Armchair BEA Day 5: Experts Say...

And so all good things must come to an end. 

Today is the last day of festivities for both Book Expo America 2012 and Armchair BEA (well, Saturday is going to bring a wrap-up feature at the ABEA Central website…bit still ^_^). Unsurprisingly, Armchair BEA has been an enlightening and enjoyable experience, with all sorts of personal stories shared and many new bits of information learned. The organizers did a wonderful job, and they deserve all possible thanks.

The last topic for ABEA centers around the future of book blogging, both at the macro- and micro level. In other words, what will keep book blogging lively and fun for us all? What kinds of things can we do as individuals to improve our own personal piece of cyberspace as well as the whole of the book blogging community? The link-up page has a wealth of responses to those thoughts, going into the nitty-gritty detail about book blogging.

So I'll leave the details to others. ^_^

At its core, everything done on a book blog has to come from the love for reading, the love for books. Sure, for some there is a legitimate need to focus on the business or organizational side of having a book blog. But in the end, there's need to worry about having ARCs and the latest, biggest releases on hand. Notoriety in the community...far from paramount. Is your content book-related? Are you about sharing your excitement (or perhaps even lack thereof) about that which you read? I definitely believe in not forcing things...if you love what you do, hopefully others will, too. And there's no need to push out half-baked content "just because." In a way, that's something bloggers have in common with authors. Content is king, and passion is...queen? ^_^

Regarding plans for my own blog, I actually don't have aspirations of grandeur and fame. I like having a place where I can just share my thoughts when and how I wish, and have that reciprocated by other bookish folks. The tandem blog that I am a part of, Book Lovers Inc, is a much larger outfit, and I hope for as much widespread success for the Book Lovers as possible. It really is a place where contributors have different tastes in genre fiction (and come from different parts of the world), and thus share varied thoughts and opinions while maintaining a distinct sense of community (I know that I love those gals ta defff! ^_^). I'm confident BLI will have continued success because its team tries to keep fresh, informative, substantive content (absolutely key!) coming down the pipeline.

But on a larger scale, I forsee the book blogging community continuing to be a mainstay in the world of books and publishing. With the current shifts in how we consume our media, there will most certainly be greater emphasis put on the more social, interactive, and grassroots forms of entertainment consumption. (Think YouTube and Twitter.) I just hope that the book blogging community remains one of cooperation, generosity, friendliness, open-mindedness, and innovation. I also hope the community's unifying core stays the same: a genuine love of books and reading.

As always, be sure to check back at Armchair BEA Central, where the organizers will be sharing some very interesting book stats. Tomorrow, they'll be wrapping up and recapping the last several days' worth of activities, both at BEA and ABEA.  (For me, the fun is definitely far from over. I'll still be reading ABEA posts on peoples' blogs for a few weeks. Four hundred participants sure is a lot to handle!)

Did you enjoy Armchair BEA? Learn anything new and exciting? Has it changed or reaffirmed anything about how you look at books or the book blogging community?

Review: Alien Revealed by Lilly Cain

Title: Alien Revealed
Series: The Confederacy Treaty, #1
Genres/Themes: science fiction romance, aliens, military
Length: novella
Author: Lilly Cain
Excerpt: on author's website

Quick Take:
While not groundbreaking, this is certainly a solid piece of sci-fi romantica. The scope of the novella's plot is intimate, but there are threads that imply greater complexity on a series level, to be explored in future installments.

Book Description (via Goodreads):
     Inarrii agent Alinna Gaerrii was tasked with observing the Starforce base on Earth. Crash landing her observation pod was not part of her mission briefing. Neither was making m'ittar—mind contact—with Major David Brown, the human who found her amongst the wreckage.
     David thinks she's a psychologist sent to evaluate his Special Forces team, and Alinna goes along with his misconception, seizing the opportunity to observe humans up close. But their contact has unexpected side effects, and Alinna soon invades David's dreams. Through their intimate mental connection she allows him to express his forbidden physical desires.
     Alinna delights in the sensory exploration and grows excited by the prospect of a treaty with the humans and a potential life mate in David. But an attack from an unknown ship sends the base into chaos, and Alinna may be forced to reveal her lie, erasing all hope of a successful treaty, and driving David away forever...


Review:


This story is definitely established quickly and, in my opinion, efficiently. At the same time, there was apparent care and detail employed early on, enough to make the quick exposition feel thorough. Within the first few scenes, the reader has a sense of the alien(s) and their dynamic with humankind; the main characters are already engaging; and the groundwork is laid for the romantic dilemma that eventually carries the plot to the end.

The story keeps the scope controlled, manageable and focused. We follow the hero and heroine and learn only as much as is needed to understand their respective dilemmas and appreciate how they attempt to overcome them. Sure, there is a looming threat of the Inarrii's premature discovery by the human race--and thus the potential failure of any future treaties--but it's limited to Alinna's frame of reference.

In my opinion, this book falls somewhere in the erotic romance arena. The romance was nice and well developed…but man, the steam was incendiary. In fact, it just nudges at the boundaries a bit, and might catch some readers unaware (well, depending on one's boundaries). So head's up on that. Still, the development of the romantic aspect of the book was pretty clever, using unexpected methods (i.e., a kind of telepathy) to quickly build a deep connection between Alinna and David.

