Jean Murray's Blog, page 14
December 16, 2012
3 Goddesses’ COVER REVEAL
I have joined forces with two fellow Crescent Moon Press authors to celebrate our new covers and pending releases on January 15, 2013. (Stay tuned for Release Party Scheduled for January 22nd) To celebrate we are giving away Author Review Copies (ARCs) plus copies of our previously released books in the series to one lucky winner. Let me be clear ~ enter to win the following:
7 ~ EBOOK Gift PACK:
ARC of SOUL AWAKENED & SOUL REBORN by Jean Murray
ARC of FOR THE LOVE OF HADES & MEDUSA, A LOVE STORY by Sasha Summers
ARC of TAINTED & WASTELAND & AWAITED by Lynn Rush
See Rafflecopter Link and Rules below
COVERS
Only the strongest love can unlock the souls of the Underworld
LOVE FOR BLOOD OR HONOR
Kendra, an Egyptologist and demi-god in waiting, is the key to unlocking Bakari, the Egyptian God of Death, from his cursed slumber. Desperate to free him, she inadvertently binds herself to the god with a spell that only death will undo. To save Bakari from himself, she may have to sacrifice her innocence, and possibly her soul, before he becomes his family’s worst enemy.
HAUNTED BY SINS OF THE PAST
Bakari awakens to a world at war and a beautiful woman who has tethered his soul to hers. In the wake of his self-destruction Kendra is his only hope of salvation, but another has vowed to keep Bakari from the one thing he craves most– his Parvana. His butterfly.
*******************
Hades, God of Death, has no heart. Persephone is determined to prove otherwise…
Hades, the Lord of the Underworld, has no patience for living things or his Olympian brethren. His purpose is order, administering justice to those who enter his realm, and keeping the balance decreed by the Fates. Meeting Persephone sways his focus, her gentle sweetness threatening his control. But he will not be tempted.
Poseidon’s scheming wreaks havoc upon Persephone. Hades has no choice – he must rescue her.
Hades awakens something within the Goddess Persephone. She feels no fear from his brooding presence. In truth, she’s never felt so alive. Every stolen moment together only confirms her instinct: he is meant to be hers. Such a powerful union suit will face opposition – from Olympus, her troubled betrothed, the Fates, even Hades himself – but she is determined to win his heart.
********************
Even death can’t stop true love…
After over four hundred years as a Guardian, Durk Langdon rebuked it all. Walked away from everything when his mate, Jessica, was brutally murdered. Yet he has no recollection of anything since that gruesome day.
Nothing alleviates his longing for Jessica or his disdain for the Guardians until a former brother in arms joins him and his cause. Visions of his lost love start appearing in the most unlikely places, until Durk learns she survived.
But when he sets out to find her, demonic obstacles he never could have imagined tear them apart.
If only he had trusted her…
********************
RULES
Spread the word about the cover reveal ~ How easy is that?
ENTER CONTEST HERE
Come join us at the event page to chat with authors and learn more about this great giveaway…
FACEBOOK CHAT
********************
Reserve your spot NOW!!
Filed under: Cover Reveal, Events, Giveaway Tagged: a love story, angels and demons, ARC giveaway, Awaited, best seller, cover reveal, egyptian mythos, for the love of hades, greek mythos, Jean Murray, loves of olympus series, lynn rush, medusa, new adult, paranormal romance, Sasha Summers, soul awakened, soul reborn, tainted, the key to the cursed series, urban fantasy, wasteland, wasteland series
December 13, 2012
Author Open MIC: Welcomes Rachel Carrington + Spotlight Giveaway
Welcome readers!
It was over a year ago that Wicked Romance launched Author Open MIC and it has grown into a huge success. I wanted to take a moment and thank all that have participated over the year’s timeframe. It is a great venue to introduce debut and experienced authors alike. The overwhelming support of readers has made this one of the most enjoyable posts.
Today, I want to introduce Author Rachel Carrington. She has an amazing list of books to her name that spans multiple genres. Not only do we have a great interview, but Rachel has shared an excerpt from her most recent release, Waking Up Immortal, and she is giving a copy away today to one lucky winner.
Let’s find out more about Rachel….
