Home Again, Home Again, Riggidy Jig

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...and I honestly wish I'd never left. The. Worst. Vacation. Ever.

The feelings of crap that culminated from this vacation are still going strong and overshadowing just about everything in my life right now.

Even the decent sales I'm making on my new book have paled...and I find them to be a joke.

I guess that's what happens when you wreck your mother-in-law's van and get a ticket.

I know mistakes happen, accidents happen. But why the F do they keep happening to me? Now I'm in a bit of a slump. I suppose we all have slumps, which is why I don't mind sharing with you. I'll come out of it. That's part of my nature, too. I bounce back from crap, whether I'm jumping in it or it's being flung at me... or both.

Enjoy the weekend. With Love,
Bethanne

PS when I'm feeling better about life, in general, maybe I'll post a few pictures from our week in Florida. Eventually, I'll need to remind myself that there were a few good moments....

Fiction Friday

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Today Suzanne Lazear stopping in to celebrate the upcoming release of her first novel, Innocent Darkness.

Hello, Suzanne!!! Thanks for coming in. Around here we celebrate most things in life with cake and ice cream. My virtual bakery is open so tell me what you'll have.

S: Yum, thanks for the cake.  Well, I think everyone knows how much I like cupcakes. ~launches cupcake cannon~ However, I’m partial to chocolate cake and ice cream. Everything is better with chocolate...or bacon.  But I’m not certain bacon and chocolate go together.  

Tell me a little about your book that comes out in August.

S: Innocent Darkness, which is book 1 of the Aether Chronicles, is what I call “Fairytale Steampunk.”  It’s a blend of classic fairytale elements (evil queens, huntsman, bad bargains, wishes), faeries, and of course, Steampunk.  My main character, Noli Braddock lives in an alternate version of Los Angeles, one populated by flying cars, hoverboards, and Airpirates. I adore Steampunk and it was fun coming up with things like Noli’s flying car and the alternate history explaining why her version of 1901 is steampunk. I also enjoyed mashing it up with the faery world and creating that mythos as well.  My faeries are a little different than you might be used to – my courts are elements not seasons, and the realm subsists on the blood of mortal girls. The book comes out from Flux on 8-8-12.  

When you made that first sale, how did you celebrate?

S: When I sold, I was unemployed—like my unemployment was about to run out unemployed.  So, when I got “the email” from Flux, offering me a two book deal, I took my daughter to McDonalds after school to celebrate.  She had a happy meal and ice cream.  I ate her fries.  While at McDonalds, I got “the call” from my agent.  INNOCENT DARKNESS is my first novel.

Wow! Way to go. On a first novel! So, tell me, are you a plotter or a panster?

S: I’m a puzzler.  I often know certain points in the story, but have no idea how I’ll get from point A to point B.  Usually, I come up with that as I write, though once in awhile I’ll actually have an outline.  I had an outline with INNOCENT DARKNESS, but not with book 2.  When I had to turn in my first 3 chapters and a synopsis to my editor, I actually had to sit down write the whole story so I knew how it ended.

I know how that can be a lot of work. When you're ready to take a break from work, what would be your dream vacation spot? Have you been there?

S:  I think a nice tropical beach with a hammock, the ocean, and my family sounds really good.  But I’d have to have electrical outlets because I’m co-dependent with my laptop.

What’s your favorite thing about being a writer?

S: I love learning new things about my characters.  I actually was majorly surprised by a character recently.  I was doing a final re-through of the draft of book 2 before I sent it off to my editor and all the sudden I figured something out about a character, one I’d been writing since 2009.  Since I, being a writer, think my characters are real, I was actually a little wounded that the character had never told me before. It was such a big thing.  But I’ve since forgiven said character.  I’m not going to say what or whom, because even though I figured it out, said character doesn’t actually reveal said thing in book 2. (Yes, I’m giving my fictional character privacy, lol).

Can you give me and my readers a hint about what you’re working on for your next book?

S: Well, right now I’m editing book 2, and all I’ll say is “beyond here be airpirates.  Argh!”  (After all, Noli’s brother is an airpirate, you know we’ll have to meet them eventually).

I love a series, Suzanne and I can't wait to read this one. :D I'll be watching for it! Thanks for being here.

Thank you so much for having me on.  Remember, never talk to strange faeries.

Blurb:  In a Steampunk version of Los Angeles, Sixteen-year-old Noli Braddock's hoyden ways land her in an abusive reform school far from home. On mid-summer's eve she wishes to be anyplace but that dreadful school. A mysterious man from the Realm of Faerie rescues her and brings her to the Otherworld, only to reveal that she must be sacrificed.  If Noli doesn't die, an entire civilization will.

Buy links! 
Amazon,  
Indie Bound, 
The Book Depository, 
and Barnes and Noble. 


Aether Chronicles series website:  http://www.aetherchronicles.com/  author website: www.suzannelazear.com

3-2-1 Blast Off!

