Christmas Awards 2011

Thursday 25 October 2007

Taken by The Viking

Michelle Styles/Taken By the Viking/Harlequin Mills & Boon/ISBN 978-0-263-85200-4/paperback/292 pages

When the Vikings land on Lindisfarne in 793 they speak of trading but their claim for payment is not believed. A hot- head attacks them and this leads to terrible slaughter. Annis, niece of the Abbot is at the mercy of a fierce warrior when another Viking comes to her aid. He is then suddenly at the mercy of a man who should be a comrade. Through a lucky chance, Annis kills the beast man. She little understands what she has done or what fate has in store for her, because in Viking law a debt must be paid.

This is an exciting tale of adventure and love. Beautifully researched and written as always by this excellent author. I believe that this story is even better than her tales of Roman life. Five red roses, Anne

A Perfect Hero

The Perfect Hero by Aline deChevigny



Cassandra is a writer who is having problems with her hero. He just won’t do what he is supposed to do. He is not turning out to be a hero but a wimp. Just as Cassandra is about to give up on him, Nicolas comes along and turns her world upside down.





Nicolas walks into the coffee shop that Cassandra goes to every day. Nicolas takes one look at Cassandra and knows he has found the woman of his dreams. There just seems to be one problem, Cassandra. He gets the chance to prove they were meant to be together when she tells him he would make the perfect hero. Now if he can just get everyone to stay out of it things, it would be perfect.





This is a great book. I loved the way the sparks flew with Nicolas and Cassandra. It was fun to see Nicolas overcome the obstacles to get what he wanted.





I give this book 4-1/2 red roses.
Larena

Monday 22 October 2007

Aline de Chevigny


Tell us a little about yourself
I’m a 34 year old, old maid…no wait, 21st century right. Ahem...I’, a 34 year old independent woman. Yup sounds much better **grin**
I plan to keep writing as long as there’s someone out there who wants to read my stories…or I run out of ideas.

What do you write?
I write Romance, more specifically HEA romances in all genres and sub genres. I’m very fond of mixing genres in story. Have even gone so far as to created a Romantic Thriller LOL.

If you like Happily Ever After, then you’ll love the road travelled to get there.
That’s my modo and I’m sticking to it. hehe

Why do you write?
I’ve been a story teller all my life, more of a bard in the past than a writer. I would make up stories and then tell them to my cousins while we visited my grandparents for the summer. Then I’d talk them into acting tem out hehehe. I guess this is the next logical step since I’m terrified of acting LOL.

That and it would be kind of hard to convince grown men to pretend to be damsels in distress so that I could rescue them. **big grin**

By writing I can share my stories with a wider audience and if they want to act them out…well…they can be my guest hehe

What are you writing now?
I always have 2-5 stories on the go hehe how did you think I got multiple submissions done LOL. At the moment I’m writing a Valentine’s story, boo4 of the Chronicles of the cursed series, finishing my Brava entry and in November joining NANO.
Oh right there’s Forbidden Island too LOL

You can check out my ongoing progress on my blog http://alinedechevigny.blogspot.com/ and cheer me on as I sweat with Sven.

What kind of clothes do you like to wear?
Comfy! Hehehe I’m no girly girl, getting me in a dress will require my funeral hehe Cause then I won’t have a choice.
I spend half my time in steel toed boots and PPE Equipment so when I get home I want comfy, loose clothing.

Are you in love? Have you ever been?
No I’m not in love. I thought I was once but it was a wrong number.
I know that one day I will be. The guy meant for me is just being stubborn at the moment. I believe in love at first sight, hopefully he will too.

Do you have a dream lover – and what does he look like?
Oh definitely, but I have no idea what he looks like, he’s always in shadow. But I know what he feels like. When I meet him I’ll know.

What kind of comfort food do you like best?
That’s easy homey foods.
Homemade meatball soup (My dad’s recipe)
Cabbage rolls (My mom’s recipe)
Scalloped potatoes (My recipe)
Roasted Pork, potatoes, carrots and sour dough bread (Grandma’s specialty)

What makes you laugh? Cry?
Ok Laugh first… um everything and anything LOL
A good joke, a bad joke, romantic comedies, bad horror movies LOL
My Nephews LOL

And crying...I’m such a suck LOL
Those Bell Canada telephone commercials
Movie previews to sad movies
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Eyre
Need I go on?

What do you do to amuse yourself when not working?
I like to watch movies, go out with my friends, pick on my friends, corrupt their kids. **evil grin**
Visit my family or stay home and read a good book…man I miss reading.
But mostly I write and chat with the readers on the loops oh and Sleep. Lots and lots of sleep.
I work a 2 week in and 2 week out rotation, so after my 180-290 ours in the 2 weeks on, I’m exhausted.

What is it in a man or woman that turns you on? The clean version please!
Men…. Ok first yummy.
It’s the eyes, then a good sense of humour. He seriously needs to be able to take a joke.
I like stubborn men with sarcastic wits LOL what can I say, I can be difficult at times so I need a man who won’t run away the 1st time we have a little fight. I mean seriously where the fun in that?
Loyalty, that is beyond sexy.

What do you hate about life?
People who are only out for themselves and will walk all over everyone just to get what they want.
That and people who steal form others, so they don’t have to work. That burns my ass.

What do you hope to achieve in life and when will you know that you have been a success?
A Nobel Prize.
I kid you not, I’ve wanted one since I was 6.
I’d been aiming for one in chemistry, but unless I get that job in research LOL, one in Literature will do. **big goofy grin**
Then I’ll know I did it.

