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Judith Sterling

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Judith Sterling

Tag Archives: Author Interview

TRIP THE LIGHT PHANTASMIC ~ Release Day

11 Friday Nov 2022

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

amateur sleuth mystery, Anastasia Abboud, Author Interview, excerpt, gothic cozy, gothic mystery series, gothic paranormal mystery, Judith Sterling, N. N. Light's Book Heaven, new release, new series, The Gothic Gwyn Mysteries, Trip the Light Phantasmic, worldwide release

Today’s the day! Trip the Light Phantasmic is now out and about, and I’m so excited about this new series. I hope you have as much fun reading the book as I had writing it. N. N. Light’s Book Heaven is spotlighting it here. In addition, author Anastasia Abboud interviewed me, not only about this new release but about writing in general. Check out her feature here.

Once again, here’s the blurb:

Gwyneth Camm has just inherited her great-aunt’s house in Salem, Massachusetts, along with an extensive collection of gothic romance novels. As a PhD student who prefers “serious” books, Gwyn has always avoided pulp fiction. Now, in honor of her beloved Aunt Ethel, she gives one of the gothics a try…and promptly falls asleep.

When she wakes, she finds herself inside the story, thrust by forces unknown into the heroine’s role. There’s magic afoot, and the only way back to her own life is to play her part and solve the mystery.

When fiction becomes fact, anything can happen…

I shared an excerpt a couple of days ago, but here’s another peek at the story:

The down comforter’s gentle weight soothed my tired frame. My thoughts drifted, and I hovered on the edge of sleep.

Bang!

I lurched upright. The nightlight’s glow bathed the room in blue. I was alone, and all was still.

Bang!

A door slam? Possibly. The noise came from downstairs, toward the back of the house. The library.

Frowning, I slipped out of bed. I tiptoed down the stairs, avoiding the spots that creaked the most. When I reached the bottom, I peered down the hall. A sliver of light spanned the width of the wooden floor. Its source was the library, whose door was ajar. I distinctly recalled turning off that light and leaving the door fully open before heading upstairs for the night.

My heart beat faster. Doors didn’t close themselves. Neither did lights switch themselves on. There must be an intruder.

With haste and not a little horror, I checked the front door, then the back. Both were still locked. Hmm. Okay.

I crept to the library and paused outside it. The silence within was absolute.

Only one choice led to an answer. Here goes nothing. I held my breath and peeked inside. The room appeared to be empty, apart from Aunt Ethel’s legion of books, her comfy chair, the large antique table she’d used as a desk, and…

A single paperback, lying in the center of the wide-plank floor.

“Where did you come from?” Obviously, from one of the built-in bookcases. But who placed it there?

I entered the room and approached the rogue book. Crouching, I picked it up. Then I stood and examined the cover. A scantily clad, windblown woman fled a dark, looming house. The title read Thornehaven.

A gothic, the genre Aunt Ethel preferred above all others. She had hundreds of them, from different periods, but the majority were published in the 1960s and ʼ70s.

My lips curled into a reminiscent smile. How many times had she sat snug in that chair, devouring one of these novels? Too many to count. I often kept her company, ensconcing myself at her desk to work on jigsaw puzzles.

Words I’d spoken as a teenager echoed in my mind. “But Aunt Ethel, you’re an English lit professor. Why are you reading gothic pulp fiction?”

She gave as good as she got. “You love gothic architecture and solving puzzles. Why aren’t you reading it?”

It was a fair question. I told her I preferred “serious” books and fitting together real-life clues: events which orchestrated key moments in history; the links between different languages, alive and dead; and the ultimate linguistic puzzle of how the human mind stored and computed all language. I joked with her about the tendency of gothic covers to feature a damsel in distress wearing a flowing gown of some sort. I was no doomed heroine, quivering with need for a man to come and rescue me. Not then and definitely not today.

I glanced down at my current attire. But I am running around in the middle of the night, wearing a nightgown. Grinning, I shook my head. She should see me now.

My right arm began to tingle. The sensation crept down to my fingers and up my neck to the right side of my face. Slowly, I turned my head in that direction. If I didn’t know better, I’d think…

“Aunt Ethel?”

I felt half-foolish, half-hopeful that she stood there beside me, vying with the material world for my attention. Had she slammed the door and moved the book?

I cleared my throat. “I don’t know if you’re actually here or I’m imagining things, but what’s the deal with this book?” A new thought hit me. “Don’t tell me you’re still trying to get me to read gothics, even in the afterlife.” Again, I shook my head. “Nah, that would be crazy.”

A delicate, floral scent filled my nostrils. Lavender! She’d always used lavender soap.

“Oh my God. Is it really you?” Hot tears pricked my eyes. “I miss you so much. I…” A lump formed in my throat, but I pushed through the emotion. “All right. Have it your way. If you’re so determined I read this, I’ll do it.”

I sniffled. The lavender scent was gone, as was the tingling sensation. She’d made her point, and I’d made a promise. Done and done. With book in hand, I settled onto the cushioned chair and heaved a weary sigh. “Only for you, Aunt Ethel.”

I inspected the back-cover copy. “Linda Brett had come to Thornehaven to do a job, but the old house harbored secrets…and murder.”

It had potential. More of the plot waited below, but I decided to ignore it and let said “secrets” unfold in their own time. A lion’s yawn escaped me as I flipped the book back over and opened it. According to the copyright page, Thornehaven was published in 1966. The musty smell and yellowed pages confirmed it.

Yawning again, I turned to the first page of the narrative. How much I read, I can’t recall, but no more than a few paragraphs. Fatigue set in fast, crossing my eyes and tempting me toward sleep.

The next thing I knew, I stood on a sloping lawn in front of a Gothic Revival mansion hewn from somber gray stone. The place was massive and imposing, with numerous turrets and classic Gothic tracery, and it perfectly matched the description I’d read moments before. According to the story, the expansive property sat on the Hudson River in upstate New York.

Is this a dream? If so, it was more vivid than any I’d ever experienced. The faint, smoky trace of a bonfire haunted the air. The trees flanking the property displayed the red, orange, and yellow leaves of fall. They flaunted their bright colors in seeming defiance of the leaden sky, rustling in the chill wind which grazed my cheeks and raised goose bumps on my legs.

My legs. Why are they colder than the rest of me? I looked down, and the answer was clear. Apart from two charcoal gray suitcases, one on either side, only pantyhose shielded my limbs, which were thinner than they should be.

