This Irresistible read features stories of couples turning their deepest fantasies into reality for uninhibited and imaginative sex. You’ll delight in discovering all the exciting erotic possibilities, and ways of getting and staying turned on. It all starts with a little sexting in A.M. Hartnet’s sizzling “Safe fro Work” office tryst and Cole Riley’s moving “Same As It Ever Was” shows that makeup sex can be the start of something new and better. Dirty talk leads to lustful surprises and inspiration for the neighbors in “The Mitzvah” by Tiffany Reisz. Editor Rachel Kramer Bussel notes that the lovers in this daringly romantic anthology are “able to open up in the ways they do is precisely because they have another person to rely on, coax them, challenge them, tease them and seduce them into traveling down a new sexual path. Whether that means outdoor sex, kink, a trip to a strip club or a very sensual massage, we get to see how the layers of trust that have been built up get used to stoke the fire that burns between them.”

Rachel Kramer Bussel is a New York-based author, editor, blogger and event organizer. She’s edited over 40 anthologies, including Women in Lust, Passion: Erotic Romance for Women, Obsessed, Fast Girls, Orgasmic and the nonfiction Best Sex Writing series. She writes a sex column for SexIs Magazine and writes widely about sex, dating, books and pop culture. Her work has been published in over 100 anthologies, including Susie Bright’s X: The Erotic Treasury and Best American Erotica 2004 and 2006, Zane’s Succulent: Chocolate Flava II, and she has written for The Fix, The Frisky, GOOD, Mediabistro, Penthouse, The Root, Salon, Time Out New York, The Village Voice, xoJane, Zink and other publications. For five years, she hosted In The Flesh Reading Series. She blogs at Lusty Lady (http://lustylady.blogspot.com) and Cupcakes Take the Cake (http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com), and she has appeared on The Martha Stewart Show, The Gayle King Show and Throwdown with Bobby Flay.

Lucien Brandford, fourth Duke of Carlsborough, is a dangerous man. Wealthy beyond imagination and handsome to a fault, the Duke is sought after by nearly every woman of the ton. Single, widowed, or married, ladies vie for his attention with cutthroat precision. But the Duke has no tolerance for the machinations of his title and fortune-hungry peers. He seeks his pleasure from women who require no commitment.

That attitude ensnares the Duke in Lady Lucinda’s plan. Caught unawares, Lucien finds himself at the mercy of a bold and luscious woman whom he cannot decide if he wants to strangle or bed.

The sensual dance that follows between captor and captive as they engage in a volatile battle for control, culminates in a seismic eruption—both psychological and sensual. As tempers flare and sparks fly, an intense and erotic interlude of passion ensues.

The temperamental lovers soon discover what all the world knows: that in order to possess the love of a lifetime, they must submit to one another to conquer their own Desperate Desires.

Recently, Terri Wolffe was challenged by the question: “What is it that you’ve always wanted to do, but never allowed yourself to do because of fear?”

The resounding answer for her was: “I’ve always wanted to write an historical romance novel!”

Pouncing on that flash of inspiration, she set out to try her hand at writing her very first historical, erotic romance. Terri admits that she had to overcome fears such as, “What will people think? What will people say? What if you fail and fall flat on your face?”

Three months later, Desperate Desires was born.

Terri is an avid reader who enjoys suspense, thrillers, some paranormal and horror, and of course, her very favorite: Romance. Her list of cherished authors includes Susan Johnson, Elizabeth Boyle, Robyn Williams, John Connolly, Lee Child, Scott Turrow, John Grisham, Dan Mahoney, Steven Bochco and Phillip Margolin.

Not much of a television watcher, on any day of the week, you’ll find Terri reading a good book.

For more information about Terri, you can visit her website atwww.TerriWolffe.com

To purchase at Amazon, please click here.

To purchase at Barnes and Noble, please click here.

 

You’re best known for your SPYING IN HIGH HEELS mystery series and now you’ve added Young Adult fiction to your resume. How difficult was it to transition between genres?

Actually, it wasn’t that difficult.  I just had to tap into my immature side (which was embarrassingly easy) and away it went.  My teen books are a lot like my adult mysteries – the tone is very similar –  it’s just that the subject matter and content is more geared to a younger audience.

Did you have any concerns when you worked on your first teen mystery series or did it come naturally for you? Did you have help with the teen lingo and mental angst in your storytelling?

My biggest concern was sounding “fake teen” or using lingo that real teens don’t actually use anymore.  Things change so fast in the teen world!  Luckily, my son is a tween himself, so he helped me out whenever I had lingo questions.

How many books did you write before you sold?

I wrote five books before number six finally sold for me.

Can you tell us a little bit your current release? How did you come up with the idea?

I’m totally thrilled about my new release (coming out December 1^st at Barnes & Noble and January 1^st everywhere else)!  It’s the sixth installment in my High Heels Mysteries, titled FEARLESS IN HIGH HEELS.  I had planned on ending this series with book #5, so it’s been a few years since I’ve had a chance to revisit these characters.  Writing about them again was so much fun, that I plan to continue the series indefinitely now.