What are you going to write next?
I seriously have no idea past NANO LOL
Probably that Faerie story fro RRP I promised Wendi LOL

Interview With Nancy Lindley-Gauthier

Tell us a little about yourself
I admire horses, and love to both ride and drive them. Over the years, I have come to admire many different breeds, and many of my works involve some detail of equine history.
My latest, coming soon from The Red Rose Press, is called 'Secret Fire.' It is the story of an heiress on an Arabian horse buying expedition, set back in the 1950s. I enjoyed the research into the desert countries where people searched, so long ago, for those beautiful horses.

What do you write?
I write both long and short works, most with some type of adventure as the main theme. I love to read, and tend to be quite eclectic about reading choice; it’s a specific storyline that will appeal to me. Among my favourites are mysteries and romances, and feel my own best works combine the two.


Why do you write?
I am motivated to write whenever I can't find exactly the story that I want to read. If I want to read about a personal quest, like someone attempting to sail around the world, and can't find that sort of story (that I am envisioning,) I start to write it.

What are you writing now?
I am working on a sequel to that historic romance 'Secret Fire,' tentatively titled, 'Forbidden Fire.' It follows the main character, Sybil, as she struggles to adjust to what is, in essence, a whole new world to her.


What kind of clothes do you like to wear?
I am afraid I am a t-shirt, jeans and flip-flops kind of girl.


Are you in love? Have you ever been?
I am about the luckiest person in the world: I am married to the love of my life, my wonderful Kent.


Do you have a dream lover – and what does he look like?
I have to admit, Kent in his wedding suit about blew me away. He is teddy-bear cute, with crystal-blue eyes, laugh lines, and an always-present smile.

What kind of comfort food do you like best?
Pie: blueberry pie. Rhubarb or pecan are good, apple will do, but there is nothing like blueberry.

What makes you laugh? Cry?
We have a lot of animals - one very opinionated cat, three dogs, and seven horses. We have two chickens, as well. You don't have to work very hard to find humor in all their activities.

What do you do to amuse yourself when not working?
I take my horses out for a carriage drive (not all at once, one or two at a time. I am very envious of those 'whips' that can handle the reins on four horses, or more!) I dream of sailing, but honestly only get out a couple times a year.

What is it in a man or woman that turns you on? The clean version please! Beautiful eyes are number one: a stunning voice can send shivers down my spine, though.

What do you hate about life?
I don't adapt well to changes; large or small. So, the hardest thing about life for me is coping with the unexpected.

What do you hope to achieve in life and when will you know that you have been a success?
Success, to me, is all about living a wonderful life, enjoying life and helping others to enjoy life. It isn't something that you do, complete, and stand back to admire, but rather, something that you try to do everyday.

What are you going to write next?
A funny, quirky romance series about two sisters growing up on the coast of Maine: their lives and loves. I am having a really wonderful time with the start of those, and hope to develop them into a full-length book. I call the manuscript "The Painter's Impressions."

Sunday 21 October 2007

Interview with Tambra Kendall

Tell us a little about yourself


What do you write? I write mostly paranormal romance: futuristic/fantasy, contemporary, historical. Currently, my erotic romance titles, from all of these subgenres is what I’m selling the most of. I write the erotic and really hot titles under the name Tambra Kendall, the other romances under Keelia Greer.


Why do you write? From the time I was twelve years old, I knew I wanted to be a writer. Specifically, a romance writer. You see, even then I had to have my happily ever after. Writing is also therapeutic for me. When I’m away from it for two weeks or more, it makes me physically ill. The need to create is very strong.


What are you writing now? A Celtic fantasy romance and futuristic romance novels, three novellas and a short sensual romance.


What kind of clothes do you like to wear? Full, flowing skirts make of lightweight cotton, camisole top and thong sandals.


Are you in love? Have you ever been? I have been in love, but I’m not right now.


Do you have a dream lover – and what does he look like? Country singer, Keith Urban or model, Chris Dougles.


What kind of comfort food do you like best? Dark chocolate


What makes you laugh? Cry? Laughter: Monty Python and the Flying Circus, Benny Hill, Wallace and Gromit. (I love Gromit and Sean the Sheep!)



What do you do to amuse yourself when not working? I watch the History Channel, I’m a watercolorist and like to do art crafts. And I sing. If it works with my schedule, I enter karaoke contests.


What is it in a man or woman that turns you on? The clean version please! A man who genuinely respects and enjoys a woman’s company. A man that’s honest and not afraid of work.

What do you hate about life? The unfairness of situations you can’t get out of, no matter how much you want change. People that are cruel to other people and animals, racism, war, poverty.

What do you hope to achieve in life and when will you know that you have been a success? I hope to write all the books I can. I’d like to bring some happiness into the world with the stories I create. Making a good living from the writing. Speaking at conferences, making bestsellers lists, having students attend the classes I teach. I teach online creative writing classes and occasionally for our local college.

Most of all, I think, having readers write or tell me that one of my books made their lives better or helped them through a difficult time.

What are you going to write next? I’m writing two paranormal romantic suspense novellas, a short that’s contracted with my publisher and the Celtic fantasy romance novel. I work on more than one project at a time.

Thank you for the lovely questions. I’ve added the places to reach me and the titles I have available.

tambrakendall@sbcglobal.net
keeliagreer@sbcglobal.net
www.tambrakendall.com
www.keeliagreer.com
www.myspace.com/tambrakendall
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tambrakendall
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/keeliagreer
www.daughtersofcirce.com

TITLES under Tambra Kendall
Wicked Pleasures, a humorous erotic historical romance, from Red Rose Publishing
www.redrosepublishing.com

From Whiskey Creek Press Torrid www.whiskeycreekpresstorrid.com

Celtic Love Knots Volume 3, featuring my short erotic romance, Through a Magic Mist, an Irish time travel.

