Heather Beck In The Spotlight

Twenty three-year-old Heather Beck was born in Canada. She currently attends university where she studies English and a vast array of other disciplines.
Heather began writing seriously at the age of sixteen. Her first book, The Paradise Chronicles was published when she was only nineteen years old. Since then, Heather has written several more well-reviewed books. Although university keeps her busy, Heather is adamant about making time for her writing career.
Besides writing, Heather’s other passion is the outdoors. She is an award-winning fisherwoman and a regular hiker. Heather also enjoys swimming and playing badminton and tennis.

Visit http://heatherbeck.tripod.com Author of "The Paradise Chronicles" and the "Fable Farm" Series

Official Website: http://heatherbeck.tripod.com/

Purchase link: http://romancedivine.com/WhatLegendsAreMadeOf.html

Excerpt 1:

The Sir Tristan Estate

"What’s going on?" As she continued to stare at the picture intensely she shook. "I have to get out of here. There’s no way I’m spending another night in this estate."
Images of her strange dreams featuring Tom filled her mind. They had been so realistic that Skye began to believe they were more than just dreams. "They’re waking nightmares," Skye realized in a shaky voice.
Her hand reached for the telephone. She was going to request a taxi come immediately. Before Skye had the chance to dial the telephone number, her body suddenly froze in terror, at the ethereal voice.
"Don’t leave," Tom begged from behind Skye. With Tom’s hand on top of hers, Skye shakily placed the telephone on its receiver.
"How…how did you get in my bedroom?"
Tom gave a gentle laugh, "That wasn’t much of a problem."
He’s acting as if this situation is normal! "How did you get in my bedroom?" Skye repeated, her voice steadier, her tone firmer.
"I used the door; what a concept, huh?" Tom took his hand off of Skye’s and sauntered to the bed. He sat at the edge of the bed and smiled.
Skye cast a glance at the bedroom door then did a double take. The door was locked; her slippers lay in front of the door untouched.
"That’s impossible!" Tom let out a gleeful laugh and then fell backwards on the bed.
Skye knees went weak and her breath stopped when she saw Tom literally disappear into the bed. With slow, shaky steps, Skye looked under the bed. Tom lay under the bed, a smile on his face, his eyes locked on hers.
"Surprised?" he asked with raised eyebrows.
Skye stumbled backwards then fell to the floor.
Tom crawled out from underneath the bed and offered his hand to Skye. She stared at his hand but didn’t make any attempt to touch it.
"That wasn’t an illusion…was it?"
Tom shook his head. He suddenly looked sad.
"What’s going on?" Skye demanded. "If you don’t tell me the truth, I’ll scream so loud that Mrs. Bradford will come to my aid in a second."
"That’s an exaggeration," Tom said with a weak smile as he sat down beside Skye. Her body tensed in response. "Besides, your screams wouldn’t yield any results. I’ve fired all the staff. The last employee, the woman from the gift shop, left the estate just minutes ago. We’re alone."
Skye’s terrified eyes darted around the room; she bit her lip.
"Don’t be afraid," Tom gently urged. "I’m not going to hurt you."
"Tell me what’s going on," Skye begged.

Thank you to Heather Beck! Don't Forget to check her out!

Changes at Dark Diva Reviews

Please take note that our Interviews and Spotlights will no longer be posted at this blog. Please visit us at our new blog.

Dark Diva Reviews

Author Interview: KIERNAN KELLY

Author Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. Hi Kiernan and welcome to the Dark Divas’ Den! You are very prolific, but my first question would have to be about your new book, Outland, which has had great reviews. It’s also an interesting subject matter. You tackle gay love in the bible belt and, something I find absolutely fascinating, your two leads are in their 50’s! You don’t see that much in gay erotic fiction. Where did the idea come to you for this book?

Hi, and thanks so much for the opportunity to interview here! The characters in Outland, Hank and Beaver, were inspired by a pair of real life partners I met two years ago during the Gay Days convention in Orlando. The men were older, in their late fifties or early sixties by my estimate. They stopped by my table and when we got to chatting, I discovered they’d been together twenty some-odd years. I remember thinking how awesome it was that they’d remained together for so long, and wondering about the challenges they must have faced in their lifetime, and how interesting it would be to base a pair of characters on them. The opportunity arose when I sat down to write Outland.

I realized when I wrote the book that using a pair of silver foxes was taking a chance (I’m as guilty as the next writer of using hunky stud muffins as my characters), but truthfully, I think there’s something incredibly sexy about mature, experienced men. I don’t think my readers were disappointed.

2. Your reviews always say that in spite of the high ‘heat’ level of your books, that your story development is excellent, that you don’t have your characters jumping into the sack on page one. Is this a deliberate choice on your part?

Absolutely. I think that if the characters have the time to invest emotionally in one another, then the sex is hotter and more fulfilling. Plus, I like the reader to feel like they’re right there in bed with the characters, and the only way I’ve found to do that is to vividly describe the setting, and let the readers inside the characters’ heads before diving between the sheets.

3. Are any of your stories based on your actual experiences?

I haven’t written any “true” stories, but I’ve often pulled bits and pieces from my life, experiences, and my personality and infused the stories with them. The character closest to being me is Beaver from Outland. The dedication in the book reads, “This book is for my husband. He tolerates my odd hours, encourages me always, and most of all, believes in me even when I don’t believe in myself. Hon, we are Hank and Beaver.” It’s true, we are, right down to the aching joints and gray hair. LOL

4. I know you live in Florida. Whereabouts and are you juggling a dreaded day job as well as your prodigious output of fiction?

I’m in Central Florida, land of the Mouse. I love it here, actually, even when it’s six degrees hotter than hell. I even love the kitschy tourist traps. I was fortunate enough to be able to leave my day job two years ago to write full time. Believe me, writing is the hardest, most time-consuming job I’ve ever held. I put in far more hours at my computer now than I ever did when I worked a day job!

5. As far as I can tell all your books are published by Torquere Press. How has your experience been with them and will you be working with other publishers soon?

Actually, while my novels are all held by Torquere, and I’ve written numerous short stories for them (and will continue to do so as long as they’re willing to publish them!), I’ve also written shorts for several other houses as well, including Cleis, Starbooks, Aspen Mountain Press, MLR Press, and coming soon, Circlet Press.

My experience with Torquere (pronounced “Tork-AH-ray” by the way) has been wonderful. They took a chance on me when I wrote my first title, Riding Heartbreak Road, and have been instrumental in helping me develop my craft.

6. There is a raging debate on the web about women writing gay erotic fiction. Do you think it matters and can you personally tell if a book’s been written by a man or a woman?

Personally, when I pick up a book to read (which I do often, having always be an avid, near-rabid reader), it never occurs to me to question the plumbing of the author. All that ever matters to me is the story. If it’s good, I treasure it, and look for more by that author. If it’s bad, I put it behind me and move on. I think that gay erotic fiction is the only genre where people seem to question whether the author has an “innie” or an “outie.” In my opinion, a good writer should be able to get inside anyone’s head, -- male, female, gay, straight, or other.

That said, I can’t always tell who wrote what. It depends on the person’s writing style. I’ve never made a secret of the fact that I’m a woman. People who haven’t read my webpage, or any of my interviews still often address me in emails as “Mr. Kelly.” I take that as a compliment.

7. You have a fondness for ice cream (even if crazed supermarket workers like to challenge your determination to eat it – yes, I read your blog!) what do you eat and/or drink when you’re writing?

Coffee. I’m a diehard coffee drinker. I would set up an altar and worship the beans in Starbucks if they’d let me.

Wow, you read my blog? Thank you! Yes, that was some adventure I had trying purchase ice cream at Publix. Sometimes you just have to sit back and laugh, or go crazy, you know?

8. I know what you mean! Kiernan, do you read much and which authors and what genres do you enjoy the most?

I am a voracious reader, always have been. I ‘m pretty eclectic, too, reading everything from horror, to romance, to thrillers, to historicals, both straight and gay. As I said before, what really matters to me is the story. I love Stephen King, especially his early work, when his novels were set in or around Castle Rock. I adore Jean Auel and her Earth’s Children series. I would read Sherrilyn Kenyon’s laundry list. I loved Milton Stern’s On Tuesday, They Played Mahjong.

9. As an author, which words or phrases do you find you most overuse?

I am forever looking for new and inventive ways to say “penis,” without resorting to stupid euphemisms like “greased love pole.” Seriously, there are only so many times you can use the word “c**k” in a paragraph, particularly when both parties involved have them.

10. How old were you when you learned there was no Santa Claus? How upset were you?

Wait…what? No…oh, no.

Seriously, I was eight when a horrible boy (whom I hope grew up to have terrible acne and is still a virgin living in his mother’s basement) in my class told me. I didn’t believe him.
Still don’t.

