Nancy Lee Badger's Blog, page 74

Interview with author STARLA KAYE

Nancy: Today I'm interviewing Starla Kaye. Her book, Maggie's Secret Wish, is a contemporary erotic romance and was released on June 10, 2011 by Decadent Publishing. Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.

Starla: MAGGIE'S SECRET WISH is my first published work with Decadent Publishing. It is part of their 1 Night Stand series involving a high-end, very expensive matching service run by Madame Evangeline. She is a bit magical, with a knack for finding the perfect matches for frustrated people seeking help in the relationship part of their lives, even if only for one night. She has a personal goal of making long-term love matches. When I first learned about this basic background series story line, I loved it. I am always up for trying something new, dabbling in a new romance sub-genre.

My particular story in the series, MAGGIE'S SECRET WISH, is contemporary erotic romance and involves a light step into BDSM. The heroine has suffered through disastrous relationships and while she is a sensual/sexual person, she is reluctant to get into the dating world again. Her history at choosing the "right" man isn't good. But lately not only has she become more sexually frustrated but also she has started having dreams with a "naughty" nature. She has become curious about the world of spanking, not that she wants to try anything too harsh. Then after being badgered by a friend to at least try Madame Evangeline's matching service, she dares to make contact by email. I won't go into detail here, but let's say her dreams are more than met.

Nancy: Describe the genre of this particular title, and is it the only genre you write in?

Starla: As I said, this particular story in the series is contemporary erotic romance and involves a light step into BDSM. I have written a lot of novels and novellas with such a combined focus: romance and varying degrees of BDSM. In this what I call "spanking romance" sub-genre, I have written contemporary, contemporary Western, historical Western, Medieval, Pirate, and Sci-Fi story lines. I also write contemporary romantic suspense and paranormal romance.

Nancy: When did you start writing toward publication?

Starla: I started writing toward publication about fifteen years ago, but actually started publishing novels and novellas with online publishers eleven years ago. My first book, Tug of Love, was published through iUniverse in 2000 and is still available. It was a sweet romance, particularly compared to what I mainly publish today. I did try to get it published through the print publishing houses, although I really only tried Harlequin/Silhouette. The editors I dealt with there were very patient with me and offered great suggestions, but we didn't see eye-to-eye on some elements of the story. After the frustrations of going back and forth trying to come to agreement on story elements and then having it ultimately rejected, I decided that I didn't want to go that publishing route again. It takes too long. I made the decision to keep on honing my writing skills and find other routes to getting published. I am extremely happy being an ebook published author, with a number of Print-On-Demand books also available.

Nancy: Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?

Starla: I'm pretty sure that most writers have a supply of manuscripts they have sent out, had rejected, and finally buried under the bed or wherever. I have several manuscripts like that. But a few of my early romances have had their basic story lines or characters resurrected into new stories that have been published. No matter how pitiful some a writer's early works are, they are still near and dear to our heart.

Nancy: What sort of promo do you do? Do you have help?

Starla: It isn't enough for a writer to write a good story that someone is willing to publish. I am fortunate enough to have publishers who arrange to sell my novels and novellas at a number of places, including Amazon, Lulu, Barnes & Noble, Bookstrand, All Romance Ebooks, Fictionwise, and Lightning Books. Still that isn't enough. An author needs to spend a good deal of time arranging to be a guest blogger on a book review site or another author's website, take part in blog tours, be a responsive member of some Yahoo group loops, offer the occasional contest, update your website or blogsite, update your Facebook page, Tweet occasionally, and much more. It can be exhausting and overwhelming. But I enjoy most of it, although Tweeting and Facebooking sometimes boggles my weary mind.

Nancy: Which is why you are a welcome guest here, and I why I will be visiting your blog on August 31st! Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped?

Starla: I belong to RWA (Romance Writers of America), WARA (Wichita Area Romance Authors), and KWA (Kansas Writers Association), a multi-genre writers group. RWA is a professional organization that I get some occasional help from. WARA and KWA are local writers' organizations where I get valuable networking with published and unpublished authors who share similar frustrations and experiences. I also belong to EPIC (Electronically Published Internet Connection), which has an annual conference and other networking possibilities. And I recently joined EAA (Erotic Authors Association).

Nancy: Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?

Starla: Don't give up if this something you really want. Keep honing your skills, keep writing, keep up with the markets, keep networking, and above all have faith.

