Ravencraft's Romance Realm

Cole Shilo, Story-Star of Charlene A. Wilson's Chronicles of Shilo Manor, Fills in the Blanks

2012-02-23T00:01:00.000-06:00

Cover art set here to show you Cole Shilo *Mmmm*

KDR~Hello Cole, welcome to Ravencraft’s Romance Realm. I’m Kay Dee Royal, the Ravencraft’sRomance sista who’s been looking forward all week to asking the BIG questionsto YOU. I’ve been taken with your story as told by Charlene A. Wilson, CornerstoneDeep, and the latest edition (book in the series) Cornerstone Deep Echoes,which are a retelling of your life and times in the Chronicles of Shilo Manor (series).

So, without further delay…everyone,I’d like to introduce Cole Shilo. *smiles*

COLE ~ *Cole smiles and nods to the blog readers* It’s a pleasure.

KDR~Please sit and get comfortable, Cole. Danielle, Bri, Sharon, Rachel, or Marsha,not sure who’s up for barrister duty, but they’ll be around later with somethingto drink. We want you to kick back and relax. *waves a hand toward a cushy leather chair*

Now that you’re settled…wouldyou mind telling us a bit about yourself? Like where you’re from (whatdimension) and what you are considered (type of being)? Inquiring minds wouldlove to hear it straight from your lips. *focuseson those lips, then blushes*

COLE ~ *leans back into the sofa cushions and sets an arm on the rest. A smallsmile lights on his lips* I’m humanjust as you are, Kay Dee, but I come from a different dimension. We call it Champaign. Its spectrum position is Meridian. It was the first plane to be created and assuch, we’ve had much more time to progress than those from the other planes. Element manipulation is common among mypeople, as we have extremely long lives compared to your own. The people of Cornerstone Deep consider uswizards because of this.

*his smilewidens* I could sense your curiositywhen I mentioned different dimension. Yes. We share the same planet. Earth is one of the planes in the ArchedSpectrum of Realms. Its position name isCornerstone Summit.

KDR~ That’samazing, Cole. I’m wondering if you can show me a map of your Realm after we’refinished with the questions…I’d love to see it. *realizes she’s gone off course…shuffles papers and coughs, blushes evendeeper*

Okay…next question…geesh, CDEchoes begins with Anna/Mianna, please give us a little insight as towho they/she truly is. What’s her story behind her story, so to speak?

COLE ~ Ah, Mianna. My love, my soul’s mate. *stretcheshis long legs in front of him and smooths the fabric on his thigh* For centuries I believed she was gone from meforever—would never be reborn. We didn’t know reincarnation existed there. But then, during a duty to a senior GrandMarshal, I found Anna. Somethinghappened that never should have, sighting this belief. *looksat Kay Dee* Her soul called tome. It matched the call of re-unitingsoul mates—a call so strong that it took my breath away. *lowershis gaze and sighs* I responded witha kiss. But it was ill-timed. She’d inhaled a… *clears his throat* willbending spell. The kiss sealed it andbound her soul. If she would have diedas Anna, her soul, bound as it was, would never be able to progress to the nextlife.

*shakes hishead* I did everything I could tocorrect the error. I even prayed to thatdimension’s Gods. An act theyreprimanded me for later. Though I know it’snot true, I would like to believe it played a part in the Goddess of Lovebestowing the gift she did.

*looks at KayDee and leans his head* Anna andMianna are the same soul in two separate lifetimes. The soul that will accompany me throughouteternity.

KDR~Wow…that’s heavy stuff. *nods head,thoughtful* I can understand how you might feel a huge responsibility toMianna as well.

*looks down at interview questionnaire, then looks up and meets Cole’sgaze, her hand trembles* Cole, how’s the relationship between yourbrothers, James & Vince? Can you give us a few words about each, what theymean in your life?

COLE ~ *chuckles* In truth, Jamesholds us all together. He’s the secondeldest soul, having lived three lifespans. Level-headed. He counsels me constantly. Thankfully it’s in a way as to not offend. There are very few times that I don’t takehis advice.

Vincent, on the other hand, is one consecutiveirritant after another. At times, hesurprises me...but not often enough to break that assessment. He’s the youngest soul. This is his first lifespan. I do have to give him credit. Our God of Life doesn’t birth a new soulunless it’s for a purpose, and he seems to have found his soul matealready…something that doesn’t usually happen until at least the thirdlifecycle. I mentioned we live very longlives. As such, a meridian couple israrely blessed with children and then no more than two. My parents had three. *nods* The gods have something planned for him.

KDR~Both of your brothers sound interesting…as compelling as you. *wide smile, then quickly looks down at next question* Is each of your brothers’abilities similar to yours? Can you tell us a bit about the powers of magiceach of you hold & use?

COLE ~ All of my people canmanipulate the elements on some level—move things, produce energy bursts,heal. Of course, we excel in some areasmore than others. My talent lies withenchantments and telepathy. I readothers’ emotions, speak to their minds. My perceptive abilities grow to encompass thoughts also in CornerstoneDeep Echoes.

Vincent…blows things up. *tempersa smirk and looks to the side as he tries to stop rolling his eyes* He’s temperamental. *mumbles* To put it mildly. But, can control energy bursts with skillwhen he wills it.

Which brings us to James. His patience and multi-tasking ability willnever cease to amaze me. He’s the onewho takes care of Vincent’s messes. *shakes his head* You should see the circus of movement when hewaves a hand.

KDR~So…you read other people’s emotions…*sighs,then scoots chair back* Okay, next question…please explain Meridian. And what about the Arylin colony?

COLE ~ Meridian is my homedimension. I believe Charlene has a bookplanned where we return at some point. Our society is very much different than the other realms. Terra, or Cornerstone Deep, is much likeEarth. In fact, we call them mirroring planes. The Midway realms also mirror. They would be Arete and Moraine, or Midway Deep and Midway Summit. They are home to very innocent races, youngin their development.

I will say I do miss the heat of my home’s blue sun,and the moons. *smiles* I won’t get into alengthy discourse on spectral positioning and the effects of each plane on theothers. It could take up quite sometime.

*smooths backhis long hair* The Arylin colony isthe largest community of Goddess of Love followers on Cornerstone Deep. It’s located in the Northern Provence onHiggotham Mountain. Their societycenters around love and forgiveness. It’swhere Mianna is from…where I met her. *fond smile* I’ll never forget the first time our eyesmet. I knew then she would be my eternalcompanion.

KDR~ *sighs, practically swoons, catches herselfstaring and drops attention back to paper* I’m sorry about your father,Sylis. Can you tell us a little about his life…the beginnings of Shilo Manor?

COLE ~ For that we go backquite some time. *chuckles* My father has beena Sentinel to the realms for over three thousand years. But the beginnings ofShilo Manor as it is now began about two thousand years ago when my family wascalled to Cornerstone Deep. Notmany know this, and I’m not entirely certain that Charlene will appreciate mespreading too much of this information… *leans his head to her* This comes out in a later book. But Shilo Manor originated on Meridian. *nods* We live in basically the same home as we did there.

Our family is very unique. When a Sentinel is blessed with threechildren, it’s to ensure a Triad of Power in that family. What this means is, we would serve postswhere it’s deemed dangerous enough to need the added power of the Gods—whereverthat may be in the spectrum. *leans his head as he picks up on herconfusion* To get back to ShiloManor, there’s one on each plane.

When Shilo Manor was shadowed on Cornerstone Deep, myfather, Sylis, founded Shilo City. That’s why the population knows us as the founders sons.

KDR~Seriously impressive…I’m still trying to wrap my brain around living for threethousand years. *chuckles, and thensobers* Sorry, don’t mean to sound like an idiot. Let me move one…okay, howabout Lord Dressen, who is he to you…to Anna/Mianna?

COLE ~ Yes. Lord Dressen. *presses his lips into a fine line* He is the senior Grand Marshal of thecourts. He’s also the one who instigatedAnna’s harvesting. To put it lightly, heand I are on opposing sides. I’m sorry,but I can’t explain too much of him. There are things that come to light in Cornerstone Deep Echoesthat are linked to him and…change how we view our father due to it.

KDR~*snaps to the next question seeing thegrowing tension in Cole* Can you tell us how it is to work with Charlene?Did she do justice to your story?

COLE ~ *smiles big and crosses his legs* Now, Kay Dee, you have to know that Charlene will read this post. *chucklesand speaks loudly as if the words would bound off the page* She is the most gracious author I could workwith.

*ups his brows* I can’t say she didn’t put me through somevery rough moments. But my story wastold just as it happened. *leans to her and whispers* On more than one occasion I kept her awakeuntil she wrote my scene the correct way. *chuckles* You should see some of the old drafts.

KDR~ Well,it’s good to hear you love, my friend and Ravencraft’s sista, Charlene…like Ido. Okay, Cole, you’re off the hook for a moment while I display a blurb andcover of your story…oh, yeah, after the links.

Charlene Wilson’s Links

Authorsite: http://CharleneAWilson.com

Blog: http://CharleneAWilsonblog.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charlene-A-Wilson-Romance-Author/162568770441255

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AuthorCAWilson

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/charlene-a-wilson/15/989/1b8

BuyLinks

CAB: (kindle) http://www.classactbooks.com/Cornerstone-Deep-Echoes-by-Charlene-A-Wilson-Mobi_p_327.html

CAB: (paperback) http://www.classactbooks.com/Cornerstone-Deep-Echoes-by-Charlene-A-Wilson-Trade_p_328.html

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Cornerstone-Echoes-Chronicles-Shilo-ebook/dp/B007A3R6IY/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329457675&sr=1-1-spell

Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Cornerstone-Echoes-Chronicles-Shilo-Manor/dp/1935048910/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329457675&sr=1-2-spell

~Giveaway~

Today, one luckycommenter will win a PDF of CornerstoneDeep Echoes.

All commenters (whoalso leave their email address for contacting if they win) will be put in tohat and have the chance to win the CD Echoes blog tour weekly and grand prizedrawings. All the details are at ShiloManor.com. Stop by and seewhat you could win and how you can increase your chances!

Good Luck!

Click on Cover for Buy Link

CornerstoneDeep

Blurb:

It'stheir nature - long lives and rebirth. They're from another dimension, onegifted with advance abilities, but they serve in Cornerstone Deep. They're theWizards of Shilo Manor.

Theyoutlive the mortals of this realm by thousands of years, and when it comes tolove the cruel fact is reinforced. Reincarnation doesn't exist on this plane.They lose their wives to death with no hope of reuniting. Yet they continue toaccept others for whatever time they have together. Save for Cole. His love forhis last wife still burns in his soul four centuries after her death.

When theservice they render to the noblemen of Cornerstone Deep brings him face to facewith Anna, something unexpected happens. In a realm of silent souls, herscalls to him. He responds with a kiss—one that joined with the spell ofservitude she inhaled, binds her soul.

Breakingancient covenants, angering the lords, and bringing the gods' wrath upon him,Cole tries desperately to undo his wrong and free his love—despite thedetermination of the nobleman to keep her.

Mylife is a mirage of endless time. But you in this moment engulf me, rivet mymind, encompass my soul. (Cole Shilo)

Click Cover for Buy Link

CornerstoneDeep Echoes

Blurb:

Mianna’sreturn heals Cole’s soul and he promises to follow her for the rest of hisexistence. But the past isn’t what hebelieves. The fight for her has onlybegun.

LordDressen’s obsession grows as unexpected knowledge is revealed. His search for Mianna has spanned six lifetimes and he won’t give up now. Thecourts stand behind him. Power pulsesthrough his veins. Determination peeksand not even Cole Shilo can stop him. Hewill win his prize.

Strugglingto stay ahead, Cole’s anger explodes. Nothing is sacred when it comes to keeping his love—not even covenantsmade with gods. But, through all hisefforts, lofty or damned, the truth remains. Will echoes of another life cause him to fail?

“Everybreath you take is a song to my soul.”

Whatthey’re saying about Cole’s story:

“Cornerstone Deep is without a doubt the bestparanormal romance book I’d read in 2010. It’s a classic love story withbeautiful prose meets modern-day fantasy meets popular paranormal culture witha twist. The series is mostly told from the point of view of the three Shilobrothers. These gorgeous hunks are like three points on a triangle. Cole, thebrooding love-sick alpha male, James the thoughtful gentleman, and Vincentwhose personality is as fiery as the bolts of magic shooting from hisfingertips – and he does love to use his power…often…to blow up the manor… Likeall brothers, they argue and disagree. But when one of them is in trouble, theother two drop what they’re doing and charge forth with unwavering loyalty.*Sigh* I love those guys.

