Mother’s day has passed and yet I still feel the need to make my tribute to the two women who inspire me every day and make me strive to be a better mother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend. To my mom and my sister, thank you for always being there for me and teaching me a little bit more about myself every day.
Thank you for the wonderful day we had yesterday, every day leading up to it, and every day we will have after.
You know, the one that was a little weathered and beaten down, but helped me stay in the ‘swing’ of things? It kept me tethered to the place where reality and fantasy collide. The one place I could escape into the worlds where my stories took shape. I desperately need it back.
There is a favor I must ask if the swing happens to be in your possession. Please do not repair it. The state it was in at the time of it’s disappearance is the state I would like it returned in. The rope is a little rough against the palms of my hands, and the seat will leave a splinter in your arse if you slide too quickly from it. It is falling apart and not worth much, but in my eyes, it was the most perfect swing I could ever ask for. If you see it, please be kind and return it, so I may fall back into the swing of things.
I would post a reward for the safe return of my swing, but alas, you know the old saying about starving artists….
Sincerely,
Happy Friday everyone! I have a surprise for all you lovelies out there….Nina Croft. Don’t you all love me? I invited her back to flirt with us again. Rico was so damn sexy in her last flirt, I figured she’s gotta have more sexiness and hot man flirting to kick off our weekend. Right? So let’s see if she is up to the challenge!
~*~
Hi, I’m Nina Croft, and Moira has very nicely invited me back to flirt some more. Last time I was here, I was flirting with a vampire. So today, for a change, I’m going to flirt with a werewolf and give you a few lines from Sebastian Quinn, the hero of Bound to Moonlight, my latest release.
So here’s a few lines from Sebastian and Anya:
“I’m going to leave you alone for a while,” Sebastian said. “I want you to think about it, and when I come back, you will tell me what happened to my people.” He locked the door and turned to leave.
“Sebastian.”
“What?”
“I’ll never talk.”
A pain clenched his heart. “Then I think we will both live to regret it.”
~*~
Then he was pressing her into the bars with his hard body. He leaned in close to her ear, and his warm breath whispered against her neck. “I will make you talk,” he murmured, and she shivered at the dark promise in his voice.
~*~
“I hurt. Am I dying?”
“Not if I can help it.”
Anya smiled then, a slight curve of her lips that didn’t banish the fear from her eyes. “I don’t think you can.”
“Sweetheart, I can do anything I want to.”
“I’m not your sweetheart. I’m not anyone’s sweetheart.” Her tone was sad and defeated. “I’m scared,” she whispered.
~*~
“You’re being nice,” she said.
He gave her a wolfish smile. “Just until you’re better.”
She bit her lip. “Then what?”
“Then you tell me who you’re working for and what you’ve done with my people.”
“Are you going to make me?”
She searched his face, saw the smile slide away and his eyes turn to ice. She shivered.
“I’ll do whatever I need to get my people back,” he said.
~*~
“I’m not going to break,” Anya said.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t.” She reached up and framed his beautiful face with her fingers, stared into his eyes, human once more. “Make love to me, Sebastian. Make love as though it’s the only time we’ll ever have.”
Let me know what kind of supernatural creature you would like to flirt with for a chance to win an ecopy of Bound to Moonlight.
Bound to Moonlight – Blurb
Anya, a powerful telepath, has always believed she worked for the good guys–the organization that created her, trained her, and turned her into the ultimate weapon. Her most recent assignment: assassinate the head of a group of mercenaries. The very man she believes is responsible for the death of her sister.
Investigating the disappearance of three pack members, Alpha werewolf, Sebastian Quinn, finds himself under the scrutiny of a deadly group, The Agency. Targeted by their assassin, he must now fight to save his own life.
Captured and held by the charismatic werewolf, Anya feels the stirrings of passion. For the first time, there is something beyond duty. Now she is faced with a choice — complete her assigned mission or risk everything she has ever known for a chance at love.
Buy links:
Bio:
Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia, which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of 9-5 work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain.
Nina writes all types of romance often mixed with elements of the paranormal and science fiction.
Find me at:
Well, she definitely didn’t let me down! Thank you so much for stopping by Nina. Now come on all my lovely readers…tell us about your dream supernatural flirt! Lay it on us…we can take it.
Today I have the lovely and lively Denise A. Agnew with me. Come on in and sit a spell, while she weaves a little magic and lures you in with her wit and fun loving personality.
Moira: Let’s break the ice shall we, Denise? If you were stuck in the middle of a zombie apocalypse and you had three people to help you fight of the zombie horde, who would they be?
Denise: Been watching The Walking Dead, so I have answers. First, I’d want my husband there. Second I’d take Michonne and Daryl from The Walking Dead. Oh, they all have to be real people? Okay, my husband is one. I’d also take my friends Lena and Stacy because they’d kick some serious arse.
Moira: Love the Walking Dead. But I’ve already put in dibs on Daryl (and I believe the competition for him is pretty fierce). Tell me a little about the genre(s) you write in, and why?
Denise: I write in all genres. Okay, I haven’t written sci-fi romance or inspirational. I write in whatever genre that blows my skirt up at the moment because that’s the only way I can honestly enjoy my writing. It’s much more difficult for me to come up with a story if someone is saying, here write a vampire. Or here write about zombies. If I don’t have the inspiration to create it, it won’t be the best story it can be. I love writing stories that have paranormal and suspense elements, and I’ve also been on a historical romance kick lately. I have a trilogy coming out next year that combines historical and paranormal. Also next year (if I can manage it), I’ll have a military romance trilogy out which starts off with suspense right from the beginning.
Moira: Not big on historical romances, but throw in paranormal elements and I might be swayed. Excited to see that series come out. Do you need to be in a specific place or atmosphere before the words flow?
Denise: I don’t have to be in a specific place, but if there are phones ringing, lots of noise and interruptions that causes issues with concentration. I have “soundtrack” music for each novel I write, and that helps me tremendously with inspiration. If its actually gloomy, cloudy, and even cold I’m more likely to be inspired to write than if there’s sun in my eyes and its hot. My office shades are always closed to keep down distractions.
