Interview with paranormal romantic suspense author Barbra E. Ross

Author Barbra E. Ross joins me today to chat about her new paranormal romantic suspense, A Mortal Indiscretion; Author’s Cut.

During her virtual book tour, Barbra will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too.

Welcome, Barbra. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I live in Michigan and am a nurse by day, lover of fiction at night. 

When people ask me what my book is about, I pause a moment because it is not so simple to describe. It is a vampire romance, I say and then, I pray that doesn’t scare them away. Because what are books really? I believe that books are a way to escape the daily routines of life.

I wanted to take an ordinary man and put him in fantastic situations. To bring a bit of fantasy down to reality. It is a love story at its heart. If I can take the reader on a journey and give them a laugh, cry, or simply bring a smile to their face, then it is all worth it. This story helped me through rough times in my life, and I can only hope it will do the same for the reader.

Please share a little bit about your current release.

This is the first book in a series. It is the story of Justin, a mortal man that happens to fall in love with a woman unlike any other. What he does not know is that she is a vampire. It is the story of their love.

What inspired you to write this book?

I really wanted to create a different kind of vampire romance that gives the readers an experience where they feel as though it is happening before their eyes.

Excerpt from A Mortal Indiscretion; Author’s Cut:

Chapter 7 excerpt.

“Yes Justin. And then, maybe you will go running to that girl. Maybe you should go after her right now. There may still be a chance.”

“No. I don’t run away. That is your thing.”

She sighed and sat on the edge of the bed, naked. She turned her back to me. I looked at her back, so sexy. Shoulders strong and defined. She had her arms across her chest. She knew I was going to ask the questions. I think she was mentally preparing herself for the blows.

“Go ahead Justin. Ask.”

“First of all… You’re not gonna tell me that you have to work in the morning, are you? Because I ain’t falling for that shit anymore,” I said. It just slipped out of my mouth. Like I didn’t have a filter between my brain in my mouth.

“No. I suppose you would not.” She turned to look at me.

“And you are staying here with me, right? I am going to have the pleasure of your company during the day? Right?” I pressed, as I felt my anger rising.

“Yes, I will stay. But I cannot go out with you during the day. You will have to keep the shades drawn. It is just not that simple to explain,” she kept her head down as she spoke these words.

“Fine. I can handle that. Tell me, what exactly would happen if I did open the shades Ambra?”

“I would burn up and die,” she stated, flatly.

“What are you Ambra? Are you ready to tell me to my face now?” I was insistent. “Because I really need to know.”

“I am…” She started and then, she became silent again.

“Say it, dammit! I want to hear you say it to me,” I was really getting pissed.

“I am a monster,” she whispered.

“What? What kind of monster? You tell me God dammit!” I yelled.

“A vampire,” she said it so quietly, keeping her back to me.

“You turn around and say it to my face. You have kept this from me for so long. I want you to look me in the eye! I deserve it!” I grabbed her shoulders as I yelled at her. She turned to me, tears flowing down her cheeks.

“Justin, I am a vampire.”

What exciting story are you working on next?

I am currently working on the third installment in the series called Zeus. It is an epic tale, involving time travel with a backdrop in Ancient Greece and Rome.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When readers began to contact me, and tell me how much they enjoyed my story. I did a book signing event at Barnes and Noble with other local authors and a fan came just to meet me. I was very touched.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I am a dialysis nurse full time. I write on my days off. It is hard sometimes when I am working overtime. But, I set a schedule and stick to it, writing as much as I can when I have free time.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I really try to bring my characters down to earth, make them believable, as if they were one of us. I think it is important to care about the characters. I have seen many films, and read many books where the story was good, but I just did not care what happened to the characters. I want to feel what they feel or at least understand how they could feel that way. So, when I write, I try to become them, and respond the way they would.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I really wanted to write and direct films.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I just want to thank them for giving my book a chance. And thank you for the chance to be on your blog.

Links:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Books2Read | Goodreads | Amazon | Smashwords | Nook | Ibooks | Kobo

Thank you for being a guest on my blog today!

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Interview with author D.J. Davis about paranormal romantic suspense novel

I’m chatting with D.J. Davis today about her new paranormal romantic suspense novel, Summer Star.

During her virtual book tour, D.J. will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:

D.J. Davis is a Colorado native and the rugged high country sets the scene for her stories. When she's not writing, she can be found hiking with her dogs, photographing the wildlife, or camping with her husband. A Great Dane runs her life.

A portion of each sale of her novel Courageous Cain will be donated to Big Bones Canine Rescue in Windsor, Colorado. Help us help big dogs in need.

Welcome, D.J. Please share a little bit about your current release.

