2013

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Main Posts Background Image

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

20 Questions for Mara Jacobs: Getting to Know Your Favorite (or soon to be Favorite!) Writer. . .

One of the best things about the holidays are anthologies – those short reads that accommodate the reduced amount time available for reading while still infusing the joy and magic of the season. Even so, I rarely have time to get through all the different stories before it’s time to pack things up until next year. That’s what drew me to Mara Jacobs’ Totally Worth Christmas novella (other than the fact that it’s set in my home state!). The Worth Series Book 4.5 of her Copper Country titles is just right for a one night read with all the holiday feel goods of family, togetherness topped with a nice hint of spice.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

In The Name of Love Character Quiz: Sophie and Mitch from Christmas Wishes by Patricia Kiyono

I’m happy to have Patricia Kiyono back! The reason is mainly selfish. It gives me an excuse to dive into her latest book. When I pick up one of her romances, whether it’s historical, regency, or contemporary, like this one, I know I’ll bond with her characters. The minute I meet them, I feel like I know them, like they’ve been my best friends forever. I immediately care about their hopes and fears and their desire to find love. Patty has the gift of making her books real. They embrace you with relatable emotions, with circumstances that trigger your own memories and dreams. 


Tuesday, December 03, 2013

Twenty Questions with Ami Weaver, Your Favorite (or soon to be favorite!) Author . . .

I don’t read a lot of series contemporary romance so I’m very particular when I curl up with my cat and Kindle. I picked up Ami Weaver’s debut romance An Accidental Family because she’s in my Mid-Michigan RWA group and I always read at least one book from each of our authors. But once I got started on Lainey and Ben’s tender and heart-tugging story, I knew it would be the last. 

I’m also a sucker for Christmas books, so when I saw The Nanny’s Christmas Wish, I was quick to snatch it up. Only a frozen turkey and boxes of glittery decorations could pull me away over the weekend. Josh and Maggie have won me over! I expected the touchingly real characterizations and emotional twists and turns, but their chemistry was the hook that has me anxious to get back between the pages. You’ll see what I mean in the excerpt below.



Tuesday, November 26, 2013

20 Questions: Rue Allyn, Getting to Know Your Favorite (or soon to be Favorite!) Writer

I’ve known Rue Allyn since she was her writing alter ego Susan Charnley, back when we were both new and starry-eyed authors doing Great Lakes Bookseller Association trade shows together. So long ago, in fact, that I have her newly reissued A True and Perfect Knight on my author signed BFF shelf from back in 2001! I realized how much I’d missed her books when I curled up to read her latest release One Day’s Loving and immediately lost myself in the story. Now I’m going to have to One Click the books for the other two sisters in the Wildfire Love series from Crimson Romance (Don’t you hate it when that happens!)


Tuesday, November 19, 2013

In The Name of Love Character Quiz: From Diane Burton’s One Red Shoe

Can you guess why Diane Burton is one of my favorite guests? Just like her characters, she’s funny, smart, and passionate about what she does. Oh, and because we’re both more than a little bit OCD. I feel like a doting godmother when it comes to One Red Shoe’s Daria and Sam, having been there almost at their inception. They took their first breath during a writing exercise, and over the years I’ve gotten to watch them struggle, grow and finally step out on their own (kind of like Daria!). And I couldn’t be more proud to introduce you to their story.


Wednesday, November 06, 2013

IWSG: Are We There Yet??


What is it about being an author that even when we get exactly what we want, we’re not happy. We plan and worry, push, petition and complain, but when that desired event comes to past, it’s . . . not enough. Perhaps it’s the Suffer for Your Art gene we creative types are plagued with. We feel we need to be tunnel-visioned, unsettled and miserable in order to call ourselves writers. Unless we’re clawing and scrapping and clipping coupons to survive, we don’t feel like we’re working hard enough toward that elusive goal. 


Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Doors Are Now Open to my Third Annual Haunted Open House! Enter if You Dare…



It’s no secret that I love all things spooky and otherworldly! For the next eight days I get to share that excitement in the creepy hallways of my Haunted Open House! Expect ghoulishly good fun, games, giveaways and guests with my own fiendish ideas on how to do up Halloween in style. Expect . . . the unexpected! Make sure you stop in each day for the chance to mingle with a new guest for Patio Chatter and pick up another rocking tip at Party Central

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

IWSG: Why So Serious?


Being a writer is a business. Stressful business. Exhausting business. Fickle business. Spirit- crushing business. Sometimes we struggle so hard scrambling to survive and to be taken seriously as professionals that we forget to enjoy what we do . . . even when it’s work. 

Monday, September 09, 2013

3rd Annual Haunted Open House

 

The doors will be open for my 3rd annual Haunted Open House from October 23 through October 30. As an extra Trick-or-Treat surprise, this year I’ll be hosting Nancy Gideon’s Haunted Open House Giveaway Blog Hop. The Linky Signup is below!

Wednesday, September 04, 2013

You Gotta Have Friends . . .


I was delighted to stumble upon a Blog Hop made for writers, one that addresses one of our less talked about idiosyncrasies: We’re all in need of a security blanket when it comes to our careers. You’d think after 25 years in the biz, I’d have an obnoxious amount of confidence. Not so. All it takes is one review to put me in a fetal position, just like any other author, from first completed book to USA Today.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

LOVESTRUCK GIVEAWAY HOP – Max is back!


Lovestruck: (adjective) having a passionate or overwhelming feeling of love; smitten.

No other character I’ve ever created has fit this description like Max Savoie. Mysterious, dangerous, unpredictable, powerful, sexy. A prophesied Shape-shifter leader left with a mobster’s legacy. Max of the sultry innuendos, intense green eyes, Armani suits and red high tops whose love for the wrong woman – a human AND a New Orleans police detective, no less! – will cost him everything, and still he’s willing to give more to have her. Sigh . . .

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Hot Paranormal Nights Blog Hop: The Heat is On!


Turn it up. Let it sizzle.

One of the things I love about paranormal romances is that steamy tension that builds between the pages until they’re ready to catch fire. We’re celebrating the sparks from July 25 to 30 on this muy caliente blog hop. To fan the fire, I’ve included an excerpt and a chance to win a $10 gift card from Amazon. Don’t forget to keep those temperatures elevated by following along the links to see how other PN authors add in the spice.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Sneak Peek Sunday


Follow Along with Sneak Peek Sunday

Time once again to slip between the pages of a book and get lost ... but only for six paragraphs. You might call it teasing, but I call it sweet temptation. Tempting readers with new stories, new characters, a new opportunity to fall in love, to find adventure. Just a taste that will leave you wanting more.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Summer Fun Scavenger Hunt! The Search Is On!

Remember those frantic races door-to-door looking for oddities like wooden matchsticks, KoolAid packets, a golf tee, a shoelace, and a caffeine-free tea bag? Night Owl Reviews is rekindling the excitement with prizes galore during its Summer Fun Scavenger Hunt that introduces readers to authors and their books. No need to annoy the neighbors. This Hunt is done via your keyboard with a fill in the blank word search. Seek and Find and Enter to win fabulous prizes . . . by reading book blurbs. How fun is that?!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Let the Music Play: Character Soundtracks

I had a lot of fun in a recent post at Savvy Authors describing the reason for creating Playlists to accompany your books, along with a brief How-To from my virtual assistant, My Girl Friday at Rebel Yell Media Management, and my criteria for picking songs to include. I featured the playlist for Cale Terriot, the rowdy, tattooed, rock and roll hero of PRINCE OF SHADOWS, but not the one I had for the heroine. I’m all about equal opportunity so I wanted to give Kendra matching airtime with a little something extra – the reasons behind my selection of each song for both her and Cale.

Friday, June 07, 2013

Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatcha Gonna Do?


Oh, baby! Nothing does it for me like a Bad Boy! Give me the thug over a pretty face any day. Keep your Jude Laws and Ryan Goslings. I’ll take the intense and brutish Clive Owens, Jeremy Renners, Vin Diesels, and Jason Stathams!

