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Stephen Grafton from Christmas Carols by @DaisyBanks16 #Historical #RLFblog
Daisy Banks shares details
about the creation of Stephen Grafton in the book Christmas
Carols.About the Book
Title Christmas CarolsGenre Historical RomanceAuthor Daisy BanksBook heat level G, SweetStephen Grafton, the blind organist
at Holy Trinity Church, is gaining a reputation for his fine playing and
compositions. Alice Broadbrace’s initial venture back into society after years
in deep mourning brings her to the notice of the talented organist, and he offers
her the opportunity to sing a solo carol to his accompaniment. His courage
convinces her to find her own, while her charm entices him into thoughts of
romance. A difficult walk in a snow storm is only the beginning of Stephen and
Alice’s journey to happiness. Enjoy this sweet Victorian tale of talent and
love blossoming.Introducing Stephen Grafton
Name: Stephen GraftonAge: 29Gender: MaleBirthplace: Birmingham, England.Profession: Musician and composer, organist at Holy Trinity
Church.Ethnicity: EnglishStephen is approximately 5’10 in height, quite tall for the
era he lives in. He is lean and slender with fair hair and expressive hands.
Stephen has been blind since birth and uses a dog to help him, he calls the dog
Blue.Who is the
significant other in your character’s life?Alice Broadbrace.How does your hero
dress?Stephen wears the fashions of his era, the early 1860’s. His
day to day wear is a suit with tail coat, trousers and waistcoat. For recital
performances he asks his valet to tie an elaborate bow tie for him. His dog,
Blue, also has a bow on his collar for recital evenings. As the story is set in
the winter Stephen wears a warm top coat and a hat. He does wear gloves as is
socially acceptable for the era but he dislikes them as they mean he loses
depth in his sense of touch.If you could only
hear this character’s voice (but not see him) what characteristic would
identify him?Self certainty and confidence radiate in Stephen’s voice. He
has passed through many trials to reach the position he is in and this means he
is definitely willing to voice his opinion with little fear.How educated is this
character?Stephen has a doctorate in music from Cambridge. He prefers
not to use the official title as he finds people make presumptions about him if
he does. He takes an interest in things cultural and issues of the day in his
local community.Does he scrape by,
live comfortably, live extravagantly?Stephen has his own home not too far from Holy Trinity
Church. A legacy from a relative assisted him to attend Cambridge and once he
qualified to purchase his home. He receives a salary from the church for his
playing and his recitals. He lives comfortably enough with his dog, has a
manservant to attend him and assist with the running of his house, and a maid
of all work who comes in to clean.What is your
character’s viewpoint on wealth?Wealth is a useful tool which enables Stephen to travel and
live his life in the way he wishes. He does not consider himself to be a
wealthy man in monetary terms he is far more concerned with his music.Are any of his skills
a source of pride or embarrassment, and if so, which ones and why?When Stephen was a very small boy a tutor recognized his
talent in music. He is a gifted musician and with coaching his skills improved
to the point he could attend university to study further. Stephen is aware of
his skills and is very demanding of himself in performance and composition. He
would say he is always learning.What kinds of things
does your character always carry in his pockets?Stephen usually carries a white linen handkerchief, keys to
his home and to his cash box in the house. He also makes sure he has his coin
holder and some dog biscuits as a treat for Blue.Does this character
see morality as black-and-white, or with shades of gray?This question would entertain Stephen as being blind he
doesn’t see the world through visuals but through touch, sound and smell.
Stephen has a strong sense of what he considers right and wrong, and finds some
social customs and expectations foolish especially those Alice believes might
lead to gossip. He would say, the gossips should go and find more useful
occupations.Does your character
care about what others assume about him?In short, no. Stephen is a self confident person and has a
vast amount of self belief. He takes care that his appearance and manners should
be acceptable and has attained a level of independence he enjoys. If people
assume he is weakened in any way by being blind he will do his best to show
them that is not so. He does recognize there are situations when he requires
some assistance and isn’t too proud to ask for it in unfamiliar places.About Your Writer
Why do you think your
writer chose to write about you?Ms. Banks enjoys the unusual and I suspect she found me a
surprise and therefore wished to work with me. As the story continued I like to
think Ms. Banks grew rather fond of Alice and I. We are both glad she told the
story.What do you wish your
writer had not told others about you?Nothing. I am aware that there are times in the story when I
am forthright and frank but those qualities are part of my personality. I am
sure readers will understand my motives for some comments were genuine concerns.