Nancy: What's next for you?

Starla: I am always working on multiple projects and usually in different sub-genres. Currently I am starting a new contemporary Western, So Not a Cowboy, for Blushing Books. I have started a follow-up medieval story, For the Love of Rowan, to be released, hopefully, this Christmas by Black Velvet Seductions. And I am in the plotting stage of a contemporary time travel, Katie's Kept Man, for Decadent Publishing. Until I actually start writing a story it isn't definite in my writing schedule, so Katie's Kept Man might get replaced by another story idea…of which I have many.

BOOK BLURB

Maggie's boring workaholic life and focus on her obnoxious ex is grinding her down. A friend's advice sends her to Madame Evangeline's high-end dating service 1 Night Stand. She hopes to find some fun, a date, and va-va-voom sex…not necessarily in that order. At least she will get out of her apartment for one hot night! Because, yes, she is just that desperate for a change, and there is that secret fantasy she's been wanting to try out….

As Ian turns forty, his day job as writer of steamy erotica and night job as part-time Dom has him worried he will never have a "normal" relationship. With his particular kinky quirks, what woman would consider him husband material? Madame Eve is pretty good at her own job, are these two a match in a million or just a one night flash in the pan?

A little bit about the author

I love all kinds of settings, themes, and people. I'm an observer of everything around me, especially the romantic things I see and hear. When I read or watch movies, I want to be deeply drawn into the story line…I want to experience highs and lows, tears and laughter. With each book I write, I try to get stronger at giving my readers those kinds of experiences. To date I've been fortunate to have had 19 novels, 19 novellas, and 5 anthologies published with Blushing Books, Black Velvet Seductions, Decadent Publishing, and Red Rose Publishing.

EXCERPT
She gaped in horror. Five emails from Madame Evangeline. Five! What about her message had captured the matchmaker's attention enough to have her keep trying to contact Maggie? The spanking stuff! Oh, jeez. That had to be it. Nothing else about her basic info could possibly draw a stranger's interest.

Fingers shaking, she opened the first message.

I'm so pleased you contacted me, Ms. Malone. I'm sure that I can find someone perfect for you. Please email me back so we can discuss this further.

Palms sweating, she opened the next message.

I've done a basic background check on you, Maggie, as I'm sure you're aware I do for all my clients. Your websites are quite well done, unique. I could see your special imaginative flare. I noticed it in your query message as well. I'm positive I can find the perfect match for you. Please contact me as soon as possible.

Maggie drew in a nervous breath. Madame Evangeline had mentioned imaginative things in her original email, certainly meaning the fantasies. How embarrassing. Yet she opened the third message.

I know exactly what you need, my dear Maggie. You need time away from your work, time to satisfy your secret desires, time to let a very special man attend to your every wish. I eagerly await your response.

Satisfy her secret desires? Let a special man attend to her every wish? Oh, yes! Need thrummed through her, making her squirm in her desk chair.

Heart racing, she opened the fourth message.

What you need, dearest Maggie, is a special night at one of the Castillo Resorts and Hotels. I'm thinking the one in Maui would please you most. The more I study the websites you design, the more sure I am of your sensuality, of the type of man who could please you. I look forward to you contacting me soon.

How could the other woman know about her preference for Maui? How could this unknown woman sense so much about her? See how much of herself she put into each of the website designs? It was eerie…exciting, too.

She gathered her courage and opened the final email, one sent only an hour ago.

Nancy: wow! Sounds like a very interesting read! How can my readers buy your book?

Starla: Readers can go to the publisher's home page at Decadent Publishing.  You can find more information about Starla Kaye and my book, Maggie's Secret Wish, by visiting my website.

Nancy: Thank you so much for visiting and for sharing your story. I welcome readers to please share their comments.


 

THE NEW AMERICAN IDOL!

Scotty McCreery, American Idol (photo from FOX)Moments ago, local boy Scotty McCreery was crowned the 2011 AMERICAN IDOL. Everyone here in North Carolina are super proud of this God-fearing, baseball pitching, country-crooning seventeen old high school junior from nearby Garner.

Good Luck in whatever comes from your hard work and perseverance, Scotty!

Nancy

WIN A DIAMOND BRACELET!