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For Love or Duty

Growing up in the military is not always peaches and cream. Valerie knows it first hand. That's why she has spent an entire lifetime avoiding men in uniform. But meeting Captain Morgan is more than she counted on because he makes her laugh and shows her that sometimes love comes before duty.

~~~~~~~~~~~
Yes! It's finally available! [and just to get this out of the way]

BUY LINKS!
SMASHWORDS, where all formats are available: ePub-for Nook, Mobi-for Kindle, pdf [and a few others].
AMAZON
BARNES and NOBLE


I want to thank my friends from Passionate Critters for being here with me. 
Thanks to Debora Dennis, Jennifer Shirk, and Nina Croft for offering their books as giveaways. 
Congratulations to Molly Mclain, Becky Doughty, and Moira Keith!

And to the one person who commented this week and won MY BOOK! 
[hey! i have a book I can giveaway. LOL][drumroll please]
Mooshercat! 

All of you. Thank you for sharing my excitement over this book. I've had such a fun time creating this story, my first ever that didn't involve dead bodies. It is truly a sweet romance. I smile because I think of movies like Return to Me and Fools Rush In. They made me laugh and cheer for Love. 
I hope this book does the same for you...and that you'll come back for more, because 
there's definitely more where this came from...

~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT

Two days later, Kevin slapped a small amount of cologne onto his neck and loosened the collar of his shirt. Tonight he had plans to loosen up and enjoy an hour of absolutely nothing. No meetings, no soldiers, no superiors or subordinates. A woman might be nice, but it had come to him recently that he needed to settle down and get serious about finding a wife. Ever since then, his desire to hook up had sorta disappeared.

Procrastination, probably. The thought of marriage had forced his brain to shutdown where women were concerned. What he needed was one last hoorah fling. Then he could go about the business of finding a wife. He'd pulled his black book and made lists of all the women he knew, separating them first by availability and then by characteristics.

The problem was they all liked him too much for a short fling.

If he could find a woman who didn’t even like him, he might be able to enjoy himself. No pressure. No expectations.

Valerie’s face with her hard, disapproving glances that had slid down her stuck up nose came to mind, and he grinned. Yeah, she’d be perfect. Not young. He didn’t want them so young they looked at him with stars in their eyes, like he was some kind of hero.

She was probably about his age, thirty or so. Maybe a little older.

Unfortunately, besides showing up at the convenient store, he had no way of finding her except to call Cheryl. Not an option. Calling Cheryl would surely make his conscience come to life and, after the weekend he had in the field, he could use some time out to relax for an evening--let off some steam.

He drove the short distance through town to his buddy’s restaurant. It wasn’t exactly a single’s bar, but he could still hope for a date. A date, he convinced himself, that could possibly lead to something else but not something more.

Good God! Who was he trying to convince? He could go on a date if he wanted without hearing wedding bells in the background.

He slammed his truck into park outside Dougherty’s Restaurant, took the stairs two at a time, and opened the front door for two young ladies. With a smile, he ushered them in. They giggled, making him cringe inside. He couldn’t help but be thankful the days of moony-eyed girls and courtship were over.

“Ladies.”

They laughed as they passed him and met up with two soldiers. The younger men apparently appealed to the women, and though Kevin tried to squeeze past without being seen, he caught the look of startled recognition before the men straightened. Don't salute. They didn't, but he could see they thought about it.

Now he felt old. “At ease, men. I’m on my own time, same as you are.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”

Kevin held in a groan as he continued toward the back of the rough-hewn, wood-floored room. At the rear was a pool table, standard fare with a few bar stools lining the walls. It wasn’t crowded, probably because it was Monday night.

A band played a mix of southern rock and grass roots blues on the small stage to the right of the front door. The rhythm of the drums and earthy sounds of the guitars convinced a few couples to the dance floor.

“Hey, Kevin, can I get you a beer?” Joe tended bar most nights, and though Kevin never thought of himself as a regular, he’d gotten to know the man. Liked him, too. His wife worked the kitchen, and together they ran a good show. Didn’t own the place, but maybe that’s what allowed them to relax on the weekends. Whatever, it worked.

Kevin leaned over an empty stool and tucked a five into the tip jar. “Sure. That sounds great.”

He turned his head, the urge to at least smile politely at the person next to him too strong to ignore. His jaw dropped as the scent of Valerie filled his nose—a subtle hint of vanilla mixed with the exotic scent of her perfume—and he locked his gaze on her suspiciously narrowed eyes. “Well, I’ll be danged.”