Summer Solstice Scorchers anthology featuring my contemporary vampire erotic romance, A Taste of the Forbidden.

TITLES under Keelia Greer
Available from Highland Press www.highlandpress.org

Blue Moon Magic anthology featuring In the Space of a Heartbeat, a futuristic vampire romance.

Holiday in the Heart featuring Ballou’s Christmas Wish, a contemporary romance with a matchmaking Westie.

For reviews and excerpts go to my websites.

Interview With Dana Littlejohn

Tell us a little about yourself: I am Dana Littlejohn, wife, mom, sister, god-mother, aunt, friend...I wear so many hats. I wouldn’t know where to start.

What do you write? I write sensual erotic romance. I blend of the two I think.

Why do you write? To release the people who live in my head.

What are you writing now? I just finished a voo/magic kind of romance called Cajun Magic.

What kind of clothes do you like to wear? I don’t really have a style, but I have been told I am unique, but don’t know if that was a compliment or not. LOL If I’m not leaving the house I take a hot shower and put on my over sized satin pajamas.

Are you in love? Have you ever been? Oh yes. My husband is literally my best friend and I love him dearly. He is my second husband and after being young and naïve in the first I do know I am truly in love this time.

Do you have a dream lover – and what does he look like? Although I appreciate the beauty in all men, tall, short, buffed, slim, dark, light, black, white, Spanish, (I like them all!) I will say I am partial to short,(under 5’6”) stocky men. I can snuggle in the neck of a man that size.

What kind of comfort food do you like best? I love ice cream. My favourite is Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia.

What makes you laugh? Cry? I love comedies. I laugh at crazy stuff like spoof movies (Kung Fu Hustle is my favourite). I cry when other people cry. I connect with other people pain. I live in a house full of men and they call me a cry baby when I see people on TV cry and I cry with them. I don’t watch movies that will make me cry or scare me. I don’t like to be scared, I’d rather laugh.

What do you do to amuse yourself when not working? I always keep my creative side working. If I’m not writing I’m crocheting, colouring pictures for my office wall or making crafts for whatever holiday might be coming up.

What is it in a man or woman that turns you on? The clean version please! I like a confident man, an alpha male, someone who knows how to take control without over powering me.

What do you hate about life? I hate prejudice. We are all God’s children and the same underneath.

What do you hope to achieve in life and when will you know that you have been a success? I want to be a positive person to all that I come in contact with. When someone asks anyone if they know Dana Littlejohn I want the response to be “Yeah, I know her. She’s great! I just love her.” That’s when I know I’ve done what I’m supposed to do. I know everyone won’t do that and I’m not looking to be liked by everyone, I just want to be a positive person.

What are you going to write next? Now that I am done with Cajun Magic I am going to start Hadji’s Princess. It’s another magic thing, taking place in Egypt with a handsome prince, a beautiful princess and a beautiful but evil genie.

Interview With Stephanie Burke

Tell us a little about yourself

There is not much to tell, really. I am a dyslexic wife to a real life Viking descendent, which would explain his love of pillaging and claiming everything in the house as his own...like the TV and remote! LOL I have two Viking spawnlings, who worship their father like a deity and give me respect as the producer of food and punishments. LOL I have been writing for a number of years now and have written for several publishers, both successful and active as well for one or two who are now defunct. Whimper. I home school my eldest son, kids got an IQ of about 1 at twelve, and when I am not trying to cram for his next school day, I host a lot of writers panels at conferences and lecture when they flash enough money in my direction. *g* I am co-founder of the charity Write for Hope, started an anime convention, which I then lost to a bunch of upstart college students in Southern California, ARGH AND WHIMPER, and I mentor a few writers as well as paint my walls when I am feeling down. Got a lovely Japanese screen painting going up on my wall now... Hmm, this may mean that I am in the beginning stages of bi-polar syndrome...or need a vacation! LOL I am also, you guessed it, an avid anime fan and zombie enthusiasts.... Okay, I do charity zombie walks in full make up to raise awareness... okay, its just fun to put on the costume and take over the occasional town. I costume as well, and have won several awards and masquerades for my creations. I guess it’s safe to say that my family and I are not mundane. LOL


What do you write?

I try to write anything that peaks my interest. So far, I have crossed so many genre’s that even I get confused. Currently I have written erotica, romantica, romance, horror, sci-fi, paranormal, alternate histories, homoerotic, and fantasy stories published. In the works, however, I have several mysteries, steam punk, and a few cyber punk pieces in the works. I have an imagination that runs away from me at times.

Why do you write?

I write to make those damn voices in my head shut up! LOL No actually, I write because it is a release for me. Writing allows me to escape the real world where everything is out of my control and doesn’t have a happy ending, to create and explore a place where no matter what happens, love does help defeat the bad thing, even the enemies you can’t see are defeated, and where goodness wins...sometimes. Its great fun and it allows my mind to wonder and travel to places that only few can conceive of, then come back and share the tales. I think I am a natural story teller, and I love to share my stories with anyone who is willing to listen.

What are you writing now?

The question should be what am I not? LOL So far, I am writing two series for Red Rose publishing, continuing several series form other publishers, trying to get a post apocalyptic story to a totally sci-fi publisher, fighting off hordes of invading aliens with the help of a kitten in another universe, invading the minds of warped and insane vampires, creating super heroes, and playing with gargoyles. LOL But if we must get specific, I am now finishing or working on...here we go...

