A Party on Facebook, on September 30, from 3 to 10 pm Eastern. Celebrate with us today! Giveaways, Games, and More! http://facebook.com/SweetRomanceReads
SWEET CHRISTMAS KISSES, released on September 30.
*** 14 Full-length Novels & Novellas ***
Available as a boxed set for a limited time only On Sale Now for only 0.99 -
Regular Price 6.99 A saving of more than 75% than if books purchased separately
This holiday season, warm your heart with 14 Sweet Christmas Kisses, a bundle of PG-rated romance novels and novellas from USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors. Sweet Christmas Kisses takes you from small-town USA to England, Scotland, and even Ecuador; from the beach to snow-capped mountains, and to the wild–sometimes magical–west. The Sweet Christmas Kisses bundle will bring you laughter, tears, and always joy, for more than 1600 pages.
Foreword by New York Times bestselling author, Brenda Novak.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1CEhxBg
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1AzwYH3
i-tunes:http://bit.ly/1ykRtLA
Google:http://bit.ly/1qkCzLi
Barnes & Noble: http://indi.uno/1mvOISk
My contribution to the big box is a sweet comedy novel set on a cruise.

Vacationing on a cruise is heaven for me. I relax and watch the people around. Honeymooners in love, retired couples enjoying their free time, seniors fulfilling a bucket list. Many love stories start in the romantic atmosphere provided by a cruise. HER CHRISTMAS CRUISE was written during a Mediterranean cruise.
Let me introduce you to the 14 novellas in the big box.

Almost Perfect Christmas by Donna Fasano, USA Today bestselling author. Aaron wants to give his daughter a perfect Christmas and elicits Christy’s help to do it. When they’re talked into a make-believe wedding, can a real one be far behind?
Mistletoe in Maine (Holiday Brides Book #3) by Ginny Baird, Award-winning and National bestselling author. A single mom takes her kids on vacation in Maine and meets a handsome innkeeper, a young widower with a teenage son. A winter wonderland love story about faith and new beginnings.
The Army Doctor’s Christmas Baby (Army Doctor’s Baby Series) by Helen Scott Taylor, Award-winning and National bestselling author. An army surgeon with twins falls for the nanny, but will her secret destroy their happiness? Stormy Times by Beate Boeker. International author. A rock star, vet, and puppy meet in a blizzard and sparks fly…
The Christmas Promise by Melinda Curtis, USA Today Recommended Read, Award-winning and National bestselling author. When a chocolate heiress bumps into a wounded warrior during Christmas, chaos ensues thanks in part to three fairy godmothers…er, a trio of meddlesome nuns.
Merry Christmas, Darling by Denise Devine, Award-winning author. A desperate bachelor enlists his neighbor to pose as his wife to appease his dying mother and unexpectedly finds love under the mistletoe.
Some Christmas Magic by Raine English, Award-winning and National bestselling author. She’s been dumped… He wants to win her back… A last-ditch effort to save her Christmas might result in her most romantic holiday ever.
Christmas in White Oak by Aileen Fish, National bestselling author. Forced to face his past, a young widower tries to grant the Christmas wish of his first love.
Lucky Break Christmas: Homecoming by Patricia Forsythe, Award-winning author. Their marriage is in trouble…until a judge, two kids, a quirky hometown of old friends, and the Christmas spirit of forgiveness step in.
Beach Christmas by Grace Greene, Award-winning and National bestselling author. Jessie Dawson hopes to arrange the perfect beach Christmas for her family, but when it all falls apart a special delivery from the past may inspire a new Christmas wish.
Her Christmas Cruise by Mona Risk, Award-winning and National bestselling author. The perfect fiancé is a cheater and the Christmas wedding is off, but the would-be honeymoon cruise may offer Julia a dream companion.
A Scottish Christmas by Roxanne Rustand, Award-winning author of over thirty novels. When Lucy Davis receives a mysterious letter inviting her to the Scottish Highlands to receive an inheritance, she expects to deal with it quickly–until she discovers it’s a historic B&B with a handsome, mysterious resident who might just be the man of her dreams.
Small Town Christmas by Magdalena Scott, National bestselling author. Past loves, a family in mourning, a little boy with a big heart. Christmas in Serendipity, Indiana is full of surprises!
By Christmas (Covington Falls Chronicles, Book 4) by Kristin Wallace, Award-winning and National bestselling author. She was a jilted bride. He’s her ex-fiancé’s brother. She’s trying to save Christmas. He’s disrupting her peace on earth. Together they find a holiday happy ending

This summer whizzed by faster than I could ever imagine. It seems that I haven’t accomplished anything. Yet I entertained many guests.