Even better than the A+ cast of characters is thefantasy world in which the author sets the story. Cornerstone Deep is the nameof the realm they live in and it’s a mirror dimension of Earth, one watchedover and protected by the Shilo’s for centuries, until a corrupt nobleman opensup Cole’s eyes to the true controversial ways of the Shilo’s duties and makesall three brothers question covenants created lifetimes ago.

In Book 2, Cornerstone Deep Echoes, Ms. Wilson takesthe plot and the characters to a whole other level. You may be a taddisappointed with Wilson’s “sudden halt” ending in book 1, but I promise youshe makes up for it in book 2 and then some! I wish I could tell you guys more,but it’s so hard to do without spoiling the fun. All I will say is hold on toyour seats, ‘cause things get a whole lot worse for the Shilo’s. Okay, I’llgive you one little hint…I’m glad we didn’t get to know Anna that well in thefirst book, because we get to know a whole lot about Mianna in the second bookand gosh darn, I love Mianna a whole lot more. I cannot wait to read the thirdbook in the series; Cornerstone Deep Destiny!!!

I’m sure you’ve all guessed this…overall I give theChronicles of Shilo Manor 5 coffins! This is one new author you want to keepyour eye on!”—JD Brown, VWW Book Club

Cole ~ it’s been a great pleasure to hear your story directly from you…but, Iloved what you said about your story-teller, Charlene A. Wilson, “She’s the mostgracious author I could ever work with.” Nice, Cole. *smiles* Mega points for you with Charlene…I’m thinking so you don’tget written out of the next book in your story, Cornerstone DeepDestiny.

So, everyone…there’s more to comewith Cole’s story. An awesome paranormal romance…with all the cool abilitiesflying around in Cole’s family. *smiles*Don’t forget to leave a comment and your email addy for a chance to win yourown e-copy of Cole’s story.

On Behalf of Ravencraft’s Romance Realm ~ WarmHeart & Hugs!

Kay Dee

Call Me With Thine Eyes, My Love. Let Thy Kiss Be Mine.

2012-02-22T11:21:00.000-06:00

Ah, poetry. What's a mushy romance without it. Or an author of mushy romance with the appreciation of it? I'm not very talented in poetry so I pretty much leave it to the pros. But I do have a character that is fluent in her poetic language. Mianna can weave a verse on a whim. And Cole is taken every time. (Just like his father. But we'll leave that for another time).

"Call me with thine eyes, my love.

Let thy kiss be mine.

Fill me with amorous gifts

unbound..."

Yeah, she didn't get to finish that one.

I do love a beautifully written poem. As I surfed the web for some to share today, I came across a lot of dramatic words. And believe it or not, death and suicide were common themes to prove the young couple's love. Now, I know I'm old school. But, when I think of love, it's more on a sweet passion or eternal level. And I think it's the most romantic thing to see an older couple holding hands or sitting with their heads together in quiet peace.

So, I changed my search to a more mellow tune. I have a few here that I found on http://www.poetry-online.org. Sweet.

Because She Would Ask Me Why I Loved Her

a poem by Christopher Brennan

If questioning would make us wise
No eyes would ever gaze in eyes;
If all our tale were told in speech
No mouths would wander each to each.

Were spirits free from mortal mesh
And love not bound in hearts of flesh
No aching breasts would yearn to meet
And find their ecstasy complete.

For who is there that lives and knows
The secret powers by which he grows?
Were knowledge all, what were our need
To thrill and faint and sweetly bleed?.

Then seek not, sweet, the "If" and "Why"
I love you now until I die.
For I must love because I live
And life in me is what you give.

~ * ~

Come live with me and be my love

(The Passionate Shepherd to His Love)

Christopher Marlowe

Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove
That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,
Woods or steepy mountain yields.

And we will sit upon the rocks,
Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks,
By shallow rivers to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals.

And I will make thee beds of roses
And a thousand fragrant posies,
A cap of flowers, and a kirtle
Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle;

A gown made of the finest wool
Which from our pretty lambs we pull;
Fair lined slippers for the cold,
With buckles of th purest gold;

A belt of straw and ivy buds,
With coral clasps and amber studs:
And if these pleasures may thee move,
Come live with me and be my love.

The shepherds' swains shall dance and sing
For thy delight each May morning:
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me and be my love.

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love
Christopher Marlowe

~ * ~ ~

Come slowly

a poem by Emily Dickinson

Come slowly, Eden
Lips unused to thee.
Bashful, sip thy jasmines,
As the fainting bee,
Reaching late his flower,
Round her chamber hums,
Counts his nectars -alights,
And is lost in balms!

Okay. So I said I wasn't a poet. But I wanted to share a little one with you anyway. *wink* I mentioned I adore seeing love that last into the eternities... This piece was inspired by a friend who passed away at 89. He constantly spoke of his love who had passed several years prior. Toward the end, he would smile and say she was there across the room or sitting on his bed with him. He passed quietly in his sleep. And I know Amelia was there to welcome him.

My Love Has Beckoned Me
by Charlene A. Wilson

Amid the dark and torrent path,
I follow blindly, seeking thee.
A lure of comfort, scent of love,
keeps me close within thy wake.

A crystal vision to my soul,
thy spirit calls my aching heart.
As I near thy presence reverenced,
gilded promises doeth flee.

Loss of nature, empty body,
free of that which holds me bound,
I cast aside inherent treasures
eager for to see thy face.

Guarding angels hide thy sight.
Wings of cherubim lie still.
Veil be parted from mine eyes,
for my love has beckoned me.

Tender kisses, warm embrace.
Touch me with thy blessed deeds.
Quell my cares with raptus offer
of eternal unity.

What are your favorites? Or maybe does poetry turn you off? Let me know your thoughts.

~ * ~

Posted by Charlene A. Wilson, paranormal romance author.

http://CharleneAWilson.com

Cornerstone Deep

Cornerstone Deep Echoes

First Kisses....

2012-02-21T03:05:00.000-06:00

Better late than never....First Kiss!

I must apologize because I missed posting on Sunday during the blog hop so here I am and all you need to do at the end is leave a comment with your email address so I can contact the winner.

Prizes:

$15 Gift Card
Winner's Choice

Signed copy of Never Surrender
(US only, International will win a gift card)

This post made me wonder if everyone thinks back on their 'first kiss' very often. I was young when mine happened. During summer vacation one year, I'd seen this guy from a distance and because my younger brother was a loud mouth then, he called this guy over to tell him I wanted to meet him. I happened to be on the water at a friend's cabin enjoying the sun on my air mattress and was shocked that he came down to the water! After talking to him for a bit, I learned that he lived only a few miles from me back home. Now I'm thinking that was karma bringing us together that I'd meet him two hours from where we lived yet at home, we'd never run into each other!

As I remember back, the butterflies in my stomach seemed to make me jittery and I couldn't get the stars out of my eyes. I was fourteen if I remember correctly and the boy was a gorgeous blue eyed young man with blonde hair and back then the styles were worn longer by the guys...something to rake our fingers through, if you get my meaning! He'd invite me over to his house, his parents would pick me up and we'd spend the day watching movies in the basement.

Hey! I heard that! I was a 'good girl' and nothing happened...until he leaned over to kiss me by surprise. His warm fingers laced behind my neck, his thumb caressed my cheek, to pull me close and when our lips met...I could have sworn both of us could hear the fireworks going off! Our tongues melded and swirled together......damn, heaven was nice back then too! *wink* I couldn't believe that someone as good looking as he was would be remotely interested in me but....we had an off and on relationship for two years after that and shared many more kisses.

Unfortunately, time passes and he met a few 'easy' girls. I wasn't about to become 'easy' just to hold on to him so the rest is history. Twenty five years later, his sister became my sister-in-law and we saw each other at a family get together. Yes, we talked a bit, the sparks were still there for both of us, and he admitted he'd obviously made a mistake by not making a move years ago. Now he tells me!!

More time passes and life goes on....today I'm with a man who's made so many dreams come true for me. I'm living every woman's fairy tale of being so happy she can't quit smiling! He keeps me busy and we share our love of being in business for ourselves. Time is precious and we spend it together in and out of the office. Mini vacations are our way of keeping things down to earth but he sweeps me off my feet all the time! *wink*

February is the month of love and I wish that for every one of you out there. Tell those close to you how much they mean to you and not just once a year on Valentine's Day or Christmas. Ignore the small things that seem to get in so many people's way; they aren't worth losing what you may have together.

Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact the winners. Good luck to all and feel free to share your 'first kiss' if you so choose!

Interview with Kristin Battestella, author of the Fate and Fangs series

2012-02-20T00:00:00.001-06:00

Hello Ravencraft readers! Today I’m very excited to welcome back an old guest of ours, Kristin Battestella, vampire diva and author of the Fate and Fangs series!

Kristin was with us back in August 2011 where we talked about her first two books in the series, Love: Ann and the Viking and Punishment: Lilith’s Trials. Today she’s back with five more books from the series!

So let’s get to it! Kristin, welcome, how are you today?

KB: Well I got to sleep a lot through the day and then had some more seafood pizza. That’s contentment.

Seafood pizza…that is something I haven’t tried yet…

Fate and Fangs is a making a big splash, I feel like I see your books everywhere I go and it’s awesome. Can you tell us in your own words what this series is about?

KB: We’re everywhere, really? Awesome! Fate and Fangs gets down and dirty with the Welshire gang from my 2008 novel The Vampire Family- still in paperback and Kindle with Eternal Press. Each book themes on a historical setting and one or two vampire characters- it’s a little more intimate then the original novel’s coven wars and action. We don’t have any teen pups here, but lots of personal vampire love and loss, pain, torment. I wanted to focus on soulful explorations and the vampire versus the human condition- can a bad vampire ever turn good? Or is evil is as evil does? I prefer my vamps old school, but especially recently, all the popular vamps are all lightweight. I like exploring the hefty mirrors and dark reflections with vampires, and ultimately, what our obsession with the wicked and underbelly says about us. Each in Fate and Fangs takes a piece or an angle on the positive and negative vampire motifs. They don’t have a choice, do they? Their fate and fangs are already predetermined, but would our choice say something we don’t want to admit? Psychological juicy and scares, that is what Fate and Fangs is sharing.

Tell us what your book The Vampire Family is about? What made you decided to continue the characters’ story in the Fate and Fangs series, was it for the fans or something else?

KB: The Vampire Family begins with the turning of Antonio and the Welshire clan into vampires in the 12^th century and continues through the centuries along their coven wars with the Lilithan vampires- also created by the mysterious giver and taker of dark magic, Mestiphles. I know the idea of a ‘vampire family’ is popular now, but the term didn’t exist when I began writing the first novel. In addition to all the vamp and blood madness, this is also a family. A family of evil sisters, wicked sons, affairs, and rivalries- and it lasts forever. Forgive the pun, but that has to suck! Some of the tales from Fate and Fangs were excised from the main novel- the first person narratives just didn’t fit its framework. I wanted these seven to go between The Vampire Family and the next full-length sequels so we have time to slow down and get into the heads of our critical players. What makes an evil vampire tick? Why does a good one buck the system? Which one is closer to us? I’ve enjoyed this universe since I first started writing about Victoria, Ann, Gaston, and the rest of the gang in 1999, so I’m totally familiar with them and it is amazing when readers join our pages, comment, and talk about the books. I’d absolutely love it if fans read us and enjoyed even more, too, of course, naturally! Was it really August we were here last? I can’t keep track anymore, but it is so awesome when the die hard readers and fans follow the virtual tour and come to live events. That is the best!

It sure is! What kind of author wouldn’t enjoy hearing from their fans? :-)

Tell us a little bit about what books 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are about or who they focus on? Struggle: Elizabeth in America, Debauchery: Victoria’s Burning, Lust: James and the Sundowner, Humanity: A Letter from Gaston, and Resurrection: Stephanie After the Lilithan.