Whose legs are those? And what the hell am I wearing? An open coat revealed a blue knit suit whose skirt fell just short of my knees, and I wore matching, low-heeled shoes. I was a walking—well, standing—tribute to the mid-1960s. Wait a minute. That’s what the protagonist wore in the book.

And what did she do next? She picked up her luggage and proceeded to the manor’s entrance. I might as well do the same.

The suitcases were heavy, more substantial than a dream should allow. What does she have in these things? Slabs of granite?

As I lumbered forward, the front door opened to reveal a tall, thin, thirty-something woman in a black dress. Her short, dark hair had petal-shaped layers, giving the overall “do” the semblance of an artichoke. She looked me up and down and attempted a smile, then abandoned the effort. “Miss Brett, I presume? Welcome to Thornehaven.”

Buy the book:

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble | Apple | Kobo | Goodreads | BookBub

Thank you for your interest and support. Have a great weekend! 🙂

An Interview with Debby Grahl, author of MOUNTAIN BLAZE

11 Wednesday Nov 2020

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Author Interview, contemporary romance, cozy mystery, Debby Grahl, His Magic Touch, Judith Sterling, Mountain Blaze, North Carolina, paranormal romance, The Silver Crescent, The Wild Rose Press

I’m excited to welcome another sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press) today. Say hello to award-winning author Debby Grahl! Her latest release is Mountain Blaze, and I’ll give you the scoop on that in a moment. But first, let’s learn more about Debby herself.

Thanks so much for joining me today, Debby! At what age did you write your first story? Around sixteen. I used to entertain my girlfriends with my stories as we walked to school.

A fun way to liven up your walk! Tell me, which genre was the first to hook you? I’ve always loved mysteries. The first manuscript I submitted was a mystery cozy. The editor at the time told me that type of book wasn’t selling. If I wanted to get published, I needed to write romance. This is a genre I also liked, so now all my books have both a mystery and romance.

What was your first published book? A paranormal romance titled The Silver Crescent. The story has romance, a mystery, a treasure hunt, and Victorian ghosts.

Sounds like an exciting read! What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Brainstorming?  Research?  Outlining? Writing?  Editing? I enjoy both outlining and writing. Although, my outline is pretty short. I decide on location, my characters’ personalities, and plot. After that, my imagination takes over. 

What are you working on now? Island Heat, which takes place on Hilton Head Island, is the sequel to Mountain Blaze.

Of all the settings you’ve used (or created!) for your books, which is your favorite and why? This would have to be New Orleans. My husband and I first went to the French Quarter in 1988 and fell in love with the city. Since I love ghosts, witches, and legends, there couldn’t be a better setting than New Orleans. Not to mention the great food, fun atmosphere, and unique people.

I’ve always wanted to go there! Speaking of things otherworldly…if you could have a conversation with anyone—dead or alive—who would it be? Agatha Christie. I’d love to hear how she comes up with her plots.

I’d love to meet her too! If you could travel to any time and place, when and where would that be? I’d have two choices: Regency England, and London during the Twenties.

Both of those would be amazing to experience firsthand! If you could step inside any book or series and live there for a week, which would you choose? Carola Dunn’s Daisy Dalrymple series. These take place in Britain during the Twenties. I’ve always wanted to be a flapper.

That would be so cool! If a fairy godmother appeared and offered you one thing—anything at all—what would you request? A thatch roofed cottage in the English Cotswolds.

Gosh, I’d want one of those too! Now, it’s time to learn some of your favorites!

Sound: laughter

Eye color: deep blue

Foreign language (whether or not you speak it!): Italian

Song: “Mony Mony,” by Tommy James and the Shondells

Book: Love Story

Movie: French Kiss

TV show: Alias Smith and Jones

Cuisine: Italian

Cookie: peanut butter

US location: New Orleans

Foreign location: England

And finally, list your preference from the following choices:

Tea or coffee? coffee

Cake or pie? pie

Halloween or Christmas? Christmas

Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes? Sherlock Holmes

Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters? Jane Austen

A mortal, vampire, ghost, or fae for a lover? mortal

English gent, Scottish highlander, European count, or all-American guy? English gent

I love your answers! Now, let’s learn more about your recent release, Mountain Blaze:

Disillusioned by his wife’s betrayal, rodeo star Dillon McCoy comes home to the mountains of North Carolina to lick his wounds. When he agrees to take over the family ranch, the Lazy M, he’s unaware danger waits.

Diana Thompson is having doubts about her engagement to Trent Sawyer. She agrees to leave Chapel Hill and spend Thanksgiving with her friend Jenn at the Lazy M. When Diana and Dillon meet, neither can deny their attraction, but both must resolve past relationships while fighting their growing desire.

After Dillon turns down an anonymous offer to purchase the ranch, attempts are made on his life. When a body is found, Dillon sets out to discover who wants the McCoy land enough to commit murder.

A peek between the pages:

Dillon smiled and Diana thought it the sexiest smile she’d ever seen. There was a slight cleft in his chin, and fine lines formed at the corners of his eyes. Diana inwardly groaned. The butterflies were back.

“I’d hold onto you. I wouldn’t let you fall,” he softly said.

With his slow southern accent, the words sounded like warm honey rolling off his tongue. The depth of his eyes and the sound of his voice mesmerized her.

The horses stood side by side. Her and Dillon’s legs touched. He leaned toward her, and the light aroma of wood smoke, hay, and his spicy cologne filled her nostrils. Diana knew what he was about to do but had no willpower to stop him. He cupped her cheek and their lips met.

Gentle at first, his lips glided over hers. He increased the pressure until she opened her mouth and his tongue slipped in. Diana moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck. His arms around her waist, he deepened the kiss. Before she realized what he was doing, without breaking their kiss Dillon lifted her from Flora and placed her across his lap.

Cradled in his arms, Diana clung to him, delicious sensations filling her. Her body came alive in a way that surprised her. The only thing that mattered was this man and this moment.

Flame moved, bringing her back to reality. Diana’s eyes fluttered open, and she stared into Dillon’s, deep with passion and need.

Buy the book on Amazon!

More about Debby:

Award winning author, Debby Grahl, lives on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with her husband, David. Besides writing, she enjoys biking, walking on the beach and a glass of wine at sunset. Her favorite places to visit are New Orleans, New York City, Captiva Island in Florida, the Cotswolds of England, and her home state of Michigan. She is a history buff who also enjoys reading murder mysteries, time travel, and, of course, romance. Visually impaired since childhood by Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), she uses screen-reading software to research and write her books. His Magic Touch, a paranormal romance, was released by The Wild Rose Press December 5, 2018. Her latest book, Mountain Blaze, was released November 2.

