Archive for October, 2008

October 31, 2008 • 7 Comments

I can’t begin to say how excited I am to be interviewing my great friend and CP, Christina Phillips, whose debut Foretaste of Forever has just been released.

FORETASTE OF FOREVER is a dark erotic romance with paranormal elements, published by the Scarlet line of The Wild Rose Press (http://www.thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/index.php)

Elyesha, last surviving descendant of a line of powerful witches, finally finds the only man she’s ever loved, the man who deserted her countless years before. But Ben is torn between desire and despair when Elyesha, his only love, eventually penetrates his protective retreat. He knows what she wants, but the price of their love is too high. At midnight, on the beach, a battle of wills and erotic seduction ensues as each confronts the other’s darkest fears.

What inspired the plot for your book?

This story was actually inspired by a recurring dream I had over a four year time frame. I knew nothing about this couple who met on a storm tossed beach at midnight except that they were desperately in love and destined to be forever apart.

Eventually, I decided to write their story down, just to get it out of my head – and amazingly the dreams stopped. But it wasn’t until a few years later when, encouraged by my awesome CPs (who shall remain nameless, Sara, Amanda and Pat… oops…!) I went back to it and added the spice and submitted to The Wild Rose Press.

Why did you decide to write in this genre?

I’m so glad you asked this question, Sara!!! Well, when I first started writing nine years ago I targeted category romance. One day, after a chat with my cps when I declared I could never write first person chick lit, I did exactly that.

Then, after another chat with my cps when I said I could never possibly write paranormal, I wrote two paranormal romances.

It was at this point my amazingly clever cps enquired when I was going to give erotic romance a shot, since I appeared to have a knack for it.

I sat my cps down and kindly explained I could never write erotic romance, as it was far too hard. Then I turned round and dived into it head first, and discovered I absolutely adored writing dark erotic romance!

What is your writing process like?

Not pretty! Back in the day I planned everything in advance, from how many pages each chapter would be to snippets of dialogue. Now I don’t plan at all, and while flying into the mist can be exciting I also find it quite terrifying at times, as I rarely have a clue what’s going to happen next. I also continually edit as I go, back tracking and inserting things earlier in the book so it all hangs together. At least, that’s the idea!!

What are you working on now?

Currently I’m writing another erotic romance set during the Roman invasion of Cymru. This is a full length novel, not a short story, and I’m really enjoying it. (This is Sara… just want to add this is possibly the best book Christina has written. It’s awesome)

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I usually relax in the spa on the deck, where Clive Owen feeds me peeled grapes and tends to my every whim… oh, you mean outside of my imagination? OK *sigh* Well my one husband and three adorable children keep me on my toes although why they think they need to be fed every night is a mystery to me. “Christina cooking” is truly an oxymoron. I’m an expert at ignoring dust bunnies and toppling piles of ironing, and can often be found chatting on MSN with writer friends (it’s all in the line research! It’s not like we’re gossiping or anything like that). Reading of course! Catching up on movies. Sometimes I even sleep.

Who do you like to read?

This is a hard question to answer as I love so many different authors! I enjoy romantic comedy and romance which has light or dark paranormal elements, or is a bit quirky or has a strange twist on reality.

And finally, please tell us a little about yourself:

I moved to sunny Australia from the UK almost ten years ago with my very own hero and our three adorable children. Over the last few years as I’ve actively sought publication for the romances I love writing, I’ve tried my hand at category romance, chick lit, paranormal and now dark erotic romance. My mantra is Never Say Never, because I will immediately go and do whatever I said I could never attempt!

You can find me at my website: http://www.christinaphillips.com

Or check out what I’ve been up to lately at my blog: http://christinaphillips.blogspot.com

I also have a MySpace page: http://myspace.com/christinaphillips1 (come and friend me, I’d love to see you!)

Manic Readers: http://www.manicreaders.com/ChristinaPhillips/

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=651

CONTEST: For the chance to win a download of FORETASTE OF FOREVER, all you need to do to go into the draw to win is comment on this post, or comment over at Amanda Ashby’s blog, or ask a question on Pat’s blog to triple your chances! The winner will be chosen and announced on Wednesday.

October 24, 2008 • 3 Comments

I’m very excited to be touring fellow Teen Fiction Café author Kelly Parra’s latest book, INVISIBLE TOUCH. I can’t wait to read it, the premise is awesome.

Do you believe in fate?

