Seasoning Your Writing

No, I'm not talking about that kind of spice. I'm talking about the actual seasons.

And the holidays that go with them.

I'm a big fan of holidays, especially in books.

The book cover kinda gives it away doesn't it?

But it's not the whole story. I love them because I'm not the one trying to juggle everything while solving a mystery or embarking on a new romance.

Holiday themed books are a way to experience the best and worst of times without fearing the credit card bill after the new year.

We can relive memories, or create ones we wish we had enjoyed.

So next time you start writing a book, think of all those special times yet to come and sprinkle in a few.

And, when it's over a 100 degrees outside, Christmas in July might actually think it's cooler:D

Until next month..

Déjà vu or Premonition?

Lately we have been experiencing déjà vu concerning one of our books.

If you have been following the news this past year there’s been a particular issue covered which was of interest to us (yes, there has been a ton of events happening but we wanted to discuss only one).

We’re talking about the outbreak of undrinkable water around the United States. For example, in January 2014, West Virginia was forced to deal with contamination of one of their rivers. Nine counties’ drinking water began to smell like licorice. Investigation eventually discovered a potential toxicity of Crude HCHM primarily composed of a chemical name 4-methylcyclohexand methanol had leaked from a coal company’s old storage tank into West Virginia’s Elk River, rolling down to many towns drinking systems.

Symptoms of ingesting this chemical through water soon gave way to various ailments such as stomachs, rashes, and other ailments. In time over 300,000 people were forced to go without tap water for three days.

Now, in August, we hear of cities around Lake Erie experiencing a water pollution problem as well. This time a major city, Toledo, Ohio, and parts of SE Michigan (over 500,000 people) were affected. Not only from their drinking water, but for bathing and cooking. The suspected cause...a blue-green algae growing in the usually warm Lake Erie and fed by high amounts of microcystin, a cyanotoxin. It came from excess farming runoff (nitrogen and phosphorus) and eventually drained into the lake.

When the incident happened in West Virginia, we thought…Oh, wow! How ironic…but now with Michigan and Ohio having problems, it really brought home how poignant our book Color of Dreams was turning out to be. One of the major themes in the book is about water pollution and how, if not checked, could affect people downriver who relied on waterways supplying their drinking water.

Color of Dreams revolves a young woman who is determined to stop a corporation from secretly dumping a pollutant into a river that feeds into a major water source. One stumbling block is the hero (and a former sweetheart) who recently came to work for the corporation.

Though the story also involves the premises of spiritual protection of our earth, the message to our readers was to show how important we as humans must protect our planet.

There is also another reason as to why we are so intrigued over this incident. More and more we are discovering that often our stories are premonition driven. We can’t say why or how it happens but we now believe it will eventually become clear.

Right now Color of Dreams is on sale at Breathless Press for $2.50. (50% off) It's a great chance to download your copy.  This sale won't last for long. 

http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=13&products_id=417

Thanks for reading today,

Tia Dani

SPOTLIGHTING: K.R. Richards

An Author Spotlight
by Connie Flynn 

K. R. Richards is the Author of the Lords of Avalon Series, an adventurous, sexy, romantic, humorous romp through nineteenth century Glastonbury and other locations in South West England.  The Lords of Avalon are members of the Avalon Society, a historical and paranormal society; so the series also includes some paranormal elements. Did I mention the Lords of Avalon are referred to as the Lusty Lords of Avalon by the Ton. (They are!) K. R.  likes to call them Alpha Geeks, because they are scholars who are highly intelligent, but oh so hot and sexy!  People ask K. R. all of the time what her series is about.  Instead of saying, “Well, it’s complicated…” she generally says, “It’s Jane Austen meets Indiana Jones, Da Vinci Code and Sherlock Holmes. Sort of.”

Having studied and taught in the psychic development arena for years, K. R. set out to combine her love of the Spiritual realm and mystic studies with her love of history and the Romance genre.  The Lords of Avalon series was born.
K. R.’s other interest include archaeology, genealogy, reading, Yoga, Pilates, antiques, music and Johnny Depp (K. R. is a Co-Admin on two JD fan pages that are highly respected in Deppland!) She is an avid and serious collector of crystals, gemstones and minerals. K. R. currently lives in Mississippi though she calls Arizona home, and plans to someday return to her beloved desert!        

I have a favorite query for spotlighted authors new to Much Cheaper Than Therapy:  What question has no one ever asked you that you wish they would? K.R. answered:

No one has ever asked me how I go about naming my main characters. Over the years I’ve learned a lot about the etymology and origin of names, and have something of a collection of names.  Since I write historical romance, it’s important to me that I find names that could have been used during the time period I’m working in. I visit genealogy sites for the area and time frame my characters were born for both first and last names. I have a vague idea of who the character is, but they don’t become real to me until they are named. The naming process is very important to me. I want their name and/or titles to convey something of their personality.  For me, once the character has their very well thought out name, they spring to life.  Then the fun begins.  

About Her Books:

Book 1 in the Lords of Avalon Series   

 Lady Rowena Locke seeks permission from Harry Bellingham, the new Lord Glaston to search for treasure hidden on Glastonbury Abbey grounds.  Glaston is the head of the renowned Avalon Society, an historical society which pursues myths, legends, ancient treasures and the paranormal.

To her surprise, not only is Harry interested in the treasure hidden by the last Abbot of Glastonbury before the dissolution of the Abbey; he is also interested in Rowena.  Her vow to never marry is severely tested upon meeting Lord Glaston.

When Harry and the Avalon Society members step in to assist Rowena and her aunt on their quest, dangerous and mysterious men in brown coats and hats appear in Glastonbury also searching for the lost Abbey treasure.  It’s a race against time as the mysterious ‘Brown Coats’ seem to be always a step ahead of them. Their quest becomes more dangerous as they find more clues, treasures, letters and holy secrets while trying to protect their finds from the enemy.

Will they discover who the ‘Brown Coats’ are and why they are after the treasures?  Can Harry convince marriage wary Rowena to trust in love and marry him?  AVAILABLE THRU AMAZON

Book 2 in the Lords of Avalon Series

Through no fault of their own, Avalon Society member, Micah Wychcombe, Viscount Wincanton, and Lady Elizabeth “Libby” Darrington find themselves in a compromising situation.  Micah offers for Libby out of gentlemanly duty and honor.

In another situation involving honor, fellow Avalon Society member, Lyon Ravenscroft, the Earl of Amesbury, must offer for Miss Sophia Hart.