11. Another tough question: What was your favorite toy growing up?

My absolute favorite toy when I was growing up was a ratty old pair of roller skates. Mind you, this was before rollerblades -- these were bare-boned, metal skates that had a key that you needed to use to make them fit over your shoes. My parents’ basement had a tile floor, and I had a ball skating around down there like it was my own private rink.

12. Please tell me about your upcoming books.

My next novel releases in October, I believe, from Torquere Press. It’s the second book in my In Their Own Skins shapeshifter series, called The Mark of Cain. This one picks up several years after the first book ends, and continues the story of the shapeshifters at the Shifting Sands Ranch. I’m also working on a pirate novel, a vampire novel, a young adult series, and plan to begin writing a sequel to Seti’s Heart this fall.

13. If you weren’t a writer, what talent would you most like to have?

In an alternate universe, where I was not a writer, and was thin and graceful, I’d be a dancer. I always wanted to learn to dance, especially tap, but considering how clumsy I am, how uncoordinated (I barely qualify for having opposable thumbs at times), and how frequently I trip over my own two feet, the chances of my being a dancer have always been slim to none.

On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I’d like to thank Kiernan Kelly for stopping by today. To learn more about Kiernan's work, please check out these links:

http://www.kiernankelly.com/
http://kiernankelly.livejournal.com/
www.myspace.com/kiernankelly

Janet Mullany In The Spotlight

BIO
Janet Mullany grew up in England and has worked as an archaeologist, performing arts administrator, classical music radio announcer, bookseller, and editor, and unexpectedly became a writer eight years ago. Her first book, DEDICATION (2005), was the only traditional Signet Regency with two bondage scenes and she continued to break conventions with her Regency chicklit book THE RULES OF GENTILITY (2007, HarperCollins and 2008, Little Black Dress, UK). She’s currently writing another book for Little Black Dress, an alternate historical-paranormal about Jane Austen joining vampires to battle a French invasion (HarperCollins, summer 2010), and pursuing another existence as a writer of erotic contemporaries for Harlequin Spice. She lives outside Washington, DC and is a voracious reader. Find out more at http://http://www.janetmullany.com/ and enter Janet’s contest.
LINK TO BUY WITH FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE:
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/browse/book/isbn/9780755347797/ref/janetmullany.aff
BACK COVER BLURB
1822, England. Young, beautiful Lady Caroline Elmhurst is down on her luck. Twice-widowed (once is unfortunate, twice just looks like carelessness...), pursued by creditors, she needs to get back on track before the world realizes just how desperate she's become.
But she's optimistic about finding a new husband and when she meets handsome, mysterious Nicholas Congrevance at a houseparty in the country, she sets out to entice him. For his part, Nicholas simply sees Lady Caroline as just the sort of woman he's used to exploiting--rich, available, and gullible. Neither realizes the other is penniless--and neither has any intention of falling in love...
EXCERPT
After fainting with hunger at an inn, Lady Caroline Elmhurst, traveling with her maid Mary, meets a handsome stranger and discovers they are both on their way to the same house…
I am not so much of a fool, or a hypocrite, to deny the carnal interest that hums between me and Congrevance. He has done nothing but sum up my various parts since our first meeting, and I must admit I have given him every opportunity to do so. My lawn scarf is too creased to wear at my neckline and I cannot help if my skirt pulls up a little as I enter the trap. I study him with equal interest. I was not entirely unconscious when he carried me inside the inn; I heard the pleasing thud of a man’s heartbeat close to mine, and had the opportunity to examine the cloth of his coat (a very fine wool). An excellent sign, as is his absence from London, for chances are he has had little opportunity to squander his money there, or to know the most sordid details of my fall from grace.
Being pressed against his warm, hard person (his chest, that is) almost made up for the distressing weakness and sickness that assailed me, but happily that was dispelled shortly after by toast and tea (paid for by Congrevance) and now I feel quite restored to health.
He travels simply, but the quality of his clothes, his air, speak of breeding and undoubted fortune. He is accompanied by a manservant whose ugly face and squat build I find repulsive, but with whom Mary, the shameless slut, flirts and giggles as the trap bowls along the country lanes.
“I have missed this,” Congrevance says, gesturing in a foreign sort of way.
“Cows, sir?”
“No.” He shakes his head, smiling. “The countryside. It is so very green and soft.”
“You are a great traveler, then?”
“I was most recently in Italy.”
He doesn’t seem inclined to chat, which is as well--for gentlemen, I find, gnaw upon topics that are of no interest whatsoever like a dog upon a bone: Bludge (politics), Elmhurst (horseflesh), Linsley (cricket, surely the worst of the lot), and Rotherhithe (military maneuvers, a close second). So I am quite content to watch Congrevance, and a beautiful creature he is, with his long elegance of bone and dark gray eyes--a surprise, for I should have thought he would have blue eyes. However, I do not wish to appear a mindless ninny who cannot carry on a conversation, and I like to watch his mouth when he speaks.
“Do you know which part is yours in Otterwell’s play, Mr. Congrevance?”
“His play?”
“Yes. Has he not invited you to be an actor in his, or rather Shakespeare’s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream?”
“Ah. Otterwell did not mention anything of the sort to me when we met in Italy earlier this year, although one cannot help but notice how much he admires Shakespeare. And you, Lady Elmhurst? What part is yours?”
“I am to play Hermia.” Hermia, in my opinion, is something of a tediously virtuous ninny, but she fits quite well into the impression I intend to make on Congrevance--that of a respectable and modest widow. How very fortunate that he has been abroad, and how relieved I am to find that my reputation has not crossed the Channel. If he had been in London, it would be an entirely different story. Indeed, it is a miraculous stroke of luck that he is a blank slate upon which I can rewrite myself, provided he does not listen to vulgar gossip from his fellow guests.
“You enjoy the theater, Lady Elmhurst?”
“Oh, I adore it.” I clasp my hands to my bosom (he watches) and sigh deeply (he blinks). “It is tremendously diverting. It is one of the great pleasures of town.” I do not mention that cards and flirting and activities well beyond flirting behind closed doors are what I really prefer. “And of course I enjoy music; I play a little upon the pianoforte--my friends say I am not totally devoid of taste--and I have a very small skill with watercolors.”
“Otterwell has some very pleasing prospects on his estate. I expect you will wish to sketch them. Perhaps I might be permitted to accompany you, Lady Elmhurst.”
“That would be delightful, Mr. Congrevance.”
The question, of course, is whether I should take him as protector or husband. As enamored as he seems to be of the countryside, there is a good chance he will want to settle on some tedious estate and commune with his cows. He might expect a wife to slop around there with straw in her hair and breed! But I am sure that if Congrevance wished to amuse himself in town he could keep me in the manner to which I am accustomed (or, to be honest, unaccustomed of late). Mary, whose knee is now pressed firmly against that of that ruffian of a manservant, can find out the extent of Congrevance’s fortune well enough.
However, there is no great rush to entrap him. I should wait and see who else Otterwell has invited; for although I cannot deny the attraction I feel to Congrevance, it would not do to sell myself short. How would I feel if I, for instance, missed a duke?

Author Interview: MARC JARROD

1. Hi Marc and thanks for coming into the Dark Divas’ den…don’t get too many other guys in here, so this ought to be fun! Okay, my first question is, apart from being an author of romantic fiction, you’re a UPS driver. What’s the weirdest thing that ever happened to you in the course of delivering a package? Ever had a woman open the door naked?
Well, I hate to say this but, even though, I do work for UPS, I am not a driver. I am sorry I misled anyone. I think what it is, is that when I tell somebody I work at UPS, they immediately think I am a driver. What I do is work inside the building. I sort packages to their destination and I am also a clerk, doing address corrections. However, I was a driver at one point. One of the most humorous comments I would get from people receiving packages is when I would knock on the door and say UPS, I have a package, I would hear from the other side, Is it paid for? I don’t want it, if it’s not paid for. In other words, if it was a COD, they wouldn’t even open the door. (Okay, you had to be there.) LOL

2. Your books are intriguing because you seem to understand women very well and tell the stories from their POV. They all have quirks though, such as Charlie Jackson from One Dangerous Woman being a very violent, dangerous assassin. You know many women like this in your every day life?
Well, I hope not. LOL I love reading about the underworld— Demons, vampires, etc. I also love mobster novels, such as the Godfather. So, I incorporated the two genres into one. What I loved about One Dangerous Woman, especially from the woman’s perspective is that though Charlie was a cold blooded assassin, she also had a human side in that she loved children and she could also be in love as in loving Dexter.

3. If I were to describe your books, I’d say they were twisted romances…with demons, Satan and vampires running around in them. What books do you have coming out next? Will you continue in this paranormal realm?
As a matter of fact, next release will be in that genre. Last Christmas I wrote Ferver Black’s Christmas Wish, which was a vampire story. I had never written vampire before, even though I love that genre in that I have seen dozens of movies dealing with vampires. My favorite is Interview with a Vampire. There will be a sequel to the Ferver story, titled, Ferver Black’s Christmas Wish…Return to Darkness.

