Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog, page 197

Which Two Characters Do You Want to See Come Alive?

The Two Characters I'd Love ToSee Come Alive
by Tom Mach
Tom will be giving away a $25 Amazon GC. Be sure to follow the tour here for more chances to win.

Being a novelist who has written three historical novels ( Sissy!, All Parts Together , and Angels at Sunset ), I love this question. There are many historical figures I'd like to see come alive, and choosing only two is difficult.  Well, let's go with the first two who come to mind: Abraham Lincoln and Susan B. Anthony. I selected them because both were leaders in a great war…Mr. Lincoln in fighting for the freedom of black slaves and Ms. Anthony in fighting for the freedom on women who were treated very much like slaves in the 19th century.
When I began to research Lincoln, an iconic legend to most people, I discovered things about him that I never knew before. For instance, when Lincoln was a child in a farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky., he planted pumpkin seeds. Also, he had a rather high-pitched voice when he spoke, his clothes did not fit him properly, and he used the inside lining of his hat to put away notes he had taken.  I would enjoy seeing Abraham Lincoln come alive because there are all sorts of questions I'd like to ask him. I would like to know why he kept men who hated him in his  Cabinet, men like Stanton or Steward. I'd want to ask him if he was surprised that it took so long for African-Americans to secure equal rights.  I'd probably also inquire whether, at the time Mary Todd asked him to go to Ford's Theater, he had a premonition that he shouldn't.
Susan B. Anthony is a misunderstood woman. If you look at her photos you see a woman with a scowl who looks like she's angry at the world. Even if she was, she had a right to be with the way men not only denied women the right to vote but other rights as well—such as the right to own property, the right to divorce a drunken husband who abused her, the right to speak in public, and many other rights. I would like to see her come alive so I could ask her if she's ever been in love and whether she hoped to find a man who would agree with her beliefs. I'd ask her how it was that she never gave up hope of victory. I'd like to know from her how she felt about women today. Have we made enough progress or is there yet a long way to go?  As I wrote my novel, Angels at Sunset (expected to be out in early 2012), such questions kept coming to mind.
In fact, it would be interesting to see Abraham Lincoln have a face-to-face conversation with Susan B. Anthony. Would he apologize to her for not giving women more credit for their humanitarian services during the Civil War? And what would Susan say to him about women being denied the right to be in the military, fully armed and partaking side-by-side with men in battle?
Most of all, I picture both of them having a cup of tea and agreeing that they both won a war but that they wished they didn't have had to resort to conflict.
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Bio:Tom Mach wrote two successful historical novels, Sissy! and All Parts Together, both of which have won rave reviews and were listed among the 150 best Kansas books in 2011.Sissy! won the J. Donald Coffin Memorial Book Award while All Parts Together was a viable entrant for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize Award. He also wrote a collection of short stories entitled Stories To Enjoy which received positive reviews. Tom's other novels include: An Innocent Murdered, Advent, and Homer the Roamer.
His poetry collection, The Uni Verse, won the Nelson Poetry Book Award. In addition to several awards for his poetry, Writer's Digest awarded him ninth place in a field of 3,000 entrants. His website is: www.TomMach.com He also has a popular blog for writers of both prose and verse at http://tommach.tumblr.com
http://twitter.com/kansasauthorhttp://www.facebook.com/kansasauthorhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/tommach
Blurb:This unique collection of 16 short stories written by prize-winner Tom Mach includes stories such as "Real Characters," which is about a writer who gets his wish--that his characters come alive.... "Breakfast, Over Easy" makes you wonder about loyalty in the face of temptation.... "When Kansas Women Were Not Free" takes you to a time when women were less free than former males slaves.... "Son" make you think differently about compassion. One novelist describes STORIES TO ENJOY as "memorable and intriguing, with O. Henry twists that are sure to surprise and entertain."
Excerpt:
Detective Pulaski agonized over the challenge. This one was tougher to solve than the other three. When she finished the upper portion of the puzzle, adrenaline again pumped through her body. She felt a pain in her chest as if she were about to have a heart attack. Aggie blinked twice as she stared at the answers to today's puzzle:"Agatha Pulaski," she said aloud, her voice quivering. "Policewoman, Sib, Twelve." That's crazy. My own brother wouldn't rape and kill me, would he?


Tom will be giving away a $25 Amazon GC. Be sure to follow the tour here for more chances to win.

Finding a Sexy Contemporary Hero with Marie Astor

n Finding a Sexy Contemporary Hero.  


Marie will be awarding a custom made jewelry set (necklace and earrings) to one randomly chosen commenter. Be sure to follow the tour here.
Hi Carrie Ann, thank you very much for inviting me to your blog. My name is Marie Astor and I am the author of contemporary romance novels, On the Rim of Love and Lucky Charm, and a short story collection, A Chance Encounter and Other Stories. And now, back to our topic – finding a sexy contemporary hero…When I was in high school I had a crush on this really gorgeous guy who literally looked like an Abercrombie & Fitch model – I'm not going to describe his physical appearance in any greater detail, lest the object of my high school crush recognize himself - for purposes of this blog, let's call him Mike. Mike was in a class a year ahead of mine, and the only thing I knew about him was his name, which I had overheard one of his friends call him by. With the exception of passing Mike by in the hallway every day during class breaks, I did not have any other interactions with him (if you can call mute adoration from afar interaction). Anyways, my silent crush on Mike continued for several months until I got invited to my friend's cousin's birthday party and guess who was among the guests? You guessed it – Mr. Abercrombie & Fitch, and he was by himself – no girlfriend! Well, let me tell you - at the sight of Mike my heart jumped into my throat, my breath caught, and my hands literally started shaking - there was no way I was going to work up the courage to talk to this guy! Imagine my state when I found myself in a conversation with my friend's cousin and saw Mike approaching us – I nearly choked on my Coca-Cola. Next thing I knew, my friend's cousin introduced me to Mike and before I could say another word, my friend's cousin was whisked away by his other friends. So I found myself standing next to Mike, reminding myself not to twirl my hair (to this day, I have a tendency to twirl my hair when I'm nervous) and wrecking my brains for witty things to say. Well, it turned out I need not have worried – Mike had plenty to say. For the first few minutes of our conversation I was struggling to catch my breath as I listened to how many pounds Mike could bench press at the gym, how many pushups he could do, and what his diet was like. A few moments later, my breathing evened out, and then, it slowed down almost to the extent of sending me into a coma. Yes, Mike was gorgeous, but the moment he opened his mouth, his charms dissipated – it turned out he was best admired from afar after all. And thus, I was promptly cured of my crush. So what does the memory of my high school crush have to do with the topic of this blog, which finding a sexy contemporary hero? Simply that the romantic hero has to be more than a pretty face – he has to have substance. I also believe that the hero should have a vulnerability to him – no one is perfect one hundred percent of the time.In On the Rim of Love, Taylor Denton is a daredevil off-piste skier – he is fearless, driven and highly principled. At first glance Taylor would appear to be a veritable boy scout, but he too has inner demons that he is fighting. When Taylor meets Maggie, she is intimidated by his seeming perfection, but as the two get to know each other, she is drawn by Taylor's weaknesses because that's what makes him human. After all, is that not why we search for our soul mates – to have someone complete us and offset our flaws? Here's wishing to all the romance readers to find their romantic heroes, and to those who have already found their soul mates to never fall out of love. Marie Astor is a die-hard romantic who wholeheartedly believes in true love, which is why she writes in the contemporary romance genre.
Marie is the author of contemporary romance novels, On the Rim of Love, Lucky Charm, and a short story collection, A Chance Encounter and Other Stories.
In addition to being a writer, Marie is an avid hiker, an excellent swimmer, a good skier, and a capable badminton player.
Currently, Marie is working on her next novel - stay tuned for details! If you would like to receive updates about book releases and events, please visit Marie's website at: www.marieastor.com or visit Marie at her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorwrites.
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On the Rim of Love by Marie Astor