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I started writing years ago, and my first attempt was a contemporary romance that will never see the light of day. I think I may even have thrown it away by now. It was absolutely horrific as I knew nothing about well…anything to do with writing.
After that, I started writing fantasy romances about wizards and wizards, and once those took off, I segued to paranormal romances (hello, vampires and ghosts) and romantic suspense. I also write articles for various magazines, including The Writer’s Journal, Writer’s Magazine, Writer’s Weekly, Writing for Dollars, Absolute Write, and Funds for Writers.
I’m fortunate to make my home in historical Charleston, South Carolina. Beautiful city. Beautiful people. When I’m not writing, I love to read paranormal romance, romantic suspense, young adult fantasy and paranormal, create videos, shop, cross-stitch, cook, and drink lots of coffee.
You can find more about me at my website: www.dawnrachel.com. I also offer help to aspiring writers at my blog: www.dawnrachel.com/blog. And, I have a bi-monthly newsletter where I offer giveaways. Readers can sign up at the front page of my website on the right hand side.
THE INTERVIEW
How did you get into writing? Was it something you were born with or did you discover your hidden talent?
It was definitely a discovery. The first thing I wrote was a poem, and that was when I was sixteen. I didn’t try writing fiction until I was eighteen.
Tell us a little about the genre/s you write. What attracted you to write about them?
I’ve written a variety of genres including contemporary romance, romantic suspense, fantasy romance, paranormal romance, and most recently, a science fiction/paranormal romance blend.
I love to challenge myself, but I really just go where my imagination takes me. I usually get the idea for the book, and the idea tells me the genre.
What is the single, most important element in your writing or life as an author?
It’s very difficult to choose one because without one aspect, I probably wouldn’t have the others. If I had to really choose, I would pick determination. I’ve written through some difficult times. Not because I had to but because I wanted to. Writing is an outlet for me much like singing, running, or painting is for others.
What is the most difficult hurdle you have encountered (personal or professional)? What advice would you give other authors who face the same challenges?
As I mentioned above, I’ve written through some difficult times, most of which have been health challenges. Sometimes, I wrote when I was in so much pain I could barely focus on the laptop screen, but I wrote because it helped me not to wallow in the pain. And if I wrote long enough, it would distract me from the pain. I could get wrapped up in the characters and for a little while, I could pretend I lived a different life. But there were other days when I couldn’t write even if I wanted to, and I had to learn how to be okay with that.
I know plenty of authors who do face health challenges, and the only advice I can give is to listen to your body. Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t sit at the keyboard that day. The words will return when your body is ready.
You have built up quite an array of books. If you can pick 2-3 favorites and tell us a little bit about each and why they stand out in your mind.
My favorites have to be the newest one I just completed: Waking Up Immortal. I wanted to create a different kind of immortal rather than a vampire, and I knew I had to give her a hero who could stand up to her. I really enjoyed writing Kier and Chloe’s story, especially the many times they clashed.
Click to request AUTHORGRAPH HERE!
I also loved all of the books I wrote in the Spirit series, especially the prequel which I’m still working on. It’s called Souls Divided and gives readers a look into some of the backstory of the Council and how they chose Angels of Death. I really enjoyed writing about the spirit world and what happens when spirits don’t want to cross over. It was a question I’d asked myself before.
What do you are you cooking up next? What can readers expect?
Right now, I’m working on the sequel to Waking Up Immortal, finishing up the prequel to the Spirit series, Souls Divided, and a spin-off of A Vampire Betrayed (from the Vampires Destined series) called A Vampire’s Fury. I usually post the release dates on my website so readers can find out when to expect my latest release: www.dawnrachel.com.
Where can readers find you and your books?
Readers can find me at my website: www.dawnrachel.com, on Facebook at rachelcarringtonwrites, on Twitter@rcarrington2004, on Pinterest @rcarrington2004, on Wattpad at rcarrington2004, on Goodreads at Rachel Carrington, and so many other places. It’s really easiest just to Google my name.
Most, if not all, of my books can be purchased at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com , and www.allromanceebooks.com to name a few.