4. I know you are tackling M/M for an anthology…how graphic will it be and ahem…how much research is involved here?
Just like my Ferver story, this will be my first attempt. Luckily because it will be an anthology, it will be short so I wont have to stretch my imagination. J I believe it will be a love story. More like a male who thought he was straight, and a gay male who brings him around and shows him the joys of the gay life style. Because it will be his first time, it won’t be very graphic, but there will be some sex involved. I did my research from reading your stories, AJ. You are a master storyteller where, though your characters are vampires, you also make them human in that they laugh, cry, joke around etc. I love that. That is why I believe you are so successful.

5. Wow, thanks, Marc! You live in St. Louis, Missouri but moved there from Italy when you were a child. Do you remember much of Italy? Have you been there since?
Not a whole lot, I must admit. When I came here, which was July 4th, 1959, I spoke fluent Italian. Unfortunately, I went straight to school that September. I was able to speak some English but not a whole lot. So when a nun would tell me to color the drawing of a boat, blue, I would color it another color because I had no idea what she was talking about. LOL. I am thinking of perhaps traveling there when I retire from UPS.

6. What are the best and worst things about living in St. Louis?
The best things— along with the Arch, I would say it is truly a sports town what with The St. Louis Cardinals and Rams and the St. Louis Blues. When it comes to the Cardinals, people and even other teams say St. Louis is one of the best sports towns in the country because of the support we give our team. I was also proud that St. Louis was the host of the All-Star game in which we were able to showcase our city. The worst part is, because of the economy, two of our major auto plants—Chrysler and Ford have down. They were major employers for the city.

7. What is your writing routine like? With three books published (that I know of, including One Dangerous Woman, Ferver Black’s Christmas Wish and A Heavenly Christmas, you are pretty prolific. Do you write every day?
Well, not as prolific as you, AJ. LOL but thanks for the moral and morale boost. I try to write everyday even if it is in small spurts. Sometimes, just as every writer goes through this, I hit writer’s block. When that happens, I watch TV, take a walk or go to a movie. Believe it or not, I also get inspiration when I work. Sorting packages can be boring, so I would kind of daydream, thinking how I could write a scene. When it hits me, during lunch, I take pen in hand and start writing the scene before I forget it.

8. You were in the middle of edits on a book called Time Eternal when the publishing company went under. Will you ever resurrect that? The premise sounds so intriguing!
I am glad you asked that. Time Eternal—now renamed, Imagine because I felt it fit the story line better and the title to me, was exotic—is just about finished. I am very proud of this story because it was my first effort as a writer. To show how naïve I was a writer, the first thing I did after finishing the story, was to look for a literary agent to hawk my masterpiece. LOL I had no idea epubs were out there. Then I came across some epubs on the internet and after getting rejected a number of times, StarDust Press took me on. That is where I met one of my colleagues Stephani Hecht. Imagine is a time travel book but it will have a twist in the end and of course a HEA.

9. I know you are a big football and baseball fan. What other interests do you have? Do you read a lot and who are some of your favorite authors?
My favorite author is James Patterson who writes crime novels. I love his books because he is a fast read. His chapters are like only 2-3 pages long. What I love about his works is he is an author who cuts to the chase, without giving vivid descriptions of scenery or minor characters. Another favorite leisure time is Trivia. I occasionally go to Trivia Night gatherings and more than once, my team has won first place.

10. Now for a tough question. You ready? What was your favorite toy growing up?
The old Etch A Sketch and yo-yo’s. I loved doing, walking the dog, rock the cradle, around the world etc. on my yo-yo. I loved drawing landscapes on the Etch a Sketch. OMG, I am truly showing my age now. LOL

11. I know you like classical music and oldies rock. Do you listen to music and what kind when you’re writing? What about when you’re having sex?
I listen to oldies rock when writing. But if I am struggling, I will listen to classical to help me relax. Music while having sex? I don’t usually have music, but if I did, it would be classical because it would be so relaxing.

12. Which living person do you most admire?
My next door neighbor. She is close to 90 but has the energy of a 20 year old. I could only hope I have even half that energy if and when I reach that age.

13. Which living person do you most despise?
Osama Bin Laden. He is the true antichrist. And any dictator who is guilty of genocide.


On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I’d like to thank Marc Jarrod for stopping by today. To learn more about this awesome author’s work, please check out his links:
www.myspace.com/marcjarrod

Cindy Jacks : Point of Distraction

Blurb:

Ever dreamed of leading in a glamorous, sexy, and extravagant life? Experience it all vicariously through Ana Welsh in these dynamic chick-lit stories. In the third collection in the Point of Distraction Series, Ana's back -- and as bad as she wants to be!

In Ghosts of Ana Past, Ana reconnects with an old flame who stirs up memories of a more carefree time in her life. Now that Eli's set this fire, it's up to Ana to contain the blaze.

Misadventures in cougar-ing plague Ana in Boy Toy. Jake's hot, bold...and only twenty years old. But in the midst of a premature mid-life crisis, what's a girl to do?

Friends with Benefits finds Ana reeling from a family emergency. When Nikhil provides a strong shoulder to cry on, it's all too tempting to toss out that pesky platonic relationship and give in to romance.

Excerpt:


My eyes drank in the expanse of his mocha skin. I’d suspected since I’d met him that underneath his clothes lay a body of exquisite muscle tone. Now, faced with his taut abdomen and sinewy arms, I was taken by his form. The desire to touch every inch of him struck me, but before I could act, he reclined me and covered my neck with his mouth.

I relaxed into his caresses. His lips, his tongue, his fingertips seemed on every inch of my exposed skin. Urgency existed in his embrace and yet he did not stray from my neck, my breasts and abdomen. He spent untold time there as if he were making a careful map of my body.
Though I was enjoying his sweet attentions, my natural impatience flared. I reached for his belt buckle, but his hands diverted mine and set them back onto the blanket. He stretched out one of my legs, untied my shoelace, and slid the boot off along with the sock. He repeated this with my other boot. His fingers strayed to the zipper of my jeans and unfastened it with apparent care. He slipped my pants over my hips and off my legs. His hands stroked the length of my bare legs, varying the pressure of his fingertips. His thumbs hooked the waistband of my panties and inched them down, over my knees, past my ankles, and laid them to rest on the growing piles of my clothes.

Buy it now link: http://www.lyricalpress.com/cindy_jacks

Web link: http://cindyjacks.com/

Bio:
Cindy Jacks worked for ten years in the corporate arena, but left the boardroom at the age of thirty-three for a more fulfilling existence. Three years later she is happy to be a full time writer. Her characters are usually strong women, but with real insecurities and concerns of universal to all women. Recurring themes in her books include the sensuous qualities of food, the identity struggles we all experience, and pushing the boundaries of traditional femininity.

She lives in Northern Virginia, a stone's throw away from Washington, DC. When not writing or chasing after her four year-old son, she makes jewelry, practices belly dancing, and experiments with international cooking.

Author Interview: ERIN SINCLAIR

Author Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. Hi Erin and thanks so much for entering the Divas’ dark den. So in doing a little homework on you, I googled your name and was shocked to find the first entry is you as a bondage and fetish model. I knew you were naughty, but Erin, you’re NAUGHTY! All jokes aside, I know you are not this particular Erin but don’t you get some nasty, suggestive email from men thinking you ARE that Erin?

They say you never really know people, huh? LOL Hello, AJ and thank you for inviting me! No, not me, but the irony of a porn/fetish model and a romance writer who writes sensual, sexy love scenes sharing the same name is hysterical to me.

Actually, I’ve had the pen name Erin Sinclair (for my romance author persona) picked out for years than the model has been alive, because I thought the first name and surname sounded good together. Approximately one month before the debut of Twilight’s Son, I double-checked Erin Sinclair and BAM, Erin Sinclair, model, pops up all over the place. Not sure if I didn’t notice it in prior searches or her career hit a point where constant searches brought her to the top of the Google list, but the rest as they say is history.

I advised my EIC and my publisher at Devine Destinies. A name can’t be copyright protected. We’re in two divergent career fields. I like the pen name Erin Sinclair, so I ran with it. No suggestive email thus far, although I noticed I started receiving an awful lot of young men following me on Twitter recently.

Young men following a sensual romance writer somehow didn’t compute. I updated my tweets with the message, “Sorry, not her”. Apparently, someone must have mentioned it to her because Miss Sinclair started to follow me! Time will tell if it becomes an issue. I have no judgments about her. In my mind she’s a consenting adult, has a constitutional right to live her life as she chooses. I have my career, she has hers, there’s more than enough room for the both of us on the ‘Net, lol.

2. I have read one of your books, Witch One - and enjoyed the cats in it by the way - and enjoyed your story. You are a romantic, clearly. Where did the idea come to you for this book? Thank you, I’m glad you liked it. I love Minerva and Cyrano. I had fun developing the interplay between the cats and dogs. Having been a companion to both species, the personalities I attributed to the characters comes from owning animals I swore thought they were human.

