Please tell us a little bit about your current projects?

Kelley: I’m currently writing The Descendant Vampire Series.  The Descendant (book 1) was published May 2012 and The Search (book 2) will be published later this year. 

Dubbed a vampire tale of biblical proportions, The Descendant reveals the origin of the vampire through the experiences of a woman who discovers that she’s a descendant of the first vampire.  The search is on for answers in book 2 as Allison’s journey picks up where it left off in book 1.

When was the moment that you knew you had to be a writer?

Kelley: It was in 2009.  I call that period in my life my career midlife crisis.  I was unhappy with my day job and felt that there had to be something more for me out there. At that same time, I had just finished reading a book, the premise of which was so simple that I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it myself. Later that night, I declared to my husband that I was going to write a book.  To this day, I think that he thought I was nuts, but he never questioned me and I’ve been writing ever since.

Every writer dreams of getting “the call”. What were you doing when yours came? Who got to hear the good news first? 

Kelley: I never got the call from a literary agent. I found the process of querying agents in order to find a publisher quite tedious and time consuming. I did it for awhile, but after attending a writer’s conference and learning that my chances of landing an agent were essentially equivalent to finding the proverbial needle in the haystack, I decided to independently publish.

I guess my version of “the call” is the first time I received a proof of my paperback. I was home alone and certainly knew what the package was. I opened it, held the book in my hand, then set it on the kitchen counter. After staring at it for a few moments, I said aloud “I did that.  I did that,” and pointed at the book.  Then I proceeded to jump up and down and scream before taking pictures and posting it on Facebook.

Who gave you the one piece of writing advice that sticks with you to this day? 

Kelley: It’s not so much writing advice as it is just plain good advice on this writing adventure and I don’t really recall where I heard it. The saying is, if you don’t ask, the answer will always be no.  For me, this really hit home as I don’t like to ask for things. But in this industry, if you don’t ask, you’re not going to get anything. I’m now asking for book reviews and donations for events and asking for my book to be carried in book stores, and surprisingly – most people say YES!

Describe the “perfect” hero. What about the “perfect” hero for you?

Kelley: I think the perfect hero is imperfect.  No one is perfect in the real world so why should a literary character be perfect?  I prefer bad boys with long hair and tattoos, a chip on his shoulder but a soft spot for the people he loves (think Jax from Sons of Anarchy).

What are some of your favorite pastimes? Do you have any hobbies or collections? 

Kelley: I love to ride my Harley Davidson. My husband taught me how to ride years ago & riding is a great stress relief.  I also enjoy working out, but my favorite activity varies like the wind. I was a runner until I injured myself. I’m now hooked on TRX boot camp classes.  I used to play softball and love playing volleyball. I garden.  I used to collect unicorns and now collect bathing suits. I have a serious bathing suit shopping problem.

What has been your biggest adventure to date?

Kelley: I’m sitting here thinking about this question and I guess I’m not that adventurous! Publishing my first book – putting my baby out there into the world – was quite the adventure!  I guess I’d also have to say ATV’ing with my husband in Southern Ohio.

If your fairy godmother waved her wand and whisked you away to the location of your choice, which place would you choose, and why?

Kelley: I’ve always wanted to go to Australia. I’d like to visit the Outback and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.  My husband doesn’t want to deal with that long of a flight, so I joke with him that we’ll fly to Hawaii and spend a few days there, then go to Australia for 10 days, then back to Hawaii for a few more. I really need a fairy godmother to afford that trip!

When it comes to food, are you the adventurous type who will try anything once, or do you prefer to stick to tried and true foods and recipes?

Kelley: I’ll try new things, but nothing crazy like tripe or anything Fear Factor style! I love spicy foods (the hotter, the better).

What is the one modern convenience that you cannot do without?

Kelley: LOL – my husband just answered this for me – electricity, because he says that I can’t go primitive camping! He’s right! When we go camping, I require clean bathroom facilities with running water and electric outlets!

What is this romance writer’s idea of the “ideal romantic evening”? 

Kelley: Time alone with my hubby and no cell phone, Facebook, texting distractions. A bottle of wine at a table for two in a dark corner with a great meal and conversation, followed by a dip in the hot tub and more wine.

How do you describe yourself?

Kelley: Perfectionist, over achiever, can’t sit still (how else do you explain working a full time job, followed by a work out, followed by an evening of writing and saving a few hours for my hubby). Fun, energetic, up for a good time but when I want to be left alone, please leave me alone.  Firecracker (that’s another one from my hubby). Loyal, passionate, patriotic. 

How would your family and friends describe you? 

Kelley: I haven’t a clue! Hopefully they’d say something from the list I provided above.

No interview of a writer would be complete without this question: what is your favorite comfort food?

Kelley: Salsa & chips! Throw in a margarita and bingo – you have one happy camper!

What is your favorite season? What do you love about it?

Kelley: Fall is my favorite season. I love the cooler weather after a long hot summer, I love the changing leaves and pumpkins and corn stalks.  Plus Fall means it’s football season!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Kelley is giving away the following prizes on her tour:

Grand Prize:

$25 Amazon gift card & signed paperback of THE DESCENDANT

Runners-up:

TWO (2) runners-up will receive an eBook of THE DESCENDANT plus a Descendant can koozie & bookmarks

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SPOTLIGHT INFO:

THE DESCENDANT by Kelley Grealis

The Descendant reveals the Biblical origin of the vampire through the experiences of a modern day woman who discovers that she is a descendant of the first vampire.

Allison Carmichael wakes from an accident with no memory of the past three years. She doesn’t recall her husband’s death or how she alienated her friends, and she definitely doesn’t remember her new boyfriend Vincent Drake – a charismatic man with a penchant for rare and unique possessions. The only things familiar to Allison are her seemingly common ailments – insomnia, lack of appetite, erratic body temperature – which have gone undiagnosed and are vtly who, and what, Allison is – a mortal descendant of the first vampire. He is a vampire who has watched over Allison and her ancestors since the Biblical times of Cain and Abel ensuring their secret is kept. Once he realizes Allison’s symptoms are accelerating and transforming her, he’ll stop at nothing to have her.

Allison discovers that she is a descendant with a lineage dating back to the Biblical times of Cain and Abel and is the first of her kind to exhibit signs of vampirism. She must decide between risking her mortal death if she cannot control her symptoms or fully transforming into a vampire and damning her soul for eternity. A decision made even more difficult once Allison discovers Vincent has manipulated her life, and everyone in it, so he could have the first descendant-turned-vampire all to himself.

Available at:

Amazon US:  http://www.amazon.com/Kelley-Grealis/e/B008I3D9OA/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1356561354&sr=8-1

Amazon UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Descendant-ebook/dp/B008GET9KE/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359592904&sr=1-5

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/KelleyGrealis

B+N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-descendant-kelley-grealis/1111525937?ean=9780615612362

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kelley Grealis was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She has a B.A. in Accounting from Baldwin-Wallace College and a Masters of Businss Administration from Cleveland State University.

She has loved all things vampire since she was a little girl, and it was that passion combined with thirteen years of Catholic schooling, that inspired her to write THE DESCENDANT.