Open MIC FAV 5
Favorite hero or heroine: It will always be Jaxon from Indigo Spell
Favorite author: Christine Feehan
Favorite music to write by: Alternative rock, usually, like Nickelback or Snow Patrol
Favorite inspiration: I don’t know if this is my most favorite as much as it was most memorable. My book, Now You See Me (releasing soon from EllorasCave) is partially based on a killer I met when he was dating a good friend of mine. We didn’t know at the time he was a killer. Not long after I met him, he murdered my friend, and is now serving his sentence right here in my home town.
Most memorable writing moment: There are far too many for me to pick one. I’ve written overlooking beaches and mountains, drafted ideas while inside the RoyalPalace at Madrid, mapped out an entire story while cruising toward Cancun, and wrote one of my best kiss scenes ever after a good-night kiss I still think about. Now you know why there are too many!
Chapter Excerpt
“Relax,” he whispered in my ear. “I’m taking you to a secure room where you can meet you father.”
“I’d like to talk to him alone.” I knew the suggestion would be shot down, but I had to try.
Kier’s feet skidded to a stop, and the expression on his face said far more than his next words ever could. “No. He’s too dangerous.” He obviously thought I was slightly off my rocker for even broaching the subject.
“What can he do to me here? You’ve given me the neuron blocker, and I’m assuming he’ll be chained.”
“That makes no difference. You’re not seeing him alone.” The huskiness of his voice had deepened, bringing his tone to a low growl.
“Kier, please.” I wasn’t above using my feminine wiles. I linked our hands, and the militant guy with a crew cut coughed. “I need to do this alone. It’s important.”
“Damnit, Chloe.” He shook his head then glared at the guard who took instant interest in the stone wall behind him. “You don’t know what you’re asking,” he lowered his voice, wrapping me in a cocoon of intimacy in spite of our clinical surroundings.
I squeezed his fingers, gave him the full force of my gaze that I hoped revealed some essence of vulnerability. “You can stand guard. Spy on us. Do whatever you need to do, but I have to talk to him by myself. The conversation has to be just the two of us.”
Kier’s eyebrows threatened to meet in the middle. “Why?”
I took his free hand and pressed it over my heart. “It’s just something I feel in here.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed with a hard swallow, and he finally nodded. “Fine, but I’ll be watching.”
With complete disregard for our onlooker, I stood on tiptoe and kissed him. “Thank you.” I surprised myself with my boldness, and, from the look on Kier’s face when I stepped back, him even more.
He cleared his throat and glanced over his shoulder. “Is there something else you need, Agent Winnaker?”
The agent shook his head and clicked his heels together as if preparing to salute. “No, sir.” He turned and marched away.
“What exactly is he an agent of?” My curiosity had me peering around Kier to get a better look at the figure disappearing down the hallway.
“Universal Security.”
The name sounded so formidable. And unbelievable. “Universal Security. As in…?”
“Just what you think it is.” Still holding my hand, Kier led me into a quiet room with dim lighting and glass walls.
Yeah right. There were a lot of things I would believe but an out of this world experience was more than even I would accept. “And I thought being immortal was the weirdest thing I’d ever heard.”
“There are many different types of life forces in the Universe. There has to be a way to maintain order.” Not even a trace of deception in his voice.
“You weren’t joking? I thought you were joking.” Holding a hand against my stomach, I sought the first chair before my shaky legs buckled. What had happened to my staid life in Kansas?
Days ago I was a typical single woman working at a job I didn’t particularly love for a decent amount of money I did care about. I had friends, a relatively full social life, and family. Now all of that had disappeared with my ancestral search.
“Chloe?” Kier’s hand braced the chair on either side of my thighs. “Are you all right?”
If feeling all right entailed a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach and gray spots in front of my eyes, I was peachy. “Are you telling me there are other mutants and that you’re some type of alien police officer?” The very idea had hysterical laughter bubbling to the surface.
Kier stroked his fingertips down my cheek, his expression inscrutable. “Don’t you have enough to think about without trying to figure out the rest of the world, too?”
Giveaway/Challenge
Today, I’m giving away a copy of my newest book, Waking Up Immortal. All you have to do is answer this question from the Chapter Excerpt.
What was the name of the agent who was listening in on Chloe and Kier’s conversation?
