Welcome to my blog. I am a writer and avid reader of romances particularly historical romances. Please join me on my journey through time. Feel free to leave a comment
So many superstitions, so many versions and so much fun. Halloween has roots dating back to the early centuries. It seems people didn't know what to think about Christianity. They were frightened of the church and took as many precautions as they could conjure.
The day, October 3, has been known as Samhain Eve, November Eve, Feast of the Dead, Feast of Apples, Hallows and All Hollows Eve.
People dressed up in frightening costumes or disguises to protect themselves from spirits. They displayed scary jack o'lanterns and they gave out food to travelers.
Now we have fun going from door to door in the pounding rain with our children and grand children asking for candy. Hmmm...
It's supposed to be awful here in Oregon tonight. 100% chance of rain. True I'm an Oregonian and I should expect as much. My granddaughter is going as Rapunzel, probably one of the most sought after costumes for the year 2012. I made the costume and discovered in early October the pattern had been sold out in every store in Salem. Lucky for me I could buy it online.
http://wicca.com/celtic/akasha/samhain.htm check out this site for more information on Halloween.
Now for the real reason for this post. Rogues Angels are publishing a May Day Anthology 2013.
And of course, this is another pagan holiday. My novella is Highland Miracle set in the Scottish highlands in the year of our Lord, 1621.
May Day
The May pole was a focal point of the old English village rituals. Many people would rise at the first light of dawn to go outdoors and gather flowers and branches to decorate their homes. Women traditionally would braid flowers into their hair. Men and women alike would decorate their bodies. Beltane marks the return of vitality, of passion. Ancient Pagan traditions say that Beltane marks the emergence of the young God into manhood. Stirred by the energies at work in nature, he desires the Goddess. They fall in love, lie among the grasses and blossoms, and unite. The Goddess becomes pregnant of the God. To celebrate, a wedding feast, for the God and Goddess must be prepared. Let Them guide you! Breads and cereals are popular. Try oatmeal cakes or cookies sweetened with a dab of honey. Dairy foods are again appropriate...just make a lovely wedding feast and you are sure to enjoy yourself! An early morning walk through a local park or forest could be fun for everyone. Gather up some plants or flowers to display in your home. Mom and daughter could braid their hair, and weave in a few tender blossoms. Blessed Be! Taken from: http://wicca.com/celtic/akasha/beltane.htm
Please Welcome R.T. Wolfe author of Black Creek Burning.
R.T. will be giving away a $40 Amazon or BN.com Gift Certificate, winner's choice, to one randomly drawn commenter at the conclusion of the tour.
Black Creek Burning
By
R.T. Wolfe
INTERVIEW:
Let me say first, Christine,
thank you having me here today. I love this blog!
1.What components are necessary
for the genre of this novel?
IMO, the suspense in a romantic suspense should be
weaved throughout, not just added toward the end. On the other hand, I feel the
same way about the romance. It’s tricky. It takes a lot of work and I
completely love it.
2.What expertise did you bring to
your writing?
The individual passions of the characters in Black Creek Burning have more to do with
the development of the story than simply what they do for their day job. Subliminal
metaphors are twined throughout regarding their interests. One example is the
main character’s love of her landscape design business. Her character develops
in tandem with the changing of the seasons. The novel starts in the dead of
winter and continues through to an upstate New York summer. The same goes for
the rebuild of the rundown farmhouse the hero moves into. Personally, I’ve
flipped a few houses myself. That is, I’ve bought them rundown or only half
built. My husband and I fixed them up and sold them for a profit. I do the
landscaping, he does the woodwork.
3.As far as your writing goes,
what are your future plans?
Black
Creek Burning is the book one in the Black Creek Trilogy. My
short term plans are to get out book two and three in the tight schedule I’ve
allowed. My long term plans are two-fold. I have dozens of books buzzing holes in
my head regarding one of the main characters in the final installment of the
trilogy. I also have a paranormal trilogy spinning around involving three women
who keep secret the extra ‘talents’ they’ve discovered they have and the men
who compliment the talents.
4.If you could be one of the
characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?
I would be the main character, Brie. She’s
resilient, smart, selfless, smart, flexible, talented and did I mention smart?
5.Do you belong to a critique
group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?
I belong to an RWA chapter and a number of author
Yahoo loops. The gals (and guy) are invaluable. We learn from each other and
offer tough critiques. They’re amazing.
6.When did you first decide to
submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big
step?
I never wrote Black
Creek Burning with the intention of publishing. I simply loved writing,
creating, researching, editing, organizing…it’s an addiction. I was truly
shocked when I came out the other end of my writing bubble with a completed
novel. I asked one friend to read it. Just one. She gave it to another who gave
it to another…I soon found myself with a compact but crazed group of readers
who pushed me, hounded me and nagged me to publish. I am so lucky to have them!