Young guests like my precious grandchildren, adorable kids way too active and noisy, had me collapse on my bed by nine o’clock, delighted and exhausted after a day at the beach and the pool.



















Older guests wanted to hit the stores and take advantage of special sales. With them I discovered interesting places and new bargains. Believe me, shopping with a nineteen-year-old teenager was a tiring but lovely experience. She reminded me of my daughter. Memories of  the long hours spent in fitting rooms with my daughter when she prepared for college brought smiles and tears to my eyes.


So that was my summer: two weeks with one set of grandchildren, two weeks with my cousin and family, two weeks with the other set of grandchildren, and two weeks helping my daughter moved back.

Side effect: I am very nicely tanned.
But I didn’t write a single line.

However I participated in two multi-authors boxes.

WEDDINGS ON MAIN STREET

TEN BRIDES FOR TEN HEROES

So how was your summer?

From chemistry in the lab to chemistry between people. 

Mona Risk left a scientific career to share with readers the many stories brewing in her head. Her books won Best Romance Novel of the Year at Preditors & Editors; Best Contemporary Romances at Readers Favorite; EPPICON Award Finalists; and many stellar reviews, and are Amazon Bestsellers. She received the 2013 OUTSTANDING ACHIEVER Award at Affaire de Coeur Magazine for her "Wonderfully written books about true love." ~ Happyly Ever After Reviews

Sex, Lies, and Beauty Aides has been released, March 3, 2014. I'm promoting it. It's selling. What's next?

I had planned this as a 3 book series, and luckily I have book 2 and 3 done...ONLY...my editor said, "What about Angel?"

I felt like I'd been hit over the head with a sledge hammer. I'd never given her a thought past her part in this story.

So I started asking myself questions. What's her story? Where did she come from? How did she end up running a bridal/intimate apparell/adult store? I thought it might be fun to do a novella between book 1 and 2. I suggested it to my editor. Her response, "Do you think you can say it all in a novella?" I should have listened good and hard to that question. I made a goal for myself and planned to do the novella for NaNo. Figured about 75 pages and I did it. But when I asked for some critiques, they said, it needs to be longer.

The hardest thing I've ever done was to turn a novella into a full book. Holy Moses...filling in gaps, fleshing out backstory, adding everything necessary is driving me insane...yeah, like I need any help.

I have 45K words, the rest is plotted and all my plot points have been added where I need to fill in. With any luck I'll be done in a week, ready to polish and get to my editor.

What's next: Book II - Antics, Antidotes, and Angel

Travis Wellington has everything a successful man could want. He's first in line for the Wellington empire, millions at his disposal, and he can have any woman he wants. That is...until he meets Angel Talbot, who wants nothing to do with him. What's a man to do?

Angeline Talbot, Angel to her friends. Angel is hiding from a past she can't let go of. Her focus is currently on her business and trying to re-open her bridal salon. Angel runs Angeline's an intimate apparel shop that also has a decadent supply of adult paraphernalia and the genius to know how to use it. When Travis' past comes back to haunt him the Blue-hair Brigade come to the rescue, but will Travis and Angel survive the Blue-hair Bridage?

I hope you'll be as excited as I am when you finally meet these two and go on their crazy journey while they fight for their "Happily Ever After."

Have a great day.

deb

NEW RELEASE: HER UNEXPECTED FAMILY by Carol Burnside

Contemporary Romance, Sensual
Released: 2.19.2014
Novel length, e-book
Format: e-book
Editor: Emily Sewell
Cover Design by Kim Killion of Hot Damn Designs
Price: $3.99

This book is the second in the Sweetwater Springs series of stand-alone books by this author.

Former bad boy, Travis Baxter, has a reputation to live down, a job to do fast, and one woman he can’t seem to avoid. He’s starting a 24/7 renovation flip on Claire’s beauty salon when a surprise appears at his door . . . a three-year-old son. Immediate custody brings Travis a major problem. He needs a nanny.

Claire Larkin glimpsed a rare and appealing side of Travis during one ill-fated date, but her personal policy is no involvement, no strings. Not even a pet until she’s pronounced cancer free. With free time until her salon is done, Claire pitches in to help the grieving little boy and stunned father. Despite her best efforts to resist, she and Travis succumb to their attraction.

When it appears Claire’s cancer has returned, she pulls away and Travis is faced with a seemingly impossible decision. Protect his son from another loss or support the woman he’s come to love?

Fans of Marie Ferrarella, Tanya Michaels, Leanne Banks and Susan Mallery will enjoy this series, which contains sensual romance against a backdrop of family and community. 

Book 1: A Suitable Wife (Rosie and Sam), January, 2014

Book 3: His Small Town Princess (J.T. and Cass), March 2014

Other titles are planned for this series.