Moira: I love book ‘soundtracks’. What’s the strangest source of inspiration you’ve found for a story?
Denise: Oh, my! That’s a great question. Probably disasters. Yeah, I’m inspired by disasters to write romance novels. I wrote Love From The Ashes about the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire, but the core story is a romance. The historical trilogy I mentioned features dimension/time travel and the stories are set during these real major disasters during certain periods in time. I think I’m inspired by these events because they’re a great catalyst for characters to show their true colors. What do people do when they encounter these events? Who do they love, who do they fall in love with? In Blackout (which is a contemporary I’m publishing in early 2013), a huge solar flare causes issues with the power grid across the world. How do the hero and heroine survive that situation ad fall in love at the same time…what’s the conflict they have and would have without the disaster?
Moira: That’s slightly morbid, Denise. Yet I’m intrigued to this side of you that is inspired by disaster. Name one thing readers would be surprised to learn about you.
Denise: Another excellent question. You’re making me think. I like whiskey. Straight. Okay, I’m not sure that would be surprising. I’m an introvert at heart. I can go for days without speaking to another human being and that’s doesn’t bother me. I did that one time in England not long after we moved there (lived there three years) and my husband was sent to his Advanced Warrant Officer course back in the U.S. This was way before inexpensive internet, etc. Talk about getting some writing done! My English neighbors checked on me because they hadn’t seen me in four days. I’m also an Honorary Army Mountain Ranger. I could tell you how I got that, but then I’d have ta kill ya. 
Moira: A whiskey girl. Loving you more with each answer. Not that I have a choice. I’d hate for you to break out your Army Mountain Ranger skills on me. So, do you have any tattoos or piercings?
Denise: I have pierced ears. Got those way back in 1976. No tattoos.
Moira: Dang. I was hoping for some in-depth story about you getting inked. Oh well. Pierced ears is cool too. I have them myself. If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you spend the money on?
Denise: If it was enough money I’d pay off my house and car. I’d give some to certain charities. The rest I’d invest for the future.
Moira: Smart, especially in this economic climate, but we won’t discuss politics. Which household chore do you abhor and why?
Denise: Cleaning the bathroom because the cleaning product fumes bug me. My husband usually does that instead.
Moira: I detest cleaning the bathroom as well… and laundry. Both necessary evils. Do you have any guilty pleasures you feel comfortable sharing?
Denise: I once watched an entire season of Housewives of Orange County. Got sick of it. The only reality television I like are paranormal investigation programs like Ghost Hunters and The Dead FIles.
Moira: Not into reality shows. But I might need to check out the other two. Good fuel for the paranormal and urban fantasy writer within I’m sure. Which of your characters would you most/least like to invite to dinner and why?
Denise:Oh, lordy! Probably Alexandra Watson in Dark, Deadly Love. She’s an American forced to live in London during the Jack The Ripper killings of 1888. She gets caught up in that whole mess. She’s a gutsy character. I’d also like to talk to the hero and heroine in the story I’m working on now, to ask them questions on their motivations.
Moira: Okay I lied on the historical bit. That one you totally had me at Jack the Ripper (Guess I’m a little morbid too). One author, dead or alive, and you get to sit down and have a one on one with them. Who would it be and why?
Denise: Dean Koontz. He writes the most amazing stories that transcend genre, and he’s been very true to himself from everything I can tell. He’s also a funny man. Some of the podcasts and interviews I’ve heard with him are hysterical. I admire that he’s made a career out of writing what blows his skirt up. He writes strong female characters, too. Some male authors are all about plot…Dean’s got the plot down and the characters that make you care whether they make it through whatever mess they’ve gotten into.
Moira: Look we have more in common! I love Dean Koontz. He’s made of total awesome. One of my favorite books by him was Velocity. Loved it so much I unknowingly bought it twice. Name one scene you go back and re-read often because you like it so much.
Denise: That’s an easy one. There’s more than one scene like that. One I call the alley scene in Dangerous Intentions. The hero and heroine are antagonistic toward each other and both of them are mouthy and the sexual tension is off the charts. In Treacherous Wishes the first sex scene between the hero and heroine is hot as hell. They’re at a breaking point where they can’t keep their hands off each other. Also in Treacherous Wishes the bad guy is one of my worst villains ever. I have a scene where he’s in his house obsessively watching tapes he’s made of women he’s killed…not killing them but regular video of the woman living their lives. He feels guilty for doing it and he goes into the kitchen and…well, the whole scene was damned creepy. I even gave myself the creeps writing it. I love it when I do that.
Moira: If you could have one talent besides writing, what would it be?
Denise: Being an archaeologist. I’ve been a member of amateur archaeology groups since the ’80s.
Moira: A woman of many skills and talents I see. Any deep, dark, and/or dirty secrets you’d like to share?
Denise: I’m closet lover of spinach and chicken liver. But not at the same time.
Moira: You lost me at chicken liver. But since you are a whiskey lover and enjoy spinach, and we have that shared Dean Koontz love, I think our friendship will survive. In closing, tell us a bit about your latest release (& share an excerpt for those who aren’t yet familiar with your work)
Denise: My latest release is the Asylum Trilogy, three connected books all centered on an evil insane asylum. The first book (Shadows Wait) starts in 1908, the second (Shadows Rise) is set in 1918, and the last one (Shadows Fall) is set in modern times. Readers can pick up the books individually or as a three book ebook bundle. I was inspired to write the stories after seeing a show about an insane asylum and the rumor of a little girl ghost that haunts the property. Bang, I knew I had to write a trilogy about a haunted asylum. They’re all romances, of course.