Meanwhile, the Avalon Society realizes they are once again being pursued by the mysterious brown-coated men who plagued them recently in Glastonbury.  It becomes clear the Brown Coats are after their recent finds and acquisitions, the Glastonbury Sapphire, the Holy cruets brought to Glastonbury by Joseph of Arimathea, and five ancient Greek and Aramaic scrolls which were hidden by Glastonbury’s last Abbot, Richard Whiting, before the Abbey was destroyed in 1539. The Brown Coat numbers increase and their attacks become vicious.  Soon, the Avalon Society members realize the leaders of the brown-coated army are anonymous heads of an Order of powerful men in prominent positions. 

When their loved ones and families are targeted, the Avalon Society must join forces with the Crown to discover the identities and destroy their enemies. Can they discover the identities of the leaders and stop the Order’s attacks?  Will Micah and Libby, and Lyon and Sophia, find happiness in their new circumstances?
The First Lords of Avalon Novella, Lord Greyton’s Fall From Grace, was released on Amazon Kindle in October 2012.  It is the back story of Owen and Grace who are introduced in Lords of Honor. AVAILABLE THRU AMAZON

CONTACT K.R:
Facebook Page
Amazon Author Page
Goodreads Author Page
Blog address
Email address:


WHAT'S COMING NEXT:
 Available on Amazon Kindle in February 2013.

Book 3 in the Lords of Avalon Series, Lords of Retribution,

Book 4, Lords of Atonement
will be out in Fall, 2013.

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Interview with Alix Rickloff

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Alix Rickloff. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called Heir Of Danger. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

This is the third book in my latest regency paranormal series—The Heirs of Kilronan which follows one family’s struggle to stop a madman from resurrecting King Arthur as part of a plot to instigate a war between Other and Mortal.

HEIR OF DANGER features the final sibling Brendan Douglas. Since his father’s murder, he’s been on the run. But he comes home in a last ditch attempt to stop a war and clear his name. Unfortunately the key to both lies with Elisabeth Fitzgerald, the woman he jilted seven years before. Now trapped together in a reluctant alliance, they must provoke a killer into making his deadly final move, but will the sacrifice Brendan has to make be Elisabeth herself?

Heir Of Danger is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

When we first conceived of the trilogy, my editor told me to throw some title ideas her way. I put together a long list of possibilities, some of them using a pun on Heir as a way to tie the three books together. Heir of Evil, Heir of Passion, you get the idea. Anyway, none of them made the final cut … or so I thought until the third book came into final production and my editor pulled up Heir Of Danger. One of my suggestions! Finally!

Would you describe your book as a cozy, mystery, suspense, or thriller?

I suppose if I had to label it under one of these categories, it would be suspense. I like to keep my readers guessing and definitely turning the pages, but I wouldn’t say I’m thriller-esque as in you’re afraid to turn out the lights, just left on the edge of your seat and eager to follow the twists and turns as the plot thickens and events grow more complicated. The most difficult part of my writing process is balancing the external suspense with the character’s internal conflict and romance. I do a lot of layering once the initial story is down on paper to be sure both arcs work simultaneously.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I’m a European history major and have always loved reading historicals whether they be romances, mysteries, straight fiction or non-fiction. But growing up I devoured fantasy and science fiction from writers as diverse as Mary Stewart, Anne McCaffrey, Lois McMaster Bujold, and Andre Norton. So, I loved the idea of pairing these two genres together to see what I could concoct. I tried this approach first with my recent release of DANGEROUS MAGIC where I added a touch of magic to an otherwise straight regency. I had so much fun with that story, I immediately jumped into the regency-paranormal world with my next book, and from there, I never looked back.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

The inspiration for the story came from a previous manuscript. The heroine of that book’s father was murdered under mysterious circumstances, and now and again there was an allusion to some larger dark conspiracy. From those seeds, the entire Heirs of Kilronan series grew. Though it wasn’t until I began writing the first book, EARL OF DARKNESS, that the King Arthur ah-ha! moment struck. After that, the story clicked into place pretty rapidly. HEIR OF DANGER is the culmination of the three books, so it was where I had to wrap up all my loose ends. This made it both easier since by the time I began writing, I knew my characters really well, and I knew where the story was going. The hard part was trying to write myself out of all the corners.

Do you have all the key suspense/mystery elements thought out before you begin writing?

Not at all. I’m a confirmed pantser so my process requires a lot of nail-biting and hair-pulling as the story moves forward, mainly propelled by my muse and lots of coffee. The hardest part is restraining myself from adding so many twists and turns in the plot that I corkscrew myself right into a corner (see answer above). Before I sit down, I will have a general idea about the major turning points of the story. Then it becomes a matter of connecting scenes to build the tension up to each point. But those scenes always evolve as I go and I’m never certain what will pop from a character’s mouth that will change everything.

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book? What are your favorite research books or sites?

While the historical aspects of the books required a lot of research (let’s face it, regency readers are rabid about their details), I was able to throw my imagination into overdrive when it came to the paranormal/fantasy elements of the story. The series is set in Ireland which is close enough to England that much of Society and custom were the same, but far enough removed due to its occupied status that there was a lot I had to learn before I could place my characters there. I found some fabulous research material on Ireland under the Georges, both city and country life which helped tremendously plus some great travel maps from the period that zeroed me in on every little bump in their roads. And last but not least, my s-i-l is from Limerick, so I was able to pick her brain when I needed an authentic phrase or expression to place in my characters’ mouths.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I absolutely loved Brendan Douglas. He seemed to spring to life from the moment he took the stage. He’s cynical and self-serving, but smart, determined, and never takes himself or anything else too seriously. On the lam with his gambling ne’er-do-well cousin Jack O’Gara, the bad guys don’t stand a chance.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research affect your character development?

My characters tend to jump into my head pretty complete from the beginning, in that I know their goals and their motivations, but then I take that and add to it all the backstory minutiae like names of parents and siblings, important dates in their lives, eye and hair color; things I may need to refer back to throughout the story and write that down as reference as I go. Beyond that, they reveal themselves through the writing. Body language, personality traits, relationships, personal history, and even their inner conflict will come through as the story progresses through dialogue and internal thought. I love getting to know the characters as I go. I’m surprised whenever I sit down to write at what I discover about them, and for me, that’s what keeps the writing fun and exciting.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Your blog isn’t long enough to list every author that has ever inspired me, but I do have authors who hold a special place in my heart. I dedicated HEIR OF DANGER to four of them; Mary Stewart, Lois McMaster Bujold, Jane Austen, and Rosamunde Pilcher. These are my four go-to authors. Different in genre, style, characterization, but I read their books over and over whenever I need to get lost in a familiar story where the writing is flawless and the characters are old friends.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

So much about success in writing is complete coincidence or out of an author’s control; bookstore placement, distribution, Kindle lists, reviews. I could drive myself crazy worrying over that stuff. Instead, I focus on what I can do. Being a relatively new author, the challenge for me is getting readers to take a chance on someone they may not have heard of before. I’ve found the best and easiest way to do that is to offer them a free book. Let them kick the tires, check under the hood, take a spin around the block. Hopefully, they’ll pass on their enjoyment to a friend or buy the next one in the series, or check out my blog, website, FB page.