For the most part, the logic and explanations behind characters' decisions and actions were believable. Further along in the story, though, I did feel like the romantic development lost a bit of its great flow, and certain events were just bursting onto the page with seeming randomness, inexplicably there just to jump the plot from one point to another (a sudden, mysterious attack on a military compound comes to mind). A couple times I'd found some of the later explanations of developments a smidge blatant and unnecessary.

All told, though, this story is indeed solid and tightly written. The romance is developed via some intriguing means, and at times proves to be truly spicy. There's a lot of promise developed by the initial world-building; this book was more romance-focused than sci-fi focused, but I have a feeling the next installments will really draw out the very interesting sci-fi premise of this series. And I absolutely plan to find out first-hand how that goes. ^_^

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

"I really liked it."

This has been a Bewitching Book Tours tour stop....for more reviews, guest posts, and interviews, click here.

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Interview with Author Jerri Drennen

Greetings, funky fresh guys and gals! I'm very pleased to welcome author Jerri Drennan to MNtR today! We'll be chatting for a bit about the fun and wild super-agent world of Her Man Flint, Drennan's latest book release, as well as about some of her upcoming projects (here's a hint--romantic suspense with all the trimmings of excitement!). Many thanks to Ms. Drennan for visiting today, and a very hearty welcome! So without further ado...

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MNtR: Can you tell us a bit about Her Man Flint---Twitterstyle (140 characters or less)? ^_^

Jerri: The stories about two ex-lovers forced to work together to exonerate the other of murder and in the process learn to trust again.

MNtR: The cover of this book reflects perfectly the fun, frenetic, saucy tone of the story and its cast. How did the theme and tone of this tale come about, given its relative difference to some of the more serious romantic suspense you've written in the past?

Jerri: Actually, Her Man Flint was my very first romantic suspense. The last few stories I've written have a more serious tone.

MNtR: Main characters Adriana and Flint make for the perfect international agents--effective and deadly. Do you have any favorite secret agents or spies from pop culture?

Jerri: James Bond of course and on a more fun note, Austin Powers.

MNtR: Along with Flint, some of your other heroes are strong, intense agents of justice. And like Adriana, your heroines can more than keep up! Can you tell us what draws you to the these powerhouse, lawful characters?

Jerri: I'm like men and women of justice on television so I guess it's not a stretch to want to write about these types of characters. Though, I have to say, I love my cops and agents to be flawed, as you can tell by Flint.

MNtR: Your writing slogan is, "Heroes packing more than just handguns." A very accurate descriptor of your previous works. ^_^ Can you tell us about some of the heroes you have in mind for your future books?

Jerri: Right now I'm working on my Z series. Ex-Navy Seals who work for a private security group. Think Blackwater. More on the realm of your typical romantic suspense with blackmail, murder plots and revenge.

MNtR: Are there any other genres or tropes that you've not yet written stories for, but would like to try your hand at?

Jerri: I have to say I found my passion in writing romantic suspense and I'm going to stick with it.

MNtR: Thank you so much for stopping by today to answer my questions!

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Author Bio

Jerri Drennen was raised on a farm in a tiny town in Minnesota where the winters were long and being stuck inside awarded her the opportunity to read and tell stories. Years later, after moving away from family, marrying her husband of twenty-five years and having their four children, she started writing when her youngest was three. Eleven years and many manuscripts later, she has one contemporary romance and three romantic suspense novellas with Samhain Publishing, a category romantic suspense at The Wild Rose Press and two action-adventure romances at Liquid Silver Books. Now, she's trying her hand at self-publishing.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Her Man Flint

By Jerri Drennen

If James Bond and Cleopatra Jones had a daughter, Adriana Kent would kick her ass.

Everything Adriana knows about being a top-notch, undercover agent she's learned from her partner, Flint Morgan, in and out of the sheets. That is, until he's caught between those same bed linens with another woman. Heartbroken, Adriana refuses to forgive him. But when 'the other woman' is found dead in Flint's apartment, she steps up to prove his innocence--he might be a womanizer, but he's no killer.

As Adriana closes in on a suspect, she's kidnapped and sent overseas to a sadistic prince who collects women like priceless pieces of art. Now this tough as nails agent finds herself playing the helpless courtesan to a man hell-bent on breaking her spirit. Flint arrives in the nick of time, dressed as a harem girl, fighting off randy guards and surly camels to rescue Adriana so they can fly back to the states to find a way to exonerate him for murder. 

Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords

Hi hi! This is but one stop on the wild ride organized by Bewitching Book Tours. Click here to check out guest posts, interviews, reviews, and more!

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Featured: Blood of Anteros by Georgia Cates + Giveaway

Title: Blood of Anteros
Series: Vampire Agape, #1
Genres/Themes: paranormal romance, vampires, fated to be mated
Author: Georgia Cates
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/_LbJpi3vEOA

Book Description:
     Cruel circumstances turned Curry Brennan into the wretched monster he hates and refuses to accept, but when an expected turn of events releases him from the bond of his obsessive maker, he returns to the home he knew 161 years earlier and finds the return of happiness and joy in something he didn’t know existed.
     Puzzled by his growing attraction to Chansey Leclaire, a human, he is unable to resist the captivating relationship that threatens to reveal his existence as a vampire. He eventually discovers the reason he was destined to find what he didn’t know he searched for and is faced with the cruel realization that the living and the immortal undead will always be separated by one thing. Eternity.

