The Opening Prophetic Poem from The Implanting

Here is the opening prophetic poem from my upcoiming release from Crescent Moon Press, The Implanting.

 

A Seed has been planted

But what will it grow

Darkness recanted

Be there any that know

How can it be thus, when Dark rules as night

Faith free the will to fight the good fight

Closed are the minds

The heart’s way is barred

Where love lies and hides

To betray advanced guard

Lay down the quest to fight and defend

Look for forgiveness to come from within

Wind’s breath cannot blow ‘til it’s released

Nor the sword be wielded ‘til it’s unsheathed

And the Crown in array of Light cannot see

‘Til fruit in its season illuminate the tree

Annum 1567 – Prophecy of the High Priest

Festival Keihev Neous (Festival of New Song)

 

Fairyproof by Constance Phillips

Please welcome Constance Phillips who’s here talking to us about her new release, Fairyproof.

Thank you, Kary, for inviting me to your blog today to talk about my new release (Coming September 4, 2012) Fairyproof.

I have some exciting stuff coming up to celebrate the release of my first novel – which has truly been a labor of love.

Every weekday between now and the release I’m introducing a new character from Fairyproof on my website (http://www.constancephillips.com). Missed some? The character bios are also being archived on my Fairyproof page (http://constancephillips.com/?page_id=1555).

The first edition of my author e-newsletter (The Constance Chronicles) will go out on the release date – September 4. In that email will be the details on how to enter a subscriber only giveaway to win a $25 gift card from Amazon or Barnes N Nobel (winner’s choice) and some book swag. You can sign up for the newsletter (mailed quarterly) at http://eepurl.com/mtRKn.

Also, watch my Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/ConstancePhillipsRomanceAuthor?ref=hl) for details about a release day virtual party.

 

About Fairyproof:

When Monique finds out her brother, Kieran, is planning her future with the one fairy she wants nothing to do with, she seeks refuge in the human world. Now Kieran fears she will be the next victim in a string of murdered fairies and is determined to bring her home.

Hiding should be a breeze. She can control any human with a flirtatious smile and an attraction spell. Until she meets Daniel Elliot, the only human who’s immune to both.

A year ago, Daniel’s fiancée disappeared with the engagement ring, an Elliot family heirloom. He’s ready to move forward with his life, but his mother’s obsession with retrieving the ring makes that impossible. Then Monique walks into his office to apply for a job.

Daniel and Monique can’t deny their attraction, but will the reason he’s Fairyproof be too much to overcome?

Author Bio:

Constance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, two ready-to-leave-the-nest children, and four canine kids. Her perfect fantasy vacation would involve hunting Dracula across Europe with her daughter, who also digs that kind of stuff. When she’s not writing about fairies, shifters, vamps, and guardian angels, she’s working side-by-side with her husband in their hardwood flooring business.

Constance is actively involved in her local Romance Writers of America chapter (MVRWA) and the Southeast Michigan chapter of the United States Pony Club. When not writing or enjoying the outdoors, she loves reality television or can be found at a Rick Springfield concert (just look for the pink Converse high tops).

Constance blogs regularly at www.constancephillips.com. You can also follow her on Twitter or friend her on Facebook and Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6470282.Constance_Phillips).

Add the book to your “to-be-read” shelf at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15830038-fairyproof

Book Trailer:

Guest Blog: MY ANGEL HATES YOU – COUNTER CULTURAL THEMES IN THE NEVER PRAYER by Aaron Michael Ritchey

I have a very special guest with me today talking about a “No-No” topic — Religion. Please welcome Author of The Never Prayer, my friend, and fellow philosopher, Aaron Michael Ritchey!

Aaron, thank you for being here today and for talking about such a fun, stimulating subject!

 

Thank you, Kary Rader for letting me crash your blog like a Cadillac Escalade into a prison wall.  Hopefully there won’t be too many bricks to clean up.

Ms. Rader suggested I write about how our cultural beliefs affected the writing of my debut novel, The Never Prayer.  Yeah, heady stuff, but how awesome is that?

In some ways, my book is completely aligned with our cultural beliefs.  I truly believe that America’s primary religion is romantic love, and in that way, The Never Prayer is a romance.  My heroine finds healing and redemption through a love affair with an angel.  Yet the story doesn’t start out lovey dovey, not at all.  And that’s where I get all counter cultural, yo.