I only wanted the best outcome possible.What other character
from your book do you think your writer should write a book about, and why?I think Ms. Banks should devote sometime to Elijah Whistler,
the owner of the Eagle Book Emporium. I would think there might be a natural
affinity between the two, with his interest in books and her work as an author.
If Ms. Banks spent some time working with him it might also soothe his
discomfort at the outcome of my story.Why do you think your
writer loves to write?Ms. Banks listens to music frequently but she is not
musical. I am afraid that is a flaw I am forced to comment on. Ms. Banks
neither plays nor sings and in my opinion she therefore devotes her energies to
writing. I do know she is quite driven at times when she writes. Having some
understanding of the creative process I recognize its grip on an individual.
However, I still think she would be improved by a more direct association with
music. When she began the tale I had hopes to influence her to at least take up
some choral activity but sadly I failed.Is there anything
you’d like to say to your writer?Ms. Banks, Alice and I thank you for putting our story into
words.Buy This Book
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Daisy+Banks?fs=0&_requestid=43043ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?sortBy=recentlyAdded&searchBy=author&qString=Daisy+BanksAuthor BioDaisy Banks writes romance in the Historical, Paranormal and
Fantasy genres. Her focus is to offer the best tale she can to readers. Daisy
is married, with two grown up sons. Antiques and collecting entertain Daisy
when she isn’t writing. There are also some rare occasions she makes a meal
that doesn’t stick to the pan.Author Social Media
Website http://daisybanksnovels.yolasite.com/Twitter @DaisyBanks16Facebook http://on.fb.me/18iRC35Pinterest http://bit.ly/16sF1XGAmazon Author Page http://amazon.com/author/daisybanks -
Connor Rikeland from Delicious Deception by @TamiLundAuthor #Contemporary #Suspense
Tami Lund shares details about the creation of Connor Rikeland in the
book Delicious Deception.About the BookTitle Delicious DeceptionGenre Contemporary SuspenseAuthor Tami LundBook
heat level (based on movie ratings): REmily Kate Boudreaux runs a restaurant located on a bayou in
Texas, because it’s what her family expects of her. She’d rather pursue her
living as an artist. Then sexy chef Connor Rikeland walks into her life and
turns it upside down. Soon, Emily Kate’s restaurant is a roaring success, she
has time to paint to her heart’s content, there’s a hunky guy warming her bed,
and she’s having visions of happily ever after.Connor Rikeland is used to women throwing themselves at him, and
he’s been known to use relationships as a bargaining chip in his climb up the
ladder. He wants a culinary career in the spotlight—and Cajun cooking isn’t his
ticket to fame even if Emily Kate is unlike anyone he’s ever met.Not to mention Connor has a few secrets that have put him on the
wrong side of her brother’s FBI case. When the pieces of just why Connor is
hanging out in a backwoods town begin to surface, Emily Kate must decide what’s
real, what’s a lie, and what’s worth risking her heart over. Because deception
or not, life with Connor is delicious.Introducing Connor RikelandThis interview is designed to tell readers about
your hero or heroine. Answer the questions as an author talking about the
character.Name: Connor RikelandAge: 32Gender: MaleBirthplace: Detroit, Michigan, USAProfession: ChefEthnicity/Species (if not human): HumanDescribe his/her body build, skin tone, height
and weight. Include any unique features such as dimples, freckles, or scars:
Dark hair, blue eyes, a crooked smile that tends to get him his way more often
than not.Who
is the significant other in your character’s life?Emily Kate BoudreauxTell
us about this character, please.Connor Rikeland is a man who has always chosen
to do what feels good, not necessarily what’s right. For the last ten years, despite
his amazing talent, he’s been stuck as the sous chef at a world renown
restaurant in Detroit, the prestige that comes with being executive chef always
just out of reach. We eventually learn why, in the book, so I won’t give it
away here, but suffice to say, Connor tends to react first and think later.