Where to find her:

Website | Facebook | BookBub | Twitter | Goodreads

It’s been a pleasure having you here, Debby! Wishing you all the best with Mountain Blaze.

An Interview with Sydney Winward, author of BLOODBOND

29 Wednesday Jul 2020

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

Author Interview, Bloodbond, Bloodborn, fantasy romance, Judith Sterling, Sydney Winward, The Bloodborn Series, The Wild Rose Press, vampire fiction

I’m thrilled to welcome back Sydney Winward, a sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press) whose upcoming release, Bloodbond, is sure to send shivers of delight down your spine.  I’m going to pepper her with questions, so we’d best get started!

Good morning, Sydney!  At what age did you write your first story?

I was twelve years old when I had a really epic dream. I decided I wanted to write it down, but one page turned into two, two into three, and soon it was a fully fledged novel, all written by hand. The pencil made a permanent dent in my finger! But that’s when I realized how much I loved to write and that I wanted to continue doing it. Prophecy of the Eight was NOT good haha! But it opened my eyes to a passion I didn’t know I had.

I understand that passion completely!  I know you’re an avid reader.  Which genre was the first to hook you?

Definitely fantasy. I loved reading about dragons, princesses, and magic. I soon discovered paranormal, and later historical fiction. But fantasy will always have my heart.

It’s a great genre!  What was your first published book?

Bloodborn, a paranormal romance. I knew everyone was sick of the whole vampire scene. The whole genre was bled dry. But what if I could write something different? A bit of my own vampire mythology with magic weaved in, mixed with classic vampire lore? Don’t worry! There are no sparkly vampires in my story. More like if they step into the sunlight, they will die a very horrible, very painful death.

What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Brainstorming?  Research?  Outlining?  Writing?  Editing?

I love them all (and hate them all) for different reasons, but my favorite part of the writing process has to be brainstorming. I love coming up with new characters. I love trying to figure out how the hero and heroine fit together, and what their past looks like. This part is the most exciting, which helps fuel me as I begin to write the story.

I love brainstorming too!  Tell me, what are you working on now?

I recently started a new series. Historical fiction with a small bit of fantasy weaved in. The first book, A Waltz with Lord Death, is a story about the Grim Reaper and the sudden mess he finds himself in when Lord Life dies. Without his other half, so to speak, to balance his power, the balance of the world shifts and everything and everyone starts to die. But when he meets Meira, a potential candidate for the new Lady Life, he has to convince her to take the job before it’s too late. However, he never expected to fall in love.

I’m currently writing the second in the series, Lord Time’s Keeper. Lord Time is being hunted by someone who actually has the power to kill him and take away his immortality. But when he loses his pocket watch, the one thing keeping his powers balanced, crap hits the fan. He takes refuge on a ship bound for America, where he meets a widow and her son. He has to choose between following his heart and forsaking the ones he loves to keep them safe from the man hunting him.

Sounds like a wonderful series!  Of all the settings you’ve used (or created!) for your books, which is your favorite? Why?

My favorite setting is definitely the vampire city of Ichor Knell. Dark clouds swirl around an even darker castle, keeping vampires safe from sunlight exposure. The castle is a city within a city, which is filled with jewel trees. Instead of leaves, they’re covered in emeralds, sapphires, and more.

How cool!  I’ve always preferred clouds to sunshine–the darker, the better–a fact which made growing up in Florida problematic.  Your vampire city sounds like a paradise, with lots of interesting characters.  Have you ever dreamed about a character you created?

Oh, I wish! Wouldn’t that be awesome?

It certainly would!  If you could have a conversation with anyone—dead or alive—who would it be?

I’m going to go into a fictional world for this one. I absolutely love Merlin from the Merlin TV show. He’s such an interesting character, and it would be so fun to get to know him better. Maybe he could even show me a spell or two. If we’re not caught and hanged by Uther Pendragon, that is.

Great choice!  If you could travel to any time and place, when and where would that be?

Late 1800s America. There’s just something about a hard-working farmer/rancher that is so sexy! The land of opportunity. It would be interesting to see how people lived life back then.

Yes!  If you could step inside any book or series and live there for a week, which would you choose?

Oh, that’s a hard one. I would have to go with A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. I love the world it takes place in and the magic. Throw in a bit of Rhysand and I wouldn’t want to leave after the week was over.

If a fairy godmother appeared and offered you one thing—anything at all—what would you request?

To live in a fantasy world filled with magic. Was I the only one who grew up desperately wishing magic was real?

I’ve always believed in magic, so you’re not alone.  Now, it’s time to learn some of your favorites!

Sound: Thunder

Eye color: dark brown (yum! ;))

Foreign language (whether or not you speak it!): Italian

Song: I can never choose just one. I have a lot of favorites. Here’s one I really like that’s a cover of Eagle-Eye Cherry: “Save Tonight” by Tom Speight and Lydia Clowes

Book: The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

Movie: Stardust or Megamind or Mission Impossible: Fallout

TV show: Merlin

Cuisine: Mexican

Cookie: M&M

US location: Ketchikan, Alaska

Foreign location: Never been out of the states! But I would love to visit Ireland, Switzerland, and Austria.

And finally, list your preference from the following choices:

Tea or coffee? Hot chocolate 😉

Cake or pie? Cake

Halloween or Christmas? Halloween

Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes? Sherlock Holmes

Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters? Jane Austen

A mortal, vampire, ghost, or fae for a lover? Sooo hard to choose! Probably fae.

English gent, Scottish highlander, European count, or all-American guy? English gent

Thanks so much for joining me, Sydney.  I wish you great success with Bloodbond.  Speaking of which, here’s the scoop on the story:

Zachariah Degore spent ten years locked under ground as a feral vampire. Now he has to redefine what it means to be healthy and whole. With his human life behind him, he starts anew in the vampire city of Ichor Knell with the vampire shah as his kin. He must prove he is worthy of his place in this new world.

Laurel Covaci is vampire elite, she would never court a feral vampire. After two hundred years she has yet to find a mate who meets with her satisfaction. She hides the pain of past hurt and abandonment behind a cold façade. Zach is confident that Laurel is the vampire for him, but can he break through her icy walls and convince her he’s the mate she’s been waiting for?

A peek between the pages:

She stared at him. And stared. Until it became uncomfortable. 