~~~~~~~~
ps to those who made it down this far. Giveaway for the first three commenters today. shhh... don't tell. :D 
If you've made it this far, you've also noticed there isn't a BN link yet. Just a small glitch they don't tell you at the start of the process, but you can still get the epub and load it to your Nook manually through Smashwords. I'll update as soon as I have a viable BN link. Enjoy FRIDAY. Enjoy the weekend.
With Love
Bethanne Strasser

Count Down Day 1 with Nina Croft

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Thank you Nina! I am so pleased and honored to have my friend here. We met when she joined our critique group, Passionate Critters. From the get go, I have loved to read her books. Her writing is fabulous and I'm certain, some day down the road, that she'll be at the top of all the best seller lists. [don't blush, Nina. I'll stop, I promise. My starstruckness is going overboard.] My virtual bakery is open! Do you like cake?

NC: I don’t really like cake (except cheesecake, and chocolate mousse cake… hmmm maybe I do like cake after all.) But I love ice cream, any sort, though I’m particularly partial to chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.

Tell me a little about your latest book. 

NC: My latest book is Blackmailed by the Italian Billionaire and it’s also my first contemporary romance. It was released in March  as part of Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence imprint. 

I think one of the reasons we read romance is to be transported to fabulous places and Blackmailed does just that, taking the reader from the English countryside, to sophisticated London, to a dreamy Italian island hideaway. Add to that a gorgeous hero, a strong heroine, and a pretty good reason why they can’t just fall in love and live happily ever after!


When you made that first sale, how did you celebrate?
NC: You know, I can’t remember how I celebrated – which probably means it involved lots of alcohol.  But I do remember getting the email; I think I screamed. That was in August 2009 and it was from Harlequin, for my Nocturne Bites, The Prophecy, which was released in February 2010.


If there was one book [story] you could live, which one would it be?

NC: It’s probably got to be a science fiction set in space. I always wanted ‘to boldly go where no man has gone before’ ever since first watching Star Trek a long, long time ago. So I’d like to live my Blood Hunter series and sign on with the crew of the space cruiser, El Cazador, and have adventures, and fall in love with a vampire or a werewolf or an alien or….


You introduced me to Firefly, and I will be forever grateful!

Are you a plotter or a panster?

NC: Well, I always wanted to be a pantser—one of those people who just sit down and wonderful stories flow from their fingertips. But I’m not. I’m a total plotter. But I’ve come to realize that it’s more complicated than that. I think it’s not so much that I need to plot as that I need to know my characters really, really well before I start to write. I need to think about them, work out what makes them tick, how they react to different circumstances and at some point there’s a magical moment when they start to talk to me. Only then can I begin to write. If I don’t wait for that then it’s a real struggle—every word has to be dragged out of me. 

If you could go anywhere this month, where would it be? 

NC: Am I going to sound boring if I say that this month, I’d like to stay at home? I live in the mountains of southern Spain and June is about my favorite time of year here. I love the sun, and June is perfect—hot but without the stifling heat of mid-summer. So if it’s okay, I’d like to download a whole lot of books onto my kindle and go lie by the pool or under the shade of an almond tree, with my dogs scattered around me and my man at my side.

Aw. Okay. ...Can I join you? Just for the afternoon, I mean. I'll bring a tent! And walk your pig... :D

But on to things writing. What’s your favorite thing about being a writer?

NC: Easy—I get to write. A lot. 

Good point. :P

Can you give me and my readers a hint about what you’re working on for your next books?

NC: I currently have a few projects on the go. I’ve just completed the extended version of my Sci-fi/paranormal romance, Break Out, book one of the Blood Hunter series, which is due to be released in August, and is currently with my editor. I have a second Indulgence coming later in the year, this time with a very sexy Spaniard.
Finally, I’m currently writing the first draft of a paranormal romance which is a sequel to a book I have coming out in September, Bittersweet Blood. 

Nina wants to share a copy of her newest book, Blackmailed by the Italian Billionaire, with one lucky commenter. I've read this book. It's a fun, witty yet emotionally satisfying story. Get in line to buy it. I don't think you'll be disappointed. :) 

Don't forget! Tomorrow is the big day. RELEASE DAY! 





Seduction by any means necessary…

Olivia Brent is happy with her quiet life in the country, until the imminent loss of her home forces her to embark on a search for her estranged father. Catapulted into a world of criminals and totally out of her depth, Olivia is rescued by the stunningly gorgeous and enigmatic billionaire Luc Severino.

Luc has never considered himself a knight in shining armor, and if he had been, then Jimmy Brent’s daughter was the last person he would choose to rescue. But Olivia is the key to finding her father, and Luc is willing to use any methods available, including blackmail, to persuade Olivia to help him find Jimmy and finally put the past behind him.

And if blackmail doesn’t gain her total cooperation, then perhaps a little seduction will…

Read an excerpt here.

Buy Links

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Books On Board

Bio:

Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia, which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of 9-5 work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain.
Nina writes all types of romance often mixed with elements of the paranormal and science fiction.


Nina can be found at:

Website
Twitter
Facebook

Count Down Day 2 with Ava Delany

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Today I've got a fellow [and new] Passionate Critter, Ava Delany. I'm especially glad to share her story because...I don't know it yet! :D Thanks for being here, Ava.