7.What is the best and worst
advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)
Best advice? To make sure my work fits into the
box that industry dictates.
Worst advice? To make sure my work fits into the
box that industry dictates. J
8.Do you outline your books or
just start writing?
I try to outline, I really do. But the characters
have their own ideas. Generally, I end up outlining then re-outlining several
times as I go.
9.Do you have an all time
favorite book?
My all time favorite would have to be Northern Lights by Nora Roberts. Not the
Lifetime movie, though. Ugh. I’ve read the book several times.
10.Have you started your next project? If so, can you
share a little bit about your book?
Black
Creek Burning is the first in the Black Creek romantic suspense
trilogy. To Fly in Shadows is book
two and comes out in February and book three, Dark Vengeance, will debut in July. So fun.
11.Who is your favorite actor and actress?
Hmm. I’ve never been asked that, actually. I would
say Tom Hanks and Renee Zellweger. Their versatility is truly impressive.
12.Can you tell us a little about the black moment in
your book?
Brie spends six years soundly stuffing the guilt
and memories of her parents’ deaths into her subconscious. The arson had been
meant for her and the killer never found. Nathan sees it long before she does,
but the dark moment is when she realizes the killer never quit watching her and
isn’t finished.
13.If you were a casting director for the film
version of your book, who would play your lead roles?
Colin Farrell and Jennifer Aniston. Farrell has a
talent of playing the hero who doesn’t need to be the center of attention.
Aniston knows how to be purposeful, talented and…did I mention smart before?
lol
14.Anything else you might want to add?
Just that I’m honored to be here. I’ve had a blast
answering your questions and hope some of your followers are interested in reading
Black Creek Burning!
BLURB:
Brianna Chapman learns to
handle just about anything. Witnessing the murder of her parents had that
effect. Knowing the unsolved arson had been meant for her isn’t as easy to
overcome. Instead, she stuffs her guilt soundly into her subconscious through
diving into the teaching job she loves by day and the dirt of the landscaping
business she owns by night. Her habit of remaining aloof to personal
relationships is, well, working.
Will her guilt be as easy to
keep buried if the killer comes back to finish the job?
In the midst of juggling a
scorched yard, dead animals on her doorstep and her vandalized car, the one
thing she didn’t count on was the staggering Nathan Reed. A nationally renowned
woodworking artist, Nathan and his two priceless nephews move into the run-down
historical house behind her and over Black Creek. They have a canny way of
maneuvering around her aloof demeanor and into her heart. Will they still want
to be part of her life when they discover she is haunted by past memories and
hunted by present dangers?
***
EXCERPT:
SHORT EXCERPT/CHAPTER SIX
“When is the rest of your
family coming?” she asked before she realized how that sounded.
“Rest of my family?” Nathan
tilted his head toward the boys who were gleefully battling scar-faced monsters
driving Corvettes and Camaros.
“You made reference to your
wife.” Her eyes moved around thoughtfully. He said that, hadn’t he?
“I would not have made the
reference, since there isn’t one. I’m divorced.”
“Yes, you did. You said your
family was at your parents’ home when I came to bring your dog back to you.”
The two of them centered the
table under her traditional, crystal chandelier.
“The boys were at my
folks and they are my family. You know, you wouldn’t have to move your
kitchen table if you had one for your dining room.”
“I told you, it was burned,”
she said quickly.
“I guess I thought you were
being sarcastic. How did it happen?”
“That’s a subject I don’t have
time for.” She turned and started upstairs. “I need to change.”
She
felt his fingers, rough and possessive, wrap around her arm. Gently, he turned
her around. He held on carefully when she tried to pull away. As she looked
into the blue, he whispered, “I’m sorry. I know what it’s like to suddenly lose
someone you love.”
Shaken, she felt exposed as she
responded, “I never said I lost anyone.”
Nathan released her arm and
lifted his hand near her face. He paused as she watched him before running the
backs of his fingers down her cheek.
“True. I’m going to work on
setting around your stack of folding chairs.”
As she moved up the stairs, she
laid the palm of her hand where his fingers had touched her and swore she felt
heat.
SHORT EXCERPT/CHAPTER 10
“I’m not above doing that. You
should know that. I can take care of my own car.” Brie turned as she thought of
just how she was going to do that, and reached up to pull out a single tea bag and
mug. “And there is no you and me. It was just a kiss. Now, we have to move
backward for Andy’s sake.” And mine, she thought.
He made his way to her in three
long strides, picked her up by the shoulders and plopped her on the kitchen
counter, smashing his mouth to hers. Framing the side of her face with one
hand, Nathan laced his fingers in her pinned up hair with the other.