Dragon’s Weir- Red Rose Publishing
Dragon’s Clutch- Red Rose Publishing
Green-Changeling Press
Gray- Changeling Press
Space Opera 2, the second movement- Changeling Press
Green World- Loose-Id Press
The Coven- Loose-ID press
The Slayer 2-Blood Redemption- Ellora’s Cave
Lucavarian- Ellroa’s Cave
Harder – Final Sword Productions

There are more, but they are all in the works.

What kind of clothes do you like to wear?

Woo Hoo! I am a clothes horse! LOL I love Goth wear and Asian influenced clothing. Harajuku is a common word around here! LOL! And then there is my love of leather, which I can’t afford, so a lot of my characters get to indulge instead! LOL But best of all....shoes! I have dozens of pairs of shoes! Boots, and heels, clogs and platforms, I love most of them all! *g*
But most of the time, I am in sweats and t-shirts. Whimper! But who can teach science in the kitchen in a pair of five inch heels? So when the husband says, +let’s go shopping, I am pressed and primped within five minuets! So what if we are only going grocery shopping, I think the black velvet gown is perfect for squeezing melons! ROTFLMAO


Are you in love? Have you ever been?

Oh I am in love with the Viking. It prevents me from giving him an early Viking Burial on the sofa! LOL Seriously, I have been in love for a lot of years, and because of that, I know that I can rely on my Dennis to pep me up when I am felling down, to cheer me up when I want to cy, to make fun of me when I’ve had a bad day until it doesn’t seem all that important, and to just complete me. Everyone should try love. It feels really good.


Do you have a dream lover – and what does he look like?

Oh I have a dream lover. He’s rich and dark and....Okay, that was the chocolate fantasy! LOL Dram lover, I don’t think I have one. My desires and wants change so often that any dream lover I have would have to be a shape shifter! LOL So instead, I simply crate a host of men, some likable, some detestable, that I exploit for fun and profit! LOL My dreams seem to translate really well to my heroes that I create. And I dream of chocolates and decadent deserts! *g*

What kind of comfort food do you like best?

Lasagne and chocolate! What else is there? *g* Oh, that and some really good Oktoberfest beer! *G* I do have some German in my blood! *g*

What makes you laugh? Cry?

Hmm, laugh? I laugh a lot! Better to laugh tan to cry. But funny movies, anime, children’s laughter, puppies and ponies, pratfalls, and a really good dirty jokes...people who are overly PC... myself at times.... Its good to find the humour in any situation. Laugher extend you life, you know! *G*
As for crying, tragedy, heart ache, being unable to help the people I love and care about, fear for my children. Sigh, that is so depressing I must go and find a good dirty joke! LOL

What do you do to amuse yourself when not working?

Not Working? What is that? LOL I guess in the few moments I can spare, that I am not in the bathroom; I watch anime and read manga. *g* Or if I get a few hours, I will soak in the tub and read romances like I am a descendant princess. I think I was a princess in a past life! It would explain my longing for half naked harem boys serving my every whim! Oh! That would make a great book! LOL

What is it in a man or woman that turns you on? The clean version please!

Drats! Have to be clean! Hmm... well in that case.... I love long luxurious hair on a man! Long pretty hair that I can play in and run all over my naked.... Clean, she said! LOL I love hair, expressive eyes, and deep voices. I also love tall huge hunks of men that make me feel small and feminine...and safe. *g* Gee, I guess the romantic bug has got a good bite of my heart! *G* So tall, beautiful eyes, long hair, wonderful personality, and the ability to cook a seven course mean and clean up after himself! Hey, what do you know! I have a fantasy man after all! LOL

What do you hate about life?

Hmm, hard one. I guess I hate prejudice and injustice. I hate to see closed minded people persecuting others for their beliefs or lifestyles. I have seen far too much of that in my years. I unfortunately have to live with the facet that my children will have to see and live through this as well. And I guess I really hare humankinds ability to fear and hate anything that is different or something that they don’t understand. We need to learn from our experiences, not from tired old tales of people who knew no better back in their day. Another thing I hate to see the stronger hurting the weaker, the children who will endure abuse, the bullies that help lead up to a situation like Columbine, to see the voiceless get trampled and exploited by the louder and overbearing, no matter what their excuses are. It’s sad, wrong and a serious problem.

What do you hope to achieve in life and when will you know that you have been a success?

I hope to leave this world a little better than I found it! *g* I hope I can make my parents, my children, my husband and family proud of me. I hope to be able to continue to make a living doing what I love to do, and I hope that I can teach my children to see laughter and love where there is only hate and pain.
As for success, I guess I will never be satisfied with what I consider my successes. There is still so much out there to achieve and to explore! *G* I don’t; consider myself a success yet. Maybe one day when I put down my pen and declare that I have nothing more to say or share, and I can look back on my life and have no regrets or the dreaded “what if’s” then I can consider myself a success. But that day is a long way off and a long time in coming.

What are you going to write next?

What will I write next? Who knows! More fairies, vampires, aliens, interracial madness, good man on man love, bug people from Saturn, zombie love tales.... Who knows?! Maybe I’ll dream that answer and then I’ll get back with you. *g*

Stephanie Burke
AKA Flash
Theflashcat.net
Flamekeeper@yahoogroups.com
myspace.com/the_flash_cat

Lord of Scandal


Lord of Scandal/Nicola Cornick /HQN/ paperback/378 ISBN0373772114 $6.99 USA

Lord Ben Hawksmoor is a Regency celebrity, known for his wild deeds and his famous mistress. Women sigh over him and throw themselves at his feet, but Ben has only one thing on his mind and that is surviving in the debauched society, his birth has enabled him to enter, on what money he can win at the card tables. Ben has a title but no money. He has shown little interest in finding himself an heiress but that was before he met Miss Catherine Fenton.

