Welcome Breathless & Eternal Press author, Mary Corrales!

Before I pass you the floor, Mary, I have to say just how very hot your cover is, phew-wee! That is fabulous! Who was the cover artist, he or she deserves a mention. You have chosen a great topic to get us all talking today, over to you...

Thanks for having me here today, Rachel. I wanted to pay tribute to a legendary bad boy known for his passion. Intrigued? Good, because I want to hear from readers out there.

I remember him larger than life and so full of passion I couldn’t take my eyes from the television. His name was James Dean and the movie was Rebel Without A Cause. I have watched that movie so many times that I can recite lines perfectly. Yes, I’m fun to watch movies with. I’m only irritating when it’s a silent movie and I’m putting in lines, but I digress.

James Dean passed away, September 30^th 1955, way before I was even born, yet his legend lives on due to the incredibly passionate way he portrayed characters. The outbursts and struggles he displayed in Rebel Without A Cause made you long to be co-star, Natalie Wood, just for a taste of the emotions he unleashed.

How many times do we fall in love with the tormented hero in romances, because we can feel their passionate struggles right through the pages. We long to be that special heroine wrapped in the hero’s ardent embrace. I always try to remember that display of emotion when writing my characters, hopefully capturing some of that great expression in every scene.

The movie heroes I loved later consisted of pirates where I fell in love with Tyrone Power in the Black Swan and bikers like Marlon Brando portrayed in The Wild Ones, but I’ll never forget my first taste of passion thanks to movie icon, James Dean.

What movie star stirs your passions?

Mary Corrales

Website: http://www.authormaryc.com

Dhampir Passions, Eternal Press, paranormal erotic romance

Dangerous Moves, Breathless Press, contemporary erotica

Clandestine Eyes, Breathless Press, contemporary erotica

Great post, Mary - I have a confession to make....I have never seen Rebel Without A Cause! Yes, I am ducking as you throw a plate at me, LOL! But I am going to fix that this weekend, promise - it's about time, don't you think?

Come on everyone! This is a great chance to get us all talking,,,

I am thrilled to welcome fellow Brit, erotic romance writer, Scarlett Sanderson!!

Hi Scarlett, it great to have you here! I love it when I discover other Brit writers who are in The Wild Rose Press family as I know they are there but hard to find amongst the bushes (excuse the word choice!). Right, shall we get on with the interview? Can't wait to learn more about you and your work...

1) What is your writing routine?

I’m one of those writers who don’t tend to have a routine. Sad but true! I try to carve out some time each week, usually at the weekend, and just sit down with my laptop and type. Throughout the week I’ll have been thinking about where I want the story to go, jotting down some ideas. I guess the only semblance of routine is the cup of tea that I always like to have with me when I sit down to write.

2) Which author/s inspire you to write?

Ahhh, too many to name. If I had to choose I would say Sherrilyn Kenyon. She was the first paranormal romance author I read about eight years ago. It was the first time I realized romance could be cool.

3)
Which is your favorite romance subgenre to read? To write?

I’ll read any subgenre, as long as there are words on a page I’ll read them J Looking at my bookshelves I seem to have a lot of paranormal and historical romance. I’ll opt for those!

As for writing I like to experiment with different subgenres. I never stick with one. I’ve written paranormal, fantasy, historical and erotic. If I had to choose, I’d go with historical. I have a degree in history and it’s a huge passion of mine.

4) How do you deal with criticism/rejection?

When I first starting writing, I used to take criticism and rejection to heart. I used to see it a personal slap in the face. I would be devastated for days and vow never to write anything again! Once you’ve written a few books, been criticized and rejected, I believe you learn to deal with it in a more mature manner. It still stings, but I don’t let that deter me from writing. I’ve developed a thicker skin.

5) What do you expect from an editor?