Here’s a short blurb about the book:

FEARLESS IN HIGH HEELS

Morning sickness sucks. Which is why fashion designer turned amateur sleuth Maddie Springer has spent the last six weeks being a couch potato and Moonlight movie devotee. But when Maddie’s best friends finally convince her to venture out, Maddie stumbles on a dead body of a girl who has been bitten on the neck, and life imitates art in the most deadliest of ways. Now Maddie is smack in the middle of a murder investigation involving a deadly dance club and a coven of Hollywood “vampires”. Not to mention navigating the world of baby showers, diaper genies and Lamaze classes with her LAPD Homicide detective husband who would rather his pregnant wife not continue popping up in his murder investigation. Between the hormones, the homicides, and a flurry of fangs, Maddie and her gang work to track down the deadly truth… before the killer bites again!

Out of an ocean of published authors, you’ve done very well for yourself in the self pub market. How does it feel to be a sort of leader in this new publishing direction? 

I’m not sure if I’m a leader, since there are so many authors I look up to who are doing very well also.  But it does feel great to have other publishing options.  I’m actually doing a series of blog posts at Killer Fiction this month on self-publishing, my numbers, and what’s worked for me.  So if anyone else out here is thinking of giving it a try, please stop by with questions in hand!

www.KillerFiction.net

Barnes and Noble has been a big supporter of your writing endeavors. How does it feel to write a sequel to your popular SPYING IN HIGH HEELS series and being asked to release exclusively through them for the first month? That’s a big honor, so what was your reaction to this?

I’ll admit, I was actually a little nervous at first. Lol!  I know a lot of my readers are Kindle based, so I was worried about what their reaction to having to wait a month longer to get the book might be.  But so far, it’s been fine.  And I’ve actually heard from quite a few people who plan to download the free Nook app to their computer for the first time in order to get the book when it first release.  So I hope this means lots of extra business for Barnes & Noble, too!  They’ve been wonderfully supportive of me, and I really think they have excellent system in place for self-publishers with their PubIt! program.

What personal goals have you made for yourself this year?

Oh, I have a lot of them for the new year, but my top three are:

1) Slow down!  I’ve been writing at a break-neck speed for the past two years and am ready to take it more slowly and really enjoy writing again, as opposed to worrying about the deadlines.

2) Read more!  I think I’ve managed to read one book all year other than my own.  So I really need to carve out some time to read again.

3) Self-publish more!  Even from the time I first started self-publishing (18 months ago) to now, technology has gone so fast that some of my methods are outdated.  I definitely want to put more focus into this aspect of my career in the near future.

Tell us one thing or habit that you have that no one knows! 

I keep chocolate candy in my desk drawer.  Shhh, don’t tell my kids!

What should we expect from you in the future?

I have a new series debuting in hardcover called PLAY NICE, March 14^th, that I am super excited about.  We’re fielding some film offers for this project now, so I hope to have more good news to share on that front as the release date gets closer.

I also have the second book in my young adult series, SOCIAL SUICIDE, coming out in April 2012, which I’m thrilled about as my oldest son insisted I write him into it as a character.  Ten points to anyone who can pick him out! 

Gemma had a hard time figuring out what she wanted to be when she grew up. She worked as a film and television actress, a teddy bear importer, a department store administrator, a preschool teacher, a temporary tattoo artist, and a 900 number psychic, before finally selling her first book, Spying in High Heels, in 2005 and deciding to be a writer.

Since then, Gemma has written several mystery novels and been the recipient of numerous awards, including a National Reader’s Choice award and three RITA nominations.

Gemma now makes her home in the San Francisco Bay area where she is hard at work on her next book.

To learn more about Gemma, visit her at:

www.gemmahalliday.com

Stacey Kennedy’s novels are lighthearted fantasy with heart squeezing, thigh-clenching romance, and even give a good chuckle every now and again. But within the stories you’ll find fast paced action, life threatening moments and a big bad villain that needs to be destroyed.

Her urban fantasy/paranormal and erotic romance series have hit Amazon Kindle and All Romance Ebooks Bestseller lists. If she isn’t plugging away at her next novel, tending to her two little ones, she’s got her nose deep in a good book. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband.

Be sure to drop her a line at www.staceykennedy.com, Facebook and Twitter, she loves to hear from her readers.

Please tell us about yourself and what made you start writing?

My novels are lighthearted fantasy, heart squeezing, thigh-clenching romance, and even give a good chuckle every now and again.  I’m not a planner.  I don’t write with a set idea because no matter what I plan, the characters’ voices always come through and demand I listen to them. So, I gave up trying to fight it!

The journey as a writer all began when I was a teen and wrote poetry, which still to this day I pull out to have a good laugh.  Later on, I tried a couple of times to put a book together with no such luck.  Couldn’t ever get past the first few chapters.  But once I was exposed to the paranormal world, ideas came quickly.