Maggie Robin has been dating the irresistibly good-looking, successful Jeffrey Preston for two years. But when Jeffrey proposes marriage a week after Maggie's college graduation, she is no longer sure if she wants to marry a workaholic TV producer.
Her doubts culminate when during a ski trip to British Columbia, Maggie meets Taylor Denton, a handsome, free-spirited big mountain skier who is the complete opposite of Jeffrey. It does not take Maggie long to realize that she has fallen in love with Taylor and she decides to break off her engagement with Jeffrey. But just when she thinks she has found the love of her life, an ill-fated misunderstanding tears Maggie and Taylor apart.
A week later, Maggie is told that Taylor has died in a tragic ski accident; yet, her heart refuses to believe in Taylor's death. When Maggie returns to Taylor's native town, she learns that Taylor is indeed alive, but has been seriously injured. Resolved to bring her lover back to life Maggie stands by Taylor's side, convincing him to embrace life again.
Excerpt
"Taylor, look. Isn't he beautiful?" Maggie pointed at the regal bird that was circling in vast, sweeping loops, oblivious to their presence.
Taylor looked up. "He does look magnificent."
"Doesn't he look free, as though nothing could ever touch him?" Maggie murmured wistfully.
"You think that eagle doesn't have anything to worry about?" Taylor looked at her with his piercing green eyes. "He's probably circling there like that because he is searching for food."
As if in testament to Taylor's words, the eagle surged downward in a swift, sharp dive and soared back up several moments later, clasping his catch in his claws, beating his wings hastily as he made his way into the sky.
"I guess you're right," Maggie conceded, her voice ringing with disappointment. "It's just that for a moment he seemed so free up there."
"I know what you mean, but birds are anything but free," said Taylor, "try hunting for food all the time, not knowing when you are going to eat next, being cold, watching out for predators. Humans, on the other hand, are free." Taylor paused, looking at Maggie intently. "We can do anything we want – the sky is the limit and there's no one here to stop us."
"You really believe that?" asked Maggie.
"Of course I believe it. Don't you?"
"I'd like to," said Maggie quietly, and then, meeting Taylor's gaze, added more assertively, "After today anything seems possible." Marie will be awarding a custom made jewelry set (necklace and earrings) to one randomly chosen commenter. Be sure to follow the tour here.

Romance and Mystery with Amy Corwin

Thank you Amy for coming by today!

One lucky commenter will win a $25 Amazon GC! So make sure you follow the tour with more chances to win! Click here to find the tour.



Romance and Mystery, the Dynamic Duo of FictionRomance and mystery is like chocolate and peanut butter, chocolate and strawberries, chocolate and…heck, just about anything. Threads of romance run through almost every genre you'd care to mention. Even the venerable Science Fiction genre more often than not has a romantic subplot, allowing the roguish captain of the starship to court and fall in love with the green-skinned native woman. It's part of the human condition and some might say, the best part. It's difficult to have a story about people without having some kind of romance and love involved.But what makes romance and mystery such a killer combination? There are lots of reasons, but mostly, the murder mystery brings a lot of elements into a romance that can really strengthen the hero and heroine's relationship, which is the soul of the story. Although it would be a romance to relate how girl meets boy, they fall in love, and they develop a committed relationship, it's not a great story because there's nothing for the characters to overcome, no challenges, no hardships, no tension.One of the more annoying traps authors can fall into in trying to develop tension is to make the hero and heroine argue all the time. But in point of fact, if two people do nothing but argue, they aren't nice to hang out with and no one really wants to see them get married. You think, hmmm, after they marry, the clashes are going to turn into full-scale warfare.However, if the characters get along, what's keeping them apart? The thing that's keeping them apart is what interests us. It is the story.As Mickey Spillane once said, "When you can't think of anything else to do, have someone walk in with a gun. That's where a mystery subplot can turn a ho-hum story into a page-turner, turn a listless romance into one where you're passionately hoping the hero and heroine will finally find happiness in each other's arms.So exactly what elements does a mystery bring to the romance table?TensionThe element that makes a book a page turner is tension. It's the questions the reader is asking as she sits on the edge of her seat, reading as fast as she can. Is the bad guy going to kill Mary? Who is the bad guy? Is the killer (God forbid) John, the brooding and perhaps quite mad hero? All mysteries present the reader with questions and the best present more and more intriguing questions that don't al get answered until the end.This can be a good thing in a romance as it imbues the characters, Mary and John, with a certain amount of their own mystery. Some stories suggest that the unknown murderer may even be Mary or John, making their growing attraction even riskier. Is John falling in love with a black widow, or has Mary been unjustly accused? In fact, in my novel The Vital Principle, Knighton Gaunt is none too sure about Miss Prudence Barnard and she quite naturally resents his suspicions.The mystery can also produce tension by introducing an element of danger. John may have to protect Mary as they try to find the murderer. While this is a classic "damsel in distress" story, it's a perennial favorite because no matter how strong and independent women are, deep down they long for a man to stand between them and the terrors of the unknown. This storyline speaks to that deep desire.Cross-PurposesWhile mysteries can increase the tension in the story, it can also be a source of conflict between John and Mary. It can be "what is keeping them apart." The old Gothic romances, which I still adore, often used the mystery element in this way.The young heroine, Mary, arrives at the castle to be a governess and discovers that the master's wife recently died under mysterious circumstances. Did the brooding and grief-stricken John, the master and hero, kill his wife? Is his grief really just guilt? As Mary grows more and more attracted to John, she searches for the truth about his wife's death, but at every turn, John seems to block her efforts. He seems more and more guilty, despite her growing love for him. Could her heart be wrong?John, however, knows that his mentally disturbed brother murdered his wife by accident. He doesn't want him punished because the man is not competent to know what he's done. He therefore works against Mary's efforts to uncover the truth, even though he is growing to love her and would do anything to shake the burden of guilt and knowledge burdening him.That is the classic combination of romance and mystery and it never fails to intrigue and ultimately satisfy readers as it provides a conflict between the characters without making John and Mary simply incompatible as constant arguments does.A Common GoalFinally, many mysteries combine romance and mystery to give John and Mary, our favorite characters, the opportunity to combine forces. Mary may be a detective on the police force, while John may have had a family member murdered. He wants to work with Mary to find who killed his brother. I always love these kinds of scenarios because it affords so many areas where Mary and John are thrown together to get to know each other and yet Mary may be required by her job to keep information from John. There's a natural tension there that can be used to be the yeast in the bread of their growing romance.Well, I could ramble on forever about this as it's one of my favorite subjects. But in the final analysis, romance and mystery just go together. Because they do.
One lucky commenter will win a $25 Amazon GC! So make sure you follow the tour with more chances to win! Click here to find the tour.

A Brief BioAmy Corwin is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America and recently joined Mystery Writers of America. She has been writing for the last ten years.  She writes romance, historical and cozy mysteries. To be truthful, most of her books include a bit of murder and mayhem since she discovered that killing off at least one character is a highly effective way to make the remaining ones toe the plot line.Amy's books include the three Regency romantic mysteries, I BID ONE AMERICAN, THE BRICKLAYER'S HELPER, and THE NECKLACE; Regency mysteries, THE VITAL PRINCIPLE, and A ROSE BEFORE DYING; and her first cozy mystery, WHACKED!, will come in in 2012 from Five Star.
Join her and discover that every good romance has a touch of mystery.
Website:   http://www.amycorwin.comTwitter:     http://twitter.com/amycorwinFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmyCorwinAuthorBlog:          http://amycorwin.blogspot.com
Back Cover Blurb for A Rose Before DyingA murderer is stalking the streets of London and the evidence points to Sir Edward, the uncle of Charles Vance, Earl of Castlemoor. The first victim is none other than Sir Edward's mistress who threw him over for a younger man, giving him a clear motive to kill her. However, Charles is convinced Sir Edward is innocent and enlists the aide of Mr. Knighton Gaunt of the Second Sons Inquiry Agency. When more clues surface, including roses hinting at another victim, Charles steps in and takes control. He can't let his uncle hang for murders he didn't commit, despite his uncle's foul temper and abundant motivation.Charles teams up with noted rosarian Ariadne Wellfleet to decipher the clues and prove Sir Edward's innocence and stop the murderer before he can strike again.