She couldn’t think and for the
first time in her life let go. Slipping away from her blessed control, she
blocked out the possible consequences and surrendered to the now. Her skin
nearly ignited from the feel of his body as she pulled him in closer. She held
onto his lanky back, his strong arms, feeling his rough hands on her face, in
her hair. His mouth and his tongue emptied her mind. She clamped her eyes shut
and wanted to stay right there. As he’d done at the midnight hour in her
basement, he pulled away as quickly as he took her.
Nathan whispered close to her
face, “Just a kiss my ass.”
***
AUTHOR INFORMATION:
R.T. was born and raised in the
Midwest, the youngest of six children. She married at a young age and decided
early on she wanted a family herself. With three small boys in tow, she and her
husband flipped two houses with R.T. in charge of the landscape design and
install. Now, she is rooted in the final home they designed inside and out.
Now that her boys are nearly
grown, R.T. spends much of her time on the road traveling from one sporting
event to another serving as mom and cheerleader. When at home, she enjoys
Pilates, working with her Golden Retriever and digging in the glorious dirt of
her landscaping plots.
During one of many busy and
restless nights, R.T.’s first novel began to pluck its way onto her laptop. It
was a drug, an instant addiction that only grew with time. Moments borrowed and
stolen at her laptop are, now, between all of the travel and work and many of
those busy, restless nights. After several edits, revisions and versions later
R.T.’s first novel, Black Creek Burning, will debut September 24th.
LINKS:
website: http://www.RTWolfe.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.RT_Wolfe (that's
an underline, not a space)
Working Title for my part of the Angel's anthology.
I do not do extensive book plotting but instead I try to plot each scene very thoroughly. I use one page of notes to write a 5 to 10 page scene. Over time I have found that I do not fill in all of the blanks but instead use the most essential for that scene. I have put this form on my blog for anyone who wants to use.
Please welcome Terri Talley Venters author of Carbon Copy.
Terri will be awarding bookmarks or magnetic bumper stickers to randomly drawn commenters at each stop and a $10 Wild Child Publishing GC to a randomly drawn commenter at the end of the tour.
Please leave a comment!
Carbon Copy
by Terri Talley Venters
INTERVIEW:
1.What or who inspired you to
start writing?
Terri: My mother, Leslie S.
Talley, is a writer. In fact, her debut novel, Make Old Bones, is coming soon from Wild Child Publishing.
2.How did you come up with ideas
for your books?
Terri: For years, people would tell me they knew someone who looked
exactly like me. I’d respond, “I must’ve been cloned!” Then ideas for my story
poured into my head, and Carbon Copy
was born.
3.What components are necessary
for the genre of this novel?
Terri: Suspense. I love
writing a great forward pointer/twist at the end of each chapter to keep the
reader turning the page.
4.What expertise did you bring to
your writing?
Terri: My stories contain a
sense of place. I’ve been to all the places in my books.Carbon
Copy is set in Manhattan and contains scenes in Key West, Disney World, and
“The Swamp” in Gainesville. The sequel, Tin
Roof, is set in Charleston. Body Of
Gold is set in Chicago. Copper
Cauldron is set in New Orleans and contains scenes in Munich, Nuremberg,
and Capri. I’ve been to all of these places.
5.What would you want your
readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?
Terri:I love, love, love football! In fact, I’m
answering these interview questions during the commercials of the Jacksonville
Jaguar game. We have season tickets to my beloved Florida Gators. And we go to several Jaguars games each year.
We’re Dallas Cowboy fans. And like most Gators, we’re huge Tim Tebow fans and we
watch whatever NFL team he plays on, first the Broncos and now the Jets. I’m
still furious with Jacksonville for not drafting Tim Tebow in the first round
draft when they had the chance. And if
that’s not enough football to follow, both of my sons play flag football.
Luckily they both play for the Gators.
6.Do you belong to a critique
group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?
Terri: I’m in a critique group
of 2, my mother and I. Having someone who eagerly reads my work and provides
constructive criticism is a fantastic motivation to keep writing.
7.What is the best and worst
advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)
Terri:Best: My mother told me a tip she’d read to
avoid writer’s block: “Stop when I know what will happen next.”
Worst: Don’t join a writers’
group because you might get bad advice from a bunch of unpublished writers.
8.Do you outline your books or
just start writing?
Terri: I jot down the main
ideas so I don’t forget, but I mostly just write.
9.Do you have any hobbies and
does the knowledge you've gained from these carry over into your characters or
the plot of your books?
Terri: Yes, my sons and I are
Second Degree Black Belts in Taekwondo. In my romantic/suspense, Body of Gold, my heroine is a hedge-fund
manager and a Black Belt who falls for her karate instructor.
10.Do you have an all time favorite book?
Terri:
Gone With The Wind
11.Have you started your next project? If so, can you
share a little bit about your book?
