. Crispin’s. Memories of his days there are foul enough without tossing in a complicated murder case. And that handsome young teacher has him reminding himself not to fraternize with a witness. But it’s not long before Robin is relying on Adam for more than just his testimony.

As secrets amongst the governors emerge and a second person turns up dead, Robin needs to focus less on Adam and more on his investigation. But there are too many suspects, too many lies, and too many loose ends. Before they know it, Robin and Adam are fighting for their lives and their hearts.

Author Thursday: Guest Post by Elizabeth Harmon

My guest today is contemporary romance author Elizabeth Harmon! And in anticipation of NaNoWriMo 2014 she's sharing NaNo prep advice on writing Candy Bar scenes. Enjoy. ;-)

How Sweet They Are

Last Halloween if someone had told me that in exactly one year, I’d be doing pre-publication edits on one book, second-drafting another and first-drafting a third, I’d have laughed loudly.

Or run screaming. With fear, not joy.
But that’s exactly where I find myself, heading into this year’s National Novel Writing Month. In February, my agent sold my Russia-set contemporary romance to Carina Press, in a three book series, now known as “Red Hot Russians.” The first book, “Pairing Off,” comes out in Feb. 2015. Book Two, tentatively entitled “Taking It Off” is due to my editor at the end of this year. Book Three currently exists only as a rubber-banded bundle of notecards on the corner of my desk.

That changes November 1, when Book #3 becomes my National Novel Writing Month project.

Though I’m not a big plotter, I like to have some idea of where I’m going, so I downloaded a very basic 99-cent story-building course from Holly Lisle’s website.

While I won’t go into all of what I learned from “The Professional Plot Outline Mini-Course,” I found one exercise really helpful, and I was able to complete in about one hour.

It’s all about Candy Bar scenes.


They’re the scenes you’re just itching to write. Scorching love scenes. Daring escapes. For me, they’re often the tender, awwww-inspiring moments, when the hero shows his swoon-worthiness through some heartfelt gesture.

These are your Candy Bar scenes, and Lisle advises using them to build your novel.

Start with a stack of note cards. Lisle walks you through quick lessons to create a main character, central idea, and a simple start and finish for your book (not as hard as it sounds—no one expects brilliance on note cards). Then she asks you to describe each of your “candy bar” scenes in one or two sentences, using one card per scene.

Now lay them out on a table, playing around with the order until you find one you like. Think about events that connect one candy bar scene to the next. Describe each of those on a separate card, in one or two sentences. Work them into the existing cards. Now link those scenes to the ones before and after. And so on.

Voila! A plot, or at least the semblance of one, is born.

The number of cards/scenes you create depends upon the length of book you’re going to write. For a contemporary romance novel that will finish at about 95,000 words, I’ve created about sixty scenes. Shorter books will need fewer. You may or may not use all the scene cards you’ve created, or keep them in the original order. But it’s a good place to start.

After all, who doesn’t love a candy bar?

Elizabeth Harmon’s debut novel “Pairing Off,”(Red Hot Russians, Book #1) a contemporary romance set in the world of competitive figure skating, is a February 2015 release from Carina Press. Learn more about Elizabeth at www.romancewriter-girl.com on her blog, http://elizabethharmonauthor.com or on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+. Add her to your Goodreads shelf at www.goodreads.com/book/show/23440537-elizabeth-harmon.

NaNoWriMo 2014 Prep: Tips for Painless Plotting

NaNoWriMo is almost here! And there was much rejoicing.

In case you missed them, I have 3 Simple Tips for Slaying your Word Count and Writing Exercises to Warm Up your Muse. Today I'm going to talk about a few simple plotting techniques.

Why plot?

When I first started writing, I was a pantser--I had no plot in mind, I just sat down and started writing my NaNo. Over time, however, I've learned the value of plotting. Even the simplest outline can be useful. I think many of us cringe at the idea of an outline thanks to traumatic high school composition experiences where we were forced to outline boring research papers. These aren't those kind of outlines. You won't be graded. ;)
Taking the time to plot your novel gives you an escape route when you hit writer's block. I almost always hit a writing wall at 30k words. I get stuck on a difficult scene, and it's hard to find the motivation to get past it. The shiny newness of the story has worn off, and my muse starts eying plot bunnies like my puppy discovering a nearby squirrel. But with an outline, I can skip the difficult bit that I'm stuck on and move on to the next scene, because I already know what that scene is supposed to be.