Excerpt:
Although somewhat involuntary, I was part of this now. My confrontation fanned the flames of Julian’s obsession, making him more determined than ever to have Chansey. Consequences battled within me and my heart spoke against my mind’s better judgement. “Maybe I should drive you back and forth to work for a while, just until he backs off.”

She looked appreciative, but didn’t intend on taking my offer. “I can’t ask you to do that, it’s too much for you to take on.”

I didn’t intend for her to not take my offer. “You didn’t ask. I offered and I insist.”

Relief flooded her face. Then, she surprised me by stepping forward and put her arms around me. She placed her head against my chest, leaving me without an option and I returned the embrace by placing my arms around her. I lowered my face to her hair and inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of lavender and vanilla. I dropped my face closer to her shoulder and smelled the lingering fragrance of jasmine, cherry blossom and peach, mixed with a slight release of salty perspiration due to the combination of heat and anxiety.

The monster, deep within me, unexpectedly resurfaced. He no longer laid dormant as he screamed in agony, begging to be set upon this innocent creature. He pleaded with me for one taste. Didn’t he deserve it? It has been so long.

One scent of her blood essence would surely send me over the edge, giving the awakened one the upper hand as he urged me to side with him. I braced myself for the battle against the leech within me and begged him to leave me in peace.

I held my breath and didn’t move a muscle, for fear the beast might interpret any sudden movement as permission to strike. When I could no longer hold my breath, I exhaled, then inhaled slowly and shallowly. I waited for her fragrance to signal my defeat, giving the leech the permission to strike.

I readied myself to charge against this inner beast when her aromatic essence penetrated my line of defense. When her aroma registered in my brain, I waited to see what my level of temptation would be. The beast received the verdict first and my battle was won as he retreated.
I was intrigued by Chansey’s unexpected essence. It wasn’t unappealing, yet not enticing either. It was neutral and I was spellbound.

She lifted her head from my chest and leaned back to see my face. “I don’t know what to say or how to thank you.”

She raised up onto her tiptoes and planted a kiss on my cheek before she released her hold of me. I reluctantly released my hold, as well, but I wasn’t finished exploring this. I wanted more, I needed more.

We both knew we had just shared a significant moment, although neither of us voiced it.
“I’m sure you’re exhausted. You should get a good night’s rest,” I said, verbally encouraging her to go to bed, but inside begging her stay.

I regretfully watched her walk up the steps to the backdoor. Before entering, she turned and said, “Thank you again, Curry. You’re a real life saver.”

The paradox of her words brought a smile to my face. She saw a life saver in a skilled killer and I was tantalized by the mystery of her. The leech inside me came out to find prey, but found none in this enigmatic girl. The proximity of her essence didn’t entice him, so what did that make her? I had more questions than answers, but one thing was unmistakable; although she released me from her embrace, her hold on me remained.

I was uncertain what this meant for me, but more importantly, I didn’t know what it meant for Chansey. Of all the puzzling things in my head, there remained one clear circumstance; she needed my protection because, for once, I wasn’t the dangerous one.

I lifted my eyes to Chansey’s bedroom window and watched darkness replace the light. She remained standing at her window, believing she was hidden in the darkness, and briefly watched me before she crawled into bed.

She was lying in her bed, unaware of the strange emotions flooding me. Beings like me didn’t desire romantic relationships with humans, so it was unnatural for me to desire anything other than her blood while all I wanted was to be near her. I remembered the way she leaned forward to kiss me and it left room for no doubt in my mind; I wanted her with all of my heart, body and soul, if there still was one within me.

(Read the first six chapters of the book at Georgia Cates's website: here)

About the Author:

In addition to being an author Georgia is a wife, mother of two daughters and a labor and delivery nurse. 


She recently added Paranormal Romance Writer to her list of things that keep her busy, but she is ecstatic to release her debut novel, Blood of Anteros, the first book in The Vampire Agápe Series. 


Like others that enjoy a great story of paranormal romance, she is easily bored by the tale of an obtainable, ordinary romance and was inspired to create The Vampire Agápe Series. When not tied up with family or delivering babies, she is working feverishly on the second book in The Vampire Agápe Series.

Giveaway Time!

Author Georgia Cates has graciously offered an e-copy of her book, Blood of Anteros, for one lucky winner! Entering is quick and easy; just fill out the form here. Giveaway ends January 7.

Click for lots more BoA tour stops!

BBT Guest Post: Author Louisa Bacio

Please welcome to MNtR today author Louisa Bacio. She's sharing some of her bookish thoughts on feeding the need to read...something book lovers the world over can relate to--since, unlike in a perfect world, life sometimes gets in the way of the yumy bits. ^_^ Louisa's paranormal romantica series, The Vampire, the Witch, and the Werewolf recently added a second book, Chains of Silver.