Kelley lives in a Cleveland suburb with her husband.

Connect with Kelley:

Website:  http://www.kelleygrealis.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KelleyGrealis

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KelleyGrealis

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6436838.Kelley_Grealis

Blog:  http://www.myarttoinspire.com/kelleygrealisblogs

Independent Author Network:  http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/kelley-grealis.html

Kelley Grealis’ THE DESCENDANT

1 Year Anniversary Blog Tour Schedule

May 20 – May 26

5/20- Book Monster Reviews (guest post)

http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/

5/20- Literal Addiction  (guest post & review)

http://www.literaladdiction.com/

5/21 – Wicked Readings by Tawania (spotlight & review)

http://www.wickedreadingsbytawania.blogspot.com/

5/22- Romance Junkies (interview)

http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/

5/22- The Reading Cafe (spotlight & review)

http://thereadingcafe.com/

5/23- Jocelyn Dex Blog (spotlight & review)

http://www.jocelyndex.com/blog.html

5/23- Musings From An Addicted Reader  (spotlight & review)

http://musingsfromanaddictedreader.blogspot.com/

5/24- Books-n-Kisses  (interview & review)

http://www.books-n-kisses.com/

5/24- Urban Girl Reader (interview)

http://www.urbangirlreader.com/

5/25- Paranormal Book Club (spotlight)

http://paranormal-bookclub.com/

5/26- Page Flipperz (Spotlight)

http://pageflipperz.blogspot.com/

Since the announcement of our three book deal with seventeen-year-old Wattpad sensation Beth Reekles , buzz has only continued to build for her debut novel THE KISSING BOOTH.  The Today Show visited Beth and her friends and family in Wales last week, and their segment aired yesterday morning.  Take a peek here.  The e-book is on sale now (paperback edition to follow on May 14^th), and Entertainment Weekly’s “Shelf Life” blog features an interview with Beth: “The teen E.L. James: Beth Reekles talks ‘The Kissing Booth,’ sex in YA, and French Homework”.

THE KISSING BOOTH grew out of Beth’s desire to write what she wanted to read.  Tired of stories with “werewolves and vampires,” she wanted to write a love story teenagers like herself would want to have. The result is charming and flirty – a teen romance complete with a pretty, popular but never been kissed heroine, a bad-boy love interest, and the irresistible tension of a forbidden relationship.

Since first being uploaded to Wattpad, teens have flocked to THE KISSING BOOTH, and it has generated over 19 million reads and over 40, 000 comments and is the most-viewed, most talked-about teen fiction title on the site. Random House Children’s Publishers UK originally discovered her there, and their e-book, which just went on sale in December, has quickly risen to the top of the sales charts.  Beth first began writing on an old laptop her father had given her for homework, and uploaded her stories to Wattpad without telling her parents what she was up to.  Now, in a whirlwind span of just a few short months, Beth has gone from popular online writer to published author, with book deals on both sides of the pond, and all while simultaneously studying for her A-levels.

We are so excited to be publishing THE KISSING BOOTH, and to be working with Beth at the beginning of her career.

Buy your copy here – http://www.amazon.com/The-Kissing-Booth-ebook/dp/B00C4BA4E0/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369054719&sr=1-1&keywords=the+kissing+booth

:::We have 2 copies of Homecoming to giveaway. How do you enter? Just join in and add a comment. Don’t forget to leave your email addy or check back later this month to see if you won::::

What to do when your muse is a scrumptious feast?

 When I decided to write a small town romance it occurred to me that I knew next to nothing about actually living in a small town. So, unlike a saying I’ve heard time and time again, I couldn’t “write what I knew”. Sure I could do my research, I love researching new places and things and creating something new from what I find. But even that idea felt a little distant for me. I decided to just relax and wait for the idea to come. A day passed. Two days, then three. And then I thought, maybe I should just write something else.

 My husband and I have been married for twenty years. We have three children, six godchildren, dozens of extended family members, a huge church family, and two fish tanks with an unmentionable number of guppies. Needless to say, alone time is something we take when we can get and cherish like fine diamonds. So we pack the up the car and head to the Eastern Shore, to one of our favorite getaway spots, St. Michael’s, Maryland. After checking into our room we immediately head down to the docks where the ducks walk around proudly like distinguished citizens. We take a ride on the Patriot Tours cruise boat, exploring the Miles River for the billionth time, but it still feels like our first. That evening we head out to dinner, he orders because we always get the same thing. A short time later steamed shrimp, corn on the cob, buttered rolls, Maryland Crab Soup and steamed Maryland Blue Crabs are brought to our table. The aroma is heavenly and we cannot wait to dig in, but first we bow our heads to bless our food. And the moment I lift my head and open my eyes the idea is there. Staring me right in the face I can see my fictional small town as clear as I can see that dozen of scrumptious steamed crabs.

 That evening when we arrive back at our room I sit up with my laptop typing out what would become the extensive outline for a town called Sweetland, Maryland. I knew that at the heart of this town would be its rich history and traditions, its loyalty to the land and to family. A few months later I had written HOMECOMING. Two weeks later I read the story again before turning it in to my editor and I remember thinking, “Life should really be this sweet.” And thus the town’s motto was conceived.

Blurb: Dr. Quinn Cantrell made a life for himself in Seattle when he left behind his picturesque hometown—and the unhappy memories of a relationship that ended tragically. His grandmother’s death is an unexpected blow, but there are even more surprises waiting—including a mischievous puppy, a reunion with his far-flung siblings, and an old acquaintance who’s grown into a gorgeous and capable woman. HOMECOMING (St. Martin’s Paperbacks; 4/30/13) is the first in Lacey Baker’s Sweetland series, which stars six adorable Labrador Retriever puppies and the siblings who’ve inherited them. Between housebreaking the pups, trying not to add fuel to the town’s gossip mill, and figuring out what to do with their grandmother’s B&B, the last thing the siblings are looking for is love.

To Buy Link: http://us.macmillan.com/homecoming/LaceyBaker#buy-the-book

Interview:

Please tell us a little bit about your current projects? I’m working on book#3 of the Sweetland series and thinking of ideas for the follow up books. Creating a small town takes tones of planning but I’m having a great time!

 When was the moment that you knew you had to be a writer? Wow, I don’t think I “knew”. It was more like “this might just work”. I’d written several short stories and plays but kept them secret for a while. Finally I got up the nerve to show a co-worker and my husband and they both loved my work. Now of course I figured hubby was just trying not to hurt my feelings but my co-worker began bugging me every day for the next chapter so I figured maybe I might be on to something.

 Who gave you the one piece of writing advice that sticks with you to this day? My very first editor told me to “let go and write”. She always advised that I go with my gut and write what I felt and to let her handle the job of editing. I catch myself every now and then self-editing while I write. It really slows me down, that’s when I can hear her voice in my head and I stop. I write the story and let the editing happen later.

 Describe the “perfect” hero. What about the “perfect” hero for you? The perfect hero in both scenarios is 50% arrogance and 50% compassion. I like for a hero to be confident in who they are and willing to let the heroine be who she is and if she has a problem figuring it out, well, he’s right there to help her along.