Read the first chapter here:

Read a scene with delicious banter between Claire and Travis here.

Buy links

Book 1: A Suitable Wife (Rosie and Sam) Excerpt / Buy links
Book 3: His Small Town Princess (J.T. and Cass), coming in March 2014
Other titles are planned for this series.

- - - - -

Carol Burnside is an award-winning author traditionally published in short stories. Five of her novel length, contemporary romance manuscripts have placed in numerous RWA chapter contests and won five, including the prestigious Maggie Award for Excellence. Her personal second-chance-at-love story resulted in a marriage to her high school sweetheart of thirty-plus years. They reside in northern Arkansas, where Carol enjoys the Ozark foothills from her office windows and drinks sweet iced tea year round.

Also writing as Annie Rayburn, Carol produces speculative, erotic romance with a humanoid race living openly among us in present day. No matter what she’s writing, Carol/Annie loves hearing from her readers.

Connect with the author via Website / Facebook / Twitter / Newsletter / Goodreads

February 12, 2014

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and most guys are probably rolling their eyes and moaning, “I just got through Christmas” or “Man, I screwed up with my last gift. I really need to give her something great. It’s too cold to sleep in the doghouse.”

Relax guys. I’ll tell you want woman. Romance.

Romance is not something you can buy in a store. It doesn’t cost a cent. The expensive flowers are great, and so are the chocolate and jewelry. They’re appreciated, but they’re not romance. And if they’re presented in a less than a romantic way, you’re dog meat.

Romance is when a guy shows the woman in his life how much he cares for her. Like, placing his hand on the small of her back as they walk side by side, brushing her hair back from her face, or leaving for work and rushing back in the door, again, for another kiss. Make her a cup of tea or rub her shoulders. Or surprise her with a candle lit bath.

I think the most romantic thing my DH has ever done for me is send me a postcard telling me he really loves me for no reason of all—not my birthday, not Valentine’s Day, not an any anniversary . It really doesn’t take much to make her heart swell.

Love isn't one-sided by any means. My DH loved to have his back rubbed too. He loved his favorite fresh baked pie. He loved that I sat beside him and watched a game--any sport. He loved that I would let the romantic in me shine not only on Valentine's Day but also every day.

So, for the ladies reading this blog, help the guys out and share what you’d consider romantic? And what plans do you have for your love?

****

Autumn Jordon is a quiet nut who writes both contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Her most recent story, PERFECT, remained in the top ten on Amazon in contemporary romance, romantic comedy and holiday romance for six weeks. Join her newsletter for the ltest news at www.autumnjordon.com

Today my talented friend Donna Dalton is sharing with us about her new western romance Her Rodeo Man.  Congrats on this exciting release. Tell us all about it, Donna.

Hello all, and thanks to Beth Trissel for hosting me on The Pink Fuzzy Slipper Writers. I’m a fellow member of the Virginia Romance Writers with Beth, and like her, my first love is writing and reading historical romance. However, just for fun, I dabbled in the contemporary genre and now have a western novella that released with The Wild Rose Press on Sept 22, 2010.

The hero of my story HER RODEO MAN is not the conventional cocky, bull riding cowboy, but a wily bullfighter, a rodeo clown with fast feet to go along with all that wit and charm. I remember my first  PBR (Pro Bull Riders) event. It was held at the Richmond Coliseum. Wanting a good view of the action, my husband and I purchased prime seats just three rows away from the sand covered arena.

Bad decision.

The first bull came out of the chute, hopping and bucking and trying to shake off that denim-wearing flea on his back. His momentum carried him across the arena. He slowed just as he reached our section of the grandstands and began to spin. Snot flew from his nose. One long string of goo smacked into me. 

My shirt got an instant decoration – ribbon de slime.  Ewww. Needless to say, I never saw whether that bull rider finished his ride or not.

I cleaned up as best I could and focused back on the bull riding, determined not to let a little snot ruin my  fun. I wasn’t disappointed. The riders demonstrated their well-honed athleticism, clinging to the backs of those bucking bulls like deer ticks on a hound.

But it was the bullfighters who held my attention. Once dislodged, the riders high-tailed it to the safety of the rails. It was the colorful bullfighters charging into danger that had me glued to my seat. One ran straight at a thousand pounds of  beef, rapped the animal on his honker, and took off running. What? Are you nuts? Of course the maddened bull took off after his taunter. The bullfighter stayed just a few steps ahead of the horned freight train, zig-zagging and doing quick-footed reversals. It was a fascinating ballet of man vs animal. Despite being slimed, I thoroughly enjoyed my evening and felt compelled to write about the brave men who play with bulls for a living.