For me an author-editor relationship should be a close one. I don’t expect my editor to be distant or unreachable. I expect the communication to be a two way street. I expect an editor to be professional but also human, it’s nice when an editor respects your work and appreciates the creative effort you’ve put into it. It’s easier if you both have the same sense of humor! I’ve been very fortunate to work with some wonderful editors at The Wild Rose Press, but Trish Owens, my latest editor, is a hoot – professional, respectful, honest and a genuinely nice person who pushes me to get the best from my manuscript.

6) Tell me about your latest release

Owned by the Night is an erotic paranormal romance. Sweeping across time from Ancient Rome to modern day America, it’s a story about a female vampire looking for her perfect mate. Allegra finds Kyrian in Medieval England. A dark druid she turns him, seeking to control and harness his powers. Only Kyrian refuses to be tamed.

Despite my love (and pure addiction!) to vampires, I’d never written a story that involved vampires until Allegra and Kyrian came along.

7) Tease us with a blurb or short excerpt

Watching from the perimeter of the stone circle, Allegra’s gaze swept over the powerful druid performing the ritual. Wearing nothing but a coarse black robe, he knelt in the circle of stones, hands and face raised up to the heavens. The moonlight danced on the elaborate black and red tattoos that adorned his slightly golden-colored skin. The air around him crackled, sizzled with power as he chanted into the darkness. She adored the Dark Ages; people were so keen to embrace forbidden mysticism.

Allegra’s body tingled. Her nipples peaked, became turgid buds against the heavy velvet of her bodice. Her incisors lengthened. Her mouth watered—desire tasted hot and rich on the back of her tongue.

Yes.

Here was a man worthy of her companionship. She’d been a vampire for over a thousand years having been turned by her Master in Ancient Rome. She’d had lovers and fed from many humans—males and females, rich and poor. But throughout the centuries she’d never found a companion, one who made her body burn, her soul ache. One powerful enough to match her own abilities.

Until now.

Until him.

8) Which is your favorite character in the book? Why?

Kyrian de’Tame. I didn’t even need time to think about that one. He’s dark, dominating, delicious and dangerous. Something naughty that you know you shouldn’t want but can’t help needing. I need a fan just thinking about him!

9) What is next for you?

I don’t have anything scheduled for release yet, but I am in the process of trying to find a home for my first full length novel.

10) What are you working on right now?

I’m working on a historical novel set during the English Wars of the Roses. It might not be a straight up historical though. There may be a few time travel aspects lurking in the plot.

11) Your biggest piece of advice to aspiring novelists?

Write for YOU. Big cliché, I know. You have to write what you love, not what other people demand or what is selling. Write the story you are burning to read.

Learn your craft and I don’t just mean the writing aspect. Learn the business; learn about publishers and editors, the markets and promotion. There are so many things I wish I knew when I submitted my first manuscript. In essence, writing the book is the easiest part.

12) Where can readers find you?

I always look hearing from readers and other authors. They can find me on my blog: Musings from the Darkside of an Erotica Author

http://scarlettsanderson.blogspot.com/

Fabulous interview, Scarlett and I'd love hearing about your relationship with your WRP editor - I totally agree that the writer/editor relationship should be a special one. I know of writers who didn't connect with their editors at all and in turn, weren't happy with their final story that went to publication - can you imagine?? Scarlett would love to hear from you, folks!

Erotic novella number two is finished and ready to go out into the big wide world!!

Tentatively entitled 'Coming Back', it is about reunited lovers and the fire they've got no chance of extinguishing once they set eyes on each other again. I loved these characters! Kelly Hampton owns and runs in a bar in a small town in England, so she is used to hauling drunken patrons out on their ear as well as delighting them were her wicked humour and sassy dress sense.

But once Sean McKenzie walks back into her bar and her life, Kelly's newly made vow of celibacy is thrown to the wind pretty damn quickly - she just has to hope pray and heart doesn't follow right on behind it....

I'll let you know how I get on with the submission as soon as i know anything, wish me luck!

Rachel x

The 'Frisky' covers i've seen so far....

Phew! Welcome, Sandy, before we even start the interview I've got to say I actually felt my eyes pop a little out of my head when I first opened the jpegs of your book covers, LOL! They certainly let the reader know what they're getting, who is your cover artist? I'd love to know what my visitors think of them, they are a talking point without doubt - love it! OK, can't wait to 'meet' you...