Excerpt:
Asylum I: Shadows Wait
(Paranormal Historical Romance)
1908, Simple, Colorado
Lilly Luna’s mother gave birth to her in an asylum for the mad. Growing up in an insane asylum exposed her to horrors few could imagine, and yet her compassion and ability to heal frightens the broken and the healthy alike. The town fears her. The sane shun her. Morgan Healy’s father runs the creepy and rumor-maligned asylum. Morgan’s lineage is filled with insanity. Morgan holds together his crumbling family, hoping to escape his father’s legacy and the terrible secret it holds. When Lilly is hired as companion for Morgan’s sister, Morgan and Lilly form a reluctant alliance to corral the evil that seeps from Tranquil View and threatens not only the town, but also their growing love.
* *
Someone was screaming. At first Lilly thought it was Patricia, but immediately realized her own raw voice crying out, high-pitched with terrible fear. And the crushing knowledge her dear friend was dead.
A few seconds later, her doorknob rattled and held. “Lilly!” She stayed frozen to the spot. Pounding rattled the door. “Lilly! Lilly open this door!”
Morgan. She raced to the door without thinking, unlocked it, and flung it open. Bare-chested, barefooted and wearing only trousers, he looked like a wild man. His hair was mussed as if he’d just crawled from bed. His chest heaved up and down.
He stepped into the room, forcing her backward. “What the hell is going on? Are you all right?” She tried to speak, but nothing came out. He reached for her, his eyebrows drawn together in concern. He cupped her shoulders. “Lilly.”
“I have to leave. I have to go to the asylum.”
“Why?”
“It’s Nurse Franklin. Something terrible has happened to her. I had a vision.”
His nose wrinkled up. “A vision.”
He wouldn’t believe her, and she should have kept silent. “She was just here. Her head was ….” She swallowed hard and through a blur of tears, she said, “Oleta Franklin is dead. She was here in the room with me. I saw the blood —”
She stopped, aware that her hands splayed across his broad chest, her fingers feeling the heat, the hair on his chest, the solidness of muscle. His stomach muscles, delineated and strong, rippled slightly when he moved. He was power and prowess, a strong male. She’d never seen a chest like this before in all her days, and it struck her dumb for one second.
He shook her lightly. “Damn it, Lilly. What foolishness is this? I heard you scream like you were being murdered.”
“What the devil is going on?” Dr. Healy’s voice came from the other side of the landing as he left his bedroom in a dressing gown and his wife followed behind him.
Morgan released Lilly. “Lilly had a nightmare.”
“No it wasn’t a nightmare.”
Patricia came up the stairs, her eyes filled with teasing and guile. “I thought I heard a scream. What’s going on? Is Morgan trying to break into Lilly’s room?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Morgan planted his hands on his hips and stepped away. His glance remained on Lilly, burning her deep.
“Morgan, must you be so harsh?” Constance said as she came to stand by her husband. “Are you all right Lilly?”
Tears still hovered in her eyes, but she swallowed them with effort and lifted her chin. “I am fine. I’m sorry to have disturbed you all.”
Dr. Healy’s dubious expression said he didn’t believe her. “I thought I heard you say something about Oleta Franklin.”
Dr. Healy walked toward Lilly and Morgan with a stern expression. Lilly’s apprehension heightened. She sensed the older man’s disapproval, and knew consequences would come.
“She just had a bad dream,” Morgan said again. Lilly wanted to yell at them all that she’d been wide awake.
“A dream?” Dr. Healy’s disgust sounded in is voice and his face. “About Oleta? What was it about?”
It seemed a strange question, but she answered it. “She was ….” Lilly glanced at Morgan, then at Patricia and Constance. They all waited patiently, but she could hardly get the words passed her lips. “Oleta was in a terrible accident and she’s dead.”
“Oh, my goodness.” Constance put a hand to her mouth. “How awful.”
Lilly glanced at Dr. Healy and thought she saw a flicker of discomfort. His mouth tightened.
“Distasteful.” Patricia’s voice seeped with sugar and lemon.
“Patricia, must you be so contrary?” her mother asked.
Dr. Healy found his voice. “This is all poppycock. Anyone with an ounce of sense knows dreams are balderdash.”
“Freud didn’t think so,” Patricia said as she twirled in a circle. Her filmy nightgown whirled out from her body in a frothy cloud.
Dr. Healy glared at his daughter, but then turned on his heel and stalked back to his room. He slammed the door.
“My dear,” Constance said just as her husband slammed his bedroom door. “Are you certain you’re fine?”
Lilly didn’t want any more prying questions. She couldn’t answer honestly. “Yes.” She gave a weak smile. “Yes.”
“Then let us go back to our rooms and prepare for the day, shall we?” Constance’s smile was brittle, a vein of disapproval heavy in her voice. “And Morgan, do put a shirt on.”
Constance returned to her bedroom and closed the door much more softly than Dr. Healy had.
Patricia watched them with a half smile. “Were you in Lilly’s room, brother?”
Morgan made a scoffing noise. “Of course not. Go back to bed Patricia or do whatever you do in the morning.”
“I was reading in the library. I couldn’t sleep.” The young woman’s cocky smile widened, but she didn’t argue as she went back down the stairs in her dressing gown.
That left Lilly standing in the hallway with a half-naked Morgan. She licked her lips when she scanned across his powerful form once more. His biceps rippled as he crossed his arms.
Before he could register the same disapproval the other’s had, she jumped ahead. “Do you think it was a bad dream?”
“What else would it be?”
“I need to go to the asylum this morning.” Tears returned with a vengeance, and this time she couldn’t stop them. She wiped at them with her fingers as the ache in her throat wound tight. “I need to make certain Oleta is safe.”
“Lilly.” He moved forward, and before she knew it, his body cradled hers. “I’m sorry.”
Shocked, she stiffened in his arms. But his grip tightened, one hand smoothing over her back, the other cupping the back of her head. She found her head pressed to his shoulder. Thought she wasn’t petite, he was over six feet tall. His arms enveloped her in warmth and protection and a comfort she’d never expected. Her palms moved over his chest and rasped over his nipples. He sucked in a breath.