Here’s a blurb for HER RODEO MAN:

Rose McAllister needs a place to hide, somewhere her abusive ex-boyfriend can’t find her. A nursing position at the trauma center in a tiny rodeo town seems the perfect solution. Until she meets Bass Newcomb. The rodeo clown’s wit and charm quickly threatens her plan to remain secluded.

A third generation bullfighter, Bass Newcomb refuses to let anything come between him and his beloved profession—especially an undiagnosed ailment he is trying desperately to keep hidden from those around him. So when a pretty new nurse treats him at the trauma center, he decides to get close enough to make sure she doesn’t accidentally mention his illness to the wrong person. He’s not ready to hang up his rodeo sneakers just yet. But what starts out as a game of cat and mouse soon turns into a battle of hearts as Bass finds himself becoming her rodeo man.

  

To learn more about HER RODEO MAN or any of my other books, visit my website at www.donnadalton.net or go to my publisher’s website at www.thewildrosepress.com.

Happy Reading!

  

The novel was to be a stand-alone and nothing more.

Bargain with Lucifer was the story of Lucifer Deveraux, handsome, spoiled, and willing to marry a stranger to inherit a multi-million dollar Trust only to have his scheme ironically backfire when he falls in love with his pretend wife. When he takes Julie too his Louisiana home, San Souci, all Hell breaks loose as his ex-girlfriend, Clarice, now married to his brother Michel, once again begins a campaign to win him back. The story ends with Clarice attempting to kill Luc and ending up accidentally killing herself, sending Luc back to Dallas and into psychoanalysis to determine how much of the tragedy was his fault and how much just plain bad luck.

After completing the story, I showed Bargain with Lucifer to my cousin, also a writer. She read it, and said, “I only have one question: "What happens to Michel?" Of course, I had to write a sequel to answer her question. So…Brother Devil emerged…

Brother Devil explores Michel’s psyche and his violent relationship with Luc. All his life, Michel Deveraux has been bested by his older brother Lucifer, especially where women are concerned. Frustrated and jealous, and terribly naive, he was easy prey for a vengeful ex-girlfriend who married him to punish Luc for jilting her.

When Michel finds himself a widower at the age of twenty-eight, the shock of his newly-found freedom sends him into sexual overdrive and excesses his brother would have envied, if Luc--now recognizing his own weaknesses--wasn't seeing them repeated in his younger sibling.

The women of Orleans parish may have called Luc a devil and Michel an angel but now the angel is falling fast...

...and he’s enjoying his downward spiral to the limit!







Icy Snow Blackstone's Brother Devil will be released by Class Act Books (www.classactbooks.com) on August 15, 2010. Bargain with Lucifer was released in January, 2010. http:://www.classactbooks.com

In Icy Snow Blackstone's Bargain with Lucifer, Luc Deveraux needs a wife to gain a five million dollar Trust. Julie Richmond needs a husband to keep herself and her young daughter from poverty. When the two met accidentally in a Houston 7-Eleven, Luc thinks he's found the answer to both their problems. At first, Julie turns down his suggestion, but later, in his hotel suite, she becomes more receptive to the idea:

“It’s a pretty complicated story.” Luc began. “I’m going to skip all the background stuff, I can tell you that later.”Briefly, he looked away, as if trying to gather his thoughts. He gave her a sheepish smile. “You know, this is more difficult than I thought. I’m not certain where to begin!”


“I'd suggest the beginning, but something tells me that isn’t the right spot.”

“Non.” He hesitated a moment longer, then took a deep breath. “My brother, Michel, and I were born in Paris. We lived there until my father was killed in a racing accident.”

“Racing. Horses?”

“Automobiles. His car was struck by another one and hit a wall. He was burned to death.”

“That must have been awful for you!” Julie’s hand went over his. Once again, she quickly removed it.

He nodded slightly. “My gran'pere, Jean-Luc Deveraux, brought us to live at San Souci, his plantation in Louisiana." Luc's voice got very soft. "Three months later, my mother died. Gran’pere raised us.”

He couldn’t sit still and tell it, got up and began to pace beside the table while Julie continued to watch him.

“Gran’pere spoiled me, I admit it. Let me have everything and anything I wanted. At the same time, he was totally strict with my brother. As a result, there's always been rivalite between Michel and me. When I was twenty-four, I left San Souci but Gran’pere insisted Michel stay behind and help run the plantation.” He paused to look down at her. She’d picked up the sandwich and was nibbling on it abstractedly while he talked. “Then, I got this letter. A little belatedly, Gran’pere decided to let me know the contents of my father’s will. Papa, it seems, didn’t want me to commit the same sins he had. He established a Trust for me. I’m to get it on my thirtieth birthday, which is ten months from now.”