Kara Martinez has been trying to be “normal” ever since the accident that took her father’s life when she was eleven years old. She’s buried the caliente side of her Mexican heritage with her father and tried to be the girl her rigid mother wants her to be — compliant and dressed in pink, and certainly not acting out like her older brother Jason. Not even Danielle, her best friend at Valdez High, has seen the real Kara; only those who read her anonymous blog know the deepest secrets of the Sign Seer.

Because Kara has a gift — one that often feels like a curse. She sees signs, visions that are clues to a person’s fate, if she can put together the pieces of the puzzle in time. So far, she’s been able to solve the clues and avert disaster for those she’s been warned about — until she sees the flash of a gun on a fellow classmate, and the stakes are raised higher than ever before. Kara does her best to follow the signs, but it’s her heart that wanders into new territory when she falls for a mysterious guy from the wrong side of town, taking her closer to answers she may not be able to handle. Will her forbidden romance help her solve the deadly puzzle before it’s too late…or lead her even further into danger?

What inspired the plot for your book?

I’ve always believed in intuitive vibes and repetitive signs and
thought wouldn’t it be cool to have a girl who really saw visions and have to piece the signs together to help others? But the catch was not only would the signs be a gift but also a curse. And from there Kara’s story started to enfold as I wrote her story.

Why did you decide to write in this genre?

I’ve always loved to read as well as watch paranormal stories and characters. You can really stretch your creative wings in this genre.

What is your writing process like?

Very chaotic. haha! Sometimes I write in the mornings and some times in the evening. With a family, its whenever I can spare the time.Then I zip off chapters to my critique partner, author Tina Ferraro (How To Hook a Hottie) for her feedback.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on something different–a sci-fi YA. It hasn’t been
shopped yet but I’m hoping it will be something different in the eyes of a publisher.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

If I’m not hanging with the family, its definitely reading books and watching my favorite TV shows.

Who do you like to read?

I love to read Tina Ferraro, Dianna Love, Anne Frasier, JD Robb, Janet Evanovich, Marjorie M. Lui, and all my Teen Fiction Cafe girls and MTV Book friends’ books.

Praise for Invisible Touch

“A magical blending of mystery, romance, and deep and dangerous secrets. Kelly Parra’s Invisible Touch is an action-packed coming-of-age novel, sure to keep readers turning pages and begging for a sequel.” — Laurie Faria Stolarz, Bestselling author of Blue is for Nightmares and Deadly Little Secret

“Readers are going to delight in this fast-paced, gripping story, and be kept spellbound until its surprising finish.” 
 — Tina Ferraro, author of How To Hook A Hottie

“The Gold Award of Excellence! An amazing, touching novel that deals with big issues in an original context.” — TeensReadToo

“Five out of five gold pens for Invisible Touch.”—The Salinas Californian

About the Author

Kelly Parra is the author of Graffiti Girl, a double RITA nominee and a Latinidad Top Pick, and the contemporary paranormal, Invisible Touch. When not pulling her hair while writing her current novel, she likes to play with her abundance of websites and feed a serious television addiction. For excerpts visit, www.kellyparra.com or follow the Secret Fates blog at secretfates.blogspot.com.

5 Comments

That my very good friend, crit partner, and amazing writer, Christina Phillip’s, debut book is released.

CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTINA IT IS SO WELL DESERVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will be interviewing Christina next week on my blog.

October 14, 2008 • 5 Comments

I’m hugely excited to tour fellow Flux author Stacy DeKeyser and her fabulous book JUMP THE CRACKS.

When fifteen-year-old Victoria witnesses what she believes to be child neglect on a train to New York, she makes a split-second decision and takes the young boy with her on the next train out in order to protect him. But, in her effort to make sure the child doesn’t slip through the cracks and end up back with the neglectful parents, she’s unwittingly branded a kidnapper and is forced to stay on the run until she can clear her name.

JUMP THE CRACKS is a fast-paced, suspense-driven thriller set in motion when a young girl is forced to confront the fine line between doing the legal thing and doing the right thing. Debut novelist Stacy DeKeyser offers a memorable and honest portrayal of a teen whose efforts to take on a child’s demons leads her to take on her own in the process.

1. What inspired the plot for your book?

I was taking the train from Connecticut to New York City, just like Victoria does to open the book. I witnessed an upsetting situation, just like Victoria does. But there was nothing I could do about it. I decided to write a story where someone DOES do something about it. Of course, it gets Victoria into lots of trouble, but it was very therapeutic for me.