In this excerpt from A Rose Before Dying, Charles Vance, Lord Castlemoor, has brought a rose to the Wellfleets, hoping someone can identify it. The rose is the only clue he has to identify the next victim of a vicious killer bent on framing Charles' uncle.
EXCERPT
He pulled out the small bundle containing the rose. He knew it was useless, her father, the rose expert, was dead. But he couldn't stop a small spurt of hope. "I'd like to identify this rose. Do you recognize it?""I supposed you're only asking me as a last resort. Because my father is no longer with us." She held out a peremptory hand. "Let me see it."Her face was a smooth, expressionless mask. However, he detected traces of tired resignation at the implication that she could not be expected to have the depth of knowledge exhibited by a man.When he placed the limp spray in her palm, she held it up to her nose and breathed in several times with closed eyes, cupping the flowers in her hands. Then she gave it a cursory examination before pulling the petals off of one flower."Stop!" He reached over to wrench it out of her hand. She turned her shoulder, blocking him. "What are you doing?""Counting the petals. Why?""You're destroying it! How shall I identify it if you ruin it?"She held it out. "Take it. Plant it, or allow me to root it. Or graft it. If it grows, you can ask your friend, Mr. Lee, to identify it in two or three years from the shape of the bush and bloom habit. Most men who grow roses agree that it takes at least one cycle of blooming to identify a rose with any assurance.""Two years!""Yes—if you want to be sure. And isn't that why you wish to identify it? So you can purchase a specimen for your own garden?""Yes—but….""Yes?"He gazed into her coolly discerning eyes and realized she was aware that he was not being open with her. But given Mr. Lee's reaction, he could not bring himself to tell the complete truth. The rose wouldn't last long enough to find another master gardener, assuming he could even locate one in London. "It's…a wager. Silly, I know, but one of my friends said I couldn't identify this rose." The tips of his ears burned."I see." Her eyes grew colder. "This is all a wager?" She glanced at Rose."No, of course not. Not Rose—she's not part of it."Miss Wellfleet's fingers pushed the petals into a line on the table and hovered over them. Thirteen petals, thin and wilting, spread in a tattered line. The slender spray was dying. The small, tight buds had already blackened and hung limply. His chest tightened with frustration.Then with a theatrical gesture that suggested more defiance than scientific inquiry, she ripped apart the remaining flowers. She arranged the petals in three parallel lines, one for each flower. The roses didn't all have the same number of petals. The first had thirteen petals. The next had eleven. The final rose had seventeen. After examining what remained of the stalk, the yellow stamens, and leaves, she looked at him.Although she didn't precisely shrug, there was a quality in her expression that spoke of disdain when she said, "Rosa Collina fastigiata.""That's it?" His tired disappointment reminded him of the lateness of the hour. Useless. He needn't have come here at all. Lee had it right the first time."Well, yes. What were you expecting?""Something…more. A name….""That is a name." Irritation sharpened her voice. "Or Flat-Flowered Hill Rose, if you prefer an English one.""You're sure?"'Her eyes hardened. "As sure as I can be from this small spray." She flung the petals and twig onto the table. "No one can be absolutely sure without seeing the bush and knowing the growth habit and bloom cycles. Have you any idea how many roses there are?""I—""That's why your friend made a clever wager—if wager it was.""No. Truly, I apologize. I sincerely appreciate the name.""It's late. You have your name. I hope you win your wager."With a coolness he deserved but saddened him nonetheless, she gestured for him to leave. The butler, Mr. Abbott, waited just outside the French doors to the greenhouse. His silent presence ensured Miss Wellfleet had never been truly alone with Charles. Somehow, this reminded him of how attractive he found her, and he flushed when he caught Mr. Abbott's curious gaze.However, his embarrassment faded as he remembered his purpose.A life could be saved if he interpreted Rosa Collina fastigiata properly.How many people named Collins lived in London? Unless the clue rested with the English name, Flat-Flowered Hill Rose. Did this blossom point to a location instead of a person?Time was slipping away.
Back Cover Blurb for The NecklaceLegends foretell death for anyone who possesses the fabled Peckham emerald necklace, lost by an Archer ancestor. Certainly, it has brought the Archers nothing but heartache. So Oriana is relieved it's missing, assuming it ever existed. She has enough difficulties protecting her uncle—and her heart--from his dangerous new friend, Chilton Dacy. However, when Oriana finds the necklace, the curse reawakens. The necklace disappears, only to reappear clutched in a dead man's hand.The stranger's death leaves Oriana with a frightening choice: ask Chilton for help, or face the possibility that she may hang for murder.
In this scene, Chilton Dacy has been accidentally shot and is convalescing at the Archer residence. He just can't resist teasing Oriana Archer, his reluctant nurse….Excerpt
"Sir," Oriana said, frantic to change the subject to something less provocative. "How did you meet my uncle? I do not recall him mentioning you before."
"Umm," he said unhelpfully.
"I beg your pardon? I'm afraid I did not hear you clearly."
"Perhaps you're hard of hearing and should turn around to face me."
"My hearing is perfectly adequate, sir."
"Are you afraid to face me?"
"I am not, but you're not dressed. This is all quite improper."
"That was my thought when you tucked me into bed, Miss Archer."
A burning fire raged up her bosom, scorching her neck and cheeks. She had sincerely hoped he wouldn't remember. After a dreadfully long silence, she said, "If you will recall, you were actually unconscious a great deal of the time."
The bed creaked behind her. At the noise, she instinctively turned.
He lounged against the stack of pillows with his hands locked behind his head. Another fiery wave cascaded over her cheeks as her eyes followed that line down his chest again. The sheet had slipped even further. It barely covered his lap. A thin line of bandage was visible at the top of his thigh where an insolent corner of the sheet had flipped over.
"And how, precisely, should I recall it if I was unconscious at the time? All I remember is you unfastening my breeches—"
"Sir, it was an unfortunate circumstance that we must all strive to avoid in the future," she hurriedly interrupted him.
"Oh, I don't know. I can think of a worse fate than being stripped, bathed, and put to bed by a pretty woman."
"You are obviously suffering from some pernicious form of delirium. I never bathed you. But, I shall send Joshua up to you directly if you desire to wash." She spun and worked very hard to walk—not run—out of the door.
His deep chuckles raced after her, despite the fact that she slammed the door shut behind her.
The Vital Principle  An inquiry agent seeks to expose a spiritualist as a fraud only to uncover a murder. In 1815, inquiry agent, Knighton Gaunt, is asked by Lord Crowley to attend a séance with the express purpose of revealing the spiritualist as a fraud. When the séance ends abruptly, an unseen killer poisons Lord Crowley, leaving Gaunt to investigate not fraud, but murder.Suspicion turns first to the spiritualist, Miss Prudence Barnard. But as Gaunt digs deeper into the twisted history of the guests at Rosecrest, he discovers a series of deadly secrets. Long-time friends soon turn against one another as the tension mounts, and Gaunt is challenged to separate fact from fiction before another death at Rosecrest.The Vital Principle is the first mystery in the Second Sons Inquiry Agency series and features coolly intellectual Mr. Knighton Gaunt, the agency's founder. This witty, historical whodunit in the tradition of Bruce Alexander's Blind Justice will keep you guessing until the unexpected end."Murder, mystery, and a dash of romance combined with witty dialogue and unforgettable characters make The Vital Principle a book that will definitely go on my keeper shelf!" —Lilly Gayle, author of Into the Darkness and Slightly Tarnished.
In this excerpt from The Vital Principle, inquiry agent Knighton Gaunt realizes their host, Lord Crowley, has been poisoned. EXCERPT Swirling the amber liquid, he held it up to examine it. The light from the candles glowed through the brandy, highlighting the unnaturally dark hue. After rotating the glass with a practiced movement of his wrist, Knighton Gaunt sniffed at the fumes before placing it back on the table."Well, what's wrong?" Lord Thompson stared at Crowley as if he suspected a trick. "Crowley, get up, damn you. Quit playing the fool." He nudged Crowley's flaccid arm with his toe."Stop!" Knighton pushed Thompson back. "This isn't a joke.""What's wrong with him? Is he having some kind of a fit?" Mr. Jekyll asked."No. It's not a fit." Knighton glanced at the dowager. He was reluctant to inform her that her son was dead, most likely murdered. She already appeared to have suffered more grief than she could bear. Her tired eyes and gray face made him fear any further pain would bring about a complete collapse.How much could one woman bear?"Lady Crowley." He caught Miss Barnard's eye and to his relief, felt an immediate flicker of understanding. She put an arm around the older lady's shoulders, bracing her for the shock. "Lady Crowley, I'm sorry," he said. "Your son is dead.""Dead?" Lady Crowley repeated, her voice quavering. She glanced down as if she could not comprehend what she saw. "How can he be dead? You must be mistaken."Miss Barnard bent over the dowager and murmured, "I'm sorry, so terribly sorry."A sob broke from Lady Crowley's throat. Miss Barnard held her more tightly, speaking softly, trying to comfort her."Dead!" Miss Spencer leapt out of her chair. She whirled to stare into the gloomy recesses of the room, her hands covering her mouth. When Mr. Denham touched her arm, she shrieked. "A ghost! It must be! That thing I felt hovering behind me when the candle blew out. It touched me—I felt its cold fingers! It passed by me on its way to kill Lord Crowley! It will kill us all! We must leave, now! Now!"
One lucky commenter will win a $25 Amazon GC! So make sure you follow the tour with more chances to win! Click here to find the tour.

