Welcome Author Linda Kage

Where do you hail from and what do you love most about your hometown?

I grew up on a farm in Southeast Kansas.  The nearest town was about ten miles away and only has a population of around 500 people. Today, my husband and I live in a house we built about half a mile north of my parents' place, so I didn't land too far from home. I like how the area has the Cheers effect where everyone knows your name. You can also walk outside in your underwear and be pretty much guarenteed no one will drive by to see you (not that I do that, of course)!!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? How has that childhood dream affected your career?

When I was young, I wanted to be an author (crazy, I know!!), or a librarian...or an artist.  I still suck at art, but I finally have a few of my stories published and I work in an academic library, so GO ME, I guess!!!  Two out of three ain't too bad.

Tell us about your latest book. Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it?

I have a couple stories coming out soon. 

The Right to Remain Mine is my latest.  It released last week from Champagne Books.  I love how the two main characters are so strong-willed and determined. 

This week, my story A Man for Mia is supposed to re-release from Thorndike Press in large print.  My first large print story; I'm super stoked! 

Then in March, The Best Mistake will release from The Wild Rose Press.  It's my first short story.  I had so much fun writing it, I smile every time I think about the hilarious heroine, Deri. 

In Septemer, my second YA romance, The Color of Grace, will release from Whiskey Creek Press.  My family says YA stories are my niche, so I'm really excited about this story as well!

Have you ever used contemporary events or stories “ripped from the headlines” in your work?

I'm sure I have, but I can't think up a specific example.  Everything I see, hear, read, whatever, seems to go into a little idea queue in the back of my head to be pulled out and used whenever I need it.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?

Making all parts of the story come together to form a uniform tale is the most challenging part for me.  I don't write in chronological order.  I write scenes as they come to me.  Piecing those scenes together and making them flow as one is my big challenge.

What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

If you love it, then don't give up. You might not reach every goal you set, and you certainly won't do it as fast as you would like to, but if you keep at it, you will find some success.  JUST DON'T GIVE UP!!!!

Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?

Yep, I suffer.  Just digging it and writing--and allowing myself to write badly--is the biggest way to get over a lack in muse.  The more I write--whether it's garbage or not--the more my muse will wake up and the faster my block will go away.  Sometimes, I'll re-read what I've already written, which can perk me back to the write (or "right"!) mode.

Who is your favorite author and why? What books have most influenced your life?

I do not have just one favorie author. Who does!! But I do go through author phases.  Last year, I had to read everything Eve Langlais I could get my hands on.  Before that, it was Sherilynn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, Elizabeth Hoyt.  Before that, it was Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, Suzanne Enoch.  Before them, came Suzanne Brockmann.  I think I started my crazy author phases with Sandra Brown, Linda Howard, Julie Garwood, and LaVeryle Spencer.  All amazing, talented ladies!

How did you deal with rejection letters?

Did?!  I still deal with them.  Anyway, I eat, cry, moan to my poor husband, cry, eat some more, demand chocolate and dinner out, cry again. Feel sorry for myself. Then re-write and submit to someone else, or to the same publisher if they wanted to see revisions!

Where do you as an author draw the line on gory descriptions and/or erotic content?

On my YA stories, there is no cursing harsher than damn, and no heavy sensuality beyond kissing.  I can be a bit more very-open-door desciptive in my adult romance stories, but they're still not erotic.  I'm not really into blood and guts, so there shouldn't be that kind of gore anywhere. 

Don't forget to give us links to your website etc.

My links!

Website - http://www.lindakage.com/

Blog - http://lindakage.blogspot.com/ 

Facebook -  http://www.facebook.com/linda.kage 

Twitter - http://twitter.com/lindakage 

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3531137 

Amazon Author Page - http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003ILJHKM 

YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/user/LindaKage 

Information about my two latest releases:

The Best Mistake - Contemporary Romance Novella - Release Date is March 14, 2012 - from The Wild Rose Press.

Blurb : Deri "The Mistake" Crandall wants nothing more than the love and acceptance from a family. After her mother dies, she finally discovers who her father is—except he and his family aren't exactly everything she's dreamed of. Not about to let a little thing like that bother her, she strives her hardest to fit in. Though honest to a fault, she even lies to gain their affection. But who could have predicted the one man with whom she immediately clicks is the very millionaire her grandfather orders her to betray?