With that said, he has always managed to get by in life due to his
overabundance of charm, and a subconscious desire to be the good guy, even if
it seems his life rarely works out that way. Don’t worry, though. Connor is a
very redeemable hero!How
does your hero dress?Since he starts out the book running for his
life and then gets his wallet stolen – all in the course of the first page – he
pretty much wears the same T-shirt and jeans for a fair portion of the book.Is
the character book-smart, self-taught, widely-experienced?Connor has worked in restaurants since he was
fourteen, and he has a pretty-boy face. He tends to get things handed to him,
without much effort on his end. The one thing he’s ever worked hard for in his
life – to be the executive chef at a high-end restaurant – is the one thing he
can’t seem to obtain.On
what special skills does your character rely?Connor is an amazing cook. Everyone loves his
cooking. Everyone. And he knows it, but he isn’t cocky about it. It’s just a
fact of his life, like that crooked smile that can sway pretty much anyone.
Just wait until Emily Kate tries his molten chocolate cake.Does
your character care about what others assume about him?He likes to think not, but the truth is, he
thrives on positive feedback, which is probably why he’s such a good cook. He
figured out that people are extremely expressive when they taste something
divine, so he strives to create divine food all the time. On the flip side,
it’s equally devastating when he does not get that praise. Even without
criticism, he notices the lack of praise, and it eats at him.If
someone from your character’s past showed up, who would he most NOT want it to
be, and why?His former boss from Oliver’s Restaurant in
Detroit. Since the man would not promote him to executive chef after eight
years as the sous chef, Connor finally walked away, literally, with no notice.
Unfortunately, Oliver does indeed show up in Connor’s life, in this book.What
is your character’s biggest need at the beginning of the story?A safe place to hide from the bad guys who are
chasing him. A small, family-owned restaurant in the backwoods of northeast
Texas seems pretty damn perfect. Especially if the smokin’ hot owner of the
restaurant comes with the package.What
is your hero’s biggest hopes and dreams?To be a world-renown executive chef at a
high-end restaurant. Not a small, family-owned place in the backwoods of
northeast Texas.What
is your hero’s biggest personal flaw?His inability to let go of a dream he has not
yet realized. He can’t seem to see that maybe that particular dream is not the
one he really wants.About Your WriterWhy
do you think your writer chose to write about you?Have you ever had my sweet potato and pecan
muffins? Trust me, she had no other choice but to write my story.What
do you wish your writer had not told others about you?The crap that happened at Oliver’s when I was
still green and making stupid decisions. Also, no one needs to know that Emily
Kate’s brother, Jack, who was the hero from Naked Truth, the first in the Tough
Love Series, could kick my ass without breaking a sweat. I mean, come on,
stroke a guy’s ego here.What
other character from your book do you think your writer should write a book
about, and why?Greg definitely needs his story written. He gets
introduced toward the end of my book. I really like him, but I can tell there’s
something going on, a sadness resulting from something in his past. I just hope
his story doesn’t involve my sister. That seems weird, to think about your
sister as getting a happily ever after.Why
do you think your writer loves to write?Probably the same reason I love to cook, and
Emily Kate loves to paint. It’s an outlet for our creativity. It’s also stress
relief. And fun.Is
there anything you’d like to say to your writer?Thanks for those kitchen scenes. And Emily Kate.
Definitely thanks for bringing Emily Kate into my life.Buy This BookPublisher Crimson Romance
http://www.crimsonromance.com/?s=tami+lund&submit=Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Delicious-Deception-Tough-Love-Tami-ebook/dp/B011P6L7C2/
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Tami%20Lund%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall
ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Tami+Lund
Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/delicious-deception
Author BioTami Lund likes to live, love, and laugh, and does her best to ensure
the characters in her books do the same. After they’ve overcome a few seemingly
insurmountable obstacles first, of course.Tami is multi-published, both self and with a few publishers,
including Crimson Romance, Liquid Silver Books, and Soul Mates Publishing.