THIS JUST IN FROM MY PUBLISHERS AT RED ROSE PUBLISHING!
4 carart diamond bracelet could be yours, all you have to do is sign up for newsletter and be registered at Red Rose Publishing.



see more at the Red Rose Publishing website!
Remember to watch forLOVE TO THE RESCUEthe continuing mountain sage, a romantic suspensecoming July 14th from Red Rose Publishing

Catch you later, Nancy

THOR is one hot Blond!

Here is the theater trailer for the hot new 3-D movie, THOR (in theaters May 6th). My interest in the character is purely historical. As one of the comic book heroes I grew up with, he never really took off. Here is his chance! And, with Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman in the lead rolls, this movie will change everything. Oh, and don't forget...Anthony Hopkins plays the mighty Odin!

The story premise:
The powerful but arrogant warrior Thor is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard and sent to live amongst humans on Earth, where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders.

Amazing what a hot costume and long hair does to a super hero. As one blond, married to another blond, the hair does it for me!

The Cast & Directors:

Director: Kenneth Branagh


Writers: Ashley Miller (screenplay), Zack Stentz (screenplay)


Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman


As a romance author, this photo says it all and I hope these two enjoy a happy ever after ending. I will be in the center row, watching the story unfold. Anyone want to join me?

Nancy

BIRDWATCHING

My cat, Blaze, is my companion while I work at home, writing. He appreciates the bird feeders we placed outside my office window. Since he has grown to 14 pounds, the birds usually can see him coming. Looks like he is trying to hide!

Another day at the zoo.
Nancy

A TREE FELL ON MY CAR!

The pictures say it all. What a mess. Worse...more trees are leaning toward the house, and one is dead, very different than this healthy maple tree. We are very lucky especially since hearing on TV that over 200 people have died in the south overnight.

The birds are upset as well. Where did the birdfeeder go?

Nancy

AFTER THE TORNADO

Today is dark, dreary, and wet. It is also about 11 days since massive tornadoes ripped through North Carolina. A deadly one, which killed four children in one mobile home, happened about 5 miles east of our home.

My heartfelt prayers go to the victims and their families. My husband and I were 3 hours away at a Scottish Highland Games north of Charlotte. We survived a horrific windstorm and sideways rain but no tornado.

Our homes can be replaced...for the most part. As a writer, I understand all about backup. When I realized I left all the computers at home, along with my printed manuscripts, and flashdrives, I panicked. You see, we planned to stay over one night and I did not want to irritate my husband by sitting in an expensive hotel room tapping on a keyboard. We ended up staying a second night because of the storms. Next time, I will fill my luggage and car with backup discs, flashdrives, and one computer.

Well, today's rain is helping me clean-up my office, signup for TWITTER, and work on my query letter for HEAVEN SENT WARRIOR, my latest paranormal manuscript. I am currently looking for the perfect agent.  Wish me luck!
Nancy

EARTH DAY 2011

In high school, back on the first Earth Day-April 22, 1970-I remember a class or two meeting outside and reading about this new 'holiday' and it opened my eyes. We were recently allowed to wear jeans in school, and spring blouses were sheer and colorful. Flowers were everywhere. Spring came a bit late on Long Island, about 30 miles west of New York City, but I had a feeling something good had begun.

Many years later, while working at a hardware store in New Hampshire, I organized an Earth day celebration in the local schools. Our store advertised a coloring contest and asked schools to prompt the kids to color the page and have them posted in our store windows. Then we chose three prize winning schools. I personally delivered a wheelbarrow filled with planting supplies to the to three schools.

The contest motivated the kids and teachers to get invloved in every step AND they learned that winning something that helped everyone-not just themselves-was a great feeling of accomplishment. The contest made our small hardware store a part of the community as well.

Earth Day might be filled with hardship for others.

Plant some flowers or, as in our area, help a family pick up trash after the tornado. Whatever you do, give back to family, friends, neighbors, or Mother Earth. Taking part and helping others will make you feel good. I promise.

Nancy

Lori Hayes Keizer and I spent a wonderful eveing last nig...

Lori Hayes Keizer and I spent a wonderful eveing last night at opening night of the Durham, NC Full Frame Film Festival. We were fortunate to view the first North America showing of the documentary GUILTY PLEASURES, an insight into the Harlequin mystique.

Harleguin's UK office is Mills & Boon and the story evolved around one of their writers (a man), a reader in India, one in Tokyo, another troubled English couple, and a New York based cover model.

