Welcome Wild Rose Press writer, Louisa Masters!!

Welcome fellow Scarlet Rose of the Wild Rose Press, Louisa's debut novella Inter-Office Relations is available right now. Hasn't it got a fabulous cover?? I LOVE it!!

Over to you, Louisa - enjoy your time here :)

New Year's Resolutions and Why we Break Them

Well, Christmas has come and gone and now we're ready to close out 2011. Is everybody ready for 2012? No? Good. Neither am I.

Now's the time to start thinking about your New Year's resolutions. I know some of you actually keep these. Me, I start out well but often peter out along the way. I have fulfilled some throughout my life, but not as many as I should. Personally, I blame over-enthusiasm. Think about it: you're all revved up at the idea of a fresh year. You think about all the things you'd like to do, but don't consider the reality of it. For example, one year I resolved to give up chocolate. Um. Yeah, right. A more realistic resolution would have been to cut back on chocolate, maybe to one piece a week. Or something.

Here are the Top 10 New Year's resolutions, as reported by Time:

1. Lose weight and get fit

2. Quit Smoking

3. Learn something new

4. Eat healthier and diet

5. Get out of debt and save money

6. Spend more time with family

7. Travel to new places

8. Be less stressed

9. Volunteer

10. Drink less

Aren't they all worthy goals? And they are actually do-able, but the problem is they're very general. Lose weight and get fit is a great goal, but how exactly are you going to do it? Is it something you can maintain?

Here are 10 resolutions that are probably more realistic:

1. Walk for thirty minutes three times a week

2. Quit Smoking (sorry, I'm a non-smoker and pretty opinionated on this one!)

3. Take cooking/sewing/dancing/car maintenance/whatever classes

4. Only have dessert once a week and eat salad every day / bring lunch to work instead of buying

5. Put together a budget / contact a budget and debt management company for help

6. Designate every second Friday as family night

7. Plan a trip to New York/London/Fiji/ wherever

8. Take up yoga/pilates/meditation/martial arts

9. Contact local library about taking books to the elderly

10. Drink only one night a week / have only three drinks a week

The resolutions are essentially the same, but with a more specific goal to work toward. You can tailor it to suit your likes/dislikes, budget, and the time you have available.

I still don't know what my resolution will be for 2012. I figure I have three days to think about it. In the meantime, I've got some time off work and a virtual stack of books to kick off the New Year with.

Remember that your resolution can be anything—take Jeannie, for example, the heroine of Inter-Office Relations. Her resolution may have been mid-year, but she definitely followed through!

With her resignation submitted, Jeannie Price has one last task she’s itching to perform before leaving her job. After months of sitting next to hot, sexy colleague Tim Harding, it’s time to turn fantasy into reality with a scorching invitation to collaborate on matters of the flesh in Conference Room B. Then she can walk away without regrets.

Tim’s dreams of wild, sweaty sex with Jeannie come true when he accepts her offer, but he’s stunned to learn she doesn’t want to see him again after their steamy tryst. She may be trying to brush him off as just one more item on her To-Do List, but he’s determined to convince her there’s nothing taboo about inter-office relations.

You can buy Inter-Office Relations here, or read an excerpt here. I'll be selecting one lucky commenter to receive a title of their choice from Rachel's backlist. I won't be choosing until New Year's Day, so be sure and tell me what you decided for your resolution!

Thanks to my wonderful hostess, Rachel, and Happy New Year to everyone.

HAVE A SEXY, SULTRY CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas to all my lovely, sexy visitors and readers!!!

It has been very much a learning year for me as both an erotic reader and writer - I am so obsessed with the erotic romance genre now, I can't imagine ever not writing it. The freedom of writing about sex within meaningful relationships really evokes hope, romance and sensuality in a entirely positive way.

The end of 2010 saw the release of my debut novella, 2011 the second and number three is under consideration as we speak so I've everything crossed 2012 will be my first year of two releases!

