The story behind the story…

When people ask writers where they get their ideas from, more often than not we have no clue – or is that just me? Having said that, I know where the idea for my latest release started at least. “Coming Back” came from a snippet of dialogue I heard in my head while ironing – I kid you not.

I was watching the latest episode of Grey’s Anatomy when I heard someone say “I am going celibate until I find love. End of.” I knew whoever said it was young from the phrasing and I knew from her tone of voice she was struggling to be heard. Someone was either making fun of her or at least taking her claim with a note of derision.

That’s how a lot of stories start for me. I usually get to hear a character’s voice in my head either telling me their problem, or what they want or, like the character who eventually became Kelly Hampton, wanting to start a new phase in their lives.

Storytelling is about a journey, a protagonist’s change as they work through problems and obstacles, and in romance, finding a love that will last the rest of their lives. I love my job and hope I can do it forever.

Excerpt from “Coming Back”

Kelly Hampton looked along the line of faces sitting at her bar, her body humming with frustration. “What? I mean it.”

Silence.

Narrowing her eyes, she planted her fists on her hips and waited. So she’d lived in Jessop Hill, a sleepy town in rural England, all her life. So these men looking at her with such reservation might have known her since she was an eight-year-old kid running around the fields, climbing trees with muddy knees and scraped elbows…didn’t mean they knew her, right? Twenty years on, Kelly owned the bar they needed more than their beds, so they better listen up before she kicked them out on their asses.

“No more sex,” she said. “Nada. I will be celibate for the foreseeable future and that’s final.”

Another long moment passed, the only sound in the bar was Bryan Adams rasping about heaven and wanting nothing else but his baby - before Len, Kelly’s surrogate father and general all-round protector, picked up his pint of beer and sniffed.

“Yeah, right.”

Like the ‘joined-at-the hip’ drinking buddies they were, the four regulars looked at each other before emitting a barrage of dismissive male laughter.

“Fine.” Kelly slapped a cloth up and down a two feet space of the bar. “I’ll show you. I’ll show all of you. I’ve had enough with the wasters and idiots who want nothing more than to cop a feel. From now on, it’s commitment or nothin. Either they want a lasting relationship or they’re out. No negotiation.”

http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=837

Rachel x

Welcome fellow Scarlet Rose author, Becca Simone!

Hi Becca,

It's great to welcome you back to my blog! It's been awhile since we last spoke and I can't wait to read what you have for us today. The floor is yours!

Rachel, thanks so much for having me here today. Because Halloween is just around the corner, I figured I’d talk about my Halloween novella, Midnight Treat.

It’s about mistaken identity gone erotically awry after a costume party.

My hero, Josh, thinks he’s fulfilling the naughty fantasy of a woman he just met at a party by breaking into her apartment and proceeding to ravish her. Cassie, my heroine, recognizes the masked outlaw from the party and immediately realizes he must have mistaken her for her sexy upstairs neighbor. She decides not to tell him and plays along with the fantasy.

I came up with this idea after a funny story my mother in law likes to tell. She and my father in law were staying in a motel where the doors open to an outside walkway. Their room was the third door from the stairs. My FIL went down to the lobby for something while she stayed in the room to shower. He came back to the room where he found her leaning over the bathtub, naked, a towel wrapped around her head. He slapped her on the bare ass.

She screamed and spun around.

It wasn’t her.

He’d entered the wrong room—third door down, but the wrong floor. LOL!

Needless to say, they checked out of that motel ASAP.

She asked him later, “Seriously, after 30 years of marriage, you didn’t realize that wasn’t me?”

His response, “You’ve seen one bare ass, you’ve seen them all.”

I’m pretty sure she hurt him after that. J

Excerpt: “Please,” she whimpered, playing along.

“Please, what?” he asked.

“Don’t hurt me.” Her voice shook with anticipation. She hoped it sounded scared. She didn’t want to ruin his fun. Or hers. The other Marie must have shared her fantasy with him at the party and he was doing a great job at obliging. The thrill of desire tinged with fear and a smidge of anxiety coursed through her veins.

He ignored her fake plea and tied her hands to the headboard, leaving no tension in the rope. The bindings were so tight they almost hurt. Her panties dampened.

Next, he wrapped the silk sash across her mouth and between her teeth. “Any last words before I tie this?” he asked, his face just inches from hers. The Jack-o-lantern must have burned out because the room had gone dark. She could just make out his silhouette and felt his warm breath against her lips. He smelled like mint. Had he popped a breath mint before climbing the fire escape? She almost giggled at the thought.

