23. June 2011 by admin.

Nancy: Today I’m interviewing Starla Kaye. Her book, Their Lady Gloriana is an historical erotic romance and was released on May 7, 2011. Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.   

Starla: THEIR LADY GLORIANA is an erotic romance, in particular an erotic ménage romance. It is the journey of two medieval warriors who have become not only men willing to die for each other and good friends, but also they became lovers almost by accident. This is a story of how the two powerful knights have created a strong bond between them and struggle to keep it.  In the midst of their complicated relationship they must find a way to add a third person, a woman that one of them is ordered by their king to wed. Further, it is a story about how a very special woman discovers an attraction for both men and is determined to find a way they can all be together.

Nancy: What is your writing routine like?  

Starla: My writing routine is wild since I have projects going for three of my four publishers at all times. Not only do I have to find time for all the many facets of promoting my published works, but also I have to squeeze in time to work on new WIPs. I am fortunate enough to have an understanding husband who supports me in my writing career. I work for his accounting firm as a community coordinator on a very part-time basis. Beyond that I am pretty much a full-time writer. My days start early, around 6 in the morning, and go to whenever I declare myself “brain dead” for the day. I also give myself time off some days to hang out with family, to volunteer in the community, to play around with one of my hobbies, or to just do whatever. All work/writing and no free time can burn a write out…been there, done that a few times.

Nancy: What sort of promo do you do? Do you have help? 

Starla: As time has gone on during my life as a published author, I have learned more and more about the importance and hard work of promotion. I use a number of Yahoo group loops to announce book releases, share excerpts, announce blog dates and contests. I am getting more involved all the time with Facebook, Twitter, Authors Den, Goodreads, and various authors’ blogs. And I’ve just begun doing book trailers. While I do a fair amount of promotion for my works, I also like to give back to other established authors and not-yet-published authors. I have given a lot programs at local writers’ groups on different writing craft topics. I judge in the occasional contest and mentor a couple of beginning authors. I am also very excited about having guest authors to my website’s blog to share their thoughts on writing and to promote their work. 

Nancy: Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped  

Starla: I have belonged to RWA (Romance Writers of America) since I started writing romance about fifteen years ago. While I’m not sure being a RWA member has helped me a lot, networking and belonging to some of its chapters has helped. I belong to WARA (Wichita Area Romance Authors), a former RWA chapter, and to KWA (Kansas Writers Association), a multi-genre writers group. I feel that networking, supporting each other, and learning from one another as writers is extremely valuable. Only another writer can really understand what a writer experiences and gets frustrated with. Only another writer understands those “voices in your head,” those moments of being jarred awake in the middle of the night with an epiphany for a problem in a story you are working on. 

Nancy: What’s next for you?  

Starla: I am always working on multiple projects and usually in different sub-genres. Sometimes I struggle with remembering what character is in what story, which is why I have specific character-conflict-plot sheets for each story. Working in different sub-genres helps my mind focus and not run the story lines together. Currently I am doing a follow-up for Their Lady Gloriana to be released, hopefully, this Christmas. For the Love of Rowan will, obviously, focus on finding Rowan’s true HEA, but all of the characters (and more) from “Gloriana” will return. I am also working on new projects for my other two main publishers, a contemporary Western romance and a contemporary time travel.

BOOK BLURB

In medieval times honorable men had to do what was required of them by the kings to whom they were loyal…

Thomas Lancaster, a widow with bad memories of marriage and a young son he barely knew was a hardened knight loyal to his king. In reward for his efforts fighting in the Crusades, King Edward gave him Middlemound Castle to hold for the crown. But the king decreed that he must marry the beautiful young widow of the castle’s previous lord.

Lady Gloriana Stewart had suffered brutally in her first marriage and had no desire to marry again. Yet she had no choice. She had to protect her people and obey her king.

All she wanted was for her new husband to give her a baby.

Having already lost one wife in childbirth, Thomas refused to even consider it.

Sir Rowan Montgomery, Thomas’s first knight, friend, and lover complicated the situation even more. Thomas didn’t want to give up Rowan and Gloriana didn’t want to admit she had feelings for her husband and for Rowan.

Excerpt

Lady Gloriana could barely draw in a breath. Her life with Geoffrey had done this to her. He’d battled down her self-worth, her dreams of having a happy family, and her natural zest for life. She needed to find the strength to face this new marriage to this war-hardened warrior. She had to make him respect her. Most of all, she had to endure relations with him until he got her with child. 

The great hall rang with the sounds of joyous reunions. She heard the deep tone of an unfamiliar voice. It rang with authority, with power, much like Geoffrey’s voice had. Yet something about it drew her instead of repelling her. Something about it called to her woman’s place and she felt warmth spreading there. The reaction surprised her. 