Sunday, June 02, 2013

Sneak Peek Sunday


I had SO much fun at my first Sneak Peek last Sunday that I’m back for MORE – MORE excerpts, MORE new and new-to-me authors, MORE book friends, and MORE great reading opportunities. I hope you enjoy this new tease from PRINCE OF SHADOWS, the latest release in my “By Moonlight” dark paranormal shape-shifter series. And then promise me you’ll hop along the Sneak Peek links to devour other tasty samples. No calories, only delicious temptation!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Prince of Shadows Blitz



Bewitching Book Tours is helping me celebrate Release Day for PRINCE OF SHADOWS with this fabulous Book Blitz! Meet Cale and Kendra, get the Down Low on the “By Moonlight” series, enjoy tantalizing excerpts, read reviews, and find out surprising things about me and my writing career in unique interviews. Follow along the links below as they go live to join in the fun.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Happy Holiday - Release Day, and Birthday to me!!

I’m taking time out from my family party (Hey, we know how to rock a grill!) to send up release day fireworks for PRINCE OF SHADOWS, the 8th book in my “By Moonlight” dark paranormal shape-shifter series that hits the e-verse today!!



Sunday, May 26, 2013

Sneak Peek Sunday!


I’m so excited to participate in my first Sneak Peek Sunday! I love sharing and I love meeting new authors and sampling their works.

I’ve attached a sniblet from my brand new (as in available tomorrow in the e-verse!) release, PRINCE OF SHADOWS, Book 8 in my “By Moonlight” dark paranormal Shape-shifter series with Pocket. After you read it, please continue on through the Sneak Peek link to savor more tidbits from other authors.

ENJOY!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Meet Cale, Prince of the House of Terriot . . .

Cale Terriot. Le sigh . . . I confess. I always fall in love with my heroes. I figure if I don’t, how can my reader? But after spending weeks with Cale, my rowdy, tattooed, rock and roll prince, I was more than ready to run off with him for a lengthy affair (providing he’d agree to some fairly extensive therapy to deal with his family issues!). He was so much fun to develop on the pages of PRINCE OF SHADOWS with his strutty pride, designer suits and diamond stud earring (pitbulls with rhinestone collars is how Silas MacCreedy describes him and his brothers). But all that flash could be stripped away in an instant to lay bare a fiercely loyal and dangerous protective Shifter male in Back to Butt-kicking Business black whose only goal is to claim the heart of his childhood love. It’s no secret. I adore a thuggish, action-oriented underdog who fights for what he wants with driven intensity, a touch of unpredictable savagery, a spark of humor, and drop dead sexiness. That’s my prince in spades.

Don’t take my word for it. Here’s a little something to tempt you ...

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Meet Kendra Terriot from PRINCE OF SHADOWS

I like my heroines to be strong and independent so it’s hard for me to write about a fragile, helpless female. When Kendra Terriot, the cousin of Silas and Brigit MacCreedy, was introduced in HUNTER OF SHADOWS as the vulnerable victim of a traumatic childhood event who carried an unrequited torch for Silas, I didn’t see heroine material. It wasn’t until she risked returning to the feudal stronghold of the Terriot clan to bargain for her cousins’ safety that I saw the spark of the courage she would need to face off against the tyrannical Terriot leader and his arrogant sons.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

In The Name of Love Character Quiz

I love a space adventure. Just in time to gear up for the newest Star Trek reboot, it’s “Beam me up, Diane!”

Even though I’m not ready for that final frontier for the SWITCHED series with book 3, SWITCHED RESOLUTION, I’ll admit it was a great ride while it lasted. Strap in and blast off on another bumpy ride to true love with Diane Burton’s latest star-crossed lovers, Scott and Veronese. As you enjoy their witty repartee during this interview, savor a taste of the author’s voice that makes her writing such a sassy, interactive pleasure to read.

So get on board for some out-of-this-world techie fun . . . and no, you don’t have to be a geek to sign on for the trip . . .