1) Who is your favourite author and why? I have so many, it's impossible for me to choose. I read anything that catches my eye and not necessarily by the name of the author.

2) When did you first consider yourself a writer? People say there are writers and there are authors. Writers are those pre-published and authors are already published. I guess I really still don't consider myself to by an author although I now have 10 pieces out with more coming. I guess it makes me an author. J

3) Describe your writing space? I have a small "office" off the back of our living room with my pc and all kinds of other crap. It's really cluttered and I wish it wasn't. I guess it means I need to clean.

4) What are you reading now? Nothing at the moment. I've got too many projects going on to sit down and read. I usually will if I'm stuck on a piece I'm writing.

5) How many books have your written? 10 published with several more coming. Which is your favourite? I can't pick just one. The one I'm writing on at the moment is usually my favorite.

6) What comes first, plot or characters? Oh, definitely character's. I'm a panster all the way.

7) Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? Sometimes, but it doesn't usually last more than a day or two. I don't call it writers block so much as the characters aren't talking to me.

8)

What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Ride my horses, visit old houses, and listen to music.

9) Tell us about your latest book? Not sure if you mean the latest one published or the one I'm writing. The latest piece I have out is called Professional Liaison and it's a light BDSM piece. It's about a powerhouse woman who is the CEO of a large corporation and she figures she's given her life to her career rather than to find the man of her dreams. Until, said man shows up at her office, takes her home and loves her like she's dreamed out, but then disappears. You can read more at www.bookstrand/professional-liaison

10) What’s next for you? Well, I have lots of books coming from different publishers in the coming months and I have a pitch appointment with Harlequin/Silhouette at the Central Ohio Fiction Writer's Conference in Worthington, OH on 10/1 and 10/2. They are having an open to the public book sale and signing on 10/2 from 430 to 6p. If anyone is in the area, stop by. I'll be giving away 20oz aluminum water bottles to the first 75 visitors to my table.

Thanks so much for having me, Rachel. I appreciate the exposure and I hope to see some people at the conference next month. If you'd like to check out more of my books, you can visit my website at www.romancestorytime.com.

Huge luck with your pitch in October, Sandy - I love conferences but have never pitched at one - I'd love you back to talk about your experience there if you want to. Loved having you here, open to questions and comments, guys!!

As Kerri is unable to make it....

I thought this was the right time to uncover and talk about my first erotic romance release with The Wild Rose Press due out October 15th, yay!! It is called Explicitly English and features a yummy, cool, calm, in control stockbroker and a feverish, high-octane interior designer...and girlfriends, when these two get together, phew-wee!! It is sexual meltdown, LOL! Love it!

My editor and cover artist is the fabulous, Angela Anderson who held my hand through the editing process of this story as well as giving me a second chance to improve on it when I first sent the manuscript in. I have learned so much from her and now hope to go on and write more and more of these hot and heavy get-togethers.

I'd love to hear what you think of the cover, the premise, your preferences in erotic romance or anything else you'd like to talk about!

Sassy Sayde Grace is with me today - Bring 'em on home, girl!

Let’s Write

Hello everyone! First let me say a huge thank you to my host today for having me! I’m thrilled to be here sharing my stories with everyone today. I’ve been wondering what in the world to talk about so as I was sitting down I thought about the different topics that I’d like to share my opinions on but none seemed quite right. You see , my first book with The Wild Rose Press RIDING DOUBLE came out in May and my second book THE HARDER THEY BUCK will be released soon from The Wild Rose Press and I’m working on my third for them. I have a series that I call Cowgirl Tough, where three friends own a rodeo production company and provide rodeo stock to a large rodeo circuit. I’m working on the third book and I’m stuck. Nothing seems to be just right for this character. In fact, I’ve started, stopped, deleted, rewritten, and deleted some more. If I put all the words that I’ve written so far then deleted into one file I’d have a HUGE manuscript.