My First Release
I remember the excitement I felt on the day my first book, a flirt called The Soldier's Return, came out. I was a bit overzealous. I scheduled a blogtour and a chat starting that night. My hubby took me out to lunch at a nice restaurant, and when I got home, I tweeted, blogged, yelled, screamed, and jumped around like a nut. Someone out there liked my novel enough to publish it. Readers had the chance to buy, read, and hopefully love it. Life was sweet.
A few days later, I wondered if I would experience that level of wonder with every sale and release. After all these years, I shout an emphatic "yes!" because I still enjoy release day. I still tweet, blog, yell, and scream. The only difference is that I tend to plan my blogtour for the month after release. I used to plan it for the week of release, but I noticed that some venues take longer to put the book up, and I want everyone to be able to find the book during my tour. Waiting the extra time allows me to ensure the book is available in as many places as possible.
For example, my newest release, Dark Daze, will be available on June 18th, but I've scheduled my blogtour for July. Please stop by my website to check out the schedule and links for my blog tour. http://avadelany.webs.com/findmefreetoys.htm
Dark Daze is a paranormal romance novel about danger and love after a time of change. The end of days. The end of the Mayan calendar.

On Dec 21, 2012, at 2:12pm, the sky went dark all over the world, and people's lives changed in ways they feared to admit. Thousands died in accidents while others claimed to have seen demons and found themselves locked up in their local psychiatric ward. Scientists explained away the phenomenon, and things seemed to return to normal.
After a decade of trying to conceal a power she never expected or wanted, Brie Duval was used to being alone. When life—or more appropriately, a meddling friend, sends her on a blind date with Ian Connors, she discovers she wasn't the only person to gain powers that day.
They find themselves falling in love while on the run from a creature with eyes that suck in light and a force that controls their wills, but Brie can't help but fear their love is a side effect of the menace. In order to survive, they must put aside their fears and embrace the gifts they've fought so hard to deny.


Thank you for having me,
Ava Delany
http://www.amazon.com/Ava-Delany/e/B004QXQW0Y/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
AvaDelany.webs.com
Feel free to follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/#!/avadelany
Friend me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/avadelany

Count Down Day 3 with Moira Keith

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Welcome Moira! Thanks for coming over and blogging for me. It's Day THREE on my countdown to release!! Whoot!


A PASSION FOR WRITING....

If you were to ask me how I felt about helping out Bethanne with her release party by doing a guest blog post here on her site and to describe it in one word—I couldn't. Thrilled would be an understatement. Ecstatic? Nah—doesn't work either. Perhaps I should quit while I'm ahead and get down to business? Definitely!

I had no idea what to talk about today. Could talk about how I met Bethanne and we became the closest of friends, but that's a tale to regale you with another time. Like when we're fifty and sitting in rocking chairs at the old folks home and going through our 'remember when' phase. Instead I've decided to dish on something that I've seen is central to a lot of celebrations—especially seeing as how my darling friend has a thing for cakes and has asked each of her guests about the delectable dessert.  The only logical thing to do at that point was talk about cakes!

Of course, there is something I love more than talking about cake, and that's baking them. In small portions of course. You see, I'm a cupcake baking addict. Wait—it gets worse. My favorites include alcohol in them. I've even taken it a step further and started including that obsession passion into my writing. My current work in progress is a prime example of that. The heroine owns a cupcake store and she is a witch. Weaving in that element has been fun. It takes the writing to a different level for me. Allows me to incorporate something I love from my life, into that of my characters. Cupcakes I've shared in and off the page? Classic lime and strawberry margarita cupcakes, Bailey's Irish Crème cupcakes, and even an Irish Boilermaker have made their way into my hero's hearts as well as those of friends and family.

Other things I'm passionate about (or more aptly obsessed with) are things that are Celtic or magical. Those are themes that creep into many of my stories as well. And as we are speaking of passions and the way they weave their way into writing, I know my darling friend here has a passion for faith and family. Those themes work their way into her stories on a fairly consistent basis. So I must ask, what are some of your passions that work themselves into your writing? And if you are a reader, do you have favorite authors who's passions are evident through their works either due to a common theme or element you've noticed that pops up?

Countdown Day 4 -- GIVEAWAY with Jennifer Shirk

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Four days until For Love of Duty is up for sale! I can't believe how fast the days have gone. From writing this story, through the editing, all the way til now... it's been like the blink of an eye. Part of that is because I am surrounded by such wonderful friends who keep me busy.

I first met [heard of] Jennifer Shirk on the Romance Divas forum. She was a quiet thing compared to some of the members over there. After joining Passionate Critters, I soon found out it wasn't that she was so quiet but that they were so loud. haha. :D Thanks for being here today, Jennifer, to help me celebrate my book release on Friday. Now, around here we eat cake and ice cream for just about any celebration. The virtual bakery is open with anything you want. What'll you have?