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Gotcha Covered! Cover Reveal for PRINCE OF SHADOWS!

A few weeks ago I gave Facebook friends a sneak peek at the delicious new cover for PRINCE OF SHADOWS, Book 8 in my “BY MOONLIGHT” dark paranormal shape-shifter series from Pocket that will be available as an e-exclusive on 5-27-13 (my birthday! Happy Birthday to me!). Since then it’s begun popping up on Goodreads and Amazon so I figured it was time to celebrate this May Day with an ‘official’ reveal. What do you think of my rowdy, tattooed, rock-and-roll prince Cale Terriot? 


Available at:

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

20 Questions: Getting to Know Your Favorite (or soon to be Favorite!) Writer: Elizabeth Alsobrooks!

True friendships stand the test of time and distance. When I first met Elizabeth, she was a single mother and teacher struggling to find an imaginative outlet through romance writing even though her background and writing voice was in academia. How to describe her? Opinionated. Intelligent. Wickedly funny. She loved horror, myths, adventure . . . and books. We clicked creatively and have been each other’s go-to for critiques and encouragement it seems like forever! So I’m absolutely beaming with pride at the release of her first novel, Illuminati: The Book of Life.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

In the Name of Love Character Quiz

Love is in the air on today’s blog with the help of one of my new favorite authors, Jennifer Lowery, and her hero and heroine from Murphy’s Law. I’ve sooo been looking forward to this book, but having surgery has put me behind on the climb up my Kindle list (and after reading the excerpt, it just jumped more than a few notches!). I can guarantee you’ll find just what I’ve come to anticipate: a tough as nails hero protector and vulnerable but not helpless heroine both he and I can respect. Welcome back, Jen!!

Hi Nancy and all you fabulous readers out there *waves*! Thanks so much for having me today! I’m so excited for you all to meet Murphy and Sara! Murphy’s Law released on March 4th and I’m so happy to bring it to you! I hope you enjoy this interview with my characters as much as they enjoyed answering the questions. Well, Sara had more fun than Murphy, lol.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

In The Name of Love Character Quiz

While trying to come up with a slant for today’s Blog Tour character interview at Authors' Cafe, I started thinking about Valentine’s Day, love, and that chemistry between my hero and heroine. While I was coming up with questions for them to answer, I realized what I was really doing was forcing myself to look more deeply into their character motivations and backstories. What a fun way to explore the romantic side of your fictitious couple. Put your hero and heroine on the 20 Questions hot seat and see how much you can learn about them that you didn't really know. What causes the sparks to fly? What potential conflicts can arise? Find out when you discover how they would they respond to the following questions . . .

Tuesday, February 05, 2013

20 Questions: Getting to Know Your Favorite (or soon to be Favorite!) Writer

The best part about being a critique partner is getting to watch the creative process that goes into building a really good book. I’ve been peeking over Vicki’s shoulder for years, watching her grow as a writer, watching her characters and plotlines mature, and now I finally get to share what I’ve known all along . . . she knows how to tell a story! She’s debuting here as Victoria Craven with Immortal Love, which has a bit of everything I adore as a reader: a strong heroine determined to help her people survive and prosper, a dark, hot hero who can slay his enemies but can’t seem to control the female he’s forced to marry or the emotions she stirs within him, a medieval backdrop (squee!), intrigue and a shiver of a ghost story. I’m thrilled to introduce you to a brand new author!! I’ll let Vicki tell you a bit about herself . . . then rush over and buy her book!

20 Questions: Getting to Know Your Favorite (or soon to be Favorite!) Writer 




Getting to know you: 

1. Party dress or blue jeans? I’m a party dress kind of person. Like a child dressing up in mother’s clothes. I love my 4 inch heels. No matter how old I get I’m not giving them up.

2. TV at home or movie theater? I love snuggling with my husband and watching TV at home. Sometimes I’m just too lazy to put on a bra, and I don’t have to wear make-up.