Chances are, there is a new book coming out soon. Be sure to stalk her on
social media, so you know when.And most important, if you enjoyed one of Tami’s books, please let
other readers know by leaving a review on the site from which you bought it, or
on Goodreads. Otherwise, how will they know which book to read next?Oh, and there’s a FREE READ, available for download only through her
website: http://tamilund.com/!Author Social MediaWebsite
http://tamilund.comBlog
http://tamilund.com/?page_id=91#1
Amazon
Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Tami-Lund/e/B00AXJH5MY/ -
Dylan Holt from The Assistant @KTBlack_author #incubi #succubus #RLFblog
Interview with Dylan Holt
This interview is designed for your hero or heroine to tell
readers about himself or herself.Tell us about
yourself, please.I come from a long line of
succubus/incubi, and history hasn’t always painted my kind in the best light,
nor has it gotten things completely accurate. I’m not a “Demon”, but
I’m not human either, even though I do resemble one. An extremely attractive
one. <Shrugs and grins smugly>. I know that makes me sound egotistical,
but it’s part of how I’m able to draw humans to me.So, I’m guessing you’re wondering
if part of what you’ve heard is true. Do I enter into dreams and tempt humans
with erotic suggestions? Absolutely! It is my nature after all. The sexier the
dreams, the more potent the energy for me to feed from.Now don’t look at me like that.
Before you go judging me, I must point out that this isn’t entirely one-sided.
I don’t drain the life force of anyone I’m involved with. I do take what I
require, but I also give them something in return. The inspiration to pursue
the thing they desire most.As far as me in general, I’m a bit
of a wanderer, able to adapt to any situation. A true “Jack of All Trades”.
I’m a whiz with modern technology, which comes in handy. For a long time I
thought I was happy moving from town to town, person to person, and then I
encountered Elise Bennette. That’s when everything changed. She made me want to
set down roots and get lost in her dreams.What can you not do (but
need to do) during this story?I’m much more than I appear. I need
to be honest with Elise, and show her the real me, but I fear once she learns
all the details, it will drive her away.What inner doubt
causes you the most difficulty?Trusting that I can find someone to
love and accept me for what I am. Until I met Elise, I seemed to only find two types of people. Those who thought I
was a freak, when they discovered what I’m able to do, and others who were
drawn to me because of what makes me unique.Tell us about your
significant other, that person who makes living worthwhile.From the first time I encountered
Elise Bennette I knew she was special. She is a strong, smart, beautiful woman
full of many wondrous dreams. She just needed someone to believe in her when
others had let her down.What would that
person say about you?I’m reliable and a hard worker. She
tries to pretend she doesn’t like me, but I know better. Even if I didn’t
possess the abilities I do, she’s made it more than obvious that she’s
interested in me.What special skills
do you rely on?When humans let down their guard, I
can look in, examine their dreams. Dreams give a lot away about a person. It
shows their hopes and fears, but I am respectful about what I discover.I also have the ability to enhance
dreams, make them seem real. It helps to entice the human I’m pursuing to keep
dreaming. If things progress to an intimate relationship, even better, but I
don’t generally stick around after the relationship is consummated.Why are you happy (or
not happy) with the way your story ended?You’ll have to read the story to learn
mine and Elise’s fate.About the Writer
K.T.
Black often mixes genres when creating her romance stories. Whether her (F/F or
F/M) stories are filled with witches or regular people, they frequently include
mystery/suspense, sci-fi, fantasy or paranormal elements. She never limits the
direction her imagination takes her when telling a good story.
When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going
to movies, cooking, traveling, playing video games, and meeting
interesting/eccentric people–many of whom help color the worlds she creates
while writing.What was your biggest
challenge in writing this book?Mostly finishing it. My life turned
upside down a few months ago. I’m still trying to get back to my regular
writing routine.Why did you choose
this character for the interview today?I felt I needed to elaborate a bit
more about Dylan’s background. What better way than to have him tell you first
hand.When writing the
book, what did you discover about this character that surprised you?Dylan started out as a regular guy,
but as usual, I ended up taking a paranormal turn with him. This often happens.