At first, it was a way to keep my brain alive since being a stay at home mom can be a little let’s say―numbing. It was an escape from screaming kids, dirty diapers and plain old mom duty.  It started as a hobby, but as the stories progressed it became a passion. Now, I indulge at nap time, especially the juicy bits! Every mom needs a good thrill!

How long did it take before you were published? Was it everything that you thought it would be?

After I finished my first story, The Willow, it took around six months to get that publishing contract in my inbox. It was everything I wanted…and more.  I’ve learned a great deal since I released The Willow, and every contract I’ve received since still makes me jump up and down in excitement.

Can you tell us a little bit about your new release? How did you come up with the idea?

My latest release is BIND ME ~ Pact of Seduction Book One. I came up with the idea because I wanted to write a story about four best friends. Add in the fact that I wanted to include their ultimate fantasy, and I knew it’d be a fun series to write.

What propelled you to write urban fantasy/paranormal romances?

I love the paranormal romance/urban fantasy genre and love a series more!! Nothing can hook me in more than an adventure and one that keeps on going. I love a page turner, one where I’m up at a ridiculous time and my eyes burn because I can’t stop reading. Witty characters, dominant men, danger, action, romance and hot sex―oh my!

 Need I say more?

Did you have a solid support system when you chose to write romance or did you have anyone disapprove of your decision?

My family is very supportive of my writing. In truth, though, they don’t really know what I write. When I was first published, The Willow has love scenes, but they’re “sweet” in nature.

During the year that I was published, I dabbled into erotic romance, and I’ve never let my family read those because…well…it’s too weird for me. So we leave it at–they know I write sexy stories, they’re proud of me, but they don’t need to read them.

Do you have a daily ritual to get you in the “writing zone”?

Coffee. I need it. I love it. I can’t live without it!

What is the most difficult part of your writing journey? What is the most exciting part?

I love writing the first draft of a story. I don’t plot out my stories so it’s much like reading to me. I can’t wait to see what happens next and see where the characters take me.

The difficult part of the writing process for me is revisions. It’s always challenging, and tends to get a wee bit boring when you’ve read the story ten times. Trust me, usually by the end of edits, I hate the book, and that’s how I know it’s ready for publication!

What is the most extreme or wildest thing you’ve done and what did you learn about yourself?

Wrote a book and then published it! I never thought I’d be an author. Never had big dreams. I just kinda stumbled upon it. Even to this day, I’m still thrilled that I can keep doing this as a career, and that readers enjoy my stories!

Any last words for your readers?

THANK YOU! I always feel honored to meet new readers, and even more so, that I give them a story that touches them in some way. I really don’t have words to express how much I appreciate the support!

What should we expect from you in the future?

I have many revisions ahead of me since I’m rewriting all of my Otherworld novels, and they are being re-released with Entangled Publishing as full-length novels. So that’s keeping me busy.

Other than that, I have two new series that I’m going to release next year. I want to get them both out by early next year. Both are urban fantasy romances, and both are nagging at me to write them!

Four best friends embrace their fantasies and make a pact of seduction to live out their deepest and darkest desires. The women place their lives in the hands of fate and one short straw declares Marley will be the first to awaken her secret wishes.

Reed, a Dom at sex club Castle Dolce Vita, has lived the BDSM lifestyle for awhile, but has yet to find a submissive that suits him. That is until he meets Marley, a woman seeking to indulge her fantasies.

As Reed guides her through a night of pleasure, Marley brings more to him than a perfect submissive–she stirs emotions in him long ago lost. By binding Marley, he runs up against his own limits, and now he has to choose between his self-protective barriers or surrendering to the wildfire Marley has reignited in his heart.

Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: BDSM theme and elements, including spanking.

♦ BUY LINK

Rebellion has a price…

Born into a life of secrets and service, Chrysabelle’s body bears the telltale marks of a comarré — a special race of humans bred to feed vampire nobility. When her patron is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect, which sends her running into the mortal world…and into the arms of Malkolm, an outcast vampire cursed to kill every being from whom he drinks.

Now, Chrysabelle and Malkolm must work together to stop a plot to merge the mortal and supernatural worlds. If they fail, a chaos unlike anything anyone has ever seen will threaten to reign.

BUY NOW: Amazon | Target | B & N

You’ve just released BLOOD RIGHTS, your first book in the House of Comarré vampire series, how does it feel to finally see your years of hard work coming to fruition?

It’s pretty freaking awesome. Like a literary Christmas!

Writers encounter a gambit of emotions on their journey to New York publication, what was it like during your darkest hours? Your most happiest?

Well, my darkest hour is probably what led to me writing Blood Rights in the first place. I was close to quitting writing altogether. My happiest involved celebrating the sale of Blood Rights with spaghetti and meatballs. LOL

We love stories about “the call”. What were you doing at the time and do you remember how you felt when it happened?

I think I was working on my computer. I don’t really remember. I know that’s weird. It felt…surreal. And I wasn’t sure how to feel. In fact, I think my agent actually said to me, “Aren’t you excited about this?” I was! But I’d been so close to a sale before that my excitement was tempered with a healthy dose of skepticism. When she told me it was really happening, I let myself freak out.