3. Five words your friends use to describe you: This is a hard one but I think they would say “loyal, sister, happy, thoughtful, nice” Maybe I should have picked a different question.

4. Other creative outlets? Crochet. I know what you’re thinking. You would rather watch paint dry, but it’s my way of kicking back and relaxing while creating something for my friends and family.

5. If I had a free afternoon, I’d ______ I would hunker down and read a book. The only problem with that is once I start a book I want to finish it. I get real bitchy when I can’t. I want to go to bed early just so I can finish it. My grandson has different ideas. He thinks grandma should stay up and play with him. Duty calls.

6. Three favorite movies? Fifth Element, Expendables, and Avengers. I love action movies. No sappy girl stuff for me.

7. What’s on your Bucket List? To go to Europe. Money and a passport would be helpful. I would love to see Rome.

8. Gourmet cook or take out? My husband and I share a love for cooking. We love having people over and cook for them. We know we’ve done a good job when we get the “Wow! Best dish ever.”

9. Your first kiss . . . My first kiss was when I was 13. It was awkward and messy, but I still managed to get a lot of practice in.

The Written word:

10. Favorite type of hero (Type A bad boy or Type B good guy) Which would you rather live with? Of course I love the good guy. I’m married to the best.

11. What type of fiction heroine would you be? Jane Eyre or Lara Croft? I love a good fight scene where women are strong and can kick ass. I would have to say my favorite fictional character would be Jennifer Garner in Alias. She can kick the hell of the bad guy.

12. Favorite genre to read? Paranormal. I love an author’s creativity. I wish I had secret powers.

13. What would you love to write that you haven’t? A mystery. The intrigue is so exciting. It’s a genre I would like to try and not suck at it.

14. What are you reading right now? J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter. “The Goblet of Fire” It is amazing that she can write an entire book that is in Harry Potter’s point of view.

15. Favorite books you can read over and over: Harry Potter series. I never get tired of it. I’m just a kid at heart, even though the mirror says otherwise.

A Writer’s Life:

16. OCD plotter or free range pantser? Pantser. I fly by the seat of my pants. I like the story to unfold. The most amazing things happen.

17. Which is easier, the synopsis or the book? The book is by far the easiest thing to write. It is really hard to condense an entire book in just a few pages. Editors are sadists to make you do that.

18. First person you call when you get a sale: My sister gets the first call. We are very close and we celebrate every success.

19. Solo muse or critique partner(s)? I need my critique partners. When I’m stumped they help me out of the ditch.

20. When can we get your next book and what’s it all about?

Nancy: Since Vicki is in a rush – getting ready to move will do that to you! – I’ll answer this one for her. If you love Immortal Love (and you will!), get ready for more! She’s got two additional books in the series almost ready to go featuring Erik and Randolf. And a kick butt serial killer suspense with the best villain ever that I’m DYING to get my hands on. 



Immortal Love
by Victoria Craven

Published by Tell-Tale Publishing

Though he's fought in hundreds of battles in a dozen countries, Dominick the Immortal has never known defeat. Now the King has given him his greatest challenge, to become the Lord of Godwin, and marry its lady, Eleanor.

Upon meeting her, he is instantly attracted to the green-eyed beauty, but angered by the King’s order she vows she will never love him.

Dominick could see spirits of the dead his entire life, but after his capture during the Crusades he closed his mind to the tortured souls that were left to wander in eternal darkness. The door remained closed until the strong spirit of a woman broke through his barrier and warned him that Eleanor was in danger. Dominick had one more battle to wage, winning the lady’s heart.

Nearly succumbing to her greatest enemy after long months of
bloody siege, Eleanor sends a messenger to beg for the King’s help. He is her last hope of saving her beloved Godwin and its people. Eleanor gets more than she bargained for. Decreed by the King, her savior is to become her husband.

Raised by an abusive father whose vile behavior led to her mother’s death, Eleanor vows that she will love no man. Yet Dominick is like no other man she has ever met. Unexpectedly, she finds that the legendary warrior has both honor and compassion. Losing her resolve, she must face her greatest fear, losing her heart.