Lori and I found out, when the lights went up, we were sitting behind the model! Yum!

Check out the link...

DURHAM FULL FRAME FILM FESTIVAL

Nancy

Interview with Author Joanna A. McKethan

Today I have the delightful task of welcoming fellow Red Rose Publishing author, Joanna A. McKethan to my blog. Her book, Lady in White, is a mainstream gothic thriller and was released on March 10, 2011.




Nancy: Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.

Joanna: This book features a young heroine, a visual artist who studied art abroad in Estonia, a small country near St. Petersburg in Russia, married Estonian royalty and lives with him in a castle. Their love receives a challenge when his secrets and her inquisitive nature collide. Her love of things Estonian and Russian takes a scary turn and brings a legend of horror back to life.

Nancy: Describe the genre of this particular title, and is it the only genre you write in?

Joanna: This genre features a heroine separated from her normal support systems who is chased by unknown villain or villains in a dark and spooky large house on an isolated estate, often a castle setting. Her lover is a brooding man with secrets, and the place takes on an atmosphere and presence of a character. This is the only genre I have finished works in, but I have many ideas for mysteries, and hope to write in that genre as well. My first book, the abandoned one, was fantasy.

Nancy: When did you start writing toward publication?


Joanna: About 30 years ago. And I have published one fiction short story, feature stories, and many poems.

Nancy: Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?

Joanna: Yes, I had one completely finished manuscript other than this, and one partly finished novel. I one two prizes on the 90,000-word manuscript, and have sent it out on my own, but my fear has interfered with this—I've got to send a sample out to several places, right away. The first one I began I simply abandoned.

Nancy: Why have you become a published author?

Joanna: Wow. Persistence, for sure. Help from professionals, for certain, as well. One of the best things that ever happened to me was joining Heart of Carolinas Romance Writers (HCRW) and then RWA, joining a couple of critique groups and hearing how my story resonated with my writing partners. But this book took off based on a lead from an RWA special interest group, Gothic Writers, to which I belong. Jane Toombs had an anthology in the works with Wendi Felter-Gabbidon, publisher of Red Rose Publishing. I volunteered to write what we then thought would be a short story in a book, but it turned out to be a separate book in a series. I wrote like crazy so I wouldn't hold up the published writers in the group.

Nancy: Do you have any rejection stories to share?

Joanna: Well, all of my rejections have been nice ones, so not really. My first finished book earned me PRO status with RWA and fell under the editor's category of "I didn't love it enough to champion it." Mostly the rejections revolve around the gothic genre, because the reasons all have to do with some aspect of a gothic, even the slower, atmospheric beginnings.

Nancy: What is your writing routine like?

Joanna: I actually have one now, so I can answer that question. My best time for "from scratch" writing is first thing in the morning, so I write three new pages in longhand. However, I run a full scale art and teaching business, so sometimes my paintings pre-empt my writing. However Mondays and Tuesdays are set aside for creative work, so I get to spend two whole days writing and organizing my writing and doing the research which I love. While my books are contemporaries, they are based on something historical. So I'm publicizing this book, marketing the other book, and writing the new one. It's a nice rhythm.

Nancy: What sort of promo do you do? Do you have help?

Joanna: I am a total novice to promo—and my friend, Nancy Badger, is helping me with this. However, I have started by making a list of contacts, like at local libraries, and am getting some good response and will be working out an "itinerary" shortly, even if that means walking/talking from web site to web site. I already had a web site, but I am behind in that, and have to update that immediately.

Nancy: Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?

Joanna: When I look at that beautiful cover designed by Dawné Dominique and say, "Yep, that's it. That's what I've always wanted to do, and there it is!"

Nancy: Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped?


Joanna: Yes. I've been a member of North Carolina Writers Network the longest and have done their conferences and critique groups. As I said, RWA, Romance Writers of America, HCRW, Gothic Writers, NC Poetry Society, and Writer's Ink, and I was briefly a member of Mystery Writers in Raleigh and Smithfield Writers before that. I've done the writers' conference sponsored by Judith Hill in the mountains, and I started and ran the Harnett County Writers groups for close to ten years before that folded.

Nancy: Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?