Cole Harrety’s life is all about work and ignoring play, until a petite, curvy bundle of quirky woman literally tumbles into his lap. From the moment he loses a staring contest with her, he knows Deri is exactly what's been missing from his mundane life and no other woman will ever compete with her.

With a web of deception already woven, can their new bond survive a shattered trust?

The Right to Remain Mine - Contemporary Romance Novel - Release Date is February 6, 2012 - from Champagne Books.

Blurb : You have the right to remain cherished. Anything you read or scream out in ecstasy can and will be used against you in the bedroom of Willow DeVane. You have the right to enjoy a big, sexy cop. If you can’t find your own, one by the name of Raith Malloy will be provided for you to enjoy and explore thoroughly within these pages.

Tempers flare from the first moment divorce lawyer Willow DeVane crosses paths with sheriff deputy Raith Malloy. Both too stubborn and controlling for their own good, Willow and Raith butt heads until anger turns to passion, and they begin an affair despite their brewing hostilities. But more than one force works against them when they learn Willow’s being targeted by a dangerous stalker.  

Blog Tour - Embraced by Rebecca Royce

Where do you hail from and what do you love most about your hometown?

I was born in New York City. We moved when I was a year old to the suburbs and, even though I never would have believed it as a child, I am back living in the same town, around the corner from my parents, raising my kids here.  I detoured briefly living in Pennsylvania and Louisiana. 

I love the school district. I love the smallness of it.  I love that kids can still ride their bikes here.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? How has that childhood dream affected your career?

I wanted to be a princess. That isn’t a joke. LOL. But, I think I was a creative child and that’s obviously leant itself to my career.

Tell us about your latest book.  Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it?

Embraced is the second book in The Conditioned series.  It continues the world created in Eye Contact, which was the first book in the series. 

Here is the blurb:

Benedicte Lavelle is a single father raising two small daughters. When his neighbors put him in charge of handling the haunting that plagues their neighborhood, he has no choice but to use disreputable means in order to bring in a Conditioned ghost hunter to help with their problem. He doesn’t expect to be drawn to the young woman who arrives at his house in chains. He doesn’t expect to have his entire life thrown into upheaval when she is snatched away.



Conditioned prisoner Seven-Two-Four has never had a name. She cannot read, and is scheduled to die as soon as she is returned to the Institution. The Conditioned are not considered human, but Seven can see ghost energy and she can love Ben like no one ever has before.



When fate takes Seven from Ben’s arms, can he move on and find a new purpose in life or will he be forever trapped by the need to rescue those like his lost love? 


Right now, I am writing a book that I hope will be part of the 1NS series with Decadent Publishing.

Have you ever used contemporary events or stories “ripped from the headlines” in your work?

The entire Conditioned series is somewhat ripped from the headlines and from history with a paranormal twist.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?

Writing is always challenging. If its not then you are doing something wrong.

What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

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

Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?

Every once in a while I have a rough patch.  Then I either try to write something else or I read something to move myself through it.

Who is your favorite author and why? What books have most influenced your life?

Nalini Singh makes me want to be a better writer. I love everything she writes.

How did you deal with rejection letters?

You take a deep breath, eat something bad for you, and keep writing.

What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?

A good computer, a good chair, and an active imagination.

Where do you as an author draw the line on gory descriptions and/or erotic content?

I don’t know that I do.  If the story calls for it, I go for it.

What's the weirdest thing you've ever done in the name of research?

I spent some time in the Mote Museum staring at a preserved Giant Squid.

Don't forget to give us links to your website etc.

www.rebeccaroyce.com

We Are Moving!

We are Moving!

Please take a moment and change your bookmarks for us. We have moved to a new, and better, site.

Http://wwwyougottaread.com

We Look Forward to seeing you there.

There will no longer be posts on this site after January 31, 2012

Thank you and we cannot wait to see you at our new home

You Gotta Read Reviews Admin Team

Welcome H.C. Brown

Where do you hail from and what do you love most about your hometown?

HC. I love on the glorious Gold Coast in Australia where the sun shines seven days out of ten. I love the beach and the peace and quiet.

* As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? How has that childhood dream affected your career?

HC. I wanted to be a teacher. I taught Physics . . . yuk but I studied English literature among other things and have always wanted to write.

* Tell us about your latest book. Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it?