Writing Tip: When in doubt, use brackets. Like, [fight scene here] or [important clue here]. Or, use brackets to name minor characters who don't matter to the story. Like, [Bob the Neighbor] or [Evil Office Manager]. Looking up names for minor characters is a good way to fall down the research rabbit hole, so don't give in to the temptation. You can fix it later in editing.

The Index Card Technique

Speaking of things we used in high school, remember index cards? Still have a few rattling around in your desk? Here's your chance to put them to good use. Take 10 cards. On the first card write the opening action in your story (Dorthy is sent to Oz, Luke finds the hologram of Princess Leia on R2D2--things that kick the action into motion). On the last card write the resolution of your story (Dorthy returns to Kansas, the Death Star is destroyed). Then take the remaining cards and write the steps that need to happen to get the story from your first card to the last card. Need more cards? Awesome. Use as many or as few as you need until you have all the beats written down. Ta da! Easy outline!

Plot Mapping and the Three-Act Structure

"Do All Roads Lead to Plot Mapping?" by Tracy Montoya is the single most useful writing article I've read. It has been an enormous help in my writing. It explains the three-act structure chapter by chapter, and uses the movie "While You Were Sleeping" as an example to explain each step. Now, before you say, "But I'm not writing romance!" let me assure you that this article and its technique works for any genre. Just ignore the romance details if you're not including a romantic pairing in your novel.

What I like to do is to use this article as a guideline in creating an outline. I take her basic structure, like:

Chapter 1
Scene A (The Oh No! moment):
Scene B:
Scene C (Inciting Incident):

And fill in the details for my novel, adding or deleting scenes/chapters as needed for my story.

Writing Tip: Writing software is your friend. I've used WriteWayPro for a few years, and it's been helpful in outlining and copying character profiles from one book in my series to another. I know many authors love Scrivener (and they are official sponsors of NaNoWriMo).

Goal, Motivation, and Conflict

Yes. This. It doesn't get any more basic, or important, than Goal, Motivation, and Conflict. What does your character want? Why does she want it? What's preventing her from getting it? Answering these questions for each point in your story will help you flesh out the plot.

When I write the first draft of a synopsis I take three highlighters and mark the GMC of each scene. If something is missing (like stating that a character did something by not why she did it), I go back and fill it in. In some cases doing this to the synopsis made me realize that I was missing key details in the novel, and allowed me to go back and fix it before submitting it.

If you're stuck on a scene that just isn't working, stop and figure out the GMC. Not understanding a character's motivation--or not having a motivation--is a problem that can trip up authors while writing the first draft. Your character may not yet understand the reason behind her actions, but you need to. You're the boss of your characters. ;)

Writing Tip: Research your craft. Read books on writing. I highly recommend Goal, Motivation and Conflict by Debra Dixon and Writing the Fiction Synopsis by Pam McCutcheon. Go to a write-in. Join local writers' groups. Take online workshops. My library offers free online Gale Courses (formerly called Learn4Life) which include a variety of writing-related courses.

NaNoWriMo glory approaches. I wish you all good luck and enormous word counts. :)

Want to win a free signed copy of my 2011 NaNo novel? There's still time left to enter the Goodreads giveaway!

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Goodreads Book Giveaway Poison in the Blood by Robyn Bachar Giveaway ends October 31, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win

Author Thursday: Interview with Susan Rae

Today's guest is romantic suspense author Susan Rae. Chicago authors have a special place in my heart, so I'm excited to have her here today. I'm definitely going to check her DeLuca series out. (Hot Chicago police officers? Yes, please!) ;-)

1. What flavor is your writing? (Contemporary? Historical? Spicy? Action? Space odyssey? Ninjas? All of the above?)

Definitely Steamy Suspense!

2. Where do you get your inspiration?

Very often, the ideas for my suspense storylines come from the newspaper. I read the newspaper every morning and every so often an article will spark my imagination. I often combine one or two story ideas and work with them as I create the hero and heroine for a novel, and their love story.
3. What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love creating lives for my characters, throwing them into jeopardy, bringing both the love story and the suspense to a climax (pun intended :-) ) and then figuring out how to make both come out all right in the end. However, my absolute favorite thing is hearing from readers who truly enjoy my books. It’s awesome when readers get my writing.