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Feeding the Fetish & 5 Fav. Books

by Louisa Bacio

Lately, life gets in the way of my traditional reading time. It used to be that I could pour through an entire book in a single day … easily, or on a flight from Los Angeles to New York. I didn’t have a TBR pile because I simply read the books that I bought. These days, though, the stacks – physical and virtual on my Kindle – keep getting bigger and bigger, and I have to set aside special time to read.

It’s kind of like planning on when to have sex when you’re married. Many people assume that you’re living together, you’re in the same bed … sex happens, right? Well, what happens if your partner is a morning person and you’re a night person? Huh?

OK, bad analogy, but hopefully I got your attention. Sometimes, when I’m on a tight deadline I know I CAN’T start a book because I’ll get wrapped up and will want to finish it … and then what? I won’t have time to write.

And I feel guilty, either way.

Because almost as equal as that need to read is the need to write. And, I’m hoping that I’m writing books that are just as interesting to readers as I’ve enjoyed over the years.

Off the top of my head, here are five novels that have “stayed” with me:

Stephen King – Bag of Bones: Extremely haunting tale, and thrilled it’s coming out as a miniseries.

Kim Harrison – Dead Witch Walking: First in Harrison’s Hallows series, and also supposedly coming to TV soon!

Anne Rice – The Witching Hour: Yes, I read all her Vampire Chronicles, too, but this one … sigh … such a dynamic family tree.

J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter: Come on, when it comes to paranormal (cough: wizards), how can one not fall in love with the YA delight?

P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast – House of Night series: And you probably thought I was going to mention that other popular teen vampire series, right? Well, yes I read Twilight, too, but something about the realness and internal struggle that fledgling Zoey goes through in the first book Marked really resonates.

So tell me: When do you find time to read, especially around the busy holidays? What books have clung to you, long after you’ve read them? One commenter will be entered to win a box of Sweethearts featuring Twilight Eclipse. Recently came across these goodies, and couldn’t help buy some as giveaways. (U.S. for mailing only. If you’re international, you can choose one electronic book from my backlist.) (Click here to visit giveaway form)

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I toootally get what she's talking about. There's reading for fun, and reading for work/school/etc (or her case, writing). Balancing the two can sometimes be tough! Thank you so much to Louisa Bacio for stopping by and sharing some book thoughts.  Check out a snippet about Chains of Silver below, and stay tuned for reviews of both VWW books!

Adopted at birth, Silver Ashe discovers her blood-brother Trevor Pack is a werewolf, with a vampire and witch for lovers. All her teachings about the evils of the paranormal Others come into question. She runs to a family friend, Nick, for help.

     Nick Stake takes his hobby as a vampire hunter personally. He strives to rid the world of evil bloodsuckers. When his best friend’s “kid” sister comes to him for advice, Nick discovers Silver’s more than grown up. He battles his growing desire for Silver and blindly holds true to his convictions.

     Once Silver reaches her sexual maturity, she’ll inherit her full genetic heritage and turn into a werewolf. When death comes calling, Silver and Nick must face their darkest fears in order to break free from the chains that bind.

Available now via Ravenous Romance

And for more information from (and about) Louisa herself, check out the following. (You might want to check out in particular some of her writing workshops, which look like lots of intriguing, steamy fun ^_^).

• http://www.facebook.com/louisabacio
• http://www.twitter.com/louisabacio
• http://louisabacio.blogspot.com

This has been but one Bewitching Book Tours tour stop for The Vampire, the Witch, and the Werewolf series. For more bookish goodness, check out this link.

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Kiss and Tell Tour: Interview with Mina Khan

The Kiss and Tell tour makes its way back to MNtR! Today, please welcome author of paranormal romance The Djinn's Dilemma, Mina Khan--who's allowed me to ply her with questions about her life and inspirations. She's got a fascinating background, one that seems to have informed much of her writing today. Check out her interview below, in which she talks about some of her early influences, as well as one of her favorite pastimes: cooking!

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MNtR: In a field of vamps, werewolves, witches, and faeries, djinns are a breath of fresh magical air. ^_^ What drew you to this magical being as the basis of your book?

MK: Writing about djinns (genies) came as easy since I grew up on my grandmother’s spine-tingling stories of djinns and ghosts. However, the djinns of my Bangladeshi childhood are not quite like Hollywood version of genies. My djinn hero, Rukh, is dark and dangerous. He is an assassin who can melt into shadows, read his targets’ minds and control air.

MNtR: The protagonist of The Djinn's Dilemma, Rukh O’Shay, is sexy and ruthless in his line of work, but also honorable in his own way. What kinds of qualities really get you in a romantic hero, both to write about and to read about?

MK: To me, every authentic character –hero, heroine, villain etc. – must believe in something and live by a personal moral code. That’s what makes Rukh an honorable assassin, that’s what leads him to find out more and more about his unsettling target (Sarah, the heroine) until he ends up falling for her. Besides that...a hero should be heroic –be courageous even when he’s afraid, do the right thing even if it hurts, and be loyal to the heroine. Add to that a good sense of humor, smoldering good looks, and smarts...whew!

MNtR: You've previously enjoyed a long career in journalism and media. How does journalistic writing compare to fictional, for you?