JS: I love chocolate cake—actually THIS recipe is my personal fav: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/best-ever-chocolate-fudge-layer-91361.aspx
(only I skip the almonds.)
My fav ice cream is Moose tracks!!


Hey! Thanks for the recommendation. We love moose tracks around here, too. Have you ever had Mint Moose Tracks?

Tell me [and my readers] a little about your latest book?

JS: Sunny Days for Sam is my newest sweet romance.
Here’s the back cover blurb:
Sunnyva “Sunny” Fletcher is a firm believer in fairy tales. With the recent debt she’s acquired, the hope of something magical happening in her life is the only thing keeping her going. She needs a job fast. So when Sunny learns the sexy new vacationer in town is looking for a nanny, she starts to believe she just may have a fairy godmother after all!


Internet guru Sam Calloway is only in town for the summer and needs a nanny for his two small children. However, the beautiful and inexperienced Sunny is not exactly the kind of caregiver Sam has in mind. It doesn’t take long for Sunny’s tenderhearted and bubble-blowing ways to soon have the children—and Sam—enamored with her. She’s a dream come true. But after what Sam’s been through, he’s stopped believing in fairy tales long ago.


Sunny manages to work her way into Sam’s closed-off heart, but at the end of the summer, will the workaholic dad go back to his life in New York City, or will he decide his days are much sunnier here with Sunny?

I never did read the end of that...did I? I must have! But, I think I'm going to have to get a copy as soon as this interview is over. I love your characters, Jennifer. They are real people.

Give me some party advice for a new author. When you made that first sale--so long ago, how did you celebrate?
JS: I squealed to my critique partners first. LOL Then the hubby took me out to a nice dinner. Then when my book came out in print, he and my neighbors threw me a book release party! Now, THAT was awesome!


If there was one book [story] you could live, which one would it be?
Probably my first book: The Role of a Lifetime. It’d be kind of fun to have a handsome movie star in love with me. Just saying. J


Are you a plotter or a panster?
JS: PLOTTER. But even though I plot, nothing is written in stone and things still manage to change as I’m writing.

Oh! I know just what you mean. I feel like I have to plot, but the story sorta flows, changing things as it goes.

If you could go anywhere this month, where would it be? Tell me why!
Anywhere? I really would love to go to Italy. I’ve never been to Europe and since my hubby is half Italian…

 I knew there was a reason I liked your hubby! Half Italians are wonderful. :D

What’s your favorite thing about being a writer?
JS: I can make my own hours, wear whatever I want and don’t have to shower. LOL But I also love creating my characters—coming up with their names and quirks That’s the most fun.

It really shows, Jennifer. You have a way with characterization [that everyone should experience by reading your books]. :D

Can you give me and my readers a hint about what you’re working on for your next book?
Yes! I’m working on a book where I have my hero is a romance author—although don’t call him that. He prefers to be a called a “fictional author who puts romantic elements in his story”. J He really cracks me up. I’m already in love with him.

I can't wait to start reading.
Thanks for coming by today, Jennifer. It's a great way to spend a monday. :)

~*~*~
You can find Jennifer on her webpage http://www.jennifershirk.com, twitter, facebook, and goodreads.
Jennifer is giving away a copy of her book, Sunny Days for Sam.
Comment to win!! 


Sunny Days for Sam is available at
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Sunny-Days-Sam-Avalon-Romance/dp/0803474687
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sunny-days-for-sam-jennifer-shirk/1107128676?ean=9780803474680

Count Down Day 5

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Chocolate Cake Day!!!

Send me some... haha. Just Kidding.

Go get yourself some chocolate cake. I'm going to...chocolate cake with whipped cream. Oh yeah. YUM.

FIVE FRICKIN' DAYS! Whoot!

Tomorrow I take my formatted documents and upload them to the appropriate publishing arms of the great internet, digital WORLD. Since this is my first time, I want to be SURE that everything goes up smoothly and the book doesn't look like a hack job as far as formatting goes...

I might need the extra day to fix something. Who knows?

Have a great week, friends.
With Love,
Bethanne

Countdown Day 6 -- Silke Juppenlatz

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Six days until the big day, the day my book goes up for sale! Whoot. I can't thank my crit partners enough for all the love and support they've given me. ...and the help. Because believe me, I've needed some help. But, today, I've got a good friend to introduce you to...


My crit partner, Silke Juppenlatz. When I joined Passionate Critters, I met Silke over one of my WW2 novels. Being new to the group, I was all starry eyed and smiley. Well, meeting her didn't change that. :D But she did draw out my protective streak--for my work and for the group itself. I like our Silke because she truly knows how to separate the wheat from the chaff. We are a strong group of writers, and it takes a strong person to join us and stick it out. Well, I did. I stuck it out and I'm better writer because of that...and because of her. 