To ENTER CLICK HERE: a Rafflecopter giveaway
**If you have any trouble submitting your answers via the Rafflecopter, please email your answer to:
murray (dot) jeanm@gmail.com
Filed under: Author Open Mic, Events, Giveaway, Guest Author, PROMO, Uncategorized Tagged: author interview, book release, free book, giveaway, rachel carrington, waking up immortal
October 29, 2012
Author Open MIC: Welcome Hildie McQueen ~ $10 Starbucks Gift Card and E-copy of Deperate Choices
I am handing over the MIC today to a special guest, Author Hildie McQueen. She is the author of the The Protector series. If you like BDB or MB you’ll certainly like her Protectors. So let’s get to know Hildie…
Hildie loves the strange and unusual, pair that with humor and you’ve got an idea of what her writing is like.
She makes sure action, intrigue, and sizzling romance add up to an escape that her readers won’t soon forget. Hildie is a member of Georgia Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America. She resides in the beautiful small town Georgia with her super-hero husband Kurt.
She lives in a small town in Georgia, where everybody knows everybody. It’s the kind of place where you get a “Hey Hildie” from across the street while walking into a favorite shop. The girl behind the counter asks about my books and the next customer in ends up introducing themselves if you haven’t met them yet. I love it! After growing up in the huge city of San Diego and living all over the world as a soldier and later government contractor, it’s nice to live in a place like this.
Without further delay….
A day in the life of the Immortal Protectors
While writing the Protector series, I’ve given much thought to immortality. Honestly it’s a stretch to consider how a person responds to everyday occurrences when their lifetime stretches ahead without end.
I would imagine many things become tedious, losing friends to death, having to relocate so the lack of aging isn’t noticeable. Finances, I mean it’s hard enough to save for retirement, imagine never retiring and working for hundreds of years! Eating would probably become annoying. I mean how many hamburgers can one eat? What about love and sex? Would that become a bore after a while as well? I like to think not.
What do you think? Which things would you tire of if you were immortal?
Leave a comment and win a free copy of the first in the series, Desperate Choices along with a $10 Starbucks gift card, since the Protector’s drink of choice is coffee!
Coffee and a free book? That’s really hard to pass up!
Before I let Hildie go, she has agreed to stay on for a few questions about her men. I just finished Desperate Betrayal this week and I loved it. To bad I’m stuck home in the hurricane, looks like I’ll just have to read the other two by flashlight 
Q: I love that you created this secret society of sorts. Tell us a little about your Protectors.
A: Mysteriously pre-chosen, in their early twenties, these guys go through a change and become taller, more muscular and all their senses sharpen. They are then recruited by ex-Gladiator, Julian, and join the Protectors, a secret army that fights demons and other threats to weaker species, mostly humans.
Q: Series that surround a group of males (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Midnight Breed—come to mind) seem to be more popular than ever. Why do you think so? How do your Protectors measure up? (Trick question because I’m already in love with them).
A: First of all thank you for the comparison. I love both the BDB and MB. I believe the best comparison is that all of them band together for the greater good. The Protectors compare to the MB in that they come from varying backgrounds. My Protectors come from different backgrounds and eras, from a Gladiator, to a Spartan, from Highlanders to a 1800s cowboy!
Q: Desperate Betrayal is the first book in the series. What comes next? Whose story do we get to look forward to?
A: The Sequel Desperate Surrender, Kieran’s story, release in July, there is also a prequel novella Desperate Choices, Roderick’s book that released in May. The third full length in the series, Desperate Possession, Lord Fallon Trent’s book, is still in draft stage. Hopefully it will come out early 2013.
Thank you for having me over today, it’s so much fun!
Don’t forget to leave a comment!
Giveaway ends Sunday, November 4th at 11:59pm/2359 EST.
What do you think? Which things would you tire of if you were immortal?
Filed under: Author Open Mic, Events, Giveaway, Guest Author, Heroes Tagged: desperate betrayal, desperate choices, desperate surrender, giveaway, hildie mcqueen, immortal, protector series
October 19, 2012
Wicked Romances Blog Hop
Sharing My Favorite Read Giveaway Hop was organized
by Reading Romances!
I love that this hop has the same title as my blog. I couldn’t resist. So what am I giving away? The first book in the Key to the Cursed Series: Soul Reborn.