I think I’m in control and it’s the characters that show me what to write.Are any sequels
planned for this book?This is a stand alone, but I am
considering doing a series based around it once I finish with another series
I’m currently working on. I write both F/F and F/M and see some interesting
potential with this plot line.Why should readers
who haven’t picked up one of your books before give this one a try?I believe that my stories read like
you’re watching a movie. That you, as the reader, will be completely immersed
and caught up in the energy of the story.Is there anything
you’d like to say to your readers?I appreciate each and every one of
you who have taken a chance to delve into the world of my imagination. I hope
you enjoy reading what I write as much as I enjoy writing it.About the Book
Title: The AssistantGenre: Contemporary
ParanormalAuthor: K.T. BlackBook heat level (based on movie ratings): RElise Bennette doesn’t do
relationships … even though her sexy-as-hell new assistant has her consumed by
erotic daydreams. But things aren’t what they appear to be, and her dream life
and real life are beginning to blur. Will her fantasies eventually become real
or will a secret shatter the illusion?Buy This Book
Publisher: www.lsbooks.comAmazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B010N4H5R8Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B010N4H5R8Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B010N4H5R8iBooks: https://itun.es/us/FtjF8.lKobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-assistant-8Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/9781622102440Author Social Media
Blog: www.ktblackbooks.comTwitter: www.twitter.com/KTBlack_authorFacebook: www.facebook.com/KTBlack26TSU: www.tsu.co/KTBlackAuthorPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ktblackbooksGoodreads: www.goodreads.com/KTBlackLS Books Author Page:
http://www.lsbooks.com/k-t-black-c497.phpAmazon Author Page: http://amzn.com/K.T.-Black/e/B00SUL7IDS -
Ella Storm from Crossing the Line by @allyabishop #RLFblog #romance
Ella Storm from Crossing the Line by @allyabishop #RLFblog #romanceInterview with Ella StormThis interview is designed for your hero or heroine to tell readers
about himself or herself. Answer the questions as if the character were
talking.Tell us about yourself,
please.Hi! I’m Ella. I live in Brooklyn, New York with my brother Noah—long
story. We own a mystery dinner theater company together, and we’re finally
(finally!) getting some higher-end clientele. I’m super nervous and excited
about that.Authors call what you want
but cannot have “the conflict” — what is yours?Um. Hm. I suck at dating? Seriously. I can’t seem to get myself out
there. Lux (my brother’s BFF and my friend as well) and Noah go out on the
town. All. The. Time. But the idea of hanging out at bars, going home with
someone just because he’s attractive? Not my thing. Totally fine if it’s your
thing! But I can’t get into it.What can you not do (but
need to do) during this story?I can’t figure out who I am. I like structure, deadlines, and
schedules. And when I meet Ian…he changes everything.What inner doubt causes
you the most difficulty?I was almost engaged to a guy in college, and I thought…well, I guess
we all think we’ve met “the one,” right? Jonathan was handsome and funny, super
smart in that cool way. But I should have known better—he wanted to be the star
in any relationship. And he did a number on me. I can’t seem to get past that.In the story world your
author created, explain what it is you fear most and why.Wow. Ask a personal question, eh? I guess…I want to believe Ian likes
me as much as I like him. But how’s that even possible? Especially once I learn
who he is?Tell us about your
significant other, that person who makes living worthwhile.Ian Crane. He’s a lawyer and crazy sexy in that just-a-little-mussed
way. We’re leagues apart though, and I’m not sure if this can work.What would that person say
about you?Ian would say I’m beautiful and brilliant and perfect. :sigh:What is your family like?I don’t have much family. My brother and I were raised by our
grandparents after our parents were killed in a car accident when we were
teens. Other than that, Lux is who we count as family.What special skills do you
rely on?I write all of our mysteries, organize the events and moving parts, while
Noah does the business end of things: invoicing, tracking, etc. I’m also
starting to get into scrapbooking (but don’t say anything to Noah about it—I’ll