How do you feel about the self-pub/indie explosion and are you concerned about the impact it is having on the publishing world?

I think it’s a mixed bag. On one hand, it’s great that established authors can put their backlist up or publish books that New York couldn’t find a home for, but there’s a glut of work out there and a good percentage of it shouldn’t have been published. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. I firmly believe a writer needs to go through the editorial process before they publish.

As far as how it’s impacting the publishing world, I don’t think the sky is falling. Pieces of it might be coming down, but self-pubbed books aren’t going to replace traditionally pubbed books anymore than Youtube videos are going to take the place of Hollywood. Things will change because they have to change, but traditional publishers aren’t going away.

Do you have a daily ritual to get you in the “writing zone”?

Just a good firm talk with myself about how it’s time to stop fooling around on twitter and get some freaking pages done.

What do you like to do on your spare time outside of writing? How do you stay inspired?

I read, I watch movies and tv and I really try to get outside and breath some fresh air once in a while. Other than that, free time isn’t always readily available when I’m on deadline. Also, I travel a lot, so I try to have a little fun when I’m away. Helps make it seem less like work.

What personal goals have you made for yourself this year?

Crap. I was supposed to make personal goals?

Tell us one thing or habit that you have that no one knows!

I snap my gum. Drives my husband crazypants.

Any last words for your readers?

Keep reading! I love that about you!

What should we expect from you in the future?

Books 4 and 5 in the House of Comarre series (OUT FOR BLOOD and LAST BLOOD) will be up next, followed hopefully/possibly/maybe by a spin off series.

When the characters in Kristen Painter’s head started to take over, she decided to exorcise them onto paper and share them with the world. She writes paranormal romance for Samhain Publishing and has the first of three books in her gothic fantasy vampire series, Blood Rights, coming from Orbit in fall 2011. She has also been published in non-fiction, poetry and short stories. The former college English teacher can often be found online at Romance Divas, the award-winning writers’ forum she co-founded. She’s represented by Elaine Spencer of The Knight Agency.

To learn more about Kristen, visit her at:

www.kristenpainter.com
www.houseofcomarre.com

To learn more about Nancy, visit her online at:
www.nancynaigle.com

When Romance Divas was kind enough to invite for the Spotlight a few months back we talked through the standard questions. How long had I been writing? How long did it take to get published? You know, that kind of stuff.

Well, that was fun, but this time I thought I’d just share a little about me. My first novel came out this summer. SWEET TEA AND SECRETS is the first in a series of books with ties to the small town of Adams Grove. When you read a little bit more about me, I think you’ll see why I write small town stories.

My daytime job is with Bank of America, but I’m one of the lucky Americans that enjoy a job with a company that allows telecommuting. I used to work out of the Norfolk, VA office. That was an 80 mile commute each way so you can see that having no commute has added hours to my week that used to be spent on the road.

My husband and I own a goat farm here in Virginia. He is a full-time goat rancher, and I confess I have about one of the prettiest views around. Especially in kidding season. There’s just nothing cuter than a pasture full of young kids making their momma’s nervous as they race each other up and down the hill. We breed boer-cross goats. The boer color makes our herd fairly consistent. Most look very similar to the kid in my arms in the picture to the left. White with a red head is considered color correct for this breed. Goats have a 5 month gestation period and the does usually have twins. We have had quintuplets before, but we usually end up having to bottle feed to help the momma out when that happens.

Last weekend I announced the Market Goat Show at the Virginia State Fair. This is the sixth year I’ve done it and the show just gets better and better each year. It’s fun to see the future producers of our state compete to win the prize and represent the industry with such high standards.

I’ve always had a love for small towns. The peace I find on the drive through the rural areas to get to the town is almost treasure enough. I’d much rather spend the day rambling through a string of shops in a small town than in a big trendy mall. And you can’t beat a small town diner for a good home-cooked meal either.

They say write what you know. Well, I’m writing what I love and that’s small towns and stories that I can escape my hectic day to day in. I hope you’ll escape in them, too.

The name of the town in my books, Adams Grove, is a real town here in Virginia, but there’s no bakery, flower shop or Main Street like there is in my stories. I took the best of all my favorite small town visits across the nation and made Adams Grove the town anyone could escape to. I hope you’ll pay a visit to Adams Grove in Sweet Tea and Secrets and then keep an eye out for the second story with ties to that small town. OUT OF FOCUS will be out on November 14^th.

Here’s the blurb:

Kasey Phillips thought her biggest problem was deciding whether to accept the job to photograph Cody Tuggle’s honky-tonkin’ tour, until an accident on Route 58 claims the life of her husband.

In a desperate race against time as a hurricane threatens the eastern seaboard, they search for her three-year-old son who is missing from the wreckage.

Family and friends rally to help, but someone knows more than they are telling.