She looked up and those deep eyes captured hers and held. Fire bloomed there and transferred straight to every untutored and tender part of her body. Something feral and amazing grew between them until it pulsed between her legs and in her belly. It felt primitive—as untamed as a lion in the wild. She wanted to seize the feeling and embrace it until it enclosed her in an everlasting sweetness. He smelled like leather and musk. Her senses whirled. What could she do but enjoy his touch, the comfort he offered, no matter how inappropriate? No, if she didn’t escape his unseemly embrace now and his father or mother saw them, who knew what would happen. The danger in this didn’t elude her, and she pushed gently at his chest. With obvious reluctance he released her. Her tears had dried the moment she realized their compromising position.
Moira: Thank you so much for stopping by Denise. Everytime I get a chance to talk with you, I love you a little more. For those of you who’d like to get your hot little hands on this book, you can find it here:
And learn more about Denise here:
Today I have the pleasure of interviewing a fantabulous author (who is made of complete awesomeness), a fun-loving and straight laced gal (the latter part only applies to those who don’t know better), and most importantly… a dear friend of mine. So help me welcome Selena Robins and make her feel at home.
Moira: Selena, pull up a chair. Let’s break the ice shall we? If you were stuck in the middle of a zombie apocalypse and you had three people to help you fight of the zombie horde, who would they be?
Selena: My husband. He’s a wilderness pro and master of getting rid of spiders, I don’t
know, but I’m sure those skills would come in handy. My son, he’s read all the Walking
Dead books and watched the shows, so he could outsmart the Zombies. I can’t think of
a third, but if they can shoot silver bullets and bring chocolate, then they’re welcome to
hang out with me.
Moira: Hmm, let me see. *Rummages through closet* Silver bullets – check. *Heads
to pantry* Chocolate – check. Apparently I’m your girl! Okay now that we know how
you intend to survive the apocalypse, tell us a little more about you for my readers that
haven’t yet had the privileged to curl up in bed with you – I meant your books!
Selena: Here are some extra tidbits about me that are not listed on my bio on website
or blog.
I didn’t learn to speak English until I was six years old, sometimes this can still
effect me, as I think in one language and things come out in English in an awkward
way. “English wasn’t my first language,” is what I say. That’s my story and I’m sticking
to it. I learned to play the accordion at an early age. Hey, I’m Italian, it’s a right of
passage and no I didn’t play Lady of Spain. I wasn’t that good at it. However, I did enjoy
practicing at home and driving my older siblings crazy with my attempts at Twinkle
Twinkle Little Star—serves them right, they had me convinced for years that I was left
on the doorstep, plus I was a teeny bit gullible and was an easy target for their pranks.
I hate coffee. I mean really hate it. I want to ban all coffee beans from the earth, better
yet, give them to the Zombies, maybe they’ll leave us alone once they get a whiff of that
stuff. I know what you’re thinking, how could an F.B.I. (full blooded Italian) hate coffee?
Answer: “I’m special.”
I also took Highland Dance classes. Yup, an Italian speaking-accordion playing, freckled
short little girl, highland dancing. Eclectic at its finest.
I used to be quite the daredevil. Broken knee, wore a full leg cast (downhill skiing),
shattered my radial head in my left arm (roller-blading), broken toe (fell down the stairs
while multi-tasking, some will say, I can be a klutz, I don’t agree…well, not 100%).
My husband has recently stated that he’d love to start a blog called, “Things my wife
says and does.” I’m not concerned, he doesn’t even like to write emails. Funny guy. He
makes me laugh, I make him laugh. I love to cook, he loves to eat what I cook. I also
like to make him blush, like when I publicly state, he has given me my happy-ever-after
that I love to write and read about in romance novels.
Moira: You do remember that I bleed coffee and Guinness if you cut me right? The
coffee remark nearly had me bringing this interview to a close. Then you redeemed
yourself when you brought up Highland dancing.
Selena: I wasn’t worried, you love me, you really love me. Come on over to the tea
side, I promise you’ll love it and while you sip your tea, I’ll do the sword dance for you.
Moira: So we are back on task. If I were to buy you a book for your birthday or just
because I am such total awesomeness, what genre would I need to scour?
Selena: I’m as diverse in my reading as I am in writing, so really anything goes, except
horror, math books or self-help books. I love the romance genre and the sub-genres,
I also love a good mystery, or thriller. Sorry, can’t pick one, so I guess you’ll really be
awesome when you bring me a basket full of books.
Moira: Well, I’ve already established the fact that I’m awesome and forgiving (see
coffee remark), but I think I would need to challenge you and look for something new for
that eclectic reader’s palate of yours.
Selena: If you really want to top the charts at awesomeness, then you’d hurry up and
write more books. Don’t forget, you broke me into my first fae story, and I loved it. Give
me more of those. Thank you in advance.
Moira: Well if you insist. I do aim to please after all. If you are writing, what is your genre preference? Is there a specific appeal to it? Like does it come with a heavy dose of chocolate and sex or is it the innocence of the genre that tempts you?
Selena: My first novel is sex-free, lots of sexual tension but the bedroom door was
shut tight. However, I have the rights back to that story and I’m revising it, I’m thinking
of opening the door a fraction. Same with my short story, lots of fun banter, not really
romance, but on the brink of a relationship. My current release, bedroom door is wide
open, lots of steamy scenes and talk about chocolate. In one of my works in progress, a
suspense/thriller, the heroine actually doesn’t like chocolate, the hero loves it, and yes
there will be some steam between those two. I like to mix it up as you can see.
Moira: But the constant seems to be chocolate. I’m on to you Selena. I will be watching
(and guarding my chocolate to ration out during the apocalypse). And I’m not buying
your innocent ‘closed door’ act any more either. I’ve seen behind the curtain.