HC.  My latest book is Lord & Master, Historical M/M BDSM Erotic Romance.

Blurb:

Lord Reynold Wilton, fearing exposure after a public argument with his sex slave, Lord David Litchfield, leaves England for the Americas. On his return, he finds his delicious man in the hands of a brutal sadist. In a time when homosexuality is a hanging offense, Reynold must use every trick in the book to regain the possession and trust of his young lover.

* Have you ever used contemporary events or stories “ripped from the headlines” in your work?

HC. Yes, I wrote Burn after the bushfires here in Queensland about two firefighters risking their lives to help people.

* Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?

HC.  I am always trying to make my stories better. I am super critical of my work and I often doubt my abilities to convey what I mean. Every story is a challenge but one I love.

* What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

HC. Learn your craft. Write what you enjoy or know best. Join critique groups and listen to what people have to say about your work.  Show don't tell and always remember ambiance.

Lord & Master

Excerpt:

Lord Reynold Wilton opened his pocketbook and paid the tailor's account, grateful to be finally out of uniform. He met the gaze of Mr. Joseph Brown. The man had produced every inch of clothing he had worn since a boy. "Have everything else sent over to Spencer Street. There's a good man."

Donning the new hat he'd purchased from Locks in Bond Street, Lord Reynold pulled on his gloves and turned to look in the mirror. The new, delightfully comfortable, clothes fit well. Soft and fresh against his skin, the linen provided a welcome change from his stagnant, uniform shirt and stiff smalls. At last, after three despicable years, he resembled a gentleman again. The new clothes, ordered by letter some three months prior, had surprised him with their elegance. Mr. Brown had tailored each garment in the height of fashion, right down to the fine, lawn ruffles and silver buttons. White silk stockings and a cloak of the finest, black wool lined in silk completed his dress. He rubbed his chin and smiled ruefully at his reflection. The breeches stretched tight about his thighs and bottom, and Mr. Brown had pinched the jacket in at the waist to enhance the width of Reynold's shoulders. The cravat lay in exquisite folds. Dressed as such, in blue velvet, with his hair tied in a neat queue, he knew how men of his predilection would react to his appearance. Christ, I look like a peacock. In truth, his body had changed from soft to hard and muscular, but a commission in the Americas did that to a man. His face had altered too, but not in a bad way. He had not suffered any serious injury during his time abroad, but the man with haunting eyes in his reflection had replaced the innocent expression of youth.

Although, relieved by the sale of his commission and consequent arrival in England, his thoughts were not on returning immediately to his country estate in Surrey. Rather, he had spent the last two days in his townhouse close to Hyde Park, not wanting to endure the immediate duties of lord of the manor.

Lord Reynold stepped from the shop and glanced down Oxford Street. Nothing of note had changed in London during his time abroad with exception of women's fashion and the volume of carriages barreling along the dusty roads. He drew a deep breath to enjoy the scents of normality after enduring an eternity of stinking jacks and sweat. The smell of gunpowder and the unforgettable stench of a military camp had combined with horrors a man could never forget.

For three long years, Reynold had remained abroad. Christ, he had little choice. His role as master had become impossible after another very-public argument with David had threatened to expose them both. To avoid the scandalmongers and the chance of prosecution for the act of sodomy, he made the heart-wrenching decision to leave his lover.

Reynold stood for a few seconds to enjoy his surroundings. There had been a meager amount of birds brave enough to negotiate the noisy camps, and his heart lifted to see an abundance of sparrows feasting on a discarded crust of bread on the footpath. Above a blue sky peeked briefly through a profusion of white fluffy clouds. A stream of sunlight bathed a rose bush sitting in a large, yellow glazed pot beside the milliners next door. The rich perfume from the red blooms mixed with the pungent odor of horse dung squashed on the road. The hay infused clumps thrown in all directions by the constant stream of carriage wheels. Everything is so normal, as if no one knows a war of great proportions is looming.

Moving toward the curb, Reynold called out to his driver to take him to Charters, a gentlemen's club in Vauxhall, and climbed into the carriage. He sighed, rested his head on the back of the seat, and closed his eyes. A familiar memory flooded his consciousness. The vision of a young man, exceptionally featured, with a soft gaze the color of a summer sky, hooded with long, tawny lashes. He groaned, recalling his sweet slave's sated expression from hours of glorious sex. The young body so deliciously secured, his skin damp and flushed from his master's cane. David.