Terri: Have I ever! I’m
currently writing, Silver Lining, the
final book in the Carbon Copy
trilogy. Plus, I have 3 more books under contract with my publisher: Tin Roof, the sequel to Carbon Copy; my romantic/suspense, Body of Gold; and my most creative book
is Copper Cauldron. Here is a blurb
from Copper Cauldron:
Penelope Manchester, a good witch with one
green and one blue eye, awaits her destiny: a warrior of God with the face of
an angel, the heart of a saint, and eyes which match her own. St. Michael the
Archangel flies into her life and sweeps her off her feet. Meanwhile, an evil
sorcerer captures witches, steals their powers and most of their nine lives,
and shrinks them to the size of a doll--a Nuremberg doll. But when he turns two
of the Manchester witches into dolls, the Manchester clan fights back with St.
Michael and divine intervention. Armed with the legendary copper cauldron, a
fire breathing dragon, and an arsenal of spells, good battles evil.
12.Do you have any family traditions or recipes you
might like to share?
Terri: We always host
thanksgiving dinner for both of our families: 16 adults and 4 kids. My
wonderful husband cooks everything, including all the pies:pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, mile-high
apple pie, and my favorite, Pirate’s rum Chocolate mouse pie!
13.What is your favorite reality show?
Terri:
Survivor.
14.Who is your favorite actor and actress?
Terri:Impossible to pick just one: Matthew McConaughey,
Brad Pitt, Ewan McGregor, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hugh Jackman, Eric Bana, Joe
Manganiello, Chris Hemsworth, Johnny Depp, Bradley Cooper, Chis Pine, Josh
Duhamel, David Duchovny, and Daniel Craig.Can anyone guess what they have in common?
15.If you were a casting director for the film
version of your book, who would play your lead roles?
Terri: Matthew McConaughey
would play Grier Garrison and Eric Bana (with blue contacts) would play Joe.
BLURB:
Lilly Allen has brains, beauty, and a trust fund. She's living in New York City and her career as a reporter is taking off. She's hoping the love of her life, Grier, will propose soon. She has it all, or so she thinks.
Grier Garrison, Create Life executive, is running the company while his father, Dr. Michael Garrison, is in the ICU awaiting a heart transplant. Grier knows the truth about Create Life and its shady side business. He fears Lilly and her twin brother, Luke, are in danger.
While working on two unrelated stories, stolen newborns and cloning, Lilly discovers a shocking connection. Horrific things are happening, but who is behind it all?
EXCERPT:
As she opened the door to his apartment, Luke’s cat, Soli, meowed at her. The cat cried as loud as her tiny vocal chords allowed. Lilly never heard such a loud cry. Summer appeared at Soli’s side and began licking her sister’s face to placate her twin.
The cats must have entered Luke’s apartment through the cat door Luke built between the shared walls. The cats liked to be together when the apartments were empty.
Soli’s cries grew louder. Something terrible had happened to Luke! But how much did this ten-pound feline really know? Did Soli see something awful enough to upset her this much? Or did she simply miss her owner?
Soli looked at Lilly and headed towards the hall. It appeared as if she wanted Lilly to follow her down the hall. As she trotted towards Luke’s bedroom, Summer and Lilly followed her.
Lilly paused at the door to Luke’s bedroom, scared to open it, scared of what she might find on the other side. She took a deep breath and opened it. As she entered Luke’s bedroom, she scanned the room. It looked empty.
Soli cried again, even louder than before. Lilly looked over. The cat scratched at Luke’s closet door. She stared at Lilly, scratched the closed door, and cried again. Then Lilly smelled something funny. Her nostrils didn’t recognize the strange odor, but a shiver of foreboding swept over her.
Lilly braced herself, yet again, for another dramatic door opening. Yanking the door open, she stared into Thelma’s face and screamed. Thelma sat upright on the floor of Luke’s closet. Her eyes were closed, and her faded “I’m with stupid” t-shirt showed a bullet-sized hole in it. A circle of coagulated blood surrounded the hole in the middle of her chest. Although Lilly wasn’t an expert in medicine, she knew someone had shot the maid.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Terri received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Master’s degree in Taxation from the University of Florida. She is a licensed CPA and a Second Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. She lives in St. Augustine, Florida, with her husband, Garrison, and their two sons.
Carbon Copy is the 1st thrilling novel in the Elements of Mystery Series. The title of each novel will contain an element from the Periodic Table of Elements. Terri recently finished writing Tin Roof, the sequel to Carbon Copy, coming soon from Wild Child Publishing. And Terri’s romantic/suspense novel, Body of Gold, is coming soon from Freya’s Bower. For more about Terri’s upcoming releases, please visit her website http://www.elementsofmystery.com/ Terri is the daughter of Leslie S. Talley, author of Make Old Bones which is also available from Wild Child Publishing.