I’m most definitely a romantic. I believe in the power of love. I believe that a partnership, be it friends, family, lovers, built on a foundation of respect, communication, and loyalty wrapped in a blanket of love will succeed against all odds. Witch One grew out of my enjoyment of escapist fantasy over the years plus ideas I have on certain aspects of spirituality. I grew up watching Bewitched, Fantasy Island, etc. My personal spiritual belief system includes the concepts of a divine feminine and a divine masculine presence in my life. The idea for Witch One is an evolution and inspiration of all those influences.

3. Please tell me about your Fallen Angels series. I know Twilight’s Son came out last year and I am fascinated by the topic of reborn angels and the lives they live on earth. I know you have a new book in the series, The Betrothed coming out. I know this involves the same two characters, Brie and Shade. What new developments occur in this book and how many do you see in the series?

I’m fascinated by angels, angelic energy and have explored the concepts all of my life as well. The idea for the novels came to me when I was on the phone at my former job listening to an irate customer.

In order not to take his ranting personally, I zoned out. Suddenly, this beautiful angelic man appeared in my mind’s eye. I started writing down everything about him. His name is Shade. He calls himself Shade, as he believes he is only a shadow of his former self. The love he has for his human ward is so powerful he gave up his entire angelic existence just to be with her. In the world I’ve created that means giving up a very special gift clearly delineating the difference between an angel’s soul and a human’s soul. I don’t want to say what that is, suffice to say it is an enormous sacrifice.

However, as is the way with most great loves there is always something or someone who attempts to interfere. In my world, that would be the Archangel Uriel, the angel whom, according to biblical lore, will be the judge all of humanity when the world ends in the distant future. Twilight’s Son introduces our couple. Their relationship and their world develop in the first novel. It isn’t lighthearted (she’s a homicide detective and investigates a murder) but it is romantic and sensual.

The Betrothed is far darker than Twilight’s Son. It is a continuation of Brie and Shade’s story but revolves around discovery, conflict, and revelations leaving the hero and heroine at a place in their relationship where the rose colored glasses from Twilight’s Son are ripped away. Garden of Eden is the third and final novel of the series. It’s the Armageddon, the culmination of Books 1 and 2 and will take place in a very short period, picking up where The Betrothed left off. Yes, the biblical/spiritual references are intentional. The Fallen Angel series is a trilogy.

4. Wow, Erin. It sounds great. I WILL read all three! Where do you live and what is your life like? Apart from writing, what are your interests?

I live in Las Vegas, Nevada but not for much longer. My husband and I are moving to the Midwest at the beginning of August, 2009. My life right now consists of endlessly packing. My life prior to prepping for the move consisted of defining me.

I was reborn at 30 when I divorced and became a single mom. The succeeding years spent learning an awful lot about myself and realizing I’m still…becoming, what that is remains to be seen. However, one aspect I know for sure is perennial is I am a writer. I can’t wait to see where this part of the journey takes me.

I have varied interests, but they seem to revolve primarily around all things artistic. I love design--interior and horticulture. I’m considering becoming a certified paralegal (as I have practiced in law for years) however, because I have such a passion for design that may change once I’m settled in Oklahoma.

Our environment is so important to us on so many levels I love the idea of helping people create sacred spaces inside and out. I’m a very conscientious green fiend and love the idea of nurturing and protecting my first mother, the Earth. Time will tell. My immediate goals are to finish my degree (in Art and Creative Writing) and become a successful author.

5. What is your writing routine like? Are you balancing a job as well as being a wife and mom - as well as writing? Do you write every day?

My writing routine prior to publishing Twilight’s Son was more along the lines of dreaming. I wrote when the mood struck me always with the desire of someone publishing me in mind. My haphazard writing habits are now unacceptable. It is my career. Organization and consistency is the key to production.

Over the last year I’ve let life take over and haven’t been as consistent in my writing technique as I know I should be. I try to write something every day but even that approach is unacceptable to me and will be pushing myself harder once after The Big Move. One thing I didn’t anticipate is how overwhelming it is to learn how to self-promote. I know my way around a computer and one or two social websites but I am a total novice in public relations. I’m considering a promotion company eventually but I’m the kind of person who wants to know how first before I allow others that type of control over me. It will enable me to know what to look for if their approach gets out of hand.

I balanced wife/mom/day job/writing and it wasn’t easy. Something always had to give. I put needs first wants second. My gorgeous girls are now married and on their own. My husband is very low maintenance because he’s so easy-going my focus has narrowed to me which is really helping me develop my writing career and how I should approach it.

6. Which authors and genres do you like to read? What are you reading right now?

I read everything. I’m finally incorporating reading for entertainment back into my life. I’ve been a student for so long I’ve been reading books that teach me something for the most part. I read all genres with the exception of horror/gore because I don’t understand the attraction to that genre at all. I do love suspense/thriller if it is well written and keeps me breathless until the end though.

I love anything by Marion Zimmer Bradley, love Anne McCaffrey. I’ve read just about everything ever written by Kathleen Woodiwiss. Love Anne Rice. When I was younger I was a big fan of King and Koontz. Loved Judith Krantz and Danielle Steel when a teenager, definitely Maya Angelou, Judy Blume, Toni Morrison. I love anything written by the husband and wife team of David and Leigh Eddings. I’m having so much fun writing romance, I’m rediscovering my enjoyment of the genre.

7. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Self-doubt. I was going to say procrastination, but I get around to accomplishing what I put off, eventually.

8. What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Lying.

9. What was your favorite childhood toy?

My Breyer model horses. Anything to do with horses for that matter. Oh and my Pentax K-1000 camera, of which I still have to this day. I fancy myself an up and coming genius free lance photographer one day, lol.

10. You have an intriguing quote on your website. I bet you would have been so much fun to hang out with at school! “One of my many goals in life is to engage you, the reader, to take you to my worlds, drop you off, let you have fun in my playground, then bring you home. Tomorrow we’ll do it again!” Don’t you think romance writing should be like this? A beautiful escape?

I write with two goals in mind, one to entertain, one to impact. I love receiving feedback from readers because the ideas I think about enter into my novels. I wonder if other people think about those subjects I write about and what’s their perspective on them as well. Romance writing is all about beautiful escape. I’m glad to be a part of it.

I have very distinct ideas on what romance should be like. I observe some couples I know and think, “You guys, it doesn’t have to be that hard!” One of the most beautiful expressions of love I’ve EVER heard of was while watching an Oprah Winfrey show many years ago. It dealt with the devastating effects cancer has on a family psychologically, spiritually and emotionally. I was crying my eyes out through the whole show.

A wife learned she had breast cancer. Her adoring husband was by her side through all of it. When she started going through chemotherapy, she started losing her hair, a feature the husband adored. She was afraid he wouldn’t love her any more because she was losing her hair, her breasts, things she thought marked her as woman, as female (okay, choking up here). He lovingly shaved her head, and then he shaved his! When her eyebrows fell out he shaved his as well. It was the dedication, the solidarity that brought me to tears. He let her know in no uncertain terms he had her back, she wasn’t alone and never would be.

Another love story that I’ve never forgotten was on a NOVA episode regarding HIV. This old (they were both in their 70s) divorced couple, who remained friends despite the break-up had a gay son who tested positive for the virus.

The young man’s partner nursed his lover until the day the young man died in his arms. The old man, who had issues at first with his son’s sexuality but eventually came to terms with it, made such a profound statement in his interview, I’ve never forgotten it. This isn’t verbatim, but he said, “The love my son experienced prior to his death was astounding. The devotion his partner showed him until he died was not something I could ever have been capable of giving my wife. Who am I to judge my child when I myself could never love like that?”

I bawled my eyes out! That’s what I write about, the love we should all have, should be able to give and love that knows no boundaries. It is the type of love I have with my current husband.

11. That was a beautiful answer, Erin...wow...I have water on my face...ahem...what is your greatest extravagance?

Designer perfume. One day I hope to include designer shoes and purses of unique beauty in the mix. They are all my weakness! LOL

12. Please tell me about any of your other upcoming projects.

My current publisher, Devine Destinies, mainstream imprint to eXtasy Books, has contracted me for some wonderful projects. Once the Fallen Angel series is complete I am moving on to my next set of stories, a paranormal romantic comedy series known as Big Fat Greek Tall Tales of which Cupid’s Folly – Tall Tale 1 was released on February 15, 2009! It is a series set in 21st century San Francisco approaching the Greek pantheon of gods and goddesses with tongue totally in cheek.

I’m having a rocking good time writing them because I love romantic comedy with an HEA. From there I will complete my shape shifter series known as The Five Prides (five full length novels in all). This series will be dark and intense. I’ve come up with an intriguing twist on the concept I hope readers will love. I’ve also written a short erotica story for eXtasy Books’ Café Nowhere anthology entitled, Kameoth.