Last chance to come clean. She took a breath to tell him the truth, then hesitated and let it out. She wanted this.

Cassie shook her head in answer to his question. Her silver wig tipped askew as he tied the material behind her head. Then, moving to her bare feet, he wrapped his finger around her ankle, caressing her skin with his thumb as he tied her to the corner of the footboard. When he reached for her other foot, it dawned on her she should be struggling or something. She kicked out at him before he could tie her spread-eagled. He jumped out of her reach. “Woah, Nellie! You almost got the boys, then our fun would be over.” He chuckled.

Oh, crap. Wouldn’t that have sucked? To put him out of commission before he could do to her whatever it was he planned to do?

You can learn more about Becca Simone and her writing at http://BeccaSimone.com.

Buy links: http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Treat-ebook/dp/B0038HEM7O/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319419890&sr=1-4

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/midnight-treat-becca-simone/1103540429?ean=2940013572331&itm=2&usri=midnight%2btreat

http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=142&products_id=727

LOL!!!

That is the funniest story, Becca - I love it! I am going over to the Wild Rose Press website right now to download your story to see how you used your parents-in-law's (is that even right?) experience. Great stuff!

Becca would love to hear from you!

R x

The Dreaded 'Sagging Middle'!!

I am nearing the halfway mark of my latest work in progress and while for some writers that will be something to celebrate, for me it is the opposite. Why? Because it means the dreaded ‘sagging middle’ is right around the corner. Thus bringing my writing/plotting/creativity to a grinding halt and causing me to bang my head up and down on my desk all day, every day until I see light at the end of a very dark tunnel.

Now most of you would have heard of this ‘sagging middle’ phrase and know what it means, others won’t. Let me explain.

It is the part of my story writing that I hate the most and occurs every single time, with every single book. I am a blend of two kinds of writer. I am half plotter and half pantser. I always have a two to three page synopsis written as well as character sketches for my hero and heroine before I start writing. However, from page one to the end I continually write the first draft without stopping or editing. The hard work comes in drafts two and three.

The problem is no matter how much detail I feel I’ve put into the synopsis, no matter how much I have written it with my ‘sagging middle’ weakness in mind, there it always is. Bam, like a grinning little cartoon devil poised to poke me in the behind with his shiny trident as soon as I am about halfway through.

So the question is, how do I deal with it? The only way I know how. Keep writing. I dread going to my desk for these days. Have zero enthusiasm or belief in myself or my work. I sit my backside in the chair anyway. These days writing is like pulling teeth but I force myself to write at least a thousand rubbish words a day. The beauty of it is when I feel the sun reappearing as I climb out of the middle and start heading for the home run, I read back what I wrote through those torturous days and I can be guaranteed to keep at least half of it. Result!

So what about you writers out there? Do you suffer with the same weakness as me? Yes? What’s your trick for beating this particular devil?

Or are you a reader? Have you noticed a ‘sagging middle’ in books? Maybe you see them more often than editors do, lol! I love to hear from you.

My latest release is “Coming Back” available now from The Wild Rose Press. Here’s the blurb:

Kelly Hampton loved once...and lost. After two years of looking for Sean MacKenzie in other men--and failing miserably--she takes a vow of celibacy. No sex until she finds love. Then Sean strolls back into her bar, reigniting old flames. No one has come close to understanding or satisfying her like he did. Her body burns for the passion they once shared, but her heart still remembers the pain.

Sean escaped Jessop Hill and his father's fists in the middle of the night without a word--even to his love, Kelly--to protect his battered mother, but he never forgot the explosively erotic relationship he left behind. Now his father is dead and Sean is back for the only woman he's ever wanted. Their reunion is full of fire – but can sexual attraction and noble intentions overcome years of heartache or will Kelly walk away to protect her heart this time.

http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=837

www.twitter.com/rachelwriter

Welcome fellow Wild Rose Press author, Luna Zega!!

Erotica Interruptus

By Luna Zega

www.lunazega.com

Three years ago, I quit my ridiculously high paying job in Northern Alaska, loaded up my cats and flew to a farm in the Ozarks to start a career as a romance author. I had no idea what I was getting into. If someone had told me then that I would be writing erotica, I would have blushed and giggled.

My,my. How times have changed!