I wanted to play with some of the stereotypes of angels and demons, and so at the beginning of the book it’s not clear who is the demon and who is the angel.  Demons are all about hell and heat and torture, right?  Not my demon.  And angels are about love, acceptance and goodness, yeah?  Again, my angel doesn’t play by the rules.

In your traditional American story, the angels are good, the demons are bad, and it’s heaven versus hell.  I did NOT want to write a story that was so easy, so both my demon and my angel are broken, and my heroine is caught in the middle, also broken.

Ah, I love my little book.  It’s a treatise on service, a very Christian idea, because in the end, hell is selfish.  Caught up in our little drama, it’s so easy to torture ourselves with what we want and what we don’t have.  And yet, my book also has existential atheist themes – if life is meaningless, we have to create our own meaning, and if heaven is empty, we must be the angels.

My angel wants to fix the world, and at the beginning, he hates my heroine because she is so human and imperfect, but as he grows and changes, he realizes that being human is hard and that life is messy, but we can find joy in the mess.  Our struggle gives life meaning, and if God is anywhere, God is in the struggles that defines our lives.

As for my demon, he is all appetite, another one of America’s religions.  What is Thanksgiving if not a celebration of our appetites?  We hunger, so thank God we have turkey to stuff ourselves with.  Dude, the turkey gets stuffed, and then we eat the stuffed turkey to stuff ourselves.  My mind just exploded.

I can be pretty judgmental of American culture, but I love being an American because we Americans are a hopeful people, but there is one area where we go astray.  We think we can kill the demons in our lives and be perfectly good and happy.  Look at our stories. There is evil, we kill the evil, and we all live happily ever after.

I don’t think it works like that.

I don’t think we can kill our demons.  I think we have to do something harder—I think we have to live with them.  There’s an old story about an Indian chief who had two wolves tattooed on his chest—one was a wolf of darkness and evil, and the other, a wolf of goodness and light.  When asked about his ink, the wise old chief explained that the wolves are fighting over his heart.  Which one wins?  The one he feeds.

So my heroine does find healing and redemption through romantic love, but she also makes it through to the end because she learns to starve the demons around her while embracing hope.  Because I think it’s a universal truth that what we focus on grows and flowers, and what we ignore diminishes.  If you want peace, quit fighting.  And trying not to fight?  Well, that can be a struggle.

So that’s my book, part Christianity, part atheism.  Part light, part dark, but there is joy.  As long as we remember to starve the demons and feed the angels.

 

The Fury of Heaven The Desires of Hell — The Never Prayer

A Broken Girl Shattered by the death of her parents, Lena knows she is not handling her sorrow well – keeping to herself, running drugs, risking her little brother.  But she’ll do whatever it takes to keep her disintegrating family together.

Two Lost Souls Lurking on the edges of the afterlife, Chael and Johnny Beels have spent centuries manipulating events, one pushing for good, the other sowing chaos.  Now these two desperate souls have taken human form to play a dangerous game of hope and despair with Lena trapped in the middle.

The Ultimate Sacrifice Lena must maneuver the shadowy realm between angel and demon, love and lust, good and evil, until she finds the courage to see the truth and make the ultimate sacrifice.

When do we struggle to change the world? When do we let go and embrace life’s broken beauty?

 

Aaron Michael Ritchey

Aaron Michael Ritchey was born with Colorado thunderstorms in his soul.  He’s sought shelter as a world traveler, an endurance athlete, a story addict, and even gave serious thought to becoming a Roman Catholic priest.  After too brief a time in Paris, he moved back to the American West and lives semi-comfortably with three forces of nature: a little, blonde hurricane, an artistic tornado, and a beautiful, beautiful blizzard.

He is happiest dancing among the extremes, reading Twilight,  Atlas Shrugged , and A Case for God at the same time.  Like a playlist on shuffle: Fatboy Slim to Rammstein to George Strait to Katy Perry.   He loves the ambiguous and the incongruous.  The beauty of reality, as well as the tragedy.  From the basest evils to the most transcendent good.

So writing Young Adult novels is perfect for him because that is a time of extremes and firsts, and who doesn’t love firsts?    First time on our own, first kisses, first heartbreaks, first everything.  It’s an exciting, dramatic time, and that’s exactly what a good story needs, excitement and drama.

www.aaronmritchey.com www.facebook.com/theneverprayer www.twitter.com/aaronmritchey

 

T.K. Anthony and her new release — Forge!