It is set during the firestorm created by the allied bombings of Hambourg, Germany in 1943. It is currently in edits. It is my understanding Café Nowhere will be released in September, 2009. I have much more on my plate, now to start writing them!

On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I’d like to thank the lovely Erin Sinclair for stopping by today. To learn more about this talented author, please check out her links:

Thank you, AJ, this was so enjoyable and thank you, readers of romance! I can be found at— www.erinsinclairauthor.com

www.devinedestinies.com,

www.myspace.com/erin_sinclair_author,

www.facebook.com/ErinSinclairRomanceAuthor

www.twitter.com/ESinclairWriter,

plus I blog every Friday at http://themanyshades.blogspot.com/.

Come join me and together let’s believe in love that’s out of this world!

Vivian Vincent : Spotlight Author

Author Bio:
Ms. Vincent was born and raised in the great state of Michigan, where she’s remained a resident for her entire life and has worked in a local assembly plant for the past 15 years. She also enjoys reading, movies and listening to 80s tunes on her mp3 player when she’s not working or writing her next story.

Her work in erotic fiction only began a few years ago, but she’s always been a writer through works of poetry, blogging, fiction and as far back as the high school newspaper. She gets her inspiration from the people in her life, songs she hears on the radio or just her wild imagination.

She holds a distinction in the world of erotic romance as being one of the few authors who remains happily single. Her style comes from the passion, hunger and variety of always being able to call the shots on her own.

Blurb:
Taylor Stone, the former lead singer of a popular 80's rock band still carries a flame for her first love, Tommy. When she's attacked one night after a solo performance at a local bar, a stranger comes to her aid.

Tommy can't believe after nearly 20 years, he still feels such intense love for Taylor. Unable to hold a steady relationship, he's resolved to spend his life alone, that is until Taylor comes back into his life.

Can they pick up where they left off or has too much time passed between them?

Excerpt:
Flashback to 1989...

Taylor and the band arrived in New York City six days before their three concert dates at Madison Square Garden. Exhausted from a string of twelve cities in twelve days, they were all happy to have a few days to rest. Unknown to any of them, Lethal Weapon's first appearance at Madison Square Garden would be the last time the band appeared anywhere publicly again.

Leo, their manager, put them up in suites at The Plaza hotel. Taylor declined when the band asked if she wanted to do some sight-seeing. She opted instead for a long hot bubble bath and an early night.

After her bath she called her mother to let her know they'd made it to New York safely. When she finished the call, she crawled into the large bed and immediately drifted off to sleep.

When she woke the next morning, she felt rested and relaxed. Getting up to go to the window, she saw it was going to be a beautiful, sunny day. She dressed quickly and left a message for the other band members telling them she was going to go check out the city.

With Lethal Weapon still being relatively new to the concert circuit, not many people recognized her which suited Taylor just fine. She wanted to be a normal girl visiting New York City, taking in the sites. A few people had approached her asking for autographs and she was happy to oblige, but other than that, she went virtually unnoticed in the bustling city.

As she headed into Central Park, she spotted a hotdog vendor. Walking quickly, she reached in her pocket to count out money so she could grab herself a quick breakfast. She dropped a few of the bills on the ground in front of the vendor and bent to pick them up. At the same time, another hand came down to pick up the money also.

Snatching the bills up quickly, she brought herself upright and looked into the eyes of the man who she thought was trying to steal her money. She froze, unable to look away from the piercing blue eyes looking down into her brown ones.

"I--I--you--" she stammered. What the hell is happening to me? Taylor had never been tongue tied a day in her life.

"I'm Tommy," he said, reaching out his hand to her.

Her eyes still locked with his, she reached out to shake his hand. The simple touch of his hand caused her to blush profusely and a jolt of awareness to course through her veins.

"Taylor," she answered. Her heart was beating so loud, it felt as if it would pound right out of her chest. Tommy broke eye contact, ordered a dog for both of them, then handed her one.

"Nice to meet you," he said.

She was still staring up at him. What a hunk! He stood about six foot one with short, almost spiked, sandy blond hair and the bluest eyes she'd ever seen. She nodded at him, agreeing silently it was nice to meet him also.

"Let's sit over there." Tommy motioned to a bench behind her.

Taylor followed, unable to think or do much else. She sat on the bench looking down at the hotdog in her hand. She brought it to her lips and felt his gaze on her again. Taking a bite, she turned to look at him.

"What?" she asked.

"You're Taylor Stone." He flashed a wickedly sexy smile at her.

"Yeah. That's me." She broke eye contact with him and took a few more bites of her hotdog before she spoke again. "You know me, huh?"

"Oh yeah. I've been trying for months to get tickets to one of your shows at the Garden. They sold out pretty quick." Reaching up with his thumb, he wiped a blotch of mustard from the corner of her mouth. "Your first show's not 'til Thursday, you guys get here early to take in some sights?" He smiled devilishly at the rosy color in her cheeks when he put his finger in his mouth and licked the mustard off.

Author Links/Purchase Link:

Purchase link:
http://excessica.com/index.php/books/lost-and-found-by-vivian-vincent/

Vivian Vincent's website:
http://www.vivianvincent.2ya.com

Vivian Vincent at excessica:http://excessica.com/index.php/search-by-author/vivian-vincent/

Author Interview: DANA LITTLEJOHN

Author Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. Hi Dana and welcome to the Divas’ dark den…first of all I’d like to ask you about your Dioni Chronicles series. How did the idea come to you for this series and how many books do you envision being in it? I also believe it’s coming out in print soon. Is this correct?
Yes, The Dioni Chronicles will be in print later this year. It didn’t really start as a series. I came up with the idea from the role playing game Dungeons and Dragons. I asked one of my friends if all the creatures did was fight and conquer to get to the next level. When he answered yes that kind of bugged me (don’t know why). So I decided if my nocturnal creatures had to fight they would have something to fight for. And, since there is nothing worth fighting for more than love, I turned it into a romance. After the first one was done people started asking me if I would write a story for other vampires in the pack.

2. You seem to enjoy writing contemporary romances as well as fantasy/paranormals…which are your favorite?
I like contemporaries best. The rules in the real world are already locked in place. When I do fantasy it becomes complicated trying to keep the rules of the world you create in order and kinda sorta realistic.

3. With such a prolific output, do you write every day? What is your writing routine like?
Oh yes, every day, without fail. Even if I only get an hour I still take that hour and put pen to paper…well, fingers to keyboard. My schedule is erratic at best. Some days I have more time to write than others because of my nine to five, but I am never too busy to improve on my craft or do what I love.

4. I read on your website that you were something of a poet when you were a small child. Can you share with us a sample of your youthful work?
Oh no! I left that hickory dickory dock stuff back there in the 80’s. LOL

5. Is it true you wrote your first sensual romance at the age of 7? LOL and what was the story about?
No, not 7! LOL Seventh grade! Geesh! I wasn’t thinking like that at 7, I shouldn’t have been thinking like that in the seventh grade! I can’t believe I’m telling you this. Keep this between us, AJ. I had a major crush on Zorro and had a dream that a mask man was running around kissing making love to all the girls in the neighborhood. I later found out what I thought was sex was not, at best it was something similar to dry humping, but what did I know? I was 12!

6. You’ve collaborated with our mutual friend Kendra Mei Chaiylin on the Cupid’s Arrow anthology. I was very intrigued by the time-travel theme of these stories. Did you enjoy the collaboration? How did you do the actual writing together?
I love doing that book. It was a lot of fun to write off another and collaborate on ideas. The concept was Kendra’s and she asked if I wanted to do two stories for it. I read the stories that she did to get an idea of what she wanted and wrote my own to complement hers.

7. What can we expect to see from the two of you coming up? And will there be any other pairings coming up for you?
We have been talking about doing a cop series for a while. It will be contemporary, but it will touch several sub genres…if it comes to past. It is up in the air.

8. You have some new books coming out this year, including The House through Whiskey Creek Press-Torrid, To Have and To Hold with Red Rose Publishing and Happy Feet coming at the end of the year with Phaze, I noticed. Congrats! Please tell me what is coming soon and a little about your forthcoming projects.
I did a story for Take Over Publishing for their version of the seven deadly sins called Street Vices. My story was for anger. I called it Blaze’s Black Widow. I am working on a Halloween, too, but it may be too late to send it somewhere to be published except Red Eclipse Writers.

9. I know you have a public appearance coming up with a book signing for the Street Vices anthology in Indianapolis during Black Expo weekend (July 17-19) at Circle Centre mall. Do you enjoy these public experiences and how have they been for you so far?
Unfortunately, the book signing at Circle Center is cancelled because I had to move to Kansas City, Missouri this summer. But on the up side, I am working on a book signing there for the end of the summer. I have done only two other signings and they have been really cool.

10. What is your greatest fear?
I really, really don’t like the water. Up to my waist is as far as I go.

11. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I may be a little too trusting. It has cost me to have a lot of pain and to make a few bad decisions.

12. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
When people don’t say what they mean and mean what they say.

13. Which living person do you most admire?
I really like Oprah. She has all this money and power and yet she makes it her business and thinks it’s really important to give back. I think that is awesome.

On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I’d like to thank Dana Littlejohn for stopping by today. To learn more about this awesome author, please check out the following links:
websites: http://www.danalittlejohn.net/
and http://www.liljohndana.webs.com/
My blog: http://www.danalittlejohn.blogspot.com/
My videos trailers: http://youtube.com/shantemaria

Nicole North in the Spotlight

Author Bio:

Nicole North writes sensual and erotic romance novels and novellas. She is the author of paranormal erotic romance novellas Devil in a Kilt, Red Sage Secrets Volume 27 Untamed Pleasures, July 2009; Beast in a Kilt, Red Sage Secrets Volume 29; and (contemporary) Kilted Lover. She lives with her husband in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, but wishes she lived in the Scottish Highlands at least half the year. Though she holds a degree in psychology, writing romance is her first love. Visit her at www.nicolenorth.com

Blurb:
Devil in a Kilt: A trip to the Highland Games turns into a trip to the past when modern day psychology professor Shauna MacRae touches Gavin MacTavish’s four-hundred-year-old claymore. What she finds is a Devil In a Kilt she’s had erotic fantasies about for months. Can Shauna break the curse imprisoning this shape shifting laird and his clan before an evil witch sends Shauna back to her time?

Author Links:
http://www.nicolenorth.com
http://fierceromance.blogspot.com/

Available for preorder from Barnes and Noble and Amazon!
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Secrets-Volume-27/Leigh-Court/e/9781603100076/?itm=1

http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-27-Pleasures-Leigh-Court/dp/1603100075/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241557838&sr=8-1

Devil in a Kilt, Red Sage Secrets Vol. 27 Untamed Pleasures 7/09
Beast in a Kilt, Red Sage Secrets Vol. 29
http://www.nicolenorth.com
http://fierceromance.blogspot.com/

Author Interview: T.D. McKINNEY

Author Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. Hi T.D. and welcome to the Divas’ Den! So nice to have you here. First of all I’d like to ask you about your southern influences. I know you have said that the history of the south has influenced you as an author and you experienced your first New Orleans mardi gras at the age of three. What do you remember of it and how much have they differed over the years?
Thank you, A.J. It’s great to be here. Thank you for inviting me. Ah, Mardi Gras – My favorite holiday. I will admit I remember very little of that one in 1963-64 (LOL – yeah, go ahead, do the the math). A man who in my admittedly fragmented memory had a nice smile and dark hair caught a bracelet and gave it to me. Just flat plastic bead strung on two strands of elastic but I thought it was wonderful. I suppose I should insert something here about relying on “the kindness of strangers.” At least with my accent it sounds right.

2. You wrote the well-acclaimed historical romance My Secret Yankee with Aimee Masion about a Union officer falling in love with a Confederate lady and set during occupied New Orleans. Your research was extraordinary with this book. Will we be seeing historic New Orleans as a backdrop again?

Thank you. I think authenticity adds to a book. As for revisiting occupied New Orleans, well, I might. It sort just depends on how the mood strikes. I do now have quite a few books on the War and lots of URLs I can delve into. New Orleans has marvelous history. The whole of the American Gulf Coast does. It’s an old, old land with all sorts of fascinating, interesting bits unique from the rest of the country.

I’d love to do something in Alabama with the Casket Girls in Mobile or with the massacre at Fort Mims or the yellow fever in Blakeley. It’s really easy for me to fall into something so lush and exotic. Well, exotic to the rest of the world. I grew up hearing stories going back over a hundred years. Fascinating ones about cursed love, hidden children, murderous duels, forbidden love, Indian battles where the natives weren’t the bad guys. I might actually do something based on my own great-great-grandmother who was disowned by her wealthy father for marrying a moneyless Scots-Irishman. There’s so much to tempt.

3. I am impressed that you received a sparkling review from my all-time number one hero, John Douglas, one of the pioneers of criminal profiling for the FBI. How did you get him to read Dancing in the Dark? Is he a big vampire fan?
John is my number one hero as well. I’m am tremendously proud to say he is also my friend and mentor. I adore the man. When I wrote Dancing, that research geek who demands authenticity rose up again and possessed me. I figured if I was going to write about profilers I better be damned sure I got it right. I contacted a dear friend who I knew was into the whole forensics thing (now remember this was before the CSI craze). She directed me to MindHunter by John Douglas.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with the least interest in profiling. I was completely fascinated and more than a little freaked at how close my fictional profiler, Jack Niemczyk, was to John (though John’s much nicer). I visited the forum attached to John’s website and found everyone there very helpful. John was fairly active on the site at that time. When all the final tweaks were done, I got brave or crazy enough to send him an email asking if he’d be kind enough to look it over. I firmly expected him to say no. Instead, I got a phone call from him in the middle of the day! We talked for an hour – well, mostly he talked and I listened!

Before we hung up, he gave me his address and told me to send the manuscript to him. Believe me, I was then and am now completely aware of how rare something like that is from him.
To have him tell me “you got it right, kid” about the profiling means more than I can explain. I was lucky enough to attend an 8 hour class he taught on profiling a couple years ago at the American College of Forensic Examiners. We had the chance to talk a good bit and he introduced me to fellow profiler Greg Cooper and some other L.E. people. It was great! I hope to get to see John in September when he’s here in DFW as keynote speaker at a conference.
LMAO!! As far as I know, John isn’t into vampires in general, but he likes mine. And boy, does that put a grin on my face.

4. I am so jealous. I met him at the signing for his book Journey into Darkness....but..sob! You really know him! Ahem...I see that Dancing is the first book for a slated Shield and the Darkness series. When will be seeing more of this fascinating character, Jack Niemczyk?
The next book, Walking After Midnight will be released by Amber Quill Press early this fall – probably September-ish. It’s about a year and a half after Dancing and Jack’s life has gone to hell. Baby’s left him to go to Europe with the Master and even though Jack still has the mansion, the car, and the money, he’d trade it all to have her back. Now, just to add to the misery, some wacko is killing Chosen – humans who are the bonded lovers of vampires. And it’s very personal, the killer is leaving notes at each scene addressed to Jack. Shall we just say that Jackie is not pleased!
I’m working on the third book, Going Down in Flames, between other projects. I love this series but it takes a lot of effort and planning. Writing it is a very emotional experience. I love the characters and I love being in Jack’s head. But I do dig about in some very dark psyches. Of course, I may be getting really good at that. I’ve been asked to co-author an authorized non-fiction exploration of the BTK killer in Kansas. I’m a tad conflicted on how I feel about crawling about in Denis Rader’s mind. But I have a wonderful co-author and John Douglas’s support, so I should be okay.

5. You have strong and vibrant tastes in writing - from sci fi, to historical – even gay historical with Paxton’s Winter, to crime, paranormals, contemporary romance. Which is your favorite genre to write?
LOL This is the question everyone always asks me because I do have books listed in so many different genres, sometimes the same one simultaneously. And I’m going to give you the answer I give everyone else – I don’t write genres; I write stories.
Honestly, I don’t have a favorite genre. See, I don’t worry about “oh I have to do this because this is a ROMANCE” or “all mysteries must have this” or “the rules say I need to do this in a gay romance.” that! I expend that energy on making 3-dimensional characters with real emotions and reactions. I work on atmosphere and settings. I’ll visit the places I write about so I can convey that sensory experience to the reader. I love a smooshie gay romance, I love an adventurous one, too. I love vampires and profilers and mucking about in a serial killer’s head. I had a blast doing Paxton’s Winter. Sort of my tribute to all those Louis L’Amour books I read as a teen. Gunfights are so cool. But it wasn’t about the genre stuff – it was about the Colorado mountains I remember living in for 6 weeks at age 16 and about all the westerns I watched as a kid and actually meeting Mr. L’Amour at a book signing 35 years ago. It was about the good memories.
I sit down to each story pretty much the same. A mystery or historical may need more research and plotting than a romance but some of the romances take just as much. I get some idea in my head (usually from listening to a song) and I need to write it. So I do.

6. You had a wonderful collaboration with Trixie Stilletto in Eight is never Enough. Can we expect to see more of these humorous contemporary romances from you and Trixie?
I love working with Trixie. She is a great person and a wonderful author. Such an amazing sense of humor. I’d love to do something else with her and we’ve batted around a few ideas. It’s sort of hard for Trixie to work with me when we’re at opposite ends of the country, though. So I’m not sure when you’ll see something from us.
I’ve been really lucky with having such wonderful co-authors. T.L. Lawrence/Terry Wylis and I practically think with the same brain. We’re working on a gay romance set in Maine right now.