Bio

Victoria Craven discovered her love for story-telling in her sophomore year of high school.
Those teenage adventures always had a romantic happy ending, and they still do today, whether she’s writing thrilling contemporary suspense or paranormal historical romance.

Having lived most of her life in Western Michigan, Victoria relocated to the suburbs of Chicago where she lives with her husband, who is the love of her life. She has three beautiful daughters, and two toddler grandsons who keep her busy.

Supported by her friends and family, she left a career as a media account executive to pursue a career doing what she’s passionate about, writing happy endings that she can share with others. Her first paranormal historical romance was recently purchased by Tell-Tale Publishing and will be released in 2012.

When Victoria isn’t writing or revising, she is playing with her grandsons or curled up with a good book and a vat of hot chocolate.


Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads *

Tuesday, January 08, 2013

20 Questions: Getting to Know Your Favorite (or soon to be Favorite!) Writer Diane Burton

Don’t sweat the small stuff . . . It’s all small stuff! Remember those rides to our Mid-Michigan RWA meetings, Diane? Diane Burton is the first person I’d ever met who could trump me in the OCD department (but I have ADD as my wildcard!). We immediately hit it off. For a time, when her writing surrendered to the gravitational pull of creating a steady income, and I didn’t see her at our meetings, it was like an absence in the creative Force. I’m thrilled to say Diane is back in a big way . . . you might even say an Intergalactic way! First with the sequel to Switched, and now with the first book in a new series, The Pilot, her love of science fiction and space cowboys rules. 

 


I’m thiiiiiis close to being finished with The Pilot (darn flu had me off my Kindle feed for a while). What a geekgasm! As a fellow devotee of Firefly and anything Trek, I find her voice a delightful homage to those wonderful voyages of the imagination. Aliens, space cruisers, and out-of-this-orbit adventures – Oh, my! Her world is fantastic and fun to get lost in. I’m torn between wanting to swat and laugh out loud with the plucky Celera. And Trevaar . . . MmmMmm. The man can rock the Rim with the best of them! I smell sequels with her deliciously quixotic brother Quin and Trev’s hot best friend, Laning, and will be looking forward to those trips to a galaxy far, far away.

Holy horse pucky! Get ready for a ride!

But first, heeeeeere’s Diane:




Getting to know you:

1. Party dress or blue jeans? Blue jeans

2. TV at home or movie theatre? Movie theatre (big screen, surround sound & popcorn)

3. Broadway or museum? Definitely Broadway. When I was young & single, my girlfriends & I went to NYC and saw 7 shows in 5 days. Prices were cheaper then, but so were teacher salaries. LOL

4. Five words your friends use to describe you: Loyal, helpful, nitpicky, too busy, a little bit crazy (okay, a lot crazy)

5. Five words you use to describe yourself: Loving Nana, caring, intense, too busy, forgetful

6. Favorite books from childhood: Anne of Green Gables & Nancy Drew

7. Three favorite movies: 3? Only 3? Star Wars, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Serenity (Firefly cast). I’m going to cheat and name 2 more: It Happened One Night, Casablanca. And then there’s . . . (I think Nancy cut me off!)

8. What’s on your Bucket List? Alaskan Cruise, train trip thru the Canadian Rockies, San Francisco

9. Something quirky about you that no one knows (we won’t tell anyone!) I organize books and DVDs by subject matter. I thought alphabetizing was a little too OCD

The Written word:

10. Favorite type of hero (Type A bad boy or Type B good guy) Examples. (Which would you rather live with?) Type As are kinda scary but exciting, thrilling. I married a Type B and don’t regret it.

11. What type of fiction heroine would you be? Jane Eyre or Lara Croft? Wish I could be Lara Croft, but I’m more like Jane Eyre

12. Favorite genre to read? (Is it what you write?) Romantic suspense and sci-fi romance. Yes, I write both, though I’m only pubbed in SFR

13. What would you love to write that you haven’t? A (or is it An) historical set right after WWII when the men come home from war and expected the women who’ve worked in the factories, etc. to go back to being housewives.