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Welcome T.K. So happy to have you here! Congratulations on the new release.

Anyone who goes to T.K.’s website and leaves a comment (http://www.scotianrealm.com) before midnight EST on August 10th, 2012, will be entered in a drawing for a free e-copy of “Forge” in the format of their choice! Drawing will be held on Friday, the 11th.

Hey, Kary…thanks so much for having me! I’m very excited to be here, and looking forward to spending time with you and your readers. The Celtic theme makes me feel right at home.

Thanks so much! I’m pretty proud of my cyber home.

Can you tell us about your story and how you came up with the idea?

Hah. Not really! At the time I started writing “Forge,” I had a lot of angst going on in my life. In the midst of the turmoil, I opened a Word file, called it “don’t know” and described the picture in my head of a man on a horse-drawn wagon traveling down a road at night. At first, I thought I might be writing a Western, until I looked up and saw two moons in the sky. Hmmm. Okay, science fiction, then. Who was the man? Where was he going? What would he find down that fork in the road? Wow, that dude’s really in trouble! How come? Who is he? Oh, he’s in love with a woman, but he doesn’t know who she is? Must be at least a dash of romance. Who’re the bad guys, and want do they want?

I kept asking my characters questions, and they kept coming up with interesting answers. Totally seat-of-the-pants. Surprising, exhilarating…I had FUN! When I wasn’t appalled at some of the things that happened to my characters.

Looking back over all of the intimate moments you’ve created between characters, which scene would you most like to experience for yourself? 

Not that I’d like to experience this one myself, but…. My main character wakes up in jail on Forge—a colony planet shared with the reptilian Xerni and the Tormin amphibs. He’s hung over and crashed out—with no memory of who he is, or how he got there. He’s “tazhret”—“nameless” in the Tormin tongue. All he remembers are terrifying visions of enslavement in chains…and one bright vision: a beautiful woman who tells him he isn’t nameless. He has a good name, a good life. He has no idea who she is, whether she’s real, or a drug-induced hallucination. But she’s his lifeline in a sea of misery as he’s sold into indentured servitude, living out the worst of his visions. I love the scene when Tazhret meets his dream woman at last. 

Which genres do you write in and why?

So far, (not counting unpublished fanfic) I’ve only written in SF—probably because that’s my favorite genre to read. Not that I haven’t spent a lot of time in romance, mystery, Westerns, thrillers, historical fiction, YA, dabbling in philosophy, theology, assorted reference books, and cereal boxes…but SF is my go-to comfort food. Ever since…hmmm, I think I was in sixth grade when my eldest sister hooked me on “Chronicles of Narnia” and the Lensmen series.

What are you currently working on?

I’m polishing the sequel to “Forge.” The working title is “Web of Destiny.” I was very fortunate to work with Laura Garland of Decadent Publishing as my editor on “Forge.” I learned a lot from her, and now I’m looking at “WoD” with a sharper eye.

Just the other day, a new character started to stumble out of the creative cloud. I’ll need to find a home for her soon.

Do you have any writing quirks?

It all seems normal to me! I often listen to music when I write—classical, celtic, bluegrass. But it has to be instrumental. Anything with lyrics just breaks my focus. Also, my cats usually sit in my lap or on the back of my chair. They keep my keyboard fuzzy.

What gets you into the mood to write?

My characters kicking me in the backside with more answers to questions I didn’t know I had.

Favorite snack or drink while you write?

Anything chocolate. Or salty. Or both. I drink a lot of water. Sometimes I’ll have hot tea, or a Coke…or maybe a bit of my sister’s homemade cherry cordial. With chocolate.

Any words of advice to aspiring authors?

Keep writing. Listen to your characters. Get a really good beta reader. Don’t expect perfection, because it kills creativity. Strive for excellence. Persevere. Be courteous, kind, obsequious and clairvoyant. (Oops. Started to channel Steve Martin, there.) Did I say be persistent? I read something on Jim Butcher’s website that really struck a chord. Paraphrasing here: If you want to be a writer, only you can kill your dream. No matter how many rejection slips you get (a la’ J.K. Rowling and Jim Butcher)…the dream’s alive, as long as you’re pursuing it. Keep writing.

What are you currently reading?