As I was complaining about this to my critique partner she starts mentioning other books I’m writing or have written. She told me she sure would love to see a certain book of mine redone and I said, “HELL TO THE NO!”. I mean, I’m stuck, freaking stuck like a two wheel drive in river mud, but then two minutes later I found myself opening the file she’d asked me about. And guess what, I’ve rewritten the first three chapters and keep going back to add more layers of emotions, depth, and sexual tension.

Doing this I found that my problem with my cowgirl book was that I wasn’t going deep enough into that character. I was just skimming the top and instead of swimming or treading water I sank!

Today, just as a fun little exercise for those of you who may be stuck too, or who just want to play I want you to add to my story. Add a sentence or two just for fun and let’s see where it goes. By commenting I’ll enter you to win a free copy of RIDING DOUBLE.

All right boys and girls let’s get started.

“Life was a bitch, the bronc was a bitch and so was the woman who’d just flung his engagement ring back and marched off. Evan Jackson glanced at the ring near his cowboy boot. Every cell in his being screamed to run after Jolie and slide his ring back on her finger. He couldn’t. He wouldn’t.”

Okay, next. Tell us why he couldn’t and wouldn’t go after her. It can be serious or silly just have fun!

For more information on Sayde please visit her website, http://www.saydegrace.com http://www.romancewithakick.wordpress.com or follow her on twitter as SaydeGrace or on Facebook

This is great! Thank you for coming up with such a fun, interactive wordplay for my readers (and surely yours after today!) to take part in. Come on, people, get those creative juices flowing and you will be in with a chance to win Riding Double!!

One of my favourite Erotic Romance Writers - Valerie Mann!

I am so thrilled to invite one of my favourite erotic romance writers, Valerie Mann to my blog today, yay!! Funny, generous and above all, prolific, Valerie was my first introduction to the genre and has kept me hooked ever since.

Take it away, Valerie!

I have to be honest and tell you that I had a good laugh when Rachel asked me to blog about what makes a successful erotic romance story! I’d like to think I know because I’m a super-popular, multi-pubbed author with a huge fan base, wads of cash in the bank and a personal cabana boy at my beck and call.

Alas, this is not the case. About the only thing I have in common with the aforementioned list is I’m an author. Period.

However, I can tell you what I like to read and what I think works for erotic romance readers. And, I always try to keep these things in mind as I write. Sometimes I even like to think I’ve succeeded in delivering! So, here’s my bucket list of must-haves in a successful erotic romance (with fun graphics to drive home the point ‘cause I loves me some colorful pictures!).

1. Likeable Characters. Readers want to like, then fall in love, right along with the hero and heroine. From page one, an author should hook the reader, make her want to know what’s up with these two lovebirds and see how their relationship progresses. If you do it right, you’ll have a cheering squad from page one, rooting for the home team…er… the lovebirds.

2. Sex. Sells. Period. And, if written well, it makes the story that much more enjoyable. But writing sex for the sake of sex is a big turn-off for me. It better make sense and improve the story, otherwise it’s useless. And having the lovebirds shagging as soon as they meet probably isn’t realistic. So, wait until the timing for said shag is appropriate to advance the story.

3. Author Voice. Writers know an author’s voice—her individual writing style—can make or break a story. I write contemporary erotic romance and my voice is fairly urban. Wouldn’t work so well in a Regency historical unless it’s a time travel story, but it works great for my style and genre. Author voice can also create a nice fan base if readers connect well with it. For instance, I adore J.R.Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood paranormal series. Her voice is extremely unique, and critical to the success of the ongoing series.

4. Plot. That all-important part of the story that tells the story. If it doesn’t make sense, your reader is, at best, going to have a “huh?” look on her face. At worst, she’s going to send you really mean emails telling you your story sucked. We won’t even discuss what the reviewers will do to it. Bottom line? Make sure your plot doesn’t have holes big enough to drive a tractor-trailer through. Just like sex in your story…it better make sense, right down to the tiniest detail, or your readers will notice.