MK: Lol, you have definitely done your homework! I think my journalistic career really helped grow me as a writer. For one thing, I don’t believe in writer’s block because when you are on a daily deadline and have a stressed-out editor breathing down your neck...you can’t afford writer’s block. It also got me into the habit of writing daily and my experience came in handy when I created Sarah, who happens to be a journalist. How is it different? News writing is leaner and tighter; with fiction I had to learn to slow down and provide descriptions.

Mmm, Gazpacho! Click for Mina's recipe.

MNtR: I hear that you're quite fond of cooking, and even have a food blog, Hot Curries & Cold Beer. Do you have a favorite dish to make, or perhaps a type of cuisine that you particularly enjoy?

MK: I love cooking...in fact, I cook to relax. What I cook depends on my mood, but I’m usually striving to create dishes that marry Asian flavors of my childhood with new ingredients I have discovered in my American supermarket. My go-to dish – spaghetti with a spicy, smoky tomato-based sauce. Lol, I like my food and my fiction spicy & hot!

MNtR: Can we expect to get any more of your djinn tales in the future? ^_^ What kinds of stories would you like to write about at some point?

MK: I sure hope so! I have already turned in my second djinn story to my editor and started on the third djinn story. Right now, I’m writing novellas and enjoying it, but I’d love to tackle a novel-length story in the near future...and a more heroine-centric story.

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Thank you so much to Mina Khan for a great interview! That was a lot of fun; she's so intriguing and fun to hear about. I'll definitely be watching that food blog (and trying out some of the recipes; like that tasty-looking gazpacho, pictured above!). And her new novella? Hells yeah--I'm all about sexy half-djinn Rukh. Check out what that particular story is all about:

Book Description:


Rukh O'Shay, half-djinn and assassin, is used to taking out the bad guys. But his latest assignment, Texas Journalist Sarah White, is nothing like he expected. A glimpse of her bright aura reveals her gentle spirit, while her beauty makes him long for only one thing—to taste her.
     Sarah shares the raw desire to connect with Rukh. He can turn her on with a glance, and satisfies needs she didn't even know she had.
     But Rukh had been hired to kill her—and the only way to save her is to find out who wants her dead before someone else finishes the job…

Find the book at all major e-book retailers, including Harlequin eBookstore, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo Books.



This has been a stop on the Kiss and Tell Tour by Bewitching Book Tours. It's "Nine Days, Nine Authors"...with plenty of book features, author posts, giveaways, and more. Check out more information here.

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Kiss and Tell Tour: Interview with Elysa Hendricks

Today at MNtR, I've got the great pleasure of having author Elysa Hendricks stop by for an interview! She's written many stories over her writing career, spanning all types of subgenres in romantic fiction. Most recently, she's taken on the Wild West. Today she talks a bit about some of her writing experiences and pursuits, including what draws her to western-themed stories. Her new book, This Heart for Hire, is now available at all major ebook retailers. But without further ado....welcome, Ms. Hendricks!

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MNtR: You've had experiences in a range of careers in addition to that of an author--salesperson, underwriter, day care provider, and more--do you have a favorite and least favorite job?

Elysa: I'd have to say my least favorite job was home day care. Wrangling a half-dozen pre-schooler kids is HARD work. Even though writing can be every bit as exhausting and sometimes as frustrating, being a writer is my absolutely favorite job.

MNTR: This Heart for Hire is the first of two books of yours set in 1870s west Texas. What inspired the choice of time and setting?

Elysa: I've always enjoyed westerns. Grew up watching John Wayne movies and TV shows like Rawhide, Gunsmoke, Big Valley, and The Ponderosa. But I think it was reading Larry McMurty's LONESOME DOVE and T.R. Fehrenbach's non-fiction book COMMANCHES The Destruction of a People that gave me the urge to write my own western. One with a Happily Ever After for the hero and heroine.

MNtR: How do you find writing historical pieces as compared to contemporary, paranormal stories?

Elysa: No matter which genre I choose to set my story in the process is the same - idea, characters, conflict and setting. While creating the first three is fairly similar no matter if I'm writing historical, contemporary or paranormal, research for the setting certainly differs. Though none of it is "easy" there's certainly more information and resources readily available for researching contemporaries. Historical accuracy is important to readers, so for my historicals I research the time period carefully and then attempt to recreate the feel of that time and place without sounding like a history book. For me paranormal, sci-fi and futuristic stories can be the most fun and the hardest work. There's a whole world to build, but as long as my world is plausible and the rules are consistent, no one can tell me my "research" is wrong.

MNtR: You've authored a number of romance titles over the years. Do you typically like to write one story at a time, or are there typically several stories being woven together at any given time?

Elysa: I typically have at least a dozen stories in the works, usually one or two that I'm actively working on and several others that I'm researching or letting simmer. I also tend to read several books at a time. There's one by my bed. One in the bathroom. A couple scattered around house. And of course at least a couple in the car. I do try and make sure they're different genres, so I don't get them confused.

MNtR: Can you tell us about the Futuristic, Fantasy, & Paranormal Chapter of Romance Writers of America? You helped found them; how did that come about?