What’s your favorite thing about small towns? I’ve been having fun with a hashtag on twitter #WhatILoveAboutSmallTowns  It would be great if you’d share your thoughts here and on twitter.

Hugs and happy reading,

Nancy

www.NancyNaigle.com

The Most Beautiful Courtesan of Them All

Former Emperor’s consort Ling Suyin is renowned for her beauty; the ultimate seductress. Now she lives quietly alone–until the most ruthless warlord in the region comes and steals her away…

Li Tao lives life by the sword, and is trapped in the treacherous, lethal world of politics. The alluring Ling Suyin is at the center of the web. He must uncover her mystery without falling under her spell–yet her innocence calls out to him. How cruel if she, of all women, can entrance the man behind the legend…

You write historical romances that aren’t set in the standard Victorian or Regency era but set during the Golden Age of China—specifically, the Wuxia period—do you feel that your stories have been well received by readers?

It’s hard to say. It seems like there’s a small and enthusiastic group of readers who are looking for something a little bit different who seem to really enjoy them, which has been really uplifting. Whenever I get a little note from a reader telling me how refreshing the stories are, it really makes me feel like I’m filling somehow filling a void.

Did you feel it was a risk that you took or do you think readers have been eager to discover something new and different?

I think writing in this setting is a risk and always will be one in terms of having a built in market. Readers need to take a bit of a leap of faith to try a new author let alone a setting and story that contains different elements from what they know they like. For me personally, I don’t think I could have done it any other way, but every story is still a little bit of a risk. I don’t really have an established cannon of similar works and settings to draw from so in a way, there are less perceived “rules” for me. That’s both risky and freeing.

Can you tell us a little bit your current or upcoming release? How did you come up with the idea?

THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL, available September 20, is my upcoming release. The linked short story, THE LADY’S SCANDALOUS NIGHT, was released from Harlequin Undone on September 1st. THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL is a follow up story to my debut novel. What I really wanted to do initially was find a love story for the character of the courtesan Ling Suyin, who had appeared in all of my manuscripts. I had no idea who would be her match until the warlord Li Tao emerged as the villain in BUTTERFLY SWORDS.

From there, the story evolved. I tend to replay movie-style scenes over and over in my head while I plot and I’m very heavily influenced by the Hong Kong wuxia movies I used to watch as a kid. BUTTERFLY SWORDS was an homage to the swordfight and warrior culture in those movies. I always thought of THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL as a nod to the element of intrigue and the secret societies found in Hong Kong cinema. In those movies, it was never a clear battle of good versus evil. Rather the line between villain and hero became blurred.

So many authors are writing in different genres, do you plan on doing the same?

I’m trying my hand at a historical paranormal as well as steampunk and am keeping my fingers crossed. Everything I’ve worked on is still very historical in nature. It’s really my muse for now.

How has your experience been with Harlequin since winning the Golden Heart and publishing?

Let me tell you, when I saw the cover for THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL, it nearly brought tears to my eyes. When so many other Asian covers were getting whitewashed and sales were low all over the board for new authors, I looked at that distinctive cover and felt that Harlequin was doubling down on me, for better or worse. I know it’s a business and in the end it’s about sales, but I feel that my editor is completely behind me and doing whatever she can to make me successful when it will likely be a long, long time before these books will enjoy the reach that more popular settings have. So far, I’ve contracted a total of three novels and six short stories with Harlequin.

What is the most difficult part of your writing journey? What is the most exciting part?

Since my release dates have been pretty far apart, I hadn’t felt any deadline pressure until recently when I was struggling with pregnancy hormones and I had just contracted two new stories without a single idea in my head about what they would be about. So I guess the hardest part of the journey would be coming up with a suitable idea based on a timeline while life continues to roll on. My ideas have to percolate for a long time in my head before I start writing them so I’m always afraid the next idea won’t come.

The most exciting part is just being able to execute these stories and to see them through from start to finish. With each release, I’m still in disbelief that I get to do this.

Who or what is your personal influence or inspiration?

My Little Sis continues to be my most important influence. My sister is my ideal reader and internal editor, all rolled into one. She never lets me get away with anything. Just okay is never good enough and she always challenges me to do better.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years in publishing? What do you hope to achieve?

In five years everyone will know my name, dahling.  :)

Seriously, as a child, I dreamed of having a single book published before I die. I’m already there, so the rest is frosting. Whenever I forget this, my sister reminds me. You’re living the dream, she tells me. You’re really doing it.

Tell us one thing or habit that you have that no one knows!

To brainstorm or plot, sometimes I have to go and lie down and hug my pillow. I think it’s because I was always a daydreamer. I used to take forever falling asleep at night, so when I was young I would lay there, hugging my pillow, and run through fantastic stories in my head. When I write a story now, I’ve already run through the movie in my head a hundred times, pruning and cutting and editing it already.

What should we expect from you in the future?

All I hope for is to get a little bit better of a writer with each book.

Any last words for your readers?

Thank you for all the encouragement and support.