Two main points guided my decision to move to the Ozarks. One, living 300 miles above the Arctic Circle is not conducive to creativity. It has to do with negative energy or gravity or something. Personally, I think it’s just too darn cold for the brain to function. Two, the Ozarks are glorious. Who isn’t inspired by the dogwoods of spring, the lush green fields of summer, the blazing orange and red of the autumn forests and the stark, gray, bareness of winter?

At the time, I thought an added bonus to the move would be the proximity to my family. After living 3,000 miles away from them for over a decade, I was unprepared for their family-ness.

They have no boundaries.

“Oooh, cool quilt!” Let’s walk into the bedroom and examine it. Why not sit on the bed and discuss the merits of quilts over comforters? “Hey, everyone, we’re in the bedroom. Come check out this quilt.”

“Nice dresser, but you really should organize your sock drawer better.”

For the record, 15 of my relatives can fit in my bedroom. Thankfully, I was able to stop them before they inspected the night stand. J

Knocking? Completely out of the question. The other day, in an attempt to keep my mother (I love her dearly) at bay while I was writing, I locked the front door. Ma walked around the house to the deck, entered through that door, strolled across the living room and unlocked the front door. She thought she was being helpful because I forgot to unlock the door. Never occurred to her the lock was supposed to be a barrier to entry. Oh well.

The odd thing to me is that if the phone rings, no one would think of answering it. That would be prying. Go figure.

So, imagine these little scenarios and apply it to your writing life. Locked doors don’t keep the family out. Signs on the door that say, “Stay away. I’m writing smut,” only act as a lure. At first, I wasn’t that upset about it. They’d walk in, go to the fridge, grab a beverage and come into the living room to ask what I was up to. It didn’t bother me too much because I could pick up where I left off and continue to write the scene.

Then, I started writing erotica. Remember when you were 16 and your mother caught you making out with your boyfriend on the couch? You thought you were going to die of embarrassment, but as soon as she left the room, you started making out again. For some reason, that doesn’t work when writing about making out. Your mother walks into the room and SMACK! Every ounce of creativity slams against the computer screen and there’s no getting it back. While you were chatting with your mother about the squash bugs devouring the garden, your main character, Drake, started watching football. No matter how enticing and seductive LaFonda is, Drake’s having nothing of it.

I know, it’s fiction. I should be able to make Drake do anything I want him to do, but as you authors know, it doesn’t work that way. No amount of Spanish fly, oysters or green M&Ms is going to get him in the mood again.

I’m considering moving back to the creative-juice-sucking Arctic. It might take a little longer to get the ideas flowing, but once they’re thawed out, I wouldn’t be bothered by anyone. Shoot, there are even restaurants that deliver there. I’d never have to leave the house. Ever.

Does anyone have a better cure for erotica interruptus? I really don’t want to knit booties for my cats and don a 40# parka just so I can get a novella written.Luna is waiting for the release date for "Southern Seduction", her debut novella with The Wild Rose Press so keep checking their "Coming Soon" list here:

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Great to have you here, Luna and I love the sound of both the places you have lived being here in the UK - good luck with your upcoming release too. The cover is gorgeous!

Comments?

Welcome Breathless Press author, W Lynn Chantale!

Glad to welcome W Lynn Chantale after she hosted me last week! Looking forward to learning about your writing challenge, Lynn...

A Writing Challenge

by W. Lynn Chantale

Writing Erotic Romance happened quite by accident. I thought to challenge myself, just to see if I could write a super steamy romance. So I decided to dust off a manuscript I wrote some ten years ago and turn the first chapter into an erotic. Not knowing what the heck I was doing, I checked out a book on writing erotic fiction. I followed ‘The Blue Rules’, and read as much erotica as I could.

What an eye opener.

First I could write erotic romance, at least that’s what I told myself, and two I LIKED writing erotic romance. It was fun and strangely liberating. LOL. Sounds silly, huh? Writing erotic was like getting in touch with a part me I had forgotten. Anywhoo, I rewrote the first chapter, sent it off to my CPs and anxiously awaited their comments. Since both of my CPs wear editor hats and one writes erotic romance I was really biting my nails.

Both liked the story, to my giddy relief, they gave me great feedback and a wonderful criticism I STILL use. So after much editing and two more passes with my CPs I bravely submitted my first erotic romance. And waited. I wasn’t disappointed. Breathless Press wanted ‘Breaking Delia’s Rules’ if I could lengthen the story.

Easy-peasy. Not really. Twelve thousand and two weeks later, or at least I think it was two weeks I resubmitted and signed the contract. Can you imagine where I would be if I didn’t challenge myself to write something different? Now if I can just figure out how to wield this whip.