 What are some of your favorite pastimes? Do you have any hobbies or collections? I collect salt and pepper shakers. Just picked up the cutest pair of eggs with bright yellow feet!

 If your fairy godmother waved her wand and whisked you away to the location of your choice, which place would you choose, and why? Italy. I’ve always wanted to go to Italy to try some real pizza and of course to see the beautiful country.   For now just thinking of the length of the plane ride makes me nervous, but if I could be whisked away–meaning I close my eyes and when I re-open them I’m there–then I’m all for it.

 When it comes to food, are you the adventurous type who will try anything once, or do you prefer to stick to tried and true foods and recipes? Nope, I am very picky so I don’t try too many things that aren’t already on my personal menu. However, for dishes that I already know I enjoy I will sometimes try different recipes.

 What is the one modern convenience that you cannot do without? a computer

 What is this romance writer’s idea of the “ideal romantic evening”? I just had one last week! Hubby and I went to the movies to see Olympus Has Fallen, then we went to a restaurant and ate steamed crabs. After twenty years of marriage and three kids, that’s super romantic!

 How do you describe yourself? How would your family and friends describe you? I think I’m an introvert who likes things a certain way. My family would say I’m anti-social and obsessive. That’s why I don’t allow them to do interviews.

 What is your favorite comfort food? Junior Mints

 What is your favorite season?  What do you love about it? Fall, because its not too hot and not too cold

Author Bio:

Lacey Baker is one of the luckiest women alive. Why? Because she gets to live out her life’s dream of writing emotionally fulfilling stories about relationships. A Maryland native she lives with her husband and three children in what most would call Suburban America, a townhouse development where everybody knows each other and each other’s kids. Family cook-outs, reunion vacations and growing up in church have all inspired Lacey to work towards her dreams and to write about the endurance of family.

For Lacey the writing bug bit early, when she was a sophomore in high school. From that point on she’s been writing stories that depict the power of love and the spirit of living. A homebody at heart Lacey enjoys watching old movies and waking up to a nice hot cup of green tea.

The Sweetland Series has a special place in Lacey’s heart because it centers around a Chesapeake Bay community where crab season is the best time of the year and hometown roots are tradition. Two things Lacey believes in wholeheartedly!

Check out her Webpage -http://www.laceybakerbooks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lacey.baker.12139

Follow her on twitter: https://twitter.com/LaceyBooks

Can you please tell us a little bit about your current projects?

I am currently in the middle of Book Three in my Beyond Camelot- Brother Knights series.  Book Three – Reynar, the Warlord’s  Honor, is a bit of a departure from Camelot and concentrates instead on Mordred, the man who brought Camelot to its knees.  Reynar is Mordred’s bastard son and also the half-brother of one of the characters in Braeden and Janne.  The challenge has been to take a ruthless warlord and turn him into a hero the reader can relate to and root for. 

When was the moment that you knew you had to be a writer?

First grade, Catholic School when I figured out that phonics thing could make letters into words.  From then on I knew I wanted to write down stories I made up and dreamed about at night.

Every writer dreams of getting “the call”. What were you doing when yours came? Who got to hear the good news first?

Actually, I was tearing wet sheetrock and insulation out of my house that had been flooded by the rains associated with Hurricane Floyd. Coincidently, the book that was bought started with a Hurricane.  It was kind of a laugh-cry moment that helped me get through the reconstruction.  If I would have known I could be so prophetic, I would have written about a lottery winner instead.

 Who gave you the one piece of writing advice that sticks with you to this day?

Karen Plunkett-Powell, a wonderful writer who is writing for God in heaven now.  She read my first book and threw out the first 25 pages and said start with the proverbial blood on the floor.  She was right!  In any book, you have to start with a hook that grabs the reader right from the beginning. 

Describe the “perfect” hero. What about the “perfect” hero for you?

My husband is the perfect – strong yet vulnerable, caring, honest and sexy s all get out.

What are some of your favorite pastimes? Do you have any hobbies or collections?

I love to garden and be surrounded by flowers.  I am a reality TV junkies and rabid Game of Thrones fan.

 What has been your biggest adventure to date?

In Iceland, I took part in an Icelandic tradition of eating raw shark that had been buried in a frozen beach for three months before it was ready.  It tasted nasty but I did it.  Didn’t see the Northern Lights but ate icky, decomposing fish.  Not exactly an even trade.

If your fairy godmother waved her wand and whisked you away to the location of your choice, which place would you choose, and why?

I’d have to go to medieval England to see the Knights of Camelot, of course

When it comes to food, are you the adventurous type who will try anything once, or do you prefer to stick to tried and true foods and recipes?

See biggest adventure for the answer to this question!  LOL

What is the one modern convenience that you cannot do without?

I need my Instyler.  I have wild, “Jon Snow” hair.

 What is this romance writer’s idea of the “ideal romantic evening”?

Anywhere my man is.  He’s a truck driver who is gone at nights a lot of the time, so when he is home, it is always a romantic evening.

How do you describe yourself? How would your family and friends describe you?

I am a person who likes people.  I trust people until given a reason not to do so.  My family describes me as a nerdy, free-spirit who will talk to a stick and get the stick to talk back.

And lastly, no interview of a writer would be complete without this question: what is your favorite comfort food?

Chocolate – The darker the better

What is your favorite season? What do you love about it?

I love winter.  I love to see snow covered trees and fresh white snowfall on the grass.  Great reason to cuddle up and snuggle.

TOUR GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Kathye is giving away the following prizes on her tour:

Grand Prize:   Kobo mini E-reader (US ONLY).  International winner will get a gift card

5 Runners-Up:  $10.00 gift card to Amazon or B&N

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SERIES SPOTLIGHT INFO:

CYNTHIA AND CONSTANTINE

Beyond Camelot – Brother Knights, Book 1

 Available at :  Amazon

 Lady Cynthia of Abertaine is trapped. Not only has the man she is to marry, Sir William Leyborne, not been back to the castle for over ten years, but she’s also not a titled Lady. Lord Simon of Cowell, a renegade warlord aligned with Mordred against Arthur and his Knights, has declared himself sovereign over Leyborne Castle and everything that once belonged to Sir William – including Cynthia.

Sir Constantine, Knight of the Round Table, has come to the shire to give Cynthia the news that William has fallen in battle. With him is William’s oral will giving all he owns to Cynthia as though they had been wed. But when he finds the shire under the control of an evil warlord, he knows he cannot leave without first freeing Cynthia and driving Simon and his soldiers from the land.

Drawn together by an attraction older than time, Cynthia and Constantine soon discover that though a vow made by a knight’s honor has brought them together, it may just also cost them their lives.

BRAEDEN AND JANNE

Beyond Camelot – Brother Knights, Book 2

 Available at:  Amazon | B&N

Duty and desire clash to save a new Camelot from the sons of Mordred.

After his brother is made king by a dying Arthur, Braeden hopes to help rebuild Camelot and carry on Arthur’s vision for the kingdom. Together with the new queen, and her companion Janne, a new era begins.