Elysa: The FF&P Sub-genre Chapter of RWA came about when Jan Hunsicker, Barbara Cary and I were just starting out as writers. We'd helped Cathie Linz found the Windy City RWA Chapter in Illinois and wanted a chapter devoted the the "woo-woo" stuff as Cathie called it. Jan was president, Barbara vice-president and I was treasurer, a position I held for over four years. Being treasurer is easy when there's only a handful of members. I don't think we had a secretary in the beginning. It's hard to believe how large the chapter has grown in the last twenty years, from three to over four hundred. I wouldn't want to be treasurer now. Jan and Barb have moved on to other careers leaving me the only remaining founding member.

MNtR: Are there any particular genres or themes that you've not yet attempted but would love to try writing?

Elysa: There are lots of genres and themes I haven't tried yet and some I probably never will, but when the right story comes along who knows where my muse will lead me.

MNtR: Thank you so much for answering these questions!!!! ^__^

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It was a pleasure getting to pick Elysa's brain a bit on some of her writerly life. I hope you enjoyed it reading! But may I just say that I totally agree with Elysa about westerns. They're something some romantic about a cowboy and the related lifestyle. Especially cowboys with honor and purpose. ::sigh:: That's why I'm all about the main character of Elysa's book, This Heart for Hire. All the right elements for a swoon-worthy hero. Check out the book description:


     Abandoned by his father and betrayed by his half-brother and fiancée on the eve of his wedding, JAKE GALLAGHER no longer believes in love. Though he longs to go home, his undercover work for the Texas Rangers keeps him in a lawless Texas border town. Even though it jeopardizes his mission he refuses to stand by and watch outlaws rape and murder a young woman. Getting shot and losing his memory wasn't part of his plan. 
     While fleeing from her stepfather's plans to steal their ranch, CHRISTINA GOODWIN witnesses her brother's murder and is left in the hands of a merciless band of outlaws. Raised in a strict convent, Christina has little knowledge of men or the world, its dangers and temptations.
     Frightened and alone, she is forced to accept the help of the dark gunslinger who rescues her. Though drawn to Jake's potent masculinity, she hesitates to trust him, fearing her stepfather has sent him to bring her back. Unsure of Jake's motives for helping her, she struggles against him, determined to find a way to avenge her brother's death and regain control of her ranch from her stepfather.


Sounds good, don't it? ^_^ You can find the book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. For more info on this and other books by Elysa Hendricks, visit her website, www.elysahendricks.com/.

This has been a stop on the Kiss and Tell Tour by Bewitching Book Tours. It's "Nine Days, Nine Authors"...with plenty of book features, author posts, giveaways, and more. Check out more information here.

Or...y'know, click the image!

Interview: Author Katie Salidas

Ahoy, mateys! Very pleased to welcome author Katie Salidas to MNtR today. She comes bearing insightful information about her writing life, her paranormal Immortalis series. If you haven't checked out the first book in the series, Carpe Noctem, hop to it! It's a lot of fun--and let's not forget, set in Las Vegas, baby! ^_^

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How long have you been writing?  What inspired you to start?

I’ve been writing since I was little. I always loved to make up stories and characters. It’s just a part of who I am. My first official writing project, was a novel I attempted to write when I was 14. I had just finished reading the Vampire Diaries series and wanted to make my own teenage story. I had most of it written and then was told we were moving from Texas to Nevada. Sadly those pages were all lost in the move. Though that accident hurt, it didn’t stop me from writing. I don’t write YA style stuff any longer, but I do still write about vampires and other such creatures of the night. They’re just so much fun to work with!  

What drew you to the paranormal genre?

I love vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and other things that go bump in the night. I remember as a kid, watching the old Dracula movies and being interested vs. scared. When I was ten, I read my first vampire book and never looked back. There is an escape there, in the supernatural world, it adds a layer to life that makes the mundane not so dull. To imagine other creatures, other beings living amongst us yet still hidden in the shadows was such an interesting concept.

Do you ever have problems with your characters doing what you wanted them to do?

All the time! LoL. I call that writer’s block. It’s also the reason I am a pantser. When I first started to write “officially” I thought I had to plot out every detail of my story ahead of time. Then my characters revolted! The refused to do what I had set out for them to do. That stalled my story and made me so frustrated at writing, I almost gave up. Then, I got some sage advice. Just relax and “free write.” I took a break and let myself write other things without a pre-planned plot. It was then that I learned I was a pantser. I don’t work well with strict rules and outlines. Now that I know that, my writing has become easier and my characters are more cooperative. 

That’s not to say I never run into writer’s block. I still do from time to time, and there are many days where I have to scrap whole chapters because I have written myself into a corner. But, even with those stumbling blocks I’m still writing and creating. 

What do you do when you’re not writing/editing/promoting or thinking about writing/editing/promoting?

You mean there is something else besides writing/editing/promoting? LoL. 

Actually, all of my non-work time is devoted to family. I work so many hours on the computer doing just that, writing, editing, and promoting that they often feel neglected. Weekends are work-free time (otherwise the family would mutiny). And family dinner, movie night, and game night are a staple in our house. 

What is your muse to help you write and keeps the creative mood flowing? 

Music helps, but not just any music will do. I have to listen to something that can become a sort of white noise. Sounds strange, I know. When I know a song inside and out, I can listen without listening, and just hear the “mood” of it. That’s when I can use it. I often use music to set the mood of my scene. 