5. Promotion. Oh, darn! I used another P-word. If an author tells you she actually likes to promote her work, more than likely she’s a liar-liar-pants-on-fire. However, it’s numero uno on the list after the book is released to market and promote. Wait. Back up. It’s important even before that precious book hits the market to promote it. Get its name out there, splash the delicious cover all over your Facebook (please tell me you have one), have a contest, tweet it, Ning it, Spruz it (or whatever your social media site du jour may be), blog your heart out, and make readers anxious to see what the big deal is.

And on that note, I’ll leave you with a short excerpt of my latest WIP, Demon Lover, (to show you my lovebirds are likeable, the sex is appropriate to the scene, my voice is my own, and I’m doing the P-word). Enjoy!

Demon Lover

Julia had an eye for details, especially when the details in question waltzed into her bar ten minutes before closing and ordered top-shelf whisky—by the bottle. As soon as she'd walked out of the rear office of her bar, Irregardless, she'd spotted them, watched both men with interest and pleasure. It didn't matter if last call was in a half hour, back-to-back meetings were scheduled for the next day, or she had to meet with her masochistic personal trainer, Sven, at the butt crack of dawn. As long as Hunk One and Hunk Two graced her establishment, she'd stick around.
Settling down on a high stool at the end of the bar, she booted up her laptop and pretended great interest in the payroll spreadsheet in front of her. Sipping dry Riesling, she refused to give away the fact she’d noticed the men, or the way they filled the room with their huge presence. And while Hunk Two had his broad back turned to her, the other man faced her, couldn't keep his eyes off her, his calculating gaze tracking her every movement which totally turned her on, left her edgy as hell and wanting to hightail it over for a meet and greet.
With a few nonsense strokes on the laptop keyboard to kill time, she waited him out to make sure the flirting wasn’t all in her imagination. A quick upward glance in the mirror behind the bar told her it definitely wasn’t one-sided. As though anticipating her visual move, he caught her eye in the polished glass. Her stomach lurched at the hard, sensual gleam.

Enough. Shutting the program down, she waved her head bartender over and lifted her chin toward the alpha males. "Bring me another bottle of whatever they're having, Billy. And one more glass." Fine Scottish Bowmore appeared in seconds, along with one of her favorite Baccarat tumblers. Silky, smooth Steely Dan murmured from hidden speakers as she contemplated what she'd say when she approached the man.
Sliding off the stool, she clutched the bottle in one hand, glass in the other, and strode toward the handsome strangers. Attraction hummed and flared stronger as she drew closer. Edging between the two men, she set the bottle on the wood bar, looked up at Hunk One and tsked, "If we were in junior high, I'd tell you to take a picture. It lasts longer."
Amused, obsidian eyes regarded her while her heart flipped at the sight of him up close and personal. Even sitting on the high stool, he was obviously very tall, his big shoulders, solid chest and muscular legs filling out a black, silk Prada pinstripe beautifully. With short black hair and close-shaven face, he was perfection in a business suit.
Tilting his head, he eyed the nearly-full bottle of single malt at his elbow. In a voice as smooth as the liquor, he replied, "It’s a good thing I'm not in junior high anymore. I take what I want now."
She pondered his accent. Not quite southern, maybe a bit European, but definitely sexy as hell. She watched as he poured two fingers of the whisky into the crystal she'd brought then handed the glass to her. When she grasped it, he curled his hand around hers.
"We'll share," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. Rather than being a complete turn-off, his forward behavior aroused her even more, making her hot and bothered with just a look and a few words. She didn't resist when he lifted the glass to his mouth, their hands still joined. Lips, feather-light, brushed against her fingers and his breath, warm and lightly scented with the whisky, fanned over her. "What's your name?" He sipped again and she stared as he licked a bead of amber liquid from his full lower lip. Everything he did mesmerized her—his intense sexuality generating a brief, erotic vision of hot sex between tangled sheets. She broke out in a sweat.
"Julia." She wondered when he'd let her hand go, hoping it wouldn't be anytime soon. Sensual heat radiated from him, scorching her nerve endings, making her heart pound.
As though sensing her reaction, his mouth twitched. "I’m Darek. And this," he added with a nod toward his companion, "is my brother, Beck."