never live it down).If someone from your past
showed up, who would you NOT want it to be, and why?Jonathan. He hurt something in me that’s still pretty broken.Why are you happy (or not
happy) with the way your story ended?:grins: I can’t give that away! You have to read to find out. ;)About the WriterWhen you do something effortlessly
and people commend you continuously, you have found your gift.That’s what I tell people all the
time. And it’s true.I get story. I always have. I
started writing when I was eight on a Smith Corona (the electronic kind — I’m
not THAT old). I wrote stories in every spiral notebook I had. Eventually, I
graduated to a Mac (yes, I’m one of THOSE people). I imagined new worlds,
emotional conflicts, and HEAs while I waited at stoplights or wandered the
grocery store. But here’s the thing: I didn’t just dream it up and write it
down — I critiqued what I read. I knew when ideas were good, and when they
stunk. I ran writing groups, judged creative contests, and eventually got two
graduate degrees in writing. That’s right: I love it that much.So here I am, years later, writing
kickass heroines and devastating good guys, along with some mystery and
vampires thrown in (I promise: THEY’RE COMING). And what’s really cool? I do
what I love. Wanna write a success story for your life: I promise you, that’s
it. Do what you love. And hopefully, you can make a living at it too. That’s
the golden ticket, Charlie.And chocolate doesn’t hurt,
either…What
was your biggest challenge in writing this book?When I originally wrote Inside the Lines, I had
no intention of writing a book about Ella and Noah. When readers asked to learn
more about the Storm siblings, I figured, what the heck? But when I sat down to
write the book, I had no idea what Ella’s story was. Enter creative writing and
outlining. :) Thankfully, Ella was perfectly content to do what she wanted,
whether or not I liked it. And Noah’s always a little contrary.Why
did you choose this character for the interview today?Ella’s the main female lead in Crossing the
Line. What I personally like about Ella is that she’s very sweet—everyone loves
Ella. But she’s not a pushover. Even when things go wrong in her life, she may
not want to deal with them, but she does. And she’s perfectly capable of taking
care of herself, with or without a man.When
writing the book, what did you discover about this character that surprised
you?Ella’s pretty sturdy—and I knew that. But she
also has a breaking point, like everyone else. Seeing her and Noah at odds
wasn’t what I expected, but I think you get a better feel for why Ella has
evolved the way she has. And hopefully, it offers a clue to what Noah’s hangups
are for his future story.Are
any sequels planned for this book?Crossing the Line is a prequel to Inside the
Lines, the first book of the Without a Trace series, which follows Lux and her
sisters. The third book in the series, Tracing the Line, will be released in
August 2015.What
genre(s) would you like to write that you haven’t tried yet?I’m currently working on two paranormal series,
so we’ll see how those pan out. :)What
would your readers be surprised to learn about you?I never ever thought I’d write romance. My
background is in literary writing, and I’ve worked in the publishing field and
edited literary works for years now. But when an opportunity arose to write
steamy romance, I couldn’t resist the challenge. And I’ve had a blast.Why
should readers who haven’t picked up one of your books before give this one a
try?Oo, good question! Let’s see.1. My focus for every book is to make sure the
characters have authentic problems that real people have, that they have flaws
that make them human, and that I honor the romance genre with the content. So
if you enjoy romance and you like to feel as though the characters you reach
could be friends of yours, then this book is for you.2. I write steamy romance…so you won’t have to
look far for some heat in any book I write. ;)3. I explore something different with each book,
including mental illness, the realities of kinky sensuality, and diverse
characters with different backgrounds. This book’s a great start to see if
you’ll enjoy my style.Is
there anything you’d like to say to your readers?Thank you so much for reading, and for giving me
the encouragement to continue the series! I’ve had a blast hearing your
feedback, and I appreciate your willingness to take a chance on my series.
Without you, authors have no purpose—so thank you for loving the written word.