What do we have to look forward next?

I’m working on a new series, but plans are still sketchy at this stage. I’m also thinking about dipping my toe in the indie-world with a new book in my Bligh Family series. Again, I’m still in the beginning stages of this venture, but readers can catch any developments on my website www.AlixRickloff.com or my FB page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alix-Rickloff/101434889914147

Thanks, Alix!

To celebrate her book release, Alix is offering a free copy of HEIR OF DANGER to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio.
ALIX RICKLOFF has never been able to decide who she enjoys reading more; Austen or Tolkien. That lifelong indecision drove her to create stories of her own, combining those distinct loves. Her writing awards include a final in the Golden Heart, while Romantic Times Magazine calls her work both compelling and original.
To learn more you can visit her on the web at www.AlixRickloff.com.

Interview with Sharon Ashwood

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Sharon Ashwood. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called Frostbound: the Dark Forgotten. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Imagine meeting someone who was young, handsome, protective, and handy when it came to fixing a leaky tap or taking out the villains. He’s the go-to guy in the community for problem solving and leadership. Everybody likes him. He oozes competence and has a great sense of humour.

Unfortunately, he’s not only from the wrong side of the tracks, but is the wrong species entirely. Just to complicate things, this alpha male with the Ruger Blackhawk is the only person standing between you and an unknown killer who just beheaded your roommate.

This is what happens to Talia Rostova, the fugitive vampire in Frostbound. When she meets Lore, the hellhound Alpha, the first thing he does is chain her to his bed for safekeeping. It makes perfect sense to him—even if she does a lot of yelling—until he stops thinking of Talia as simply a vampire and a murder suspect wanted by the cops.

Frostbound is an adventure story, but it’s also a very sensual tale about forbidden love and personal choices.

Frostbound is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

The title came in two ways: there is a freak snowstorm that slows down the city where the story takes place. The other is that the two main characters are trapped by their cultures to see the world a certain way. They have to break free of those ideas and obligations before they can move forward.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I’ve always read stories of the supernatural. When I was growing up, there was of course epic fantasy and horror, but there was also a fabulous stream of stories that blended contemporary settings and ancient magic. A lot were from the UK—Susan Cooper and Alan Garner come to mind—and I gobbled them up the moment they appeared on the library shelves. I guess you could say I was programmed from that moment forward. Resistance was futile.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

Lore. He’d been demanding a book since he first showed up in Ravenous. He was meant to have a very minor part, but he simply would not go away. It’s appropriate he’s a hellhound—he has that canine ability to shove his way to the centre of attention and look innocent about it. It helps that he’s hot.

Anyway, because he kept showing up again and again, the hellhounds started evolving. For those not familiar with the series, they begin as prisoners in another dimension and eventually escape into our world. By Frostbound, I was really curious about how they would adapt to life among the humans. They’re essentially an immigrant people, with all the challenges and joys of having a tight-knit community only partially in tune with the city around them. Lore is their Alpha, and we get to see what that really means. It’s a huge amount of responsibility and sacrifice.

What are your favorite paranormal research books or sites, and why?

My favorite paranormal books are reprints of historical books about magic—usually eighteenth or nineteenth century works. I don’t think there’s a lot of useful data there, but they give a fascinating insight into how people thought about the supernatural back then. I have some old books of spells and, no, I’ve not tried any them. With my luck, they’d work and I’d turn my cat into a footstool or something.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

In Frostbound, Talia was the greatest challenge. She wasn’t always fun to write, because she has such deep emotions and such a terrible past. Bringing her through the difficult moments, especially once she’s finally grappling with her demons, was hugely rewarding. However, I was exhausted by the end. To write well, I have to internalize what the character is going through and her journey was pretty harrowing!

For pure amusement, I love writing Perry the werewolf computer nerd.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?

My characters walk into my head pretty much fully grown. They don’t always reveal all their secrets right away, but they are well-defined individuals. I don’t really need to work on them in a formalized way, although I do make notes about their motivation and goals. I would say that the characters often drive what research I do. If they show up and say, “Hi, I’m a lion tamer!” I’ll need to go off and find out what a lion tamer does.

That’s exactly what happened with my heroine from Unchained. When I first “met” her, I knew very little except that she’d run away from home, gone to Spain and married a toreador. My first thought was, “huh?” But it turned out to make absolute sense by the time her book rolled around. The hardest part is trusting the process. The story knows what it needs, even if the author doesn’t.

How do you go about building your world if you use one? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

The Dark Forgotten world is largely our own, so my approach is a bit more relaxed than if I were writing epic fantasy. The most elaborate system I have is a bunch of toys on my desk that I move around to figure out action scenes.

However, my world has a ton of detail on magic and I just keep adding to it. On my website, I’ve got a page called the Monsterpedia and it’s full of facts about the various places, history, and species. It’s there as much to keep me on track as for the readers!

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Lots. There are so many great paranormal romance and urban fantasy authors. I also read older authors like Dickens and Jules Verne, contemporary and classic horror, and social history. Right now I’m into a big fat historical novel about the era of the Tudors, Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. It’s an absolutely amazing book.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

My theory is that excited readers are the best advertising, because they tell their friends how great an author’s books are. If I say how great I am, it’s never as convincing.

What do we have to look forward next?

Frostbound is out on June 7. Next up is an ebook anthology in the fall. The working title is Crave the Night, and I am contributing a novella. One of the characters in Frostbound (Darak) makes an appearance. What’s different about this story is that it takes place in ranching country. A little cowboy hotness just to change things up.

Thanks, Sharon!

To celebrate her book release, Sharon will offer a copy of any one of the Dark Forgotten series Ravenous, Scorched, Unchained, or Frostbound (reader's choice) to someone who comments on this post. This is open to international mailing. Check out her book page for trailers and excerpts. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Sharon Ashwood is a free-lance journalist, novelist, desk jockey and enthusiast for the weird and spooky. She has an English literature degree but works as a finance geek. Interests include growing her to-be-read pile and playing with the toy graveyard on her desk. As a vegetarian, she freely admits the whole vampire/werewolf lifestyle fantasy would never work out, so she writes paranormal romances instead.

Sharon lives in the Pacific Northwest and is owned by the Demon Lord of Kitty Badness.

Check out author’s website at www.SharonAshwood.com.

Read an excerpt of Frostbound: http://www.sharonashwood.com/frostbound-excerpt.php

Watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjEmIDCwEcc

Interview with Deena Remiel

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Deena Remiel. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.