At first Ben believes she is a cyprian and is intent on seducing her. She attracts him more than any other woman he knows, and when he discovers that she is also an heiress it look as if he has the answers to his problems. However, Catherine has a mind of her own and his troubles have only just started!

Dark, sultry and intriguing, this Regency book grips the reader from start to finish. This is international best selling author Nicola Cornick writing at a new level. Her legion of fans is going to be thrilled with this one! A bouquet of roses! Linda Sole

Siempre Mia

Cindy Jacks/Siempra Mia/Dark Eden Press/ebook/19pages
She is successful, rich enough and in control of her life - a modern woman. She takes lovers, keeping a special perfume for each, but Miguel wants more. Can she find the meaning of true emotion?

This is a short story about sexual affairs and learning to trust again. Well written and sensual. 4.5 red roses, Morna

Wish fulfillment


Wish Fulfillment/Penny Ash/Dark Eden Press/ebook/40 pages
Undercover agent Glenn Masterton is blinded in a raid on an apartment in Las Vegas. Lying in hospital, feeling bitter, he makes a chance remark about wishing he had a good fairy. When Twinkle turns up he is granted a wish, which is to regain his sight. However, he must repay the boon for his sight, and it works only when Twnkle is around. Twinkle is one naughty fairy and that is when the mayhem begins.

This is lots of fun. I enjoyed this naughty fairytale. Five red roses, Anne

The Perfect Hero

The Perfect Hero/Aline de Chevigny/Red Rose Publishing/ebook/62pages

Cassandra is an author in search of the perfect hero for her novel. Most of the men she meets are too nice, including Mike the owner of the cafe where she writes each day. However, Nick has his eye on her. She is a little suspicious and decides that he is perfect for her reasearch, and that is when the fun begins. Will it lead to happiness or heartbreak?

I enjoyed this short novel. It is bright, cheerful and fun as well as being sexy and romantic. I give this book 4.5 red roses. Morna

Friday 19 October 2007

Interview with Kendra Mei Chailyn



Tell us a little about yourself
About myself...It’s always weird talking about yourself...lol...ok...I am a twenty four year old Jamaican living in Canada. I am also a university student so most of the time, between my writing and school along with a social life I barely even have time to breathe but I love it. I love acting, trying to sing along with a whole slew of other things that people wonder where I find time to do lol....I LOVE a good action movie where things blow up! And I love a good comedy. It’s funny, I’m not so much into the sappy romance movies...I don’t know why.

What do you write?
I write sensual, interracial romance. But I am looking to branch out!

Why do you write?
Why do I write? Simply? I write because I love it. I have been writing every since I was about ten (poems, songs etc). It seems that I have always been writing. It makes me smile to think that I can create something from nothing. I love it when people can pick up a copy of my work, read it and have a good day/night because of it. Writing keeps me sane, if I am having a bad day I sit down at my laptop and write. Other people go kickboxing or jogging or beat some one up (I don’t recommend by the way)...I write out my frustration.

What are you writing now?
Oh man..lets see now. I am working on my first Paranormal (wolf Shifter) for Red Rose Publishing. They are doing an anthology for Full Moon Farm. It’s a wonderful cause and since I have never written a paranormal before, this is proving to be a challenge but I say, bring it on! Lol...I am also working on the sequel to my first paper back novel “Destiny’s Cowboy” along with that I am researching Stonehenge for my Nanowrimo novel that I have titled “Stonehenge” that’s just a few of what I am working on...the list goes on lol!

What kind of clothes do you like to wear?
LOL! Kinda personal....lol...ok I’m a Tom Boy so I love a nice pair of baggy jeans, my university sweat shirt and a baseball cap. There’s this necklace of the Metallica “St Anger” fist that I wear on a regular basis. I love to be comfortable but when the time calls for it, I can get decked out with the best of ‘em.


Are you in love? Have you ever been?
Nope, I’m not in love though I just broke up with someone. Yes I have been in love. I dedicated one of my stories to him. Even though we no longer date, we are still close friends because we only broke up because of the distant thing so it wasn’t a drop-down butt-kicking sort of break up. He’s a wonderful guy and if the situation was different or ever becomes better I’d be right there again *blush*

Do you have a dream lover – and what does he look like?
Oh boy do I! Well, my dream lover is a mixture of Orlando Bloom, Michael Jai White, The Rock *growls* he has to be tender, loving, honest. Something like Mark from my story “A Sistah for Mark”

What kind of comfort food do you like best?
Chocolate! Anything that is chocolate! And some good old mommy’s cooking (Jamaican food) ok now I’m home-sick!

What makes you laugh? Cry?
What makes me laugh? Hrm....I am the biggest goof ball you’ll ever meet and my friends are crazy. If it’s a good joke I’ll laugh. Or if a friend does something stupid that is just out there. I love a good giggle too. I love the movie “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” for an example of some of my taste in comedy.

What makes me cry...Missing or abused children. That makes be cry and makes me angry. A sad movie, those commercials on television about starving children. Soldiers getting killed overseas, it breaks my heart.

What do you do to amuse yourself when not working?
I search through my author friend’s websites, MySpace, Facebook. Youtube (which I am addicted to). Bugging my mom and dad (I don’t live at home now because of out of town university so I call home often *grins*), I love American Justice and Cold Cases (the real Cold Cases).

What is it in a man or woman that turns you on? The clean version please!
Aww man! You’re no fun! Lol...Well the thing that turns me on in a man is if he’s independent. I am not clingy and I don’t want a man that is clingym who wants to know where I am every second of every day...it gets old. I love a man that can make me smile or just burst out laughing. And if he’s willing to sit down with me, cuddle and read a romance novel with me (yah right) then he’s got me!