Finding Inspiration

Please Welcome Tori St. Claire to the Blog today!
Tori is giving away a a $25 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky commenter! Be sure to follow the tour for a better chance to win. 
Finding My Inspiration
Inspiration strikes when I'm least expecting it, and often it triggers from the mundane. 
For instance, with STRIPPED, I was listening to Ke$ha on the radio, Take it Off, and I had a flash of a vision for a story.  I piddled with that brief scene, and what ended up being the book had nothing to do with that little flash.  But that small instance where imagination conjured a picture took me down the path of planning an idea.
Sometimes I'll hear a particular line from a movie or television that inspires me.  Case in point:  "Finally."  One word, said when the hero/heroine finally kiss at the end.  For weeks I was all about "finally", and I ended up with a plot for another book.  That had nothing to do with the hero/heroine waiting forever for the first kiss.
Other times, there's something I've seen as I've passed by.  A creepy hospital led to a series as my alter-ego about the Knights Templar.  My writing co-hort and I went to a conference and passed a hysterical street name.  We now have a joint series in the works, set in a town with that name, and our impression of what that name "portrays".
Still other times there's something I know I want to do, so I'll stew on ideas until I figure out what works with that particular object/place/plot point.  For example, I have a big, goofy Newfoundland dog who loves people but intimidates them when she comes bounding up, slobber flying.  I want a Newfie in a book, and I set out to figure out where/how a dog like that would fit.  (Hilarious is all I'll say.)
Characters will hit me as well.  They don't always end up starring in the next particular work, but the work might be driven toward his/her eventual story.  When this happens, when I'm able to get to that story, those are the easiest writes by far.  The stories almost tend to write themselves.  Example – A Broken Christmas, by my alter-ego, Claire Ashgrove.  Another example – Sergei in STRIPPED.  I considered, "Does Natalya work with anyone?" and BAM!  There he was, out of nowhere.  You will see him again, I promise.
There are times I wish I could say, "This is what I do when my muse goes silent."  Unfortunately, I suffer from the reverse problem – my muse is never silent.  Most recently, when she was faced with the task of creating a three-book proposal, she kept spouting stuff that yielded ten to accomplish the subplot.  And then she comes up with some crazy ideas like, "You can really write 8 novellas in 8 months while you're working on those contracted deadlines."
At any given time I have anywhere from 2 -5 books running around in my head.  I stop long enough to put down a little info in an outline, set the idea aside, finish what I'm working on, and then I will look at my schedule for the year and see if I can work the idea in anywhere.  If not, it sits a little longer.  If so, it gets written then.
More often than not, I've had to learn how to push aside ideas and leave them for other authors.  Like the YA idea that hit me one afternoon out of nowhere.  I ran with it for about ten minutes before I consciously had to tell myself, "You don't write YA, you're not going to write YA.  Leave it alone."
I have had a lot of people remark that the overflow is a "gift".  Trust me… not always.  It's a pain the rear to be sidelined by a random idea when you're in the middle of something else.  Particularly if it's a character who won't shut up, until he/she gets acknowledgement.  I have one right now hammering at me.  He doesn't seem to understand that before he gets to speak any further, my editor has to thumbs up the proposal ;)
Whether you're a writer or not, I'd like to know if there's anything that inspires you for your particular hobbies.  Care to tell me below?
~Tori
Tori St. Claire grew up writing. Hobby quickly turned into passion, and when she discovered the world of romance as a teen, poems and short stories gave way to full length novels with sexy heroes and heroines waiting to be swept off their feet. She wrote her first romance novel at seventeen.
While that manuscript gathered dust-bunnies beneath the bed, she went on to establish herself as a contemporary, historical, and paranormal author under the pen name, Claire Ashgrove. Her writing, however, skirted a fine line between hot and steamy, and motivated by authors she admired, she pushed her boundaries and made the leap into erotica, using the darker side of human nature and on-the-edge suspense to drive grittier, sexier, stories.

Her erotic romantic suspense novels are searingly sensual experiences that unite passion with true emotion, and the all-consuming tie that binds -- love.
Tori can be found at:
www.toristclaire.com
www.claireashgrove.com Twitter: @claireashgrove

Blurb:
Body of secrets…
As a member of the CIA's elite, Black Opals, Natalya Trubachev must live a lie, working undercover as the lover of Dmitri, a Russian mob boss. His business is trafficking vulnerable Las Vegas strippers overseas for twisted sex games. Natalya's business is to blow the ring wide open and bring down Dmitri and his American contacts. But the stakes are raised when she learns that the next target is her own sister Kate, a dancer in the famed club Fantasia. Only now does Natalya realize how personal her mission has become, and how far she's willing to go to complete it.
Body of lies…
The manager of Fantasia is Brandon Moretti, an undercover detective who keeps a close eye on his girls, and an even closer one on his sinfully sensual hire. For Natalya, working the club could be the break she's been waiting for. But for Moretti, Natalya is a possible link to a killer. Only he never counted on her being so lethally seductive or so dangerous to get close to.  As every forbidden pleasure between them is stripped away, his own secrets threaten their security, but it's Natalya's that could destroy them both.
Excerpt:
He slammed the ball of his fist down on her desk. A box of chocolate-covered cherries jumped. He glanced at the white and red carton briefly, then dismissed it, locking his gaze with Natalya's once more. "I'll tell you about wrong ideas. Let's start with how your boss told you not to dance, and you decided to do so anyway.""My boss?" Natalya laughed again. "Make up your mind which role you want to play, Brandon. You're only my boss when it's convenient for you. Otherwise you're too busy fucking me."He clamped his teeth down on the stream of oaths that choked off his air. He couldn't argue with the truth. Moreover, he caught the flat glint of her eyes. The unfeeling stare that told him the words were real enough, but the woman who said them wasn't. For a moment, in the dancers' lounge, he'd glimpsed that mesmerizing Natalya who drove him to maddening limits. While this shell made him every bit as crazy, he ached for the woman who prompted him into foolishness. She had been on the stage. She deserved the fight."Damn it, where are you?" Frustrated beyond all means, he swiped his arm across the desk, sending the chocolates flying into the wall.She blinked. But not at him, he realized, as he followed the trajectory of her gaze. She stared at the floor where the box had broken open. Smashed chocolate-covered cherries coated the floor, sugary ooze pouring from a squashed corner.Brandon straightened. Unease filtered through his angry haze. He'd hit the candy hard. But not hard enough to smash two entire trays of candies, each held in egg-shaped cups. That candy was already crushed, long before he'd hit it. And to accomplish that, while keeping the flimsy plastic cups from collapsing, someone had done it piece by piece."Who gave you that?" His gaze flicked back to hers, and he took a small measure of satisfaction at witnessing the truth behind her eyes before she once again snapped the shutters closed."I told you jealousy wasn't a pretty color for you."He pursed his lips, ground his teeth together. With patience that defied his years of training, he gritted out, "No games. Who gave you the chocolate, Natalya?"Defiance radiated in the proud jut of her chin. Sparkled behind her unblinking stare. Then, as she blinked, the facade crumbled. She shook her head. "It wasn't here when I left for the stage."In the next heartbeat, the color drained from her face. He knew then, she'd made a connection. Associated the candy with someone else. Someone who had the capacity to strike fear into her fearless little heart.





Tori is giving away a a $25 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky commenter! Be sure to follow the tour for a better chance to win. 