Did somebody say chocolate? Oh yes, chocolate is much cheaper than therapy, and the taste is simply decadent! ;-)

I understand you have a new release which comes out March 22nd called Trinity, A Brethren Novel. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Sure thing! At the heart of Trinity rests the fierce love of a mother for her daughter. They are thrust into a war between Good and Evil and only one can protect them. An angel. An immortal. A Brethren named Michael.

Trinity is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Well, it is very much tied to a prophecy realized in the story. To say any more would give too much away.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I must have romance in my life! I love happy endings, and even more, the trials and tribulations the main characters must go through in order to reach their happy endings. I enjoy watching characters change from closed-minded, skeptical, distrusting, and cynical people to open-minded, open-hearted, risk-takers. I have always been drawn to reading and exploring paranormal realms and possibilities. Paranormal romance writing seemed the perfect marriage for me.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I have always been fascinated by the possibility of other realms co-existing with our own. I also enjoy the tug-of-war between Good and Evil. Creating a whole new world within our own was such a huge draw for me, I couldn’t resist.

What are your favorite paranormal research books or sites, and why?

Research for me began with reading. I read paranormal romances from Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jayne Ann Krentz, Heather Graham, Christine Feehan, and Nora Roberts. Then I moved on to websites and reference books whose focus was solely on ancient religions and angels. These authors have a wonderful way of building believable worlds within worlds, so not only do I love reading their work, I consider them mentors.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I absolutely loved writing Emma. She encapsulates every mom I know, including me. She is fiercely devoted to her daughter and her well-being. Without hesitation, she would sacrifice her soul for Hannah. As a young woman, she has all the flaws and inconsistencies that we all do, but Emma is also a fighter through and through, as you’ll see when you read Trinity.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?

I first think generally about who I need in the story, and then I begin to craft their personalities, warts and all, and physical characteristics. I keep character sheets in a computer file that has your standard information, and then I go deeper. I create back stories for all of my characters. Whether my characters are mortal or immortal, lead or supporting, they all have origins, baggage, and issues that must be developed and exploited. I love that part!

How do you go about building your world if you use one? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

My world is our world, just a little different. You see, angels, known as the Brethren, walk among us. So when it comes to world-building, I have to feather these men’s lives seamlessly into our own. I had to get them to assimilate to their new home, Earth. That happens before Trinity ever begins. I write an online serial that explores the Brethren’s origins and the compelling stories before Trinity. Brethren Beginnings ~ Rise of the Brethren handles it all.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Sherrilyn Kenyon inspired me to be the world-builder that I am. My favorite romantic suspense authors, Linda Howard, Kay Hooper, and Allison Brennan inspire my evil dude development.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

When I participate in the wonderful events The Romance Studio, Coffeetime Romance, Romance Junkies, and other websites have to offer, I get to talk with the readers and get to know them. I can see major spikes in my website views and subscriptions, and my daily readership has been consistently higher every day. I also think writing my online serial has drawn a faithful audience, which in turn has built genuine interest in the novel series.

What do we have to look forward next?

Well, the second book in The Brethren Series is called Relic, and that will be coming soon from Decadent Publishing. After that, Elixir will be on its way. Three more novels are planned to round out the series, and then a spin-off is planned.

Thanks, Deena!

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio. - My name is Deena Remiel, and I am an author of paranormal romance and poetry. I also teach language arts to middle schoolers. Curiously, I find myself being called upon to write all sorts of correspondence for my family and friends, but they are everything to me, and frequently serve as fodder for elements of my novels, poems, and posts. They take it all in stride, though, and with good humor. So, it’s really a perfect give and take relationship!

I belong to RWA national and the Desert Rose Chapter of RWA, where there are outstanding people writing fabulous stories. I can now say I’m a published author! I have poetry published in the anthology, Hippoetry, coming soon. My first paranormal romance, TRINITY, A Brethren Novel, releases March 22nd, as will RELIC, the second book in the series! Thanks, Decadent Publishing!

I grew up in Philadelphia, home of the most amazing soft pretzels, oh and the Liberty Bell. My husband and I began our own family in New Jersey, and just a few short years ago, Arizona called to my spirit and tempted my husband with much better weather! We moved our family, and the rest is history, or the present, as the case may be!

These are a few of my favorite things: writing and reading of course, chocolate, music with lyrics or melodies that speak to me, soaking baths, singing in the shower, dancing with my buds, romantic dancing with my hubby, scrapbooking, watching my girls enjoy what they love to do, and laughing at jokes because Lord knows I can’t tell one!

Check out author’s websites at www.deenaremiel.com and http://brethrenbeginnings.wordpress.com/

Buy at http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=234&osCsid=qhuc4gbau5e6tjhd74e6giprm0

Interview with Jocelyn Modo

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Jocelyn Modo. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

Chocolate therapy makes me think of that infamous picture of delectable male model Matthias Streitwieser eating chocolate liquor off his fingers. Mmm mmm mmm. Talk about inspiration for an erotic romance!

I understand you have a new release out called First Heat. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

When shifter lioness Kissa Alassane goes into heat for the first time and she is forced to choose her mate, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his golden eyes, mesmerizing French accent, and gloriously hard body, Venor Brun is both irresistible and unreliable. Kissa had thought he was the one until he disappeared for weeks without a word and rumors began to circulate about his infidelity.

Despite her doubts, Kissa is unable to resist Venor’s erotic pull, but the longer she stays in his arms, the more doubt creeps into her mind. Unable to fully commit herself to him, she runs. Away from Venor. Away from her pride. And into a nightmare beyond her imagination.

First Heat is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Oh Boy! You have no idea how long I tortured myself over the title. You’d think it would be easy because the story is about a shifter lioness going into heat for the first time, but I am absolutely horrible at choosing titles. When I decided on First Heat, I was thrilled with the title, and then my publisher came back and said they had a “Heat” series and so my title was under review. Thankfully, they agreed that First Heat was the perfect title for my book and let me keep it!

What made you decide to write in this genre?

It was less a decision and more an obsession. I love fantasy. I love romance. Writing a fantasy romance is as natural as falling in love.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I love shifters. And lions are my cat’s meow. *groan* (Why did I make that lame joke?) The character of Kissa came to me first, telling me about her childhood, talking about her impending heat and the mating ceremony that accompanied her official transition into adulthood. Then Venor began stalking me, crouching low in the shadows of mind, watching, waiting.

For lack of a better description, the lions cornered me and threatened to eat me alive. I had no choice but to tell their story.

What are your favorite paranormal research books or sites, and why?