On the first of each month, Terri also posts free short stories on her blog. Follow her at http://www.territalleyventers.blogspot.com/as she weaves her way through the Periodic Table of Elements.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Terri received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Master’s
degree in Taxation from the University of Florida. She is a licensed CPA and a
Second Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. She lives in St. Augustine, Florida,
with her husband, Garrison, and their two sons.
Carbon Copy is the 1st thrilling novel in the Elements
of Mystery Series. The title of each novel will contain an element from the
Periodic Table of Elements. Terri recently finished writing Tin Roof, the sequel to Carbon Copy, coming soon from Wild Child
Publishing. And Terri’s
romantic/suspense novel, Body of Gold, is coming soon from Freya’s
Bower.
For more about Terri’s upcoming releases, please visit her website http://www.elementsofmystery.com/Terri is the
daughter of Leslie S. Talley, author of Make
Old Bones which is also available from Wild Child Publishing.
On the first of each month, Terri also posts free short stories on
her blog. Follow her at http://www.territalleyventers.blogspot.com/as
she weaves her way through the Periodic Table of Elements.
Time travel, May day, and Central Park what do they all have in common. May 1, 2013 Rogues Angels through Rogue Phoenix Press will publish their 3rd anthology. The hero in my part of the anthology, Highland Miracle, is a fire fighter in New York City where he comes across a giant fire hydrant and a cute little dog he names Bandit.
Sean Michael McConaughey is too curious for his own good. During the process of examining the machine he steps inside and is whisked away to 1621 and the highlands of Scotland.
At the time I wasn't even sure Central Park existed in 1895. But in my research I ran across a lot of information about the Park and how it came into existence. It was probably one of the best political decisions in US history.
Even in the mid 1800s New York was cramped with people and the inhabitants of the city desperately needed a place where they could go and relax. In 1844 William Cullen Bryant called for the creation of a large public park. The commissioners paid more than $5million for land between 59th and 106th street between Fifth and Eighth Avenues.
Daniel Martin is trapped in a life that hasn’t gone as expected. His
pharmacy is struggling and he is losing all hope of making a difference in his
patients’ lives. His family is the one shining light in his disenchanted life,
but he is torn from them when an accident draws him to Naphthali. The people
need him, but Daniel is driven by his need to return to the family he loves. Is
he the Prophesied One? Only time will tell as both the Empire and the
Resistance battle for Daniel while the fate of Naphthali hangs in the balance…
EXCERPT
"Is there another way out?" Soren asked. Alaric grimly shook
his head. The captain rested his hand on the door knob and looked back.
"We move quickly. Away from the house, back to the other district…we'll
lose them in the streets." He glanced at Daniel and snapped, "Get
your hood up!" When Daniel complied, he glanced around once more.
"Ready?" He threw the door open and launched himself down the steps,
everyone racing behind him.
Daniel glanced to the side at a bloody stain on the wall, the headless
body of Dalen lying on the ground beneath it. Soren took one step and froze
when a man emerged from the shadows across the street. Daniel froze also, his
legs nearly unhinging and dropping him to the ground. He recognized the red
robes and his heart skipped a beat before he even saw Malthion's face. Without
a word, the sorcerer raised his arms and crossed them, making an "X" with his little fingers and
thumbs extended. He lowered his head for a split second until a pulsing ball of
light grew before him. He threw his chin up and arms out simultaneously, and
the light launched toward Daniel, moving almost too fast to follow.
Daniel closed his eyes and cringed, but just before impact, he was
pushed from behind as Regnar vaulted in front of him. The light hit the
carpenter in the chest and he was instantly engulfed in flames. He never cried
out as the intense flames seared away flesh and melted bone. Regnar managed two
steps before falling face-first to the cobblestones. Daniel froze as he stared
in horror at his friend's corpse. "No!"
Navy-clad troops streamed onto the street as Soren all but carried
Daniel up the stairs, slamming the door behind them. His eyes were wild as he
looked around the foyer before shouting, "Up!" They raced up the
stairs two at a time. There was a large window on the second story landing
which Soren shattered with his A-blade before leaning out and looking up. He'd
just climbed back in and taken off his pack when a concussive blast rocked the
front of the house. The building shook and all the windows on its front
exploded, engulfing the interior in flames.
Soren didn't even look up as the heat wave washed over them. Flames
roared out of the study and Alaric moaned, "My books!"
Soren stood with a grapple and rope in hand and yelled, "Forget
them!" Alaric groaned as the captain leaned out the window and threw the
grapple to the roof. When it was secure, he sent Clem up before turning to
Alaric and forcing him to turn from the destruction. The man gave a final groan
as he grabbed the rope and climbed nimbly to the roof. Soren hugged Daniel to
him with his left arm and used his right hand and feet to pull them to the
roof, followed by Thosten.