Julie set down the sandwich and reached for the glass of milk.

“He wrote me that there's a stipulation on the Trust. If I’m not married, settled down, and starting a family by that time, I can kiss the whole thing goodbye! It'll all revert to Michel. No way am I going to let mon petit frere get his hands on my money! So I told him--” He stopped and had the grace to looked ashamed.

“Oh no!” Julie set down the glass, looking up at him in disbelief. “You didn’t!” She didn’t wait for the affirming nod of the bronze head. “You did! You told him you were married!”

“Oui, and a year later, that we had a baby. I must have been insane.” He pulled out the chair and sat down. “Now, he wants me--all of us--to come home.”

“And you’re up the proverbial creek without a paddle.” She began to laugh. “Oh, that is good!”

“I’m glad you find this so amusant.”

“It is.” She brushed one hand over her mouth, stifling the smile that was forming. “So you want me to pretend to be your wife so you can get your money?”

“Non.”

“No?"

“I want you to marry me, Mrs. Richmond. It has to be legal. There mustn’t be any question, any way I can lose that money.”

Marry him? The smile faded from Julie’s face. I don't know about that.

"It won't be forever." Seeing the doubt on her face, Luc went on, “Just until I get the Trust. A few months later, we'll get a quiet divorce. I’ll give you a settlement that’ll keep you comfortably, and I’ll set up an account for your daughter.”

He knew by her change of expression that he’d struck the center of the target, her most vulnerable spot. Merry. The little girl had gotten to him. Luc had no desire for fatherhood and didn’t really like kids but he wanted Merry to be secure, didn’t want her mother ever to be placed in this kind of predicament again.

“How much money are we talking about?” Julie picked up the glass of milk.

“Five million dollars.”

He tried to dodge the spray of milk as Julie choked, and began to cough.

“F-five mil--oh!” She cleared her throat, and subsided into a couple of hiccoughs as Luc pulled out his handkerchief, and began to mop the drops of milk spattering the tabletop.

“I-I’m sorry,” Julie said. “It’s just that--well, it startled me a little. My God, I can’t even imagine that much money!”

There was a splash of milk on his sleeve, soaking into the dark navy wool. Luc pressed the handkerchief against the stain. “Will you help me, Mrs. Richmond?” He didn’t look at her as he said it, didn’t want to appear to be begging.

“Do I have a choice?

“But, of course." Refolding the handkerchief, he returned it to his breast pocket. “Le Bon Dieu gave us all free will. You can say non.”

“I think some of us have a lot more free will than others,” came the rueful answer, “and it begins with a dollar sign.”

“Well?Do we have a deal?” He held out his hand.

“I guess we do.” She placed her own within it.

Briefly, they sat there, smiling at each other, Luke holding her hand, shaking it slowly.

“Tell me, were you named for your grandfather? For Jean-Luc?”

“No.”

“Well?”


“Well?”

“Well--” She was waiting for an explanation.

“My father had an ironic sense of humor, Julie. He named me and my brother after les archanges.”

“Archangels? Michel--that’d be Michael, and-- Who?” For a moment, she stared at him, the blue eyes widening as she understood. “Oh, God, you mean--”

“Oui," Luc nodded. “My real name's Lucifer.”

Julie swallowed loudly and looked down at the hand still tightly holding hers.

“Does this mean I’ve just made a deal with the devil?”

“I’m afraid it does,” Luc answered.


(Bargain with Lucifer is available at Class Act Books; the sequel Brother Devil is scheduled for a May, 2010 release.)

WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE, WHEN FIRST WE PRACTICE TO DECEIVE...

Like his namesake, the Prince of Lies, Lucifer Deveraux is a Deceiver par excellence. Learning he has to be a settled, married man by his thirtieth birthday or lose a five million dollar Trust, he invents a wife and family; for five years he's deceived his grandfather into believing this. He's fooled every woman he's ever met into thinking he doesn't care for anyone but himself. Even his brother Michel is convinced that Luc seduced and abandoned the woman Michel now calls his wife. The truth is Luc is an insecure man-child who's afraid to love anyone, because all the people he's ever cared for have suffered tragic, violent deaths, and that fact has twisted him from a gentle, loving boy into a selfish, hell-bent womanizer.

Now, he's back at his grandfather's Louisiana plantation--with a woman who married him simply so he can get his inheritance. He'll divorce her as soon as the money's in the bank, giving her a tidy little settlement. The only trouble is...he's falling in love with his pseudo-wife, so much so that they're going to have a baby...and he wants both of them, as well as Julie's little daughter, to stay in his life.