Let’s see. I just enjoyed Alexa Bourne’s “Her Highland Champion” and Diane Dooley’s “Mako’s Bounty,” both from Decadent. Re-read Robert Roman’s “Fae Eye for the Golem Guy,” another Decadent tale. Also, I’m halfway through an historical fiction set in medieval Scotland, a collection of Sherlock Holmes stories, and some Scots’ fairy tales. Just finished Naomi Novik’s “Crucible of Gold”; Butcher’s “Ghost Story”; and Lee & Miller’s “Ghost Ship.” (Yes, I’m way behind the curve!) Started re-reading an old Georgette Heyer. I usually have at least a couple of books going at once.

And finally, is there anything you would like to share?

Gratitude. Writing—in my experience at least—requires a cast of thousands. Sooo many people had a hand in this. My husband, my siblings, any number of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends. Beta readers on a critique website. Decadent Publishing, for picking up my book. My editor, Laura Garland. Robert Roman, who kept nag…um, encouraging me to send out my book to publishers. My guardian angel and St. Anthony. The Muse. All of them gave me help I needed. From moral support, to ‘aha’ moments of imagination, from insightful feedback, to actual help in covering for me so I could get back to writing. “Thank you” hardly scrapes the surface, but it’s a start.

And thank you, again, Kary, for having me over for this delightful chat! I just want to remind folks to leave a comment on http://www.scotianrealm.com on August 10th for a chance to win a copy of Forge!

Blurb:

Warned by a Seeing…
The high king of the Scotian Realm expects the arrival of an enemy, a race of psychic predators bent on galactic conquest. The Realm’s one hope is alliance with the neighboring star domains in defense of a shared colony, Forge.
Caught in Fate’s grim weaving…
Mindblind, amnesic, Tazhret lives out his drug-induced visions of servitude on Forge. He wants to believe the beautiful woman with the nut-brown hair who whispers reassurances to his harrowed heart: “You have a name.” But is she even real? Or just one bright thread in his dark dreams?
An unexpected hope…
Tazhret’s destiny leads him to freedom and the woman he yearns for—and to a desperate struggle against the enemy.
Tazhret can save Forge, and the clan of his beloved. But only at the cost of all he has hoped for: his name, his freedom, and his love for the woman with the nut-brown hair.

You can buy Forge On Amazon.com/On Decadent Publishing/On Barnes and Noble

 

You can find T.K. Anthony at the following:

http://www.scotianrealm.com

Twitter: @TK_Anthony_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000685321001

My Interview with a Sexy Rake, Duncan Ferrers from Only Scandal Will Do!!

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Ladies (and gentlemen), I have a rare treat for you today. I have as my guest Duncan Ferrers, The Marquess of Dalbury from Only Scandal Will Do.

 Jenna and Duncan are giving away a FANTASTIC SWAG pack – so leave a comment at the end of the post!

Imagine an attractive man with golden-brown hair and a sturdy build dressed in tan trousers and a beautiful brocade waist coat. He has brown eyes that sparkle with mischief and a smile that could charm anyone with a vagina(Yes – I said it. Get over it.) And you will have a vision of Duncan.

Good Day, My Lord. Can you tell us who you are? Give your full name and title along with how you obtained the title. And since I know nothing about titles what does yours mean and entitle you to?

Good morning, Ms. Rader.  How do you do?  I am Duncan Ferrers, the Marquess of Dalbury.  I came into the title upon the unfortunate and early death of my father.  I also hold the titles of Earl of Queningford, and Viscount Hayden.  They speak of the nobility of my family throughout history, each title having been acquired through service to a king of England.  The peerage entitles me to a seat in the House of Lords.

That sounds like a pretty big deal to me — The House of Lords…WOW! So sorry for the loss of your father.

Can you tell me –what is your greatest strength? Greatest weakness? How have they influenced your life and relationships to date? 

You may not believe me, but my greatest strength is my honor.  Honor bound me to defend my sister’s reputation, it made me return to my responsibilities in England, it made me seek out the woman I had wronged in order to remedy the situation.  

My greatest weakness, in the past, has been arrogance.  I was born with a title and, as an only son, was very much spoiled.  I became used to getting my own way about most things and came to believe that I was entitled to have my way.  *clears throat* That, however, is no longer true.  Perhaps my weakness now is my love for my family, for it makes me more cautious in my life than I was hitherto.

I love that you are so self-aware–it is an admirable quality, as is your love for your family.