Jeannie Lin grew up fascinated with stories of Western epic fantasy and Eastern martial arts adventures. When her best friend introduced her to romance novels in middle school, the stage was set. Jeannie started writing her first romance while working as a high school science teacher in South Central Los Angeles. After four years of trying to break into publishing with an Asian-set historical, her 2009 Golden Heart Award–winning manuscript, Butterfly Swords, sold to Harlequin Mills & Boon. With several releases and more upcoming titles all set in the Tang Dynasty, she’s keeping her fingers crossed that this hard-sell genre will one day be hard to resist.

On the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, in the small town of Emerald Isle…

Juli Cooke, hard-working and getting nowhere fast, marries a dying man, Ben Bradshaw, for a financial settlement, not expecting he will set her on a journey of hope and love. The journey brings her to Luke Winters, a local art dealer, but Luke resents the woman who married his sick friend and warns her not to hurt Ben—and he’s watching to make sure she doesn’t.

Until Ben dies and the stakes change.

Framed by the timelessness of the Atlantic Ocean and the brilliant blue of the beach sky, Juli struggles against her past, the opposition of Ben’s and Luke’s families, and even the living reminder of her marriage—to build a future with hope and perhaps to find the love of her life—if she can survive the danger from her past.

Grace is giving away an eBook copy of BEACH RENTAL. To get your name in the drawing, all you have to do is leave a comment. A winner will be chosen at random and will be notifiied via email. Please leave an email addy if it is not available on your profile.

Please tell us about yourself and what made you start writing?

I’ve always been a big reader and, for many readers, at some point that translates into a desire to write a story.  In fact, I’ve written all of my life, completing a novel and some short stories over the years, but until I found the writing communities online, and via those, writing groups in my geographic area, it was very much an on and off effort. About five years ago, I picked up writing again and vowed not to give up despite rejections. With the help of my critique partners and writing buddies, I’ve kept going.  That first novel is in a cardboard box; the novel I wrote five years ago waits on an external hard drive for a rewrite.  Beach Rental is actually my fourth novel. My third, Kincaid’s Hope, will be released in January 2012, also by Turquoise Morning Press.

For most of my life, creative expression has been a war between writing and artistic output. Oh, for more time in the day! Writing and drawing and painting, textile crafts and needlework, photography and graphic art…even choosing the right color of paint and putting it on the wall just so, can be a creative event. Everything around us feeds the writing or the design. And all that we take in from the world strives for expression. At this time in my life, I think I’ve found the best balance of both art and fiction, but it’s always good to stay flexible!

How long did it take before you were published? Was it everything that you thought it would be?

Beach Rental was released in July. It’s been an educational experience, for sure. How long did it take to find publication? I’d have to begin the count five years ago. For Beach Rental, specifically, which was written throughout most of 2010, the contract offer came in December of 2010.

It’s been an education and adventure and certainly full of highs and lows. I learned that finding publication only sets up a whole new set of goals and worries, triumphs and fears. The editing needed before publication and the marketing post-publication competes with the need to be writing the next book. Perhaps it would be easier if I didn’t work a fulltime job besides, but I’m not sure of that. Sometimes we use our time better if we have less of it to waste.

Do you love the ePublishing / small press platform and are you going to pursue traditional publishing in the future?

For a new author, I think the small press platform may be the gentlest introduction to publishing, although that’s just a guess since I haven’t experienced a release with a traditional publisher.  I’d like to find out how it goes with a traditional publisher. A big benefit of a small press is the individual attention given to the writer and having a direct line to the publisher. In fact, my publisher contracted for my books and later signed me as a cover artist, too. I can use my art background and graphic skills and my writing, too! Is that the best of both worlds, or what?!?

Can you tell us a little bit your new release? How did you come up with the idea?

I spent a holiday down at Emerald Isle on the Bogue Banks in North Carolina. One week at a duplex on the ocean, what a setting! The island of Bogue Banks lies east/west. You walk to the sunrise in the morning and to the sunset in the evening. I’m a dedicated beach walker, so that’s hard to beat.

I had a setting, but not a story or characters.

I met a young woman who would have had lots of potential if she’d grown up differently. People are more than genetics—we are also products of our environment. And then several of my friends died of pancreatic cancer. They were full of love and life and were the epitome of selflessness during their last months. I wondered what would happen if I brought a dying man together with the girl who had no prospects for a happy future? What could he bring to the relationship that would impact her life and future in an enduring way and what gifts could she give him?

You’re an artist, what types of work do you do and in what way do you incorporate your love of art into your writing?

I sketched in pencil and painted in oils for many years, then shifted to photography and digital art.  But working a fulltime job and writing as a second fulltime job doesn’t leave much time for anything else. Perhaps because my art doesn’t find much expression otherwise, it shows up in my books. In Beach Rental, Luke owns an art gallery (I always wanted to do that) and Juli takes art lessons from Anna at Ben’s urging. Art is venue through which Juli gains confidence in herself and where she also finds comfort when the challenges mount.

Do you have a daily ritual to get you in the “writing zone”?