Buy Link: https://www.nobleromance.com/Authors/40/H-C-Brown

Web: www.hcbrown-author.com

www.hcbrownauthoroferoticromance.blogspot.com

Blog Tour - Cassandra Carr

·         Where do you hail from and what do you love most about your hometown?

I am a proud Buffalonian. I truly love it here for so many reasons. First of all, let’s dispel the myth that it’s like Siberia. It’s totally not. Soooo many places get more snow than Buffalo, but for some reason they get all the attention. The summers here are GORGEOUS, too. But more than that, the people are so great. They help each other out and they’re very nice for the most part.

·         Tell us about your latest book.  Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it?

Well, *taking deep breath*, I’ve got more than one “latest book”. In November 2011 Siren Bookstrand released book 1 of the Buffalo Intimidators series, Head Games. It’s a ménage story with hockey and foodie themes. In December Loose Id released my holiday novella. That one has a heavy BDSM slant. Yes, I managed to work BDSM into a holiday-themed story! Woo-hoo!

As far as stuff in the works, there’s tons, but nothing I can talk about yet. Yes, I know I’m a tease. Watch Twitter, Facebook, and my website for news!

·         Have you ever used contemporary events or stories “ripped from the headlines” in your work?

Not really, but hockey fans who read Head Games may recognize one of the situations in it is an altered version of something that actually happened to the Sabres. *intrigue*

·         What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

Write, write, write. You’ll probably be long-winded, so be prepared to cut your precious words. Have someone who knows what they’re doing – a published author, a reviewer, a passionate reader – beta read your stuff and don’t be afraid to get honest opinions. Don’t expect your first work to be brilliant – you get better at writing the more you practice. One other thing – writing is a subjective business, and yes, it is a BUSINESS. It can be a hobby, but to many of us, it’s a business. Treat it as such.

·         Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?

Sure, every writer does. For the most part I write through it. And you know what? Oftentimes what I write during that period ends up being okay and makes it into the final book.

·         Who is your favorite author and why? What books have most influenced your life?

I’m not sure I have one “favorite author”. I have many authors that I really enjoy. I think the books that really influenced me were the ones that made me a reader, not a writer. When I was growing up I read the Trixie Belden books, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, etc (totally dating myself here). My favorite book growing up one that I’ve held onto through probably a dozen moves? The Westing Game, by Sue Raskin. If you’ve got a kid between the ages of about ten and twenty, give it to them. Do it now.

·         How did you deal with rejection letters?

Oh, sigh. Yes, we all get them. And what I’m about to tell you will make you want to slap me. Rejection hurts. It sucks. But I lived through cancer (I really did!), so when I get a rejection letter, it bums me out for a little while and then I move on. Sometimes I make somebody tell me I’m awesome. That helps too.

The thing about rejections is – as I said above, this is a subjective business. What one person hates, another may love. Don’t put too much heed into form rejections, but pay attention to personalized ones, especially if more than place sends one for the same book and they both say the same thing. In that case, make that change, because they’re probably right. ;-)

Also, rejection doesn’t mean you’re a bad writer. There are a million reasons manuscripts get rejected, and only about 20% of them is because someone is a bad writer.

·         What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?

A laptop, Word, and Twitter. Hear me out on this Twitter thing. If you’re a writer, you spend most of your day inside your own head. Talking to people on Twitter, as long as it’s not cutting into your writing productivity, will help keep you sane. Plus it’s a great networking and promotion tool!

·         Where do you as an author draw the line on gory descriptions and/or erotic content?

I don’t do gore at all. For erotic stuff, I won’t use the “C-word” for a woman’s bits. It’s one of the only words I find offensive. I also won’t include anything I think is dangerous, like breath play (or autoerotic asphyxiation, if you prefer the technical term). Other than that, I don’t have many content restrictions.

·         What's the weirdest thing you've ever done in the name of research?

Oh man, where do I start? I contacted a professional bull rider to get the skinny on the sport (and asked him to read my book!), I’ve contacted both Doms and subs to get the inside scoop on BDSM…there’s tons more, but I don’t want to bore you.

·         Don't forget to give us links to your website etc.