Now, that I've scared all my readers. LOL :D Welcome to my blog, Silke!! Thanks for joining me on my countdown to Release Day! I've got my own virtual bakery on hand because you just can't celebrate without cake and ice cream. So, what'll you have?



SJ: Favorite cake...oohh...errmm... *scratches head* I’m a sucker for the cakes my gran used to make. Träublekuchen (Which, I guess, would be Redcurrant cake) Zwetschgenkuchen (Plum, or more precisely Damson cake) and there’s also the Rabarberkuchen (Rhubarb cake). Stollen!
Damn, I’m hungry now.
PS - Paul just went into the cupboard and yelled “Did you eat all the Jaffa Cakes again?!” (Guilty as charged. If you want Jaffa cakes in our house, best eat them before I see them.) Ice cream? Not so much. I can take it or leave it. But I am partial to the “Soft” Ice cream they do here in the UK. (Mr. Whippy ftw!) Or proper Italian Ice Cream (Stracciatella!).



I married a German so I like to think Silke and I are practically related... I'm constantly inspired by how much you write. What drives you to create your stories?


SJ: My brain. *cough* It’s like an ever churning story machine, and it goes from one “What if?” to the next. I see something, hear something, smell something -- and go “What if…?” And boom. There it is. It really can be anything at all. Something someone says. Something like the smell of bacon drifting out of a window. A forgotten, half deflated beach ball stuck in some hedge. Anything.
It’s weird though. I’m a master at brainstorming and I run with it -- but I can’t do it on my own stories. In them, I get stuck.
I don’t plot. I don’t even do an outline. Nothing. It comes out of my brain straight on the page. If I plot…I don’t finish it. It’s like a disease. Every time someone asks me where it’s going, and I try to come up with something, I lose interest the moment I have worked out what’s going to happen.
After all, I already know how it ends, why bother writing it down?
First and foremost, I write a story for myself. If I know how it ends, I lose interest and don’t finish it.
That’s why I never plot. :)


Now, that is a little crazy...and interesting too. I can see your point, though.
You've got a book coming out later this summer. You want to tell us a little about it? Just a tease...? How about a one word description to wet our appetites?



SJ: One word? Yikes. Okay. “Betrayal”. There it is. :)
As for a tease… If you’ve read “Howl”, then you’ve met the heroine of “Watch Me” -- but not the hero. This is Tiffy’s story and while it follows on from “Howl”, it’s standalone and you don’t need to have read “Howl” to get what’s going on. You’ll meet characters from “Howl”, and you’ll get to meet new ones. Like…Keric, who is hot and sexy and on a mission. But his mission is set to clash with Tiffy’s fragile heart and…well. Best read it, eh?
Watch Me is scheduled for release in August.

I do have a third one in mind…but…something came up. :)

I’m working on a February 2013 release right now. It’s part of a series, and mine is Caedir (Gatekeepers - Book 2). Nope, not werewolves this time…

OMG! Are you really going to do it?! Not werewolves...does that mean?? No. Don't answer that. I love your stories....

So, tell me. When you made your first sale, how did you celebrate?

SJ: I was actually pretty gobsmacked. (Now there’s a Brit word for you.) I’d written Howl in a week (No, I pretty much didn’t sleep.), submitted it -- and had the contract land -- all in the space of 10 days. Seriously. From the first word to putting my X on the dotted line…ten days.
So yeah, I sat there with my chin on the floor, staring at that email. I didn’t think it would be accepted. I’d sent out quite a few stories before, usually targeting agents, and generally got back good feedback, but no offers.
I don’t remember how I celebrated. :) It’s all a blur lol.

Seems like it comes when we least expect it. :) Love your story, Silke.

If there was one book--of all the books and stories you've ever read--that you could live, which one would it be?

SJ: Oh wow, that’s a hard one!
I don’t think I’d want to live any of them. It would mean I’d have to give up my real life hero, and I’m just not prepared to do that. :) I have favorite books, ‘natch. My all time favorite read is Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Café. I think every woman should read this at least once.
It’s a book about being yourself, self-discovery, overcoming opposition and just…having fun.
It just really appeals to my inner rebel.
Tuwanda!

What a great answer! My instinct is to want to live the fantasy even if I do have a real life hero. :D

Some people have kids. Some people have dogs. You have a horse, which I've seen pictures of and it's gorgeous. Does this mean you'll be coming out to visit me soon in the wild, wild west?? I can find a stable for you...and horses too. And mountains... just sayin'.