A Taste for a Mate: Six Sentence Sunday - #24

This is from my upcoming release A Taste for a Mate. It comes out Feb 6th and is book 2 in the Redwood Pack series. :-)

The wood beneath his hands felt warm as he carved the banisters for Willow's bakery. He loved working with wood, making this come to life. This was for Willow, his Willow."You done fondling that wood?" Reed laughed."At least I have something to fondle," Jasper quipped.
Be sure to check the others sixers here.

Interview with Tonya Kinzer

Hi! Thanks so much for coming today. Tell us a little bit about yourself. 
Tonya:  I'm a woman who enjoys writing that opens new doors of reading entertainment to individuals and partners who read together. I'm a wife, mother, sister, friend….the sweetheart next door! *wink* I've been writing for years but only recently decided to self publish. I'm pretty techie and find the formatting and uploading easy once you figure out how each site works because all of them are different. It takes patience and the ability to read directions. I'm self taught in most of what I know how to do and do my own covers, book trailers, promo items and websites.
Tell us a bit about your book.
Tonya:  Their Submissive Switch goes deeper into the learning process of the BDSM lifestyle for Sondra and she learns enough to turn the tables on one of the Masters, surprising him with what she's learned. They enjoy playing in Palm Springs and this story takes them back there.
Is this part of a series?
Tonya:  This is book four in The Boss's Pet series and is the hottest of all the books so far. I didn't mean it to be that way but the characters took off on me!
What did you find the hardest part of writing it to be?
Tonya:  I'm lucky that I have a very vivid imagination and don't get stuck on writer's block too often.
What was your favorite part?
Tonya:  I love adding scenes that I know the readers will enjoy and be tempted to take one of their hands off that keyboard or e-reader!
Rate your story in terms of steaminess
Tonya:  It would be an 8 if it went that high…some of the scenes are pretty intense. This isn't your grandmother's romance novel by any means and if a reader is new to BDSM, this could be a shocker for them. I don't get into heavy bondage but more on the sexual intensity side of forbidden pleasures.
Who is your favorite romance author?
Tonya:  There are so many. In the erotic genre, that could easily be Cherise Sinclair and I used to read a lot of historical romances by Virginia Henley, Johanna Lindsey, Rosemary Rogers and Kathleen Woodiwiss.  Ooops, might have just aged myself there! *wink*
Who is your favorite romance character? If you could go on a date with that person, what would you do? Details please! *wink*
Tonya:  That could easily be one of the heroes from Johanna Lindsey's historical novels/series. Her men are so strong! I'd love to be held in that embrace and let him break me….mmmm….sorry! *wicked laugh*  Take me aboard that ship, Sir, and let's rock with the waves….or perhaps I could take him to my dungeon and chain him to the wall! Tsssss!
Boxers or Briefs?Tonya:  thongs - yes, on my man!
What is next for you?
Tonya:  The Boss has me busy at the office the next few months so the next book likely won't be out until maybe late summer. Sorry! I also plan to write a story or two outside the series……*wink* ….maybe a spinoff!

What were your first impressions of each other?
Nick:  As soon as Sondra stepped into my office, I knew I wanted to get inside her head. She had too much self confidence not to want her in my life. I envisioned her wanting to be a part of my lifestyle, that secret I shared with no one else. I knew with her self-esteem, she'd not have a problem being a submissive and letting me take control for a change.
Sondra:  I was drawn to his sexy blue eyes and the confidence he has. He wasn't intimidated that I appeared as a strong woman who knew what she wanted. He waited quite a while to slowly introduce me into his lifestyle. I'd never heard of that before and the more he taught me, the more I like it. BDSM is more about self-control than anything and the mind games that are a part it have to be understood by both parties. I love it!
What are your favorite parts about each other?
Nick:  Sondra is comfortable with who she is and taking on the submissive role in our relationship doesn't mess with her mind because she knows herself and is confident. I do think I may be teaching her too much, though. She's getting cocky!
Sondra:   Nick only has to look at me in his stern manner for me to know I've stepped over the line regarding our lifestyle areas. He's calm, very thorough and never raises his voice. Now in the office dealing with our clients, he considers me an equal when checking out investment portfolios so I thoroughly enjoy working at the office.
What's next for you?
Tonya:  I'll start another book in May or June. I need to catch up on a lot of sites and interviews to promote book four and the series. I'd like to venture onto some UK book sites so we'll see where that leads. Look me up and keep your eyes out for upcoming news on my website and blog.
Contest:  One lucky winner will be picked on Saturday, Jan 21 to win a $15 gift card! Please leave a comment with your email so I can reach you!
Tonya's Bio
Tonya Kinzer is a self-published erotic romance author whose books are quickly climbing the charts at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you're looking for a romance with a little more spice than the average hot read, you won't want to miss taking a look at her work. She writes erotic romance for readers who love to become a silent character within the story! You will be pulled into scenes to partake of the activities along the lines of soft bondage and Dom/sub relationships, to feel what her characters feel and taste what they taste...strong sexual desires much like your own! Be prepared to enter a world you'll not want to leave and can't wait to get back to…worlds where new submissives and demanding Doms entice you to read more!Her series, The Boss's Pet, will take you on a journey alongside Nick and Sondra as they venture into a lifestyle that pulls them deeper into a world of sensuality and submission. You'll not want to miss any of the books in this series so stay locked on her website to know when the next books get released.When she isn't writing, she's the pet for her own Boss, where she works a few days a week. Her day job is seasonal so this allows her to write during the off season as well as design covers, websites, and promo items. She also enjoys helping other authors where she can with their editing and being a critique partner when time allows.       Bk 1 - The Contract    Bk 2 - Office Training   Bk 3 - Sharing Among Friends   Bk 4 - Their Submissive Switch 
Buy LinksB & N:  http://tinyurl.com/6cgprjf Amazon:  US:  http://tinyurl.com/3fetwfq   UK:  http://tinyurl.com/4xbsr5b  DE:  http://tinyurl.com/3oouotgAll Romance & OmniLit:  http://www.omnilit.com/category237.html SmashWords:  http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/tonyakinzerXcite E-books:  http://tinyurl.com/3v96wo4Erotic Escapes E-books:  http://www.eroticescapesebooks.com/index.php?cat=2
Site LinksWebsite:  http://tonyakinzer.comBlog Site:  http://tonyakinzer.blogspot.comFB Fan Page:  http://tinyurl.com/4sh37tk FaceBook:  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_163160073732655&ap=1Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/tonyakinzerBookBuzzr:  http://www.freado.com/users/26001/tonya-kinzerIAN:  http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/tonya-kinzer.html Author's Den:  http://www.authorsden.com/tonyakinzerManic Readers:  http://www.manicreaders.com/TonyaKinzer/
Book Trailer YouTube:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HykMSl9FYvY
Excerpt:
Forcing herself to remove her bra and panties, she knew she needed to change into her leather corset, fishnets, gloves and black heels. The feel of the warm leather against her skin made her feel so sexy, knowing Nick loved seeing her breasts protruding from the nipple holes in the bra. Even now, her nipples hardened as she tweaked them the same way her Master would; she squeezed them as hard and as long as she could manage, knowing it helped her endure what he would do.Pleasing Him got her so excited; she loved posing in the positions He described for her, like tonight...how long would she have to be on her hands and knees waiting until He came through the door?She collected her tweezer nipple clamps with the red feathers, the new flogger, ball gag, her largest vibrator and her wet thong, and then sauntered out to His end table. With careful attention, she displayed the items in the order He would want each of them. She knew her wet thong would be first; He'd pick it up, hold it to His nose and breathe in her musky scent. Men loved the smell of damp thongs! Next would be her nipple clamps, then the ball gag, flogger and vibrator.Quickly, Sondra went to the kitchen for His glass of Single Barrel Jack Daniels and poured it over ice, taking it back to His end table.Then she glanced at the clock.Five minutes to spare.Carefully, she got on her hands and knees in front of His chair with her back to his view...or rather, her ass. She spread her knees as far apart as she could handle, then balanced herself on her forearms, palms up, forehead to the carpet...and waited, listening.The carpet tickled her hard nipples; her own punishment.The garage door sounded and her heart began to race, knowing soon she'd hear His footsteps in the kitchen. He'd probably be able to smell her scent even from that distance.The back door closed ever so quietly.Blood pounded in her ears. Even for as long as they'd been doing this, each time was like the first time. The excitement sparked along her nerves and made her juices flow before she was ready.Damnit!His keys hit the table by the back door.His footsteps sounded softly on the kitchen tile as he made his way toward her.Slow deep breaths still didn't calm her racing heart. She wanted whatever Her Master had in mind for her. Pleasing Him was priority number one.Suddenly His footsteps stopped at His chair and He groaned aloud. She knew that satisfied groan of His. As He moved to sit down, His shoe bumped the toe of her high heels, causing her to jump and she waited for Nick to scold her but nothing came of it.The ice in His drink sounded as He took a sip. She imagined the amber liquid seeping over His tongue and she wanted so bad to taste that right now, but...He knew that. He knew she loved the taste of Single Barrel, the smooth burn, the cool feel of his tongue as He swirled it over hers.Waiting seemed the hardest part but moving before He gave her permission would bring on the flogger and she wasn't ready for that just yet."Tip your hips more, slut....that's it. Gawd I love seeing you like this...your knees so far apart that it separates your lips and cheeks to show me exactly what I rushed home to see."The ice in His glass sounded again and she wanted a taste so bad.Suddenly icy cold hit her lower back, tracing even lower and she gritted her teeth, feeling the melting ice trickle down between her cheeks, over her hot pussy but she knew not to moan."The red welts on your ass will recede in a day or so...unless you require more this evening."He groaned again and she imagined his gaze taking in the red welts against her milky white skin, making them appear more prominent."I can see your nipples love the rough carpet. That should harden them for the clamps later."She heard him place something on the floor between her feet."Reach your hand back for me and take up that huge vibrator. With as wet as you appear to be, it should slip in with ease. I want to watch."He couldn't be serious? Her fingers couldn't even wrap around the entire thing!