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

Sandra Brown’s Best Kept Secrets, Catherine Coulter’s The Lost Key, and Nora Roberts Night Moves.

5. What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on a romantic suspense novel titled Moonshadows. The action follows journalist and Native American Maggie Long as she returns to the reservation to cover a controversial mining project and comes face-to-face with her one-time lover, Darin Lighthawke.

You can fine out more about Susan at these links:
Website: www.susanrae.com Twitter: @susanraem Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrae.author TRUE blue, Book #3 in the DeLuca Family Series

Sometimes we must revisit the past to embrace our future.

Twenty-four years ago, the murder of a Chicago police officer changed Joey DeLuca’s life. He lost his best friend and first love, Meghan McConnell, when her mother whisked her out of town. Now, on the eve of another officer’s death, Meghan is back and about to step into his life again.

There is very little gray in Joey’s line of work as a Lt. Detective–it is either black or white, right or wrong. But Meghan’s insistence on finding answers to her father’s murder threatens those beliefs and throws his marriage to CPD Detective Andi, his career, and the entire DeLuca family in jeopardy when new revelations come to light.

Can Joey save his marriage, solve the murder, and keep his family together all at the same time?

TRUE blue can be purchased at Musa Publishing, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

Susan grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Columbia College, Missouri with an emphasis in creative writing. She penned her first melodrama in fifth grade for a Girl Scout Drama badge. Complete with hero, heroine, and dastardly villain, it wasn’t so very different than the romantic suspense she writes now.

“I love writing romantic suspense because it allows me to combine a sexy, passionate love story with a gritty suspense tale—in my opinion, the best of both worlds. It also allows me to express my appreciation for the outdoors in the setting that I recreate on the page.”

Freefall, Susan’s second novel, takes place in Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine Forest and beautiful Door County. ICE blue returns to the busy streets of Chicago and the shores of Lake Michigan to continue the story of the DeLuca family which began in her award winning first novel, heartbeats. In TRUE blue, the third book in the DeLuca Family series, she was thrilled when it became apparent that her characters must take a trip to Montana’s majestic Glacier National Park.

When she is not sketching characters, you might find her on the golf course working on her handicap, or traveling around the country seeking out new settings for her novels with her husband and empty nest puppies, Ginger and Nikute. To read more about Susan’s novels and the writing life, please visit her website/blog at www.susanrae.com.

NaNoWriMo 2014 Prep: Warming Up Your Muse

You can't start writing your NaNoWriMo novel until November 1st, but you can do pre-writing exercises. Outlining, character profiles, and other prompts are fair game, so today I'm going to talk about ways to get muse into noveling shape with a few writing exercises.
They Fight Crime: Need some wacky inspiration? Try the They Fight Crime! Movie Idea Generator. (He's an unsexedmaster criminal whom everyone believes is mad. She's a patronizing opera singer prone to fits of blood-crazed rage. Together, They Fight Crime!) It's pretty hilarious, and writing a scene or two with the random suggestions is a great warm-up activity.20 Questions: Character questionnaires can be a fun way to build your protagonist's background. I have an example of two question sets here. I like to use some of the basic questions to build a character profile. The profile is comprised of a little background info, the character's basic vital statistics, and a picture of the person I'd like to play him or her in a blockbuster movie. (Benedict Cumberbatch is often part of my dream cast. And Tom Hiddleston.)What Has It Got in Its Pocketses?: In this exercise you list the items a character carries in her purse or his wallet, and why s/he has them, like an old family photo worn at the corners or a punch card for the local hipster coffee shop about to earn a free drink. You can always spot a romance author by the promotional pens in her purse. ;-)OkCupid is Always So...Inspiring: This is your character's first date with someone he/she met online. What happens?What Characters Want: Your character acquires a magic or sciencey object that allows its user to read minds. What sort of shenanigans ensue?I Do This to my Sims All the Time: Your character walks into her house and it’s completely different — furniture, decor, all changed. And nobody’s home. What happens next?Don't Blink: Your character has a severe phobia. How does the character overcome this fear? How is the character consumed by this fear? (OMG CLOWNS. WHY, AMERICAN HORROR STORY? WHY???!!!)No, it's Not the U2 Album: Your character’s iPod plays a song she didn't upload onto it. What song is it? Where did it come from? There are a million different prompts out there just a Google search away. Have a favorite one to share? Please leave it in the comments!