For all paranormal in general I always start with myths, history, religion. For First Heat specifically I researched Egyptian myths, history, religion. The Cat in Ancient Egypt by Jaromir Malek and Divine Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt by Salima Ikram are two of my research books that were highlighted, dog-eared, and right beside me while I was in the planning stage for First Heat.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I loved writing about Kissa because I understood her and related to her. Even though she makes dangerous, life-threatening decisions, she has good reason. Kissa has a courageous heart, an intelligent, thoughtful outlook, and a vulnerability that made me need for her to have a happily ever after ending.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?

I start off with character sheets but quickly move into interviews and free writing to develop my characters. The more I listen to them, the more smoothly the process flows.

How do you go about building your world if you use one? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

Yes. Yes. And yes. I’m a visual person so I create maps, charts, and drawings from everything from the characters to the pride’s property, to their clothing…

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Oh, wow! What a long list that is! I’ll name three to keep things from getting out of hand. Sherrilyn Kenyon. J.R. Ward. And Robin D. Owens. Amazing, talented, successful authors all!

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Networking with other authors.

What do we have to look forward next?

My Christmas Quickie, On Vixen, was out December 10, 2010. The story takes place in the same world as First Heat but with a different pride in Fort Collins, Colorado. I had so much fun writing this story because the characters continued to surprise up until the very end of the story.

Thanks, Jocelyn!

To celebrate her book release, Jocelyn Modo is offering a free book of First Heat to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio.
Jocelyn Modo may be crazy but writing keeps her from going insane. She grew up reading science fiction and fantasy and fell in love with romance when those girlie hormones kicked in. Nothing makes her day like working on her current manuscript…and nothing makes her crazy like working on her current manuscript. But all’s fair in love and war, and Jocelyn likes to put a whole lot of both in everything she writes.

Check out Jocelyn’s website at www.jocelynmodo.com.

Buy First Heat at http://www.amazon.com/First-Heat-ebook/dp/B0046H8ZTG.

Interview with Chris Marie Green

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Chris Marie Green. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called The Path of Razors, Vampire Babylon, Book Five. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Yes, thank you! This release is actually a mass market reissue of the trade edition, which has already been on the shelves. Ace, my publishing imprint, is re-releasing all my Vampire Babylon books in anticipation of a new series I’ll have out in 2011. It’s a “post-apocalyptic western urban fantasy” series called Bloodlands, and it’ll be released during three consecutive months: August, September, and October. As for the Vampire Babylon books, they’re straight urban fantasy, with a vampire hunting team taking down bloodsucker undergrounds in Hollywood and London during the course of two different trilogies.

The Path of Razors is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

The second Vampire Babylon trilogy—the London trilogy—has deep fairy tale themes and imagery running through it. There’s some big bad wolf and wicked stepmother stuff going on, as well as a lot of references to Red Riding Hood. This particular book focuses on the consequences of straying from the “good path,” or the path you should be traveling in life, but everyone from the main heroine, Dawn Madison, to the teen girl vampires make choices that lead them off of those paths and far into dangerous territory. In some versions of Red Riding Hood, the heroine has the choice of traveling either the path of needles or the path of pins—The Path of Razors is where my characters chose to go….

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I’ve always been fascinated with vampires in general. I grew up a horror movie and book lover, so it was only natural that I ended up here. : ) Urban fantasy encompasses everything I love to read—horror, action/adventure, some romance, and twisty noir.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

Since I use trilogies to tell Dawn Madison’s story, The Path of Razors is an extension of the initial book in the trilogy, A Drop of Red. It’s The Empire Strikes Back of the trilogy, LOL. The London adventure ends with Deep in the Woods, Book Six.

My vamp hunting team had already dealt with those Hollywood vampires in the first trilogy, so it was time for them to move on to another underground. At the same time, Dawn is facing the fallout from being a vampire hunter. Can you imagine what it would be like to be a normal person who’s thrust into that kind of life? Of course, she’s not so normal now—especially not after what happened to her in the previous book, Break of Dawn. That title is very literal, because Dawn is still on the edge, fighting for her sanity and soul in London.

What are your favorite paranormal research books or sites, and why?

I love the Vampire Encyclopedia. It’s fascinating and makes for some fun, informative reading. I’ve also read about Vlad the Impaler from various sources—he plays a part in the formation of these vampire undergrounds that Dawn and her team fight. This sounds odd, but I actually do more research out of the paranormal arena for these books, since it’s important to ground the stories in reality. For instance, I traveled to London so I could get inspiration for certain scenes, block them out, and record all the sensory details I could manage. What a job, huh? ; )

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I love Dawn—I think in a lot of ways, she’s my dark twin. Kiko, her psychic associate, is always a lot of fun; I hear him talking to me when I write his scenes, LOL. In this particular trilogy, though, I very much identified with the point-of-view teen vampire, Della. She brought back all the pain of growing up, but Della is the worst-case scenario of teen angst. She became a vampire because it helped her to belong in school and because an older man made her a lot of promises—of love, of being appreciated… Too bad that man was a master vampire who made all those promises to a lot of other girls, as well.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?

I do have character interview questions that I like to think about before I start writing chapters. Basic things like how they grew up, what their fears are (and you can bet those fears always come true during the course of the trilogies), what their high school yearbooks said about them. With these Vampire Babylon books, though, I find that character development and plot go hand in hand—they both affect each other. I love that, because I think that’s an organic way for things to develop.

How do you go about building your world if you use one? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

My most important world-building tool is the story bible. It’s so important to keep track of details, such as what the vampires are capable of, etc. I build the world off of that, and it helps me to keep everything straight in my mind!

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

I devoured Stephen King’s short stories in middle school, and they taught me a lot about planting details in a story. I was also addicted to V.C. Andrews, as well as John Saul. And I love romance, especially Maggie Osborne. Donna Tartt’s The Secret History is a big favorite of mine, too—I re-read that book every so often because it’s that fabulous.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

I think having web sites are crucial. I write under two pen names—Chris Marie Green and Crystal Green. One is for urban fantasy, one is for romance (Silhouette Special Edition, Harlequin Blaze). Each name is a different brand because there are certain expectations for each kind of story. Romance has to have that emotionally satisfying ending, whereas urban fantasy can be darker. I want readers to know what they can expect from each name.

What do we have to look forward next?

There’s the Bloodlands series later in 2011 (and I’m on Twitter and Facebook under Chris Marie Green if you want updates!). I’ll have a new Special Edition out under the Crystal Green name in January, but in March, there’ll be a new Vampire Babylon short story in an anthology called Those Who Fight Monsters.

Thanks, Chris!

Thank you!

To celebrate her book release, Chris is offering a free book of A Drop of Red, Vampire Babylon, Book Four, to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Chris Marie Green is the author of the urban fantasy Vampire Babylon and Bloodlands series from Ace Books. Until about five years ago, Chris was an eighth-grade teacher, but she became a full-time author who has published over thirty-five books under this name as well as the pseudonym Crystal Green.