Five days, three rules, and one sizzling seduction.

Blurb

Delia has just three rules for dating. First, a man should never assume he’s the only one. Second, he must stick to his scheduled day and time. Third—and most important—no sex. Enforcing the rules has never been a problem until she meets the hottie from the pool.

Jace has only five days to make every moment count. The more time he spends with Delia, the more he realizes she may be The One. With the clock ticking, he realizes there is only one course of action left to take if he wants Delia’s heart. Can he convince Delia that rules are meant to be broken?

Excerpt

He rested a large hand against her thigh and brushed lazy circles along the sensitive skin near her knee with his thumb. She inhaled sharply at the sparks zigzagging through her veins.

“So how ‘bout it?” Jace smiled. “Commit to one man for the rest of the cruise.”

She laughed, tugging off her glasses and setting them on top of her book. “Did you have someone in mind?” A sigh escaped her lips when he inched his fingers higher up her thigh.

His hand stilled. “Yeah.” Her pulse raced when he slid his gaze down her body a second time, and his continued touch did nothing to alleviate her predicament.

Delia moistened her dry lips. She should leave before she did something stupid, like fling herself into his arms and demand hot, sweaty sex.

“I should go.” She stood, grabbing her book and glasses.

Jace stood as well and clasped her hand. Butterflies took flight in her belly. He tugged hard enough to pull her off balance and she stumbled against him.

“Hot date?” he asked.

Delia stared into his eyes, her heart hammering at his closeness. “I...” She couldn’t push anymore words across her dry tongue.

“You’re just going to run?”

The challenge in his voice pricked her feminine pride and she straightened. She had to let him know she was still in control. “You never said who you had in mind,” she countered. Instead of stepping away, she moved closer. Every time she exhaled, her breasts brushed against his chest. Tingles trickled down her spine, but still she didn’t step away.

He smiled wolfishly. “I can’t believe you haven’t figured out who I have in mind.”

“I want to hear you say it,” she said.

“You do like a challenge.”

She grinned. “Who said I didn’t?”

“Good, ’cause here’s one more.” He dropped a kiss on her upturned mouth.

Buy Link: http://www.breathlesspress.com/content/breaking-delias-rules

About the Author

W. Lynn Chantale resides in southeastern Michigan. Married to her high school sweetheart, they’ve been together for the last twenty years. They have three children. She writes African-American and Interracial sensual erotic and erotic romance. She has a mad affinity for milk chocolate, preferably Dove chocolate truffles or the caramel-filled squares (Godiva and Ghiradelli are acceptable), and plays the bass guitar when the Muse begs for a bit of distraction.

Contact Info

Blog: http://wlynnchantale-decadentdecisions.blogspot.com/

Email: wlynnchantale@gmail.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/wlynnchantale

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/W.LynnChantaleAuthor

Great inspirational blog, Lynn - I think we all need to step out of our comfort zones constantly to be the best we can be. Good advice for both our personal and professional lives!

Comments?

This week's Coming Back Tour Stops!

Okay, time for the weekly Coming Back tour stops - I am really enjoying the tour and your support is SO appreciated. The best thing about this tour is discovering so many new sites and authors. The downside? My 'to be read' pile is growing every day, lol!

Monday October 17th

Shelley Munroe Blog

http://www.shelleymunro.com/blog/

Carrie Ann Ryan Blog

http://carrieannryan.blogspot.com/?zx=91280a8c6a45f3d8

Tuesday October 18th

Rebecca Rose Blog

http://authorrebeccarose.blogspot.com/?zx=ec6c4a92831fe640

Wednesday October 19th

Melisse Aires Blog

http://melisseaires.blogspot.com/?zx=2b603b19e407a98e

Thursday October 20th

Gale Stanley Blog

http://galestanley.blogspot.com/

Friday October 21st

Cocktails & Books Blog

http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/

Saturday October 22nd

Frances Pauli

http://francespauli.blogspot.com/

See you there!

Rachel x

Welcome fellow Wild Rose Press author, Kellie Kamryn!

I have the lovely and patient Kellie Kamryn with me today, yay! Why is she lovely and patient? Because I completely messed up her visit and had her scheduled for today and again in November. Losing my mind is the basic summary but Kellie was lovely enough to complete the interview and send everything back to me in the same day!

Thanks so much, Kellie. Let's get started!

1) Did you set any goals for 2011?

My goals were to submit my stories and novels for publication. So far, everything I’ve submitted has been accepted somewhere.