The Male POV with SL Carpenter

The Male POVS.L. Carpenter

Thanks for inviting me to post on your blog. Being an open topic blog is like putting a bowl of ice cream out in front of me.There's going to be whipped cream involved sometime.
One question I get asked a lot is what it is like to be a man in a world dominated by women. I refer to the ice cream comment above. There's going to be whipped cream involved. (Just don't let my wife know because I value my, umm, jewels).
Actually I like being a romance writer. Women have always been interesting to me. Not just as eye candy. From the days of unsnapping bras off mannequins I have admired women. I also learn from them. I listen well and think, being a male, it gives me one advantage, a different perspective.
Being around groups of women at conventions and functions is fascinating to me because I see so many different mannerisms and nuances that I use when writing a female character. I have been told it helps because I pick up on things and add that to my writing.
The small things are what interest me. Like how a woman takes such time and detail on their appearance. From their nails to the small indentions on a skirt, the wave of their hair to the color of their heels. More men should appreciate these small details and realize that women do this for our benefit. And also to show up the other women that didn't get the new Coach purse.
But, I have to be honest, I love looking at women and the female form. Women are beautiful creatures. From the curvature of their neck to the slope of the lower back…where was I?  Oh ya, being in a female dominated business.
With all the good does come a bad. Women drive me absolutely crazy (A wife and two daughters will agree to that). But that's what all men think. I do get asked by readers and other writers about the male point of view.
To me men are pretty easy to figure out.They only need 3 basic things to be kept happy.My question to you lovely ladies is what do you think the 3 things are?
While you ponder that question take a look at my upcoming release -

OWNED by S.L. CarpenterPublisher: Samhain PublishingRelease Date: January 17, 2012
Ownership comes with a price. Make sure you're prepared to pay it. 
Friends with benefits? Eric and Lauren are definitely that. A Friday night, a hotel, and a night of hot, satisfying sex. That's it. Recently, though, Eric finds himself wanting more. More time, more fun, more Lauren.

Trouble is, she's all tied up in her career, totally uninterested in getting tied down. How will she react when he musters up the guts to ask her for what he really wants: her to be completely his for one weekend. To let him own her, body and soul.

Lauren is sure Eric is just overthinking their strictly casual relationship. Still, the thought of doing exactly what he wants, whenever and wherever he wants, intrigues her. What's not to like about letting go, handing everything over to a man she trusts in every way?

Their getaway is more sensual, more daring, more perfect than either of them anticipated. Until that most feared of emotions raises its head and takes aim at their hearts.

Product Warnings
Contains references to ownership, domination and complete submission; extra panties may be required, along with ice. This is not a book about training your pets, so treats and squeaky toys are not necessary, unless you're into that...
If you are interested in finding out more about me, my books, and my art stop on by:BlogWebsiteFacebookTwitter
Don't forget I'm giving away a new Kindle e-reader for the release of my new book OWNED . To enter the contest, just follow my Blog and subscribe to my newsletter. I'll draw the winner from the newsletter subscribers on January 22nd.

Character Interview with Lacey Wolfe

Thank you Carrie for letting us take over your blog today. Today I have Skylar all alone and away from her man, Drew for a little one on one interview.

Lacey: Thanks for coming to talk to me today Skylar.Skylar: Anytime.

Lacey: Let's get right to the point and try not to give too much away in case someone hasn't read your story. Sound good?Skylar: Yup, give me your best.

Lacey: Alright. How did you feel when you woke-up alone in that hotel room that Drew just left you at?Skylar: Ouch…geez Lacey. Well it sucked. Originally I thought maybe he was in the bathroom or had gone to get us breakfast or something. So I got up and dressed and waited. After about fifteen minutes I knew something was up. I was livid. Oh and you know what the worst part was, something you might not know…I didn't have my car. I had to get a cab to take me home. Do you have any idea how much that costs? Glad you brought that up now, Drew owes me an expensive dinner.

Lacey: I better ignore any calls from Drew then. But that certainly would be expensive. When you first saw Drew again at the club, did you think he'd talk to you?Skylar: No, I figured after he ditched me he would've just ignored me.

Lacey: Well, you and I know that didn't happen. *snickers* After your little encounter in the ally, did you really think it was over?Skylar: At the time yes, but looking back now I know better. We obviously had a chemistry that was stronger than me not wanting to be with him.

Lacey: You weren't easy on him, that's for sure.Skylar: Can you blame me?

Lacey: Not really. I had a reviewer say you should have hit him with a skillet. Do you agree?Skylar: A skillet? *laughes* In the beginning I probably would have agreed, but now I love him to pieces. If he played me again, he might get worse then a skillet.

Lacey: Remind me to never get on your bad side. You red heads are feisty.Skylar: I'll take that as a compliment.

Lacey: While Drew was trying his hardest to win you back, was it hard to resist him?Skylar: God yes! Every time I saw him I wanted to feel his hot body pressed against me. I wanted to touch and explore and…

Lacey: We get the point. How are things at Hot Bods today?Skylar: Busy. It's the New Year. We all know what most people hope for at the beginning of the year. Tons and tons of new members at the gym.

Lacey: Before you go, tell me how things are now for you and Drew.Skylar: Fantastic! Never better. We're in the process of moving in together. And my best friend Amy just might have found love. Her story will be out soon, so be sure to give her some love.

Lacey: Thanks Skylar for chatting with me.Skylar: Anytime. Without you I wouldn't have my Drew.

Want to know more about Skylar and Drew's story? Check out the first book in the Hot Bods series, Fool Me Once.

Blurb:Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…Drew is the last person Skylar wanted to see across from her at a local bar. A month ago he'd wined and dined her all weekend, leaving her feeling fully in love, but then she awoke alone in an empty hotel room and she hadn't heard from him since.The weekend Drew spent with Skylar was phenomenal. There had never been anyone who made him feel as complete as she did. He shouldn't have disappeared, he should have called, but his feelings for her scared him, so he distanced himself. But when he saw her again, he knew he couldn't stay away any longer.Skylar's determined not to give Drew another chance to hurt her, but he's just as determined to win her back. Although it won't be easy, he's up to the challenge, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish his goal.Content Warning: Explicit SexBuy Links: Amazon / Nook / BeachwalkPress/ _AllRomance / BookstrandTo learn more about me, visit my website www.laceywolfe.comI am on twitter and facebook alsowww.twitter.com/LaceyWolfe    www.facebook.com/AuthorLaceyWolfe

Interview with Stephanie Queen

Hi! Please welcome Stephanie Queen to the blog!!!