14. Fiction hero you would run off with: Hands down, Han Solo. Does that negate Question #10? Hey, he’s got a spaceship. LOL

15. What are you reading right now? Mara Jacob’s Against the Odds, second time around. Such a great writer.

A Writer’s Life:

16. OCD plotter or free range pantser? A combination but I’m more a pantser. I know, I know, I’m OCD about other things.

17. Do you have a set writing schedule? Sort of. LOL Usually up by 6 – 6:30, get a cup of coffee (love my Keurig), write while Hubs sleeps; write while Hubs is awake; write, write, write. All of this is trumped by a visit from grandkiddies.

18. First publishing rejection: It came on my birthday and my daughter hid the package until the next day. That was back in the “olden” days when you sent your manuscript via the post office and enclosed a SASE for the manuscript’s return.

19. What’s on your desk? Too much stuff! Pictures of grandkiddies; books, bills (hope I find the unpaid ones before they’re due), receipts, papers and, somewhere, the keyboard & mouse. Good thing I use my laptop.

20. When can we get your next book and what’s it all about? Next book up is Switched, the Aftermath, the conclusion of the Switched series where twins exchanged places on Earth and on a starship and now have to face the consequences. Look for it around Easter.

Latest book out is The Pilot, which kicks off a series about strong women on the frontier of space.
 


The Pilot is available at:
Amazon
Smashwords
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

There’s no place like home and he just stole hers. Cargo hauler, risk taker Celera d’Enfaden must work with rule-bound Administrator Trevarr Jovano to save her brother from a galactic gangster.

 


Excerpt:

Celara pushed her chair away from the table and climbed up on it. “Quiet down, you Rimmer scum.”

The patrons laughed then quieted. Someone paused the Seinfeld vid.

She lifted her drink again. “A toast, Rimmers. Let’s hear it for the wonderful, fantabulous, yada, yada, yada, Administrator Jovano. May he live long enough to enjoy good health.”

To her surprise, silence met her toast. No one raised their glasses or mugs, even in jest. Everyone was looking at her, standing on the chair.

No, they were looking past her. Only thing behind her was the door. Kleema groaned and buried her head on her folded arms on the table. Booted footsteps rapped on the rough-hewn plank floor then stopped behind her.

“Thank you for the compliments and the good wishes for my longevity.” The baritone-and-chokiris voice sounded just over her shoulder.

If she ever needed a personal cloaking device, it was now. Or a magic ring with which to disappear. Sec Admin Trevarr Jovano stood behind her. Waiting. She swore she could feel him breathing.

Undaunted, she turned around. As the room tipped, she reached for the back of the chair. “Whoa, those mudslides sneak up on you.”

Missing the chair, she grabbed the closest thing—Trevarr Jovano’s black-clad shoulders. Beneath her fingers, the strong muscles contracted. “Hey there, Admin Man. Heard my toast, did you?” She grinned down at him.

He wasn’t smiling. “You should sit down before you fall down. Or better yet, go home and sleep it off.”

A dark fury swept away the sweet tranquility of two tall Kruferian mudslides. “I can’t go home, you snake. You stole my home.”

She swung a round-house punch at him, missed her objective and would have fallen ignominiously off the chair had he not caught her. For several long secs, he held her tightly against his chest, her feet dangling off the floor a good twenty-five centimeters. His green eyes caught hers and darkened.

The heat in the room rose ten degrees. Her heart tripped, the air leached out of her lungs. His eyes. She could drown in those green depths.


Bio:

Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction, and romance into writing romantic fiction. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America as well as the Mid-Michigan, Young Adult and Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal RWA chapters. She is the author of the Switched series, about twins exchanging places—from Earth to a starship and the reverse. With The Pilot, she begins a new series about strong women on the frontier of space. She is also a contributor to the anthology How I Met My Husband. Diane and her husband live in Michigan. They have two children and two grandchildren.