Joanna: Write as many words and as much as you can in any way that works for you; learn as much craft as you can, mix with successfully published writers that will let you tag along. Find your writing niche. That's the business success model and it works for artists and writers, as well.

Nancy: What's next for you?

Joanna: I'm hoping to get my longer manuscript, a 90-000 worder, to an editor who will love it or to an agent who will take on placing it so I can finish the new one I am working on, set in Scotland, that I am very excited about. That of course might mean a trip to Scotland!


STORY BLURB:


Michaela paints a new life for herself when she eagerly accepts an offer of art exchange student in what was a Communist country only a few years before. An artist by craft and by nature, she wants to prove her talent in foreign waters. Her love of truth requires her to question everything and dig for answers. In Estonia she meets and falls in love with Peeter, an art professor, government contractor, and a royal.

He loves her desperately, admiring her staunch separations of black and white. She loves Peeter wholly, not realizing a secret shame drives him. How he deals with life is challenged by his new wife and her unwitting exposing of the past so that he must finally confront his and his father's unpardonable sin. Michaela plows through danger, even her own. Any single move might redeem her—or kill her.

A little bit about the author 
Joanna McKethan is a Southerner with advantages from the Old South and the New, a wife, mother, and grandmother who lived and returned from abroad to her country home in the south. She is an artist, a poet, a teacher, as well as an arts business owner. She has always wanted to paint and write, and has hidden her love for novels behind her paintings until now. She has worked as an assistant editor, written feature stories, and published her poetry. Now her lifelong dream of publishing novels has begun. Her grown children visit her and her grandchildren blow bubbles with her on the lawn. Her "grand-cat," Buddy Number Two has just returned from a long absence, much to her joy. You can sample her creativity at www.joriginals.net.

Excerpt

I do love castles. Loving them does not mean living in them, necessarily. For the most part, castles are cold, clammy places where shadows move about at will. Lately I had seen more than my share. However, loving Peeter, the owner and lord of Haapsalu Castle and marrying Peeter required my residency within its walls.

Castle princess—me and Grace Kelly—I accepted the role eagerly, if not literally. Who wouldn't? One look at my gorgeous man—black curly hair, strong Roman nose, those high cheek bones, sunken cheeks, and grey-blue eyes dancing with mischief—what more would it take to convince me I had married a royal?

Shared convictions of faith and love of art didn't hurt our relationship, either.

"You have laughing eyes," I told him before we married.

He confessed he thought I flirted with him.

"Moi?" I pretended innocence.

I will not bore anyone regaling our wedding. Every girl thinks hers the best, and a wedding in a castle? Well, that was a show stopper. My dress was custom-designed St. Petersburg "Svetlana" lace—exquisite, a white wedding dress dipping to the floor, edged at my neck by a ribbon of fuchsia and contrary to Southern customs, given by the groom. Peeter dressed in a shiny black tux. His appearance took another direction from his usual slack elegance, fitted for lords and professors. Yes, the castle wedding was picturesque; I have an album to show for it, but today I must travel to the Tallinn Art Museum where I work. Peeter still teaches art at the University of Tallinn, where I first met him. He leaves later in the morning for his classes.

Peeter also works with the Estonian government on matters concerning aqueducts.

This morning I donned a linen skirt and layered a shall, a square knitted shawl, an Estonian craft of distinction, over it. Draping beautifully, the corners fell like a cloth diamond over the blouse. I lifted my curls, added earrings, and checked the mirror to make sure the front showed instead of the backside, like I sometimes managed.

Peeter stirred. "You look beautiful, Michaela." His voice was early morning raspy.

"Why, I'm thrilled you say so," I said, dipping to peck him on the forehead.

He pulled me down to him.

"Peeter, stop." But my voice was playful as I straightened up and hand-ironed my skirt. "Linen wrinkles easily. They'll ask what I did to cause such wrinkles."

"And you will tell them." He gave a satisfied smirk, lifting bushy brows repeatedly. He jumped out of bed, grabbed his robe from the chair and threw it around his shoulders without closing it. "I'll eat with you before you leave or, maybe I'll eat you before you leave." He grabbed me.

How can my readers buy your book?

Readers can go to the publisher's home page at http://redrosepublishing.com/

Check out my book trailer at: http://www.photoshow.com/watch/ip5ev5hz

You can find more information about Joanna A. McKethan and my book, Lady in White by

visiting my website, http://joriginals.net/