So he stood and started to pack up his things, but she glared at him and pointed to his seat. 

“Sit.” He did. Who could disobey a tone like that? “You can’t kill?” she asked incredulously. “You only recently came out of being feral, correct?” He nodded. “And you can’t kill? Human blood doesn’t send you into a rage. You refused to drink from the goblet at the service.” 

“Have you been spying on me?” 

She ignored his comment, and her mouth puckered slightly as if in deep concentration. He couldn’t help but stare. He’d never seen her do it before. Another endearing quality he added to the lengthy list of what made Laurel Covaci absolutely perfect. 

“I have searched high and low, but I simply cannot find any answers to this particular conundrum,” she finally said. Heat rose to his ears. She’d been thinking about him? 

He grinned. “Well, well, Lady Covaci. I didn’t realize I was filling up your thoughts.” 

She blushed prettily, and he almost expected her to get up from the table and leave, regretting she even sat down in the first place. But she stayed put. In fact, she stared right back as if challenging him. He enjoyed the eye contact. Her eyes were so blue. So beautiful. They took him back to green fields of his childhood, of staring back at the blue sky as clouds lazily drifted past. 

Watch the book trailer!

 

Buy Bloodbond:

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble

A little more about Sydney:

Sydney Winward was born with an artistic brain and a love of discovery for new talents. From drawing to sewing to music, she has loved to explore every opportunity that comes her way. At a young age, Sydney discovered her love of writing, and she hasn’t been able to stop writing since. Her active imagination and artistic mind take her away to different worlds and time periods, making every new story a fantastic adventure. When she is not writing (or fawning over animals in the neighborhood) she spends time with her husband and children at home in Utah.

Where to find her:

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon Author Page ~ Instagram

99-cent Sale on My Books, a Feature with N. N. Light, and an Uncaged Interview

08 Saturday Feb 2020

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Author Interview, books on sale, Flight of the Raven, Judith Sterling, Love and Romance Book Festival, N. N. Light's Book Heaven, Night of the Owl, Shadow of the Swan, Soul of the Wolf, The Novels of Ravenwood, Uncaged Book Reviews

The Love and Romance Book Festival continues at N. N. Light’s Book Heaven, and today they’re featuring Soul of the Wolf, the second book in my medieval romance series, The Novels of Ravenwood.  Check it out here!  While you’re there, don’t forget to enter to win Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift cards.

Speaking of The Novels of Ravenwood, all four are now on sale for 99 cents at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books.  If you’ve ever wanted to read them, now would be a great time!  For buy links, go to My Books.

In other news, I’m featured in the February issue of Uncaged Book Reviews.  Check it out here!

That’s all for now.  Hope you’re enjoying the weekend!  🙂

An Interview with Jennifer Wilck, author of WAITING FOR A MIRACLE

19 Thursday Dec 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

Author Interview, Hanukkah, holiday read, Jennifer Wilck, Judith Sterling, The Wild Rose Press, Waiting for a Miracle

I’m thrilled to have a sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press) here today to talk about her life as an author and her new release, Waiting for a Miracle.  Please welcome Jennifer Wilck!

At what age did you write your first story?

Oh my gosh, I’ve been writing since I was a little girl. But my first book was published by Whiskey Creek Press when I was thirty-six years old.

Which genre was the first to hook you?

I’ve always loved writing romance. I grew up reading Danielle Steele, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Judith McNaught, etc., so when I decided to start writing, that’s the genre I turned to.

What was your first published book?

A Heart of Little Faith, published by Whiskey Creek Press. They went out of business, and I eventually self-published it. It’s available now as an e-book only on Amazon.

What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Brainstorming?  Research?  Outlining?  Writing?  Editing?

I love when a character starts talking to me and I’m compelled to write it down.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on several projects. I was approached by a group of authors to join them in a self-publishing venture—we all write our own books but they revolve around a similar theme and legend. Mine comes out in the fall, so I’m busy writing right now. I’m also in the middle of editing a series of books that I need to figure out what to do with.

Of all the settings you’ve used (or created!) for your books, which is your favorite? Why?

I write a lot of Jewish characters, so many of my books are set in New York City or the surrounding area. It’s what I know best, so it comes easily to me.

Have you ever dreamed about a character you created?

All the time! I still dream about Gideon from A Heart of Little Faith.

Awesome! If you could have a conversation with anyone—dead or alive—who would it be?

I’ve always been intrigued by Thomas Jefferson. I’d love to talk to him about his inventions. And I’d love to talk to my grandmother—I have some serious questions for her!

My husband and I used to work for Colonial Williamsburg, so I agree with you about Thomas Jefferson. He’d be a fun guy to talk to. If you could travel to any time and place, when and where would that be?

So many places and time periods! I’d love to go to Scotland in the middle ages, the US during the Revolutionary times, Jerusalem during Biblical times…

Cool choices! If you could step inside any book or series and live there for a week, which would you choose?

Lynn Kurland has two series that intertwine—the dePiaget Family and the MacLeod Family. They are time-travel romances and I’d love to explore them for at least a week if not longer.

If a fairy godmother appeared and offered you one thing—anything at all—what would you request?

Happiness for my family.

I want that for mine, too. Now, it’s time to learn some of your favorites!

Sound: My girls’ laughter

Eye color: green

Foreign language (whether or not you speak it!): French

Song: “1000 Years”

Book: Jane Eyre

Movie: Dirty Dancing

TV show: MI-5

Cuisine: Anything I don’t have to cook

LOL. I love it! Cookie: chocolate chip–mine

US location: Block Island, RI

Foreign location: Paris

And finally, list your preference from the following choices:

Tea or coffee? Coffee in the morning, tea at night

Cake or pie? My mom’s apple pie

Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes? Sherlock Holmes

Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters? Brontë sisters

A mortal, vampire, ghost, or fae for a lover? Depends on who he is.

English gent, Scottish highlander, European count, or all-American guy? Scottish Highlander

Thanks so much for joining me today, Jennifer.  Waiting for a Miracle sounds like a wonderful read, and I love the cover!  Wishing you all the best with it!

For all you avid readers, here’s the scoop on the story:

Benjamin Cohen, widowed father of six-year-old Jessie, is doing his best to hold it together through order and routine. The last thing he needs is his matchmaker mother to set him up with her next door neighbor, no matter how attractive she is.