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

I love writing “The End” on a new piece. Then I like going back and editing.

3) The worst part?

Because I know a story so well, I can’t write it fast enough!

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

The one I’m working on now! LOL

5) Favourite author/s & book/s?

Anything by Eloisa James or Julie James. Eloisa’s historical are exquisite and Julie’s contemporary’s are awesome.

6) Tell us about your latest release?

Going for Gold is an erotic short published by Romance Divine as part of their holiday collection. I took my love of gymnastics and wrote a short, hot piece about two coaches who “go for gold” after the staff Christmas party.

On October 21^st my erotic novella with The Wild Rose Press comes out, Pleasure Island.

7) Tease us with a blurb/short except

Chelsea Hunter didn't come to the resort looking for sex. Jake Davis intends to change her mind. Will they be able to turn up the heat, or will their visit to Pleasure Island leave them cold?

After finalizing her divorce, Chelsea Hunter came to the resort island of Paradise for some peace and quiet so she could figure out what her next step would be. She hadn’t expected to find herself at an exotic hotel dedicated to pleasures of the flesh. Too bad she doesn’t want sex.

Jake Davis is back in Paradise after visiting a year ago when his own marriage fell apart. This time his fantasy is to guide a woman through her sexual journey. He hadn’t counted on being paired with the only woman in Paradise who prefers privacy over pleasure!

Will Jake be able to discover what Chelsea truly needs, or will their journey to Paradise remain unfulfilled?

Excerpt: “This is a what?”

Chelsea Hunter couldn’t believe her ears. An island resort dedicated to entertaining people’s sexual pleasures? This wasn’t what she’d signed up for when reserving her room at the beautiful Caribbean locale. What the hell would people think if they found out she’d come here?

“I assure you that you’re in the right place, Ms. Hunter,” the blonde behind the reception desk told her.

Chelsea struggled to look anywhere but at the receptionist’s chest, whose gigantic breasts spilled out of her red string bikini. “There must be a mistake. I reserved a room at Paradise Resort.”

“This is Paradise, baby,” drawled a smooth voice from Chelsea’s left.

Chelsea turned, only to struggle again with where to look. There stood one of the most gorgeous men she’d ever laid eyes on. She’d guess him a few inches shy of six feet, but his perfectly sculpted body totally made up for it. He may not have been tall, but the handsome factor was off the charts. Close cropped dark hair, midnight eyes, broad shoulders and chest without an ounce of body hair, tapered waist, and—Whoa. A zap of lust zinged straight to her core, and she dropped her gaze to his muscled thighs. That couldn’t be real. Maybe his Speedo made it appear larger. She flicked another quick look. Damn…Wet heat rushed between her thighs.

Bringing her gaze back up to his face, she flushed at the amused sparkle in his eyes. She braced her hands on the reception desk, her wedding twinkling a bittersweet reminder as she leaned forward.

“There has to be some mistake,” Chelsea pleaded. “I’m at the wrong place.”

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

In Going for Gold, Grant is kind of seen as a ladies man but he’s really not. Very respectful of the other ladies on staff, he hides his growing attraction for Teena, who unbeknownst to him has a crush on him too. Teena goes for what she wants despite being a little shy about approaching Grant. I love a woman who goes after what she wants.

9) What’s next?

Edits for my upcoming Love and Balance series out in the New Year from Secret Cravings Publishing. Again, I used my gymnastics background to write a series of romances.

10) Tell me where you write?

I write on my PC at my desk in the living room across from the kids computer or on my laptop.

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

I would love to still be writing, making money at it and making readers happy!

12) Where can we find you?

www.kelliekamryn.com, www.kelliekamryn.blogspot.com, on twitter and facebook as Kellie Kamryn

It's been fab getting to know you better, Kellie and I had to laugh at your answer to the best bit about writing - exactly the same for me, lol! Hope you enjoy your time here... :)

Comments?

Welcome fellow Wild Rose Press author, Cherie Marks!!

This is the first time Cherie and I have sat down to chat so I am very much looking forward to getting to know her better! At The Wild Rose Press authors are hugely supportive and friendly of each other so the more people I get to know, the happier I am writing for them.

Hi Cherie, pull up a chair and we'll get started!

1) When and why did you decide you wanted to be a published author?

I’ve always known I wanted to be published. My answer to ‘what do you want to be when you grow up’ has always been—writer. Yet, after a bout with breast cancer, someday just wasn’t soon enough, so I decided to get serious and get published. Fortunately, my story found a home.