What you can win here: Copies of SOUL REBORN; Wicked Romance Tote Bags
Number of winners: 4 : 2 – (e-books/INT) ; 2 – (tote bags / US-Canada)
Open to (INT, US or US/CAN): (e-books/INT) ; (tote bags / US-Canada)
How to enter: Without looking at Soul Reborn’s blurb, make up your own short story or blurb based on the cover details (3-4 sentences, nothing fancy). Use your imagination! Serious, dark and down right hilarious comments welcome. Let’s have fun with this. Commentors will be entered in the drawing. I will post Soul Reborn’s blurb and first chapter on October 27th (last day of hop) and announce the winners.
If you are looking for more chances to win, here are some opportunities (list your entries in your post):
SUBSCRIBE to Wicked Romance Blog – (Top Right Sidebar Widget on this blog) Great way to meet authors on Author Open MIC; New PNR releases; CHECK OUT Rachel Carrington’s new cover to WAKING UP IMMORTAL below.
Add SOUL REBORN to your GOODREADS “TO READ” list - see what others have to say about the Key to the Cursed Series
Like SOUL REBORN on AMAZON
LIKE Author Jean Murray’s Facebook Page
FOLLOW @WICKEDROMANCE on TWITTER
Don’t stop there…
Hop and enter the other giveaways!
Start hopping!
1.
ORG: Reading Romances (INT)
31.
Love, Laughter, Friendship (US/CA)
2.
cupcake (INT)
32.
Lizzy Ford Books (INT)
3.
All About High heat Romance (INT)
33.
Julia Crane
4.
Reading Reality
34.
The Obscured Vixen
5.
Tanya
35.
Jordan K. Rose
6.
Debra A. Soles
36.
Natasha Blackthorne ~ Erotic Hist Rom (INT)
7.
the ruthin trilogy vampire romance
37.
Christine_Saucy & Sinful Reviews Blog
8.
Elise Marion
38.
Hot Listens
9.
Amelia James
39.
J.P. Grider
10.
Nette’s Bookshelf Reviews
40.
Sorcha Mowbray (INT)
11.
Minding Spot
41.
Nikkibookblog (INT)
12.
Sara York
42.
E.B. Walters
13.
Glimpses of Midnight
43.
Rak Buku Didi (INT)
14.
Kristabel Reed’s Wickedly Wanton Tales
44.
Shannan Albright (INT)
15.
Renee Giraldy
45.
ReadingDiva Blog (US)
16.
Louisa Bacio
46.
SinfulReads (US)
17.
Felicity Heaton, PNR author (INT)
47.
Linda Hays-Gibbs
18.
Imagine a World (US)
48.
Gayl Taylor (INT)
19.
Susan Frances, Romantic Adventures
49.
Romance At Random US
20.
Jean Murray, PNR Author – Key to the Cursed (INT)
50.
Jessica Scott
21.
Faerotic Prose (INT)
51.
Shawntelle Madison (INT)
22.
Other Worlds & Realities (INT)
52.
Milly Taiden
23.
Nancy Gideon…Romance by Any Other Name (INT)
53.
Jianne carlo (INT)
24.
Casey Crow (INT)
54.
Coffee Beans & Love Scenes (INT)
25.
p.t. macias
55.
izz ”pingle” bookish place (INT)
26.
Urban Girl Reader (INT)
56.
Marie Rose Dufour
27.
DC Juris
57.
That’s What She Read
28.
Book Savvy Babe (INT)
58.
Jenna Jaxon
29.
My Devotional Thoughts
59.
Romance Book Craze
30.
Harlie Williams (US/CA only)
Filed under: Events, Giveaway, Key to the Cursed, Soul Reborn, Uncategorized Tagged: contest, giveaway, Jean Murray, key to the cursed, rachel carrington, reading romances, soul reborn, wicked romance blog, wicked romances blog hop
Cover Reveal: Waking Up Immortal by Rachel Carrington
Waking Up Immortal
Book One in the Universal Security Series
I could die today, and it wouldn’t matter. I’d still wake up tomorrow. Some people might consider that a good thing, and the time I took my first bullet, well, I can’t say I complained when I woke up, but that’s the middle of the story.
At first I didn’t want this “gift” which led me to a long search for my father. I thought he could help me. Turns out my father was in prison, and I just happened to get on the bad side of his warden—a huge, cyborg type of guy who could body double for Sylvester Stallone. He didn’t want me to see my father, and he was a pretty big obstacle for me to overcome.