Loner and history buff Troy Hart gets more than he bargained for when his psychic connection to the past leads him to the mountains of Colorado. The legend of buried treasure is nothing new, but falling in love is—and that’s the last thing Troy wants.

Troy’s visions of the old west are all fun and games, until the ghost of an outlaw forces Troy to fulfill his dying wish. To save his own life, and the life of the woman he loves, Troy must follow the trail of greed, betrayal and revenge on a treasure hunt for lost Civil War gold.

Now the fun is over and the game is survival as Troy battles the elements, a dead man, and his own heart deep in the remote high country. 

What inspired you to write this book?

I live in the mountains of Colorado. While exploring the back country, I sometimes find old relics, things people lost or threw away a century ago. I always wish I could touch them and see their past: who owned them, how they lost the item, what happened to them. My character, Troy Hart, can do just that. And it gets him into a lot of trouble.


Excerpt from Summer Star:
Protect her, now that was funny. How was he supposed to do that when he couldn’t begin to protect himself? And who said she wanted his protection in the first place? Probably slam her knee into his balls if he tried that hero shit with her. Which was a relief, really. Just thinking about Matthew was asking for migraine mania. She was the Knight, right? Maybe she could protect him instead. That was a stupid id—
The shadow was back, moving through the timber a dozen yards away.
“Troy, what is it?”
He pointed. “Do you see something in the trees? An animal maybe?”
She peered in the direction he was pointing, moving her head from left to right. “No, nothing.”
The shadow tracked the movement of her gaze, silently slipping to the right through the underbrush. When she looked back to the left, it went left. When she stopped, it stopped. Je-sus. “It’s moving, see?”
She squinted then shook her head. “Nothing. Anything moving in that thick brush would make noise.”
A branch—or an arm—rose from the shadow and pointed at her, then toward the road. His headache escalated to migraine status. Troy got the point and nodded at the shadow. It vanished and most of the pain went with it, but not all. Someone or something didn’t want Summer here.
“Are you all right? You’re pale.”
“Fine. Just a headache.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“No. I get them from time to time.” He kept a close eye on the trees as they joined the others at the fire pit. Troy couldn’t see the shadow, but he could sense it, lurking and watching. Waiting.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m currently editing a modern day western in which a widowed rancher must battle to save his ranch from an unknown predator and his heart from the haunting memory of his lost wife. I’m also a third of the way through the first draft of a romantic suspense.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Sometimes I still don’t. Summer Star is my second published novel and the experience is all shiny new. Maybe tomorrow. 

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I write in spurts. I enjoy wildlife and landscape photography, I raise cattle, and I am the bookkeeper at my husband’s business. I squeeze in my writing time based on the weather, the animals, and so on.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I like to jot down story ideas and character sketches in a notebook outside. I wrote the premise for Summer Star while I was leaned against a crumbling old miner’s cabin at 12,000 feet elevation in the mountains near my home. I can think of no better way to capture the details of a wilderness setting than by putting myself into it.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A veterinarian. I worked for many years as a veterinary assistant and that was close enough. I also wanted to be a dog trainer. Dogs are a huge part of my life. I have three at the moment so I am a their trainer. On the other hand, a Great Dane runs my life, so maybe I’m the trainee instead when it comes to her. 

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. The support I’ve received has been overwhelming and humbling.

Links:

Website | Amazon author page | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Champagne Books

Thank you for being a guest on my blog!

Thank you for hosting me. It was a privilege to be here.

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Excerpt from paranormal romantic suspense novel The Second Lie by Anna Richland

I’m shining the spotlight on the paranormal romantic suspense novel, The Second Lie (The Immortal Vikings #2) by Anna Richland today.

During her virtual book tour, Anna will be awarding a set of En Route notecards, gorgeously illustrated by Kate Pocrass (because falling in love with an Immortal Viking is a wild journey!) to a randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit Anna’s other tour stops and enter there, too.  

Author bio:

Anna lives with her quietly funny Canadian husband and two less quiet children in a century-old house in Seattle. The perpetual drizzle is a good excuse to drink more coffee. She’s a former US Army officer who now writes The Immortal Vikings series from Carina Press and also the author of His Road Home, a novella which Publishers Weekly called “Tantalizing … a raw, emotional story” and the website SmartB*tchesTrashyBooks gave an A rating.

She donates a portion of her book proceeds to two charities: the Fisher House Foundation, which provides housing for families of wounded soldiers in the US and Great Britain, and Doctors Without Borders, which delivers emergency medical care in more than sixty crisis zones world-wide.

A little bit about The Second Lie:

A woman desperate to achieve her dreams.

To reassure wealthy clients, Christina Alvarez Mancini invented a jet-setting British owner for her Napa Valley wine collection service. Success has brought her close to buying her own winery, when irregularities at a London wine auction threaten her business.