Of course when you tell anyone you write erotic romance, the lifted eyebrows and smirking is inevitable but that's fine - I've learned to just grin, wink and laugh right along. Once you try to explain erotic romance is about great sex in a monogamous relationship, the male audience tend to have the expression of being told it's not true that us girls don't pillow fight in our underwear, lol!

Embrace sex, embrace love and have very sexy Christmas!!! See you on the other side :)

Rachel x

Welcome fellow Wild Rose Press author, Randi Alexander!

Today I am welcoming Randi Alexander to my blog and she is talking about her muse...the thing us writers hanker and sometimes, God forbid, lose altogether. Thankfully, it doesn't happen to me too often, what about you?

Welcome, Randi!

Energizing My Muse

I want to thank Rachel for letting me guest blog today. I'm Randi Alexander and I write cowboy erotic romances. My first book, Chase and Seduction is available from The Wild Rose Press' Cowboy Kink line. I have two more books coming soon from The Wild Rose, and I'm gearing up for a busy winter.

I'm usually a fast writer, but sometimes when I write blogs I get a blob of sludge lodged between my brain and my fingers. I can usually come up with something really good twice a month for my blog on Wild and Wicked Cowboys, but when I have a new release and am promoting on a blog tour, coming up with over 30 blogs can challenged me.

When I feel blocked, I pull out all my muse enhancement tricks. I meditate, sitting quietly for five minutes just breathing, concentrating on watching the ocean in my mind. Sometimes I'll watch an animated movie. Beauty and the Beast and Mulan are favorites for re-juicing my creativity.

It helps to read other writers' work, too. I'll open the most recent manuscript from one of my critique partners and read a scene from the middle of the book. Audio books are great, too. Did you know that many libraries offer audio books to check out via download? I slide them onto my iPod, and take a long walk. The combination of visual and audio stimulation is revitalizing.

Then, if nothing else works, I Google pictures of cowboys, country western stars, and steamy scenes of couples to use in video trailers. For some reason, cowboys get me going again ;-})

In Chase and Seduction, the heroine, Reno, is a writer, but she never seems to encounter writers' block. Must be the influence of that sexy cowboy, Chase! I'm excited to share with you the blurb for my book, as well as a sweet, happily ever after-type of excerpt.

Country music superstar/actor Chase Tanner has yet to be denied anything–and he’s never wanted anything or anyone more than gorgeous screenplay writer Reno Linden. So when the film they are working on is finally finished, Chase decides to turn up the volume on seducing Reno.

Reno Linden lived a quiet, rural life until she was thrust into the Hollywood scene when her book was adapted to film. Chase Tanner is larger than life, sinfully sexy and hell-bent on getting her into bed. Skittish after a failed wedding engagement, Reno risks the plunge into Chase’s arms, and is surprised that her good girl self can keep up with bad boy Chase.

Though Chase returns to his cowboy roots often, and Reno cherishes the time spent with him on his ranch, the two find their careers pulling them in different directions. Will their attraction survive the glitz and stress of fame?

EXCERPT: Over 18 only

Chase played for an hour and a half. A few parents stood in the back of the room, the mobile kids danced, the ones in wheelchairs wiggled and clapped, and everyone sang along. A few called out their favorite songs and Chase was hard-pressed to remember the words to some of them, but he’d gotten good at making them up.

Reno sat smack in the middle of the kids on a tiny chair, her knees nearly up to her chin. But she sang along, clapped, and talked with the children. His heart filled with emotion each time he looked at her.

Then a nurse popped her head into the room. “Bedtime, everyone. Say thank you to Mr. Tanner, and start heading back to your rooms.”

“Aw!”

“Already?”

Chase stood and set his guitar in its case. “I’ll be back in a few days.”

One little girl with IV lines into her stomach started crying, and her mother picked her up and brought her to Chase. She asked, “Can she give you a hug?”

His throat choked shut, and all he could do was nod.

“Cassie, thank Mr. Tanner for singing for you.”

Cassie released her mother’s neck and grabbed a hold of his. Her little body felt like a warm, soap-scented bird in his arms. “Tank you for singing.” Then she kissed him full on the mouth.