Check out author’s website at www.chrismariegreen.com and http://www.crystal-green.com/.

Buy http://www.mystgalaxy.com/search/apachesolr_search/chris+marie+green.

Interview with Linda Wisdom

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Linda Wisdom. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy again, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.


I understand you have a new release that will be out at the end of the month called Hex At Midnight. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Hex At Midnight is Thea's story where she's down on her luck due to a cheating business manager. Along with her python necklace, Cedric, and Lloyd, her flamingo personal assistant, Thea's invited to an old world hotel in the Hollywood Hills along with several celebrities, along with her ex lover demon archeologist, JT Morgan. Except the hotel isn't what anyone thinks it is as rooms change personality in the blink of an eye, the residents start turning into dolls, and skeletal bellhop, Julian, hints there's a lot more going on there than the usual. All Thea and JT can do is figure out what's going on in the hotel before they turn into witch and demon action figures and just maybe this time they can reconnect for good. Hex At Midnight is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

I wanted to stay with the Hex titles and it seemed to fit the story line.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

Paranormal books have been a favorite for years. I wrote my first one back in the late 1980s and was lucky enough to have Harlequin American Romance publish A Man for Maggie about a psychic seeing a murderer’s handiwork. It was harder to sell in the genre then and I only managed to get a few more accepted, but I refused to stop while writing my category romances.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I’ve always loved the idea of haunted and/or cursed hotels, so that was easy for the background. Plus I wanted Thea, who’s an incredibly strong personality, to have a very alpha counterpart. JT is that.

What are your favorite paranormal research books or sites, and why?

I have some great non fiction books by Yasmine Galenorn, Embracing the Moon, Totem Magic, and others, along with books on spells and magical creatures, superstitions, and tarot. My laptop was recently upgraded with a new hard drive and I lost all my bookmarked sites, so I’m starting over.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

Of the witches, it will always be Jazz since she started the witches. And I’ve been told she’s a lot like me. She’s showing up in other books and I’m seeing more sides to her each time she appears.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?

I do have character files for each one because I need to keep the information straight on each of them. I also add to them every so often. I think my characters affect the world more than the world affects them. Probably because all of my characters tend to have a mind of their own. :}
How do you go about building your world if you use one? Do you use maps, charts or drawings? The world begins in my head like a movie, so then I work it out on paper and transfer to a computer file. I’m using more paranormal worlds and I need to keep it all straight.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Yasmine Galenorn, Simon R. Green, Jim Butcher, Cathy Clamp, Ilona Andrews, Laura Bickle, Annette Blair, Rob Thurman, Mark del Franco, Anton Strout. A lot!

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Wow, I’m not sure if any one thing has. I have offered hexy baskets once in awhile and now offer witchy goodies and signed bookplates for fans who email me.

What do we have to look forward next?

Demons Are A Girl’s Best Friend will be out in April 2011. It will feature witchy Maggie, who you met in Hex in High Heels and an incredibly sexy half demon, Declan. I had so much fun writing this book and I really hope my readers have fun reading it.

Thanks, Linda!

To celebrate her book release, Linda is offering a free book of Hex in High Heels to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Check out author’s website at http://www.lindawisdom.com/ for more details on Hex At Midnight here.

Interview with Linda Andrews

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Linda Andrews. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called Gillian. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

I think the synopsis tells some key points, although it does leave out the fact that Gillian’s best friend is the Grim Reaper.


Gillian Grey knows all about men and their desire for money. Aidan Baird is just a rougher version of all her other suitors--a man willing to put up with her dubious ancestry for a share of her money.

Aidan's dream of obtaining a ranch requires a down payment in gold--gold he's willing to earn escorting his boss's daughter around the desert on a "botanical expedition." But Gilly isn't looking for flowers. She's hot on the trail of Jack the Ripper. As the body count mounts, Aidan may have to sacrifice more than money to keep her safe.

Gillian is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Not very creatively, I’m afraid. Gillian is the heroine’s name, but when my editor and I were tossing around names nothing seemed to stick.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

The Victorian era is one of my favorite periods. It saw an explosion in exploration, the foundation of many sciences, and the rise of Science Fiction. Society was in a state of flux and the industrial revolution lead to challenges in established notions. Fortunes were made and lost. Rich Americans crossed to Europe to buy titled husbands and brought back folk lore as well as raided arts and antiquities. Against this backdrop was an acceptance of ghosts, séances, and otherworldly inquiry.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I came up with the idea for the book after watching a History Channel investigation into possible identities of Jack the Ripper. One theory in particular ended on an ominous note—the suspect disappeared into the American West and was never heard from again. So, if Jack the Ripper was killing in such a vast, unpopulated area, who would notice? The only person I could come up with was the person collecting the souls. The Grim Reaper doesn’t exactly make the best hero. That’s were my heroine, Gillian comes in. Gillian has very few friends outside her family and having just publicly jilted her fiancé is looking to get out of town. Seeing her best friend’s distress, she naturally agrees to help but her father won’t let her go without an escort. Enter the hero, who agrees to take her around for a price. Gillian is used to men being around her for money, but nothing can quite prepare her for Aidan.


What are your favorite historical research books and why?

My favorite books are women’s diaries and reformists books. The women’s journals give a glimpse of the day to day things that bring a story to life and the reformists paint a picture of the values and living conditions of the day

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I loved to write Gillian who has a lot of spunk and heart but who is afraid to risk exposing her true self for fear of rejection.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research affect your character development?



My characters develop me; I don’t develop them. One day they just show up and say, ‘Let me tell you what really happened.” I do get to paint in the period details, but even that doesn’t always stick. Gillian hates corsets (can’t blame her) and one of the first things she does upon arriving in Yuma is to take it off. As a Victorian lady, she’s also well aware of what is expected of her. Good thing Aidan is man enough to accept her as she is.



What are some common speech terms, dress modes, transportation or housing facts that you found interesting for your time period?

I loved writing about trains and actually visited the Train Museum in Golden Colorado during my research, plus rode on several different trains too. One fact I made use of is that Yuma, Arizona Territory was destroyed by a flood months before the story opens, steamships used to travel up the Colorado River and carry soldiers to forts up North and their where camels roaming free when the US Army decided they no longer needed them. Gillian doesn’t really have an accent but her speech is very proper, but she cultivates an Irish accent to irritate snobs. Aidan uses traditional English swear words, but has a chip on his shoulder about being Irish. Grismsree is the spirit of a 300 year-old Scotsman and has an attitude to match his been-there-done-that longevity.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

I’ve been inspired more by wonderful stories than authors, mostly because I have an impossible time remembering names. I keep a notebook full of words, phrases, savvy lines and lyrics as I read to help me capture the images/emotions when I’m writing.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Networking. Most authors are more than willing to share war stories on the promotion circuit.