A man in love with a good plan.

Stig, an immortal Viking thief, knows he’s found the perfect role. The California woman who created his character won’t discover what he’s up to in England until after he’s pocketed the money he needs. Then Christina walks into the auction preview, ready to ruin his plans, and he knows his boredom has ended.

Secrets that turn deadly.

By the end of the night, these two rivals must cooperate to escape kidnappers, British authorities, media and a pair of mysterious watchers. That’s when a game Stig’s played for a thousand years puts Christina’s life at risk.

Can two people whose identities are based on lies trust each other enough to survive?

Exclusive excerpt from The Second Lie:

[In this excerpt from The Second Lie (The Immortal Vikings #2), the man claiming to be Christina’s employer is many things, including attractive, but he definitely isn’t her boss.]

Alone with this cheat, she could finally speak her mind.

“That bottle looks almost authentic.” As she probed with a comment intended to make him wince, she focused on his face.

“It is.”

She snorted. Nature hadn’t blessed her with more than sixty-two natural inches, and even with three artificial ones from her heels, she was stuck looking up at almost every man in the world. Her nemesis was probably a fraction below six feet, although his cat-burglar physique made him appear taller.

“Here. For you.” Wrapped around the stem of the crystal glass, his fingers didn’t look like her banker or venture capitalist clients’ hands. He had the strongly developed knuckles of a field worker. As he offered the wine, the play of light on the edges of the ruby liquid captivated her, the subtle glow from the wall sconces deepening the original red almost to purple-black at the meniscus. It was magic, liquid magic, and she reached for the offering.

She was too tired and on edge to enjoy this properly, too preoccupied with the challenge of this man pretending to be her boss and scared to death of six or twenty or fifty worst-case scenarios, but she was unable to resist the lure. She’d tasted this vintage twice and remembered its tantalizing aroma of plums, earthiness and licorice, a blend that defied description with concrete terms.

Before she brought the glass to her nose, she caught something else. Cinnamon? Musk? Not this wine—him. He stood close enough, and she was so tuned to him, that his scent intruded. Her nose twitched.

His eyes dropped a fraction. Not low enough to be staring at her breasts, which weren’t particularly revealed by her conservatively cut dress.

“Have you caught a scent?” He’d seen the twitch.

She felt like a small animal trapped in a predator’s lair. She raised the glass and swirled too quickly.

The corner of his mouth quirked when he reconnected with her eyes. He recognized her fluster and didn’t bother to conceal that he thought he had the upper hand.

His hubris had the opposite effect and concentrated her on one goal—winning. If he thought he could toy with her, she’d play his game. Staring back, she lowered the glass until the rounded bowl hovered a few inches in front of her well-covered chest. To look at the wine would require him to gaze ten inches below her face. A slow exhale curved her body into a deliberate softness that she knew signaled surrender.

His nostrils flared very slightly, but it was enough to prod her further.

“Delicious,” she said without taking a full breath. Her voice sounded soft on the shush sounds and she tilted her chin down, using her face to lead his gaze to the place she held her wineglass. One deep inhale at the same time she swirled her glass, slowly this time, and she caught the widening of his eyes. Yes, he was a man who liked breasts. “It’s unforgettable.”

Connecting with Anna:

To sign up for Anna's newsletter, find out more about her books, and read longer excerpts, please visit her Website, her Facebook page, or her Goodreads.

Retail links:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Goodreads | Chapters/Indigo

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Interview with urban fantasy author Deborah A. Bailey

Today’s featured focus is on the novel Hathor Legacy: Outcast. It’s an urban fantasy, paranormal romantic suspense novel by Deborah A. Bailey.

During her tour (running every Wednesday from Jan 1 to Feb 19) Deborah will be awarding two print copies (US ONLY) of Hathor Legacy: Outcast to two randomly drawn commenters. Also, a Grand Prize of a $25 Amazon gift card will be awarded to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit other tour stops and enter there, too.

Bio:

As a little girl when Deborah A. Bailey was watching Star Trek and Twilight Zone, she was writing and drawing her own superheroine comics. When she grew up, she continued to write and followed her love of technology into a career as a computer programmer and developer. But writing was never far away from her heart, so over the years she wrote and published stories set on other worlds and in Earth's future. Ultimately she fulfilled a lifelong dream and completed her first novel.

Her short stories have won awards from the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference and her work has been published in US1 Magazine and the Sun. And she recently published a short story collection, Electric Dreams: Seven Futuristic Tales. In her "other" life, she's a freelance writer who's published two non-fiction books and countless articles that have appeared in print and online. Visit her blog for writing tips, interviews, and updates. 