Although the ways of Merlin and Morganna are banned from court, Janne holds to the goddess. She finds the mind overrules the heart as passion explodes each time she and Braeden are together.

With the sons of Mordred, plotting the ultimate revenge…brother versus brother…there is no peace to be had in Camelot. When Janne is exposed as a Druidess, she and Braeden must find a way to expose the plot to take down Camelot while maintaining the ideals the majestic realm was built upon.

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born long ago in a place not so far away, Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, Kathryn Quick has been writing since the Sisters in St. Casmir’s Grammar School gave her the ruled yellow paper and a number two pencil.  She writes contemporary and career romances, romantic comedies, historical romances

as well as urban fantasy.

She has been a member of New Jersey Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America since 1990 and considers it an honor to have been NJRW President in 1992 and 2001.  She is one of the founding members of Liberty States Fiction Writers, a multi-genre writers’ organizations dedicated to furthering the craft of writing and helping aspiring writers move onto publication.

Kathye originally wanted to be President of the United States or an Organic Chemist, but somehow life got in the way and she got married right out of high school and had a set of twins two years later.  The Presidency seemed out of reach and night school to get her Ph.D. to create new molecule that would ultimately result in the betterment of humankind seemed a little time consuming while trying to raise twins, so she decided to write instead.

In her “other” life, Kathye is married to her real-life hero Donald and has three grown sons all having adventures of their own and three “bonus” grandchildren.  She is a die-hard New Jersey Devils fan and works for Somerset County government (as close as she could get to the White House) and is plotting a novel about a new molecule that will ultimately result in the betterment of humankind.

Connect with Kathryn:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon Page

Kathryn Quicks’s Braeden & Janne Blog Tour Schedule

May 13 – 31

5/13- United by Books (series spotlight)

http://unitedbybooks.blogspot.com/

5/14- Deal Sharing Aunt (interview & series spotlight)

http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/

5/15-Curse of the Bibliophile (guest post & review)

http://curseofthebibliophile.blogspot.com/

5/16- Riverina Romantics (guest post)

http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/

5/17- Romantic Crush Junkies  (guest post)

http://rcjrezine.com/

5/18- Romance Junkies  (interview)

http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/

5/19- Book Monster Reviews (guest post)

http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/

5/20- Mad Hatter Reads  (guest post)

http://madhatterreads.blogspot.com/

5/23- Bookin’ It Reviews  (series spotlight)

http://www.bookinitreviews.com/

5/24- Book Lovin’ Mamas  (interview)

http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com//

5/25- Fandom Fanatic  (series spotlight)

http://fandomfanatic.blogspot.com/

5/26- Offbeat Vagabond (interview)

http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/

5/27- Sassy Book Lovers  (series spotlight & excerpt)

http://sassybooklovers.blogspot.com/

5/28- Froggarita’s Bookcase  (interview & series spotlight)

http://www.froggaritasbookcase.com/

5/30- Toot’s Book Reviews  (series spotlight)

http://tootsbookreviews.blogspot.com/

5/31- The Reading Cafe  (guest post & series spotlight)

http://thereadingcafe.com/

Please tell us a little bit about your current projects?

Christine: Thanks for having me here today! I’m excited to share with your readers the completion of my Charmed Trilogy with the third and final installment in the series, The Charmed Fates. Everything that has been building for two books comes to a head in this final showdown. I hope readers truly enjoy seeing how it all ends and get caught up in the love Olivia and Caleb have for one another.
When was the moment that you knew you had to be a writer?

The moment I pictured the final scene for The Charmed. It sort of came out of nowhere, but once I had a clear image of it there was no turning back. I went out and bought a writing laptop the next day and haven’t stopped since.
Every writer dreams of getting “the call”. What were you doing when yours came? Who got to hear the good news first?

Christine: Mine came in the form of getting the call from an editor who believed in my work. It was a small step, but such an important one. It made me believe again after hitting my head against the proverbial wall for so long.

I celebrated by immediately getting together with a group of five women who have been my sounding board since the first book. They have supported me at every step so they deserved to be the first to hear the good news.

Who gave you the one piece of writing advice that sticks with you to this day?

Christine: Author Robin Ryan. We were having dinner with a mutual friend and I asked her to validate if my concept for the first book was good. She answered (and I’m paraphrasing a bit because it was a while ago), “It doesn’t matter what I think. I shouldn’t have to tell you that your idea is good. You should know it’s good. If you don’t believe in your own work, how do you expect anyone else to?”

She’s so right! The biggest fan of your work has to be youself, because there are too many other things along the way that can derail you.

Describe the “perfect” hero. What about the “perfect” hero for you?

Christine: I’m rather fond of Caleb. You can tell right away that he is intelligent. You can see he is handsome and physically strong, but it’s the dark side of himself that he battles with everyday just to be good and worthy of our heroine that makes him the perfect romance hero. That displays an inner strength. And that is sexy!

For me personally, though, I’d lean towards Kane who you meet in The Charmed Souls. Kane is a flawed and very naughty shape-shifter, which to some may start him at a disadvantage. But he has two things going for him that are irresistible to just about any woman: confidence and a wicked sense of humor. Humor is one of the most important things for me because there is too much unfunny stuff in life. You need something to balance it with.

What are some of your favorite pastimes? Do you have any hobbies or collections?

Christine: Outdoor stuff like camping and Fantasy Football. I am very proud of the fact that I won our Fantasy league two years in a row, and I make sure all of the guys know it. Humble I am not.
What has been your biggest adventure to date?

Probably skydiving with my brother-in-law and his friends. What a rush!

If your fairy godmother waved her wand and whisked you away to the location of your choice, which place would you choose, and why?

Christine: I’m pretty simple on this kind of stuff. I’d just want to be whisked away to my favorite spot on the Oregon coast so I could write. The smell of the ocean breeze, the sound of waves crashing, the warmth of sand on your feet—it’s all a great escape to let your mind come up with something new.

When it comes to food, are you the adventurous type who will try anything once, or do you prefer to stick to tried and true foods and recipes?

Christine: I’m not adventurous in that I try to eat healthy, whole foods and keep things simple. But I absolutely love sushi, Thai and Indian foods every once in a while, as well as a great steak.

What is your favorite season? What do you love about it?

Christine: Of course I love summer but winter is probably my favorite. I know it rains a lot but I love the holiday season in Seattle; the sounds, the fresh smells, the good cheer, and mostly the holiday lights that reflect on the water from all the boats.

 What is the one modern convenience that you cannot do without?

Christine: Simple, my phone. It’s not even that I’m a big talker or texter, more like I constantly don’t know what day of the week it is, I get lost driving places, and I have to have a constant connection to the cloud.

What is this romance writer’s idea of the “ideal romantic evening”?

Christine:For me it’s not really an activity or specific setting, it’s just about the connection, the time you share with that person in a moment that just feels right. It can happen with a cold beer and a hotdog at a baseball ballgame just as easily as champagne and strawberries at a five star hotel.

How do you describe yourself? How would your family and friends describe you?