What do we have to look forward next?

In September, I have a horror science fiction short story called Intelligent Design. Simply put: When corporations run the universe, life is a commodity to be bought and sold. Also that month, I have a SciFi novel titled Hiding Space. A widow, willing to go to the ends of the Earth to keep her children safe, finds her family kidnapped by aliens, one of whom wants her dead. Next year, Gillian’s sister Fiona will travel to London to find out why her late Aunt and Uncle can’t rest in peace. Of course, she be accompanied by the spirit of her deceased fiancé who is trying his spectral hand at matchmaking.

Thanks, Linda!

Thanks for having me, Kim

To celebrate her book release, Linda Andrews is offering a free book of Gillian to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...


Linda Andrews lives with her husband and three children in Phoenix, Arizona. When she announced to her family that her paranormal romance was to be published, her sister pronounce: "What else would she write? She’s never been normal."

All kidding aside, writing has become a surprising passion. So just how did a scientist start to write paranormal romances? What other option is there when you’re married to romantic man and live in a haunted house?

Check out author’s website at http://www.lindaandrews.net/

Buy http://www.amazon.com/Gillian-Linda-Andrews/dp/1934841927/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277689834&sr=8-1

http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/b110300/Gillian/Linda-Andrews/?si=0.

Interview with Meagan Hatfield

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Meagan Hatfield. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Sure! Declan Black is one of the last dragon lords. The vampire horde, ruled by their evil queen is on the verge of winning their century’s long battle. Then an item is discovered that when wielded against his dragon kind it can enslave or destroy them, Declan risks going into the bowels of the hordes catacomb hell to retrieve it. However, when he finds an angel in the shape of his enemy’s daughter, will he be able to resist the fire of lust she kindles within him? Or will he risk everything to quench the burning desire?

SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Actually, I didn’t. Marketing changed the title after HQN acquired the book. I had originally titled it DRAGON FIRE. But I really like the SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE title though and think it fits the book nicely.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I had written a dark paranormal novella back in 2006 and fell in love with the world and characters I’d created. Not to mention, I wanted to write something I’d enjoy reading and I very much enjoy paranormal romance. So, I knew I wanted something dark, sexy, violent and yet something I hadn’t read yet – not to say that something wasn’t out there – just that I hadn’t read it yet. I mean, that’s the best part of being a writer…being able to think up the perfect book you would like to read and then tackle trying to write it. Of course, most writers are neurotic perfectionists (or at least I am) so the book they imagined never seems to get on the page just quite how they pictured it. But that is what critique partners and editors are for. *smiles*

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

The scene with Alexia and Declan in the dungeon – Chapter One I believe it is now – came to me first. So, I just sat down and wrote it. I’d written a novella featuring Declan’s parents back in 2006 and had this world and its beings percolating in my mind for a bit. So when that scene popped up, I wrote it first, asked questions later. It took a few tweaks and crazy turns to end up with the book that will be released today. But my editor is fabulous and really helped iron out many of the holes and details I was too close to see. I <3>

What are your favorite paranormal research books or sites, and why?

Sites? There are paranormal research sites!?! Argh! I didn’t know that. Guess I’d have to go with Google as mine then, since that’s what I use if the need arises. ;) As for books, I have a couple of paranormal books on dragons, vampires, Dracula and the occult, but I don’t really use them much at all. I’m the queen of making stuff up! Lol! I knew what I wanted the characters to do, what powers I wanted them to have as well as what weaknesses. So, I sort of just went for it!

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

Right now, I’d have to say Tallon, the hero, Declan’s sister. For the longest time, I really struggled with writing heroines. Everyone always told me I had my heroes nailed down tight. But they would say my female characters needed work or weren’t fully fleshed out, what have you. So I spent an agonizing amount of time getting under their skin, going the route of a method actor almost, to really try and understand the female characters from the inside out so I could translate them better to the readers. Well, Alexia as a character truly touched me. However, Tallon has stuck with me.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?

Characters always come first to me. It’s like they appear, start talking and I have to try and figure out where they are and what’s going on. I had written a story featuring Declan’s parents back in 2006, so I had a pretty good idea that the species would work well as both adversaries and lovers. Granted, for me it’s all about characters. It wasn’t so much that these two came from different races for me, but more an unfolding of how these two souls came together and stayed together. Love always finds a way. It’s the path that makes it interesting.

How do you go about building your world if you use one? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

The thing to remember with world building is to keep it simple. This is where it can get sticky. You don’t want to go overboard and make every element of your novel strange and overly detailed. This will only jar the reader, making it harder for them to suspend disbelief and continue reading. Instead, the goal should be to ensure the world you’ve created feels believable and comfortable.

One way to do this in your story is to keep certain thoughts, ideas or character behaviors within it familiar. For example, if you have a centaur warrior as your hero, give him an obsession for watching old movies, or peanut butter cookies. It will humanize him in the readers mind, making him more relatable. Harry Potter may be learning how to fly a broom or fight a fire-breathing dragon, but he’s doing these magical, crazy things in a school.

A normal, familiar setting we can all relate to. Ideally, you want even your most bizarre creatures to have some human characteristics otherwise you risk disinterest from the readers. Perhaps there are demons from the underworld in your story. Try having them addicted to things like chocolate, sex or air conditioning. Personally, I thought the aliens in ROSWELL were interesting because they put Tabasco sauce on everything. *smiles*

Now, the pitfall with this modus operandi is making the world you build too similar to our own. To avoid this, think of it like cooking. You don’t want to have so much seasoning in the dish that you can’t recognize the main ingredient. The same goes for world building. The idea is to pepper the book and/or your characters with common ideas, objects, behaviors, etc. Flavor is the objective and balance is key.

All of that said, I don’t use maps (unless it’s of a real city I’ve never been to) or elaborate drawings or charts. I DO have a series binder that I keep everything I might have to remember in. But that is just for organizational purposes, not creativity. ;)

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Everybody who has the passion and drive to pick up the pen and write - published or not - inspires me on a day to day basis. When it comes to my favorite writers, wow - I have so many auto-buy authors: Angela Knight, Gena Showalter, Lori Devoti, Ann Voss Peterson, Eden Bradley, Kresley Cole, Shari Anton… Now, finding the time to read all of them is another story.

My to-be-read bookshelves are overflowing (yes, I said bookshelves, not stacks or piles.) I also have many great books by great new-to-me authors I can’t wait to discover. I won’t even tell you who some of these new-to-me authors are, it’s embarrassing! I catch flack from friends all the time for being so behind.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Well, I can’t really tell yet, since the book isn’t out (or just will be by the time this interview is up.) But I can say that social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook have really been an awesome way to connect me to readers and fans.