Welcome, Deborah. Please tell us about your release, Hathor Legacy: Outcast.

It's a futuristic romantic suspense set on the planet, Hathor. A powerful group called the Guardians serves as the security force for Novacorp, the corporation that runs Hathor with its ruthless monopoly. Nadira, as one of the most powerful Guardians, is expected to use her intuition and telekinetic powers to keep the capital city safe from thieves and intruders.

Jonathan Keel, son of a mine CEO on the nearby planet, Astarte, is wealthy, privileged and used to getting what he wants. When his father goes missing after a robbery and explosion at the mine, he defies the authorities and heads to Hathor to search for him and for the robbers.

Security is on high alert and Nadira is charged with protecting Jon. She rescues him from a vicious attack and discovers that the Guardians have another agenda that has nothing to do with solving the crime.

Jonathan finds evidence of his father's possible involvement, while his attraction to Nadira forces her to confront all she has known about being a Guardian, especially the rule to put duty before her personal feelings.

Struggling with their growing desires, and chased by company security, Jon and Nadira flee the city. But solving the crime leads them to endure betrayals from the people closest to them, as secrets are revealed that not only link their pasts but also threaten to destroy Jon's family and separate him from Nadira forever.

What inspired you to write this book?

I've always been drawn to science fiction and futuristic themes. I'm a long-time fan of the Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits, and I love to ask, "what if?" So, I wondered what would happen if people developed psychic powers, like telekinesis and the ability to read minds. I combined that idea with the setting on a faraway planet run by a gigantic corporation. The corporation came to mind based on my experiences as a corporate employee--so that part was easy to create! I love romantic suspense, which is why it's a big part of the story. 

Excerpt:

Nadira opened her eyes. Above her, the cream-colored ceiling swam into view. Shifting herself, she braced her hands against a nearby table and lifted her head. Bad idea. She leaned her face against the cool, glass surface of the table, and hung on, waiting for the dizziness to pass.

It was a violation for Guardians to use their powers against each other. The charge was serious enough to incur banishment--something that hadn't happened in recent memory.

Ilana couldn't have the same abilities as a Guardian. There had to be another explanation.

"Are you all right?" With a groan, Jon dragged himself over and crouched beside her. "How the hell did she do that?"

Nadira eased herself into a sitting position, resting her back against the edge of the table. "She must've used some kind of weapon or had a chemical enhancement." She'd have to wait until her head was clear before she could sort it all out.

"She didn't use a weapon," he said, his grey eyes searching hers. "It came from her--the same way you blasted those attackers."

"Her abilities aren't as strong as mine…and she hasn't been properly trained, so she's reckless. She uses all her power in her blasts." Nadira rubbed her forehead. "I tried to read her, but I couldn't get through her shields."

"If she's weaker, how could she blast you?"

"She used my abilities against me. People who are weaker can undermine someone who has stronger energy."

Jonathan helped her to her feet. Her legs were wobbly, but after a moment she was able to stand on her own.

"We have to get out of here now. They're calling security," he said.

Supported by Jon's firm arm around her shoulders, she walked out into the corridor.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I'm working on a sequel to this book, called Hathor Legacy: Burn. It'll include Nadira and Jonathan, the main characters from the first book. I've already completed the first draft, and I can say it'll have even more suspense and answer a few questions about the origins of the Guardians.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I've always considered myself a writer. As a child I was always dreaming up stories. It's something I really enjoy doing. There are things that you feel are your life purpose, and for me, it's being a writer.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I'm also a freelance writer, so I'm always writing something. My career path started in fashion merchandising, after that I became a copywriter. Then I took a detour into computer programming, so I didn't write for a long time. Now I'm back to writing full-time.

My workday usually consists of exercise in the morning--when I manage not to talk myself out of it! Then I start working around 10:00 am. I'm a night person, so it's not unlikely for me to still be writing at 10:00 pm. But I make sure to take breaks during the day.

When it's nice out, I go for walks and exercise outdoors. That really helps me to get ideas and keeps my energy flowing. Right now I'm working from home, and that helps me to manage my schedule so that I can work on my book. But if I have to work on a project at an office, it can be tough. Once you add in commuting, it leaves much less time to get personal things done.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I write best when I have music on. My iPod has several playlists that I use depending on the mood. If it's action, I listen to music I can dance to. If it's romantic, I listen to something slower. My music has to line up with what's going on in the story. The catch is that sometimes if the beat is fast, I'm tempted to do a little dancing in between chapters!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I have a feeling that you already know the answer! I've wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. There's something about storytelling that's really exciting. It's fun to create worlds and characters.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Thanks so much for inviting me to stop by your blog and share my book with your readers!

Links:

Website | Twitter | Kindle | Print

Thanks, Deborah!

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