The roof's front edge was fully engulfed by that time, sections falling
away to oblivion. They ran along the back of the house to the edge and looked
to the next building. Space was limited within Namtrah's walls and even in the
wealthiest district the buildings were closely packed. The gap between Alaric's
roof and his neighbor's was no more than three feet, and everyone safely jumped
across. They continued over three more roofs, the heat at their backs
blistering as each house caught fire in turn. When they reached the last house
in the district, they pulled up short. Daniel's heart would have dropped if it
wasn't pounding so hard.
The wall that separated the districts rose twenty feet above their
heads. Only then did they realize they left Soren's grapple on Alaric's roof.
Soren cast around wildly and spied a skylight off to one side. Without
hesitating he jumped feet-first through the heavy glass. He rolled to absorb
the impact before bouncing to his feet and motioning the others to follow. When
Daniel jumped he slipped on broken glass and fell sideways, landing on his
right arm and sending pain exploding through his body. He surely would have
blacked out then if not for Regnar. He kept the image of his immolated body at
the fore of his mind and forced himself to his feet.
They dashed through the empty house to the front door. Soren cracked it
open and looked out on chaos. Namtrah's elite milled around the boulevard,
looking more like beggars with their faces and expensive nightclothes stained
with soot. They looked on with wide eyes as their estates burned, sending thick
clouds of dark smoke billowing down the street. Imperial troops picked their
way through the crowd, intent on getting down to the remains of Alaric's home.
They were in such a mad rush that they didn't bother guarding that end of the
street.
Soren led them out the door and made for the gatehouse that jutted from
the wall. He motioned for them to wait as he darted to the gate itself, but
came back within seconds. The gate was closed. There was no escape. Daniel
moaned and allowed despair to overwhelm him. No words came from his
smoke-ravaged throat, but inside he was screaming his love for his family. He
missed and needed them so much, but he was going to die alone in a smoky ruin.
He didn't hear Alaric speak, or even realize they were moving again until Soren
grabbed his left arm and shook him. "Move!"
Daniel turned dull eyes on the captain. What's the use? When Soren gave his arm another rough shake, he
shrugged. He followed Alaric as they crept down a narrow alley that ran between
the last house's foundation and the wall. At the very back of the alley there
was an iron-bound door.
Alaric armed soot from his face and walked up to the door, knocking a
complex combination of rapid and interspersed taps. When he finished, a bolt
was thrown on the other side and the portal swung open. A guard stepped out and
started in surprise when he saw who stood there. He spun back toward safety,
but only managed one step before Alaric's saber lanced through his throat.
"Come, quickly!" They rushed through the door and Thosten
pulled it shut, throwing the bolt in place as he brought up the rear. Alaric
led them through many dark tunnels that ran along the base of the city walls.
Finally, they came to another iron-bound door where he paused before carefully
unlocking it. He peaked through the crack and whispered, "Let's go."
They left the wall and
darted into a stable. Alaric said, "Get horses," before taking
Thosten with him out the stable's front doors. They gathered horses and waited
nervously until Alaric threw open the doors a few minutes later. "Let's
go!" he shouted as he and Thosten ran to their mounts. The five galloped
out of the stable and under a portcullis that they'd raised just high enough for
them to escape. Smoke rolled from the upper class district as they fled the
burning city. They raced to the west, putting many miles behind them before
finally slowing to rest their horses. The five survivors had escaped Malthion's
trap, but at a price they could scarcely believe.
Please welcomeVictoria Vane author of The Devil DeVere Series.
Victoria will give one randomly chosen commenter a download of her first erotic historical romance A Breach of Promise. Don't forget to leave a comment
The Devil DeVere Series
By
Victoria Vane
INTERVIEW:
1.What or who inspired you to start writing?
My only inspiration was a story that I woke up with one day that wouldn't leave my head until I wrote it. My greatest fear when I finished was that it would never happen again. Thankfully it did!
2.How did you come up with ideas for your books?
I have never sat down and asked myself "what am I going to write". The ideas spring from my subconscious- usually after I have read something I found interesting and usually something historical in nature.
A WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE, however, came to me after watching the HANGOVER movie. I thought how fun it would be to make it more of a romance and set it in the 18th century.
3.What components are necessary for the genre of this novel?
Lots of historical details and some really steamy love scenes! LOL!
4.What expertise did you bring to your writing?
Nothing whatsoever! I had never taken any kind of creative writing class, nor did I have the slightest clue what I was doing. I simply wrote the story that was playing in my head. I have since worked very hard at honing my craft, but feel very strongly that the most important part of writing, the actual story telling, cannot be taught.
5.What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?
There's probably a lot more that I wouldn't want them to know! For example, I have a number of quirks that seem to get worse as I grow older. I'm very much an introvert and could probably be quite content as a recluse, although you would never know it in meeting me.
6.As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?