7. I know you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas and you and your husband share a love of vampires, sword collecting and Japanese. Do you have a lot of swords? And do you know any dirty words in Japanese?
No, but I can cuss in Cajun. :)
Yes, we have swords. I don’t know what you’d consider a lot. There’s a bit over a dozen. One day I’ll have to tell you the story of getting a very expensive tashi and an equally expensive autographed Highlander katana back to DFW from Denver on Continental Airlines… in a rifle case… in the cabin of the plane… with a switchover in Houston…

8. I know you juggle marriage, motherhood, writing and other careers. What is your writing routine like? Do you write every day?
Yes, I write every day. It’s very rare when I don’t write something. It may just be play. It may just be something for me (there’s an epic fanfic going that will only ever be seen by a handful of people) or for a friend. But I write. I have to. I’ll go nuts if I don’t.
I gave up sleep. Seriously. I used to sleep 8-10 hours a night. Now I sleep 4 or 5. I use the extra hours for writing. I often start writing for the day after 9 or 10 pm.

9. Now for a tough question. How old were you when you learned to tie your shoe laces?
OMG – that was the hardest thing! My first grade teacher thought she’d never get me to understand the concept! I always wore slip-on or buckle shoes. Poor Mrs. McGowen. But I had mastered it by the end of first grade. I still hate tie shoes though. I think I only own one pair and I keep them loose enough I don’t have to tie and untie them.

10. Another toughie. Are you a snoop? Ever looked anyone’s medicine cabinet? Found anything scary?
I’m not a snoop. I have enough weird shit just appear in my life. I have absolutely no need to go looking for any. LOL – my day-to-day life can occasionally turn fairly terrifying so I just let it go.
11. Who is the sexiest vampire of all time?
Ooooo – tough questions! There’s been so many. And I collected them all up until about 1985 or so. St. Germaine…Langella’s Dracula…Saberhagen’s Dracula… So many choices!
The sexiest vampire of all time – Jean Claude DuValliere… until I turn Jack.

12. Please tell me about your upcoming projects.
I think I’ve already worked them in! Look for the 2nd in my vampire and FBI profiler series, Walking After Midnight, this fall. Keep an eye out for Sea Glass & Solitude, my next gay romance written with the wonderful Terry Wylis. A reclusive former child actor sheltered in abject loneliness on an island off the coast of Maine falls for a vibrant, altruistic young man with a beautiful Appalachian accent and a fearless heart. At some point there will be a true crime exploration of Denis Rader, the BTK, told with full access to Rader and with the blessing and cooperation of the families of his victims.

On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I’d like to thank the awesome T.D. McKinney for stopping by today. To learn more about her work, please check out her links:
http://www.tdmckinney.com/ - website
http://twitter.com/Ebony_Silvers - twitter
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=783300628&ref=name – Face Book: Theresa D. McKinney
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Terry-Wylis-TD-McKinney/44450105669?ref=s – Face Book: Terry Wylis & T D McKinney

Mila Ramos in the Spotlight

Bio:


Studying Chemistry in Texas, and always on the go, whether writing or trying to finish her master’s degree July 2009, Mila credits her passion for writing to her family and third-grade teacher.

With an environment rich in paranormal and sci-fi, thanks to her brothers, she always had a quick response, a quicker story, and lightning speed imagination. It first started with the show The Misfits of Science, roared with her first ‘big book’ as a child A Gift of Magic by Lois Duncan and then skyrocketed into various genres of reading when she discovered her first romance Pride and Prejudice, shortly thereafter. With that much fuel no wonder she was writing stories by the fourth grade.

Staying true to her roots, Mila writes paranormal, fantasy and contemporary stories without fearing of delving into other genres of writing. Currently as a chemist, she mixes Organic Chemistry with a good story line and sometimes writes her thoughts on her own exams.

As eclectic as her books, music and taste, her life is the best book she has written thus far. She has traveled all over the US and outside as well, taught high school, met a couple Nobel Laureates, was a competitive swimmer, and is proud to say she bungee jumped once (with the intention to never do it again). Further chapters and sub-chapters are still being written. Though her fiance calls her a gypsy, she says it’s her childlike, curious Aries spirit that makes her multi-interested. That debate will never be settled.

Juggling school work and writing, her publishing debut came in December of 2006. As of December 2007, she has is adding her list and a billion ideas written to life with her home publishers and many more contracted. Described as having sassy characters and great plot lines, Mila loves getting deep into the worlds she creates. She wants her readers to love the worlds she creates as much as she loves to write about them and believes that anything can happen or exist.

For more information on Mila, her new releases and to chat, visit her blog at http://jademystique.blogspot.com or myspace http://www.myspace.com/jademystique


Blurb:


Smoldering Ember
Five years after their divorce, Cassandra and Ethan Vance still have an estranged relationship. In a single conversation with her ex-husband, Cassandra discovers why Ethan had to give up everything in his life, including their marriage. Coming to terms with secrets and truths, both Cassandra and Ethan learn that there are some fires that can never be extinguished.



Touch of Fire
Katherine (Kat) O'Brien has moved on after a terrible, life-threatening relationship. Relocated with a new life, she learns her ex-boyfriend, Jared, has escaped from jail. She's now the target of revenge, and the one man she has pushed out of her heart is the one she needs to help her survive. Will Kat touch the fire she once knew, even if it means revisiting a painful memory?

Excerpt:

Touch of Fire

Several Years Later…


Thud.


“Aw sh— That’s gonna leave a mark.”


Jumping on one foot, Kat saw the culprit. The deep mahogany oak table, known to take its aggressions out on her, had managed to sneak from its current location and move to a new one. This elusive plot was executed through a long, drawn-out process, and resulted in another stubbed toe. That wasn’t the surprising part. Not only did this table do the stealth operation with fast and efficient ease, but managed to get Murphy’s Law to call her at that exact moment, especially when the phone was located fifty feet away in the receptionist area and didn’t have an answering machine attached to it.


“Kat, are you going to get the phone?” her business and dancing partner, Adrian Jackson, yelled from the back of the studio.


She rolled her eyes and hobbled closer to the phone. “No, I’m going to wait for you to do it, Adrian!”


As she made her way to the receptionist area, the pain doubled. “Thank you for calling Dancing Spirits; how may I help you?” The voice of her long-time friend and confidant distracted her from the swelling toe. “Hi, Cassandra, what’s up?”


“Kat, sweetie, are you busy?”


“Yeah, Cass. Remember, I have that benefit performance?”


“That’s why I’m asking; Noah wanted to bring you food before the performance.”


“That’s so sweet. Tell that angel of course he can.” Her godson, Noah, was too precious for words. “I’ll be here for a few more hours before heading out.”


“Okay, we’ll be down soon.”


“Bye, Cass.”


Kat placed the phone on its receiver and hopped up on the counter to better examine the site of pain. Focused on her task, she didn’t notice Adrian entering.


“My goodness, woman, I’m amazed you have feet.” Adrian chuckled as he filed the papers in his hand. “We should get beepers on your toes—ear-piercing shrills any time you come close to a corner. Then again, knowing you, you’d actually hit those walls with the intent of destroying those shoes.”


Kat stuck out her tongue and continued checking her foot. “At least I don’t walk into walls.” Wiggling her toes, she flexed and pointed her foot in various degrees.


“Okay, I was drunk those times and you know that, Katherine!”


Well over six feet, with russet-colored hair and soft chocolate eyes, Adrian’s good looks, combined with a sarcastic and quirky sense of humor, made rough times bearable and years of friendship special. In this case, though, his complaining made her laugh.


“Tell me again how you met Evelyn.”


Adrian rolled his eyes. “Dammit, you always bring that up.”


Kat grinned from ear to ear, waiting for the story. “C’mon, Adrian, tell me.”


Adrian shook his head and moved to the back office. Kat followed with a slight limp that gradually improved with each step. “No, Kat. I’m not telling for the umpteenth time how I met Evie.”


“C’mon, Adrian, please!” she begged.


“You already know! She’s your twin sister for goodness sake!”


“Please!” she continued, hands clasped with a huge smile on her face.


“I don’t know what the hell fascinates you about that damn story so much,” Adrian muttered under his breath.


Kat leaned in closer, her fingers bringing her ear forward. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t hear. You were muttering.”


Adrian glared at her and let out a deep breath. “I said that I was trying to pull a prank on you and confused you and Evelyn. I walked up to Evie instead and asked what it felt like to have a god in her presence, and then she punched me and I hit the wall.”


Laughter broke out even before Adrian finished his sentence. Kat leaned forward, holding her sides. Adrian playfully swatted at her. “Shut up, Kat. When it’s your turn, I’ll make sure your humiliation is broadcast on national TV.”


“You say that with such tender conviction, Adrian.” Wiping the tears from her eyes as the door chimed indicating a visitor, Kat scanned the two gentlemen waiting in the receptionist area. Both men, dressed in dark business suits, casually perused the area and admiringly observed the photos on the walls.


“Hello, gentlemen, welcome to Dancing Spirit Studios. How many I help you?”


The man who had stared at the photos approached and flashed three letters of his identification, and with them years of peace vanished.