***

Copyright 2010 ~ Valerie Mann

Woo-hoo, come to Mama!! Love it!! Valerie writes for The Wild Rose Press, Cobblestone Press & Noble Romance. Please be sure to leave a comment and also join Valerie at her blog at http://valeriemann.blogspot.com/

Yay, an Eternal Press author is with me today!!!!

So happy to have you visit with me today, Arianna! It feels so long since I've hosted a fellow author from Eternal Press. I'd love to know where you are in your author photo, looks like a conference of some sort, am I right?

1) What is your writing routine?

I work a full time job, so I try to do most of my writing in the morning. My schedule is 11:30 AM – 8PM, so there’s plenty of time before I leave to write a couple hundred or more words.

2) Which author/s inspire you to write?

I really don’t know how to answer this. I try not to let other authors inspire me, because I’m desperately afraid I’ll steal someone’s idea or plot. I try to find inspiration in the people and places around me instead. LOTS of ideas there.

3) Which is your favorite romance subgenre to read? To write?

I am pretty eclectic when it comes to reading. I read everything from historical, to paranormal, to contemporary. My writing tends to run in a similar vein, but I’ve discovered over the years that I have a flair for comedy.

4) How do you deal with criticism/rejection?

It depends on the type of criticism. If it’s constructive, I try to learn from it and use it to strengthen my writing. If it’s negative and downright nasty, I’ve learned to ignore it.

5) What do you expect from an editor?

I expect them to help me strengthen my writing and help me produce the best book possible.

6) Tell me about your latest release

Wings of Desire is a fantasy erotic romance. It takes place in the magical world of Fae. The heroine, Rhiannon, discovers that she is a faerie princess. Cerne, the hero, steals her away from Earth and brings her back to her home. She needs to learn to accept her destiny and also help save their kingdom from evil. There’s action, adventure, sexy romance, and, of course, humor.

7)

Rhiannon Kinsley's life goes from boring to downright crazy when a freak lightning bolt strikes her laptop. To make matters even more bizarre, strange words and symbols flash across the computer screen and she hears a mysterious voice. Time to call the men in white coats! Then Cerne Silverwing, an intriguingly sexy man, appears. He insists she's a faerie princess whose fate will determine his own. What a crock! Now she knows who really needs those white coats.

With the Dark Faerie forces threatening their kingdom, Cerne kidnaps Rhiannon and brings her to Fey, a land where magic knows no bounds. He's performing a duty to save his kingdom and nothing more--a duty that will bring him his wings and the strengthened magic that comes with them. If he doesn't unite with the princess as her consort, those wings will never grow. But this princess grew up in the land of laptops and instant messages, and she's convinced they're both crazy. Despite their differences, the two are thrust together to defeat the whip-wielding Dark Faerie Queen before she takes over their kingdom. Passion and peril aside, will Rhiannon and Cerne discover their true destiny?

EXCERPT:

"Okay, where are the hidden cameras? This is getting old really fast.” Rhiannon tapped her foot. "I know you expect me to believe you because you're some super-hot sex-god, but I think you'd better go—before I call the police.” Reaching across the sofa, she grabbed her cell phone.

Cerne caught her hand in his and gave her a heated gaze. "I didn't want to resort to this,” he said, his voice thick and heady. "But I've run out of options.” He pulled her against his hard-muscled body. With his thumb and forefinger, he lifted her chin.

Clenching her fists, she bit her lip. Tingling numbness filled her every pore. She attempted to pull herself from his embrace, but her body wouldn’t cooperate.

"Let me go! You're frightening me."

"It's for your own good and the good of your people, my sweet.” He traced a finger lightly over her lips. "Soon you'll understand.” He lowered his lips to hers and gently nibbled. Coaxing her mouth open, his tongue swirled with hungry strokes along hers.