I began my writing career with historical fiction and only began writing erotic historical romance by necessity when my publisher dropped me and my agent quit the business but now I am really enjoying myself.
I would like to reach a point in my career that I can be successful in both genres (under different names, of course).
Given the recent success of my Devil DeVere series, however, my immediate plans are to continue the series with a number of spin off books. After that I have three longer romance novels to write. I hope to accomplish all of this over the next 12-18 months.
After that, I will reassess according to my successes and failures. (Hopefully the latter won't exist!)
7.If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?
That's an interesting question and I hope I give an equally
interesting answer when I say – Ludovic DeVere.
While I have always been a very "girly" girl, a part of me has always wondered what it would be like had I been born a man, and
although DeVere is a very flawed character, he is also incredibly
the list goes on. Who wouldn't want to try that on for size?
8.Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?
No, I do not belong to a critique group. That method does not work for me. I do, however have a beta reader whom I trust implicitly.
9.When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?
I did it completely on my own. When I finished writing my first novel (THE HIGHEST STAKES as Emery Lee) I had no clue what to do. I didn't know any writers and knew nothing about writing groups so I sought help on the internet. I read about query letters and started writing and submitting them. Six weeks later I got a response from an interested editor. That was January 2009. The rest has been a roller coaster ride.
10.What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing).
My first agent basically thought my first romance, A BREACH OF
PROMISE, sucked and would not submit it. She told me it would not
sell , that I had too many characters and kept pushing me to follow
the formulas i.e. hero and heroine must meet on page one, etc..
My second agent would not pitch A WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE because
she said it was not funny but lewd. I disagreed! I believed in my
stories, so I submitted them on my own. Both sold and are doing
very well. IN fact, A BREACH OF PROMISE has received several
reviewer "top picks" as well as a book of the month nomination and
my DeVere series is really taking off. Thank you very much!
11.Do you outline your books or just start writing?
I begin with only the vaguest possible outline because my characters dictate the story. I just write what they tell me!
12.Do you have any hobbies and does the knowledge you've gained from these carry over into your characters or the plot of your books?
Horses are a lifelong interest and very much a part of my work. My first novel is very equine-centric as it is set in the world of 18th century horseracing. My romances take place in the Georgian era when horses were almost a necessity to life so my intimate knowledge of them has come in handy on several occasions.
13.Do you have an all time favorite book?
Not really. I have many favorites. If I had to choose one, it would probably be BLACK BEAUTY by Anna Sewell as it still makes me cry!
14.Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book?
I have finished the first draft of my next project and am now awaiting my editor's notes. It is a full-length Georgian era historical romance with darkly erotic undertones called DANGEROUS DESIGNS and will be released early 2013 by Entangled Publishing under their forthcoming Scandalous historical imprint. In many ways this novel is my homage to the works written in the 18th century when virtue&vice and evil &innocence were predominant themes.
15.What is your favorite reality show?
I generally watch less than an hour a week of television as I would much rather read. Last year, however, my husband got me addicted to master chef and I enjoyed American Idol when Steven Tyler was a judge. He's just the kind of over-the-top character that I love.
16.Who is your favorite actor and actress?
I loved Daniel Day Lewis for Last of the Mohicans, my all time favorite movie. I also loved Russell Crowe in Gladiator, Richard Armitage for his velvety voice, Hugh Jackman just to look at and Jude Law in almost anything. Recently Robert Downey Junior has become a favorite for his totally over-the-top portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. I love intense characters. As for actresses, I can't think of any whose work I seek out.
17.If you were a casting director for the film version of your book, who would play your lead roles?
Although I have never seen him in a comic role, I would love to see Richard Armitage as DeVere. DeVere is very quick witted and extremely funny. I could see Jude Law as Ned and perhaps Henry Cavill as Hew. I'm not so sure about the women, but perhaps Kate Winslett as Diana.
18.Anything else you might want to add?
By nature I'm a rebel and a rule breaker and don't see myself ever writing "formula" romances. Expect the unexpected from me.
ABOUT VICTORIA VANE
A lover of history and deeply romantic stories, Victoria Vane combines these elements to craft romantic historical novels and novellas for a mature reading audience. Her writing influences are Georgette Heyer for fabulous witty dialogue and over the top characters, Robin Schone , Sylvia Day, and Charlotte Featherstone for beautifully crafted prose in stories with deep sensuality, and Lila DiPasqua for creative vision in melding history with eroticism. Ms. Vane also writes romantic historical fiction as Emery Lee.
Please comment with name and email for a chance to win an e-book copy of A BREACH OF PROMISE
BLURB:
(Book #1) A WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE: What happens when a struggling actress and a grieving widower come together in a night of unbridled debauchery orchestrated by a bored and machinating rake? With the devil in charge — there will surely be hell to pay!