Selena: Actually, there’s no chocolate in Decoy in Stiletto’s, but there is Guiness and
a lot of vodka. I get extra cool-chick points for that, right? And just a minute there, Ms Coffee Bean Addict, you are part of my trio during this Zombie invasion, so you have to take care of me, which means feeding me chocolate. It’s in my future non-fiction book, “Selena’s Zombie-Survival-Handbook.” By the way, I am innocent, I have no idea what curtain you are talking about. Someone must have high-jacked my computer the night the Nine Naughty Novelists had their 20 Questions chat.
Moira: Right, that’s the story we’re going with – computer hijacking. Totally believable. And yes cool points for the Guinness. The vodka, not so much where this girl is concerned. Anyway, name one scene you go back and re-read often because you like it so much.
Selena: Once a book is published I don’t go back and re-read it, because of my anal
tendencies, I’ll think…Oh, I could have done this better, or I should have done this or
that. It’s a curse to have this internal editor hanging out with me 24/7, she’s such a
bitch sometimes. In my works in progress, there are two scenes which I get a kick out
of when I go back to edit and polish (yes, I do that a lot, as I said, my internal editor is
a hard ass bitch). One is my Decoy In Stiletto’s novel, when the heroine finds out the
Russian Mob is out to kill her and her reaction to it, while the hero stands around and
just let’s her get her crazy on until she settles down. My heroine’s get scared, they’re
not to proud to say, “I need help, protect me!” The other scene which I love, is in my
suspense thriller and it takes place in a lingerie shop between the hero and heroine.
The last place the hero wants to be in is this shop. Lots of sexual tension, some black
comedy and the banter between them, I really enjoy reading.
Moira: What? He doesn’t want to be in a lingerie shop with the heroine? Surely there
are visions of what he’d like to do to her flitting through his head right? Put that tension
to work, get some chocolate, and get it done!
Selena: Oh, no, this hero does NOT want to be in the lingerie shop. He’s an alpha-
undercover cop, tailing a mob bosses’ daughter, who he likes to call the Mafia Princess
and she is driving him nuts and vice versa. She’s not innocent, he’s not innocent, and
the last place they both want to be in is in a confided space with ultra sexy lingerie.
Trust me on this, it works better for them not to get all jiggy in this scene. The push/pull
and internal turmoil I put them both through is way more fun to watch.
Moira: Okay, well you know them best, so I will trust your judgment (See, I told you I can be a good friend). What is the oddest place you found inspiration for a story?
Selena: I don’t know where my inspiration comes from in the first place. I know this is
not a good answer for an author, but it’s the truth. Things pop in and out of my head at
all times, at different places, especially when I least expect it.
Moira: Like yoga class when you are supposed to be centering yourself, not watching
squirrels out the window. I’m just saying. (You can slap me later if you wish, but you
make it too easy sometimes)
Selena: I’d never smack you, because I tattle on myself all the time. Yoga does bring
out some inspiration, but usually for a blog that makes no sense.
Moira: It made total sense and was extremely entertaining! Worst and best pick up lines you either used or were used on you?
Selena: It’s been so long since one has been used on me. I remember when I was
single, and it was during Halloween and a bunch of gals decided to go out to a trendy
bar. Everyone was dressed in costume, except me. I’m not big on Halloween and it was
a last minute decision, so I just wore more makeup than I would normally wear, and
figured that was good enough.
A guy came up to me and asked, “Why I aren’t you wearing a costume?”
I said, “I am.”
He looked at me and said, “What are you supposed to be?”
I said, “I’m really a guy.”
He put his arm around me and said, “Well, hello there, I’m gay.”
It was cute and funny and we ended up chatting most of the night, about bad pick up
lines and became friends.
If I did encounter pick up lines from jerkwads, I’d usually tell them I was overjoyed that
they chose to talk to me, asked them when they’d like to meet my family, told them to
keep all Sundays open for family brunches. Saturday afternoon we could go register for
our china patterns…they usually walked away after that.
Moira: Okay, the I’m a guy remark hilarious. The last bit…wow. I imagine that a guy
deciding to put himself out there can be just as difficult as it is for a girl choosing to pick
up on a guy. Remind me to never try and pick you up.
Selena: Notice I only said jerkwads, so the good guys don’t need any kind of line. My
husband had zero game and I was smitten pretty quickly.
Moira: Ah, true love. Green with envy over here. Any deep, dark, and/or dirty secrets you’d like to share? Trust me, my readers can keep a secret.
Selena: I once thought an athletic support was something a guy used for lifting weights
and put around his friggin chest. So I walked into a sporting goods store and asked for
a 42 inch athletic support, then got pissed off because the clerk and a few guys in the
store were making cracks and laughing at me. I was young, not my fault!
Moira: Um….*snickering* hmmm…I’m speechless. And my mother said she never
thought the day would come. (As she is sitting here having breakfast with me, she says
she seconds and thirds that) Let’s move on shall we? Why do you write?
Selena: It’s cheaper than therapy.
Moira: Right? We exorcise our demons by writing about them. Or we give voice to the
other ten thousand personalities we possess by giving them voice on the page. Therapy
shmerapy. So tell me, are the experiences in your current release WHAT A GIRL
WANTS based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Selena: The only similarity between the lead characters and my life is that their close
friendship led to love. Okay, I will admit to being a bit mischievous, but not nearly as
much as the heroine
Moira: A bit? I feel compelled to call bullshit on that remark…bless your heart. Why is
injecting humor so important in the stories you write?
Selena: Laughter, especially self-deprecating humor is something I appreciate in books
I read and they are also part of real life. Eliciting emotion from a reader means that a
writer has nailed it. If a reader tells me they laughed hard at something I wrote or even
cried, then I feel that I’ve done my job.
Moira: You can say that again. And you do it well my dear. You do it well. Please round
out our interview by sharing a little about your stories!
Selena: Thank you for inviting me on your blog. It’s been a blast and I hope your
readers realize how difficult it was for me to come out of my shell and be so open like
this.