She moaned softly as her traitorous tongue danced with his. Lessening his grip on her arm, he allowed her to press closer and rub her bikini-clad breasts against the hard ridges of his chest. Her nipples pebbled against the spandex of her swim top.

Stupid nipples.

She twisted her fingers in his dark mane, pulling him closer. Heedless of what she knew was right, she intensified the kiss. He hoisted her up onto his lap, letting her straddle the rock-hard erection that filled his trousers. Grinding her hips against his, she reached down to unfasten and untie the garment.

He pulled her hands away. "No, leannan. I just want to kiss. The joining must occur at Beltane—in Fey.”

"I'm not going to Fey—”

8) Which is your favorite character in the book? Why?

Rhiannon, of course. She’s smart, sarcastic and isn’t afraid to kick Dark Faerie ass when her kingdom, a kingdom she just learned about, is threatened.

9) What is next for you?

Next Spring, the first book in the Demons Unleashed series of humorous paranormal romances will be released by Sourcebooks Casablanca. Beauty School Demon tells the story of hairstylist Lucy Gregory, another equally snarky heroine who discovers she is half-succubus. It will be penned under my other pseudonym, Sidney Ayers.

10) What are you working on right now?

I am working on book two of the Demons Unleashed series. Icing on the Demon is slated for a late 2011 release. This story focuses on Lucy’s best friend, a caterer with secret powers, and a mysterious demon mercenary who’s been sent to protect her.

10) Your biggest piece of advice to aspiring novelists?

Keep on writing and never give up. Each rejection brings you one step closer to a sale.

11) Where can readers find you?

My website is located at http://www.ariannaskye.com and http://www.sidneyayers.com. I also can be found at Twitter (@arianna_skye and @sidney_ayers) and on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ariannaskye and http://www.facebook.com/sidneywrites.

Thanks so much for this opportunity, Rachel. It’s been fun! To show my appreciation, I’ll give away a copy of Wings of Desire to one lucky visitor.

So glad you came by, Arianna. My readers need to know how busy you've been with edits and deadlines etc, mania!! A giveaway is always fun so come on people, comments, comments, comments!!

Four sexy brothers for Darah - greedy, greedy....

1) Did you set any goals for 2010?

Goals and Darah don’t get along. If I don’t meet my goal, I get depressed or feel too guilty and it’s counterproductive. It’s like having a list but doing everything except what’s on the list. I’m overwhelmed as it is.

2) What is the best part of the writing process for you?

Falling into the characters, becoming someone else for a little while. I love the little tingles I get when the characters are “aware” of the other. I get teary when one of my characters’ heart is breaking. And when they fall in love...ah, gotta love the romance.

3) The worst part?

When I’m not feeling it. When the characters aren’t speaking to me and the words won’t come. That’s when I have to walk away and do something else for a while. It’s usually because I’ve gone in the wrong direction or I don’t know where I’m going.

4) What is the book you wish you’d written?

You mean someone else’s book? The Marriage Bed by Stephanie Mittman. The hero and heroine were put through so much angst. I’ve read it many times but it still packs a punch. I’d never part with it.

5) Favourite author/s & book/s?

Hmm, too many to name and I’m pretty eclectic. Let’s see, the one mentioned above...then there’s all of Pamela Morsi’s and Lavyrle Spencer’s historicals, Lora Leigh, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Emma Holly, Julia Quinn, Stephanie Laurens, Vicki Lewis Thompson’s nerd books...I could go on and on.

6) Tell us about your latest release?

Bachelor Auction released September 3 and is the second in a series involving four brothers. (Unmasking Zorro, released April 2010, involved Spencer, second oldest.) The third brother of the four, Marcus, is really a very easy going guy until Charlotte sets foot in the room. She brings out the worst in him. Of course, she does her best to antagonize him. I’ve said it a hundred times, but Marcus is and will always be my favorite hero.

7) Tease us with a blurb/short except

Blurb:

Marcus Preston wants a relationship built on love and trust, but the woman he wants made it clear long ago she's only interested in fun and games. Yet, moving on proves difficult when no one else can erase the memory of the night they shared last summer.