What do you hate about life?
The truth? I hate how complicated it gets at times. But I guess without the complications there wouldn’t be so much good right?

What do you hope to achieve in life and when will you know that you have been a success?
I hope to one day write for Harlequin LOL big goals but hey, I was told to set my bar high. I want to eventually open my own publishing company and be able to travel where ever , whenever I want. But for the short term, I want to graduate with honours from university and find a good job to pay off my student loans and who knows, maybe find my happily ever after *Wink*

What are you going to write next?
Well, I am seriously thinking of writing an interracial series with really “Strange” culture mixes since I am OBSSESSED with cultures. But I shouldn’t even be thinking about a new story, my works in progress list is WAY too long! lol

Thursday 18 October 2007

Interview with Giselle Renarde


Tell us a little about yourself

I’m a Canadian city-dweller, but I would love to live in a forest bordering on a lake. Water is incredibly soothing. One day I’ll be a crazy cat lady, but I only have two kitties so far. My education is in communication theory, with special interest in sexuality and gender studies. I do volunteer work to help improve the lives of women and women-led families, but it’s a drop in the ocean. I want to do more for my community.

What do you write?

I write erotica. Straight, gay, lesbian, group... Actually, my story The Birthday Gift (Dark Eden Press) encompasses all of the above.


Why do you write?

Writing and art have been my primary creative outlets since I was very young. Just the other week, my mother showed me a box she kept of the little French books I wrote and illustrated in grade school. They’re too cute!
Now I write because I love to build characters, throw them into situations and see what the end up doing. It’s a weird and wonderful feeling when a story comes through you and not from you.

What are you writing now?

I’m just finishing up an erotic fairy tale. It’s the darkest work I’ve written to date. Deeply psychological and swimming with symbolism. I just love it!


What kind of clothes do you like to wear?

Depends on where I am. When I’m at home I wear frilly, sexy, feminine clothes. When I leave the house, I dress almost like a boy. Strange, right?


Are you in love? Have you ever been?

I’ve been head over heels for a beautiful man who should have resisted me but couldn’t. Maybe I’ll write a book about it some day.

Do you have a dream lover – and what does he look like?

I swoon for my fellow Canadian, Leonard Cohen. His smoky voice keeps me warm at night. That charmer Cary Grant is up there too. Oh, and I have a huge crush on Professor Snape from Harry Potter.
Ultimately, I’m a sucker for the baldies. I like a highly intelligent older man with an athletic physique and a voice to die for. Patrick Stewart comes to mind…

What kind of comfort food do you like best?

Any combination of cheese and chocolate is good. How about chocolate cheesecake? I’m a coffee addict with a tea habit on the side. Throw in some red wine, too. Oh, red wine and kettle chips. Yum yum!


What makes you laugh? Cry?

Storyteller Stuart McLean makes me laugh and cry on his radio show, The Vinyl Café. I’ve seen every episode of The Simpsons about forty times, but when I really want to laugh I’ll watch British comedies like Coupling. Hilarious!
Music makes me cry more than anything else. Particularly the “sail on silver girl” verse of Bridge over Troubled Waters. That gets me every time.

What do you do to amuse yourself when not working?

Everyone who knows me will tell you I’m a reader. There’s a little garden on my balcony that I try to keep alive. I also knit obsessively. Every day, I take my mp3 player for a walk through my local cemetery. It’s so peaceful there. I love to cook and bake as well.


What is it in a man or woman that turns you on? The clean version please!

The sexiest part of a man and a woman is the collarbone. There’s something very sensual about that shadow it creates. And a sharp mind makes anyone attractive, I find.

What do you hate about life?

I hate that we’ve been blessed with this beautiful planet and we seem to be doing everything we can to kill it. I’m a firm believer that every small effort helps, and that we can make a difference.

What do you hope to achieve in life and when will you know that you have been a success?

Oscar Wilde wrote, “something hidden away in my nature, like a treasure in a field, is Humility.” Living a simple and humble life is my greatest challenge, and would be my greatest achievement. When I’ve abandoned conceit, and when my life is devoted to helping others, I’ll be a success.

What are you going to write next?

I have more ideas than I can keep up with. There’s a historical romance percolating in the back of my mind. Foyle’s War has me itching to learn more about the roles women played in WWII.

Wednesday 17 October 2007

Sacred Ground

Sacred Ground/Rita Karnopp/Eternal Press/ebook/126 pages

Brett Turner has mixed feelings towards his neighbour Willow Howling Moon. He blames her buffalo for his cows getting sick, but Willow insists that her herd doesn’t have brucellosis. Brett also dislikes the fact that his son likes to play with Willow’s son. As far as Willow is concerned, Sean is more welcome than his father. However, she admits he isn’t bad to look at, and despite his prejudice, Brett is physically drawn to the beautiful Indian woman. Whenever they meet they quarrel, but inevitably they are drawn together.

This book tells of dreams and legends; of the struggle to overcome fear and prejudice. Beautiful, tender and full of love, it tugs at the heartstrings. Five red roses, Anne

Interview With Rita Karnopp

Tell us a little about yourself


I have been writing for over fifteen years. Although I’m originally from Wisconsin, my husband and I have lived in Montana for the past thirty-two years. I’m drawn to the history of the Native American and I strive to bring alive the authenticity of a time past. When writing suspense or contemporary romance I enjoy bringing excitement and the enduring power of love to my stories. Watch for my upcoming releases: Sacred Ground in November 2007 and Wind Song, Dark Spirit, and Ransom Love, coming in 2008 from Eternal Press and also Whispering Sun with Uncial Press in 2008. When I’m not reading, writing or doing research, I enjoy making dream catchers, gold panning, crystal digging, rafting, fishing, canoeing, and spending time with my family. Please visit my website at www.ritaritr.com or my ‘myspace’ at www.myspace.com/ritakarnopp, www.eternapress.com and www.uncialpress.com.