Let me ask you this–if you were not a member of the privileged class, what would you do to earn a living? Clearly you have unrivaled skill with the sword. Do you think you might incorporate that?

*Soft laugh* No, my dear.  I have often thought that if I were a more simple man, I would have captained my own ship, perhaps as a privateer. *Winks* I’d see plenty of action with a sword then.  But I’ve always loved the sea and sailing.  There’s no better sight than a sunrise over the bow of a ship.

Speaking of skill with your “sword” — Lord Dalbury, I’ve heard a vicious rumor. Unfortunately, the rumor came from a very reliable source so I must ask. This rumor confirmed that you have **clears throat and squirms in seat** bedded over 1000 women. Is that true? Can you provide accurate numbers?

*Gives her a stern look* I fear I know who you’ve been listening to.  I must speak with…the lady and ask her to keep her speculations to herself.  You realize of course that a gentleman should not boast of his amorous conquests nor indeed keep a tally of them.  However, *he relaxes back and grins* I will admit that the number you suggest is likely not a gross exaggeration.  I did keep mistresses for several years and being entertained by them on a regular basis lessens the number significantly.  Perhaps your…source did not take that into consideration.  *Stares at Kary through lowered eyelids* If I have to make an answer to this rather impertinent a question, I might hazard a guess at around 700.

Whew! I think in my day and age the only ones who could keep that pace are professional basketball players. And after having such extensive experience, what is it about Lady Katarina that won your heart?

*He laughs* That one is much easier to answer. Her courage, her loving but stubborn nature, her refusal to give in to my demands.  I’ve not often been refused anything, Ms. Rader.  She refused me everything and made me become a better man for it.  How could a man not fall in love with such a woman?

In your story, what moment was the most memorable, the most meaningful to you? Why?

Another easy question.  It was the first time Katarina called me by my name and not my title.  It denoted  *laughs* a sea change in our relationship, that I had been working very hard to bring about. *His eyes take on a far off look* I will remember that moment until the day I die.

And finally, is there anything you would like to share?

*Smiles seductively* Only that I am so very glad to finally meet you in person, Ms. Rader.  I’ve gathered that you have followed my journey in Only Scandal Will Do quite closely.  And that I may have you to thank, in some ways, for my success in wooing Katarina.  Perhaps I could escort you back to your office and thank you properly for your help? *Raises an eyebrow then laughs* I believe that Katarina is waiting there for us.  And I may I say, Ms. Rader, you blush charmingly.  Thank you so much for the interview today.  It has been quite entertaining.

**Fans face** Thank you for your time and candor, Lord Dalbury. I’m certain you will find a happy home in the hearts of many ladies through your story. And on a personal note: I want to say, that in my first impression of you I may have judged you harshly, but in this meeting, I have found you kind and charming…and pretty damn hot.

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Only-Scandal-Will-Do-ebook/dp/B008MNDCS4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343150893&sr=8-1&keywords=only+scandal+will+do

Lyrical Press:  http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_28&products_id=515

ARe:  http://www.allromanceebooks.com/

iTunes:  http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/only-scandal-will-do/id536593279?mt=11

Only Scandal Will Do

He has the woman of his dreams, but what price will he have to pay to win her heart?

Kidnapped and sold at auction in a London brothel, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam squelches an undeniable attraction to the masked stranger who purchased her, pits her wits against him, and escapes him and the scandal that would ruin her life.

Unable to resist temptation in a London brothel, Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury, purchases a fiery beauty. She claims she’s a lady, but how can she be? No lady of his acquaintance in polite society is anything like her. Then he discovers she is who she says, and that this latest romp has compromised her reputation. He knows how that is. One more scandal and he’ll be cast out of London society, but he needs a wife who’ll provide an heir to carry on his illustrious family’s name. He seeks out Katarina, intending only to scotch the scandal, but instead finds his heart ensnared. He’s betting their future he’ll capture her heart, but does he have what it

takes to win the wager?

WARNING: A blade-wielding heroine who crosses swords with a master of sensuality.

 

Excerpt for Only Scandal Will Do:

“I assure you, there was never a night like that before.” Lord Dalbury spoke quietly, and Katarina sensed a tension in him. “I had never done such a thing before. Never participated in such an auction. Never tried to take a woman unwillingly to my bed.” He stopped speaking. Just stopped. Then his breath hissed as though he’d slowly released it.