KB: The names are in the titles, that makes it easier! Struggle is Elizabeth trying to find her vampire place in colonial America because she isn’t exactly happy at home after a few hundred years, but in Debauchery Victoria is once again not learning her fiery lesson. How different could such mother and daughter vampires be? James, however, is very melancholy, a brooding piano player in 1955 Chicago for Lust. Half brother Gaston and sister Samantha are this close to moving on with their lives as they try and do good in Humanity, but Victoria rears her lecherous little head again before rival ex-Lilithan vampire Stephanie encounters Mestiphles one more time for Resurrection. Even as the times and places change and continue to move up in chronology, it seems some vampires stripes don’t change. We as good normal readers hope they stop being happy bloodsuckers or bemoaning immortals, but do they ever really? I first began writing The Vampire Family because there wasn’t the plethora of undead material there is now, and I can’t wait for the dark and heavy horror psychosis to come to the forefront again. Here’s our blurbs, so readers can pick and choose their pain and poison, er I mean pleasure!

Seeking solace and solitude from her unhappy home life as the unloved wife of Antonio, Elizabeth travels to colonial America in Professor James’ third account. On the outskirts of the white man’s civilization, Elizabeth meets Rain, a young Kiowa warrior on a vision quest. Will his lack of fear, search for answers, and gripping hothouse experience help her face those very vampire truths she sought to escape?

In Professor Welshire’s fourth Fate and Fangs chronicle, Victoria uses the fallout from the American Civil War to her advantage-or so the beautiful but deadly blockade-runner hopes. After all her using, abusing, and feedings, Victoria’s slaves finally take matters into their own hands, forcing Antonio’s daughter to face her own mortality.

The Sundowner offers steamy Welshire vampires Jessica, Pamela, and Slava for underground vampire sex and biting fetishes in this mid-century tale from Professor James. Victoria’s twin brother James, however, is content with his gig as piano player at the club owned by their brother Stephen. James’ own love Catrina is the alluring singer at The Sundowner, but can he keep his longtime vampire companion away from the tempting, exciting young clientele?

Welshire brother Gaston is trying to move on with his life now that the Vampire Family is human again for Professor James’ sixth chronicle. Unfortunately, Gaston’s sister Victoria cannot cope with the change and turns to her former fledgling Caine for unfulfilling excess and access. Should their pregnant sister Samantha risk the journey to London- and the lives of her unborn children- to save what’s left of The Vampire Family?

Former Lilithan vampire and newly divorced scientist Stephanie can’t get over how much she misses being a vampire in this final tale from Professor James. After a harrowing car accident, Stephanie meets Mestiphles, the giver and taker of vampire power on both sides of the coven wars. His charm and seductive powers sweeten the demonic offer he extends, but will Stephanie accept his dark opportunities?

I can only imagine the amount of research it must’ve required for the books that take place in the past. Tell us about your researching experience, the things, places, or people who helped you?

KB: I suppose it is a lot, but it doesn’t seem so because it didn’t come all at once. It was a section of The Vampire Family here, then part of Debauchery excised there, then the contemporary tales before going back to the Vikings. As I said, I was reading any and all vampire material I could get my hands on, so the notes and ideas sort of accumulated until a particular tale needed to be told. I enjoy exploring the non-traditional and worldwide vampire myths- things like roses and crows and Lilith myths that don’t appear often in horror fiction but are found beyond our traditionally accepted Transylvania mythos. That is why The Vampire Family begins in early England, or Love fringes on the Viking Age- I like the idea of seeing how evil and vamps got along in other times and histories where we wouldn’t normally expect them. After all, they are opportunistic predators who are going to use the worst of human wars and isolation to their advantage. I don’t know that other people helped me to that conclusion. I just read a lot, watched a lot. Half the research is simply asking, ‘What if?’ Think on your where your players are, what the manuscript needs, and then research if that special idea is realistically possible- or if it works fantastically, too.

What was your inspiration for the series and the characters as a whole, including The Vampire Family? What do you hope readers get from this story?

KB: Initially I just wrote for myself. I wrote vampires and scary tales and legends that I wanted to read. In some ways as I write, that is still my goal, to entertain and enjoy myself. When you realize that there are others out there reading your work and also being informed, inspired, and entertained, it’s just magical! I write because I enjoy those dark examinations, and the transportation and telepathy from the author to the reader tenfolds the storytelling delights. That’s my inspiration, exchanging good thoughts and a story well told. At this point, I simply hope readers find us amid all the other pop and young adult vampires. I find it weird that children come up to me at festivals and are interested in my work. We are not for kids! I hope our mature readers enjoy the scares and look at their own lives after seeing immortal fate and having a life bound by fangs isn’t all its cracked up to be.

Well said! I wouldn’t hand my vampire novel to a teen reader either but I get the Twilight questions all the time. I’m sure you know what I mean. *wink*

You have a wonderful cast of characters, but which one is your favorite and why?

KB: Now that Fate and Fangs is finishing, a lot of people are asking me that, and it is tough to choose! I’ve been saying James, I think, it changes! I like his tragedy in Lust. I like the idea that vampires can be tragic, flawed, imperfect. Again, we think immortality is so cool, but try it for a few centuries and see how unhappy it can really be. I think I hate Victoria, but I like writing about her. She makes my skin crawl with some of the things she does in Debauchery, and editing with her now for the two full-length follow up novels is difficult for me, a wholesome, and self respecting person! Strangely, though, as different as James and Victoria are, sometimes I can’t shake either of them for weeks- for different reasons obviously. I like the chemistry- or in some ways the lack thereof- of the family as a whole. Even without the vampirism and Mestiphles messing things up, these would still be some messed up, dysfunctional people! I enjoy that. Putting my dysfunction in fiction keeps me sane. Now, favoritism, that makes one batty!

Which of the books was the most difficult and why?

KB: Debauchery was difficult because of the subject matter, but I think Punishment was too. The abstract Void location there might be difficult for some to capture, but for some readers expecting lightweight paranormal romance, that one can be quite uncomfortable. It is a woman being tortured and yet Mestiphles tells the tale as if it is a love letter to an old friend! Struggle had a lot of material already written, so perhaps it was easier-and it was fun seeing Rain and the Kiowa ways. Each story has its own good and bads. You need to be true to each character yet also maintain the style of the universe as the pieces move on. That is largely the case with any manuscript, but the joys of a finished work and seeing it out there for readers far outweighs the difficulties in getting there- until you are pulling your hair out over the next novel!

Does the Fate and Fangs series need to be read in order or can readers start with any book?

KB: I imagine it always helps to be familiar with The Vampire Family, but a reader can start anywhere. Professor James’ introduction and appendices are in each Fate and Fangs book, so the tale’s time and place and stance in the overall Vampire Family universe is evident. That is another nice thing about writing about long-lived vampires; you do have a much more open range and many possibilities for play. Love is paranormal romance with vikings, Struggle has more wolfy elements, Humanity aligns vampirism with contemporary addictions and drama. There is something for everyone in this world! Resurrection sets the scene for the future full-length novels, but the timeline is fluid for The Vampire Family, and I like that.

With the seventh and final book just released, how are you feeling about the series being over? Are you working on new projects and can you share what they are?

KB: It will be nice to have a bit of a breather as Fate and Fangs ends, but the work is never really over. I still have promotions booked for the series thru October!! At the same time, I am very pleased with Muse It Up and how the 7 tales were released and lined up. The universe still has a bit more to tell, however, as I am still finalizing Requiem for The Vampire Family and The Vampire Family Forever. It seems like I’ve been writing these stories for a long time, so it never really ends for me. You get angry at them sometimes, sick of them and the editing, but then you miss them and want to live with these characters again for a little while. I do break in my work sometimes; focus on non-fiction or editing. I don’t like to go straight through and become stale or stagnant. I just did some editing with fellow Eternal Press author Leigh Wood on her fantasy erotica Horns of Myleness, and it gave me a lot of ideas and outside the box thinking to come back to my work with too. I think it’s important to not limit yourself, your mind, and thus your writing as much as possible. I write something for Requiem that I think is so shocking, and then I want to cut it. But then I think, ‘Why not?’

Quickie Quiz:

1. Walk on the beach or hike through the mountains? Mountains! Not a fan of sunshine.

2. Winter or summer? Winter, amen! We’ve hardly had any snow this season and it is killing me.

3. Fall or spring? Hmm, this is tougher. I love autumn, the smell of leaves, harvest, the slumber of the earth beginning, and yet I do enjoy spring before it gets too hot. I like rain, the smell of dew, the budding of life struggling to return. In my condo though, I basically only tell the difference by what decorations I have- either leaves on my torchere lamp or flowers and ribbons making it my Maypole.

4. Your favorite drink is? Green tea, I brew all kinds of teas, but only occasionally drink it hot.

5. Your favorite candy is? Perhaps Butterfinger. I don’t really have a sweet tooth. Plain chocolate always works, but otherwise I’m not a big naughty eater.

6. Your favorite place to go for ‘me’ time? My bed? Or the bathtub I suppose, with all the candles lit up bright enough to read a good book.

7. Your favorite place to write? Anywhere it strikes me to do so, but mostly my recliner or at my desk atop my exercise ball.

9. Night or day? Night, most definitely.

10. Leather or lace? Depends on where each is. Leather pants are a pain, but so are lace panties. Love my leather jacket though, the same one I’ve had for 15 years. But I do like lace trim here and there, just Victorian hints, nothing too frilly.

11. Eyes or smile? Whichever one is brighter and shows the soul. Sometimes both can deceive, but whichever is the true window.

12. What book are you looking forward to reading the most in 2012? All the ones I didn’t finish in 2011! I’m still finishing Sharpe, and have Drood and The Deluxe Transitive Vampire to catch up with. I make plans but it is really whatever strikes me most. You never know what book it will that catches your heart, so no reason to go automatically cutting off this genre or that author. That would be such a waste!

Last, but not least, Kristin, where can we find you and your books around the web (links)?

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=355&category_id=69&manufacturer_id=88&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

http://vampfam.blogspot.com

http://jsnouff.com/kristin

http://kristin724.livejournal.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vampire-Family/157922293588

http://www.myspace.com/kristinbattestella

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kristinbattestella/

http://www.facebook.com/kristin.battestella

Thank you so much for joining us, Kristin, it’s a pleasure having you and we’d love to see again!

KB: Thank you for having us!!!

~*~*~*~ GIVEAWAY TIME!!! ~*~*~*~

TWO lucky commenters will win an ebook copy of one of the books from the Fate and Fangs series! The winners get to choose which book they want!

To enter the drawing, leave a comment for Kristin and tell us who your favorite vampire is and why?

Remember to include your email address and the title of the book you want if you win. Good luck!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Interview by Danielle Ravencraft

www.RavencraftRomanc.com

Valentine Blog Fest Winners!

2012-02-19T07:00:00.001-06:00

It's that time! No, not time to talk over the world (though I'm sure that's coming soon...) but time to finally announce our blog fest's "Sexy Little Valentine" winner!

This contest was a friendly and fun competition to see who could come up with the most unique and entertaining posts during RRR's Valentine Week Blog Fest.

Let me just say all the RRR authors had a blast reading the different posts. There were certainly many that made me smile or a laugh. I think you guys enjoyed the different daily themes too, am I right? Let's do this again next year, but with a different theme! :)

Last thing - thank you, all you bloggers, for joining RRR's first ever blog hop. And also thank you to the several readers who hopped around and left comments! I hope you guys won a few prizes and are enjoying them now.

Okay, without further ado, I unveil the blog that won the grand prize:

There was no tie for first place here, this lovely lady went above and beyond in her sharing tails of "First Love" and the RRR authors where all in agreement....

1st place winner is.........

GINGER SIMPSON ~ DISHIN' IT OUT!

Congratulations Ginger!!! You're going on the Hall of Fame! :)

Ginger, I'll email you later today with your badge and your eGift Card to either Amazon or Barnes&Noble (which ever one you choose).

Before we depart, I want make an honorable mention. In a close running for second place, the runner up was....

Dianne Hartsock ~ Write What Gives You Joy!

Congrats, Dianne!

Readers, both these ladies' blogs are worth checking out! If you haven't already, please give them a read and congratulate them on a job well done.

See you all tomorrow,

Danielle Ravencraft
www.RavencraftRomance.com

Special Guest - Author SM Blooding

2012-02-18T01:58:00.000-06:00

I had the opportunity to work a little with SM Blooding on a character blog called Character Cafe a while back. She's a real hoot. You'll see from our interview. Lol.

She lives in Colorado with her pet rock, Rockie, and their new addition, Mr. Bird who is really a bird. She likes to hike the beautiful Rocky Mountains, and is learning to play the piano and guitar. Currently, she's trying to murder them both. Her real name is Stephanie Marie (hence the SM), but only family and coworkers call her that...usually when they're screaming at her. We call her Frankie.

She's dated vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, weapons smugglers and US Government assassins. Yes. She has stories. Oh, and she's also an investigator with a local paranormal investigation group, Colorado Paranormal Rescue!