If the music is too unfamiliar to me, my ADD kicks in and I end up listening to the words and learning the lyrics rather than just enjoying the feel of it. 

We writers are weird, huh?  

How would you pitch the Immortalis series to someone who has not heard of your books before?

My favorite line is actually the tag line to my first book. “Becoming a vampire is easy. Living with the condition, that’s the hard part.”

You might have read books about vampires, but how many of them took you step by step through the emotional turmoil of what that change actually entails? In Immortalis you’ll see a normal, everyday girl lose everything as she becomes a creature of the night. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Sure, there’s a learning curve there, but if she can overcome it, both she and you, the reader, will find that it can be pretty sweet!

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that the Immortalis series is set in? 

The Immortalis series is set in modern times. Books one and two are set in Las Vegas Nevada, which, by the way, is the best city out there for creatures of the night. Book three, Pandora’s box takes you to Boston. There you will learn even more about the world of unnatural creatures and some of their origins in Ancient Greek Mythology.  What I wanted, was to show you how easy it would be for these creatures of the night to actually exist and oftentimes co-exist within normal society.

What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you?

Book 4 is in the works right now and I hope to have it out by spring 2012. I can’t give too much away, but suffice to say the cliffhanger of book three will be resolved!

Many super thanks to Katie Salidas for stopping by today. Like I said before, don't sleep on this series...it's a good bit of fun, and will hopefully have many, many more installments to come. ^_^

Here's a bit of info on the latest book in the Immortalis series: Pandora's Box:

After a few months as a vampire, Alyssa thought she’d learned all she needed to know about the supernatural world. But her confidence is shattered by the delivery of a mysterious package – a Pandora’s Box.

     Seemingly innocuous, the box is in reality an ancient prison, generated by a magic more powerful than anyone in her clan has ever known. But what manner of evil could need such force to contain it?

       When the box is opened, the sinister creature within is released, and only supernatural blood will satiate its thirst. The clan soon learns how it feels when the hunter becomes the hunted.

     Powerless against the ancient evil, the clan flees Las Vegas for Boston, with only a slim hope for salvation. Could Lysander’s old journals hold the key? And what if they don’t?

     And how welcome will they be in a city run by a whole different kind of supernatural being? 

Werewolves…

Stay tuned for reviews of Hunters & Prey (book 2) and Pandora's Box (book 3), here at MNtR!

Psst....this blog tour stop for Bewitching Book Tours is just one of many for the Immortalis series. Follow the link here (or hit the image below) to see what other festivities are going on! Yeuh!

Guest Post by Author Natalie-Nicole Bates

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...I absolutely love hearing about the journey that a person takes in getting that story from concept to finished written piece. The paths may differ, the the glory of achievment rocks all the same. ^_^ Today, I'm pleased to welcome Natalie-Nicole Bates, author of Antique Charming. She discusses her very own adventure in discovering her love of writing.

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From Book Lover To Book Author

By Natalie-Nicole Bates

I have always been a voracious reader ever since I was a child. I was the twelve-year-old kid in the corner reading Harold Robbins and Sidney Sheldon. I remember being swept away in Sheldon’s Master of the Game and Robbins’ Goodbye, Janette. Influenced by these masters, I knew I wanted to write someday.

A few years ago, I spent a week in the hospital after an ill-fated skateboard stunt. I sent my partner to the bookstore to get as many Harlequin and Silhouette books he could find. That week I reached my all time record for the number of books read—24 books in one week!

More than a year ago, I decided to try making the big leap from reader to writer. I knew it couldn’t be accomplished by simply sitting down at the computer and pounding out a 350-page story. There were building blocks to creating a novel—idea, setting, plot, scene, point of view—to name a few.

I enrolled in an intensive six-month course in the art of novel writing. I was paired with a mentor, and was ready to writing this sweeping mainstream saga involving two people who had wills that left them a piece of property. My mentor said, you belong in the romance genre. This was best advice I could get.

This past summer, I finished my first novel, a contemporary romance called Change of Address. To my delight, I sold it to Secret Cravings Publishing in just a week.

After I signed the contract, I was hit by an idea for a paranormal story. I knew that I wanted it to be short, just a small bite for a reader to enjoy, and hopefully if I could sell it, it would be my introduction to all of the readers in this world. During a particularly frenzied episode of writing, I finished the story in a day. After editing, I sold the story to Books To Go Now. This is how Antique Charming came to be. I hope you will enjoy Antique Charming and consider it my hello to you.

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A lovely "hello," indeed. And wow...24 books in a week sounds like heaven (even given the necessary physical recovery). ^_^

A big "thank you" to Natalie-Nicole Bates for her visit today. Just as her personal tale is a pleasure to read, her story, Antique Charming, is a bundle of preciousness. It's a cute little tale about love that (quite literally) transcends time. Here's a peek...

The night he came home…forever

     Third-generation funeral director Lizzie Morton is about to have her dream realized. She has purchased the long abandoned Nichols Funeral Home and its upstairs flat, determined to restore the funeral home to its once former glory. 

     But a late night visitor, Adam Nichols, claims the funeral home still belongs to his family. Lizzie scoffs at his odd behaviour and outlandish claims, but when a vintage photograph appears, she soon realizes, to her horror, that Adam Nichols did once own the funeral home—more than one hundred years ago—and now she has allowed this entity to pass into her home.