2) What is the best and worse thing you have learned from an editor/agent?

Best thing I’ve learned is to study the industry. The more you know, the better able you are to make good decisions for your future career. The worst? One particular agent was adamant that the only way to a publishing career was through him (Christ complex or something). I’m not saying not to query agents. I just think there are more options for authors than there used to be.

3) Favourite author/s?

I cut my teeth on authors like Johanna Lindsey and Julie Garwood, and I was forever a romance fan. But the truth is, I just love books. Romance, thriller, young adult, mystery—they’re all in my TBR pile. Some current favorite authors—Michael Crichton, Kresley Cole, Rachel Gibson, Carrie Ryan, J.m. Madden.

4) What is your typical day?

I have a day job, a husband, and three kids. Nothing is typical. But if all goes well, I get 30 minutes in the morning and two hours in the evening to devote to writing. That’s after all the ballgames, homework, dinner, and other typical household chores.

5) Share your blurb or short excerpt from your latest release with us

His hands burned with awareness of where they rested. His pulse raced, and her lips were mere inches from his. As if time stopped completely, they stared at each other, and for the life of him, Luke couldn’t seem to remember why he’d come in here.

Shyann shook off the haze first. “Let me go. I can get this without you.”

Against his need and with exaggerated motion, he pulled his hands away. She stumbled and eyed him suspiciously but went back to jumping for a high box.

Although he appreciated the bounce of her breasts each time she leaped upward, he forced himself not to stare, gathering some of his ingredients instead. But after watching for a few more seconds, with an irritated grunt, he reached around her, grabbed her target, and handed it to her.

“I said I didn’t need your help.”

“Fine, I’ll put it back.”

His hand touched the box, and she pulled it behind her. The motion caused their bodies to collide again. Her liquid brown eyes blazed up at him, and even as a small voice in the back of his brain screamed he didn’t have time for this, he couldn’t seem to pull away. She looked so damn soft and vulnerable, and all he wanted to do was step out of the way of her win, give it all to her because she deserved it. But first, he wanted to kiss her, a long, hot, turn-their-knees-to-jelly kiss.

6) Who would you cast to play your hero & heroine in a movie?

I’d want James Marsden to play Luke Tracy and Reese Witherspoon would make a great Shyann Devere

7) Did you plan this book? Or write it as it came?

A few of the scenes were planned in my head, but for the most part, I wrote it as it came to me. When I began the story, I honestly didn’t know what Luke had done to mess up his relationship with Shyann, but as often happens with a ticked-off woman, she told me in detail, and I wrote it down.

8) What surprised you the most when you became a published?

The surprise for me was the promotion. I’ve enjoyed it but didn’t really understand how much time it would require. I’m not complaining because I’ve wanted to be here for a long time, and I hope to be here for a longer time still.

9) Do you have a dedicated writing space? What does it look like?

Wherever I am. Unfortunately, I don’t have a specific writer space currently. Most of the time, if I get to choose, I write at the kitchen table—activity central—so I’ve had to adapt to noise and interruptions during writing time. Otherwise, I write while sitting on the couch, in bed, at work during lunch breaks, at the local Barnes and Noble, or wherever I happen to be when time allows. That’s the nice thing about using a laptop and a USB drive. I can set up quickly and shut down at a moment’s notice, if need be.

10) What’s next for you?

I have a couple stories in different stages of development, but I have one that’s pretty much writing itself (don’t you love that). It’s about a girl who comes back to her small hometown with a different look and a different attitude. That’s all I’m going to say about it for now.

Months after he stole her affections—then her executive chef position—Shyann and Luke meet again under sizzling circumstances, competing head-to-head on a televised cooking show called Kitchen Twist. Each arrives with a motive: Luke intends to win back Shyann’s heart, even as she wants closure on the not-so-tasty heartbreak he once served up.

Luke knows culinary masterpieces require a delicate touch, but that knowledge is tossed out with the leftovers as he works to show Shyann he’s not such a bad guy. Now he pushes his skills to the limit to win the competition and satisfy a bet.

Can two top chefs resist each other as they move out of the pan and into the fire?

http://www.cheriemarks.com

http://www.cheriemarks.blogspot.com
Facebook--http://on.fb.me/qRl1lD

Twitter—http://twitter.com/cheriemarks

Book Trailer--http://youtu.be/lXrDrRC1daM
Into the Fire available at http://tinyurl.com/3mfn3zj

Great interview and excerpt, Cherie - I really hope you enjoy your day at my site!

Comments? Questions?