So here I am trying to convince this guy, Kier, to let me see my father when all hell breaks loose. Then I suddenly learn I really don’t want to see dear old Dad after all. My life isn’t in danger, but how I spend the rest of my immortal existence is. The only thing standing between me and certain torture is Kier.
I don’t doubt he’ll protect me, but being so close to him makes me forget about things like safety. And the first time he kisses me turns into heat up the windows type of scene in the front seat of my car.
My immortal existence is safe with Kier. My heart is on shaky ground. Only I could fall in love with a cyborg while my life is going to hell in a handbasket.
********************
Rachel’s bio:
I started writing years ago, and my first attempt was a contemporary romance that will never see the light of day. I think I may even have thrown it away by now. It was absolutely horrific as I knew nothing about well…anything to do with writing.
After that, I started writing fantasy romances about wizards and wizards, and once those took off, I segued to paranormal romances (hello, vampires and ghosts) and romantic suspense. I also write articles for various magazines, including The Writer’s Journal, Writer’s Magazine, Writer’s Weekly, Writing for Dollars, Absolute Write, and Funds for Writers.
I’m fortunate to make my home in historical Charleston, South Carolina. Beautiful city. Beautiful people. When I’m not writing, I love to read paranormal romance, romantic suspense, young adult fantasy and paranormal, create videos, shop, cross-stitch, cook, and drink lots of coffee.
Rachel’s social network links:
Website: http://dawnrachel.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rachelcarringtonwrites
Twitter: @rcarrington2004
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/rcarrington
Filed under: Cover Reveal, Events Tagged: cover reveal, new release, rachel carrington, universal security, waking up immortal
October 15, 2012
Violet Midnight’s Launch Party ~ Kindle Fire up for grabs
Hi folks. I’m helping Lynn Rush, a great friend and fellow author, celebrate her latest release– Violet Midnight. She is having a huge giveaway with donations from various authors (including me- Copy of Soul Reborn) with the ultimate prize being a Kindle Fire.
Details:
The party details; 7-9pm EDT October 16th, 2012 at the LynnRushWrites Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/LynnRushWrites). Every five minutes or so a post will be uploaded with different tasks and/or discussion topics. The prizes donated will be given out during those tasks.
–>The party will “officially” end at 9pm EDT, and we will go into tally mode.
BE THERE OR BE SQUARE
Filed under: Cover Reveal, Events, Giveaway, PROMO Tagged: giveaway, Jean Murray, kindle fire, lynn rush, new adult, paranormal romance, slayer, vampires, violet midnight, young adult
October 6, 2012
Author Workshop: Made to Order – The Perfect Recipe for Great Characters.
The Muse Online Writers Conference- the only FREE conference of its kind!
Affiliated with the award-winning sites and Writer’s Digest Top 101 Writing Sites: The MuseItUp Club & Apollo’s Lyre & MuseItUp Publishing & Crescent Moon Press.
Oct 14
Made to Order: The perfect recipe for great characters that your readers will eat up
with Author Jean Murray
Are agents or editors not connecting with your characters? Do your characters feel flat or one-dimensional? Need a quick fix?
Well, you may have been following the wrong recipe. Characters need more than flaws to grab a reader’s attention. Grab that onion from your refrigerator and a large knife, because we are going to get to the heart of the problem—character ingredients, layering and so much more.
Make your readers, agents and editors hungry for more.
Filed under: Craft, Events Tagged: Author Jean Murray, character development, character layering, multi-dimensional characters, muse online conference, writers conference
September 4, 2012
3,000 Likes Give Away!!
Want: $65-worth of gift cards and 18-pack of ebooks (includes a free copy of Soul Reborn). Get an additional entry by liking Jean Murray’s Amazon Page.
Enter HERE: a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Rafflecopter will be closed to entries on September 14th (midnight) and Lynn Rush will announce the winner on the 16th on Facebook, her blog, and Twitter.
Filed under: Giveaway, Uncategorized Tagged: 3000 likes, facebook, giveaway, lynn rush, soul reborn
August 31, 2012
I was nominated for the Sunshine Award!!