What do you write? I love to write suspense, Indian historical romance. I also have a Native American ‘life goes full-circle’ type futuristic and a serial killer novel. Yikes… I haven’t settled down yet…and I would suspect I never will. I’m actually working on a ‘gypsy heroine during the holocaust.’


Why do you write? I write because I can’t stop the stories filling my head and demanding to be written!! It’s my passion! It’s my joy. It’s my dream.


What are you writing now? I’m actually working on rewrites and promoting! I have SACRED GROUND releasing in November 2007, and next year I have three books releasing with Eternal Press and one releasing with Uncial Press.


What kind of clothes do you like to wear? I love jeans and anything reflecting a Native American feel…feathers…beads…turquoise…I’m just a down to earth Montana girl. But I have to admit…I write in my silk Green Bay Packers lounging PJs with a matching tank top in the summer and flannel PJ sets in the winter with warm fuzzy socks! I never wear shoes unless I have to! But I do dress professional for my ‘daytime job’.


Are you in love? Have you ever been? I’m more in love now…than 34 years ago when I married my husband. He’s my best friend, my partner and my lover. He’s the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Do you have a dream lover – and what does he look like? I must admit my bald, soft kissing husband is my ‘dream lover’. If I were to pick someone other than hubby, I’d say Lou Diamond Phillips is a hunk as was Daniel Day-Lewis in THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS. My friends tease me they can’t believe I hadn’t married a Native American man!


What kind of comfort food do you like best? I’m a woman… chocolate covered cherries and a dry glass of Australian or South African chardonnay! My secret obsessions are Bottle Caps…but only the red ones! For a romantic night I like strawberries in champagne. If I’m going to be bad...or need something to crunch on while writing I like Doritos and a Pepsie, but I don’t do that often because of the calories and it’s not too good for me!


What makes you laugh? Cry? My children make me laugh as does my husband’s dry sense of humour. I love laughter. And I believe we should laugh no less than 30 times a day! I’m an extrovert and a woman with a positive attitude. I’d rather laugh than cry. Oh…cry? Well a ‘Kodak moment,’ a rose for no reason, a daughter or son getting married, writing an emotional scene in a book… need I say more?


What do you do to amuse yourself when not working? I work as an executive secretary, so when I’m not working I write! To unwind I love watching movies. I love to make dream catchers. I love to go crystal digging. I love floating the Missouri River on our raft…with hubby. I enjoy canoeing, fishing, camping. I love sitting around the camp fire with family…sharing stories and jokes.

What is it in a man or woman that turns you on? The clean version please!

I think it’s sexy when my husband surprises me with a deep kiss that makes me yearn for more. I find cooking with hubby a turn on. Watching a sexy, tender movie with lights down, candles lit and a glass of wine extremely a turn on!


What do you hate about life? I hate prejudices of any kind.

What do you hope to achieve in life and when will you know that you have been a success? My goal in life was to see my name on the cover of a book! I am a success already… the rest will be more than I’ve ever hoped for. I feel extremely blessed in life.


What are you going to write next? I have a drive that keeps pushing me to write TANGO OF DEATH (TANGO FUN TOYT) – a gypsy story during the holocaust.

A Seaside Enchantment


Sara Freeze/A Seaside Enchantment/The wild Rose Press/ebook 27 pages

Justin has come for a holiday to a seaside cottage loaned to him by his aunt. He isn't amused when he discovers it is haunted. The ghost insists he call her Miss Wentworth and demands he leave to make way for her champion, who will set her free from the enchantment that binds her to the cottage. Can Justin travel back in time to help her?

Sara Freeze has written another excellent shirt story. the plot is credible and the humour carries the reader through. This deserves to do well. Five red roses, Morna

Fan-tasy


Raven Star/Fan-tasy/Red Rose Publishing/ebook/61 pages
Star has always admired Nathan from afar but he is famous. How can she ever make him notice her? Many of the fans who watch him on stage would love to win his favours even for one night. Can Star hope to live her fantasy?

This is a sensual, beautifully told story. I enjoyed it and recommend this as a short sexy read. Five red roses, Anne

On Death's Wings




Fallen Angels: On Death Wings by AuburnimpDark Eden Press/Ebook





Just when Daniel O’Conner thinks his life is over, along comes Samael. Samael rescues Daniel from a brutal and painful death. Unsure why he has saved Daniel Samael takes him home with him.



Finally able to have a roof over his head and food in his stomach after living on the streets, Daniel gets curious about the man that has rescued him. With permission to explore Daniel does just that and discovers a study filled with books. Doing some research he finds some startling facts about Samael’s name and wonders just what he has gotten himself into. Has he been saved or has he been sentenced to a life that is beyond what he can deal with. Is Samael the Grim Reaper or is his name a coincidence?





This is a good book. I loved the paranormal aspects. It is different than most paranormal that drew you into the story. It is a short story that is a quick read and worth the time.





I give this one 4 1-2 red roses.



www.darkedenpress.com

Male Cage


Male Cage by Dee Shore/Red Rose Publishing/ebook





Austin has been waiting for the moment she walks down the isle her whole life. Just when she thinks the day can’t be more perfect she finds out that her fiancé has left her.



Austin decides to take this as a wake up call that she needs to change her life and the direction she is moving in.