2. Why did you decide to write in this genre?

I’ve tried writing for adults, and I’ve tried writing picture books, but I found my niche writing for young teens. It just “fits” me.

3. What is your writing process like?

1. Coffee

2. Read email and blogs

3. Background music (instrumental only)

4. When I have no more excuses, I start writing.

4. What are you working on now?

I’ve just finished an upper midgrade novel about a girl who hears voices. Which makes her worry that she might be going crazy, but the thing is, she likes the voices.

5. What do you do when you’re not writing?

Mom stuff. (I have two boys and a husband and a dog.) I love to travel, and to go hiking, and I’m learning to play golf. I like doing yard work!

6. Who do you like to read?

I didn’t read much fantasy as a kid, which might be why I love it now. I love Terry Pratchett and Jonathan Stroud. I like humorists, especially Bill Bryson (and Mark Twain). For contemporary YA/MG, I’ll read anything by Barbara O’Connor, Hilary McKay, or any of my many writer friends.

Bio

Despite being “the girl who was always good in math and science” and getting a BA in Psychology, Stacy DeKeyser (Connecticut) has always harbored a passion for reading and writing. Her subsequent Master’s degree in Health Services Administration led her to a career in hospitals and clinics but even then, she found her favorite part of the job was writing reports. Segueing into life as a full-time mom, she found she had scads of time but no creative outlet. An editor at a writer’s conference

suggested she try her hand at a novel and when she witnessed an upsetting incident involving a small child on a train, Stacy knew what she wanted to write about. Originally from Milwaukee, Stacy now lives in Connecticut where she’s at work on her next novel.

website: http://stacydekeyser.com
blog: http://stacy-dekeyser.livejournal.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/stacydekeyser

October 12, 2008 • 5 Comments

So, in my last post I mentioned that I rarely post anything to do with the motel. I lied! Because something else happened, that I have to tell you about, it’s so weird.

The other evening, about 8pm I took a customer down to her room… and when we went in there it was obvious by the bed that someone had been lying on it and face down and open was a book entitled ‘In Search of Elvis’. There was a pen next to it. WTF!!!!! No one should have been in that room. All the other rooms were full and people were in them. The customer wasn’t pleased, she was worried someone would come into the room when she was in it. But that was impossible because we had both keys….. so we totally stripped and remade the bed, and cleaned the bathroom (because our invisible guest had used it).

Our cleaners reckon it was Elvis himself… but I’m reserving judgement on that.

So, if anyone wants to read ‘in Search of Elvis’ let me know!!!

October 5, 2008 • 11 Comments

Now, as you know I don’t normally write about things which happen in our motel…. but today I’m making an exception………

This weekend is one of the busiest in the area for moteliers because our region hosts the horse race which has the largest prize money in NZ ($2million). And people come for the weekend, will start drinking at 11am then go to the races for the day then come back and continue celebrating (commiserating) right through the night.

Well, last night i got a phone call from the motel down the road…. do we have xxx staying at our motel. Yes, I replied. It seems that a member of xxx’s party found herself a guy and took him back to her motel unit. The unit that her friend had so kindly left open for her. WRONG!!!! She took this guy back to a different motel….. and luckily (hahahaha) found the open room and went to bed.  A while later the people who were actually staying in the room (and foolishly had forgotten to lock their door….. I bet they won’t do that again) walked back in to find this couple in their bed. AARRGGHHH!!!!!!! All hell broke loose, the police were called and finally the offending couple were brought down to us. And being the kind people we are, we let the girl into the room (which was unlocked hahahaha) but not the guy (as he wasn’t staying) and then the police carted him off somewhere). Two other people who weren’t registered also tried to go into this same unit later on…. but we were on the lookout, and they were turned away…. hence my partner’s new (and clearly said with affection) nickname of F***ing Tosser!!!!!

And all this on top of the boiler playing up and making so much noise we had some very irate customers…. and the dilemma we faced of shall we turn it off and risk no hot water or leave it on and risk an old guy doing it severe damage (as he so charmingly threatened).

You know what…. motelling is such fun at times!!!!

Anything else???? Well, totally off topic…. hop over to Kelly Parra’s Secret Fates blog to celebrate the launch of her new book Invisible Touch. I will be sharing my secret on there later in the week.