Book Trailer on YouTube http://youtu.be/Z1U7hlZ0koQ

Find the book at:

Books to Go Now

Amazon Kindle

Hey, peeps...this has been but one stop on a tour for Bates's Antique Charming. To get more info about Bates and her work, you'll definitely want to check out some of the other stops! And stay tuned for the review of Antique Charming here at MNtR.

Click image for tour links!

Guest Post: Author Theresa Meyers

Well, slap me twice and call me Betty. I'm so freaking pleased to have Theresa Meyers visit MNtR today to talk about her favorite holiday (Halloween) and share a recipe for her favorite tea-time treat (Pumpkin bread!). Meyers's book, The Hunter, will be out on November 1--and believe me when I say you simply must read it, with all of it's steampunky, paranormal goodness.

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     Halloween has long been my favorite holiday. Yeah the holidays are great, but they really kick off with Halloween. Of course I have not one, but two people in my family with a birthday on that day. Wonder if that was meant to be? I’ve got a wardrobe full of costumes and probably as many Halloween boxes filled with black cats, ghosts, witches and scarecrows, as I do boxes filled with Christmas goodies.

     This time of year is just rife with potential ideas for a paranormal writer. Just the cold snap in the air and the fog hovering over the ground as the early morning light slants through it makes me giddy.

     I was driving over the Tacoma Narrows bridge (which is suspended 290 feet over a narrow strip of the Puget Sound in Washington state just outside Tacoma) with a friend, the fog looked like it was literally boiling up around the edges of the cliff and filtering around the suspension cables of the bridge. “Hey, doesn’t it look kind of like a fire-breathing dragon might be just down there?” I told my friend, who incidentally is not a writer.

     She looked at me strangely for a moment, then grinned. “Uh, yeah, I guess it could. You writers are really twisted, you know that?”

     I had to grin back. Writing paranormal stories makes anything possible, which just makes life more magical all the way around. Some of my best ideas for paranormal stories start with “What if?” The Jackson brothers in my Legend Chronicles series are a perfect example. They started off with a “what if there were three brothers named after their father’s favorite guns?” At that moment Winchester, Remington and Colt Jackson started taking shape and eventually evolved into my steampunk hunters that kick off with The Hunter out on Nov. 1. (And incidentally, what could be a cooler release dated than 11-1-11!) The stories are what might happen if you mashed together the television series Supernatural, with the movie Wild Wild West and then added a dash of Indiana Jones. There’s adventure, scary paranormal creatures, wild adventure, passion and of course a mad inventor!

     I suppose the other reason I love fall is that it gives us all a reason to look more closely at the supernatural and paranormal. It’s the only time of year you’ll see specials on ghost whisperers or paranormal trackers on regular television. People are more open to witches and goblins, gremlins and spectors, not to mention a few hot vampires, werewolves and sexy shape-shifters.

     And since it’s nearly Halloween, it’s also time to break out my favorite tea-time treat – Pumpkin Bread! Here’s the recipe given to me by the same friend forced to think about dragons as we crossed the bridge:

Amazing Pumpkin Bread

• 2/3 cup butter
• 2 2/3 cup sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 can (16 oz.) pumpkin
• 2/3 cup water
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground cloves

Cream butter and sugar, add egg, pumpkin and water; mix well. Blend together dry ingredients then mix into wet ingredients. Pour batter into greased loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees F for 65-75 minutes for two big loaves or for 30-40 minutes for mini loaves.

So celebrate October for Oktoberfest if you must, but I’ll be celebrating the paranormal with Halloween.

What’s your favorite part about fall and the paranormal?

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Many thanks to Theresa Meyers for an awesome post! To answer her question, my favorite part of fall and the paranormal.  But of course, one can never forget the tasty spices that are used most during this time of year (cinnamon, ginger, allspice, etc.).

Now, here's a bit of info on Meyers' book, the first in the Legend Chronicles series.

They’re the Chosen—Winchester, Remington and Colt—brothers trained to hunt down supernatural beings using the latest steam-powered gadgetry. It’s a hard legacy to shoulder, and it’s about to get a lot more dangerous…

A DEVIL OF A JOB

     Colt Jackson has gotten his name on many a wanted poster with success in the family business: hunting supernaturals across the frontier. Lately, though, there’s a sulfur stink in the wind and the Darkin population is exploding. A rift in the worlds is appearing. To close it, Colt will have to do the unthinkable and work with a demon to pass arcane boundaries no human alone can cross.

     Except when he summons his demon, he doesn’t get some horned monstrosity: he gets a curvy redheaded succubus named Lilly, who’s willing to make a bargain to become human again. He also gets Lilly’s secret expertise on the machinations on the dark side of the rift. And her charm and cleverness help to get them out of what his silver-loaded pistol and mechanical horse can’t. Of course, when all hell breaks loose, he might have to sacrifice his soul. But what’s adventure without a little risk?

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This has been a tour stop for Bewitching Book Tours. There's so much great stuff going on for this this, book, so I highly recommend you check out the BBT page here.

...or hit up the image above.