Website: http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Cassandra_Carr

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

Welcome Author Keta Diablo

Dark Night of the Moon

Buy link to Kindle here: http://amzn.to/ADePKy
Keta Diablo

Where do you hail from and what do you love most about your hometown?

First off, thank you so much for having me on your lovely site again.

I live in the Midwest part of the US and have all my life. For the last five years I lived in a very busy tourist town-- busy only in the spring and summer months. Not long ago, I wanted to live closer to my children so I moved into a brand new town home and a suburban community. I thought I'd really miss living on a lake and all the critters that haunted my woods, but I'm really enjoying the town house.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? How has that childhood dream affected your career?

As a young child, I wanted to be a dancer and took years of lessons. By the time I was in high school, I knew I wanted to do something with writing, but I wasn't thinking romance novels, more along the lines of being a journalist for a newspaper. I did write for several small town newspapers for a time and I also was a paralegal for many years.



Tell us about your latest book.  Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it?

Thanks so much for asking! I so enjoyed writing Dark Night of the Moon, a paranormal wolf shifter and the sequel to Holding On To Heaven. I'm drawn to Native American legend and lore, find it fascinating. So this is real bonus for me if I can include some in my novels.

Have you ever used contemporary events or stories “ripped from the headlines” in your work?

Not contemporary events, but several of my historical books originated from true stories I discovered on the Internet. Land of Falling Stars sprang from a story about cousins who fought on opposites in the Civil War. Where The Rain Is Made came from true stories about the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers. I don't write or read too much contemporary unless it's gay fiction.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?

Keta laughs. Yes, all of it. I hear so many people say, "One day I'm going to write a book." And I think to myself, 'good luck with that.' Writing is lonely and it's very hard work. At least for me. I don't just sit down at the computer and start pounding out the words. Generally, I've thought about the story in my head for months before I wrote one word. It's a lonely profession because when it gets right down to it, there's you and the computer (not counting the characters). On the other hand, I love writing and can't imagine the day I close the computer forever. There's something very thrilling about bringing characters to live, getting to know them to the point you hate to say goodbye when you're done writing.

What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

The same they've heard from every writer. There's only one way to improve, to learn the craft and that's to write every day. And there's only one way to get your book out there to the public -- it's called, "Sit your butt down in the chair and write."  Keep at it and one day lights will go on in your head because you grasped one of the skills. There are basic rules to writing and you should learn them if you want to make money at this thing they call writing, but you also should learn when you can break those rules. People always say write what you know about. I think that's good advice. If you love skiing, your book about two skiers falling in love will shine. And write for yourself. If you chase trends and write what you think is popular, but you don't know the subject at all, readers will be able to tell.

Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?

Gosh, no, at least not so far. I suffer from too many ideas in my head, way too many. I'll never live long enough to get those stories written. LOL.

Who is your favorite author and why? What books have most influenced your life?

I won't name favorite authors, but I can tell you some of the books I read this year. I'm drawn to paranormal, of course, and not the standard, sparkly vampires. I like unusual creatures and plots. I read some urban fantasy but many of the plots are very similar. So here's some of the books I devoured this year:

Rage Against Heaven
The Spymaster's Lady
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Hunger Games
Speaks The Nightbird

I'm sure there are lots more, but those are the ones that come to mind right now.

How did you deal with rejection letters?

I don't write for the BIG publishers, have never submitted tp them, so I don't get rejection letters. I have written for many of the smaller house, Decadent, Amber Quill Press, New Concepts, and a half dozen more, but I don't think I was rejected. Right now, I'm publishing on my own. We'll so how it goes, but who knows what I'll be writing or for who in several years. The industry is always changing.

What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?

Perseverance
A command of the English language
A great dictionary
Several books on the craft of writing
A computer
And . . . a very vivid imagination

Where do you as an author draw the line on gory descriptions and/or erotic content?

There are a few words I won't use for erotic writing. It's a personal choice. I don't object to anyone else using them though. When it comes to erotic content and gore/horror, this is an individual choice. What scares me might seem like a County Fair to another. Same with erotic. Some people love to read heavy bondage, menage, multiple partners, whatever, and some readers like to get their romance fix by reading about monogamous couples.

What's the weirdest thing you've ever done in the name of research?