A sweet-hot burn grew behind his eyes, and he whispered, “You’re welcome, Cassie.”

She stared at him, her tiny arms were light as feathers against his neck. She whispered, “I love you.”

“I…love you, too.” Chase blinked back a swell of tears as he handed her to her mother. They walked away, then he caught Reno’s gaze.

Tears ran from her eyes down her cheeks.

He watched her, unmoving, unable to breathe for fear the tears would leak from his eyes. In his side vision, he saw the princess castle, the toy trucks, and the pretend kitchen. He’d love to have a kid. Maybe two. A boy and a girl. When he imagined his own little girl, she looked a lot like Reno.

I love a happy, romantic story. Especially when it's laced with lots of steamy sex scenes!

Thanks for stopping by today, and I wish you a wonderful Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a sparkling New Year!

Randi

RandiAlexander.com

WildAndWickedCowboysBlog

Buy Chase and Seduction at The Wild Rose Press Wilder Roses

Great excerpt, Randi! I love the Cowboy Kink series from Wild Rose but must admit, i am yet to read Chase and Seduction. I am off to download it right now! Randi is waiting for your comments...let's chat! :)

I'm passing the interviewing baton to Scarlett Valentine...

She very kindly contacted me with news that she managed to somehow corner Santa for a quick interview - read on... (make sure you're not sipping a drink of any kind. It may end up all over your laptop...funny!!!)

Take it away, Scarlett :)

An Exclusive Interview

with

Kris Kringle

by Scarlett Valentine

copyright December 2011

I caught up with Kris Kringle over the summer and had the chance to chat with him about his life as Father Christmas and the goings-on at the North Pole. Grab a mug of eggnog and take a moment to learn a few secrets about auld St. Nick! The truth might amaze you . . . or shock you!



Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us, Kris. We understand how busy you must be this time of year.



{Santa laughs}



Tell us a bit about yourself, your family, and your job? 



{thinking, eyes rolling briefly toward ceiling} I was born in Patara of Lycia, now Turkey, sometime in the middle of the 3rd century {winks}. When you're my age, the exact date doesn't seem to matter. Ho, ho, ho! {belly jiggles like a bowl of jelly} I was raised in a monastery in Myra when my folks passed away. When I was 30 I became the Bishop of Lycia. Of course, back then I was called Nicholas.

I'm married to Mrs. Claus. In all our years of wedded bliss, she still won't tell me what her first name is {lifting brow and muttering something about complicated women}. We weren't blessed with our own children, but we have thousands of Elvi living with us now. And well, we've kind of adopted the children of the world as our own, haven't we? {smiles with cheeks like roses}

I think I've got the best job in the world. I work one twenty-four hour shift, then I'm off for the rest of the year. Ho, ho, ho! If you believe that, maybe you should get coal in your stocking this year {winks}. Seriously, being Santa Claus is no laughing matter. Certainly the 24th is the busiest night of the year for Claus and Company, but the rest of the year we put in long days and sometimes the evenings too. We now have billions of names to check, crosscheck and re-check again to be sure they're on the right list. Then there are the letters we get from those little tykes asking for special presents. We have a special department for that. Then there's production, quality control, engineering . . . we've quite a large manufacturing facility at the North Pole. Sure, I could just wiggle my nose and make presents appear, but that wouldn't be any fun now, would it? {winks, touches the side of his nose in "that way"}



What do you enjoy the most about being Mr. Christmas?



Ho, ho, ho! Oh . . . there's just so much I enjoy about being me. I get to meet people from all over the world. I know all the languages. Even that silly hand thing they do on the lower east side {shakes head, incredulous}.

I love to give gifts too, but only to the good boys and girls. For the bad girls and boys I have a coal shed out back {winks}. Hey, where do you think we get the coal for the stockings?



How did you get started and interested in gift giving? When did Christmas begin?