Christine: I can be very spontaneous and last minute about things, but also, for the most part, responsible. I’m a terrible speller (thank god for spell-check and Editors). I love shopping, a glass of red wine or champagne, and a good pedicure almost as much as a good romance novel.

My family and friends would probably say I’m creative . . . and a bad speller.

 And lastly, no interview of a writer would be complete without this question: what is your favorite comfort food?

Christine: My very favorite is Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream. But it’s so much of a favorite that I try to keep it to one hand how many times I have it a year.

TOUR GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Christine is giving away a $50.00 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of The Charmed to one lucky winner that follows the tour.

THREE (3) runners-up will receive an eBook of THE CHARMED.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SERIES SPOTLIGHT INFO:

THE CHARMED

The Charmed Trilogy, Book 1

 “This has to be a dream.  This has to be a dream.  This has to be a dream.”

Olivia Ann Greyson sees only one future for herself – to compose and perform the music she has loved since she was a child.  But that future changes in an instant when a commuter train taking her to the city crashes and is attacked by, unbelievably, a coven of vampires!  As the rabid creatures feed their thirst on the surviving passengers, Olivia is spared from an unthinkable fate because of the intervention of another vampire – Caleb Wolfe, a figure from her past who, for reasons he doesn’t understand himself, would do anything to protect her.

After one familiar touch, Olivia recognizes the man behind the vampire.  Soon love and a powerful supernatural connection begins to grow between them.  But with that connection Olivia starts to notice startling changes happening within herself, and violent events make it clear that the vampire coven which wanted her the night of the train crash won’t stop until they have her.

Time is running out for Olivia and Caleb to discover why all this is happening.  And the answers they find may painfully tear their new found love apart.

THE CHARMED will be on sale for ONLY $0.99 from May 13 – 27 on:

Amazon, Smashwords, BN.com and The iBookstore.

THE CHARMED SOULS

The Charmed Trilogy, Book 2

“It was the blood!  The blood was somehow doing this to me!”

Olivia Ann Greyson is a Charmer, a Dhampir with the power to lure the supernatural world’s most dangerous of creatures – and she’s in an impossible situation. She must leave behind Caleb Wolfe, the strong, protective vampire she has fallen madly in love with, in order to learn how to protect herself from the vampires, shifters and demons that will be drawn to her for the rest of her life.

Human Guardian, Alec Lambert, has been assigned to see to Olivia’s training by the organization he belongs to, which is known simply as The Brethren. He takes Olivia to the group’s stronghold in the mountainous regions of Alberta, Canada, where she discovers the answers to her family’s painful past and the extent to which those hunting her will go to capture her. But she also uncovers many secrets and even more questions about this mysterious group she has trusted to protect her – secrets that will have her fighting to get back to the man she left behind.

. . . but will it be too late?

Available now on Amazon, Smashwords, BN.com and The iBookstore.

THE CHARMED FATES

The Charmed Trilogy, Book 3

“You think you know him better than I do?  Interesting . . . and so boringly human.”

Over a year has passed since Olivia Ann Greyson discovered that she is a Charmer, a Dhampir fated to be part of the violent supernatural world that surrounds our human one. In that time, she has strengthened herself physically, learned of her family’s secret past, and found a deep and abiding love with the strongest man she has ever met, Daywalker Caleb Wolfe. But Olivia’s biggest challenge still lies ahead of her . . .

Dark vampire lord Luther Davin has been obsessed with capturing Olivia so he can use her special gifts for his own reasons. As Caleb and Olivia try to make a new life together with their coven, the Nightwalker’s attempts to capture her only intensify and inadvertently bring an unwelcome visitor from Caleb’s past barging back into his life.

She is Caelestis—Celeste to the modern world—and she claims to be Caleb’s first and rightful mate. Although Olivia has grown confident and secure in her relationship with Caleb, she soon realizes that Celeste sees herself as no less than a goddess among mere mortals and will stop at nothing to get Caleb back—which means Olivia herself must die!

When these two threats collide and fate steps in to pull Olivia away from her new family, will she be ready for her darkest hour and her greatest battle?

Available now on Amazon, Smashwords

About the Author:

Christine is a graduate of Washington State University where she received a BA in Interior Design. And true to form of using mostly her ‘right brain’, she splits her time between her commercial design career and her imaginary world of writing. She lives in the scenic Pacific Northwest where she enjoys hiking, camping and photographing many of the wonderful places that served as inspiration for her Charmed Trilogy. Her biggest reward in life is any given day when one of her books connects with a reader because she herself is such a lover of reading. Some of her favorite authors include Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, and Kimberly Derting.

To keep up on all the latest information about Christine and her books, visit her website or you can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

Christine Wenrick’s The Charmed Trilogy Tour Schedule

May 13 – 27

5/13- Book Monster Reviews (guest post)

http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/

5/13- My Reading Obsession (guest post & review)

http://4myreadingobsession.blogspot.com/

5/14- Ramblings From This Chick  (guest post)

http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/

5/14- HEA Romances With A Little Kick (series spotlight & reviews)

http://hearomanceswithalittlekick.wordpress.com/

5/15- Red Hot Books (interview and reviews)

http://www.redhotbooks.com/

5/16- Book Lovin’ Mamas  (interview, series spotlight and reviews)

http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com//

5/17- Romance Junkies (interviews)

http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/

5/17- Froggarita’s Book Case ( series spotlight, excerpt & reviews)

http://www.froggaritasbookcase.com/

5/18- Mad Hatter Reads  (guest post)

http://madhatterreads.blogspot.com/

5/18- Reading Between the Wines  (guest post)

http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/

5/19- Toot’s Books Reviews (series spotlight & reviews)

http://tootsbookreviews.blogspot.com/

5/20- Cocktails and Books (interview & reviews)

http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/

5/20- Salacious Reads (Series Spotlight)

http://www.salaciousreads.com/

5/21- Salacious Reads (Review, Book 1)

http://www.salaciousreads.com/

5/21- Buffy’s Ramblings  (guest post)

http://buffy-kennedy.blogspot.com/

5/21- GraveTells  (guest post)

http://gravetells.com/

5/22- Paranormal Book Club (series spotlight)

http://paranormal-bookclub.com/

5/22- Reader Girls (guest post & reviews)

http://www.readergirlsblog.com/

5/22- Salacious Reads (Review, Book 2)

http://www.salaciousreads.com/

5/23- Vampires, Werewolves & Fairies Oh My!  (guest post)

http://vampireswerewolvesfairiesohmy.blogspot.com/

5/23- Salacious Reads (Review, Book 1)

http://www.salaciousreads.com/

5/24- Riverina Romantics  (guest post)

http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/

5/25- The Reading Cafe  (guest post & reviews)

http://thereadingcafe.com/

5/26- The Jeep Diva  (interview & reviews)

http://thejeepdiva.com/

5/27- Books-n-Kisses (series spotlight)

http://www.books-n-kisses.com/

5/27- Bookin’ It Reviews (series spotlight)

http://www.bookinitreviews.com/

Tonya has been writing all of her life. At the age of 13, on Christmas break she snuck one of her mom’s romances from a box brought over by her grandma. The novel she read was ‘Montana Sky’ by Nora Roberts. Once she finished reading that book she knew someday she would to be a published romance author. She has been writing every since.