Rachel Schaecter’s dream of becoming a foster mother is right within her grasp, until her meddlesome neighbor tries to set her up with her handsome son. What’s worse? He’s the father of her favorite kindergarten student! She can’t afford to let anything come between her and her dream, no matter how gorgeous he may be.

Can these two determined people trust in the miracle of Hanukkah to let love and light into their lives?

A peek between the pages:

Six-year-old bodies were good at many things— bouncing, hugging, and racing. Rachel was thankful they were also good at hiding her surprise. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine her favorite student, and her student’s father, would be at her neighbor’s house the same night she was invited to celebrate Hanukkah.

She met the hard gaze of Jessie’s father across the room. Eyes narrowed as if he suspected her reasons for being here. His broad shoulders were stiff. His jean-clad muscular legs were spread apart in a solid stance. Square hands fisted at his sides, and one of them held a menorah. Did he plan to throw it or club someone with it?

Giving Jessie a last pat, she rose. With an arm around Jessie, she extended her other hand to her father. “Happy Hanukkah.”

“Ms. Schaecter.”

“Mr. Cohen.”

“Oh, please,” Harriet said, “Such formality between you two. Rachel, this is my son Benny. I mean Benjamin.”

Benny. Rachel filed the information away for later, along with his flushed skin at the nickname. Interesting.

“And Benjamin, this is my neighbor, Rachel. We’re not at a school event. You can call each other by your first names.” Harriet pointed at Jessie, who gripped Rachel’s hand so hard, Rachel’s fingers lost their circulation. “Except for you,” Harriet added. “You have to call her Ms. Schaecter.”

Jessie giggled. “Yes, Grandma.”

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

More about Jennifer:

Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.

In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.

She writes contemporary romance, some of which are mainstream and some of which involve Jewish characters. She’s published with The Wild Rose Press and all her books are available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Where to find her:

Website: http://www.jenniferwilck.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Wilck-201342863240160/

Newsletter: https://www.jenniferwilck.com/contact.html#newsletter

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JWilck

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjenniferwilck/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-wilck

An Interview with Linda Nightingale, author of SINNERS’ OPERA

17 Thursday Oct 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

Author Interview, award winning author, Judith Sterling, Linda Nightingale, new release, Night of the Owl, Sinners' Opera, The Wild Rose Press, vampire fiction, vampire romance

I’m thrilled to have another sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press) here today.  Please welcome Linda Nightingale!  Her latest book, Sinners’ Opera, was released on October 7.  Let’s get to know her…

At what age did you write your first story?

I always told my friends stories from the age of about 8 and thought of scenarios that we could play, like raking leaves to form a house, then being princesses or housewives. Big jump, right? Not for us. The first story I remember writing was in 9th grade in place of a book report. It was sci-fi about an alien discovered on Earth and his flight from his captors.  He had silver-pink hair. (Hey, he’d be right in style today.)

Which genre was the first to hook you?

Romance and sci-fi.

What was your first published book?

My first book was Gemini Rising, which deals with a very sensitive, taboo for the most part subject. I wrote it because the characters woke me up one Sunday after a night on Miami Beach, and I wrote the first pages in purple on a legal pad. (Oh, no, purple prose!) A Canadian publisher picked it up, and it did fairly well considering the subject.

Sounds intriguing.  What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Brainstorming?  Research?  Outlining?  Writing?  Editing?

Easy. Writing. I’m not keen on research or editing but I love the white hot stream of creativity that flows from your fingers when the words are coming faster than you can type.

What are you working on now?

A companion story to Sinners’ Opera. In The Piano Man, Morgan is playing in a smoky piano bar, and in walks a love from his WWII days as a dashing RAF pilot flying night raids over Germany.  Of course, our vampire hero hasn’t changed a bit.  It goes back to the WWII story, then finishes in early 2005.

Cool!  Of all the settings you’ve used (or created!) for your books, which is your favorite?

Charleston, SC.  Charleston is my favorite city in the US. It was founded during the reign of Charles II and also ties to Morgan. A trip down the beautiful Battery takes you back to the Civil War with the cannons at White Point Gardens, and the gorgeous Antebellum mansions.

My great-grandmother lived in Charleston, so I went there as a little girl.  A beautiful place!  If you could have a conversation with anyone—dead or alive—who would it be?

Charles II of England. He was banished when his father was executed by Oliver Cromwell, but in 1660, he was restored to the throne by invitation. His court was known for being rowdy and a bit lascivious.

If you could step inside any book or series and live there for a week, which would you choose?

Probably either Game of Thrones or Outlander.

If a fairy godmother appeared and offered you one thing—anything at all—what would you request?

Enough money to live very comfortably for the rest of my life and have more left to will to my sons.

That’s a wish I share!  Now, it’s time to learn some of your favorites…

Sound:  The purr of Jaguar E-type exhausts.

Eye color: Blue

Foreign language (whether or not you speak it!):  French

Song:  “Phantom of the Opera”

Book:  Fever Dream by George R.R. Martin

Movie: The Libertine with Johnny Depp

TV show:  Game of Thrones

Cuisine:  Indian

Cookie:  Macadamia

US location: Charleston, SC

Foreign location:  Yorkshire, UK, where my son lives.

I love that area of England and long to go back one day.  Most of my upcoming release, Night of the Owl, takes place there!  Okay…last but not least, list your preference from the following choices:

Tea or coffee?  Coffee

Cake or pie?  Cake

Halloween or Christmas?  Hard choice.

I know; I love them both.  Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes?  Neither.

Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters? Jane Austen

A mortal, vampire, ghost, or fae for a lover?  mortal

English gent, Scottish highlander, European count, or all-American guy? English lord

Thanks so much for joining me today, Linda.  Best of luck with Sinners’ Opera!  Now, here’s the scoop on the book:

Morgan D’Arcy is an English lord, a classical pianist, and a vampire. He has everything except what he desires most—Isabeau. As the Angel Gabriel he’s steered her life and career choice, preparing her to become Lady D’Arcy. Many forces oppose Morgan’s daring plan—not the least of which is Vampyre law.

Isabeau Gervase is a brilliant geneticist Though she no longer believes in angels, she sees a ticket to a Nobel Prize in Gabriel’s secrets—secrets that have led her to a startling conclusion. Gabriel isn’t human, and she fully intends to identify the species she named the Angel Genome. Morgan is ready to come back into Isabeau’s life, but this time as a man not an angel. Will he outsmart his enemies, protect his beloved and escape death himself? For the first time in eternity, the clock is ticking.