<3About the BookTitle Crossing the LineGenre Erotic romanceAuthor Ally BishopBook heat level (based on
movie ratings): RI’ve never believed in love at
first sight, which is probably why I write mysteries, and not romances, for a
living. Besides, I’m too focused on expanding Elementary, a mystery dinner
party business I own with my brother Noah. I don’t have time for romance.When the handsome and successful
Ian Crane books our services, I can barely keep my wits about me. He’s setting
fire to all my rules, and I can’t resist his flames. I don’t recognize the
woman I’m becoming, but I don’t want to go back to who I was.There’s a part of me that can’t
help wondering, what if he’s too good to be true? Because if he is, my heart
will be nothing more than ashes.Heat rating: Toasty warm, with
plenty of flamesBuy This BookAmazon http://bit.ly/xingthelineBarnes and Noble http://bit.ly/xingthelineBNSmashwords http://bit.ly/xingthelineSWCreateSpace http://bit.ly/xingthelineAuthor Social MediaWebsite http://allybishop.comBlog http://allybishop.comTwitter http://twitter.com/allyabishopFacebook http://facebook.com/allyabishopPinterest http://pinterest.com/upgradestoryShelfari http://bit.ly/xingthelineshelfAmazon Author Page http://bit.ly/aabishop -
Alain from Snow in July by @KimHeadlee #RLFblog #PNR
Interview with Sir Robert Alain de Bellencombre
This interview is designed for your hero or heroine to tell readers about himself or herself.Tell us about yourself, please.I am the second son of Comte Hugh FitzWalter, by his second wife, Comtesse Margaret. Formally I am called Sir Robert, but my kin and closest friends call me Alain. The “de Bellencombre” choice of surname refers to the village in which I was born, Bellencombre, in Normandy. My sword is pledged to the service of Duke William of Normandy, now styled King William of England by God’s grace through his victory at the Battle of Hastings. I fought in this battle too, as did my younger brother Étienne—though it shames me to admit that I was unable to save him from death at the hands of a ruthless Saxon foe.What inner doubt causes
you the most difficulty?In failing to protect Étienne, I failed our mother too, for
I had sworn upon my own life that I would guard his. Now I face a royally
commanded marriage, when all I would rather do is live and die by the sword,
and I fear that I shall not be able to protect my bride either. As a means of
dealing with my doubts, I have assumed the guise of a squire to scout the lady,
her lands… and the mysterious reports of hellish beasts and sorcerous acts that
the king’s regent has ordered me to investigate.Tell us about your
significant other, that person who makes living worthwhile.The moment my eyes beheld my bride, her sweet angelic beauty
made me forget all my fears and doubts. And yet she seems to harbor grief and secrets—and
perhaps even doubts and fears—of her own. As a scout, I am accustomed to
ferreting out secrets, and so I shall learn hers, for I want nothing more than
to kiss away her grief and transform her tears into joy.What would that
person say about you?Lady Kendra would say that I am far too bold for a “squire,”
for when I am in her presence I am sorely tempted to act outside propriety’s bounds.
Thus far, I have restrained myself to offering her the gift of a single red
rose, but I fear even that was too brash a gesture, for it caused her to flee
my presence. I shudder to think how she will react when I confess my deception,
but as God is my witness, I shall do whatever it takes to make amends and earn
her forgiveness.If someone from your
past showed up, who would you NOT want it to be, and why?My older half brother, Philippe FitzHugh, has ever feared
that I covet the title and lands he inherited from our father. Nothing could be
farther from the truth, but he has never believed my assurances, and he has
undercut me at every opportunity—even to the point of luring my first fiancée
into his bed. If I ever see either Philippe or Marie in this lifetime, it shall
be far too soon.Why are you happy (or
not happy) with the way your story ended?Ah, fair reader, that is for you to discover. I shall not
spoil it for you except to say that Kendra and I are both happy with our
story’s ending… though it did not come without terrible peril to our honor, our
lives, and even our very souls.About the Writer
Kim Headlee lives on a farm in
southwestern Virginia with her family, cats, goats, Great Pyrenees goat guards,
and assorted wildlife. People and creatures come and go, but the cave and the
250-year-old house ruins—the latter having been occupied as recently as the
mid-twentieth century—seem to be sticking around for a while yet.Kim is a Seattle native and a
direct descendent of twentieth-century Russian nobility. Her grandmother was a
childhood friend of the doomed Grand Duchess Anastasia, and the romantic yet
tragic story of how Lydia escaped Communist Russia with the aid of her American
husband will most certainly one day fuel one of Kim’s novels. Another novel in