Her Contemporary erotic romance, Try Taking Her Down, was released in January 2012.

Welcome to the Realm, Frankie. I'm so glad you could be with us this weekend. First off, I gotta know something. I know along with your contemporary erotic romance, you write Dark Fantasy. So, I was wondering if Blooding is your real name?

LOL! No. Blooding is a family name, but not my real name. My pen name was almost Whistle because that’s a family name too, but then I pictured the name on the cover of Demons Are Jackasses...by Frankie Whistle...and started LAUGHING! So I said, “Frankie, you need a better name than that. Take Grandma Blooding’s name.” And I did.

Have you ever had any of your readers come back to you, whether through a fan letter, or on your site, or even to your face and give feedback that you'll never forget?

When I first published Try Taking Her Down and As Night Falls (coming in April) I received a comment I will NEVER forget.

I was working on a construction site as the design coordinator for a big hospital, and I was early to a meeting. I don’t waste a single free second. I had my computer out and I was working on another one of my books. The owner’s rep asked me what I was doing and I told him. He took my information and the next meeting...

He walked in and quite proudly announced that I’d saved his sex life AND his marriage.

Oh my word! Hahahaha.

*faced raised to the sky, laughing loudly* I could have DIED! Because EVERYONE – all these hardened construction workers – heard and were instantly interested. Sales were crazy for awhile and I became the job site’s sex therapist. *nods* Ohhhhhh yeah. It was AWESOME!

Bahahha! That's too choice. I guess you'll be making more time to sit around construction sites with your computer, typing away. Do you usually prefer... *snickers* noisy construction sites? No, seriously... Do you prefer a quiet study or a noisy coffee shop when you write?

I can write ANYWHERE! But if the noise inside my head is really loud, I need quiet. But if the scene I’m writing is LOUD, it doesn’t matter how noisy it is inside my brainpan. I need a noisy coffee shop. LOL!

I kinda get an idea how you get your writing done here, but what’s your writing schedule like? Do you ever set goals?

Uhhh....Well, *chuckle* huh. I have a schedule, but it goes like this:

January: Finish Hands of Tarot, finalize Try Taking Her Down, start edits on As Night Falls. But while you’re at it, you need to get your GOOD blurbs up and finalized for all of your 2012 books and start getting covers commissioned for them all.

February: Rest because March is going to be CRAZY! Finalize As Night Falls. Its good, but boy could you over-write. Really?! I mean, REALLY?! And while you’re at it, you should storyboard How Aren’t We Dead Yet?! (book 3 of the Demon Talker Novels). Oh, and in your free time, how about you BETA for some of your lovely writerly friends because they really are lovely and you really are missing out! And why aren’t all your blurbs ready? Why do we still not have a blurb for The Hands of Tarot? Do you not want to publish it this year?

March: You’re going to be writing like a crazed psychopathic idiot because you’re going to finish How Aren’t We Dead Yet?!...and if you have time, why don’t you take a peek at The Dustman (releasing in June)? Well, that is if you haven’t already, as I’m sure you will have. Why? Because you’re CRAZY!

April: BIRTHDAYS! Don’t forget any of them. They’re all Aries. They’ll make you RUE the day you forgot their birthday! And make sure to finalize the edit of The Dustman. But then you should really finalize The Hands of Tarot because that one should be coming out in July. Do you have a BLURB yet? You should. Did you hear the date? JULY! Yeah. You might want to get on that.

May: Did someone forget they needed to write Book 2 of the Scarred Skies Series? (As Night Falls 2) And could we PLEASE find a better title for this poor book?!

That’s my schedule. My computer goes with me everywhere...and if I can’t take my computer, there’s a print out of some pages or my Kindle or my handy-dandy notebook! LOL! If there’s a spare moment, I will use it!

Wow. So anytime, anywhere. What about writer’s block? Ever have those times when the words just won't come out?

Sometimes, sure. Usually it’s because I just need a break.

What do you do?

I take a break.

Alright. *rolls eyes* I deserved that one. What do you do for a break, smartie.

I crochet everyone *head in hands* penguins and sheep and unicorns and...hats...and scarves. LOL! And watch a LOT of TV. If it hits in the summer, I work out—walk, hike, bike, get OUTSIDE. And then when my reserves are back, it’s back to Mock 10.

You crochet everyone? Lol. Okay. That's a new one for me. How about research? Do you do much for your books?

*snorts giggles* Do I do research for my books? *bats eyelashes* Ohhhh, you silly girl!

@_@ Like a FIEND! LMAO!

What has been your biggest surprise about being an author?

Well, I’ve been at this so long, I might have forgotten my surprises. Um, I was surprised that I could push myself to write so fast, I guess. That was three years ago? Yeah. And I discovered that the faster I write, the better the book is because I’m not sitting there trying to over-analyze everything. That’s something I do.

But...the biggest surprise for me came just yesterday. I was reading a book I had written seven years ago, The Dustman. And I remember opening it and cringing, thinking that it was going to completely SUCK. I had a tendency to over-write (“I sat my butt down in the chair.” That really only had to be “I sat in the chair.”) and I had a knack for waxing eloquent. OOOOOOoohhhhh my word. I must have thought I was a poet or something.

Lol.

But I started reading The Dustman and felt touched. Like...I started tearing up while reading chapter 1. I haven’t felt this way after reading my work in years. I’ve just become so callous, tearing it to shreds, analyzing each sentence, that I forgot that these stories really DO come from my heart. And I had forgotten where this story had been inspired from. It was just really awesome and fantastic and ... well, I hope it affects others the way it affected me because that was just...beyond words.

Awww! Isn't it wonderful when that happens. I love it when I'm touched by something I wrote...and I didn't even realize it was as good as turned out to be. Makes me want to share it with the world all over again. Do you have anyone special you dedicate your work to?

Try Taking Her Down was dedicated to anyone who’s been there. When you read the book, you’ll understand. If you’ve felt what Angel’s felt, then this book is dedicated to you. The reason I did that is because when you’re in that spot, you’re alone. But...there sure seems to be an awful lot of us out there, so maybe we can connect with a book.

Demons Are Jackasses was dedicated to people who were instrumental in keeping me upright and functional when my life fell apart. One of them was my roommate who had to glue me back together every time I imploded. The second was my first stalker. LOL! She kept me wanting to continue writing. She was my cheerleader. The 3^rd was my boss. Sounds silly, but he wouldn’t let me fall and he wouldn’t pick me up. He showed me how to stand and to stay upright. I owe that man a LOT!

What about those pieces you hope nobody will never see? I have several....and you?

YES!!! *hand over mouth while recalling it* The first Mataran trilogy. Right now, the Mataran Saga is schedule for release in 2016. Yeah. Um, the first three books were written when I was in high school and I wrote it by hand, number one, and in erasable ink, number two, and number three? I seriously thought I was the most fantabulous writer the world had EVER seen. OMW! Like...awful. Awful, awful, AWFUL! LOL!

That and my first erotica novella? Like, someone said, “Frankie, you really need to write erotica. You’re love scenes are so hot!” And I said, “Okay. Sure. I’ll try that.” The only thing was, I’d never actually read an erotica before? I thought, “Hey, this is just written porn.” So that’s I what I wrote. It. Was. HORRIBLE!

Hahahha

But that might have been the book, honestly, that saved the owner rep’s sex life? Because...*nodding shrug*...maybe something in there was worth writing notes on? Maybe?

*takes a deep breath and wipes laugh tears from her eyes* Oh my word, Frankie. You're a hoot. I can't wait to get to know your characters in these books. Where do they come from? How do you create them, make them come alive?

Um...well...hmm. Let me think. There are some characters that come to me. The characters in Demons Are Jackasses came to me that way. Paige knocked on my head and said something like, “Hey, chicky-chick, instead of getting so pissed off, how about you and me sit down and write my story? You get me. I like that. Let’s work together.” She brought her family, her story, her problems. The only thing I gave her was Dexx. @_@ Sometimes she thanks me. Other times, she curses me. *shrug*

But the characters in Try Taking Her Down, *shrug* I was inspired by New York City! I visited there for a couple of months, and it was this fabulous vagabond experience. I was able to see a part of New York that I don’t think the average tourist gets to see. So I created the plot and then went people watching. Angel was actually this woman who used to frequent this coffee shop. She just carried herself—I don’t know. She stood out. She was tough and looked like she could have broken like a twig with her boot. *nods* Yeah. So as I was people watching in a non-creepy way, her story just developed.

If you could have have three people from any of your books over for dinner, who would it be? What would you serve?

Hands down! Alma, Paige, and Tabby (from Demons Are Jackasses). Easy peasy. And I’d serve fried chicken, smashed taters and corn on the cob...with a freshly baked apple pie. But! I’d want to do it in Alma’s kitchen.

And of course, I have to ask… Which character from one of your stories would you choose to take you on a romantic date?

*giggling blush* Dexx.

What? That's it? Oh, come one. You're at the Romance Realm.

*waits in silence while Frankie blushes deeper then throws her hands to her face* Lol. Oh, okay. But, we're gonna talk later. *winks*

What’s happening in your world now?

Crazy-craziness. Like seriously. I’m going through final edits of As Night Falls with an editing friend of mine, reading through The Dustman, finalizing my storyboard of How Aren’t We Dead Yet?!, working on a blurb for The Hands of Tarot, and BETA reading a fabulous book by the lovely and wonderous Eisley Jacobs.

Try Taking Her Down came out in January. Would you tell us about it?

Angel has lost everything, her family, her career, all because of one selfish moment. So she throws herself into protecting those who no one else is willing to protect, the street urchins of New York. And when someone decides to pick the children up one by one to kill them, she’s going to do something about it. She couldn’t protect her kids, but she’ll be damned if she’ll allow anyone to mess with these kids.

But when Detective Kevin Stevens starts investigating the situation, her mysteriously, bad-girl ways put her on the center stage. He finds himself irrevocably drawn to Angel, no matter how much he tells himself not to. Her Hell-or-Be-Damned methods of fighting the bad guys mixed with the hurt he glimpses behind her large, honey eyes just keeps drawing him in deeper and deeper. He knows he has to show her that she’s not alone.

Aww. I love the Detective already! Could we get a little peek?

Try Taking Her Down

available on Amazon

She met his gaze and held it. The light of the streetlamp glistened along his bald scalp and made his blue eyes glitter. His expression was a mixture of self-loathing and helpless surrender. But there was something more. Something that tugged at her and wouldn’t let go. Somewhere in those depths, she saw loneliness that sparred with her own.

“I need this,” she whispered, feeling something inside of her crumble, her sanity lurking on the brink of destruction, her shields scrambling for balance. All of her carefully constructed walls of ice that she’d built around her heart were melting with the power of the passion in his gaze.

“No.”

She stared behind him, saying nothing. She was being completely stupid. She needed to put the walls back, get her head in the right place.

“I’m not that kind of guy.”

“Every guy is that kind of guy.” She pushed passed him and headed for the kitchen. “You can leave now.”

He stayed where she left her. “Pain to fend off pain, huh?”

“What are you talking about?”

“That’s what you needed tonight.”

She shook her head and grabbed a glass out of the cupboard. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m pretty good at reading people, Ang.”

“Don’t—“ She filled the glass with water and turned away from him to drink it. “Don’t call me that.”

He walked into the kitchen and stood directly in front of her. “What do you feel guilty about?”

She glared at his chest. “I think you should leave.”

“I think I should stay,” he said, his hand brushing her shoulder.

“Don’t.”

His hand froze. “Don’t what?”

“Don’t—“ She stared at his shoulder. “Don’t take down the walls.”

He looked at her, taking her arms in his hands gently and turned her to face him. “You should have asked what kind of lover I was before you asked me up here.”

Her breath caught in her throat as a tear nearly escaped. She looked away and jerked out of his hold, slamming the glass of water down on the counter.. “Get out,” she whispered raggedly.

“Ang—”

“Get out,” she repeated, pointing angrily toward the door, tears threatening to release.

He turned and walked to the door. “What happened to you?”

Her body shook with one unvoiced sob as tears slipped from her eyes. “I said get out,” she whispered forcefully and pushed him towards the door.

“Bright and early tomorrow,” he reminded her. “I’ll be there.”

She closed the door on his words, and his kind and sympathetic expression, smelling his cologne filtering through her apartment. She didn’t know what she had originally planned to do, but she didn’t think that this was it.