What do we have to look forward next?

I have a dark paranormal romance novella, DRAGON WARRIOR coming out July 1st from Harlequin Nocturne Bites. It’s a prequel of sorts and takes place in the days leading up to the events in SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE. It tells the story of Kestrel Grey, dragon warrior and captain of the legionnaires and the dragon’s resident healer, Sparrow “Doc” Rose.

Thanks, Meagan!

Thank you for having me here today! If you’d like more information about me, my books, fun extras, excerpts, contests, links, promo items, signed bookplates or if you would like to join my newsletter or street team, check out my website – www.meaganhatfield.com

Also, please feel free to email me at meagan@meaganhatfield.com and let me know what you think of Declan and Alexia or any of my characters. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

To celebrate her book release, Meagan is offering a free book of SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio: An only child, Meagan read voraciously and always had a passion for the written word. She even wrote a young adult romance novel in high school. However her main passion had always been for dance. She left California for Colorado to pursue a degree in the arts instead. Little did she know she wouldn't like the frigid winters found living at the foot of the Rockies. Or that she'd one day decide the dancing (and the weather) was much better in LA. After a few years at CSU, she moved back to the warm California sun.

Currently, Meagan lives back in the cold (don't ask her why) near Madison, Wisconsin with her two kids and beloved Himalayan cat. She still loves to dance. In fact, Meagan’s a certified Zumba Instructor who can be found shakin' it with the other gym rats all week long.

Check out author’s website at: http://www.meaganhatfield.com

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Interview with Loucinda McGary

I’d like to welcome our guest again today, Loucinda McGary. It’s a pleasure having you come back and visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called The Wild Irish Sea. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Thank you so much for inviting me back to Much Cheaper Than Therapy! I’m so happy to be here and to give your readers a bit of info about my new book. The Wild Irish Sea is my third romantic suspense with paranormal elements. Like my first book, The Wild Sight, The Wild Irish Sea is set in the far north of Ireland, but this time on the rugged coast of Donegal which is in the Irish Republic.

My American heroine Amber O’Neill has a twin brother Parker with whom she has shared a mental connection all their lives. Parker is vacationing in Ireland when he inadvertently witnesses a murder and the killers target him. Amber receives his mental distress call and rushes all the way from California to the coast of Donegal to rescue her brother.

Once she is in Ireland, Amber enlists the aid of a reclusive Irish police inspector, Kevin Hennessey to help her find Parker. Also, to Amber’s great surprise, the mental connection she had previously shared only with her brother, she now finds she has with other people, especially Kevin.

The Wild Irish Sea is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Actually, my editor came up with the title. She wanted something similar to The Wild Sight, so my working title was The Wild Mess. Since we couldn’t very well use that for the finished book, she came up with The Wild Irish Sea (even though the book is set on the Atlantic coast, not the coast of the Irish Sea).

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I’ve always enjoyed a bit of mystery and suspense with my romance, and I always loved the great old gothic romances of Victoria Holt, Phyllis A. Whitney, and Mary Stewart. When I decided to write romance, I naturally included a suspense element that harkened back to those authors I loved reading as a teen. Plus, I love a touch of paranormal, something that might conceivably happen (like mental telepathy or reincarnation), and included elements of these in all three of my books. My readers seem to love these little extra touches.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

Ten years ago, my niece gave birth to fraternal twin boys, the first twins in our immediate family. This sparked my interest in twins, and I read quite a bit about them. I thought it would be fun to write about a set of twins and decided to give them a ‘special’ connection.

What are your favorite paranormal research books or sites, and why?

Can’t really say I have a favorite. I read broadly and with online sites, I never quite know where I wind up. But some of those accidental discoveries have given me some great ideas and provided interesting twists in my story lines. The Niall Marker, which I stumbled upon while researching for my first book, went on to play a pivotal part in that story. Celtic legends about selkies provided interesting twists for The Wild Irish Sea, as did behavior studies of seals and sea lions.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I always love my heroes. After all, if I don’t love them, how can my heroine? Or more importantly, my readers? Though I must say that in this book, Amber’s brother Parker was a real scene stealer. I think his sassy comebacks and humor in the face of adversity are what makes him so appealing. Oh, and he was inspired by my own two brothers and their constant verbal sparring and one-up-manship. So far, everyone who has read any of The Wild Irish has commented on how much they loved Parker.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?

I’m afraid I’m not so well organized that I write out character sheets and interviews. However, I usually know all kinds of things about my main characters and their background before I start writing. How do I know all this? They tell me, of course.

No, please don’t bring out the men with the strait jackets! Those voices in my head really are my characters talking to me. Generally they arrive with their names (first, middle, and last) fully intact and I have a pretty good idea what they look like. I do use Irish census data to help me with last names of Irish characters.

I also like to find pictures (usually of celebrities since those are readily available) that I think look like the image I have in my head of my main characters. But their personalities are definitely their own. For example, Luke Wilson physically resembles my personal idea of Parker, but his personality is based on my brothers.

How do you go about building your world if you use one? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

I have been to Ireland, but I will admit that I have not visited the particular area (the northernmost point) where I set The Wild Irish Sea. I did look at a lot of pictures and descriptions of the area, and I always use maps so that I know the general direction in which things are located, and how far apart they are. However, in Ireland distance can be deceiving because their roads are small, winding, and very difficult to negotiate sometimes. So recalling my own personal experience in visiting a place is also helpful in portraying it in my prose.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

As I mentioned above, Victoria Holt, Phyllis A. Whitney and especially Mary Stewart were great favorites of mine. Also, the incredible rich detail and characterizations in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series have been a wonderful inspiration.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

I HOPE it is my online ‘blog tours!’ This is the start of my third one and I believe it is a great way to get the word out. I’ve also been much more active on Face Book in the past year, so please, “friend me!”

What do we have to look forward to next?

I’m currently writing what I hope will be the first book in a series centered around a fictitious cruise ship line, Adventure Cruise Line. Since I’ve been on sixteen cruises thus far (number seventeen is booked in November), I’ve already done a lot of the “research” so I thought, why not use it? And I promise, this will NOT be your mother’s Love Boat!

Thanks, Loucinda!

Thank you again for inviting me and please pass the chocolate!

To celebrate her book release, Loucinda is offering a free autographed copy of The Wild Irish Sea (or either of her other two books, if you prefer) to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio.
Loucinda McGary has two great passions: travel and writing. She has visited 47 states and 31 foreign countries, and likes to set her tales of romance and adventure in some of the fascinating places she has visited. Her previous books are The Wild Sight and The Treasures of Venice.

Check out author’s website at www.loucindamcgary.com

Buy The Wild Irish Sea at Borders, Barnes & Noble, and on Amazon.