I don't know that this is weird, but Where The Rain Is Made, the Cheyenne Dog Soldier book came about because my youngest son, the bookworm in our family, took a sudden, intense interest in American West history. We spent hours (and I do mean hours) at the local library so he could read everything available to him. He found history of the Native American tribes particularly fascinating. Several years later, his interests changed in reading and I was left with pages and pages of notes on the Cheyenne. I decided to put them to good use and wrote a book.

Thanks again for hosting me. You know I've always had a fondness for your site and the great reviews!

* * *

Keta is a multi-published author of paranormal and historical romance and gay fiction. In 2009, her erotic romance Decadent Deceptions was a finalist in the RWA Molly contest. In 2010, Keta's entry Phoenix Rising finaled in the Scarlet Boa contest and in 2011 Keta's acclaimed paranormal shifter, Where The Rain is Made, was nominated by Authors After Dark for a Bookie Award and by Deep In The Heart of Romance for Best Romance of the Year.

Many of her books, including her gay fiction series CROSSROADS, have won numerous awards: Top Reviewer's Pick, Recommended Read and Best Book of the Month.

If you'd like to know more about Keta and her latest releases, she haunts the Net here:

Keta's Keep Blog, http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ketadiablo
Facebook Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/KetaDiablo.Author
Gay Fiction Blog: http://thestuffofmythandmen.blogspot.com

Don't forget to enter the contest for a FREE book by leaving a comment below. Be sure to leave your e-mail too in case you win. Blog host will select a winner at the end of the tour and notify you by e-mail. If you read Dark Night of the Moon or Holding On To Heaven, please leave a review on Amazon (here: http://amzn.to/ADePKy). A few short sentences would be great!

GOOD LUCK everyone!

FOLLOW KETA'S KEEP: http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com

Blog Tour: Kasonndra Leigh

Where do you hail from and what do you love most about your hometown?

I’m from Charlotte, NC although I don’t really remember a whole ton about it. My family moved to Durham, NC when I was three-years-old so I don’t really remember much about my time there. Charlotte is the race car capital of the world. That being said, I’m pretty sure that’s why I have such a love of exotic race cars. Now I live with my two sons in Durham, North Carolina, the home of the Blue Devils and Tar Heels. Yay!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? How has that childhood dream affected your career?

This might sound a little cheeky, but I always knew I wanted to be a writer. I fell in love with books at a very early age and that obsession never released its hold on me. I mean, I’ve dibbled and dabbled in a lot of other things. I even sang, travelled with a popular jazz/rock band, recorded a couple of CDs. But it always came back to the writing. I majored in journalism when I was at UNC and then Radio, t.v., and motion picture editing. In the end, I discovered it was still about the writing for me.

Tell us about your latest book.  Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it?

The story follows Chela, a young girl who lives in a rebuilt society. She has recently learned that both she and her sick brother have certain powers. In Chela’s society, a place created from an apocalyptic war between good and bad nephilim, any type of supernatural power is illegal. Anyone thought to be related to a celestial creature will either be killed or exiled. So imagine Chela’s shock after she learned her father, a leader in the governing body, has been hiding his children’s secret. But in defense of Chela’s dad, I’ll say he had a reason for keeping them both in the dark. It’ll be up to Chela to save her brother without being discovered. Enter handsome, dashing demon slayer along with a best guy friend who’d walk the wire for her and Chela is all set!

Have you ever used contemporary events or stories “ripped from the headlines” in your work?

Of course! I think every author done that at some point. In my paranormal suspense novel due out this May, I used a couple of recent contemporary events to flesh out the storyline. Mystery and suspense novels are probably the best contenders for using this technique.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?

I find EVERYTHING about writing to be a challenge. From the first line to the words “The End”, you must have a plan. Readers these days have more choices than ever. As a writer, you have to deliver a well written, top-notch product to them. Or…they simply won’t buy your book. You have to find that fine line between maintaining excitement for the story you love and presenting something exciting for the reader. That’s why I say it’s all a challenge. But it’s all worth it when you start to see reviews from people you don’t know saying how much they love your book.

What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

Write. Read. Read. Write. Read. Read. Read, etc. I think you get the point. LoL One makes the other a ton easier and they’re both connected.

Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?

I’m the world’s worst writer’s block sufferer ever. And these days when readers expect lightning fast production of sequels, I have to get rid of it super quick. How? Writing class? Exercise? Kicking something? LoL. Actually, the answer is gardening (don’t be laughing at me, now). It clears my head, and gives me something to NOT think about.