She stumbled to the shower, as cold as she could stand, and hugged herself as the water cascaded down around her. She knew better. When you’re alone, you stay alone. Otherwise…

She suddenly felt more alone, more desperate, and fragile than she ever had before.

So, what’s on the horizon for SM Blooding?

A lot! 2012 is going to be a fantastic year! 2013 will be even better. I’ve got book 1 of most of my series coming out this year; Demons Are Jackasses, As Night Falls, The Dustman, The Hands of Tarot. There are also a couple of stand alone romances that are coming out this year; Try Taking Her Down, Vampiric Nights, and Cowboy Christmas. Next year, I’ll also be introducing a new series, the Chronicles of Ri. So. Much. Fun! Great, great characters. Fun, fun stories. I just can’t wait to share them all!

And you are definitely a "Gotta Watch This Author" author! Where can we find you on the web?

I’m SM Blooding everywhere. LOL!

SM Blooding .com

Amazon: SM Blooding

Goodreads

Facebook (I could use a few more fans. LOL!)

Twitter

Thank you for being with us, Frankie. This has been the funnest interview! Hang out with us the rest of day and visit with guests, the Ravencraft sisters and me. We'll get Danielle to break out the drinks!

~ * ~

Posted by paranormal romance author Charlene A. Wilson. She can be found at CharleneAWilson.com.

Cornerstone Deep

Cornerstone Deep Echoes

Welcome Grace Callaway. #1 Regency Author on Amazon!

2012-02-17T03:00:00.002-06:00

My great pleasure to introduce you to a new writer you are going to hear lots about, Grace Callaway. She has already created quite a BUZZ in the writing community, beginning with her Golden Heart nomination in 2010 for Her Husband’s Harlot. But let me show you what the Amazon stats are:

Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews  (9 customer reviews)

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #370 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

#1 in Books > Romance > Regency

#7 in Books > Romance > Historical

#9 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Fiction > Genre Fiction > Romance > Historical Romance

Do I have your attention? Today, let’s welcome THE NUMBER ONE REGENCY ROMANCE AUTHOR ON AMAZON, GRACE CALLAWAY.

Grace, tell us about your writing journey. What is your background? When did you decide to write, and how long before you finished your first book?

Even as a girl I loved to write. But while writing was a passion for me, I wasn’t sure it was a viable career option. So I pursued my other passion and got a doctorate in psychology from the University of Michigan. I currently practice in behavioral medicine. While I feel blessed to have a career that I find both gratifying and meaningful, being in the helping profession can be depleting. Add in motherhood and marriage, and I wasn’t really having much (any) time for myself—I think I was going a little berserk from the lack of a creative outlet! So one night, after work and putting my son to bed, I just opened my laptop and began to tap away. It took me a little over a year to finish my first book; it was a contemporary and a total disaster. But I proved to myself I could finish a manuscript, and that was a launching point for me.

What was it like to be nominated for the Golden Heart? Get an agent?

I actually got my agent a few months before the GH nomination. He was the first person I submitted my second manuscript (a historical) to, and I got a positive reply pretty quickly. I remember thinking to myself, “Gee, this publishing business isn’t going to be as hard as everyone says”—hah! Little did I know. Anyway, at the time getting an agent provided an essential affirmation; a part of me still couldn’t believe that a respected professional in the industry actually liked my work enough to represent me!

You are waaaaay too modest. A lot of us who read your early revisions were certain you had a big career ahead of you. So what about the Golden Heart?

Being nominated for the Golden Heart was as a surreal experience. We had just gone through a health crisis with my son, so I was totally sleep deprived and stressed out when I found out the news. I was like, “Golden … what?” When it finally sunk in, I danced through the house in my pajamas. It was a good moment.

I can picture this, Grace!! LOL!

So, getting the nomination and the high-powered agent, you thought you were on your way (and you are). What happened next?

Reality, LOL. So here I am thinking I’m a finalist in this major contest, I have a terrific agent, what could stop me now? Well, my book didn’t sell. Though editors generally praised the writing, the feedback for Her Husband’s Harlot was that it didn’t fit neatly in a category (e.g., too hot for mainstream, but not quite erotica). So I hunkered down and wrote my next book, Abigail Jones. I had the exhilarating feeling of channeling the Muse during this process—but I guess my Muse tends to tread an off-beaten path. Again, editors gave positive feedback on the writing, but questioned the book's marketability because it was different.

Nice to see those sales numbers on Amazon affirming what we all knew. What gave you the idea to Indie Publish?

My best friend and critique partner Tina Folsom, who happens to be a self-publishing phenom. She’d been at me to self-pub Her Husband’s Harlot forever, but at the time I wasn’t ready to give up my dream of being traditionally published. She finally convinced me, and the sales started happening pretty quickly. At the same time, rejections started coming in for Abigail from the traditional publishers. Despite Abigail being different (to me not necessarily a negative thing), I felt very strongly that this book deserved a shot at an audience, and I realized that Indie Publishing was the way to accomplish that goal. So I withdrew the book from consideration by the remaining editors and self-published it too. I'm so glad I made that choice.

How did you get the idea for your second book?

I had been dreadfully stuck on a different manuscript for months and had decided to take a break and start something new. So I did, and Abigail just came to me.

How was writing your second book different from your first? Process? Time it took?

For me, writing Abigail set an indoor track record. I was obsessed with getting the story down, staying up late writing every night after work. My process was a combo of pantsing and plotting. I had the rough draft in 3 months, and it took another 3 to do the revisions.

That’s pretty darned fast. What are you working on now?

The second book in my Mayfair in Mayhem series. In this follow-up to Her Husband's Harlot, spirited Persephone Fines tries to save her brother from the clutches of notorious gaming hell owner Gavin Blackstone. She winds up in Gavin's clutches instead—and discovers a passion beyond her wildest fantasies. Gavin, of course, has a dark secret and must struggle between his desire for vengeance and for Percy's love.

I loved the devilish Miss Fines in HHH. She got the heroine in a lot of trouble, which was great for the reader!

Do you have a daily or weekly schedule for your writing? Do you strive for a certain word count each week or day?

I try to write every day. Because of my schedule, this means maybe half an hour in the mornings after getting my son on the bus and before getting myself ready for work and another couple hours in the evening after work and when my son is in bed. On the weekends, my husband helps out, and I can usually get a few hours of writing in.

Do you write better in the mornings or afternoons or evenings?

I’m totally a morning person. My dream writing schedule would be from 8 a.m. to 12 noon every day. After four hours, it’s diminishing returns for my creative brain.

I think you are well on your way to creating that dream. If you only have half the success Tina Folsom has had, you’ll be there in no time. If you could be stranded on a desert island with one of your characters, who would it be and what would you do? (Just for fun).

Oh boy. This could be incriminating. Let's just say I wouldn't mind being Abigail stuck on an island with Hux (he's so inventive ... and wonderfully naughty). J

You are soooo right, and I’m not tellin’ a word! What advice would you give other writers just starting out? Anything you would have done sooner?

Just follow your heart and guts and write. Don't let fear stop you. Find a community to give you support and constructive critique.

Great answer. We are lucky to have the sisters of SF RWA, and also this wonderful network of writers all over the world to draw from. What has helped develop your voice and your characters the most?

Feedback from my critique partners and revision, revision, revision. I’m absolutely ruthless when it comes to editing my work. Though it can hurt (“but I really loved that piece of prose!” or “that chapter took me three weeks to write!”), I try not to treat my words too preciously. I’m not the most efficient of writers; my critique partner Tina is always aghast at the word count I rack up before I mercilessly whittle it down.

Grace, it has truly been a pleasure. Readers, do yourself a big favor and check out Her Husband’s Harlot. But I warn you. You won’t get anything done until you’re finished with the book. It is that good. Please visit Grace on her site:

Grace Callaway

Grace will stop by, although she does still have her full time day job. What would you like to know? Please give her a warm welcome to our Realm.

Hildie McQueen chats about Desperate Betrayal a paranormal/fantasy yummy romance

2012-02-16T00:01:00.000-06:00

Hi Hildie, welcome to Ravencraft’s Romance Realm. We’re heretoday chatting up Hildie’s paranormal/fantasy romance, Desperate Betrayal. She’salso sharing its hero and heroine…and man are they a couple of compelling story-stars!Before we get started with the interview…tell us a bit about yourself, Hildie…

I was born in Baja California, Mexico,and grew up in Sunny San Diego. After a jaunt in the Army, living in Texas,Germany and Hawaii, I finally settled in Georgia. I share my hacienda with mywonderful and very supportive computer wiz, hubby Kurt, two tiny dogs (Pancho& Pepito) and a scaredy-cat named Dyson that I hardly ever see.

Writing has always been a part of mylife, but a few years ago, when a friend grabbed me up and forced me to attenda Georgia Romance Writers meeting, I decided to polish my skills and getserious about it. Now the characters won't shut up and I’m always itching toget home to my stories.

Okay, Hildie…let’s jump into it…

Tell us how the idea for this story came to you ~ sort ofthe story behind the story.

Afterreading the Black Dagger Brotherhood, the Lords of the Underworld and such, Iwas left with wanting to know more about the characters in the stories. My love for the immortal, super-human herocame from these men and I could not resist writing a series with such men. Tobe honest, I came up with the idea of immortals that were not vamps, and aftermuch daydreaming Cyn was born.

We know from your blurb, Cynden Frasier (Cyn) <love thename, btw>, he’s an immortal warrior. What is his job in DesperateBetrayal? What motivates him?

Cynden(yep I love the name too, since I made it up). His job is to protect innocents from those out to harm them. The Protectors are predestined at birth tobecome immortal demon slayers. Cyn is very committed to his role in this.

Why Atlanta, GA? Is there some significance with thislocation as the epicenter of a major uprising in demon activity? (Just sayin’*grins*)

Demonsare taking over all of the major cities in the world, I focus on Atlanta inthis series because I have access to it, and it’s two hours from where Ilive. Atlanta is convenient from aresearch point of view, and besides I love it.

Who is Emma Blake, besides half-demon? Who is she to Cynden?

Emmais a desperate woman who’s about to lose the only family she has and will go toany lengths to save her. She is acomplete enigma to Cyn at first and that catches his attention. The fact that he doesn’t feel comfortablearound her, yet extremely attracted throws him for a loop.

Is there a small scene you can share of Cyn & Emma ~ alittle dialogue between the two?

Excerpt from Desperate Betrayal

“Turn around.”His smooth voice flowed over her like velvet.

Emma tried toswallow but her mouth went dry. She turned to find he stood very close.

God help her,she’d never seen a more handsome man than the one who stood before her now. Herbody screamed for his touch. She wanted to be with him, her skin against his.But she wouldn’t sleep with him as a form of payment.

What if duringsex he sensed that she was part demon and killed her on the spot? But, thenagain, maybe he would kill her just for saying no.

She forcedherself to remain calm, and placed her hand on his chest only to draw it backwhen the urge to caress him became too strong.

“Listen Cyn. Iknow most women throw themselves at you. I mean you’re extremely good-lo… but,I, – I am not going to have sex with you, right now. What happened beforebetween us, out there in the alley was because of the rush from the adrenalineafter your encounter with the demon…,”She stopped babbling, at a loss forwords.

Cyn stood backwith his arms crossed while he stared down at her, one eyebrow cocked. His lipscurved into a crooked smile.

“I was going tomove the chair for you and ask you to come sit by the desk, so I could get somemore information from you. But I see your mind is on other things.” He leanedin closer to her and his smile widened. “You said ‘not right now’, does thatmean we’ll have sex later?”

Oh my…what tension between those Cyn and Emma. Thanks forsharing it.

Is Desperate Betrayal part of a series? If so, are thereother book titles you can share?

Yesit is part of the Protector series. The sequel Desperate Surrendershould be released later this year. After that there’s Desperate Possession. I am writing a novella, which is untitled asyet, which is a prequel to the Protector series.

Where can we find you? List all your cool sites and links.

MyBlog:www.hildiemcqueen.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/HildieMcQueen

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HildieMcQueen

QuickieQuiz

Getting to know Hildie McQueen…

2 Things you do to relax: I unhook from my laptop and watchsilly television with the hubs. I alsogo out for a glass of wine with my girlfriends.

Favorite sport to watch: Theworld’s sport. Futbol (Soccer to youAmericans)

Cat or Dog: Both, I have two doggies and a cat

Favorite places to write: My dining room table, I can see my front door, I’m surrounded by windowsand also can view the back deck and bird feeder, it’s perfect.