Stephanie is giving away an ecopy of her book, The Throwbacks AND a $25 Amazon GC to one lucky person who comments. Be sure to leave your email address to be entered.

Stephanie Queen Interviews Dan O'Keefe, sidekick to the hero in The Throwbacks, David Young. The Throwbacks is a romantic comedy mystery.
SQ:  It must be fabulous being the sidekick to the great detective from Scotland Yard, David Young, who's come to Boston to help you out?
Dan:  I thought this interview was about me?
SQ:  Answer the question.
Dan: Fabulous.
SQ:  Elaborate.
Dan:  I'm the real workhorse behind the scenes solving the murder and kidnapping. He's the suave and sophisticated cool character, so he gets all the attention. And he's lucky. Especially with women.
SQ:  What do you think about David's love interest, Grace?
Dan:  She's every middle-aged man's dream come true. Don't you think you should make her more realistic? Give her a flaw—other than being slightly neurotic as all women are—make her fat or…
SQ:  Hey, wait a minute. You do your job and I'll do mine.
Dan:  And about her half-pint sidekick, Sophia the Pixie. Why don't you let me just shoot her?  Just a harmless shot in the foot?  Heck, her and Grace are always shooting themselves in the foot anyway, figuratively speaking.
SQ:  You're off topic. Tell me about yourself. How did you get to be Chief of Police in Boston?
Dan:  [Silence]
SQ:  Well?
Dan:  I don't know. You were pretty stingy with my back-story. One minute I'm a childhood friend of David's playing Dick Tracy and the next thing you know I'm married with a kid and chief of the Boston Police Department.
Me:  Oh…
Dan:  So what are you going to do about it?
SQ:  How about if I give you your own story, a novelette about Dan O'Keefe and how he got to be the real life Dick Tracy. It'll be about how your childhood dream comes true when you become Chief of the Boston Police Department?
Dan:  Don't make rash promises.
SQ:  I promise.
Dan: You're a real…
SQ:  Interview over.
Info about the awesome Stephanie Queen 
Personal Tid-Bits:
I have a cat named Kitty  (don't criticize).My writing has been called quirky. (whatever that means).I'm in a Master's  degree program in Literature & Creative Writing at Harvard University (no, I'm not kidding)Dr. Seuss often inspires my writing (see quirky).I love romance with a capital "R" (happy endings, love story optional).My stories are set in rose-colored-glasses worlds (I'm selling the glasses for a bargain price—talk to me later).If Pollyanna had a twitter handle, I'd follow her (she's a fictional character right?)
Amazon Links:
Between a Rock and a Mad Woman: http://www.amazon.com/Between-Rock-Mad-Woman-ebook/dp/B005M23KQW/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1
The Throwbacks: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0067DDUTW
$.99 Cent EBOOKS
Book Lovers Buffet
The Throwbacks 55 word blurb:
To salvage his career, exiled Scotland Yard "Flying Squad" detective, the not-so-young David Young, joins the Boston Police Department.   But this rogue detective can't resist an unlikely romance with his young and vivacious decorator, Grace Rogers, even when she becomes a key witness in his high-stakes case--and like Kryptonite to his career and well-being.


Chapter 1Grace tip-toed along the brick path, trying not to get her party heels stuck in the cracks. She heard the cab pull away from the curb and looked back. Sophia bounced behind her, wearing  sensible party boots."Do you realize you gave that taxi driver twenty dollars for a two dollar fare?" her friend said."Oh—just like in the song." Grace smiled and climbed the steps leading to Mabel's back door. Then she stopped. She felt Sophia stop right behind her."What?" Sophia prompted."You know. The Harry Chapin song where…""Quit stalling, Grace. This is not a surprise birthday party. Open the door.""Are we sure about that? Today is my birthday." Or at least she'd always celebrated her birthday on October fifteenth as a close approximation. No one had ever come up with a more likely date."No kidding?  Not your thirtieth birthday is it?" Sophia stood on the step below her, making her even shorter than she already was. She looked like an updated version of Lucille Ball with an attitude and a bob. That thought made Grace smile. "Wait until you turn thirty and see. You'll have palpitations too." Grace turned and pushed through the door into the back hall of Mabel's Beacon Hill townhouse, willing away that intruder sensation she always got. Mabel was as good as family, she almost said out loud. Like the eccentric old aunt she used to dream up for herself back when she used to dream about it.As they stepped into the old woman's kitchen, the powerful aroma of food and familiarity warmed her. Even the clatter of the no-doubt expensive caterers didn't spoil the homey effect. "Mabel went all out for this bash.  Any idea why she would be hosting this Scotland Yard party?" Sophia asked as she followed her through the kitchen"I don't know. It's a very big deal to her, though. My attendance was a command performance. I only wish I had a date." She looked down at her friend. "No offense."Grace began to give herself the usual pep talk for going into a party dateless, the one about her soul mate being around the next corner, when her purse rang. Somewhere deep inside her  bag her ringing phone hid. Weaving around the catering staff, she crossed the black-and-white tiled kitchen to the swinging doors as she dug inside the bag to find the phone. "Buck up," Sophia said. "After all, thirty is the new twenty, right? It's not like you're a spinster." The ringing grew louder as she pulled the phone from its depths. Mabel's Scotland Yard party waited on the other side of the door in front of them. Pushing through the door into the room that Mabel called the "grand salon," she stabbed the call button and spoke into the phone. Using what she hoped was a discreet voice, she said "Hello.""Grace! I'm so glad I got you!" Her friend Theresa Torini's voice boomed from the other end of the line so that anyone might hear everything.  "There's been a murder!""What? You didn't say murder?" Grace said. Then she clapped a hand over her mouth and darted her eyes around to see if anyone was paying attention. A few curious glances were thrown her way. Still holding the phone to her ear, not one more word volunteered its way to her mouth. "Yes! A murder! And you have to help!" Theresa shrieked loud enough for Sophia to hear.Sophia's mouth opened to speak, but Grace shook her head furiously. Sophia clamped her mouth shut and clamped a hand on Grace's arm, her eyes perplexed. Grace frowned. Murder? Her help? What the heck was she talking about? But even if Theresa was crazy or confused, her hysteria sounded real. "Take a deep breath, honey—aren't you at your wedding rehearsal dinner?" Grace asked."Yes!" Grace moved the phone a distance from her head to lessen the effect of her friend's shocking volume. She moved away from people as best she could with the crowd already in full swing, pulling Sophia, who was still clamped to her arm, with her."That's what I'm trying to tell you—Rick's brother—oh poor Rick—his brother who was supposed to be our best man—has been shot! Murdered! Right here!""Oh no! I can't believe it!" Grace stopped, truly taken aback. She watched Sophia's face turn from confused to incredulous. Grace looked around. A few people stared, and some raised eyebrows. She put on a reassuring smile. Sophia stuck to her arm, listening in. "Is she serious?" Grace wasn't sure. She shook her head."When did this all happen?" Grace asked."Just now—that's why I'm calling you.""What do you want me to do? I'll do whatever you need. Are the police there?" Grace asked. It occurred to her that this was a bad time for a murder across town. All the police were at this party."No. We have to keep it a secret…""Honey—I hate to tell you this—but you're making no sense whatsoever and normally I'm right on the same page with you but…""We can't call the police! We don't want the reporters to know. The Mayor—Dad—insists we keep it hush-hush. No media. So I'm calling you…""I'm flattered but…" Grace had no idea what to say. Her friend was hysterical. Worse, the Mayor was insane."So you can tell the police, but discreetly," Theresa said and it finally made sense."Oh—I get it. Because I'm here at the police party.""Yes! But you have to find Dan O'Keefe—the Chief—and tell him it's top secret.""I don't know who he is, honey. Why don't you call him directly?""Don't you think they've been trying that? They can't get through on his personal cell phone and they don't want to call his official line because then everyone will know.""Okay, I'll try to find him—what does he look like?" Grace leaned down toward Sophia so she could be in on the conversation. She despaired at the generic description Theresa gave them to work with, but she didn't complain. "Sweetheart, don't worry—Sophia and I will ask around. We'll find the Chief. And we promise to keep the murder under our hats. I'll have him call you as soon as we find him." She shoved the phone back in her bag."Gees, and I thought Mabel's 'Welcome Scotland Yard Party' with the Boston police brass and stuffy British big-shots was going to be as exciting as a Latin mass," Sophia said. "This is serious—keep a look out for a tall, middle-aged man," she said to her friend. But the prospect was daunting. The sounds of crystal and silver clinking like children pounding on xylophones sharpened as Grace drew them further into the crowd, looking around. The high-ceilinged room was bright with chandelier light and warm with the haze of cigars and way too many people. "You look decorative." Sophia eyed her. "We have a better chance of the police Chief finding you first with those colors you're wearing. Why don't you stand on one of these pedestals and give a shout out?" Grace squinted at her diminutive friend. She had no room to talk. Sophia wore her typical offbeat outfit. Tonight she looked as if she'd stepped out of a fifties sitcom with a cinch-waisted dress and pearls. Grace surveyed the room, skimming over the guests to linger on the high style of the art deco furnishings that made this her favorite townhouse in all of Boston's tony Beacon Hill. She sighed."I don't know where to start. All these men look the same to me."Then her gaze caught on a tall man in a dark suit out in the entry hall. He'd just walked in on a breeze with dried maple leaves floating to the floor around him. He strode into the room and straight into the clutches of several blue-haired ladies and shiny-headed men. They immediately embraced him with cheek-kissing and backslapping affection. Grace watched as the mystery man withstood the onslaught with aplomb. "At least you can see them—I should have asked Theresa for a description of his shoes," Sophia said. "No whining. I wonder if that man could be the Chief?" "What man?" Sophia asked, standing on tiptoes. "The distinguished-looking man. Over there." Grace pointed as subtly as possible with her brilliant orange fingernails. "Nice nails," Sophia said. "Could be the Chief. Or he could be the big-shot from Scotland Yard.""What?" Grace said. She only half listened to Sophia. The mystery man had moved, but it was easy to keep track of him by the sound of laughter. He was like a fun island in the middle of an ocean of blue bloods. "We need to start somewhere. Let's start by asking him." She took her friend's arm and steered her in his direction.Grace got them within two feet of the man and then stopped. She watched the man more carefully as she considered him. "I never met anyone in the crime-fighting field before…" she whispered, trying not to show her simmering excitement. Sophia rolled her eyes. "Grace, he's not Batman.""But he could be heroic." She thought the words out loud. She shoved aside the possibility that she might be disappointed, and with a tingle of anticipation, she walked right up to Mr. Distinguished. A man like him, a possible crime-fighting hero, would appreciate a bold approach. "Hello. I'm Grace Rogers. And I'm hoping you're Boston's Chief of Police." She gave the man her best bright smile.
David turned, and his eyes met a classic Marilyn look-alike with bouncing blond curls, twinkling brown eyes and a single deep dimple. He automatically looked over her colorfully clad va-voom body--out of professional habit. He was proud that he kept his mouth closed and his eyes from popping. In the year since he'd moved back to the States, he hadn't felt more adrift and out of sorts than he did at this very moment. What could he possibly say to this ridiculously young and beautiful bombshell? Where's your father?"Hello, young lady. Why do you hope that I am the police chief of this city?" He couldn't wait for this answer as he eyed her dimple and looked into her earnest eyes."I need to report a murder."Hmmm.
Stephanie is giving away an ecopy of her book, The Throwbacks AND a $25 Amazon GC to one lucky person who comments. Be sure to leave your email address to be entered.

Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word

Please Welcome Guest Blogger Megan Slayer.
Megan will be giving away a $10 Changeling Press GB to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Be sure to follow the tour, as the more you comment the better your chances of winning. Find the tour listings here. 

Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
I was asked to write about healing through love for this post. Now before I get started , I want to thank Carrie Ann Ryan for hosting me. I'm having a great time on the tour and am glad to be here. Great blog and great stop.Now on to the topic and why I gave the post the title I did. In life there seems to be lots of words we can say without thinking. Lots of words we say in anger, love and just because. But there are very few we can say that are hard. I don't mean hard as in we can't pronounce them. I mean hard because it's admitting we might be wrong or have hurt someone. Although in the heat of the moment, I've found it rather hard to actually get the word sorry out. Sorry sometimes really is the hardest word. When I sat down to write Permanent, I wasn't sure what I was going to write. I had a character in my head who was hurting. River is a damaged man. He's been through things that some of us have no concept of how to deal with. I really had to get into his head to tell his story and do it justice. He wants to be loved, but he's convinced he's unlovable. Tory, River's roommate, doesn't know the storied history River's has lived. He cares about River. Now I won't get into exactly how the story plays out, but there's a healthy dose of love that's injected into the friendship. There's time and tenderness involved.So how do we heal? Time, love and tenderness. Okay, so Michael Bolton reference aside, I honestly believe time, love, and tenderness. I've been lucky to not have been in many situations where my life has fallen apart. I've had the fortune to know how to land on my feet and just keep going forward. But don't think that's enough. I've got a wonderful DH and when I have had times that I've been down and out, he gives me the time, love and tenderness I need to get back up. He helps me get through the muck and heal. That's just my take on healing through love. You need that one special person or a ring of special people to help you through. Don't be afraid to let those people know you need help and never be afraid to say I can't handle something.Thanks to Carrie Ann for letting me stop by and what are your thoughts on healing through love? I'm game to hear and chatter about it. 
Author Info:
When she's not writing the stories in her head, Megan Slayer can be found luxuriating in her hot tub with her two vampire Cabana boys, Luke and Jeremy. She has the tendency to run a tad too far with her muse, so she has to hide in the head of her alter ego, but the boys don't seem to mind.             When she's not obsessing over her whip collection, she can be found picking up her kidlet from school.She enjoys writing in all genres, but writing about men in love suits her fancy best.
Currently hanging out every Wednesday and Friday at the Menagerie Authors site, hunting Hotties for the Saturday posts, and working on the next great story brewing in her head!
http://www.wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan... (Megan's current site)http://theauthormeganslayer.blogspot.... Blog) http://menagerieauthors.blogspot.com/ (Megan's personal blog)http://twitter.com/#!/MeganSlayer(Megan on Twitter)http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.ph... (Megan on FB)http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Menagerie-Authors/180690948613536 (Menagerie Fan Page)
Blurb:
Sometimes love just ain't enough...
 River Cortland trusted the person he loved. His faith couldn't protect him from the bitter sting of a cold-hearted Domme. If he's going to learn to trust again, he's got to deal with his past.  His roommate and best friend, Tory, has seen the physical damage and hasn't walked away. Can he deal with the emotional scars as well?
Tory McClellan wanted the carefree life...until one night with River changed everything. There's more to the shy art teacher and Tory wants to know everything-how he tastes, the scent of his skin, the feel of his body as they make love. What terror lies behind River's brown eyes? Better yet, how can Tory make the sadness go away and be in River's life, permanently?

Excerpt:
"Come get me. Need help. Please?"The guy was usually unflappable and placid. For River to freak out, it had to be something huge. His heart hammered against his ribs. The fear and pain in River's voice ate at him. Sure, he knew River liked to play at the club, but the last time he checked, River came home unscathed.Tory wrenched the Jeep into the parking lot. Was he supposed to go in? Wait at the door? As he drove through the parking lot, he spied a figure huddled next to the ebony column.  He knew the plaid shirt. He'd given River the shirt last Christmas, but dear God, according to the Jeep it wasn't above freezing out. Tory jerked to a halt and burst from the vehicle. He knelt next to his friend. The bright white and deep greens barely showed in the midst of the dark marring the cotton fabric."What happened?" Tory propped River on his arm, supporting River as he stumbled to the car. "That's what you get for being bombed." Although he worked to sound nonchalant, something wasn't right. River tilted his head, making Tory gasp. Both of River's eyes were swollen, one completely shut. A cut bisected River's cheek and blood slipped down the dirt-stained skin.  His body trembled. His hair lay in damp hanks about his forehead. The stench of urine emanated from his clothes. Tory wrinkled his nose and clicked the seatbelt into place. The guy was in shock.  "You're shivering. Are you going to be sick?" 
Megan will be giving away a $10 Changeling Press GB to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Be sure to follow the tour, as the more you comment the better your chances of winning. Find the tour listings here.