Who is your favorite author and why? What books have most influenced your life?

I have so many that I can’t really nail it down to one. But I can tell you that Octavia Butler, Stephan King, Dean Koontz, and Elizabeth Kostova have all influenced my writing journey in some way.

How did you deal with rejection letters?

I used them as a learning tool, a morale booster so to speak. I saved them in a folder and go back to visit them every now and then.  Big grin. The key is to keep writing and improving your skills until someone says yes. And eventually they will. Just be prepared for what to do when many of them say it at the same time.

Where do you as an author draw the line on gory descriptions and/or erotic content?

That’s easy for me to answer. I write YA which means, you can be edgy but not super gory or erotic. There can be a hint at it, or some kind of clever, fancy way of letting your reader know that it’s happened.

What's the weirdest thing you've ever done in the name of research?

This is definitely an interesting question. I would have to say my trip to Wilmington, NC was the weirdest. The Copper Suns series is based on a newly formed region in North Carolina. Wilmington is one of those regions. To get a feel for the eeriness you always hear about in that region, I took one of the haunted house tours. Was I terrified? A big old YES! But the experience helped me write my paranormal novel Hacienda Moon which takes place in a haunted plantation house.

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Author Site:                http://www.kasonndraleigh.com

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Welcome Author Veronica Scott

  Where do you hail from and what do you love most about your hometown?

I lived in upstate New York until I was twelve, in the middle of a large game preserve, so I had a lot of room to play and dream and make up adventures! It was a bit isolated but beautiful. We lived next to an abandoned blueberry farm and close to a lake where my grandparents had a summer cabin so there were always a lot of fun things to do.

·         As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? How has that childhood dream affected your career?

I used to want to be the first woman on Mars but I think that dream went away when I hit the high school trig and physics classes! I didn’t really want to be an astronaut, however, I wanted to find a way to travel to a wildly different place and have adventures, you know? I started writing when I was a little girl, because there weren’t enough movies and books about the kinds of things I wanted to experience. So I created my own. The day job is in the business world for a major aerospace research place, so I found a way to keep my hand in just a little bit with outer space. I never stopped writing fiction though and someday I have that dream of being a fulltime writer. Writing as the day job=heaven!

·         Tell us about your latest book.  Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it?

My latest book is also my first published work – Priestess of the Nile, a paranormal romance novella from Carina Press, released on January 23^rd as an e book. It will also be coming out as an audio book. Set in Ancient Egypt, around 1500 BC, the book tells the story of Sobek the Crocodile God. Drawn to his abandoned temple on the banks of the Nile by an enchanting song, he’s even more captivated by the sight of the singer herself. Appearing to her as a man, he learns she is Merys, a descendant of his last priestess. Though he desires her greatly, Sobek believes Merys deserves to be more than just his mistress. But the rules that govern the Egyptian pantheon forbid anything beyond a physical joining of a Great One and a human.

Merys is attracted to the handsome stranger, who arouses passions in her that no man ever has. But with no dowry and no hope of ever leaving her village, she dares not dream of the future—or love.

Sobek takes every opportunity to visit Merys, taxing his resolve to leave her pure. When he saves her life, their mutual desire must be sated. But of course in the world of paranormal romance nothing can be uncomplicated, the gods have rules about such romances, the goddess Isis is very unhappy and so the couple face many challenges along the way.

Priestess of the Nile is one in a connected series I’m doing, all set in the same general time frame. I’ve completed two more novels and a short story, which are in various states of editing and submission so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. And working on the next novel as well! I really enjoy the time period, especially with the paranormal twist.

·         Have you ever used contemporary events or stories “ripped from the headlines” in your work?

Not so much for the Egyptian paranormals, although I have picked up tips for the battle scenes from some of my ex-military friends. I also write science fiction romance and I have taken inspiration for some of the events in those books from modern times. Like many writers, I love research and will go far down the rabbit hole, one fascinating fact leading me to another, until before I know it, I’m notwriting anything, just immersing myself deeper and deeper in the reference books.

·         Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?