Place you’ve always wanted to go, but haven’t: It’sa tie between Ireland (a pub) and Paris (a café)

Breakfast drink: I will have to go with English breakfast tea, a spot ofcreamer and some honey! Yum!!

Favorite season ~ why: Myfavorite season is fall, love the color of the leaves, the cooling of the airand the promise of the upcoming holidays.

What are your hobbies /past times (besides writing): I like to read, attend wine events and absolutely love totravel. Wish I could afford to travelmore!

***giveaway***giveaway***

Leave a comment/question for Hildie (along with youremail address) and be eligible to win an ebook copy of Desperate Betrayal. Onelucky random winner will be drawn and notified through email. Drawing will takeplace tomorrow (2-17) sometime after noon EST ~ winner will be announced hereand also contacted via email.

Good luck!!!

Desperate Betrayal

By Hildie McQueen

Cynden Frasier (Cyn) is a member of a group of immortal warriors, theProtectors, assigned to protect humans in Atlanta, Georgia, the epicenter of amajor uprising in demon activity. When Cyn is approached by a beautiful womanin a dirty alley, he is intrigued by the fact that she can see him for what heis, a terrifying demon slayer, and still dares to approach him.

Emma Blake, a half-demon, has to convince Cyn to help rescue her sister frompowerful demons. Terrified that the Protector will kill her if he realizes whatshe is, she still goes against every instinct and approaches Cyn for help.Despite knowing that she is leading them both into territory so wrought withtreachery, neither of them may survive.

Can Cyn and Emma overcome betrayal, the ancient rules that prevent Protectorsfrom taking a wife, unless she is his one true mate? And if they do, will iteven matter?

Hildie – thanks for stoppingby and making Ravencraft’s Romance Realm one of your Bewitching Book Tours stops.Always a pleasure hearing about your current and upcoming releases…congratulationson DesperateBetrayal…and looking forward to the rest of your series.

Thank you everyone forstopping by and visiting with Hildie – don’t forget to leave her a question or commentto be automatically entered into her drawing for an ecopy of DesperateBetrayal.

WithWarm Heart Hugs…and on behalf of Ravencraft’s Romance Realm,

Kay Dee

Also check out Kay DeeRoyal’s Paranormal & Erotica Romance Musings – lots of creative authors,books, reviews, and fun posts: http://www.kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com

Update on Hussy the Cat

2012-02-15T08:25:00.000-06:00

While we had a great time with the blog fest I thought I'd give a little update on my competition...Hussy...my husband's cat.

In case you missed it I talked about Hussy some weeks back here.

Anyways to say things are the same would be lying they are actually worse, if you could even think that was possible.

We tried to enter a contest where we took a picture with the author's book and our spouses. The wench was in every freaking picture. We finally gave up and sent this one in.

My husband actually holds her and gazes into her eyes like he's mesmerized or something.

I actually keep catching her in my writing chair. Blatantly getting in my turf.

Which landed her in time out!

But then when she reacted like this, I decided to keep the time outs to minimum.

Did I mention she tried to steal my Valentine roses?!

But finally it was her silent, but firm declaration last night after dinner, that now she was setting her affectionate sights on my favorite son.

The spiteful wench!

Do you have female competition in your own house?

My Blog 2 Questions + 1 Lit Agent + A Sassy Southern Belle=

Valentine’s Day Blogfest ~ Topic: Best First Love of the Past Year!

2012-02-14T02:30:00.000-06:00

When asked to write about thistopic, two extreme possibilities came to mind—one ultra simple and the other, awhole new world of complexities.

How I fell in love with Nutella, hazelnut spread.

I’m probably the last person onEarth to try this tempting nut butter, but it was still a great thing to me. Otherthan being a bit messy, it seems like a writer’s dream food—satisfies thechocolate urge, and the protein in the hazelnuts keeps me satisfied for hourswhile I’m busy writing.

How I fell into the world of digital painting.

One of my first creative loves wasdrawing and painting. I’d do anything special my kindergarten teacher wanted,if the reward was getting an extra turn in the painting room with the hugeeasels that stood as tall as I was. I still remember the rush of excitement Ifelt smelling the tempura paint and picking up the long-handled, wide brushes,sloshing them through the colors.

In the past year, I’ve undertaken ahuge writing project of self-publishing a series of five books in an epicfantasy romance, the Enchanted BookstoreLegends. Two are written and professionally edited. The third is my currentwork-in-progress. I’ve been busy putting final touches on book one, Seeking a Scribe. And working on coverart. With my love of painting, I was looking forward to creating what Ienvisioned for my books.

What I didn’t expect was to besucked virtually helpless into a new hobby. Researching fantasy art led me todevour workshops on Photoshop. Then I moved on to technique books on digitalpainting of fantasy characters. From there, I can see exactly where my freetime in 2012 and beyond is going. Turning the pages of the technique booksgives me the exact same thrill as the feel of the tempera paint on mykindergarten brush.

Am I excited…just like playing atthe big easels!

Here's the debut of my firsteffort:

For my giveaway, one luckycommenter will win a digital copy of my latest fantasy romance release, Tortuga Treasure: Ciel’s Legacy AND a $10Gift eCard to the winner’s choice of bookstores, Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

To enter, leave a comment below with your email address and share about a newlove that has made your life sparkle in the past year.

Thewinner will be announced here tomorrow afternoon.

Be sureto check out new loves of the others participating in our hop listed below!

~ ~ ~ Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. She is the author of the Ciel's Legacy series, fantasy romance with fast action mermaid/pirate storylines: TEARS ON A TRANQUIL LAKE and TORTUGA TREASURE. Look for her first of an epic fantasy romance series, SEEKING A SCRIBE: ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS ONE, to be available March, 2012. For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazon and Smashwords.

Valentine's Day Blogfest Day 6 ~ First Breakup!

2012-02-13T00:01:00.009-06:00

These past five days we’ve been talking about all the lovey-dovey “first” experiences that come along with first loves in honor of Valentine’s Day.

But today, we’re mixing it up with another first that definitely is a big part of relationships, but not one we remember fondly with warm feelings. It’s the First Breakup….

It’s kind of funny that I got stuck with this topic because I love a good romantic tragedy and I’m something of an evil overlord when it comes to my characters. I make them sweat big time before I let them have their Happily Ever After.

I like to write arguments from the heroine’s point of view because, well, to be frank, we ladies just do it better. In fiction, the breakups between the hero and heroine are always temporary. Or at least we hope so! It’s aggravating (and a little fun) to watched two perfectly matched people struggle to be together, battling both external and internal forces.

In real life, not all break-ups are selfless. Some are down-right mean and hurtful. Other times, you try to let the person down gently but it just doesn’t work. There is no way you can avoid the pain. And if YOU are the one being dumped…well…we all know how good that bucket of ice cream becomes.

Here is an excerpt from my first short, A Trace of Love. The heroine, Ophelia, is breaking up with musician Trace, believing – of course – that it’s the right thing to do. FYI there are spoilers.

Tears welled up in Ophelia’s eyes and threatened to spill. She pushed Trace away, but he held her tighter. His expression turned guarded. “Ophelia, what’s wrong?”

“Trace, please. I only came here to say good-bye. It didn’t feel right, walking out on you at the hotel.”

His lips pressed into a thin line as he searched her face. “What do you mean ‘good-bye’? Where are you going?”

Was he joking? She gestured to the tour bus behind him. “You are the one who’s leaving.”

He glanced over his shoulder at the bus and then wet his lips. “No, I’m not. I won’t. Not without you.”

She shook her head, not understanding. “You’re…not leaving the city?”

He took a deep breath and held her hands a little too tight. “I can’t. I thought I lost you, Ophelia. But I won’t make that mistake again.”

The bus’ horn sounded followed by shouts from his band mates. Clearly he was supposed to be leaving. “I don’t understand. Your band—”

“Damn it, Ophelia, forget the band. I love you.” His eyes widened and he whispered, “I love you,” as if he couldn’t believe he said it the first time.

This was a nightmare. Ophelia knew she’d regret coming here. Trace only made this harder. She shouldn’t have slept with him. She shouldn’t have left the bar with him. She shouldn’t have spoken to him. Now she would have to be the bad guy and push him away, no matter how much it hurt. “What are you going to do, quit the band? Stay in the city with me?”

“You could come with me.”

She scoffed. “Typical male, assuming the woman will make all the sacrifices. I have a life, Trace. My home is here in the city. Your life is on that bus.”

Trace scanned the ground between them as though he could find answers on the grimy sidewalk. “I can stay here, with you.”

“No, Trace. You don’t know me at all. If you throw away your life for one night of sex—”

“It wasn’t just sex for me, Ophelia, it was…” he shouted, but stopped himself and lowered his voice. “It was more than that. From the moment I saw you, something was different.” He wet his lips and looked her in eyes. “I know you feel the same way about me.”

Ophelia glanced away. “No. I don’t.”

“I don’t believe you. Look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t feel anything for me.”

Tears flowed down her cheeks. She took a deep breath, drew all the courage she could, and faced the man she loved. She had to do this for him. She owed him that much. “Trace, I don’t have any feelings for you. It was just sex.”

He scowled and his hands dropped to his sides. Nodding, he turned his back to her and walked toward the bus. Ophelia hugged herself and started walking in the opposite direction.

“Wait!” Ophelia glanced over her shoulder as Trace jogged to catch up. “I only went to the bus the get my cellphone.”

Exasperated, Ophelia wiped the tears from her cheeks and scolded. “I thought I told you to—”

“Ophelia, you’re a horrible liar,” he grinned. “I just want your number, okay?”

“My number?”

Trace nodded. “I get it. You think this can’t be real because we’ve only just met. But I refuse to lose you knowing that you do have feelings for me, even if you won’t admit it to yourself. So…I’ll call you from the road. We’ll get to know each other.”

“You don’t give up, do you?” she murmured.

He held out his phone. “I won’t lose you again, Ophelia. I promise you that.”

She took it and punched in her number. Trace hit a few more keys, to save the number and then stashed the phone in his coat’s breast pocket. “I’ll keep you with me always.”

Ophelia managed a weak smile. “Good-bye, Trace Curtis.”

He shook his head. “I’ll talk to you later, Ophelia.”

She nodded and continued down the street, away from Trace.

****

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED!

The winner is Catherine! Congrats! I'll be in contact with you later today.

Happy Valentine's Day ~ <3 ~

And for some added fun, here's a video of my all time favorite breakup song "So What?" by P!NK, for those of you awesome ladies who might be spending Valentine's Day alone this year. You know every woman have felt like P!NK does in this video at least once in her lifetime. Enjoy. :)

Now hop on over to the other participating blogs below and read their first breakup post. Lots of other blogs are always giving away great prizes ~ Don’t miss out!

First Dance: A Sensual Senota

2012-02-11T00:00:00.003-06:00

Ravencraft's Romance Realm's Valentine Week Blog Fest: Day Four!

When I was talking with my RRR sisters and the option to pick first dance came up I jumped on it like a leach on a vein. The reason being I am a ballroom dancer. Or I used to be. My husband and I took classes years ago. It was an amazing feeling learning to move in my husband's arms, with him leading me. I can't begin to express anything more intimate than dancing. As a couple who are not what you see in a book like I would read or write ...as in I'm 5'10 and he is 5'8. And I am a lover of heels...especially wedges. It created a sensual connection on a very primitive male and female level.

Anyway to say the least, the first dance I had with my husband made those hanging my arms around the captain of the basketball teams shoulders sixth grade dances completely blank and disappear from my mind. LOL

Most people love ballroom dance anyway. Look at Dancing with the Stars rankings. And I don't know about you other Regency Era romance readers but I love to read about the H/H at the balls. Especially when the the hero won't allow her to dance with another man. LOL Always gets me.

Did you know that the waltz was considered too "hot" or scandalous for a while back then? And even when it was approved an unmarried miss could not dance more than once with a gentleman a night. Well I'm pretty sure they would have thought a tango was down right social suicide and that my friends is my favorite dance.

The irony of taking ballroom is it has been an amazing catalyst for my writing. And even at times when I'm not even talking about a couple dancing. For example in this excerpt from Glazier. Where Henry takes Marie for a little detour on there mission (they are supernatural spies) in Anchorage to check out the northern lights.

For a moment, I thought I felt her lips against my neck. My pulse jumped and I pulled her closer. My body screamed at her nearness, but I didn't—couldn't—listen. Marie was so much more than anyone else ever had been to me.