I am so honored that Amy Lyre Turner nominated me for The Sunshine Award.
The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspires others in the blogosphere. How cool is that? Amy was nominated and then spread the love. She has a fabulous collection of poetry, Pieces of the Soul. If you know anything about me and my Key to the Cursed series, you know I love “souls.”
So, the rules for accepting this award are as follows:
Link back to the person who gave me the award.
Answer the following questions.
Nominate ten bloggers for the award.
Link my nominees to the post and let them know about the award.
Now, for the questions!
What is your favorite Christmas/festive movie?
Ha! Hands down is A Christmas Story. Yes, the Red Rider BB Gun with compass in the stock. Have you seen Ralphie lately? Who knew he would grow up to be a hunk!
Before After
What is your favorite flower?
Roses are my absolute favorite. The ones that are that deep blood-red color. My hubbie gets me roses every year on Valentine’s Day. I fall in love with him all over again!
What is your favorite non-alcoholic beverage?
C. O. F. F. E. E.What is your passion?
I’d be crazy not to say writing. Writing and plotting is my escape from the craziness of every day life. It was actually only 4 years ago that I found an outlet for the stories that had been bouncing around in my head. There is just something so satisfying about see a plot come together at the end and to read those first reviews! Amazing! Best high around
What is your favorite time of year?
I’m very much into fall. I’m such a Northeast gal. I love that time of the year when the temperature changes and you get to pull out those sweaters that have been stored for the summer. The smell and most importantly, the color of the leaves. Reds, golds, and browns. Can’t be beat. Plus, the summer heat and humidity come to an end! Yay!
What is your favorite time of day?
I’m with Amy and Jennifer– so not a morning person. I love the time in between twilight and night. The world takes on a different color. Maybe that’s why I’m a paranormal junkie
What is your favorite physical activity?
**snicker** I always loved to run, but now that my joints and back are pretty beat up– I like to lap swim. There is something so peaceful about gliding through the water. Second to that, I’d love to scuba dive. Sadly, it has been awhile.
What is your favorite vacation?
Ever see that Corona commercial with the couple sitting in lawn chairs on the beach, the water lapping at their feet? Well, that would be my dream vacation, but instead of beer, I’d take a Margarita, please. (Regular, on the rocks with salt— YUM!)
My NOMINATIONS for the Sunshine Award are… Drum roll please!
1. Tink’s Place by Dottie
2. The Bakin Goddess by Kimberly
3. Dreaming in Ink by Julia D. Revezzo
4. The Bucket List Publications by Lesley Carter
5. Evolution Thursdays by Wendy Russo
6. Sam, Elena and Rhonda’s Awesomness
7. Castle & Guns by Kinley Baker
8. Bitten by Paranormal Romance
10. Defy the Dark by Ciara Knight
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August 21, 2012
Author Open MIC: Welcomes Michelle Miles
I want to welcome Michelle Miles to Wicked Romance’s Open MIC. Let me tell you a little bit about Michelle and then we will delve deeper into the amazing stories she has written.
Michelle Miles found her love of writing buried in the fantasy books of Patricia A. McKillip and the beautiful romances of Victoria Holt. It wasn’t until her high school years she decided to take up the pen and try her hand at writing. She created faraway lands, space adventures, and even princesses who just wanted to be saved. Never learning to plot, she always believed that jumping in feet first was the way to go and has since become a self-proclaimed Pantser, writing sexy contemporaries, sizzling paranormal and sweeping fantasy.
A Native Texan, she loves hockey, baseball, drinking coffee, cross-stitching, and shopping for shoes and Coach handbags. Follow her daily writings and weekly guest features at her blog, Ye Olde Inkwell. Michelle is also a regular contributor to Pop Culture Divas and Plotting Princesses.
** INTERVIEW **
Michelle, thank you so much for taking the MIC today. One thing I love about your books (besides the incredible back list you have created) is that each is so unique. Often authors find their niche and stick with it but I see each of your books has their own unique theme, plot and characters. Scottish Knights, Faery princess, Gladiatrix, Centaurs, Phone Sex Operator, and Stripper. Tell us how you do it all and still make the characters unique?