A peek between the pages:

“Run, Mary,” I panted, shoving her.  “For God’s sake, run.”

Her hands branded my shoulders.  Need coursed through me.

Her brow puckered.  “How did you know my name?”

“You look like a Mary,” I gasped, trying to crawl away.  “Bloody hell, run, woman.”

Saliva broke beneath my tongue.  My heart thundered like a cavalry charge.  Fever stung my veins.  Instinct twisted me around to face my salvation and my damnation.  My lips parted to reveal the one unmistakable characteristic of my kind.

“Fangs.” She recoiled, clutching her cross. “Lord Jesus, save me from this demon.”

I knelt in front of my savior, bowed my head over her heaving breasts to touch the cross to my lips.  “Too late to run, too late to hide, and Mary dearest, your cross won’t save you.”

I held her gaze, a slow smile parting my lips.  Her eyes clouded, jaw slackening.  Too weak to command my more esoteric powers, I could still mesmerize my prey.  It was just too bloody easy.  Vampires are the perfect predators.  But I had a choice.  Didn’t I?

“What’s your name?”  She inhaled a long, slow breath, toying with my hair. “You’re as beautiful as an angel.”

Another wave of misery broke over me.  She wasn’t the only one who thought I looked like an angel.

Once, the woman I love—the woman who didn’t love me—believed I was an angel.

“My name is Morgan.”  I couldn’t bring myself to say my second name, an angel’s name.

Mary ran her finger down my cheek.  “Pretty name, Morgan.”

So simply, the seductive dance that would end in death began.

Buy the book:

Apple Books

Amazon CA

Amazon UK

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

More about Linda:

After 14 years in Texas, Linda just returned home to her roots in South Carolina. She has seven published novels, five of which are available from Audible.com in audio. Breeding and showing Andalusians, she’s seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a truck pulling a horse trailer. She has won several writing awards, including the Georgia Romance Writers’ Magnolia Award and the SARA Merritt.  She retired from a career as a legal assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center to write full time.

She has 2 wonderful sons—one in Texas; one in England—and 4 equally marvelous grandchildren.

She enjoys dressing up and hosting formal dinner parties!

Where to find her:

Twitter

Facebook

Web Site – Visit and look around. There’s a free continuing vampire story.

Blog – Lots of interesting guests & prizes.

Goodreads

Pinterest

Amazon

BookBub

Vampire Morgan D’Arcy has everything except what he most desires…a woman he has loved since the day she was born…Isabeau.

https://youtu.be/hSsuAW7-UPE

An Interview with S. K. Andrews, Author of BAY OF DARKNESS

03 Thursday Oct 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Author Interview, Bay of Darkness, Ireland, Judith Sterling, new release, Northern California, paranormal fiction, S. K. Andrews, The Kelly Society series, The Wild Rose Press

I’m excited to have a sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press) here today.  Please welcome S. K. Andrews, whose paranormal book, Bay of Darkness, was released yesterday!  Let’s see what she has to say…

At what age did you write your first story?

Around eight or nine.  In elementary school, we had to write a story.  So, I wrote about a mouse who ate ice cream, and ate so much he got bigger.  I put my thumb on a black ink pad to make the mouse (early illustrations) and as I kept writing the story, my thumb got lazier.  Hence, the bit about the mouse getting fat by the end!

I love it!  Which genre was the first to hook you?

Fantasy.  My sisters and I would read Grimm’s Fairy Tales, which got us scared and fascinated at the same time.

What was your first published book?

The Pursuit of Acting; Working Actors Share Their Experience and Advice, published by Praeger, and of course, it’s a non-fiction read designed to help student actors.

What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Brainstorming?  Research?  Outlining?  Writing?  Editing?

My favorite part of writing is the writing itself, especially after I’ve seen the scene in my head like a movie.  I also enjoy researching origins of items, or places that I incorporate into my paranormal stories.  It’s exciting to discover historical facts and/or mythological beings.

Yes, history and mythology are fascinating!  What are you working on now?

A novella that comes right after Bay of Darkness called, A Kelly Society Christmas.  It is another supernatural dilemma that Vivien Kelly and her paranormal investigative team find themselves in, but it is done with humor.  Vivien only has three days to do all her Christmas shopping, because she was busy saving the modern world from eternal darkness.  So, even though she must help a friend from being dragged to hell, she still needs to get her holiday shopping done, or she won’t have any presents under the tree on Christmas morning.  That would truly be a tragedy!

It sure would!  Of all the settings you’ve used (or created!) for your books, which is your favorite and why?

It’s tied between two—Half Moon Bay, California, USA & Clonakilty, Ireland.  Both of these locations are beach cities and have their own unique creative magic.

I use Irish settings in my young adult series, so Ireland’s magic resonates with me, too.  Have you ever dreamed about a character you created?

No, but after I wrote in Neal Harrington (Vivien Kelly’s soulmate in Bay of Darkness) I saw a man in line at Starbucks two days later that looked (and dressed) just like my character!  It was kind of freaky!

That’s awesome, and perhaps meant to be!  If you could have a conversation with anyone—dead or alive—who would it be?

Princess Diana.

If you could travel to any time and place, when and where would that be?

Well, I’m going to stay in 2019 because I love air-conditioning, but I would like to spend time in Paris, just discovering the city.  Preferably in April—April in Paris!

If you could step inside any book or series and live there for a week, which would you choose?

I would live for one week in a book called Wrapped Up In You.  It’s a romantic story in which the daughter of Santa Claus falls in love at the North Pole right before Christmas.  I’d play in the snow, become a guest at her wedding, and eat cookies in Santa’s Workshop!

If a fairy godmother appeared and offered you one thing—anything at all—what would you request?

My own brownstone on the Upper West Side in New York City.

It’s time to learn some of your favorites!

Sound: Waves rolling onto shore

Eye color: Brown

Foreign language (whether or not you speak it!): Italian

Song: “Once Upon a December” from Anastasia, the animated musical

Book: Zen in The Martial Arts by Joe Hyams

Movie: Scrooge, the musical

TV show: Grimm

Cuisine: Vegetarian Quesadilla, salty tortilla chips with salsa, and a Cadillac margarita

Cookie: Chocolate Chip

US location: Santa Barbara, California

Foreign location: Clonakilty, Ireland

And finally, list your preference from the following choices:

Tea or coffee? Coffee

Cake or pie? Cake

Halloween or Christmas? Halloween

Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes? Sherlock Holmes

Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters? Jane Austen

A mortal, vampire, ghost, or fae for a lover? Mortal

English gent, Scottish highlander, European count, or all-American guy? All-American Guy

Thanks so much for joining me today.  Best of luck with the book!  Now, here’s the scoop on Bay of Darkness:

After witnessing her fiancé’s murder and almost dying herself, Vivien Kelly’s mission is to destroy Dagda—a Celtic God turned demon. As a supernatural dark cloud looms over the Sahara, she finds herself drawn to the Northern California town of Half Moon Bay and a new life as a paranormal cleanser. There Vivien finds Dagda’s creatures tormenting the locals. Her own paranormal cleansing team—The Kelly Society— is born, and the race is on when people around her begin to die.