Back in the old days, and I'm going back to the 3rd century, I used to be creative with my hands. I'd carve and shape things all year, and save them up for the big day. I had this cute little donkey, Ho, Ho, Ho . . . that was his name, Ho, Ho, Ho . . . and we'd ride out across the countryside once a year and deliver the toys to poor children. Word got around and the wealthy parents started commissioning things for their kids. Then neighboring communities found out and they wanted things for their kids and well, it just snowballed . . . pardon the pun.

It was after they made me a saint that I moved to the North Pole. I was hoping for a little peace and quiet up there. Then I met the Elvises. Nice little family with pointy ears and funny shoes who love to sing. Requests for gifts kept pouring in, so the Elvises helped me set up shop, and well . . . you know the rest.



Do you have any favorite toys?



{looks around quickly, narrows his gaze then whispers} I promised Mrs. Claus I wouldn't talk about those!



{interviewer clears throat} Moving right along . . . What has been your best memory of Christmas so far?



Ho, ho, ho! By far the feeling I get when I see the joy on the little one's faces when they receive their special Santa gifts {sighs}.



Do you have a routine you follow during the year to help get in shape for the big night?



{groaning} You know, I tried that low carb diet and the South Beach Diet. Poor Mrs. Claus suffered through the week I was on the cabbage soup diet. Who am I kidding? The poor Elvises threatened to quit if I didn't have more windows installed in the factory. In the end, I just stopped dieting. My good friend and mentor Father Time reminded me that I'm immortal and that a skinny Santa just wasn't right. Ho, ho, ho! I do have to pace myself though. At every stop is a plate of cookies or Christmas cake waiting with a glass of milk {rubs belly}.



What do you find the hardest about preparing for Christmas?



You know, if I had a few more hours in the day I'd like to relax a little, maybe sit by the hot tub a little more, get one of those little Jamaican gals to come up and braid my beard {glancing around quickly for Mrs. Claus, then grins}.

Seriously, a few more hours in the day wouldn't go amiss, especially on the 23rd. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to pack a few billion toys onto that little sleigh? {shakes head, disbelieving}



What is your biggest pet peeve about the holidays? Is there anything that turns you off about Christmas?



Heck yeah! I think the whole thing has gotten too commercial. Back in the old days, it was about love and family and community. Today it's all about "keeping up with the Jones's." Kids want toys better than the kid next door, Mom's trying to bake herself into exhaustion, Dad's obsessive about the turkey. I tell you, Spot and Whiskers have it right. Just camp out by the fire all day with your legs in the air. Ho, ho, ho! And I can tell you, the Jones's are just a normal family!

I think we should get back to homemade gifts, things we create especially for someone, things that come from the heart. That's what Christmas is all about. Tell someone you love them. That's the best gift anyone could get.



I'm sure the readers would like to know about your reading habits. Do you have much time to read?



I love to read. It's a great way to escape for a few hours. I especially love them romance ones. Gives a man ideas! {lifts eyebrow} Unfortunately, the only time I get any peace is in the "necessary" so I read in there quiet often.



What books are you anxious to grab when they come available?



Oh, just about anything really. I love to read. Over the centuries I've learned to read quickly so I can go through a couple books a day. I especially love exotic locations. You know, living in the snow all the time really makes me appreciate sunnier climates.



Like Jamaica? 

Ho, ho, ho! {blushing}



Do you have any aspirations to write a book of your own someday?



Maybe one day I'll write my memoir, but for now I'll just stick to Naughty or Nice lists. {scratches chin through his thick beard} You know, if I was anyone else, I'd publish those Naught Lists . . . donate the proceeds to charity. Could end world poverty!



You haven't mentioned the reindeer yet. How's the gang doing?



Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudy are all doing well. Dash and Vixen hooked up. Comet, Donner and Blitzen are sharing quarters now. Dancer and Prancer are an item now too. To each their own. {rolling eyes}



What about Rudolf and Cupid?



Rudy's a playboy. The girls love his red nose. He's ever the gentleman, but to Mrs. Claus's disappointment, we don't think he'll ever settle down. But you never know, do you?