There are several obstacles to Luc's happiness, some so dangerous the shaky sham marriage, desperately trying to transform itself into a real one, may not survive. One is Luc's inability to say those simple words, I love you, Julie. His brother has formed a strong emotional attachment to Julie and her daughter. The third is much more of a threat. Luc's former girlfriend Clarice is now Michel's wife, a fact both brothers have long since come to regret. Clarice never forgave Luc for jilting her, and now that he's back at San Souci Plantation, she's determined to win back the one man who dared to walk out on her. No one, including a pregnant wife, had better get in her way, because Clarice will stop at nothing--not even murder--to get what she wants.

Bargain with Lucifer is Icy Snow Blackstone's sixth novel. It was released today by Class Act Books. It is a contemporary romance, set in the bayous of Creole Louisiana. The sequel, Brother Devil, continuing the story and focusing on brother Michel, is scheduled for a May, 2010, publication.

I am delighted to welcome author Autumn Jordon, a fellow Golden Heart® finalist and Wild Rose Press author anticipating her first release, Evil's Witness. I've lobbed some questions at her which she's fielded very well. I enjoyed getting to know more about this exciting new author. Thank you, Autumn, for being with us today.


What do you think makes (your upcoming book) different? What will draw readers to it?

Hmmm. My voice is what will make Evil’s Witness different than other suspense novels, and the twists. We all wonder what we’d do if thrown into extraordinary circumstances. Evil’s Witness is a story about an ordinary woman who’s life is becomes a nightmare after she witnesses a murder. Readers will fear for and cheer for my heroine, Stephanie, as she fights for her life and the lives of her children.


How long have you been writing?

Seriously, about eight years. But, I wrote a short story I believe in the fourth grade which sold two copies—one to my mother and the other to my best friend. I was also a reporter and then editor for my high school paper. After college, life took over and I put writing aside and raised a family until I decided now was my time.

Are you a Plotter or a Pantser?

I’m a hybrid. I usually begin a story by writing the first three chapters. Then I jot down a short synopsis where I highlight my characters’ GMC and ARC. Afterwards, I just write. One or two of characters always take the lead and the story changes and in the end, sigh, my synopsis has to be rewritten.

How would you describe your voice?

I’ve been told I have a very strong voice. While suspenseful, it’s laced with humor.

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

I love editing. The basic story is puked out and I’m relaxed. I can pick apart every sentence making it clearer, stronger and as interesting as it can be.


Where do you find your inspiration? Come up with your ideas/plots?

Are you kidding, inspiration is everywhere. I see something or hear a bit of a conversation and think what if? Ideas pile up from there. For example, I work for a trucking company. We hauled a few loads for the US Treasury. I wondered what if the tractor-trailer was hi-jacked. The question led to the story line for Evil’s Witness which was a 2009 Golden Heart Finalist and will be released by The Wild Rose later this year.
'

Do you write in long periods or short stretches?

Definitely shorter. I’m up early every morning. During the week, I write for about forty-five minutes before heading out the door to work. On the weekends, I get to write for a couple of hours while the family sleeps in. My motto is: Word by Word. Line by Line. Page by page. I’ve finished five novels, several short several and about a hundred articles this way.

Do you write in silence or listen to music?

It depends. During my usual forty-five minutes, I listen to Yanna, Eyna or classical. But there are times that silence feeds the muse.


Do you research your story before you write it? Or as you go?

Both. There is always the preliminary research that needs to be done, but since I write by the seat of my pants new elements are always popping up. Like is there cell service on top of Mt. McKinley? Or how would the villain take out a whole motorcade in one swoop? You get the picture.

What have you learned through research that you will remember for the rest of your life?

Check several sources. You’d be amazed how many professed experts there are who really aren’t experts at all.

Does all your writing take place on a computer or do you ever write using pen and paper? Do you ever act your scenes?

I write on the computer, edit on hard copy. No, I’m not an actor. I do play out scenes in my mind though, like watching a movie.


How long do you wait once your story is finished to revise it?

I usually let it sit for two weeks, while starting a new project and then I go back and start the first round edits. Then it sits another couple of weeks before I start again. I do this over and over, until I feel the WIP is the best I can do. Then I send it to my critique partner and she tears it apart. Then I advise again.

Do you allow family and friends to read your writing?

No. Family and friends tend to tell you how good it is when it’s really not publishable. I learned this lesson writing my first book.
I want to make my stories the best they can be. My critique partner and I have an understanding. We don’t say it’s good unless we can’t change one word to make the work stronger.

Do you have a favorite character?

My villain in Evil’s Witness, Victor.
I found myself falling in love with him. I have this thing for bad boys. LOL. I wanted to keep him on for the series. And no, I’m not saying another word about that.

What is one thing your readers would find interesting about you?