SJ: You know…I want to visit every state in the US at least once. (Though a few I’ve done repeatedly already.) If I can afford it, I will most definitely come and visit you in the Wild, Wild West. :) That’s somewhere top of my list, actually. I want to stand somewhere in the prairie and just soak up the atmosphere. Mainly because I cannot imagine such a vast space. So Wyoming, Colorado and Montana are top of the top of the top places to go see. Arizona too. But I love the Deep South and the East Coast states and would happily live somewhere like North Carolina or Kentucky.
People always worry about what I might enjoy seeing. You know what? Package holidays and tourist attractions can go hang, as far as I’m concerned. One of my favorite memories is a Halloween spent trick or treating with a friend’s kids. I had a ton of fun. Or the summer where I got drafted into helping the trainee EMT’s at a friend’s fire station. I spent half the day being put in traction by hunky firemen lol… Then there was sitting in the grass behind some tiny out of the way ice cream parlor, munching totally spectacular ice cream. What can I say…? It beats any tourist attraction, any day, hands down. I want to see what you’d likely consider totally mundane and not worth seeing. Real life, real people. And quite frankly--I’ve never met anyone over there who wasn’t nice and helpful. Maybe I was just lucky, but I think Americans get a bad rep for no reason. I have yet to meet anyone who didn’t go out of their way to make my stay enjoyable, and that goes for all the states I’ve ever been to -- and that’s quite a few, over the years.
For that I’d like to say a hearty “Thank you. You guys are awesome.” :)
Ohh… Mountains tempt me. Having grown up in Germany, and spending over half my childhood skiing down some black run somewhere in the alps…yeah. It’s something I truly miss in the UK.
They have “Mountains” here, but erm…sorry. If you’re used to something like Mont Blanc (15,782ft) or the Zugspitze (9,718ft and a glacier), then Mount Snowdon (highest “Mountain” in Wales, a whopping 3,560ft) is more like a steep rocky hill to me.
I would LOVE to see the Rocky Mountains, but forgive me if I stay about 50ft away from the edge of the Grand Canyon…I have a fear of falling lol. (I’ll go right down the middle at low level in an aircraft, no problem.) Believe it or not, one of my dreams is to go East Coast to West Coast on horseback. If I could afford to, I'd get started tomorrow. (And if anyone would like to know my choice of horse: I'd take a Paso Fino and a Rocky Mountain. A Paso because I own one and just love his character, and a Rocky because I want one for much the same reason. Plus side? Both are gaited, and the most comfortable rides you could wish for--unless their name is Oscuro, and he has to get there really, really FAST.) I'll swing by when I do that East-West crossing, okay?


Yes! I can't wait...for you to win the lottery. :D 
Like you, I think I'll have chocolate cake, too when this countdown is over...and a nice glass of Merlot! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your stories with us. 

I can't wait until August! When you get a cover for that thing, come on by again because...love that Caedir cover! It's fantastic. :D



Count Down to June 8th with Debora Dennis

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Ack! Seven Days. I said it would go fast! I just didn't realize how fast until it snuck up on me and bit me in the... *cough* uh, behind.

I'm excited though, because for a week, I'm going to celebrate my book release with my closest friends. You...and my wonderful writing friends from Passionate Critters. Years ago, when I joined PC, I met Debora Dennis. She's the mother figure in our group, always with an encouraging word or a firm reminder to do what's right.

...plus, she's from my corner of the world, and on my last visit there, I got to stop in and have coffee with her. :D And it was just like we'd  done it a dozen times before. When my husband poo-poos the idea of meeting and truly making friends online, I have proof through Deb and my friends at PC that it is possible.

Thanks for being here, Deb! I've got my virtual bakery open because in my house, a celebration doesn't go by that doesn't include Cake and Ice Cream. So, what'll you have?

DD: Ice cream cake - I'm a sucker for the Carvel cakes with those chocolate crunchies in the middle yummo!
Oh man! Do you know what i remember and love about Carvel? We'd go during the summer with my grandparents and if you ordered a cup of ice cream with sprinkles, they POURED the sprinkles on with a fairly generous hand. I love sprinkles!


My followers know that I love history. Which is the reason why I can't wait to get a hold of your new book, A Pirate in Her Dreams. What do you love that drew you towards writing a story about pirates?

DD: History has always been something I loved, it was always my favorite subject in school. But, true to my eclectic style, I can't say that there is any one particular time in history I love the most. When a hero pops into my mind, he usually shows up dressed in period clothing and I hear accents in my head - that's when I know where I'm taking my readers next. My next hero happens to be a pirate and it's truly been a fun adventure.



Your most recent book is your first Indie Published book. Of your four books, which was the most fun to create?

DD:Whatever I'm currently working on is always fun, because I'm going to someplace new (in case you're wondering, I am known in my house for not paying any attention to my GPS and making turns to the unknown. There's just something special about finding some place new!) Indie Publishing give me the opportunity to take my readers to new times and places, and I love that.

Which Hero/Heroine pair is your favorite? [Mine is still Fistful of Fate's William and Rebecca!] I love their story, a true ghost tale. You captured my attention with that one, Deb.

DD: William and Rebecca from A Fistful of Fate will always have a special place in my heart, probably because they were truly my first couple. Their bond across two hundred years still resonates with me, I'm so thrilled to hear that they touched you too, Bethanne!

When you made that first sale, how did you celebrate? 