Cupid {sighs}…Cupid's a lover. Loves everyone, everyone loves Cupid. We're afraid if he spends too much time playing matchmaker that he'll never find his own match. {taps the side of his nose} The Elvises are onto something though. Can't say yet, but {makes imaginary quote marks in the air} watch this space. Ho, ho, ho!



{interviewer grins} Tell us something we'd be shocked to discover about you. Kris?



I have an all over body tan. There's this great little nude beach in Jamaica . . . {attention wanders reflectively}



{clearing throat, getting things back on track} Is there anything you'd like to add to this interview, Kris?



Ho, ho, ho! I'd like to wish all the boys and girls a Meeeerrrrrry Christmas {he sings}. There's still some redemption time left before the big night. You know who you are out there {lifts a single fluffy brow}. Do some good deeds between now and the 24th and that lump of coal will become a special gift in your stocking.



Thank you very much Kris for the time spent doing this interview. It's always great, getting to know our Saints better.

What a fantastic interview! Love, love, love it! Thanks, Scarlett, lol!!

For the latest of what Scarlett is up to, you can find her here...

http://scarlettvalentineauthor.blogspot.com/?zx=f7a913db4262d60e

https://twitter.com/#!/theabcsofsex

Third novella under consideration...eekk!!

Thrilled by a Second Acceptance – Will I get a third?

I am fairly newbie erotic romance writer, having only recently had my first novella published by The Wild Rose Press last year. Explicitly English was my first story and my lovely editor patiently helped me learn more and more about writing erotic romance fiction as opposed to writing mainstream romance. And believe me, I learned a lot!

The key ingredient for both writer and reader of erotic romance is red-hot sensuality – the sexual tension between the couple, the physical and mental sensations they arouse in each other, the tastes, smells and sights they experience when they are together is paramount in creating an erotic and thrilling atmosphere in which we can completely lose ourselves.

The difference a reader wants when they choose to buy an erotic romance rather than a mainstream romance is not the sex but the ‘no holds barred’ erotic experience the heroine and hero are living through. The reader doesn’t necessarily want every vivid, technical detail of what is happening to be conveyed to them – who wants to read about endless genitalia and bouncing bosoms, when they would rather ‘feel’ what the hero or heroine is feeling?

They want the sensations – they want to be squirming on their seat or fidgeting in their bed. They want to be turned on. Hopefully turned on enough to turn to their partner and demand to be taken care of, yum! To me, this can only happen if they are inside the heroine or hero and riding the wave right along with them.

I hope this is what I achieve in my writing and will keep on achieving it. Every writer worries that once they sold book number one, they won’t sell number two and on it goes. As for me? Well, I have sold two erotic romance novella to The Wild Rose Press and they are currently considering the third…wish me luck! In the meantime, here is the blurb for my current release “Coming Back”, enjoy!

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.

Buy Link:

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

When was the last time you visit the garden...

The Wilder Rose Press garden that is!!

As I am without a guest author this cold and windy Thursday, I thought I would give a big heads-up to my wonderful publisher, The Wild Rose Press and draw your attention to all the fabulous authors and stories ready and waiting to be downloaded to your ereaders this Christmas!

The latest releases are looking particularly delicious and the artwork is astounding enough, let alone the treats in between the digital pages!

Pop along and see which story tickles your fancy, there are plenty of choose from! Whether you like a cowboy, a festive naughty or a tale of office hotness, The Wilder Roses are there for you...

http://www.wilderroses.com/

Hmm...now which one shall I choose?? Yum!!

Rachel x

Welcome Ellora's Cave author, Scarlett Sanderson!!

Hi Scarlett, great to have you here today!

Ellora's Cave continue to be one of the most popular erotic romance publishers to write for and buy from. Why do you think this is? How are they to work with? Have you worked with the same editor on all your stories?

I love finding out about different publishers!

Okay, on with the questions...

1) Did you set any goals for 2011?

As boring as it sounds, no I didn’t. At the beginning of 2011 I was experiencing a lull in my writing. I’d had a few releases with The Wild Rose Press, but I was focused on writing a novel. It wasn’t my usual genre and I felt a little bit lost.