Next week I'll be talking about plotting and story mapping. NaNoWriMo is almost here! I'm excited. :-D

Want to win a copy of my 2011 NaNo Poison in the Blood? You can enter here:

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Goodreads Book Giveaway Poison in the Blood by Robyn Bachar Giveaway ends October 31, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win

Author Thursday: Interview with Mary Jo Burke

Today's guest is fantasy and paranormal romance author Mary Jo Burke. She's talking about her fantasy romance Mother Nature's Man, and I'm glad to have her here. :) (How gorgeous is that cover? I love it.) (And I'm so picking up a copy of All Hours Trading.)


1. What flavor is your writing? (Contemporary? Paranormal? Spicy? Action? Space odyssey? Ninjas? All of the above?)

I write whatever pops into my head, I let the story find the genre later. My paranormal book, All Hours Trading, features a centuries old vampire and his financial advisor lady love. Camelot meets Wall Street. It started as a contemporary romance. My fantasy book, Mother Nature’s Man focuses on Mother Nature’s search for a mate. She gets blamed for so much misery in the world, I decided she be able to tell her side and fall in love. This one started as an historical romance. I like to add humor to my stories because being able to laugh together makes life sweeter.

2. Where do you get your inspiration?

I love to read and watch movies, and then rewrite them in my mind. I change endings and rearrange characters and settings.
3. What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Tapping into my imagination, asking what if and then watching what happens. Daydreaming is my favorite hobby. Talking with other writers and hearing from readers are true bonuses.

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

Tracey Devlyn’s Night Storm, Dyanne Davis’ Frog Prince, Sonali Dev’s A Bollywood Affair, and Wendy Byrne’s Hard to Kill.

5. What are you working on now?

I have a short story in a Christmas anthology. Cozy Christmas Capers includes The Holiday Inside Job and will be available in November. I have two books coming out early next year. Cupid’s Busted Arrow follows the rekindling of young love. Nelly Steeple, aka Cupid, has dragged the happy couple back together. She’s ready to retire and Giselle Baylor’s and Matt Hall’s nuptials are blocking her way to a perfect record. Nelly needs a wedding by the end of the year or she has to sign up for another century of nudging couples into marital bliss. If she sees one more mermaid wedding dress or eats one more chicken Kiev, she’ll hurl. After a Shakespearean themed party, tattoo sightings, a secret child, physical therapy, and shots of tequila, Giselle and Matt are no closer to the altar. The nuclear option may be deployed once Nelly has the right coordinates to cure heartbreak and bruised feelings.

In Spicing Up Trouble, a shy chef meets a reclusive artist. With the help and hinder of her sisters, his father, Thanksgiving, and the paparazzi, they fall in love. Alexia Hale works as a test kitchen writer for the Chicago News. She is given the opportunity to interview the world renowned artist, Benjamin Nance Cobb. To get it, Alexia has to pose nude for Ben. She does and finds a common thread with him: his late mother’s storybooks. One photograph secretly taken proclaims Alexia to be Ben’s fiancée. His father isn’t pleased, her sisters are shocked, and Alexia is hounded by the press. Dating a celebrity has its challenges and rewards. Which one will outweigh the other?

You can find out more about Mary Jo at these links:
Mother Nature's Man All Hours TradingWebsite: http://www.maryjoburke.com Twitter: @MaryJoBurke Facebook Mother Nature’s Man

I, Siobhan Bolyn, Goddess of the Flame and Keeper of the Land and Water, must give birth to the next goddess before my three hundredth birthday. My mate must be the preordained champion, so not just any man will do. But where can I find a champion in this crazy world?

When Niall Calhoun walks into my life, he’s everything I’ve hoped for. Tall, dark, sweet, and gorgeous: the true four food groups. A mere touch of his hand and my libido roars to life. But is he champion material?

Meanwhile, dark forces are plotting against me and calling my abilities into question. I’ve got to battle forest fires, soothe the oceans, appease my mother, turn Niall into Mr. Exactly Right, and have a baby in the next year. Can a goddess and her champion handle all that and still find time to fall in love?