It’s hard to find enough time, with the day job and a long commute on California freeways! One of my bigger challenges as a writer was to teach myself to build in enough stage business and description to establish the scenes for the Readers, not to have talking heads for page after page. I also have a long list of what I call “bad words”  - things like the lazy adjectives that end in “-ly” – which I go back and delete in one of my editing rounds, replacing them with more varied descriptors. And the word “that” must be imprinted on my brain, as many times as I use it! My number one offender to prune away from the rough draft!

·         What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

Write. You must write. Every day.  Don’t give in to doubt, don’t edit every paragraph the minute you’ve finished it. It can be very useful to talk to other writers, read the blogs, go to conferences, network…but in the end it comes down to you and the writing. You’ll need and benefit from beta readers and critique partners and an editor but there have to be words first.

·         Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?

Knock wood I’m not plagued by this often. When I am, I step away from the laptop and listen to music. Music really supports  and refreshes my creativity. I also like to do plotting while I’m making the long commute to and from work. (But yes, CHP, I do pay attention to the traffic!)

·         Who is your favorite author and why? What books have most influenced your life?

This is a hard one to answer because I enjoy reading so many genres, BUT if I could only have one set of books on my kindle on a desert island, I’d take Nalini Singh’s backlist. I love her Psy Wars series and the Guild Hunter series, reread them often. And of course I could get her new releases for my kindle on that desert island by wireless, right? I’d be very sad to be left without all my other favorites though. I might have to swim back to the mainland!

Andre Norton and Anne McCaffrey were probably the strongest original influences on me, when I was younger, showing me the wonders you could create and then share with others. It helped that they were women and that their books were not “tech heavy”, like a lot of straight science fiction. Their writing “gave me permission” to spread my wings.  I’ve always said that I hoped someday I’d find my Witch World or my Pern, as a writer.

As far as Priestess of the Nile goes, there were two terrific books I read many years ago – Shadow Hawk by Andre Norton and Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise McGraw – both set in Ancient Egypt, which stayed with me. I always wondered what happened next for those characters. My love of all things to do with the time period stems originally from those novels.

·         How did you deal with rejection letters?

I must admit there’s a flash of sadness – authors are human. But publishing is a business and my manuscript won’t be right for every publisher or their readers, for a variety of reasons. If I was fortunate enough to receive feedback with the rejection, I give it careful consideration, try to incorporate the suggestions and I genuinely appreciate their having taken time to provide it. The sheer volume of submissions that editors and agents receive these days is astounding so they don’t have much time to comment on something being rejected. So if they do, it’s meaningful. Then I send the manuscript out again, somewhere else. You just have to believe in yourself, keep writing and keep submitting! One thing I’ve definitely learned is you should always have multiple manuscripts out on submission. Try not to have all your eggs in one basket. You can’t just have the one perfect manuscript and rest on your laurels, at least not in the romance genre.

I didn’t actually ever have a rejection letter for Priestess of the Nile. Carina Press was the first publisher I sent it to and they bought it!

·         What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?

I need a quiet place to work where I won’t be constantly interrupted and a computer because my longhand is scribbly. I can’t even read it!  I’m pretty much a seat of the pants writer so I haven’t tried many of the tools that I’ve heard discussed. I’m almost superstitious about my writing process! I do swear by my copy of  the J. I. Rodale Synonym Finder.

·         Where do you as an author draw the line on gory descriptions and/or erotic content?

I think each author has to decide what works for them and for the story they’re telling. I don’t naturally write gore so I’m pretty high level on that. You probably won’t find me describing wounds in any detail, if the evil minions tear off someone’s head I won’t be supplying too many sound effects or slo mo exposition. I’m kind of the “flesh wound in the arm” school of thought by nature.  I have read books with pretty high levels of gore but the story and the characters carried me along and it was fine.

I definitely include erotic content in the Egyptian books – my hero and heroine won’t reach that Happily Ever After moment at the end without one or two hot sexual encounters. They have strong feelings for each other and they act upon those feelings in the course of the story.

·         What's the weirdest thing you've ever done in the name of research?

·         I can’t really think of anything too weird since I do most of my research in books or online. I love to go to museums to look at the actual artifacts from my Egyptian time period. I’d certainly be willing to go down inside an ancient Egyptian tomb if the opportunity ever arose though…!

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·         Don't forget to give us links to your website etc.

·         My blog: http://veronicascott.wordpress.com/

·         My FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veronica-Scott/177217415659637

·         On twitter as @vscotttheauthor

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