(Book #2) THE VIRGIN HUNTRESS: Desperate times call for devilish measures…Lady Vesta Chambers is accustomed to getting what she wants, but when the object of her passion has eyes for another, it’s time to take matters in hand!
(Book #3) THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : When dealing with the devil it's easy to be burned…especially when passion ignites the flames…
Beautiful, respectable, and dutiful, Lady Diana Palmerston-Wriothesley has long resigned herself to her loveless marriage …until her husband's gambling pushes them to the brink of ruin. Viscount Ludovic, "The Devil DeVere", is a man accustomed to taking what he wants according to his whim until he encounters a woman who won't be had at any price. But will a single night of heavenly passion damn them both forever?
(Book #4) THE DEVIL'S MATCH: Once burned twice shy… but when old flames come together…passion reignites...
EXCERPT:
BOOK ONE:
DeVere, on the other hand, evinced no such qualms. He had already loosened his cravat and was stripping off his coat.
"As I said earlier, there is no need," Phoebe insisted. "A couple of buttons and a raised petticoat are all the business requires."
"How delightfully unromantic you are, my dear!" He chuckled. "But while most men would be charmed to comply with your simple wishes, I have quite another game in mind. One that most definitely requires you to disrobe."
"But what if I don't want to?"
"Oh but you will," he said with a smug smile.
She glared. "You are very sure of yourself!"
He studied his buffed fingernails. "I am sure of Ned. Thus, we must put on a convincing show."
Her brows came together in a deep scowl. "What do you mean? What has Ned to do with this?"
"Everything. And at any moment, I expect him to burst through that door like a raging bull."
BOOK TWO:
"But it is so large and swollen, is it painful?
"No, just uncomfortable. Now, may we stop discussing my …" the appropriate word for feminine ears failed him.
"Phallus?" she offered. "That is what the grooms call it."
"Why are you eavesdropping on grooms?"
"I used to watch the stallions leaping the mares."
"You what!" Hew almost choked.
"Well, how else is a girl with no mother supposed to get any education? Although I doubt Mama would have told me very much. So there's really no reason to be timid, Hew. I already know all about the mating process. And to the best of my knowledge, the stallions never 'ignored it until it went away.' Please feel free to relieve yourself of it. I would even help you if you would like. I'm not the least afraid for I have seen much larger ones."
BOOK THREE:
She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell her budding arousal and would relish bringing her to full bloom. God, how he loved this dance! She had taken the first tentative steps, yet she still fought her desire, refused to give in to it, but he would lead her now. He was a master…and a ruthless bastard.
He moved behind her, his fingers riffled gently through her hair. He closed his eyes to inhale her faint rose scent mixed with womanly musk. He dipped his head, letting his breath tickle her ear. She shivered. He whispered low and sultry. "Do you wish me to name the ways I can please you? I am delighted to comply if that excites you...although it would please me far more to demonstrate."
BOOK FOUR:
DeVere rose and came to her, perching himself on the arm of the settle. "My honorable and straitlaced brother could never satisfy a woman like you, Diana. He could never plumb the depths of your passion...unlock your secret desires."
His voice was low and seductive, and the flickering blue fire in his eyes heated her insides. Diana fiercely tamped down the smoldering sensation that threatened to reignite feelings she'd struggled to suppress. "And what would you know of my wants and desires after four years?"
"A great deal." He gave her a slow, confident smile. "Given that I was the one to unleash them."
Diana averted her face with a bitter laugh. "Thus you presume to have an exclusive claim to me?"
"Has any other exerted one?" he asked softly. He reached out a hand and traced a long, manicured finger along her jaw. "You are still unwed, Diana. Have you taken another lover in my absence?"
"It is none of your business whether I have or not, and you are grossly impertinent to ask."
He laughed long and low. "I think I have my answer."
She glared at him, and thus they remained, silently challenging one another for an interminable beat. Then suddenly his mouth was on hers, taking, possessing, as if it was indeed, his singular privilege.
Diana leaned into him, teasing his lower lip with her tongue and sucking it eagerly into her mouth before sinking her teeth into it. Hard. Savoring the coppery taste of his blood.
"What the hell!" DeVere jerked back with a cry. He touched his lip and examined the crimson stain on his fingertip, his expression a mix of outrage and bemusement.
"You took without invitation," Diana said. "It was a warning not to do so again."
AUTHOR INFORMATION:
A lover of history and deeply romantic stories, Victoria combines these elements to craft romantic historical novels and novellas for a mature reading audience. Her writing influences are Georgette Heyer for fabulous witty dialogue and over the top characters, Robin Schone , Sylvia Day, and Charlotte Featherstone for beautifully crafted prose in stories with deep sensuality, and Lila DiPasqua for creative vision in melding history with eroticism. Ms. Vane also writes award nominated romantic historical fiction as Emery Lee (http://authoremerylee.com)