I work my day job during the week and write in the evenings and on weekends and holidays. I don’t have a ritual or process for writing in the evening. I just jump into it in the best way I can. But on Saturday morning, I stay in my jammies and park my butt in my desk chair and start writing and keep writing for as long as I can. Once I’m dressed and looking respectable, I’m too easily distracted.

How do you stay inspired?

Honestly, I don’t. It’s often a struggle. Sometimes I feel uninspired and, as Rachel in Wynnedower’s Stranger (my WIP) says, “I feel as flat as a blowup snowman with a bad leak on a cold morning.” Generally, something comes along—an intriguing person, an interesting setting or a concept that digs it’s sharp little teeth into my imagination and won’t let go. Faith is the most important thing, I think—the knowledge that just when I think I’m almost on empty, something else always comes along. Faith keeps the panic at bay.

What is the most difficult part of your writing journey? What is the most exciting part?

Writing and writing. Some days it’s exhilarating; some days it’s grim. Beyond that, the most difficult part for me is sending my work out to face rejection or acceptance. Sometimes the what-ifs are overwhelming. The best advice I can give is to follow your heart and head. First person or third? Too much narration? Breaking rules? Remember, you can’t satisfy everyone at any time. Just do your best, protect yourself from naysayers and sustain your hope and faith.

What personal goals have you made for yourself this year?

Survive my debut release. Complete my WIP. Complete revisions on my upcoming release. Do all of the aforementioned and also market my current release. Last and most elusive: Stay sane.

Those all sound like writing goals, don’t they? Except the last one. So, I guess my person goal this year is to stay sane.

Any last words for your readers?

Beach Rental, Kincaid’s Hope, and Wynnedower’s Stranger are books about people and relationships foremost, but strong settings and suspense are also important to me. I hope you’ll give these books a try (Kincaid’s Hope in late January) and will let me know your thoughts. I want these stories to move the reader and if the characters linger after the last page has been read, then I’ll be thrilled. It’s reader feedback that keeps me going in those uninspired or difficult times. Thanks to everyone who’s let me know they enjoyed Beach Rental!

What should we expect from you in the future?

Fiction with romance, suspense and inspiration, always with a strong heroine at its heart…Please visit me at www.GraceGreeneAuthor.com

Grace Greene writes fiction with romance, suspense and inspiration, always with a strong heroine at its heart. Vivid settings and quirky secondary characters round out the stories and there’s a happily-ever-after ending—most of the time.

Grace is also an artist and photographer. She is drawn to houses and landscapes that ooze character and is fascinated by history and human nature. When she’s writing, all of these interests show up on the page.

BEACH RENTAL is her debut release. Her next novel, KINCAID’S HOPE, is scheduled for release in January 2012. In KINCAID’S HOPE, Beth Kincaid finds that swearing off the Kincaid temper and creating the perfect life free from untidy emotionalism has its own dangers and can even get you killed.

A Virginia native, Grace lives in central Virginia. Stay current with Grace’s releases and appearances at www.GraceGreeneAuthor.com

–Admin Staff

The chilling words of a killer: This is just the beginning…

Ten years ago, Lilly Carmichael left town without an explanation, breaking Braden Donnelly’s heart. The death of her aunt has brought Lilly home–and face to face with memories she thought were long buried. Still getting over a traumatic incident from her work as an NSA agent, Lilly initially dismisses the face at her window as a figment of stress-induced paranoia.

Now the sheriff of Hudson Bay, Braden has spent the last year hunting a sadistic murderer. But his investigation is turned upside down when new evidence indicates that Lilly is the killer’s next target. Determined to protect the woman he’s never stopped loving, Braden must race against the clock to trap a dangerous psychopath—before it’s too late…

Purchase info (some links available for pre-order):
Direct from publisher
All Romance eBooks
Amazon (Kindle)
Barnes & Noble (Nook eReader)

Tell us a little bit about yourself. How long have you been writing before you sold?

I love romance and have been reading it for many, many years (since I discovered my mom’s secret stash). Before I had any clue I wanted to be a writer I read romantic suspense almost exclusively so that’s the genre I first tried my hand at (about 5 years ago). About two years later I discovered I enjoyed writing erotic romance and paranormal romance as well so I entered a contest to see if I was actually any good at writing erotic romance. I ended up placing first with Running from the Past then subsequently selling it to Ellora’s Cave (the final judge was an EC editor). After that, I continued writing erotic romance (and eventually separating my erotic romance from my other stuff) but I was still actively searching for an agent. I signed with one a year later, then another year after that we sold my paranormal series to NAL/Signet.

How has the transition been from ePublishing to NY been for you?

I’ve always had my own ‘personal’ deadlines I like to meet but working on contractual deadlines has been a new experience. With epublishing I’m able to write at my own pace and I don’t answer to anyone as far as turning something in at a certain time. That kind of freedom is wonderful. Right now I have things I have to turn in to my two traditional publishers (Harlequin & Signet) by certain dates so even if I wanted to start on another story, it would have to wait until I’m finished with these two. Luckily, I love the two stories I’m currently writing so that’s not an issue. I’m still publishing digitally and I’ve also self-published a couple novellas recently and I don’t plan to give that up just because I sold to NY.