DD: My husband brought me home flowers and a chocolate mousse cake (and I think I ate most of it myself!)
That does sound good, though...

If there was one book--of all the books and stories you've ever read--that you could live, which one would it be?

DD: Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught. Alexandra Lawrence is just an average country girl and when she first meets her hero, the Duke of Hawthorne, she has no idea who he is, only that he's a man being robbed at gunpoint by highway thieves - she rushed to his rescue dressed in armor astride her twenty year old horse. She's a heroine with moxy and I was instantly drawn to her. 

Tell me about your next project? Will you continue on with Indie Publishing?

DD: When my pirate story is done, my next project will take me to the old west! Right now I plan to write my adventures in whatever time period calls to me. I will continue to explore all my publishing options with each and every book.

Oh yes! I love that you feature stories from all different eras. I've read a few good westerns, too! :)

Thank you  for being here, Deb. I wouldn't have gotten this far without your help and the help I've received from all the gals at PC.

DD: Thanks Bethanne, for giving me the opportunity to join in the thrilling ride of celebrating your first release!


Deb is offering a copy of her book, A Knight in her Arms to one lucky commenter. :D It's a good one! A time travel, too.

Excerpt:

Hannah Falcon loves her job cataloging medieval artifacts and setting up the displays at the Natural History Museum in New York City. What she doesn’t love is her friends insisting she date more. When a man dressed as a medieval knight shows up in the museum, Hannah mistakes him for her friend’s latest attempt at a blind date.


Sir Gavin of Rogueforth is a battle-hardened twelfth century knight who expects nothing more from life than to live and die by his sword. Sent through time to protect a woman named Hannah and claim her as his own, he expects a reward. He doesn’t expect a woman who refuses to be protected.


Can one passionate night, ten days before Christmas, convince a twenty-first century woman to follow her heart and show a medieval knight there's more to life than being a protector?

Brain Dead

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That's a little how I feel right now.
Busy week... plus all the mental energy of putting this book release together.
I'm trying to stay in a calm place. It's mostly working, but when I sit down to write something on my blog and I have no thoughts to share. I know I've thought of things to write about but without writing them down, my brain can't conjure them up.

Give me a minute....

Oh yeah. My book that comes out in a week and a day. It's the different one. I've written romantic suspense [RS] for years, when out of nowhere, I decide I'm going to squeeze out a contemporary romance. What's the difference? Mainly, the mystery and intrigue. But also, the heat level. There's something about an RS that lends itself to a few steamy[ish] scenes--what is it about life-threatening crises that makes us hold onto a loved one so desperately? Or, as we see in RS novels, makes us bond with the first attractive body that enters, stage left? 

Like I said, my book For Love or Duty is contemporary romance. It's also sweet. I'd be tempted to call it a love story because it has that feel to it, but it's not. Love story is more about growing love rather than finding love. The romance is qualified by the boy meets girl. boy and girl fall in love. boy and girl have conflict, making the reader wonder if they'll be together forever. Blackmoment... and resolution, including Happily Ever After. Mine has all that, too. It just doesn't have the sex. 

Is it a thing for me? No. I didn't do it for moral reasons. It's actually the story that drives the heat level of my books. This one did not lend itself to those kind of scenes. Timing was too short, for one. People don't really get physical within weeks of meeting each other... do they?! 

No. Don't answer that.

Last but not least, the military aspect of this book. It could be a little off. I've learned a few things since my husband joined the Army. Not enough. Army life is surely a mystery to be learned over a lifetime. My main character is a Captain... with a name like Morgan, how could he not be? He executes a job I'm pretty sure a company commander would not do. I've been told, NCOs get shit done. So, if messed up details like that really bug you... you should buy my book, anyway[what did you think? I'd discourage you?]. I don't mind being proven wrong. If you're buying my book, you can prove me the Queen of Sheba and I'd smile and ring for room service. hahaha. 

This book was a work in progress a good year before my husband joined the Army. That's my excuse for any missed/inaccurate details. As my knowledge grows, so will by work. 

That's what writing is all about. A detail here, a detail there...
Rome wasn't built in a day [and a book should never have cliches!]. :D
Come back tomorrow for my first day on the countdown to RELEASE! I'll be giving away a copy of A Knight in Her Arms by Debora Dennis. 8 DAYS!

With Love,
Bethanne

A Countdown of Books

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Here it goes!

Friday is the big day. The day I begin my week-long count down to the release of my new book, For Love or Duty. I've got my girls around to help me celebrate and we're going to talk about books! There'll be giveaways... ice cream... cake... and drink.

Stop by and join the fun.
And when it's all over and the crowds are gone, pick up MY book (or a virtual electronic copy thereof), relax on your porch [or in your tub or on your couch], and just enjoy a quiet moment.  {Better, Avery?!} :D Thanks!

I think I'll do the same.
I sure do love to read.
With love,
Bethanne