“I cannot find the words to tell you how deeply I regret I was not a better man that night.” He paused, and she held still and waited. “What I tried to do was madness, without thought, without honor. I do not even have an excuse other than my base desires, and that your abundant charms overwhelmed me.” His face was shadowy in the scarce light of the sickle moon, but he sounded contrite. “I have no right to ask for your forgiveness. I have no right to expect it. But I would ask you to allow me to attempt to remedy the situation.”

Kat shook her head slowly. “What on earth do you believe you could do, Lord Dalbury, that could even come close to a remedy for the terror and humiliation you put me through? Do you think now that I have met you, heard your feeble attempts at an apology, and rejected them, the memory of that night will magically disappear?” She fought to control her anger, though she yearned to blast him with it. “What magic potion would you have me take that would erase the memory of you pinning me to the bed? Because if you have such an elixir, then yes, I will gladly take it from you and obliterate you absolutely and irrevocably.”

He stood silent at her words, then said simply, “I have only myself to offer, my lady.”

“You would have me kill you, my lord? In that, too, I agree I would oblige you, but not at the cost of my own life. I understand the English law punishes those who do murder quite severely.” Kat was astonished when he lurched backward, as from a blow.

“No, my lady, I would not have you kill me,” he said, sounding grimly amused. “Though indeed that would probably give you most satisfaction. I meant I would have you marry me.”

His words surprised a laugh out of her. “Marry you?” The laughter grew. “I see, my lord, you think me both a whore and a fool.”

“I think you are neither, Lady Katarina.”

“Then you are the fool to believe I would put such a man as you in control of every aspect of my life.” That he thought she would even entertain the suggestion was insulting.

The pale moonlight shadowed his face, but she could read displeasure there just the same. “You judge me solely on one act that, I assure you, was grossly out of character for me. You cannot possibly know what kind of husband I would be.”

“And never will, Lord Dalbury. I can swear to you that I would not marry you if I were in Hell and you were my only hope of Heaven.”

He inclined his head toward her, a faint smile touching his lips. “I believe you made a similar claim about dancing with me, Lady Katarina. Yet we have indeed enjoyed a dance together despite your words.” His tone was soft, the sensuous, cajoling one he had used to seduce her that night in the House of Pleasure.

Kat trembled, recalling the incredible sensations of his hands, his mouth on her body. Damn. He could not do this to her again. Not just with his voice.

“Is there nothing that would entice you to leave your Hell for my Heaven?”

She struggled to answer, opened her lips to deny it, only to find her mouth completely sealed by his.

 

You can find Jenna Jaxon and all her characters at the following:

Blog:  http://jennajaxon.wordpress.com/

FB:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenna-Jaxon/146857578723570

Twitter:  @Jenna_Jaxon

Don’t forget Jenna and Duncan are giving away a FANTASTIC SWAG pack – so leave a comment!

 

Author Interview with Rebecca Royce and her new release Subversive

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Welcome the lovely and talented Rebecca Royce!

Rebecca will be awarding a $50 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour and a digital copy of Initiation: The Warrior Book 1 to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.  One randomly drawn host will win a $50 Amazon GC.

The more you comment the more chances for you to win – you can follow the blog  and Rebecca Here:

http://www.goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/05/virtual-book-tour-subversive-warrior.html

 

Rebecca – thank you for being here.

Can you tell us about your story and how you came up with the idea?

Well, this is the third book in the series.  I never really have any idea where my ideas come from. I know that’s a frustrating answer but it’s the truth.  For this book, as it progresses a series, it is driven by both plot and character development.

Looking back over all of the intimate moments you’ve created between characters, which scene would you most like to experience for yourself?  What makes it so alluring?

I think Rachel and Jason in the snow in the first book in the series was very romantic.  This series is Young Adult so all of the romance is just that—romance.  Some of my older books have different types of scenes but in this case it really is about the snow.

If a reader is unfamiliar with your work, which of your books would you suggest he or she read first?  Why?

For Young Adult, definitely Initiation. It starts the series.

Which genres do you write in and why?

Adult Paranormal Romance and Young Adult Urban Fantasy.  With an occasional jaunt into Science Fiction and Fantasy.

What are you currently working on?

The next Rachel Clancy book

Do you have any writing quirks?

I open up a document, save it, double space it, and write until I get to 13 pages. That’s how I determine that a chapter is done, 13 pages.