Her focus moved to the raised dais. Two such different—and yet the same—men stood there drinking cups of ale. Neither smiled. Both seemed to study her. 

Gerald guided her to the dais. “Lady Middlemound, my lord.” He nodded toward the two powerfully built men. “Lord Montrose, my lady. And Sir Montgomery, his first knight.” 

“Thomas,” Lord Montrose said and stepped down in front of her. He towered over her by at least a foot. His breadth and brawn made her heart race. Yet she didn’t feel intimidated by him. 

Then the other man stepped down. As she glanced up, he gave her a crooked smile. “And you may call me Rowan.” 

She felt her heart race even more. 

A little bit about the author

I love all kinds of settings, themes, and people. I’m an observer of everything around me, especially the romantic things I see and hear. When I read or watch movies, I want to be deeply drawn into the story line…I want to experience highs and lows, tears and laughter. With each book I write, I try to get stronger at giving my readers those kinds of experiences. To date I’ve been fortunate to have had 19 novels, 19 novellas, and 5 anthologies published with Blushing Books, Black Velvet Seductions, Decadent Publishing, and Red Rose Publishing. 

Nancy: Hmmm…interesting triangle brewing, I see. This might prove to be a very interesting read. How can my readers buy your book?   

Starla: Readers can go to the publisher’s home page at Black Velvet Seductions. 

Check out my book trailer, too.    

You can find more information about Starla Kaye and my book, Their Lady Gloriana by visiting my website.  

Posted in Interviews | 10 Comments »

14. March 2011 by admin.

                                                             

 

Today I’m interviewing Liz Cole. Her book, A Duke’s Desire, is an erotic historical romance and was released on March 4, 2011 by Breathless Press. First of all, welcome! As a debut author, joining the ranks of published authors, I am glad you could take a minute to talk to my readers. I have lots of questions, so let’s start! 

Describe the genre of this particular title, and is it the only genre you write in? A Duke’s Desire is an erotic historical romance. Basically, it is romance with super steamy love scenes.   

When did you start writing toward publication?  My first manuscript (still sitting on the shelf waiting for the perfect time to be brought out and polished) was an accident. One day a story just came to me and I couldn’t get it out of my head.  So, I decided to write it down. When I was halfway through the three hundred some odd pages, I said to myself ‘I love this story. After all the work I have put in, I really want others to read it.’ 

Why have you become a published author?    Hmm. That is a difficult question. I would have to say that I enjoy my work, and I think it comes through in my writing, I sat down and learned about the do’s and don’ts of writing, how to submit my manuscript, and some luck. By luck I don’t mean my work is any less than other published writers, I am referring to the difficulties first time writers face when submitting a manuscript. I liken it to attempting to become a rock star – there are a lot of people who want and try to be, you can be as good or even better than all the rest, but sometimes it simply comes down to being in the right place at the right time.   All in all, those who don’t become discouraged by criticism and rejections from publishers and instead use what was said and apply it to your work, have the best chances of being successful.

28. December 2010 by admin.

 

Alex Granados Reporter for the News & Observer Raleigh, North Carloina

Last week was another ‘first’ for me…I was interviewed by a reporter with our local paper who wanted to talk to me about my fledgling writing career. Hopes and dreams are coming true for me at the ripe old age of 57, and Alex Granados was kind enough to listen and put on paper what it has taken to get me to this point. Here is a short excerpt from the article…

“My plans right now are to get in print,” she said. “And in order to do that I have to come up with the best book.” To that end, she has enlisted the help of her family. Her two adult sons, 25 and 29, have both read her work. Badger says they don’t feel weird about reading her romantic writing. In fact, her son Eric - the one who served in Iraq - helped her with military details for one of her e-books. Even her mother joins in by being what Badger calls her “best editor.” The latest book Badger is working on is the first set in her new hometown. In fact, the book begins at the North Carolina Museum of Art. “A big adage that I believe in is write what you know,” she said. “I’m not in New Hampshire anymore, so I like to incorporate the local area.”

Please remember that I write under TWO names: Nancy Lee Badger and Nancy Lennea

Read the Raleigh News & Observer article in its entirety at http://www.northraleighnews.com/2010/12/26/5884/granados-local-writer-loves-allure.html

Posted in Interviews | 2 Comments »

10. August 2010 by admin.

I’d like to thank Nancy for having me here today. I’m excited to introduce you to the world of the Nimiipuu and my idea of Native American spirits. Spirit of the Mountain which releases this Friday in e-book and print is the first book of a trilogy about siblings who were made spirits by the Creator. Whole I made up the spirit world and their shape shifting and powers, the day to day living of the Nez Perce I tried to keep as factual as the information I could find.