While banishing a banshee, Vivien meets Neal Harrington—a soul partner who can promise true happiness. But when Dagda’s black vapor creates a New World of darkness, her time is up. Can Vivien abandon everyone she loves and succumb to her past life’s barbaric force to defeat the demon? Her actions not only determine her future—but the future of the modern world.

A peek between the pages:

Announcing her presence, Vivien slapped open palms against the bedroom door. Shrieking stopped as the banshee tried to stab into her intuitive power, not even making a dent.

Julie, I’m here to help. Don’t be afraid. After sending her telepathic message, she felt a definite shift. The young girl now had hope.

Sensing another female entity in the bedroom, Vivien tuned in sharper. A spirit connected to the house stood in front of Julie, also protecting her.

“That horrible noise stopped.” Neal eyed the door urgently. “Is that good or bad? I mean, is Julie safe?”

“Yes, she’s safe. I put a protective light around her.”

Heaving a sigh of exhaustion, he rubbed his temple. “Oh, right—the light thing. This is all so weird.” Neal’s head popped up. “No offense.”

“None taken.” She grinned like a debutant about to dance with the coolest boy in school.

“What now?”

Buy the book:

Amazon

More about S. K. Andrews:

Starra Andrews grew up in Laguna Beach, California, body surfing in the Pacific Ocean, writing fantasy stories, and acting on stage.  Having been influenced by the powerful scripts of Rod Serling and Richard Matheson from The Twilight Zone, she gravitated toward paranormal stories laden with hope.  Writing supernatural tales became her passionate hobby, in between life in the theatre.  She loves to sip hazelnut coffee, while reading a riveting ghost story, or while typing up an exciting new chapter of her own.  After attaining a B.A. degree in Theatre from University of California, Irvine, and attending LACC Acting Academy, an idea sparked for interviewing actors to help student actors.  Her non-fiction book The Pursuit of Acting; Working Actors Share Their Experience and Advice was published by Praeger Publishers/ABC CLIO.  In fiction, her heroine, psychic & paranormal cleanser Vivien Kelly and her team are in a race to rid the modern world of deadly Celtic creatures in her book trilogy The Kelly Society.  Bay of Darkness, the first book of the series is currently released through the Wild Rose Press.  Starra lives in upstate NY with her two cats, Audrey Hepburn and Vivien Leigh.

Where to find her:

https://www.skandrews.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/authorskandrews/

https://twitter.com/magicstarra

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6dzir_I6LhEIWOYCJQFCw

https://www.instagram.com/starraandrews/

A Deadline, an Interview, and an Author Showcase

17 Wednesday Jul 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

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Author Interview, deadline, excerpt, Flight of the Raven, Guardians of Erin, historical romance, medieval romance, paranormal fantasy, RONE Award, The Novels of Ravenwood, The Stone Awakened, The Sword Unsheathed, YA paranormal, young adult series

Good morning, and happy Wednesday!  I’ll be writing up a storm today to meet my fast-approaching deadline for The Sword Unsheathed, the third book in my Guardians of Erin young adult paranormal series.

I’m also visiting two other blogs today.  Author Jean M. Grant is interviewing me and sharing an excerpt from the RONE Award-nominated The Stone Awakened (Guardians of Erin, Book 2).  Check it out here!


Also, Kameron Brook is showcasing my medieval romance Flight of the Raven, the first of The Novels of Ravenwood.  The excerpt she’s sharing is “the moment of truth” for Lady Emma of Ravenwood Keep, whose wedding night is about to take an unconventional turn.  Read it here!


That’s all the news for now.  Have a beautiful day!  🙂

 

An Interview and Spotlight, a Paranormal Investigation, and Congrats to My Giveaway Winners

11 Thursday Jul 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Author Interview, excerpt, giveaway winners, Guardians of Erin, Judith Sterling, Linda Nightingale, literary giveaway, paranormal fantasy, paranormal investigation, Sun and Sand Giveaway, The Stone Awakened, YA series


Congrats again to the winners of my SUN AND SAND GIVEAWAY, whom I recently announced on Facebook.  I chose two winners for this giveaway:  Diane Sabatini and Linda Buzzard-Moffitt.

In other news, I’m on author Linda Nightingale’s blog today.  She’s spotlighting The Stone Awakened, the second book in my Guardians of Erin young adult paranormal series.  If you have a moment, stop by here to read the interview and excerpt.

And speaking of the paranormal…I’ll be investigating Ventfort Hall, a Gilded Age mansion in Lenox, Massachusetts tomorrow night.  I can’t wait!

Happy Thursday, and since tomorrow’s Friday, have a lovely weekend!  🙂

An Interview with Micki Miller, Author of A SCANDALOUS REQUEST

24 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

A Scandalous Request, Author Interview, Judith Sterling, Micki Miller, Regency Era, regency romance, romance series, The Wild Rose Press

I’m excited to have a fellow “rose” (published by The Wild Rose Press) here today!  Please welcome Micki Miller, author of A Scandalous Request.

At what age did you write your first story? Does it count if it was before I learned how to write? I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t conjuring stories in my head. When I was too young to write, they usually began with “what if.” Actually, my stories still often get their start that way. One time in school the teacher told us to write a paper, the life story of a fictional person. I was so excited! My fictional character was a detective. I had him surviving all kinds of dangerous situations while solving crimes. My paper received a C. The teacher said I’d written a fictional story, not the life story of my fictional person. Fortunately, she liked the paper enough so I didn’t fail the assignment.

