Friday Guests: Wendi Zwaduk

Act Naturally

I wanted to thank Isabel for having me here today. I love stopping by the blog and seeing the cool things you're talking about. So the question you've posed to me is, what television show I'd guest on. Whew...what a tough question. First thing that came to mind was that old Beatles song "Act Naturally".
I know there were others that put the song out and I know the Beatles weren't the first, but that's the version I know. And yes, I think if I were on a Hollywood set, they'd say something like "the biggest fool to ever hit the big time and all I've gotta do is act naturally". They just might be right.

So now I'm thinking, there are a lot of shows I'd love to be on if given the chance. I'll list my top three and why.

1. I'd love to be on Ghost Adventures because they do go to some really cool places to gather evidence of the paranormal. It would be a lot of fun and scary as heck to go walking or wandering through an abandoned prison. Not sure I'd have the gumption to go through with it, but, hey, I'd love to collect my own proof ghosts and spirits really exist.

2. I'm a huge fan of the CSI franchise, CSI: Miami in particular. First of all, I'm in the land of snow and ice right now. Anywhere that's a little warmer would be good for me. Second of all, I'm smitten with Jon Togo a.k.a. CSI Wolfe. The guy has some issues—gambling, temper, and his style is odd (I love Converse, but on a cop? While on duty?) I'm not sure what kind of part I'd like, but hey, it's warm and there are hot bods around. A girl can't ask for much more.

3. Criminal Minds is another can't miss show. I'd love to be able to write characters as complex as the criminals they profile. Maybe one day. I also love that they show the story from both angles – the criminals and the profilers. In some ways, it's like the head-hopping we're all told not to do, but I still like it. I like knowing what both sides are thinking.

It's kind of funny. The types of shows I'd pick to guest on are somewhat in line with the books I write and yet they aren't. I love the paranormal, but I think a real vampire would scare me witless. I know people very close to me who have some proof of ghosts—did you know ghosts swear? I didn't until I heard the recordings. Also, I have a thing for cops apparently, and I've written them in more than one book, but I'm still working on the level of complexity of those characters.

I'm glad I got to think about the shows. It was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun. So I ask the readers, what show would you be on?

Thanks, Isabel! Can't wait to come back.


He's her kinkiest desire, if she's willing to open her heart and believe in him.

Blurb:
The dead don't always rest in peace. Some stick around to make the lives of the living hell on Earth. Ryan Black knows the frustration of dealing with the dead. He's a Ghost Explorer. He's conquered houses filled with apparitions, abandoned school buildings that house angry vermin, and managed to woo the female population of Snake Falls, Ohio. But he's about to face his toughest challenge, convincing sceptical Samara Jacobs she not only shares his gift, but holds his heart.

Women fall at Ryan Black's feet and Samara's determined not to be one of the many—that is until she's forced to work with him. He's certain ghosts exist and willing to prove it. The more she gets to know the man behind the television persona, she decides the handsome klutz who chases things that go bump in the night isn't so silly after all. But is he worthy of her love?

Excerpt (PG):


"Look around at the scenery. Ohio girls are the stuff of legend. For example, Meredith has those legs a man fantasizes having wrapped around his waist."

"Engaged."

"Well, then there's Caren. She's got a nice rack and she's single."

"Implants."

"Pick nits." Eddie snorted and shook his head. "You'll shoot down all my ideas just to be right." He scoped the cafeteria room once more. "What about Samara? She's cute in a girl-next-door kinda way. All peaches and cream. I've caught her checking you out once or twice—a day for the last year." He pointed to Ryan. "She'd make a perfect forever girl."

"I had my forever girl. But I could be wrong." Samara checked him out? Hmm... Kinda nice to know the attraction wasn't a figment of his undersexed imagination. He'd spent many a night fantasizing about her, holding her, making love to her, waking up in the morning and seeing her smile.

At her table across the room, Samara curled up in her chair, paperback book propped in one hand and concentration written on her face. From his position, he couldn't read the title, but he'd passed her desk enough times to know she liked romance novels. In the two years he'd worked in the same building with her, he'd heard her speak a total of three times but he knew her voice like his own.

"Ryan?"

"What? I'm checking out the scenery. It's—" he drew a breath, feeling more than the oxygen stirring something within his body. His sex drive? He shifted in his seat. Yeah, there was a definite tingle below the belt. "It's intriguing."