Then in August I signed with Ellora’s Cave and it’s been none stop since. I do have plans for 2012 though J

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

Seeing the finished product. There is nothing as exhilarating as the feeling of seeing something you’ve created enjoyed by other people.

3) The worst part?

Finding the time to write and not get distracted. Sometimes, after a hard week at work all I want to do is surf the net, watch some tv, clean…sometimes it’s hard to find the motivation even though the characters are clawing at your mind.

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

Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning. It’s just a mind blowing, amazing book! The gradual build up through the series and then bam! I really wish I’d created Jericho Barrons J

5) Tell us about your latest release?

My latest release is out tomorrow, December 14^th. It’s a Christmas novella called At Their Command. It’s sexy and sassy, and Christmassy.

7) Tease us with a blurb/short except

All Hope wants for Christmas is Ethan St. Claire. She’s had a thing for him since high school, when he was the bad boy and she was the class geek. Now she’s older, wiser…and dying of sexual frustration. Fantasies of having Ethan and his best friend Dominic at the same time drive her wild with unsated lust.

Ethan has always loved Hope, and he’s finished waiting for her to realize they’re meant for each other. He’s taking command and giving Hope exactly what she needs. If she’s nice, he’ll give her a sexy spanking. If she’s naughty, he and Dominic will double her pleasure as an extra-lusty Christmas treat.

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

My favourite attribute of Ethan St. Claire is his determination to have Hope. Although he’s the bad boy of the town, he’s kept his feelings hidden from Hope, but now, at Christmas, he’s determined to have her. To me, that is sexy!

Hope has always loved Ethan and it’s her patience that floored me when I was writing the story.

7) What’s next?

I have a novella called Owned by the Night coming out January 11^th. It’s a vampire erotica. It’s probably one of the darkest things I’ve written.

I’m also in the process of writing two other stories which I hope you will see sometime next year.

8) Tell me where you write?

I write in my lounge. I have a huge wooden desk with pens and notes. I just sit there at my computer and write. I also carry a pen and paper around in my purse, just in case I get ideas while I’m out. It’s like a mini desk!

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

In 5 years time, I’d love to be writing full time. I’m happy when I’m writing, creating, so I would love to do it as my day job.

10) Where can we find you?

You can email me at scarlettsanderson@yahoo.com or visit my blog http://scarlettsanderson.blogspot.com/. Or you can tweet me: http://twitter.com/Author_Scarlett

I love hearing from readers and authors, so please do visit one of those links J

Fabulous to have you visit with me for the next couple of days, Scarlett! Over to you guys, Scarlett is waiting to hear from you...

Time for your help...

I'm not sure if many of my visitors remember, but for my latest novella (currently under consideration), I held a fun contest where I gave achoice of three settings, three heroines and three heroes and the winning combination became the basis for my next story.

Remember? No? Well, I want to call on your fabulous help again to get my creative juices flowing and put my butt in the chair. This time though, I also want you to decide whether I should write contemporary or Victorian historical too :)

The person/s who suggest my favourite combination will win a copy of either Explicitly English or Coming Back, winner's choice! Okay, here's the choices...

Hero Occupation:

If you chose Contemporary:

Mechanic, Teacher or Architect

If you chose Victorian historical:

Boat-builder, Gentleman, Artist

Heroine Occupation

If you choose Contemporary:

Hairdresser, Dance Teacher, Writer

If you choose Victorian historical:

Lady's Maid, Milliner or Glove Maker

Setting

Bath, England

Paris, France

Virginia, USA

Okay, there's your choices....over to you!

Remember, the winning combination gets a free download of either of my books...Good Luck!

Love

Rachel x

Mechanic

Welcome my online friend and Wild Rose Press writer, Sarah Grimm!

Such a thrill to have one of my favorite online friends with me today. Sarah is friendly and generous with her experiences as well as being a fabulous writer. I have had her latest release downloaded for a few days and can't wait to get to it!

Okay, on with the interview!

1) Who is your favourite author and why?