Now a single mom she balances her time between her 10 month old son, Mason, writing, work, and the Internet!

Tonya loves to help support some of her favorite authors and is very involved in several street teams and posts book reviews over at her blog!

Her first novel was published in January 2010, Night Promises, the first book in her Night Pleasures series! After a long wait her second book from MuseItUp Publishing, Claimed will be coming out Spring 2013! With hopefully, more releases this year as well.

My Links:

Author FB:

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Author-Tonya-Callihan/155567004477447

Website:

http://www.tonyacallihan.weebly.com/

Blog

http://www.tonyasramblings.blogspot.com

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/tonyacallihan

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11898212-tonya

Pinterest:

http://pinterest.com/masonsmomma12/

Google+

https://plus.google.com/u/0/104988658514193732252#104988658514193732252/posts

Book Reviews:

http://www.tonyasbookreviews.blogspot.com

When I was 13 I snuck my first romance novel from my mom’s secret stash of books and hid it in my backpack. I would stay up late at night reading it, while everyone in the house was sleeping. I read ‘Montana Sky’ by Nora Roberts. It took me a total of three days to finish that novel. Would have been sooner if I didn’t have to hide it.

As soon as I finished that book I remember a sense of joy and relief washing over me. I was a writer…I was going to be a romance writer. I knew from that day what I wanted to be. I just wasn’t sure how to make it happen.

I read more books and I wrote down several ideas. At 16 I penned my first novel and soon typed it on my computer. I was so proud of myself. Now I look back at that novel and shake my head. What in the world was I thinking? The story doesn’t make sense, the characters are realistic or memorable and the plot has so many holes in it it’s ridiculous.

My point is I wrote and I didn’t stop. No matter how horrible the story was I continued to write more and more stories. Nora Roberts says it best. “I can’t fix a blank page.”

I also read. I had a new love of reading, it was a great escape as a teenager and now as an adult from the real world. Reading helped improve my writing skills. I honestly believe that. I learned more about making characters realistic and planning a story from beginning to end.

I have to have a solid plan in front of me before I start a story. I’m not a punster. I’ve tried to be a punster, but half way in I realize so many mistakes and plot holes, I have to re-write the entire story. It’s a waste of my time. So I sit down and plan.

My mom knew I wrote, but she was unaware of what I wrote until I was in my twenties. Then she was somewhat surprised by my choice. I will never forget out conversation that day. She told me if I wanted to be a writer then I should be a writer. She also told me I had to think about finances and if writing would pay the bills. My mom is smart and very realistic. So, yes, I do have a day job to pay my bills and support my family. I still find time to write and interact with readers and the rest of the writing world.

In fact, I’m addicted to social media sites, below are my links be sure to connect with me because right now I am running a couple of contests!

Contest 1: When I reach 500 likes on my Facebook Page I will be giving away a gift basket which includes: 3 books, lip gloss, nail polish, makeup bag, and fun author swag from several authors.

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Author-Tonya-Callihan/155567004477447

Contest 2: I am honored to have my blog featured during Lisa Renee Jones’ blog feature month, all of May. My feature was May 6. If you go to her blog and comment you can win a $10 Bath and Body gift card and Team Chris/Team Mark Bracelets inspired by her Inside Out Series. If you go to my blog and comment on my post about my blog feature you can win a download of any of Lisa’s books, up to $10.

Lisa’s Blog Post: http://www.lisareneejones.com/blogger-appreciation-month-day-4-tonyas-sensual-romances-w-prizes/

My blog post: http://tonyasramblings.blogspot.com/2013/05/blog-feature.html

Contest 3: When I reach 1,000 followers on Twitter I will be giving away another gift basket which includes: Bath and Body Works lotion and body spray, nail polish, books and author swag.

Twitter @tonyacallihan

Thanks so much for allowing me to be a guest today! I hope all of the mother’s have a Happy Mother’s Day!!

Please enjoy an excerpt from my book Night Promises available now

Buy Night Promises

Secret Cravings PUblishing

http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=21&products_id=2&zenid=ac9d9b16effcb31fa9370fb8e2b157da

Amazon

http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=21&products_id=2&zenid=ac9d9b16effcb31fa9370fb8e2b157da

Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/night-promises-tonya-renee-callihan/1029632181?ean=9781936653010

Tonya

Excerpt    NIGHT PROMISES

“Our new girl is looking good out there.” Mac handed Kelly a bottle of water from the small fridge in the corner of their office.

“That’s good. I wasn’t sure about hiring a human. The last one quit within the first hour, but she’s made it through two nights.”

“Our last one was more concerned with whether vampires really existed or not. With Cammie, I believe she’s got a real interest with vamps and respects us.”

“How did your date go last night?”

“There won’t be a second one. For a three-hundred year old vamp, he has no charm and absolutely nothing but blood and the sport of finding the next meal to talk about.”

“I think Micah is interested in you.”

“What makes you say that?” “When I arrived at Connor’s, Micah asked me how you were. I told him you were on a date, and he looked upset and got short with me.”

“Well, I’m not interested in him.”

“Is there such a thing as life mates?”

“Did he say we were life mates? I tell you what; he didn’t get the hint seventy years ago, but he’s going to get it now.” She tossed her water bottle in the trash.

“I’ll take that as a yes and a no. He didn’t mention you two were life mates.”

She stood in front of Kelly’s desk. “There are rumors that life mates really exist. But I’ve never felt that pull, I guess you could call it.”

“Can humans feel it with vampires?”

“I don’t think so. I’ve never heard of it. As much as I hate to admit this, Micah would be the man you need to talk to about this type of stuff. He’s been around longer than I have, and he knows how it works.”

“Do you not want to know?” “I’m not interested in settling down. Honestly, I don’t believe vamps are capable of settling down.”

“Why not?”

“Because we are creatures of habit. Sex and blood. We need both and very often. We can’t stay with the same human for a long period of time, or we will kill them or be forced to turn them against their will. Vamps can feed from one another during sex, but the vamp will still have a strong hunger for human blood.”

“That answers my questions then.”

“Do you think you and Connor are life mates?”

“No, I don’t. I’ve never felt a pull, as you said. I was more curious about a lasting relationship between a human and vampire.”

“I hate to let you down but it’s almost impossible. If you and Connor are life mates, you would have to let him turn you.”

“But as you said, we would still need human blood.”

::We have two copies to giveaway of MIDNIGHT TEMPTATIONS WITH A FORBIDDEN LORD by Tiffany Clare. How do you enter to win? Just join in and add a comment. Don’t forget to include your email addy or check back to see if you won later this month::::

MIDNIGHT TEMPTATIONS WITH A FORBIDDEN LORD

Dangerous Rogues (Volume 2)                

Tiffany Clare

St. Martin’s Paperbacks

Blurb: Tristan Bradley, the notorious Marquess of Castleigh, is a danger to any woman’s reputation. Devastatingly handsome and devilishly seductive, he delights in the challenge of a lovely new conquest—especially when she’s engaged to a man he despises. But when this particular young lady asks him to dance, Tristan realizes he may not be the only one playing a game. Don’t miss this seductive historical romance, MIDNIGHT TEMPTATIONS WITH A FORBIDDEN LORD, the second book in Tiffany Clare’s Dangerous Rogues Series.