What are a few things you picked up from the publishing experience that have been a good learning tool for you?

Hmm, things I’ve learned: Don’t settle for an agent just to have one. A bad agent is worse than none at all (I love mine, btw). When I signed with her my first two manuscripts were rejected by NY but she stuck by me and with the third submission we signed a 3 book deal. Her contract and publishing experience were so valuable during the whole process. Another thing I’ve learned is that good critique partners are like gold. If you have a good one, hold on to her.

What has been the toughest obstacle you’ve had to overcome along the way? What was the best experience you’ve had from being published?

I don’t think I’ve had one particular obstacle that’s been the toughest. Constant rejection is really the main obstacle and I’ve received a lot of those over the years. After a while it gets to the point where you wonder if anyone will ever like your writing. My best experience was receiving my first advance check

You have written quite a few books for ePublishers, how do you feel about the ePublishing explosion, and now the popularity of self-publishing?

I think the popularity of both epublishing and self-publishing is great. All my erotic work is primarily novellas and there’s not much of a print market for shorter lengths unless you’re talking anthologies. I love writing short and having options and I don’t believe in putting all my eggs in one basket. Plus, coming from solely a reader’s perspective, I read almost exclusively on my Kindle so I really love the convenience of epublishing.

What do you feel about the self-publishing market and how do you think it will affect publishing?

I have no idea how it will affect publishing and I’d be a little scared to speculate, but I’ve recently self-published two novellas and I’ve personally loved the freedom of doing it. In addition to gaining more readers, I’ve seen an increase in sales for my backlist so for me it’s been a positive experience. There are pros and cons to being traditionally published, epublished, and self-published and I think it’s great that writers have more options now. They don’t have to choose one or the other anymore.

Tell us about your latest book.

Deadly Obsession is a dark romantic suspense releasing from Carina Press on 8/15/2011. It’s 80,000 words and to date it’s the darkest thing I’ve written. Here is the blurb:

Ten years ago, Lilly Carmichael left town without an explanation, breaking Braden Donnelly’s heart. The death of her aunt has brought Lilly home–and face to face with memories she thought were long buried. Still getting over a traumatic incident from her work as an NSA agent, Lilly initially dismisses the face at her window as a figment of stress-induced paranoia.

Now the sheriff of Hudson Bay, Braden has spent the last year hunting a sadistic murderer. But his investigation is turned upside down when new evidence indicates that Lilly is the killer’s next target. Determined to protect the woman he’s never stopped loving, Braden must race against the clock to trap a dangerous psychopath—before it’s too late…

What’s up next for you? Are you currently working on a new book?

I have a release from Harlequin Nocturne (Cravings) on October 1st (Destined Mate). In January 2012 I have a romantic suspense releasing from Carina. Then in February I have another release from Nocturne Cravings and the first book in my new paranormal series from Signet is also releasing (Alpha Instinct: A Moon Shifter novel). Currently I’m working on the third book in my Moon Shifter series.

What do you like best about the writer’s life?

I love setting my own schedule and being able to work anywhere. Granted, I pretty much work from home, but it’s nice to know that I can pack up my laptop anytime it’s necessary. Being a new mom, it’s doubly nice working from home.

If you weren’t a writer what would career path would you choose?

Ack! I have no idea. I floundered around after college because I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do and knew I didn’t want to be a bartender for the rest of my life so… If I wasn’t a writer it’s possible I might have continued my education to get a Master’s in psychology (I have a Bachelor’s in psychology) and looked for a counseling job within the school system. But really, I can’t see myself doing anything else and loving it the way I love writing.

Who or what inspires you?

Music, various places I’ve traveled, the people in my lives, books I read, favorite authors (Linda Howard will always be a fave of mine)…pretty much anything and everything inspires me.

What are you reading right now?

Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione. It’s my first book by her.

What advice would you offer to the unpublished romance writer?

Don’t give up and don’t make excuses for why you can’t find the time to write. If you want something bad enough you’re going to have to work really hard for it so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Rejection sucks but it’s something you’re going to have to deal with if you want to survive in this business.

What would people be most surprised to learn about you?

I have an addiction to zombie movies, a couple tattoos, and I lived on a boat for one summer during my college years (a year I wasn’t in school).

Katie fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it. However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After graduating summa cum laude with a degree in psychology and working too many jobs she hated, she finally figured things out.

She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. Her publishers include Carina Press, Harlequin Nocturne (Destined Mate, October 2011) and in early 2012 the first book in her new paranormal trilogy will release from NAL/Signet Eclipse (Penguin). Regardless of genre, she always includes a happy ending. When she’s not creating stories she loves spending time with her husband, family and the eclectic group of animals they’ve adopted.

To learn more about Katie, visit her online at:

www.katiereus.com