I’ve been in involved in two cases of armed robberies. Not as the perp. As the victim. I won’t talk further about the experiences.


Has your writing journey been a smooth or bumpy ride?

I would describe my writing journey as a steady ride up an incline. Sometimes the slope seemed to be very steep, but I kept (and still do) putting one word in front of the other.

What advice would you give to a new/ aspiring writer?

NEVER stop believing in yourself. Study the craft and write everyday!

What is your favorite writing memory?

Getting my scores back from the very first contest I entered. I didn’t final. I didn’t expect to, but the feedback and encouragement was priceless. I will add, go with gut when accepting feedback. Don’t change your story because someone said so. It’s your story. It has to feel right to you.

For more on Autumn's work, please visit her website at:
http://www.autumnjordon.com

For Adults Only! Complete anthology contains graphic love scenes.

All proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research

Purchase the anthology in a large trade paperback edition

or

Purchase the anthology in an eBook edition

Coming Together for the Cure

is a multi-author erotic romance anthology

Excerpt from A Town Called Night

By Sammie Jo Moresca

An erotic vampire romance

Jaynie Petrov stowed her purse on the floorboard of the ambulance, tucking it away on the front seat passenger’s side.

“Hi, Petrov.”

She glanced over her shoulder at the unfamiliar voice. It emanated from the tall, dark and hunky paramedic dressed in the pressed blue uniform. She’d seen that perfectly coiffed raven hair before, last week when she pulled a double shift at the commuter bus accident. This was… hmm… What was his name? His partner was Gary, and, if she worked at the Parthenon, she’d usher them both to the front row. Gay gods. Yep. Nobody is that good looking and heterosexual.

Jaynie forced her eyes to the brass name badge on his left shirt pocket. H.L. Bledsoe.

“So, how come you’re letting me drive tonight?”

What a familiar question from someone she’d never met. How did he know she usually drove Medic-7?

“Have we met?”

He extended his hand. She stood and shook it. And then had to exert a little force to pry it out of his grip. Great. He’s gay and weird. I have all the luck.

“I’m Hal Bledsoe.”

“I saw you last week on the commuter bus call. What an adrenaline rush, eh?”

“Blood everywhere. We transported the driver.”

“Did she make it?”

“I don’t know. I never follow up.”

Jaynie walked to the rear of the vehicle, opened one door and stepped up. Hal followed. She jabbed a key into the drug box and twisted it open.

“I don’t follow up either. As it is, I have a hard time not hugging all my patients. Gotta remember this is just a job and leave it when the shift ends.” Satisfied the narcotics were all accounted for, she locked them back up.

They climbed into their seats. Jaynie hit the remote control button and the firehouse doors parted.

After positioning the driver’s seat to accommodate his long legs, Bledsoe buckled up then adjusted the mirrors. He toggled the headlights on.

Jaynie noticed he didn’t primp as she’d expected a pretty boy to. She strapped in and rolled the window down an inch.

Hal radioed the dispatcher. “Communications, this is Medic-7. We’re off the air, en route to our special detail.”

The disembodied male voice said, “All right, Medic-7.”

And away they drove through the streets of a town called Night.

Jaynie reached down and grabbed her purse. Nervously fumbling through the contents, she felt for the smooth flat plastic and pulled it out. Peering into her lighted mirror, she finger fluffed her short brown hair, flipping it up and under. She shook her head to distribute some volume.

Hal asked, “So, you didn’t answer me. Why aren’t you driving tonight?”

“You have a license, don’t you?”

“Duh.”

She rolled her eyes at him. What a jerk… with an impossibly perfect jaw line .“Fine. Pull over and I’ll drive.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to push your button.”

“I’m just a little distracted tonight.” I hope I don’t throw up. Not that I’d been able to choke down more than a hard-boiled egg all day. Well, if I do, at least it will be over with quickly and I’ll feel better.

Jaynie stared at the oncoming headlights, mesmerized as they wound through the mountains. She finally asked, “So’d you do something wicked and they punished you by detailing you to Medic-7 on the p.m. tour while my partner’s on light duty?”

“I put in for a transfer to p.m. tour. No slots available except this temporary detail.”

“You like working at night? I mean at night in Night during night season?” After five years of living in the township of Night, Jaynie was accustomed to the two lunar months every autumn when the sun didn’t rise. Actually, she looked forward to the extra sleep it stimulated.

“Call me a creature of the night.” He shifted in his seat, adjusting his crotch.

She watched. Jaynie enjoyed studying a good-looking man while he touched himself, even if it was nonsexual.

He placed his right hand back on the steering wheel. She looked for a gay wedding ring. Nope.

“Let me see your left hand.”