Moira: I’m sure they will get that impression. Now lets get to the books!
lovers’ themed romance, filled with witty repartee, lots of sexual innuendos, unexpected
twists, a splash of mystery, comedic moments and red-hot-sex scenes. The heroine
(Maddie) is known as “the woman with the black belt in mischief.” Alex (the hero) has
accepted Maddie’s pranks over the years and enjoys their friendship, even though
he compares her to Lucille Ball on Red Bull at times. Deep down, I think he really
likes it…well, most times. Ultimately, What a Girl Wants is about friendship, love,
commitment, family and forgiveness.
Excerpt: Readers can read an excerpt of What A Girl Wants on my website: https://selenarobins.com/Excerpt.html
There is also a fun character interview with the hero/heroine on my website: https://
selenarobins.com/Character_Interview.html (along with a picture of who I picture Alex, the hero to look like)
What A Girl Wants is available in both Paperback and e-Book at: Amazon, Kobo,
Barnes and Noble, Samhain Publishing and most e-book distributors.
Tempted by An Angel, a FREE Short Story, a comedy with romantic undertones is
available in all formats. Kobo, Barnes & Noble, I-Tunes, Sony, Smashwords and many
other e-book distributors.
Blurb: Matthew Lockwood hired entertainment for his nephew’s birthday party, instead an Angel showed up, wearing killer heels, carrying a bouquet of balloons and a body that was heavenly—except she had an attitude that was anything but angelic.
Unfortunately for Angel Montgomery, life doesn’t have auto-correct.
Matthew and Angel are both victims of unsynchronized mishaps.
Links:
Website: https://SelenaRobins.com/
Blog: http://SelenaRobinsMusings.com/
Follow Selena on Twitter: @SelenaRobins
Thanks for stopping by and visiting with Selena and I! We always love when others join our Mad Hatter Guinness, coffee, tea party!
I’m so honored to have the lovely and talented Nina Croft as one of my crit partners! (Is it obvious that I want some of her sparkling brilliance to rub off?) So when I asked Nina if she wanted to flirt with some of my readers out there, she couldn’t wait. In fact, I had to tie her to the chair and gag her for a bit, while I prepared. Okay maybe I didn’t gag her, but she does like to be tied…or so I’ve heard. Now that I’ve given her the floor, I can see why she was anxious. One word – Rico. ‘Nuff said. So lets go flirt with him shall we?
Flirting with Rico…
Hi, I’m Nina Croft and for my flirts this Friday, I thought I’d give you a few lines from my sci-fi/paranormal romance, Break Out. Break Out is book one of my Blood Hunter series, which follows the adventures, romantic and otherwise, of the crew of the space cruiser, El Cazador de la Sangre (or The Blood Hunter).
So, here’s Rico, owner and pilot (and vampire) of El Cazador, interacting with the two main
women in his life: Tannis, his captain, and Skylar the beautiful and mysterious rebel who has employed the crew to break her brother out of a maximum security prison.
Tannis ran a hand through her short, spiky hair. “It’s got to be a setup. Maybe you’d better get me a list of people you’ve pissed off recently.”
Rico frowned. “How long have we got?”
“Good point—probably not long enough.”
“Is she dead?” she asked.
“No, she’s not bloody dead.” Rico scowled. “Jesus, why does everybody think I go around killing people?”
“Well, it has been known,” Tannis said mildly.
“Only when they deserved it.” He glanced at Al and couldn’t resist adding, “Or when I was really hungry.”
“You’re tense,” Rico murmured, lowering his head so his cool breath brushed the back of Skylar’s neck.
“Er, you’ve just told me you kill your prey—sorry—sometimes kill your prey, and now you’re sniffing at me like I smell good enough to eat.”
“You do smell good enough to eat.” He breathed in deeply. “And while I do sometimes kill my prey, I very rarely kill my lovers.”
Rico’s hand went to his waist, and he flicked the fastener of his weapons belt. Then to his thigh. He flicked the second, and the belt clashed to the floor. He took another step toward her. Skylar swallowed.
“I love that dress, but take it off,” he ordered softly.
“Why the hell is it my fault?” Rico asked.
Tannis snorted. “She probably only picked this ship because she’d heard what a pushover you were. Forget that ‘I heard you’re the best’ crap. I bet it was more a case of she’d heard all she needed to do was to flash a big pair of tits in your face and your brain would fly out the airlock.”
Someone sniggered. Tannis glared at the crew, and the sound was cut off abruptly.
As you can see, Rico might flirt with Skylar, but never with Tannis—she’d probably shoot him with her laser pistol!
I’m running a competition this month. You can see the prizes on my website, including a $15 GC and three ecopies of Break out. For a chance to enter, all you need to do is either comment on this post or tweet the following quote from Rico:
“Tannis, stop whatever you’re doing, bring my goddamn spaceship, and pick me up.” Break Out by @Nina_croft #BloodHunter @entangledpub
Break Out – Blurb
The year is 3048, Earth is no longer habitable, and man has fled to the stars where they’ve discovered the secret of immortality—Meridian. Unfortunately, the radioactive mineral is exorbitantly expensive and only available to a select few. A new class comprised of the super rich and immortal soon evolves. The Collective, as they’re called, rule the universe.
Two-thousand-year-old Ricardo Sanchez, vampire and rogue pilot of the space cruiser, El Cazador, can’t resist two things: gorgeous women and impossible jobs. When beautiful Skylar Rossaria approaches him to break a prisoner out of the Collective’s maximum security prison on Trakis One, Rico jumps at the chance. Being hunted by the Collective has never been so dangerous–or so fun!
Buy Links
Bio:
Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia, which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of 9-5 work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain.
Nina writes all types of romance often mixed with elements of the paranormal and science fiction.
Find me at:
Welcome to the Bewitching Halloween Blog Hop! If you’re just joining in, the hop got started at http://justromance.me. Jump on board for the full blog tour and enter to win fabulous prizes. Join us for an author chat Sunday 7pm EST at Gem’s Place.