What gets you into the mood to write?

I’m always in the mood.

Favorite snack or drink while you write?

Wheat Thins

Any words of advice to aspiring authors?

If you want this to be your job, treat it like your job. Write every day.

What are you currently reading?

I just finished Maya Banks latest KGI novel.  Loved it.

And finally, is there anything you would like to share?

Thank you so much for reading my stories.

 

BLURB:

Rachel Clancy has been through a lot. She’s been sent to fight vampires, lost two boyfriends—one to a vampire and one because of his daddy issues—and now she is trying to lead a secret revolution that could change Genesis, her home, forever. Her confidence is shot, her hands are shaking, and she hasn’t felt a real emotion, except for anger, in a long time.

But Rachel should never be counted out. She sees things others can’t, even if her ideas are considered downright traitorous. There is an important life for Rachel to lead in the world, even if its filed with vampires and werewolves instead of romance and flowers. Rachel has always had to fight, she’s good at it, and the evil that has stalked her hasn’t forgotten her name.

 

 

As a teenager, Rebecca Royce would hide in her room to read her favorite romance novels when she was supposed to be doing her homework. She hopes, these days, that her parents think it was well worth it.

Rebecca is the mother of three adorable boys and is fortunate to be married to her best friend. They live in northern New Jersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months.

She’s in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and tries to use all of these elements in her writing. She’s been told she’s a little bloodthirsty so she hopes that when you read her work you’ll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. Rebecca loves to write series because she loves to see characters develop over time and it always makes her happy to see her favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.

In Rebecca Royce’s world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.

www.rebeccaroyce.com

 

Not Your Average Fairy Tale by Chantele Sedgwick

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Happy Book Birthday to Not Your Average Fairy Tale, the new release from Chantele Sedgwick and Crescent Moon Press.

Book Blurb:

Ash Summerland has it all–good looks, popularity, and the best grades at The Academy of Magical Beings. Ready to complete his last assignment in order to graduate, Ash is confident he will get the apprenticeship he wants.
When he opens the letter from the Council, he is shocked to discover he has been assigned to apprentice Lady Shenelle, Keeper of Happy Endings. A.K.A. the head fairy godmother. Ash is forced to grant three wishes to a troubled human girl named Kendall, and ultimately give her a “happy ever after”.
But Kendall turns out to be more than he bargained for. Still grieving over her father’s death, Kendall doesn’t want anything to do with him. And worst of all, she doesn’t believe in happy endings.

 

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Not-Your-Average-Fairytale-ebook/dp/B008RANSN6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1343828356&sr=8-3&keywords=not+your+average+fairy+tale

B&N Link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/not-your-average-fairy-tale-chantele-sedgwick/1112170164?ean=9781937254650

 

Taylor Made Life finals in VFRW Sheila Awards

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I am so excited to announce that Taylor Made Life, my contemporary women’s fiction story finaled in the Valley Forge Romance Writer’s Sheila Contest along with four other stories. The finalists in the category will be judged by Alex Logan of Grand Central Publishing.

This story is truly my heart. Born from my need to express my sadness and offer support during a friend’s battle with cancer and my own need to come to terms with my husband’s battle with the dreadful disease a few years ago, Taylor and Gavin came to be.

I pray that God opens the doors he intends for this story and that through the words people will find comfort, hope and peace. It was a difficult story to write and there have been many who tell me it’s not easy to read.

But may these words not fall to the ground.

Here is the blurb:

They lived the life they were given; they loved the life they made.

Eighteen-year-old Taylor Smith doesn’t want to die a virgin. Unfortunately, if the terminally-ill leukemia patient doesn’t find a lover or a stem-cell match within months, her fear will become reality.

Tech-geek Gavin Taylor has everything he ever wanted, except someone to grieve him when he’s gone. With his melanoma cancer beyond the help of his riches, he agrees to participate in a cancer patient mentoring program where he’s matched with a dying teen from Texas.

Despite his immediate attraction, the Silicon Valley whiz intends only to provide friendship to the beautiful young woman who is determined to win his love. Against his better judgment, Gavin’s feelings take a romantic turn, but he continues to resist. When he discovers that his frozen sperm and her harvested eggs could lead to a cure, Taylor’s mother offers to be a surrogate.

And Gavin must decide if he can risk the heart he has never given and a child he’ll never know to a girl he just met.