“Relax, I’m not armed.” He held it up.

From the green-lighted glow of the dashboard, she observed that one was also bare. Hmm… so no state sanctioned civil ceremony took place either. “Did you and your significant other have a falling out?”

He changed lanes and passed a tractor hauling double trailers. “Significant other? Not me. I’m a lone wolf. Not the marrying kind. Not the shacking up kind. Not the commitment type.”

“So, did your partner give you the old ultimatum then, marry me or hit the road, Jack?”

“Partner?”

“Gary, or whoever worked with you on Medic-13.”

Hal swung into the drive leading up to the only sports arena/theatre/concert hall/’Pay-Per-View’ venue in the town of Night, their own version of the Parthenon. Jaynie performed another primping session. So he’s not answering my question. Must’ve been a bad break up.

He parked the ambulance at the rear service entrance. “Come on, you don’t need makeup, you’re beautiful, Petrov. Besides, most of the audience will be female. Who are you trying to look good for?”

Exactly why I have to look better than all of them. Jaynie slicked on one last coat of raspberry swirl gloss and rubbed her lips together. Capping the tube, she shoved it back into her purse and stowed it on the floorboard, under the glove compartment.

Her heart pounded as they traversed the bowels of the stadium, across the vault, nodding to the no nonsense security guards. This could be the night I’ve dreamt of.

They emerged on the floor in front of the stage, in the pit where the general admission ticket holders with neon orange armbands sat on the floor with their legs crossed.

Hal commented, “The house is only half full. These guys are fading.”

“Maybe so, but they sure used to rock my world.”

“So music moves you?”

“Of course.” Her eyes traveled up to the stadium seating. A few people sat all the way up against the wall in the cheap seats. But most of the audience was down low, to the left of the stage.

“Let’s go stand on the other side,” she said. Devin always performs on the left side.

“Yeah, whatever.”

Her hunky partner followed her across the floor. She glanced over her shoulder. Damn, I love his lips… so darned kissable. They positioned themselves near the stage. Jaynie studied Hal’s face. Oh no. I’m staring. Better say something. “Does your hair do that easily, or does it take a lot of work to get the disheveled cover model look?”

Hal smiled as the room went dark. The fans squealed as they clambered to their feet. Blue and green lights searched as the opening act, a Beach Boys cover band, warmed up the ladies.

Jaynie didn’t know if she wanted them to hurry up so the main attraction would commence or hope something went wrong and the main attraction didn’t show. No, I don’t want anyone to get hurt. There would be a revolt of the fans and a stampede–meaning cuts, bruises and bones to set. Jaynie enjoyed the latter. She’d been top in her cadet class at setting bones. Splinting compound fractures were a rush. Well, provided the patient was unconscious.

She turned her head and stretched up toward her partner. Damn. His ear was even perfectly wrought. All the best specimens are married or walk on the other side of the moon. “Make a deal with you. I’ll take the broken bones and you take the abrasions, cuts, and concussions.”

“Who’ll do the syncopes?”

“Yeah, the girls will be fainting tonight, swooning over Devin,” she sighed.

“I hope they stocked the triage room with water.”

“You didn’t inventory?”

“Have you seen me leave?”

“I guess it’s too late now.” Her mind drifted back to where she hadn’t let it in such a long time. To a sultry summer in Miami. She’d sneak out at midnight and make her way down along the bay. Her friend Samantha’s family ran a boutique hotel two blocks from the beach. Okay, Miami Beach is an island, and not very wide, mostly beach front, so, within that context, it was nowhere near the beach. And boutique hotel doesn’t exactly classify their establishment. Something along the lines of flophouse would be more accurate. Think transplanted New Jersey and New York residents, ancient Jewish and Italian men with leather faces and hanging skin.

The flophouse sat diagonally across the street from the recording studio where Devin and his band worked. Jaynie and Samantha would sit on the hotel roof and spy, waiting for Devin to emerge. Samantha was a fun girl, always eager for the next adventure. Jaynie felt a bit guilty sometimes for using her. He usually emerged around 2:00 a.m. God, he was such a fine specimen. And he had that extra something. Well, so the rumors went anyhow. He was supposed to be half-vampire.

That’s what drew Jaynie to him more than his music. She had always wanted to be kissed by a vampire, and to bite one. Yep, bite one. Taste his blood to see if it rocked her world.

©2007 Sammie Jo Moresca

For Adults Only! Complete anthology contains graphic love scenes.

All proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research

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Steamy Romance Excerpts:

Diet Another Day

Smolder

Type Dirty To Me

Wish Upon a Jinn

Mystery Excerpts:

Christina’s Fear

Dying to Love Him

Hundred Dollar Bill

Immaculate Deception