Buy Link: http://us.macmillan.com/midnighttemptationswithaforbiddenlord/TiffanyClare#buy-the-book

Interview:

Please tell us a little bit about your current projects?

Thank you so much for the invite.

I’m working away on the next book in the Dangerous Rogues series. I’m currently writing Hayden’s book (the Duke of Alsborough). He’s a lot of fun so swoon-worthy. I hope readers love him just as much as I do when they get to read his book in early 2014.

When was the moment that you knew you had to be a writer?

I always wanted to be a writer when I was young, and had planned to be just that till I hit high school—when life intervened. I am so glad I rediscovered my love for writing years later. I remember just needing to write a book and I did, over and over again till I had story writing down, knew how to draw out the characters, and finally wrote that first book that made it to publication (The Surrender of a Lady).

Who gave you the one piece of writing advice that sticks with you to this day?

A very good friend of mine, Alex, once told me that writing was about rewriting. This was back when I was still learning the craft and how to tell a story in novel form. His advice always reminds me that nothing is perfect at the first go around and you can always rewrite what you have to make it better.

Describe the “perfect” hero. What about the “perfect” hero for you?

Actually, not that I’m picking a favorite of my characters or anything, but Tristan in my newest book Midnight Temptations with a Forbidden Lord is pretty darn close to the perfect hero. He’s loving, sarcastic, fun, smart, easy going to a point, adores his children above everything, stops at nothing to win his heroine, the best big brother you could ever imagine, he’ll do anything for his family, and even faints at the sight of blood J. Yeah he’s pretty close to what I envision to be the perfect man.

What are some of your favorite pastimes? Do you have any hobbies or collections?

It’s hard to have a lot of pastimes when I work a day job and write full time for my contracted books. That doesn’t mean I don’t have some fun J I am a cycling enthusiast. I started riding my bike to the day job last year (15.5 miles round trip a day) when I hadn’t been on a bike for more than 15 years. The joke we have in Toronto is that we have two seasons: Winter Season & Construction Season. It’s so hard to get around and takes forever in Construction Season that I decided I should bike around instead (traffic is notoriously bad here, so biking is the fastest way to commute). I had so much fun cycling to work that the hubby and I extended the bike rides to the weekends to include the kids. There are a lot of beautiful bike trails in Toronto, and some places you can only see/get to on a bike. 

If your fairy godmother waved her wand and whisked you away to the location of your choice, which place would you choose, and why?

Paris, because it’s the city of love. The history is rich, the sites beautiful, the food delicious—what more could you ask for?

When it comes to food, are you the adventurous type who will try anything once, or do you prefer to stick to tried and true foods and recipes?

I try almost anything just once, and we brought up our kids to be the same way (they are nine and almost 12). We eat a wide variety of foods in our house, a lot of spicy foods, pastas (I’m Italian), Mexican (because it’s my hubby’s favorite). It’s fun to try knew things. And I think some of the household favorites are Moroccan and Japanese dishes.  

What is your favorite comfort food?

Baked goods. If you put a whole apple pie in front of me, I won’t stop eating till the pie plate is licked clean J I love pastries so much.

What is your favorite season? What do you love about it?

I love the heat of the summer, the sun on my skin keeping me warm when I’m on my bike. I’m not a fan of the cold or winters, or snow and slush. It’s all grey and dreary. If I could hibernate and not come out of the house during the winter, I totally would. LOL. I’m all about the warmer weather for me.

Any place we can find you in person or on the net this month or next?

Readers can always find me on my website, I love hearing from readers: www.tiffanyclare.com or on twitter www.twitter.com/tiffany_clare my favorite social media place to hang out.

Thank you so much for having me here today. Happy reading everyone!

Check out her website – http://www.tiffanyclare.com/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tiffany-Clare/102596663174362 / Follower her on Twitter – https://twitter.com/tiffany_clare

OURS TO LOVE  by Shayla Black

Wicked Lovers, Book 7

(Berkley Trade Paperback; May 2013; 9780425253397; $15.00)!

4 1/2 Stars!!  “A sizzling menage…” – RT Book Reviews

Pre-Order you copy today!

Read an Excerpt

 Between two brothers…
Xander Santiago spent years living it up as a billionaire playboy. Never given a chance to lead his family business in the boardroom, he became a Master in the bedroom instead. His older brother inherited the company and worked tirelessly to make it an empire. But while cutthroat corporate espionage took its toll on Javier, nothing was as devastating as the seemingly senseless murder of his wife. It propelled him into a year of punishing rage and guilt…until Xander came to his rescue.

Comes an irresistible woman…
Eager to rejuvenate Javier’s life, Xander shanghais him to Louisiana where they meet beautiful London McLane. After a decade of tragedy and struggle, London is determined to make a fresh start—and these sexy billionaire brothers are more than willing to help. In every way. And London is stunned to find herself open to every heated suggestion.

And inescapable danger.
But a killer is watching, on a single-minded mission to destroy everything the Santiago brothers hold dear, especially London. And as fear and desire collide, every passionate beat of her heart could be her last.

Author Bio:

Shayla Black is an award-winning erotic romance author who lives in the South with her family. Visit her website at www.shaylablack.com

Follow her on twitter – https://twitter.com/Shayla_Black

Check out her FAQ page – http://shaylablack.com/faq/

Check out more of her books – http://shaylablack.com/books/

Contact with Shayla on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ShaylaBlackAuthor

Please tell us a little bit about your current projects?

Roxie: Thanks for having me! I’m thrilled to be here! My Her Russian Protector series features big, sexy tattooed Russians and the women they vow to protect.
Accountant Erin, bakery owner Benny, PR girl Lena and aspiring artist/waitress Vivian are close friends who love and support one another through some real ups and downs. Erin’s sister is a drug addict mixed up with the Albanian mob. Benny’s teenaged brother plays wannabe gangster with the Hermanos crew. Lena clawed her way out of Houston’s worst neighborhood but her ne’er-do-well cousin and ex-con father might drag her back. And then there’s Vivian whose tragic past ties her to Nikolai forever…

Mixed-martial arts trainer Ivan, security firm owner Dimitri, billionaire oligarch Yuri and mob boss Nikolai grew up together in a Russian orphanage and consider themselves brothers. Their bond is deep and there are some dark secrets they’ve buried and left behind in Russia—secrets that may follow them all the way to Houston.

When was the moment that you knew you had to be a writer?

Roxie: Gosh, I’m not sure. It was probably in high school—but I convinced myself that going after a creative writing degree was the surest way to a wasted degree so I enrolled in one of the top biochemistry and genetics programs instead. I woke up one day in my junior year of college and had this moment of clarity. What the heck are you doing? So I started writing again, sold my first novella to Ellora’s Cave the next year and never looked back!