A breeze blew and I was sure we were at just the right spot. I turned my face upward…she copied me. Our breaths caught as we watched bands of colored lights dance across the night sky. Red and green being the most dominant, moving in a unique waltz, constantly touching, swirling and spinning, folding in out and around each other.

The snow fell among the pair as light danced and sparkled around them like glitter. The green and red band’s dance seemed to end. Their colors fading slightly as blue and violet became more vibrant. Their dance was aggressive, a tango. Smooth, strong movements sometimes alone, sometimes interlaced seemed to plow through the snowflakes. Then just as quickly as it appeared, it faded out, the clearing no longer illuminated, the dark clouds blocking out the moon completely now.

We stood there in the dark under the falling snow motionless and silent. She took a deep breath to speak but then no sound came. Suddenly she pulled herself close to my face, and placed a petal soft kiss upon my cheek. I leaned in, savoring her nearness during such a magical moment.

I was stunned at how a kiss so small and gentle could cause such a current of power within me. She lingered a little longer than necessary and her fingertips trailed against my skin. She snuggled into my embrace and I found I never wanted to let her go.

See what I mean? Fun right? Don't worry I use it with actual couples too. Like in this scene where Marie and Henry are undercover in Egpyt at the Ambassador Abbass' celebration of the 100th male heir. What you need to know is Abbass is an ass and he had his eyes set on Marie. As if he needs another concubine. (Can you tell I was writing Glazier while I ballroom danced?) But Henry put's Abbass in his place in a very public way with the help of a couple of friends and surprise's Marie.

My eyes scanned the crowd where I found Abbass at his table gawking at me. I didn’t want Henry to see him. He would become angered, ruining our perfect evening. I held Henry’s hand moving toward the tables as well. He stayed in place, pulling me back toward him. When I turned around to see what was wrong, thinking it was Abbass, he was beaming with his gaze toward stage. I followed the trail where his eyes led to find Collin sitting at the piano and Shae seated on the edge with a microphone. The scene seemed so completely comfortable to them.

I looked up at Henry, puzzled. He refused to look at me, his eyes planted on our friends. I sensed him. He was vulnerable, something I had never felt from him before. A bead of sweat formed on his brow. His hand clasping mine was clammy. My eyes returned to the stage as the piano began to chime melodically through the hush in the room.

Everyone looked up at Shae and Collin. The melody Collin played seemed oddly familiar. Shae began to speak. I noticed Abbass appeared to be furious, but Shae’s drawl distracted me.

“Good evening, everyone,” she cooed to the audience. She was the epitome of refinement.

Collin’s fingers flew softly across the keys, never even looking. His wife held his full attention proving he was blissfully in love with her.

“I apologize for intruding on the band, but as most of you already know, Collin and I are great lovers of music.” Her eyes left the audience to rest on Collin as she spoke his name. A lover’s glance could only describe the look they shared. “And with that, our dear friend Henry Rathbone is as well. He asked us to help him with a little gift for his lovely wife, Marie. You see, tonight is their wedding anniversary, and the always benevolent ambassador agreed to let us assist Henry with his gift.”

Abbass boasted a forced smile. I could sense the anger coming from him, but he hid it well. I glanced at Henry, but he still wouldn’t look at me. The sweat on his forehead glistened now. My eyes returned to Shae.

“Henry asked us to perform a special song that he and Marie share, and we were all too happy to oblige. So, Doll, this is for you.”

The tempo of the melody increased, becoming louder as Collin’s fingers moved across the ivories. The song was so familiar I looked away trying to remember, and then it clicked. They were performing the song we danced to that bittersweet night at the cabin. I looked at Henry, his expression unsure. I willed my legs to stand so I could meet his lips. I loved my gift. I loved him. Ever my valiant warrior, he met me halfway. My previous concern with Abbass disappeared, and the other guests were gone from my mind, leaving just us.

I heard Shae’s voice join with Collin’s rhythm as they performed our song. I broke our kiss only because I had to look upon them to know that it was still them and not someone else. It was like a dream. Shae’s rasping alto was like her, exceptional and soulful. As she unfolded the lyrics before us intertwining with Collin’s strokes on the black and white keys, it was as if she caressed each note, drawing it out to unspeakable heights.

Henry led me across the abandoned dance floor in a waltz. I opened my eyes again. When had I closed them? He leaned down and whispered in my ear drawing my waist closer to his, “This is why I was late. Do you forgive me, Love?”

I nodded, too enthralled to speak coherent words. He chuckled then kissed the inside of my wrist.In the minutes that ticked by the world stood still and I was lost in his arms, lost in the music our friends created, and happy to never return.

So what about you? Was there a first dance...any dance where you were simply lost in the moment and never wanted to return?

Now time for prizes!

I'm giving away two eBook copies of Glazier and if you have a Kindle I can autograph it for you through Kindlegraph to two lucky commentors.

Marie Kincaid is devastated after losing her family in a violent crash…so she runs. One morning, she awakes in an infirmary with total memory loss and a new power: Glazier. The cold frozen mists of Glazier’s instincts enable Marie to embark on a new life free of pain but most importantly free of the past. Heightened senses, accelerated strength,speed, and learning abilities make Marie a perfect candidate to be a spy…also a perfect companion for Henry Tenison, the only other known Glazier.

Henry, a loner and proud rogue finds his world upended when his connection to Marie is forged. Unsure of how to progress, he endeavors to keep it strictly professional. As far away missions and romantic surroundings entice him into pursuing his deeper desires, he caves. However, Marie’s love changes everything.

Determined to free them both of the spy world and the hold Glazier has over their lives, Henry implements a plot to disappear. However, when things become dangerous in their latest mission and memories of Marie’s past surface suggesting another man…will Henry’s efforts come too late? If Marie remembers her past, will she still want their future?

And a Grand Prize Winner will get a print or eBook edition of And They Were Not Ashamed: Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Intimacy. Best book I ever got to help my marriage relationship. And a box of Dove Chocolates and a Pomegranate Bath Set

Thank you for visiting and please come back for the other post during our Valentine's Day Blog Fest!

My Blog 2 Questions + 1 Lit Agent + A Sassy Southern Belle=

First Date

2012-02-10T03:00:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Day 3 of our Valentine's Blog Hop, with the topic First Date.

In high school, I had a crush on our minister's son. I mean, I couldn't look at him without my knees getting weak. Normally quite talkative, I was tongue-tied whenever I was in his proximity. I knew how he smelled. His voice did something deep inside my chest whenever I heard and felt the rumble of his words.

And he had a girlfriend. Not only a girlfriend, but the head cheerleader at his high school. She was cute, spunky, very popular--all the attributes I wished I had. I felt plain and dorky in her company. She was way nicer than I was to her. I'm sure she didn't wish I was secretly dead, after all.

I didn't date in high school, being somewhat of a late bloomer (a story for another time). Boys terrified me, in general. But this good-looking dark-haired captain of the football team especially. He had girls falling all over him right and left. He only knew who I was because we were a good church-going family and I was youth group president, a job he had declined so I got by default.

For our Sr. Prom, I knew the only way I was going to go was to ask someone from another school. I chose someone who wouldn't say no, and then changed my mind and decided not to go. I was miserable. I didn't sleep for a week. I was going to take back my prom dress and just finish out my high school years without being asked out once, without ever attending a prom. Ever.

I underestimated my mother and her desire to see me get the attention I guess she felt I deserved. My mother and His mother (yes, the football player with the girlfriend) decided he would take me to my prom. The two of them arranged everything, and then asked us. I was mortified, but when I learned he was agreeable, decided to go through with it.

OMG. I had my hair done for the first time. He bought me a corsage. He came to my house and actually drove me to the dance. And, when we walked into the gym, the whole room froze. The world stopped being a cold and cruel place and turned into Fantasyland itself.

He stepped to within four inches of me. His chest close enough to my chest so that I could feel the heat of his body. His head cocked to the side, that darned dimple on the right side of his lips, the deep chocolate eyes with thick lashes laughing at me.

"We've managed to attract quite a bit of attention," he said. Then he stepped closer so that we were actually touching. He placed an arm around my waist and drew me carefully towards him. "Shall we, then?"

I tried to say something, but I couldn't. Over his shoulder I saw more open-mouthed shock and awe than I'd seen at the circus. Whispers floated over the soft music of a slow dance. It was the theme from The Apartment.

He moved me across the wooden floor of our basketball court. No one joined us. A single spotlight illuminated the free-throw line we were traversing. I think I could hear my own heart beating. I felt his palm in the small of my back, the way his fingers held my right hand, and the way he leaned in and moved me around like I knew how to dance.

It was an eternity, but in those few minutes we shared alone on the floor, I got a glimpse of the rest of my life. It wouldn't be my life with him, for we would take different paths. But he ushered me into the world of being held close, and cherished. I trusted him. For an entire evening it made no difference our mothers had set us up. We were dancing as a couple. We acted like a couple.

And I enjoyed being the envy of every girl at the dance. I even enjoyed all the questions asked of me at school that next Monday. And I wasn't telling! It was our secret. Let them wonder forever.

Years later, I would run into him during our college years, at the wedding of a mutual friend. He gave me a ride home from the wedding. His high school sweetheart ran off with someone else. This time, I had a boyfriend.

"God, do you remember that night?" I asked.

"I think about it all the time."

"Was it awkward for you?" I asked.

"Not at all. I always liked you, but figured I wasn't in your league," he said.

"Excuse me?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"You made me a little nervous. You were so pretty and I knew you probably weren't interested..."

"How could you think that? I had the biggest crush on you all through high school," I said.

"Really?"

"You've got to be kidding. You never knew?"

"I had no idea," he answered. Those chocolate brown eyes scanned my face. "I have one regret." He looked at my lips.

Was this actually happening? I didn't move. I didn't say a word. He leaned in, parted his lips and gave me a kiss. His tender expression of affection created a hunger inside me. The world shifted. Nothing was the same. I had captured a tiny part of his heart. Me. The plain girl who never thought she had a chance.

What about you? Do you have any tender stories about your first date? Do you remember the days when the little things like a crooked smile, laughing warm eyes and the feel of a man's warm hand at our back transported us to some magical time and place? Would you change a thing if you had the power?

One lucky commenter will win an eformat copy of Heavenly Lover, the first of my Guardian Angel series, along with a certificate for a one pound box of Sees Chocolates.

Don't forget to visit the other blogs on this hop! I've read some outstanding posts by some very creative people in the last two days. I'm sure today will be even better.

Good luck. And thanks for joining us here at the Realm.

1. Ravencrafts Romance Realm 5	2. Louisa Bacio -- Love Knows No Bounds 4	3. Margay Leah Justice 5
4. Ginger Simpson - Dishin It Out 6	5. Dianne Hartsock-Write What Brings You Joy 5	6. Deannas Tidbits 5
7. Brenda & Steve, Authors of Erotica 6	8. Sarah Gilman Books 5	9. Readers Haven 2
10. Tonyas Tales 2	11. Writers Block NZ

"First Touch" Valentine's Blog Fest Topic of the Day

2012-02-09T00:01:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone, and welcome. I’m, Kay Dee Royal, one of the authors ofRavencraft’s Romance Realm. I’ve been looking forward to this Valentine’s DayBlog Fest…hope you have, too.

Happy Valentine’s as we’re gearing up for the Biggest Romance Dayof the year. And in the whole getting ready with a huge dose of buildingpassion for the big event, Ravencraft’s Romance has selected some key elementsto think about and possibly incorporate in your own personal celebration.

Yesterday’s theme, “First Sight,” posted by Charlene, begins ourjourney toward a passionate romantic Valentine’s Day ;0)

Today, let’sconcentrate on “First Touch.”

I loved this topic as there are all kinds of feelings and emotionsinvolved in a “first touch,” and not just a touch by anyone, either. This touchhappens by someone with an inner connection as well, even if it isn’t understoodat the time of the physical contact, it’s definitely felt.

I truly believe this type of physical contact is what great romanceauthors include in their stories, stimulating at a mind/consciousness level andthe subconscious/soul level, along with the physical attributes, of course, allthose wild & crazy sensations. *smile*

M-M-M-M…think back to the very first time it happened…the firsttouch. That touch you wanted to seal up and remember for all time ~ theelectricity, sensation, warmth, those whipping sparks zipping and snappinghelter-skelter through every nerve-ending, every cell. You may have actuallytaken a step back by the surprise of it, the impact on all of your systemsgoing into overdrive, sort of like being tilted side-ways, but still standingon legs made of noodles. *LOL*

Okay, I’m describing my very first touch and it happened when theboy grasped my hand in a spontaneous response of pulling me through a doorway.He’d grabbed my hand to lead me inside my house, and his touch did all of thosethings I described above and maybe even a few more things. *snicker*

There are all types of “first touches” responsible for zinging uncontrollableshots through a body ~ a brush of arms, shoulders, hips, thighs, a finger whiskingaway a tendril of hair from a cheek or a brow, a handshake, a quick hug, andeven a reactive save…as in One Plus One, my contemporaryerotica romance.