So glad you dropped by for the Bewitching Blog Hop. All my witches are out taking care of their All Hallow’s Eve preparations. They left just a wee bit ago, mumbling something about sumpkins and lotions…or was it pumpkins and potions? No matter. ’Tis of little concern now as they aren’t on the premises. In fact, the only creatures left around here at the moment are some fae and wolf folk. They are demanding a little blog time, so I thought I would allow it. I will turn it over to Devlin and Kiara, my hero and heroine from Blood and Moonlight.
Devlin: “What did you want to talk about a ghrá?”
Kiara: “Nothing. I wanted to share a scene that was cut from the book.”
Devlin: “Aye, but does Moira wish for you to share it? Perhaps the lass has plans for it.”
Kiara: “Well then she had no business turning the blog over to us, did she?”
Devlin: “A ghrá, you make a good point.”
Kiara: “Besides, she left to refill her coffee. She won’t even know. I don’t think any of our guests would tell her, do you?”
Devlin: “You are letting that wicked streak show. You know what that does to me.”
Kiara: “Behave yourself. We have guests.”
Devlin: “Get on with it then.”
Kiara: “Very well. This scene was meant to be the prologue of Blood and Moonlight. It didn’t really add anything to the overall story, so it was cut. While it is unedited, and I do suffer a bit, I still found it fitting for this time of year. There’s blood, wickedness, and death. Hope you enjoy it.”
October 2008, Just outside Lake Tahoe
Trees passed by in a blur as my bare feet pounded against the forest floor and still I wasn’t moving fast enough. Blood dripped from my neck, soaking into my white cotton shirt. The soft evening breeze carried many scents—the strongest belonged to me. They’d find me soon. Wolves could always track blood. Being pack animals, they usually hunted as such, but this was no ordinary wolf or shifter. He was different, but I didn’t plan on getting close enough to figure out what separated him from the others. When I’d first spotted him, he’d been a man, standing alone at the forest edge, now he was in the guise of a wolf and in full hunt mode. I ran and as I did, it occurred to me that more of them could be lying in wait to ambush me. With no idea where I was running to, it was entirely possible I was playing right into the hands of my pursuer, which meant this could go from bad to worse in a matter of seconds.
Despite the cool night air, the shirt clung to my sweat drenched skin. With every bit of blood lost, my strength faded. Focus was a commodity I couldn’t afford to lose.
Why couldn’t I go faster?
The gun at my back provided little comfort. It wouldn’t stop what was coming. My options were limited and becoming more so by the minute. God and Goddess, please grant me a miracle. A break in the trees allowed a glimpse of small clearing. I ran out into the open area, barely big enough for what I had in mind, but it would have to do. Distant rustling of underbrush told me time ran short and I had to act quickly. God I hoped this worked. Words left my mouth in a whisper as I invoked the circle, sealing it at the four points with my own blood. Magic flared like electricity around me, so thick breathing became difficult.
The world swam in earth tones and I gasped for air. Power from the circle pulsed over my skin and quieted. It resembled standing in the eye of a storm. Eerie silence surrounded me and I knew any moment all hell could break loose. A raven emitted a deep, resonating call from its nearby perch and cut through the stillness. What I wouldn’t give to be back in Vegas right about now. This was supposed to be a simple weekend trip home for some Fae politics and a little girl rest and relaxation in Tahoe, but as usual, trouble found me.
I searched the darkness, took in the air and held it. The musky scent, laced with underlying notes of blood and pine just off to my left, alerted me to the beast’s approach. The spell wouldn’t hold. Protection spells were never my strong suit. The only thing I had any luck with, were tapping into visions, and even that was sketchy at best. Hopefully, Reese would make an appearance before time ran out, if she could even find me. Where in the hell was I?
“Oh Kiara,” the deep voice carried through the night. “Come out and play with me.”
He’d approached me while I’d been on my way to rendezvous with Reese and caught me completely unaware. My hands were laden with shopping bags and I’d failed to sense the threads of tightly controlled power that made him what he was until it was too late. His glamour far surpassed my own. Thankfully, his cockiness gave me the few seconds I needed to run. Power built in the air, pressing against the barriers of my circle. White light flashed in the thick of the forest with a crack like lightening. No longer in wolf form, the man stepped into view.
Tattered clothes hung from his body, revealing far more of the man than I cared to see. Between that and the huge production he made out of licking my blood from his partially clawed hand, it was difficult to look at him. The ability to control the change so distinctly was a testament to the power he held.
“Neat party trick. Halloween is still a week away. Still time to perfect it.” Being locked inside my own protection spell made me cocky, but the circle could fail and I wasn’t sure I wanted him to test its boundaries. Luckily, he was too busy indulging himself with my blood.
“Tasty. The blood of the Morrigan women always has been, but yours is truly a delicacy. I wonder…was my brother able to indulge in its taste before you killed him? Your blood is intoxicating—layered and so full of power, even for a Fae. He truly would have enjoyed it.”
A moan escaped him and it truly unnerved me, as did his discussing my blood as though he were at a wine tasting. He locked his eyes with mine and I realized what set him apart from other shifters I’d encountered—the irises of his eyes were similar to the Fae in color. It made my stomach turn. “You say Fae like it is a disgusting thing to be.”
“It is, if you are one of the pure ones. Not quite as powerful as those who are…more.” Another lick took care of the last bit of crimson on his hand and he regarded me carefully. “And you my dear clearly fall into the latter category. How intriguing.”
He reached out, as if to test the boundary of the circle, but withdrew. Apparently not so brave after all.
A ghostly chuckle emanated from him, sending chills up my spine. “Smart little one aren’t you? Using your own blood to cast the circle is more than I gave you credit for. You weren’t so quick thinking a year ago when my brother scarred that pretty body of yours and Riona—well she just didn’t have the time before I caught up to her. I will not underestimate you like my brother did, Kiara. If you escape this night, it will only be by my death. Know that there are others who will find you and send you to join your mother.”