“I’m Agent Donald Wyatt of the F.B.I. We are looking for a Katherine O’Brien.”


Kat nervously tucked the strands of her curls behind her ears. “I’m Katherine O’Brien. May I ask what this is about?”


The second agent, who idly drummed his fingers on the countertop, stepped forward and lowered his sunglasses. “Agent Clive Bloch, Miss O’Brien. Are you the same Katherine O’Brien who testified against Jared Malloy, drug mule for the Roman family?”


Kat locked her jaw. Her stomach rolled and turned. The soft pastel colors welcoming visitors to the comforts and professionalism of Dancing Spirit disappeared. The two federal agents, who moments before stepped through unheard by her, stripped the joy she had made out of her life with three letters. Those important yet powerful letters sent her spiraling back to the bleak and cold day she decided to regain control of her life.


It marked the beginning of legal action, court appearances, and convictions spanning state lines that directly connected an influential drug family on the upper eastern coast. When Jared was placed on death row, she thought she could live again. She thought she had left that life of danger, that time, behind her. Adjustment didn’t come without its problems, manifested in the form of nightmares and various fears. She hadn’t been able to forget, but it was Jared’s promised retribution which she had somehow forgotten over time.


“Yes, I am the same Katherine O’Brien. May I ask what this is about?”


Agent Bloch stepped forward. “Ms. O’Brien, I regret to inform you that Jared Malloy has escaped prison.”

Thank you to Ms. Ramos for being featured, and don't forget to follow her links below!

Mila Ramos, Paranormal & Contemporary Romance
Blog: http://jademystique.blogspot.com
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jademystique
Website: http://www.milaramos.net/

Author Interview: ADRIANNE BRENNAN

Author Interview by A. J. Llewellyn

1. Hi Adrianne, and welcome to the Divas' dark den. You are one of my favorite people on our group Midnight Seductions Authors. Your paranormal/vampire Dark Moon series books Blood of the Dark Moon and Blood and Mint Chocolates have done very well and received rave reviews. I know there are a slew of sequels and even a prequel coming out soon. Can you please tell me where you got the inspiration for the series?

Mostly from dreams and my crazy Muse. My Muse and I go waaayy back. Ah, good times. First he introduced me to the wide, wonderful world of writing, then he got me addicted to things like LARPs (Live Action Role Play) and RPGs.
I just have to send him offerings of wine and chocolate, and he does so much for me. :)
What are the titles and release dates for the upcoming books?
Due to my recent unemployment, my life got a little crazy. I have no release dates for anything right now because I've been focused on trying to make sure I can continue paying my mortgage, and interviews and studying for tech interviews have eaten up my life.
I can, however, refer people to the following page: http://www.adriannebrennan.com/books.html

It contains previews for upcoming books with blurbs and in some cases, cover images.
Examples include books 3-5 in The Oath Series: Broken, Anointed, and Union plus the sequel to Blood and Mint Chocolates which is Blood and Spice, and Book 2 in the series which is Shadows of the Dark Moon.

2. Blood and Mint Chocolates is a fascinating F/F novella in the series, but will soon have its own sequel. What can you tell me about Blood and Spice, and when is it coming out?
Blood and Spice picks up some months after Blood and Mint Chocolates left off with Merideth visiting Kalia and the rest of Clan Corvus in New Orleans. Their relationship continues to grow, but political issues within the Order of the Dragon and the Rose may tear them apart. A new character will finally be introduced, and I'm doing my best to prevent this individual from taking over the story. Needless to say, there's already been some intrigue about this person and I'm looking forward to seeing people's reactions!

3. I am fascinated that you own a big car called The Tardis. You are a Doctor Who fan! Who, in your mind is the best Doctor and why?
Only bigger on the inside! *laughs* That's actually how the name came about. People kept telling me that the car was bigger on the inside and I thought to myself, "Hm...where have I heard this before?" It's even the right color of the police box he travels in, so even better!
Honestly, I'd have to say that it's David Tennant who's pulled off the best Doctor. He's clearly watched the show and has incorporated bits and pieces of all of the Doctors into his personality, and it makes for splendid viewing. I will miss him when he goes, and feel that he's leaving way too soon. :(

4. Speaking of cars…I am excited to know more about your upcoming series My Other Car is a Broom. What can you tell me about it? Obviously it's about a witch, right?
It's about a witch named Samantha living in Salem. Aside from the obvious bad luck she'll have with that name, it's not your typical tale about witchcraft. In this book I'll be covering love triangles, alternate realities, and the fae. It's going to be very interesting when I'm done and I hope people will enjoy it!

5. I know you live in Boston and you juggle your prolific writing schedule with the dreaded day job. How do you balance the two? What is your writing routine like?
Well, the dreaded day job is sadly gone. You'd think this would be mean I would have more free time, but in reality I probably have a bit less. The stress is keeping my Muse at bay and I'm trying to get that back.
My writing routine...well, isn't. I usually am the most awake during the evenings and hence my Muse is out in full force during then. I can't tell you how many times I've sat at a computer, started to type, looked up and suddenly...daylight. I can get like that. :)
I still struggle with the balance. I have a lot going on in my life, and if I don't take care of me then my Muse will withdraw until I do. He's a harsh taskmaster but doesn't like working with me when I'm less than optimal. I recommend long walks, music, trips to the spa, and treating yourself to your favorite meal and beverage.

6. I know you went to Salem and visited some of the “witchy” type stores. What were they like? Did you get a sense of history there and which ones are your favorites?
My favorite stores are Nu Aeon, Artemisia Botanicals, New England Magic, and Magic Parlor. All of them have "the real deal" in regards to their products and are run by the same. I try to avoid the places that sell the colored glitter as "fairy dust" as it's cute, but it's not my thing. :)
There's definitely huge amounts of history. Just wander around in the graveyards and look at the dates of some of the homes. If you're up for it, stay at the Salem Inn--rumor has it that it's haunted. I did once for a weekend getaway and while I didn't spot any ghosts, I did have a wonderful stay.

7. You took a deep dive into the BDSM community for your Oath series. How did you research this genre? Also I have to ask you, why of all erotic genres does BDSM seem to engender such fierce and diverse opinions by practitioners of it?
I'll be blunt--I didn't really have to. I've been in and out of the BDSM community for the past decade or so and have friends who are heavily into the scene and dated a few who were as well. As a result, I've attended certain clubs, play parties, events, and workshops. I'm also a member of a few local groups who do their best to educate and provide resources to others.
If you're ever in Boston, I highly recommend attending the Fetish Flea. :)
Like any subculture that specializes in a particular field of choice for their study/practice/what-have-you, people guard that information jealously and with every five people you'll get twelve opinions. It's a passionate group of passionate people. I'm sure some will read my works and love them. Some may read and dislike certain aspects.
We alt types are an opinionated lot. I think that this comes from being so used to hiding out among the mainstream. We keep it all in, then we explode when we're around each other. I see the same syndrome among fellow pagans, occultists, even gamers.

8. I know you are a fan of the ancient philosopher Iamblichus. What is so alluring about him? Will we see him pop up in your erotic fantasy novels any time soon?
Iamblichus was the one who coined the term "theurgy" which literally means "god work". In essence, it's mysticism and/or magic for spiritual purposes. This term is used heavily within many modern secret esoteric societies, traditions, and religions. I'm also quite fond of his work as not much of ancient Greek mystical thought has survived.
I don't think he'll pop up, but I'm sure you'll find references to other characters in history who will be found just as alluring to others of similar backgrounds. The original 007, John Dee, may make such an "appearance". :)

9. Do you read much fiction or do you prefer non fiction? What are your must-keep books?
I snack, devour, and hoard both. Recent purchases include the latest Charlaine Harris novel, Crowley's Book 4, a book on Reiki, and a huge book on ASP.NET and C#. As you can see, I'm a little diverse in my reading interests. :D
Must keep books include anything by Madeleine L'Engle, Neil Gaiman, Karl Kerenyi, Peter Kingsley, Charlaine Harris, LA Banks, and Yasmine Galenorn. They're among my favorite authors. :)

10. Now for a completely off the wall question. You get to invite six people alive or dead to dinner. Who would you invite and what would you serve?
Jim Morrison, Madeleine L'Engle, Neil Gaiman, Peter Kingsley, Robert Anton Wilson, and Jack Parsons.
I'd make sure an excellent vegan gourmet meal was served. :D Good wine, too.

On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I'd like to thank the amazing and wonderful Adrianne Brennan nfor stopping by today. To learn more about this awesome author, please check out her links:

~ "Where love and magic meet" ~http://www.adriannebrennan.com/Experience the magic of Blood of the Dark Moon: http://www.adriannebrennan.com/botdm.htmlTake a bite out of Blood and Mint Chocolates: http://www.adriannebrennan.com/bamc.htmlDare to take The Oath in this erotic fantasy series: http://www.adriannebrennan.com/books.html#the_oath