Here’s how Lacinda received her “first touch” from the hero of thestory, who she doesn’t know by name, yet…

“Lacinda Gainesly,” a steward called hername. She saw the sign he held with her name printed in bright purple. Sheslipped on the first step leading down onto the ship and stumbled past thesteward. The sign dropped from his fingers and his arms latched around her bodyfrom behind. His quick reflexes saved her face from biting the deck, but hishands cupped both of her breasts and squeezed. Lacinda threw her elbow backinto his side.

“Hey, a little respect for the guywho saved your life.”

Lacinda shrugged out of his grasp. Shemet his gaze and realized this was the same man who picked her up from herhotel in a long black limo, only then he was dressed in black instead of thewhite uniform he now wore.

“You’re the driver.”

“I’m a lot of things, like possibly ahero.” His eyes looked as happy as his lips.

She noticed his smile, the same heshared earlier when he asked her questions about why she took the cruise quiz. Lacindathought he was simply a driver for the cruise company so she shared some of herstory. He knew about Alex dying in a car crash on the way to their wedding. Shesearched her memory for anything else she might have shared which couldembarrass her later.

“Alas fair maiden, your chambersawait your timely arrival,” he said faking a British accent. He held his glovedhand out. Lacinda refused it.

“I’m ready for my quarters.” Sheneeded relaxation, maybe take a nice hot scented bath and get prepared for theswing of things, anything to distract her from the past that never left heralone.

“As you wish, my lady,” he said,again with a British accent.

The steward turned, led her acrossthe deck and down a stairway. She saw men and women following other stewards oreach other. Once on board everyone began mingling, even flirting judging by thetinkling female laughter and deep manly chuckles.

“There will be an announcement leftunder your door regarding tonight’s dinner seating arrangements. May you enjoyyour day and make sure you take time for a relaxing massage. There’s always amasseuse available. Their extension is listed beside your phone. You’ll findyour room key there as well.”

Lacinda followed him down a narrowhallway until he stopped in front of a door with an elegantly scrolled number216.

“This is you. May I answer anyquestions before I go?”

Lacinda dug in her purse for a tip. Cluelesson how much was appropriate and not wanting to give him anything. He got his gratuitywhen he copped a feel of her breasts.

“In case you’re rummaging for agratuity, don’t. No one on this cruise will be accepting anything extra. Monetarilyspeaking,” he quickly added and winked.

He opened her door and stood back.His mid-night blues stared at her for a suspended moment. Lacinda’s skintingled. He was either sizing her up for something, or undressing her forsomething else.

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/7gpklpz

Thanks for hanging out here for a bit – it’s been great fun! About my giveaway…

Don’t forget to leave me a comment telling me something about yourfirst touch. You will automatically be entered into my drawing which will happensometime tomorrow after noon EST. I’m offering a box ofgently used romance books, scarves, Dovecandy hearts and book marks (as pictured below), and for someone else a PDFcopy of One Plus One.

The box of books is only available to ship in the USor Canada. Announcement of winners will be in the comment section of this post.

Good Luck!!

~*~*~*~

Award!
This is a Blog Hop!

1. Ravencrafts Romance Realm 5	2. Louisa Bacio -- Love Knows No Bounds 4	3. Margay Leah Justice 5
4. Ginger Simpson - Dishin It Out 6	5. Dianne Hartsock-Write What Brings You Joy 5	6. Deannas Tidbits 5
7. Brenda & Steve, Authors of Erotica 6	8. Sarah Gilman Books 5	9. Readers Haven 2
10. Tonyas Tales 2	11. Writers Block NZ 3

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For Valentine’s GiftIdeas:

Gifts.com (Romantic): http://www.gifts.com/valentines-day/romantic-gifts/nC0fIk

Red Envelope Gifts: http://tinyurl.com/6su47gh

Valentine’s Day Guide – Lovingyou.com: http://holidays.lovingyou.com/valentine/

Valentine Blogfest Day 1 "First Sight"

2012-02-08T00:01:00.002-06:00

It's the Valentine Blogfest with Ravencraft Romance Realm! We have a full week of "Firsts" for you to enjoy. It's also a blog hop, so you can check out all the other blogs that post about their Firsts. :D The list of those participating is below, along with what you could win!

Feb 8th-14th, 2012

And I get to start the Valentine's 7-Day Blogfest off with
"First Sight."

It’s said that first impressions make a lasting impression. Have you ever instantly liked that new neighbor? Instantly disliked him? How about instantly hated him, but...you couldn’t keep yourself from being drawn to him? What ever the case, there's a connection.

Call it fate, destiny, kismet…I believe some of us were just meant to be together at some level. That the “forces that be” align our lives so we meet. Nature takes it from there and with time we can really get to know someone.

I have several friends that I never would have imagined would turn out that way when I first saw them. I’m so thankful to have them in my life now. The same goes for love. Not all love is “love at first sight.” Though I do believe it happens for some. Love grows as we share experiences and do really get to know that person.

Could Anna in Cornerstone Deep ever have imagined that the leader of the dark reapers chasing her would end up being the soul mate she was looking for?

Her gaze intensified as she studied the shadowed pavement. Beneath the dim light of a street lamp, dense smoke billowed, taking the form of three men. Her throat clenched. “What. In. The. World?” She spun around and ran.

But then...

He inhaled the sparkling mist and leaned close. Cradling her face in his hands, he touched his lips to hers. They were warm and seductive, unexpectedly tender. The aroma of licorice and cream flowed through her.

She accepted his attention, intoxicated by the offering. In a gentle motion, the loving caress of his tongue touched hers. Eternity echoed in her heart.

While Anna’s first sight experience was that of terror, Salana had a bit of a struggle going on with her first with Chad in Aumelan.

Salana set a determined pace as she turned to leave the stranger. The staccato of her heals on the walkway played alongside her disbelief. That was highly unacceptable. He actually introduced himself and expected me to respond!

A puff of air passed her lips and she shook her head in an attempt to clear her mind. I didn’t work.

Something’s very different about him. It wasn’t his kind countenance and slate eyes…or his tall stance. He must be over six feet tall. Or his lighter than sand hair. Nicely tailored style. Or his composure. He seemed so in control—as if every move was thought out before he let it happened.

Salana paused, allowing her gaze to drift back to the young man. There he was, still watching her. How disconcerting! She returned to her pace with a pointed blinked. What is wrong with me?

But, of the three I’m sharing with you today, Linda is the one that was completely taken by James in her first sight of him in Cornerstone Deep. Their love is truly realized in Cornerstone Deep Echoes. (Sorry, but it’s in James’s point of view).

She stood there, staring at him on the threshold of Shilo Manor, her blue eyes wide and wet with stalled tears. A black band held her blonde hair and the purple cardigan she wore clashed dramatically with the lemonade sundress beneath it.

A soft breeze blew across the porch and she opened her mouth. He upped his brow in expectation. She closed it again.

James lifted a hand in a question. “Is there something you wanted, Miss?”

She blinked, looking a bit startled and laughed a breath. “I was just--I mean, wow. Elaina was right.”

“Excuse me?”

She waved a sleeve covered hand. “I thought Vince was something but, look at you. All three of you must just be--magic made flesh.”

Like it or not, there seems to be no rules when it comes to the first sight of the love of our lives. Wouldn’t it be great if there were?

What was your impression of your love the first time you saw him/her?

~ Giveaway ~

To kick off this Valentine week of Firsts, I’m giving away a $10 gift certificate to Bath and Body Works or Amazon.com (your choice) and a PDF copy of my new release Cornerstone Deep Echoes.

Just leave a comment along with an email so I can get it to you if you win. You’ll be entered into the drawing. That’s it! Deadline to enter is midnight and I’ll post the winner here tomorrow morning.

Good Luck!

Join the Blog Hop and you could win the

Award!

~ * ~

Posted by paranormal romance author Charlene A. Wilson

Cornerstone Deep

Cornerstone Deep Echoes (Feb 2012)

~ * ~

Congratulations dianehartsock!

You're the winner of the $10 gift card and the PDF copy of Cornerstone Deep Echoes. I'll be contacting you later today.

Thank you all for participating in the "First Sight" edition of Ravencraft's Romance Realm's Valentine's Blog Fest.

Enjoy the rest of the fest!

Valentine's Week Blog Hop Sign Up!

2012-02-06T00:00:00.002-06:00

Good Monday, ladies and gentlemen!

Today I'm posting a reminder about our blog hop that starts this Wednesday Feb 8th !!!

This year, RRR is making Valentine’s Day last a full week with a 7-Day Blog Fest! Join us and blog for a week straight about romance, love, lust, and all things sensual. ~ Each day of the week (starting Wed. 8^th and ending Tue. 14^th) has a theme that relates to “First Love”. You can interpret the theme and blog about it any way you want to, but the more creative you are, the better your chance of winning RRR's "Sexy Little Valentine Blog of the Year"! (Keep reading for more info about the contest and giveaways)

Daily Themes:

Wednesday, Feb. 8^th – “First Sight”

Thursday, Feb. 9^th – “First Touch”

Friday, Feb. 10^th – “First Date”

Saturday, Feb 11^th – “First Dance”

Sunday, Feb 12^th – “First Kiss”

Monday, Feb 13^th – “First Breakup or Makeup”

Tuesday, Feb 14^th – “Best ‘First Love’ of 2011” (This can be anything from prop culture - celebrity couples, book characters, movie characters, a new personal love for mint cookies, etc....!)

Rules:

All posts must be PG-13 or as close as possible.
Each post must relate to the corresponding themes listed above in order to be eligible for winning.
Skipping or being late to post will disqualify your blog from the contest – but NOT from the blog fest itself! (*Late* is after 6p.m. Eastern/ 5p.m. Central time).
Include the Blog Fest logo on all 7 posts (the pink image above).
Include the Blog Fest Linky embedded at the bottom of all 7 posts so that readers can easily "hop" to all the participating blogs. (To get the code, click on "Get the Code Here" at the bottom of this post).
Giving away prizes to your readers is optional but encouraged for more fun!

"Sexy Little Valentine Blog of the Year" Contest:

Each participating blog is automatically entered into the "Sexy Little Valentine Blog of the Year" contest and posts will be read and judged by the RRR authors.

We're judging each post based on creativity, use of the daily themes, and adhering to the rules.

The winner of the "Sexy Little Valentine Blog of the Year" award will be announced Sunday. February 19^th.

To sign up, click on the "You're Next" link below and add your blog's information.

Prize: Personalized Blog Award and a $10.00 eGift Card from Amazon or Barnes&Noble (winner's choice)

Daily Giveaways: Don't have a blog? No problem, you can still win amazing prizes just for reading. The RRR authors will be giving away daily prizes to our commenters during the blog fest! So make sure you stop and see us during Valentine’s week.

Some of the daily giveaways include:

Gift Certificates to ~

Valentine Gift Sets and Romance novels ~

Romance eBooks ~

And More! Bloggers sign up below ~

Ravencraft's Romance Realm

Cole Shilo, Story-Star of Charlene A. Wilson's Chronicles of Shilo Manor, Fills in the Blanks

Call Me With Thine Eyes, My Love. Let Thy Kiss Be Mine.

First Kisses....

Interview with Kristin Battestella, author of the Fate and Fangs series

Valentine Blog Fest Winners!

Special Guest - Author SM Blooding

Welcome Grace Callaway. #1 Regency Author on Amazon!

Hildie McQueen chats about Desperate Betrayal *a paranormal/fantasy yummy romance*

Update on Hussy the Cat

Valentine’s Day Blogfest ~ Topic: Best First Love of the Past Year!

Valentine's Day Blogfest Day 6 ~ First Breakup!

First Dance: A Sensual Senota

First Date

"First Touch" Valentine's Blog Fest Topic of the Day

Valentine Blogfest Day 1 "First Sight"

Valentine's Week Blog Hop Sign Up!

Hildie McQueen chats about Desperate Betrayal a paranormal/fantasy yummy romance