At the time of my story the Nez Perce were nomadic, living off the land and its bounties. They had horses, but had yet to be introduced to cattle. Salmon, eel, and steelhead, were commodities of their region starting in May and early June and ran through the summer. They traveled first to the lower streams and worked their way to the high tributaries. The fish were caught, some eaten fresh others smoked and either stored for later use or used for trade. There was much rejoicing and ceremonies when the harvest was successful.


Kouse and other early roots were gathered during the spring while they were still along the lower streams fishing. They would meet at meadows in the high country once the snow had melted and gather roots. The women used sticks to dig the roots form the ground. They gave thanks to the Creator for growing the food that help sustain them through the winter months.


During the warm months they harvested wild plants, berries, pine nuts, and sunflower seeds. In the meadows they also gathered wild onion, carrots, and other plants. On the Forested mountainsides, they picked hawthorn, serviceberries, chokecherries, blackberries, and huckleberries.


Their diet also consisted of game animals and birds. They preserved what could not be eaten at once and had caches where they stored the preserved food until it was needed. So while they led a different life than the White man was used to, in reality they were not that much different in their methods of staying well fed.


Blurb for Spirit of the Mountain


Wren, the daughter of a Nimiipuu chief, has been fated to save her people ever since her vision quest. When a warrior from the enemy Blackleg tribe asks for her hand in marriage to bring peace between the tribes, her world is torn apart.


Himiin is the spirit of the mountain, custodian to all creatures including the Nimiipuu. As a white wolf he listens to Wren’s secret fears and loses his heart to the mortal maiden. Respecting her people’s beliefs, he cannot prevent her leaving the mountain with the Blackleg warrior.When an evil spirit threatens Wren’s life, Himiin must leave the mountain to save her. But to leave the mountain means he’ll turn to smoke…


Excerpt


Wren’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “My gift is to save The People. The weyekin who came to me in my vision quest said this.” She wrapped her arms around herself as if staving off a cold breeze.


Himiin hated that they argued when they should relish their time together. He moved to her, drawing her against his chest, embracing her. The shape of her body molded to his. Her curves pressed against him. Holding her this way flamed the need he’d tried to suppress.


He placed a hand under her chin, raising her face to his. The sorrow in her eyes tugged at his conscience. To make her leaving any harder was wrong. But having experienced her in his arms, he was grieved to let her go. Even for the sake of their people.


Her eyelids fluttered closed. Her pulse quickened under his fingers. Shrugging off the consequences, he lowered his lips to hers. They were softer than he imagined. Her breath hitched as he touched her intimately. Parting his lips, he touched her with his tongue, wanting to see if she tasted as sweet as she smelled.


Honey.


This is the third day of my six day blog tour that includes a puzzle and a prize. Copy the puzzle piece in this post to a document and collect all the pieces at the blogs I visit. Then when you have them all, send them to me at patyjag@gmail.com and I’ll put your name in the drawing for a copy of Spirit of the Mountain and other goodies.

I’ll draw the name and post it on my blog on Monday, August 16th. If you want to go back and check out all the blogs to join the contest, hop over to my blog and find the places I’ve been. http://www.patyjager.blogspot.com/


If you’d like to read more about me and my books or enter my website contest go to: http://www.patyjager.net/


Nancy, Thanks for having me!Paty

Posted in Interviews | 8 Comments »

23. April 2010 by admin.

SCARLETT JAMESON

Today I’m interviewing debut romance author, Scarlett Jameson. Her book, STELLAR HEAT, is a futuristic erotic romance and was released on April 23^rd!  

BOOK BLURB

Jak of House Midori, has found his heart mate, that one person he can connect with on a soul level. Only problem is, as a twin from the planet Zaphron, Jak must share his mate with his brother. But Qwin wants to wait until they are more established in their careers as Star Flight officers.

Petty Officer, Lily Buchanan has whiplash from trying to figure out Jak’s intentions. At the pub he’s charming and flirtatious, but his aloof attitude on campus leaves her confused–and burning up with sexual energy.

When the three are assigned to repair a satellite in the Helix Galaxy, they are attacked by enemy star fighters. Seriously outgunned and their craft crippled, the three are stranded alone on an uncharted planet. Will Qwin agree to ease the mating fever consuming Lily, or will Jak be forced to initiate the mate-claim and exclude his brother from their union forever?

Thanks for joining us this morning, and good luck with your amazing book. Readers, you can find more information about Scarlett Jameson and her book, ‘STELLAR HEAT’ by visiting her publisher, The Wild Rose Press, or her website www.scarlettjameson.com or blog www.rileyquinnauthor.blogspot.com.Nancy Lee Badger

Posted in Interviews | 8 Comments »