Which genre was the first to hook you? After I graduated from children’s books, the first story I truly loved was Paper Moon by Joe David Brown. It was the first “big” book I ever read. It was in my hands at every chance. For a reason I’ll never understand, and was too wise to question, all the reading annoyed my father. By the time I finished the book, he’d given me such grief, I was finished reading, for years. At eighteen I moved out of my parents’ house. Reading was still a bittersweet memory until a good friend, Mike Campbell, told me about a book he’d read. He told me he’d ditched two days of school to finish it. I couldn’t stop thinking about that book. It kept at me until I finally bought it: The Stand by Stephen King. My love of reading was mine again. I was grown and on my own, and I will never go without books again.

What was your first published book? The Marshal’s Pursuit. A scene kept playing in my head, so I finally surrendered to it and wrote the book. When I got to the love scenes, as usual, I held back, too embarrassed to let go. Then I thought, Well, everything I write gets rejected, so, have some fun and go for it. About ten minutes after I signed the contract, it struck me: Oh, my friends are going to read this!

I know what you mean; there are quite a few love scenes in my medieval romances, and even my parents have read them! What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Brainstorming? Research? Outlining? Writing? Editing? My favorite part is polishing. In the early stages of a manuscript I spend so much time berating myself, my work, my skills, that when it’s finally all together and I’m proud of my work, I love putting on the finishing touches. It feels SO good.

I love that too! What are you working on now? The second and third books of my Request series. The series is set in London, early nineteenth century. I also have plans for the next two books after the series. One, family drama? I’m not yet sure how to categorize it. The other is a romantic comedy. Also, I have two other stories lurking in the back of my head. Both of those are quite dark.

I love the Regency Era, and London makes a great setting for your Request series! Of all the settings you’ve used (or created!) for your books, which is your favorite? Why? Las Vegas. It’s my hometown. It’s a city with endless stories, both real and in my mind’s fiction. I used it for the setting in The Darkest Sum. On the news one night, I saw a story about tunnels that run underneath the city. It put a story in my mind, but before I even wrote the first word I realized the story needed a creature. And it had to be a monster with real purpose and reason. The romantic comedy I’m working on is also set in Las Vegas.

Have you ever dreamed about a character you created? All the time. The ones that cost me sleep, though, are the ones who glide through my dreams so fast I can’t quite catch hold of them. 

If you could have a conversation with anyone—dead or alive—who would it be? The list is long and difficult to narrow down. I have a problem with decisiveness, so how about one dead, one living? They would be George Carlin and Judge Judy.

Interesting choices! If you could travel to any time and place, when and where would that be? I’ve started making notes on a story where the character lives ten years, from age 20 to 30, over the course of several decades. That’s what I’d like to do. Then I could go everywhere.

If you could step inside any book or series and live there for a week, which would you choose? I’d love to hang out with Spenser, from the Robert B. Parker series. Or maybe Milo, from Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware series. Ooh, or one of about a million historical romance novels. There goes my indecisiveness again. Sorry.

LOL. No problem! I understand. If a fairy godmother appeared and offered you one thing—anything at all—what would you request? I wish everyone would be nice to each other, and to all animals. I know that sounds childish, but you asked. The cruelty in this world weighs on me. The Darkest Sum was somewhat cathartic in that the story let me address some of the things I think, and hope others feel, too.

I love your answer; it’s not childish at all.  If only that fairy godmother did exist! Now, it’s time to learn some of your favorites.

Sound: Rain. Especially when I’m writing or reading.

I love that too! Eye color: All the colors have beauty I can appreciate.

Foreign language (whether or not you speak it!): A Scottish brogue makes me melt.

One of the things I loved about living in Scotland! Of all the Scottish accents, I particularly like the one spoken in and around Fife. Song: Depends on my mood. I listen to a variety of music, but I love most subgenres of rock.

Book: Both in my writing and my reading, I’m a genre-hopper. I owe a gratitude to Paper Moon and The Stand, (and Mike Campbell). Oh, and a special thanks to Dinah Hafen for giving me my first historical romance novel, Judith McNaught’s Once and Always.

Movie: I love a good romantic comedy, or action hero movie. As with books, I enjoy a
variety of stories, but I can’t tolerate a tear-jerker. I get enough of that in the news. 

TV show: Breaking Bad, Judge Judy, Walking Dead, Orange is the New Black, Better
Call Saul, Monk, Meet the Press. Clearly, I don’t do well when I can only pick
one, lol. I’m starting to think I deserved that C.

LOL. Cuisine: I’m vegan, so, pretty much anything that’s vegan.

Cookie: Same answer as above.

US location: My hometown of Las Vegas will always have my heart. No place in
the world can compare. I’ve been living in Michigan for a while now and
I have to say, with the masses of trees, the rivers, the lakes, the great many
lovely little towns, it’s impossible not to love it here. I even like the winter,
which earns me some strange looks from those who hate it. Autumn,
though, oh! It could be fall most of the year and I’d be happy.

Fall and winter are my favorite seasons! Foreign location: Someplace with castles.

And finally, list your preference from the following choices:

Tea or coffee? Tea.

Cake or pie? Pie, but I wouldn’t say no to a slice of cake if it was vegan.

Halloween or Christmas? Halloween has an easier pace, and as I said earlier, I love the fall. So, I have to go with Halloween.

Halloween is my favorite too! Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes? Sherlock Holmes, though I have to give proper credit to Nancy Drew.  

Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters? Can’t choose.

A mortal, vampire, ghost, or fae for a lover? I’m picturing my sweet husband as a vampire, holding his cape-draped arm in front of his nose and mouth, peering at me over his arm like Bela Lugosi. When I stop laughing, I’ll give you an answer.

LOL. English gent, Scottish highlander, European count, or all-American guy? Scottish highlander. Again, that accent.

I hear ya! Thanks so much for joining me today, Micki, and best of luck with your new release! Here’s the scoop on A Scandalous Request:

London 1812

After fleeing the clutches of her vile brother-in-law, Rose Evans finds refuge in the home of her dear friend, Lord Ashton Sennett. They come to an agreement, a marriage of friendly convenience. Since another holds claim to Ashton’s heart and body, he seeks to see that Rose experiences all life has to offer. And so to Lord Darington, he makes a most scandalous request.

Burke Darington, Third Earl of Blackwood and an austere, solitary man, can scarce believe his ears. Apparently, his whispered reputation has earned him an outrageous solicitation–Lord Sennett wants him to seduce his wife. Though Burke finds Rose fascinating, sweet, intelligent, and with a unique bent toward independence, she is also innocent. She deserves better than to be fouled by a tainted man.

A seduction, a shooting, and an unexpected matter of the heart, throw two wounded souls into a sensational scandal.

Buy the book here: http://a.co/d/hRPFmLs

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