Charlotte Reese doesn't believe in love, marriage, or happily ever afters. An occasional one-night stand is all she needs to take the edge off her loneliness and enhance the bad-girl image she uses to discourage commitment-seeking men—especially Marcus, the only man to melt both her body and her heart melt.

When Charlotte wins Marcus hot off the block of Houston’s Most Eligible Bachelor Auction and they’re forced to spend the weekend together, she seizes the opportunity to seduce him and extinguish the attraction sizzling between them once and for all. But for Marcus, it’s all or nothing. He won’t be seduced. Instead, he’ll show Charlotte she has more to offer a man than sex.

Excerpt:

Charlotte paused in front of the country club’s coat closet and read the sign “Back in 15 Minutes.”

“To hell with that,” she muttered as she slipped around the counter and through the open door of the closet. They would be announcing the winning bids by then, and she’d rather not live through that nightmare. The one she’d suffered moments ago was bad enough.

She must have been out of her mind to think she could dance with Marcus, be that close to him and not fall victim to her own longings or risk another rejection. But he had seemed sincere in wanting to dance with her. At least until the music slowed, forcing him to actually pay attention to his partner. That he was uncomfortable with her was an understatement.

She scanned the hundreds of coats that lined the walls on either side, but the faux sable mink she’d worn suddenly resembled dozens of others that were most likely real. “Concentrate, Charlotte, so you can get the hell out of here.”

“You’re not going anywhere until I’ve had my say.”

Her heart plunged to her stomach at the sound of Marcus’s hard-as-steel voice. She restrained herself from rubbing the goose bumps beneath her sleeves and instead, shook her hair over her shoulder and continued her search. “What? You’re not through insulting me?”

“I’m not the one who left you standing on the dance floor, looking like a fool.”

“Because it was obvious you couldn’t stand touching me.”

“That’s not—”

A giggle from the hallway thwarted whatever reply he might have made, and relief swept over her when he turned to leave. Her relief was short lived when Marcus eased the door to within a couple of inches of being closed then returned to stand directly in front of her. He shoved his hands deep in his pockets, elbows grazing the coats on either side.

His nearness distracted her, as did his musky cologne and the jet-black hair that fell over his furrowed brow, emphasizing the deep green eyes staring intently back at her. But she couldn’t afford to get carried away by her attraction to him and end up hurt again. Her response to him in the mayor’s garden had certainly proven her resistance was no match for his charm. Still, she had to keep the barriers up, to play her part.

Instead of waiting for him to finish what he’d started to say, she shrugged. “Hey, it’s no big deal if you don’t want to dance with me. To each his own, right?”

“You should know by now I never do anything I don’t want to.”

8) What is your favourite attribute of the hero and heroine?

Marcus thinks he knows what Charlotte is all about and tries to protect her from herself. Charlotte encourages Marcus to think the worst but she’s really very vulnerable.

9) What’s next?

I’m working on a follow up to Saddle Broke (released last April at Ellora’s Cave) and have plans for a third story in the series. And then there are the two remaining Preston brothers, Chad (the youngest and most carefree) and Mitch (the oldest and a very wounded, bitter soul). I look forward to both their stories.

10) Tell me where you write?

I write in my bedroom. I had a little cubby set up near my laundry room but moved my desk to my daughter’s room when she left for college. The cubby became something else and she moved home. I was hoping my bedroom would be a temporary situation but it doesn’t seem so. It works though and I have a lock on my door!

11) Where would you like your career to be in 5 years?

Steady. I don’t have big dreams of hitting a national best seller list. I just want to continue to write when I can and share my stories with readers. So I suppose in 5 years I’d like to be writing more and sharing more.

12) Where can we find you?

You can find me at:

www.darahlace.com
www.darahlace.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/darahlace

Thank you so much for being here today, Darah - Fantastic excerpt and what a thrill to be given a series by The Wild Rose Press, wow! I can wait to read what questions or comments readers want to share with you...