The perfect place to get a new start is in paradise or at least as close as paradise as possible in Hawaii. Once in Hawaii she decides to use the skills that she hasn’t used in years and get a job as a bartender. What better place to start over as a bartender and mend a broken heart than at a male strip club.



Austin gets the job and meets Damian. And the fun starts happening. Damian is happy with the way his life is going until he meets Austin and realizes that maybe he has been missing something in his life all along.





This book is short and definitely worth reading. It is full of ups and downs as we watch Austin rebuild her life. There a lot of laughs and is very fun. This one is a keeper.



I give this one 5 red roses. LW

www.redrosepublishing.com

Tuesday 16 October 2007

French Tart

Sloane Taylor/French Tart/ebook/Eternal Press/36pages

Doni wants her own restaurant. She could go to her family for help but she is determined to earn her success. The first step is to learn about top notch cooking, but she didn't realise it would mean working with a randy chef and a wicked parrot. Of course there is also Mark...

This is wickedly funny, sexy and enchanting. A short story you have to own. Five red roses, Anne

Wednesday 10 October 2007

Masquerading Mistress


MASQUERADING MISTRESS

BY
SOPHIA JAMES
Harlequin Mills & Boon/paperback
ISBN978-0-263-85197-7





This intriguing story opens in England 1794, where we are allowed a brief peep into the lives of a pair of young lovers. Eloise St Clair, who is beautiful with red blonde hair and acts like a will-of the wisp, never still, darting in and out of the life of Maxwell a young eighteen year old son of the local gentry, she is the daughter of the vicar. They become lovers and Maxwell gives Eloise a gold locket as a betrothal gift, with a drawing of each of them inside, they seal their pact with blood.

We are next in Penleven Castle in Cornwall in the year 1816 twenty-two years later, we have no idea what has happened to the young lovers.
Penleven Castle is the home of the Duke of Penborne, who is scarred badly both in mind and face. He has been living virtually as a recluse since his terrible ordeals in France during the wars. He was in a church, which was blown up by cannon fire, most of the people inside perished, he survived but with terrible injuries and spent months in a French hospital, before returning home.
In London a beautiful young woman named Caroline Anstretton, who lives by her wits and her twin brothers' gambling, claims to be the lover of the Duke. It was in desperation that she proclaimed this to the amazed crowd as she was about to be claimed by Excelsior Beaufort-Hughes, an old and obnoxious rake, as his prize, saying that after having had the Duke as a lover she could not sleep with such as he.
Having this tale related to him by his cousin Leonard Lindsey and being told that it soiled the Lindsey name made the Duke at first laugh then furious but after a while he became intrigued. It must be the old training he had as a spy in the British army, it had made him curious when any strange events occurred.
He was just curious enough to make him leave his castle and travel to London.
Confronting Miss Anstretton at a ball. The Duke was at first cold and aloof but something in the young girl’s eyes, almost a pleading, touched him and he acknowledged her and said he would like to renew their association. The whole room was intrigued; whispers and questions rang throughout the ballroom.
What will happen next and will she find happiness?
I found this book intriguing and an exciting read, there are many entwined threads to this story, have fun finding all the answers, living the ups and the downs of this fascinating tale and unravel the story of Eloise and Maxwell. I award this book 5 red roses. AS

Tuesday 9 October 2007

Sun City




Sun City by Anne Rainey



Roslyn is in trouble. When she wakes up and doesn’t know where she is or how she got there. On the up side there is a very sexy man watching her. Now to figure out what to do. Should she flee or stay.



Bane Riley has a plan that involves Roslyn. While he is trying to teach Roslyn something he is learning more about himself. Bane is trying to get Roslyn out of his system once and for all.



Both end up learning the power of love and what happens when you fall in love when you least expect it.





This is a great story and worth reading. It is story and very fun to read.





I give this one 4-1/2 red roses.

Dance of Seduction


Dance of Seduction by Capri Montgomery / ebook/Dark Eden Press





Beck has come to Lizzie to learn to dance so that he can impress his girlfriend. As the lessons progress he learns a lot more than just dancing. He starts to see what is really important. But will Beck see it in time or will he do what is expected of him.



Beck has to decide if he is going to do what his family expects of him or follow the real lesson he learned while learning to dance.



This is very good quick read and worth taking the time. It is a touching story that will have you rooting for Beck.



I give this one 4 red roses.
www.darkedenpress.com

Wednesday 3 October 2007

Dangerous To Know


Dangerous to Know by Anne Sole/Dark Eden Press/Sensual/August 2007/ $5.50



Talented storyteller Anne Sole blends chills, thrills, romance and heart pounding action in her gripping romantic suspense, Dangerous to Know.



English model Karin Blake is in America trying to find some clues to the whereabouts of her twin sister, Angela, who has gone missing. With the police seeming indifferent to her plea, Karin decides to ask the best detective in town for help Mike Wendell.



Mike may have bigger fish to fry then Karin’s sister, but one glance at the beautiful English girl and he finds himself unable to say no to her. As the two grow closer, they find themselves embroiled in a dangerous web of illicit secrets, wicked deceptions and vengeful enemies keen to silence them.



But the biggest danger of all is the fact that they find themselves drawn to one another. Karin and Mike may come from different worlds, but they find the attraction which sizzles between them absolutely impossible to resist…



Under her new guise as Anne Sole, international best-selling author and reader favourite Anne Herries/Linda Sole once again dazzles her readers with this captivating tale of romantic suspense which held me in thrall from the first page till the last.


Wonderful character, breathless suspense and potent romance are this talented storyteller’s hallmarks and in Dangerous to Know, Anne Sole amply demonstrates that when it comes to spinning yarns, she is truly one of the best! JB



I award five roses.