Every writer dreams of getting “the call”. What were you doing when yours came? Who got to hear the good news first?

Roxie: My first “call” was an email from Ellora’s Cave in early 2007. It was an acceptance on a sexy paranormal novella I’d submitted on a whim. My then-boyfriend, now husband heard the good news first because he was in the other room and came running when my excited squeeing started.

Who gave you the one piece of writing advice that sticks with you to this day?

Roxie:Write the stories you want to read. For a long time, I fumbled around trying to write the stories I thought would sell or that the market wanted. When I let thoughts of selling, finding another agent and all that stressful stuff go, I rediscovered my love of writing—and my love of ridiculously sexy alpha males!

Describe the “perfect” hero. What about the “perfect” hero for you?

Roxie:The perfect hero is strong, protective, tender and open to compromise. It’s no coincidence my “perfect” romance novel hero has the same traits as my real-life hero!

What are some of your favorite pastimes? Do you have any hobbies or collections?

Roxie: I love to garden. We’re lucky to have a long growing season in Texas so I do a spring, summer and fall/winter garden. We get probably 70% of our fresh produce from our backyard (hopefully more as our fruit trees mature!) so I spend a lot of time canning and freezing all the yummy goodness we harvest.
Oh and I collect old books, especially first editions. It’s a hobby I inherited from my grandparents and share with my bibliophile husband.

What has been your biggest adventure to date?

Roxie:Hands-down, it’s been motherhood. No 24-year-old newlywed ever expects to hear that she’s infertile (say what?!) so that was an obstacle-filled adventure—and then kiddo was born with multiple severe heart defects. We spent most of her first year at Texas Children’s Hospital and what an adventure that was! But our little family came out of that happier, healthier and stronger than ever. It was an experience that changed me for the better and made me realize there is nothing I can’t overcome.

If your fairy godmother waved her wand and whisked you away to the location of your choice, which place would you choose, and why?

Roxie:I’ve always wanted to visit the Lake District and see the places Jane Austen wrote about so vividly.

When it comes to food, are you the adventurous type who will try anything once, or do you prefer to stick to tried and true foods and recipes?
Roxie: I’m a tried-and-true gal but my husband is very adventurous. When it’s his night to cook, I’m always secretly wondering where the heck the antacids are…

What is your favorite season? What do you love about it?

Roxie: I really love spring in Texas. The bluebonnets and other wildflowers are in full bloom. It’s warm but not oppressively hot yet. The days are longer so there’s plenty of time to relax on the patio in the evenings and the mornings are cool enough to leave the windows open.

What is the one modern convenience that you cannot do without?

Roxie: The internet! I can’t imagine not having answers to every question at my fingertips or the ability to communicate with friends and family flung far and wide.

What is this romance writer’s idea of the “ideal romantic evening”?

Roxie: Right now, my idea of a romantic evening is some place quiet, private and without interruptions!

How do you describe yourself? How would your family and friends describe you?

Roxie: I describe myself as the stereotypical hermit writer. If it wasn’t for kiddo and the husband, I’d never leave the house or my writing cave!

Friends and family would probably describe me as Suzy Homemaker. I garden, can, sew and bake. I’m pretty sure I get labeled as a helicopter parent (okay, okay, I coddle!  ) but I wear that badge of paranoia with honor.

And lastly, no interview of a writer would be complete without this question: what is your favorite comfort food?
Roxie: A Whataburger #5 meal! It’s a sinfully delicious cheeseburger with bacon. Many late-night runs have been made to Whataburger for a #5 to fuel my writing all-nighters!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

 Roxie is giving away the following prizes on her tour:

Grand Prize:  $25.00 Amazon Gift Card

Runners-up:  FOUR (4) runners-up will receive BOTH eBooks of IVAN and DIMITRI

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 HER RUSSIAN PROTECTOR – SERIES SPOTLIGHT

IVAN

Her Russian Protector, #1

Desperate to find her sister, Erin goes to the only man in Houston who can help her:  Ivan Markovic. The intimidating, tattooed Russian operates one of the most elite mixed-martial arts training centers in the world but it’s his shadowy past and reputed connections with Houston’s underworld that interest her most.

 To find her sister, she’ll need the help of her big, scary Russian protector—but asking for help from a man like Ivan carries a steep price, one that might just include her heart.

Available at:

Amazon |  Barnes & Noble |  All Romance Ebooks | Apple | Smashwords |  Kobo

DIMITRI

Her Russian Protector, #2

 Refusing to lose her brother to the violent Hermanos street gang, Benny turns to Dimitri, the dead sexy Russian who lives in the apartment above her family’s bakery. He’s the only man tough enough to get through to Johnny and save him from a life in prison—or worse.There’s nothing Dimitri won’t do for Benny, even if it means dealing with her troublemaking brother. He quickly realizes that it’s not just Johnny and his thug friends that pose a threat to Benny. A shady real estate developer needs to buy her bakery to secure a multi-million dollar deal and he’ll stop at nothing to make her sell.

Threatened from all sides, Benny finds safety in Dimitri’s strong arms — and in his bed. Her big, sexy Russian has no intention of ever letting her go—and he’ll brave the fires of hell before he lets anyone harm her.

 Reader’s Note: Dimitri is an incredibly passionate man with a dominant streak—and Benny is only too happy to indulge his need for a little…restraint.

Available at:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | All Romance eBooks | Kobo  | Smashwords

ALL ABOUT ROXIE:

When I’m not chasing after my wild preschooler, I like to write super sexy romances and scorching hot erotica. I live in Texas with a husband who could easily snag a job as an extra on History Channel’s new Viking series, a sweet but rowdy three-year-old with Tetralogy of Fallot, and Bosley, our Great Dane with major mommy issues.

I also have another dirty-book writing alter ego, Lolita Lopez, who writes deliciously steamy tales for Ellora’s Cave, Forever Yours/Grand Central, Mischief/Harper Collins UK, Siren Publishing and Cleis Press.

Connect with Roxie:  Website | Facebook | Goodreads

HER RUSSIAN PROTECTOR:  IVAN and DIMITRI – Blog Tour Schedule

 4/29 – Nina’s Literary Escape

http://ninasliteraryescape.blogspot.com/

 4/30 – Riverina Romantics

http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/

 5/01 – Flirting with Romance

http://flirtingwithromance.blogspot.com/

 5/02 – Book Monster Reviews

http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/

 5/02 – Literal Addiction

http://www.literaladdiction.com/

 5/04 – Froggarita’s Bookcase

http://www.froggaritasbookcase.com/

 5/05 – Mad Hatter Reads

http://madhatterreads.blogspot.com/

 5/06 – United by Books

http://unitedbybooks.blogspot.com/

 5/08 – Book Lovin’ Mamas

http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com

 5/09 – My Reading Obsession

http://4myreadingobsession.blogspot.com

 5/10 – Books, Books and More Books

http://booksbooksmorebooks.blogspot.com

 5/11 -  Offbeat Vagabond

http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/

 5/12 – Romance Junkies

http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/