“Depends on who’s doing the dying.”
A silver dagger flew past my head and embedded itself into the front of his chest. His eyes widened and as he dropped to the ground outside the circle, Reese walked over and knelt down beside him to retrieve the blade from his body.
“I left you alone for two minutes with strict instructions not to leave the parking lot.”
“Would you have preferred I let him catch me?”
“Of course not. Don’t get your panties in a bunch.” She sheathed the weapon, stood and slowly looked me over. “Lost your shoes I see.”
“If I’d known I’d be running through the woods I wouldn’t have worn the Jimmy Choo’s.”
“You lost the Jimmy’s?” She grimaced and then glanced down at the lifeless body, nudging it with the toe of her boot. “What a waste of life. Wonder what he was after?”
“I guess I could have interrogated him while he feasted on my blood. It just didn’t occur to me.” Following her gaze, I looked at the fallen man. “And he’s not going to answer any of our questions.”
“Not bloody likely in his current state.” Reese smiled.
The man who’d taken my mother’s life no longer walked among us. A little piece of knowledge that should have brought me a modicum of peace, but things were rarely ever so easy. His parting words troubled me and though the wolf’s lifeless body lay at my feet, I had the sneaking suspicion this was far from over.
Devlin: “Well I didn’t really enjoy that at all. That man had no business licking your blood. Guess I should be thankful Reese was there to keep you safe for me.”
Kiara: “You didn’t even know me then.”
Devlin: “Wouldn’t have even had the chance to know you if Reese hadn’t saved that sweet arse of yours then. How’s that?”
Kiara: “Hard to argue that point. Well, I hop you all enjoyed your stay. There is still plenty more for you to see. Lots more Bewitching to be done. If one of the witches, demons, or ghouls managed to pull you out of the tour line, you can find your way back by going to JustRomance.me. Enjoy the rest of your tour. Now run along before Moira sees what we’ve done.”
We all have them. The people we admire and look up to. Our heroes and heroines that drive us to move forward, pursue our dreams, and reach beyond where we ever imagined was possible. I have several authors that inspire me every day. And I thought I would share some random quotes from a few of them this fine Monday morning, to inspire me and remind me why I write the way I do and what I do.
At its best reading is a connection between the author and reader … between people, but in romance we get to see that human connection played out on the page.~ Vicki Pettersson
Vicki Pettersson was a fairly new discovery for me when I first started writing seriously in 2009. I often wonder how I hadn’t discovered her a few years earlier when her first book was released. I love her tortured characters, the depth of her writing, and her personality. If you ever get a chance to sit in on a chat or go to a signing, I would highly suggest you do!
Like anything else that happens on its own, the act of writing is beyond currency. Money is great stuff to have, but when it comes to the act of creation, the best thing is not to think of money too much. It constipates the whole process. ~ Stephen King
How can one think of writing and not think of a man who has really stood out in his field. One thing about Stephen King that draws me in are his descriptions. He paints such a vivid picture. It’s really hard to envision his world any differently than he does as a result. I admire that.
I always treated writing as a profession, never as a hobby. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. ~ Laurell K Hamilton
The first book I ever picked up of Laurell K Hamilton’s made me fall in love with her. She writes what she wants and she does it well. She writes for the story and for herself. She has not always pleased her readers. But she’s stayed true to her characters. I think that is admirable in any writer. It’s hard not to be tempted by outside forces. To take your story where the rest of the world thinks you should take it. In the end you just have to believe that you are being true to yourself, your characters, and the overall story.
I could go on about the authors that drive me every day. Nora Roberts, Janet Evanovich, Kelly Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost, Sherrilyn Kenyon…need I continue? Every author I enjoy brings something to the table when I need a little inspiration. When I need an idol to look up to, honor, or worship, they are just a book (a tweet, facebook post, or blog spot) away.
Tell me, who are some of the authors that inspire you? Or perhaps a quote that pushes you forward? Think about it and have a great Monday!
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2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate,
broken into pieces
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/3 cup white sugar
1 large egg
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1 tablespoon red food coloring
3/4 cup sour cream
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
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| 1. | Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) with the rack in the middle position. Grease baking sheets or line with parchment paper. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. |
| 2. | Break the chocolate squares into chunks, place in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on High until the chocolate melts, about 90 seconds. Stir the chocolate until smooth and set aside to cool. |
| 3. | In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy; pour in the egg and beat until smooth. Mix in the red food coloring and chocolate, scraping the bowl down regularly, until evenly blended, about 30 seconds. Add half of the sifted dry ingredients, stirring until well incorporated. Beat in the sour cream and mix in the remaining dry ingredients. Fold in the chocolate chips. Drop spoonfuls of the dough 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets. |
| 4. | Bake one sheet at a time in the preheated oven until they spring back when pressed, about 9 minutes. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack. |
| 5. | For the cream cheese frosting, whip 1/4 cup butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth. Blend in the powdered sugar in half cup portions until the frosting reaches the desired consistency.Stop by these fantastic blogs and see what they are cooking up…I Heart NY Cheesecake by PG Forte – http:// Soups On by Selena Robins http://
“The Allure of Ice”, by A ACatherine Noon – http://taurusandtaurus.blogspot.com/2012/09/tasty-tuesday-allure-of-ice.html I died and went to Italy by Nancy Lauzon - http://chickdickmysteries.com/2012/09/11/tasty-tuesday-i-died-and-went-to-italy/
Have a great Tuesday Everyone and enjoy the week!
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How did that happen? Where did the week go? And more importantly…who ate my homework?! Kidding. Seriously though this week has flown by. Been reading about Egyptian and Mesopotamian Creation stories for class. That has been interesting. Been writing a LOT (except for last night when I took the night off for homework). Following the Rangers games with the lil zombies and enjoying their commentary on the game. And overall just plain busy as usual. So what am I doing here right? I needed a music break…so here’s a little fun to kick off the downhill slide into the weekend.
Have a great Thirsty Thursday peeps!