Thanks, Jean! I write about what interests me. Sometimes, the characters pop up and dictate the story to me (as in the case of Phoenix Fire). Other times, I just want to write about certain things. Like for One Knight Only, I knew I wanted to write a story set during a jousting tournament. It took a while for that story to jell, but I finally got it and I love the end result. Every book is different for me and every story dictates the type of characters that need to be in that world. I hope they are unique and they are characters people fall in love with.
I go back and forth about focusing my efforts on one book or writing multiple stories at the same time. Part of my fear is that I’ll have multiple beginnings and no complete manuscripts. Which do you prefer and how do you manage achieving your goals?
I tend to do that at times, too. I think it’s because I get blocked on one story and then have a hard time getting past it. To combat that, I schedule writing time–an hour a day. Since I know it’s limited and I have to maximize my time, I really think about what I want to accomplish in that hour. It has helped to push through that block, even if I’m writing crap. At least it’s words on the page and I know I can go back and fix the crap. I think it’s important to start a project and see it until the end. It’s okay to take breaks from it when you feel as though you’re blocked and work on something else, but you want to try and finish whatever you begin.
Do you find it necessary to “get into character” in order to write?
I feel like I have to be inside the character’s head to write. So I guess that would be yes. I need to “hear” their voice in my head to be able to write them effectively. That sounds a bit crazy but it’s true.
What are you most recent releases? Any awards or reviews you are proud to share?
My two latest releases are Phoenix Fire (February 2012) and One Knight Only (September 2011). I think the best review I got was for One Knight Only. It’s a Night Owl Reviews Top Pick and has gotten several 5-stars. Makes me all warm and tingly inside when I get a good review for a book I love so much.
Phoenix Fire, I love the book’s premise, a female gladiator. Tell us about Elena and what makes her so special. Why is Cassius such a great match for her?
Elena is a strong female character who is not afraid to defend those who are weaker. She has a long hatred for the Emperor, but yet she fears him. She knows that every time she steps into the arena, it could be her last time there. But she also knows she is the Emperor’s favorite.
Cassius is a former soldier who has been asked to help with the rebellion. When he refuses, the Senator leading the revolt takes away the only thing he has left—his freedom. He meets Elena in the gladiator barracks and knows she would be a powerful ally. He also senses her desire for freedom from the Emperor and uses that to convince her to help him assassinate the leader. He’s a great match for her because they’re both strong and strong-willed.
One Knight Only – A master’s student thrown back in time? (Oh, how I would have loved to throw my thesis out the window). Maggie sounds like she is going to have her hands full with a knight with a gambling addiction. This is such a unique story, what inspired you to write it?
I’ve always wanted to write a story set during a jousting tournament, but I wondered what type of man would be desperate to win one. It actually started as a much different book—a historical. But my heroine get have smart aleck remarks and sounding far too modern so I went back to the drawing board and decided my heroine was actually from the future. It took me awhile to get all the pieces in place—and all the research—but I’m very pleased with the end product.
What is next on the horizon for readers? Where are your interests focused?
I’ve finished the sequel to One Knight Only, which follows the two Fae characters. Only For A Knight will be released sometime this year from Ellora’s Cave. It’s set in the Otherworld and is a fantasy romance. I’ve started the third book, A Knight To Remember, and hope to have the first draft complete by the end of the year. Since these are long books, it takes a while to craft them and I want to make sure the story is as good as it can be. I’m also in the beginning stages of a new series about some seriously hot alpha males from Atlantis. And I’d like to write a series of short novellas about cowboys.
Where can readers find you? Any events or giveaways in the near future?
On the Web:
Website: http://www.michellemiles.net
Email: michelle@michellemiles.net
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MichelleMiles
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MichelleMilesRomance
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/MichelleMiles
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/mlmiles21
Check my blog. I’ll be doing a giveaway when Only For A Knight releases! I will also be signing at the Dreamin’ in Dallas conference in March 2013.
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Awesome interview, Michelle. I have One Knight Only and Phoenix Fire on my TBR. Keep up the great writing. And readers, if you haven’t had the chance to visit Michelle’s website, she has an amazing book list of erotic, fantasy, and paranormal. Something for everyone!
Filed under: Author Open Mic Tagged: author, author open mic, interview, michelle miles, One Knight Only, paranormal romance, Phoenix Fire