Diane can be found around the Internet at:


* Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Pinterest *



Friday, January 04, 2013

Follow Me on a BETRAYED BY SHADOWS Blog Tour . . .




Book your passage, fasten your lap belts, and get ready for an exhilarating ride when Buy The Book Blog Tours and I leave the station January 4, 2013 on a two month Blog Tour! We’re visiting exotic sites filled with danger and excitement so keep your hands, feet and belongings inside the vehicle at all times. There will be frequent stops . . . 25 to be exact, so have your comments ready for chances to win. Sit back and enjoy breathtaking reviews, learn more about the author in the wild. See the characters in their natural habitat. Experience unique posts from your hostess that will make this trip a once in a lifetime excursion!

Okay, I’m not really going anywhere except to work, but YOU can follow BTBTs as they make the rounds of 25 author- and reader- friendly blogs helping me tease and tempt you with my new dark paranormal e-release, BETRAYED BY SHADOWS. Each stop offers the opportunity to win a copy of this 7th book in my “By Moonlight” Shape-shifter series from Pocket Star, and a grand prize of a $15 Amazon gift certificate. The interviews are fun and informative. The blog posts have something for readers and writers. And who doesn’t like free stuff!?

Check out the itinerary below and follow it from stop to stop (I never leave my car port without Map Quest directions!). I’ll be popping in to make sure the accommodations are comfortable and that everyone has a complimentary beverage of their choice (good thing there are frequent stops!)

Enjoy your trip!


January 4, 2013 - RomanceWriter Sara Walter Ellwood (GIVEAWAY / Guest Blog)

January 5, 2013 - MJSchiller (GIVEAWAY / REVIEW / Author Interview)

January 6, 2013 - HBSAuthor’s Spotlight (GIVEAWAY / Author Interview)

January 8, 2013 - SimplyAli (GIVEAWAY / Author Interview)

January 9, 2013 - ReadingRomances (GIVEAWAY / Guest Blog)

January 11, 2013 - SciFiChick.com (GIVEAWAY / Guest Blog)

January 13, 2013 - JannaShay’s Fair Play (GIVEAWAY / Author Interview)   

January 15, 2013 - Christine’sWords (GIVEAWAY / Author Interview)  

January 19, 2013 - The Brook Sayers Blog (Author Interview)

January 20, 2013 - Amberkatze’s Book Blog (GIVEAWAY/  Guest Blog)

January 23, 2013 - Mama Knows Books (GIVEAWAY / Guest Blog)

January 29, 2013 - OMFG!Books (GIVEAWAY / Guest Blog)

January 31, 2013 - Krystal Shannan – Where Love& Destiny Collide (GIVEAWAY / Character Interview)

February 1, 2013 - Sarah Grimm, Author (GIVEAWAY / Guest Blog)

February 3, 2013 - Writerly Ramblings (GIVEAWAY / Author Interview)

February 6, 2013 - DforDarla’s Definite Reads (GIVEAWAY / Guest Blog)

February 12, 2013 - [InsertClever Quip Here] (GIVEAWAY / REVIEW / Author Interview)

February 14, 2013 - Author’sCafe (GIVEAWAY / Character Interview)

February 18, 2013 - Just One More Chapter (GIVEAWAY / REVIEW / Author Interview)

February 20, 2013 - Books and Needlepoint (GIVEAWAY / REVIEW / Author Interview)

February 22, 2013 - Romancing The Dark Side (GIVEAWAY / Guest Blog)

February 23, 2013 - Sallie’s Book Reviews & More (GIVEAWAY / Guest Blog)

February 25, 2013 - I Know That Book (GIVEAWAY / REVIEW / Guest Blog)

February 26, 2013 - Reginamayross’sBlog (GIVEAWAY / Guest Blog)

February 26, 2013 - TBQ’s Book Palace (GIVEAWAY / REVIEW / Character Interview)

February 28, 2013 - Romance Book Junkies (GIVEAWAY / REVIEW / Guest Blog)

March 1, 2013 - CherylYeko  – Where Love Always Wins (GIVEAWAY / REVIEW / Author Interview)