It’s impossible for me to pick a favorite, however the first author to come to mind is Tess Gerritsen. Her suspense books always pull me in. They don’t let go until I’ve closed the book, at which time I begin marking the days until her next release.

A few more authors on my auto-buy list are: Linda Howard, Karen Slaughter, Sandra Brown & Kay Hooper.

2) When did you first consider yourself a writer?

The moment I held my first book in my hands.

3) Describe your writing space?

My writing space is centrally located in the house, always seems to have a teenager standing in the middle of it, and is commonly known as the kitchen. More specifically, the kitchen table. Sad, I know. But a new bookcase seemed more important than the tiny desk I used to write at. You can never have too many books.

4) What are you reading now?

I’m reading THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER hoping to discover the secret handshake to successful promotion. J

5) How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?

I have two published books and one that I’m working on now. Out of the three, my favourite is definitely After Midnight. Every author I’ve ever spoken with has one story they truly believe is THE story of their heart, and After Midnight is mine. Isabeau Montgomery is the owner of Izzy’s Bar, a child prodigy, piano phenom—a woman who is hiding behind a lie of her own making. She’s just so very tortured, her past so full of tragedy… She deserves a happy ending and Noah is just the man to share it with her.

6) What comes first, plot or characters?

A lot of writers begin a story idea with plot, into which they insert characters. I’m the opposite. Characters have always come first for me. One day the hero (usually the hero) will stroll into my head, take a seat and begin talking. My job is to scribble down what he says, and then weave that conversation into a tale of happily-ever-after.

7) Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

Writer’s block for me is when my characters stop talking to me. When that happens, I pull one of the many books off my TBR shelf and lose myself in a world of someone else’s creating. Usually about half way through the book, my characters begin talking again. By the time I finish reading, they’re screaming at me to get back to their story.

8) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I’m a bit of a hermit. I don’t go very many places or do anything that’s exciting. When I’m not writing I can usually be found curled into the corner of my couch with my nose in a book, or kicked back in my recliner watching Netflix with my husband.

9) Tell us about your latest book?

After Midnight is a contemporary romance now available from The Wild Rose Press. It’s a tortured heroine story—yes, heroine. The tale of piano phenom turned bar owner Isabeau Montgomery, and how one night, after midnight, her entire world changed.

Here’s the official blurb:

Thirteen years—that's how long Isabeau Montgomery has been living a lie. After an automobile accident took her mother's life, Izzy hid herself away, surviving the only way she knew how. Now she is happy in her carefully reconstructed life. That is until he walks through the door of her bar...

Black Phoenix singer/front man Noah Clark came to Long Island City with a goal--one that doesn't include an instant, electric attraction to the dark-haired beauty behind the bar. Coaxing her into his bed won't be easy, but he can't get her pale, haunted eyes nor her skill on the piano out of his head.

Can Noah help Isabeau overcome the past? Or will her need to protect her secret force her back into hiding and destroy their chance at happiness?

10) What’s next for you?

While writing After Midnight, one of the secondary characters kept telling me he needed his own story, so I’m writing that one now. Midnight Heat is a reunion romance, and although I had no plans to give Dominic his own book, about half-way through writing After Midnight, I fell so in love with his character I had to make sure he got his own happily-ever- after.

I routinely post snippets from all of my books on my blog: http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com

~*~

Sarah Grimm is an award winning author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She lives in West Michigan with her husband, two sons and three miniature schnauzers. Between mom's taxi service, parts runs, and answering the phone for the family marine repair business, Sarah can be found curled in her favorite chair, crafting her next novel.

Find Sarah here:

Website: http://www.sarahgrimm.com

Blog: http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SarahGrimm.Author
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SGrimmAuthor

So please to have you visit with me today, Sarah - I wish you lots of luck with sales and your continuing success! Your life sounds so similar to mine except I have two girls and I suspect they are just a few years younger than your boys (12 & 10). Apart from that from the kitchen table to the taxi service, we're pretty much there, lol!

Sarah is waiting to chat...

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