the queue will involve her husband’s ancestor, the seventh-century proto-Viking
king of the Swedish colony in Russia.For the time being, however, Kim
has plenty of work to do in creating her projected 8-book Arthurian series, The
Dragon’s Dove Chronicles, and other novels. She has been a published novelist
since 1999, beginning with the original editions of Dawnflight (Sonnet Books,
Simon & Schuster, ISBN 0671020412) and Liberty (writing as Kimberly
Iverson, HQN Books, Harlequin, ISBN 0373771347).YouTube video interview: http://youtu.be/DV5iKrEIROkWhat was your biggest
challenge in writing this book?Snow in July began in 1999 as a collaboration with a
longtime writer-friend, Patricia Duffy Novak. The plan was for her to write
Alain’s viewpoint while I contributed Kendra’s scenes, and we were going to
alternate between them. When life challenges prevented Patricia from
continuing, she gave me her blessing to finish the story, but since she had
already written about three chapters’ worth of Alain’s scenes, it took the
longest time for me to understand and internalize his character.Why did you choose
this character for the interview today?I had already conducted an interview in Kendra’s perspective
and wanted to let Alain have his say this time.When writing the
book, what did you discover about this character that surprised you?The biggest surprise to me was how fast he fell for Kendra;
initially I had planned for the process to take longer for both of them. But
once he became smitten, then his central internal challenge revolved around
when and how he would reveal his true identity to her, which became a more
interesting storytelling choice while still balancing the sexual tension
between them.Why should readers
who haven’t picked up one of your books before give this one a try?Snow in July is a stand-alone story, so there’s no need to
worry about having missed backstory from another novel, and there’s no pressure
to invest in some unknown number of sequels. It’s a fun read with a lot of
heart and soul, it’s not graphic and so it’s even suitable for teens, and it’s
a great introduction to my style and the type of epic, legendary stories I love
to create.Is there anything you’d
like to say to your readers?Thank you so much for your interest in and support of my
work!About the Book
Title Snow in JulyGenre Historical Paranormal RomanceAuthor Kim Iverson HeadleeBook heat level (based on movie ratings): PG-13 for combat
violence and brief intimacySir Robert Alain de Bellencombre
has been granted what every man wants: a rich English estate in exchange for
his valiant service at the Battle of Hastings. To claim this reward, the Norman
knight must wed the estate’s Saxon heiress. Most men would leap at such an
opportunity, but for Alain, who broke his vow to his dying mother by failing to
protect his youngest brother in battle, it means facing more easily broken
vows. But when rumors of rampant thievery, dangerous beasts, and sorcery
plaguing a neighboring estate reach his ears, nothing will make him shirk duty
to king and country when people’s lives stand at risk. He assumes the guise of
a squire to scout the land, its problems, and its lady.Lady Kendra of Edgarburh has been
granted what no woman wants: a forced marriage to an enemy who may be kith or
kin to the man who murdered her beloved brother. Compounding her anguish is her
failure to awaken the miraculous healing gift bequeathed by their late mother
in time to save his life. Although with his dying breath, he made her promise
to seek happiness above all, Kendra vows that she shall find neither comfort
nor love in the arms of a Norman…unless it snows in July.Alain is smitten by Lady Kendra
from the first moment of their meeting; Kendra feels the forbidden allure of
the handsome and courtly Norman “squire.” But a growing evil
overshadows everyone, invoking dark forces and ensnaring Kendra in a plot to
overthrow the king Alain is oath-bound to serve. Kendra and Alain face a battle
unlike any other as their honor, their love, their lives, and even their very
souls lie in the balance.BOOK TRAILER: http://youtu.be/vFsaD1jCLLUBuy This Book
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snow-in-july-kim-headlee/1119853202Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/450831Author Social Media
Website http://kimheadlee.comBlog http://kimiversonheadlee.blogspot.com/Twitter https://twitter.com/KimHeadleePinterest http://www.pinterest.com/kimheadlee/Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Kim-Headlee/e/B001KE2LK2Google+ – https://plus.google.com/+KimHeadleeYouTube Channel – http://www.youtube.com/user/gyanhumaraTriberr Profile – http://triberr.com/KimHeadleeArthurverse Triberr Tribe
– http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=61110Street Team “Kim’s
All-Stars” – https://www.facebook.com/groups/705479912880602/ -
Val Ruska from The Sanctuary by @arikastone #RLFblog #eroticromance
Interview with Val Ruska
Tell us about
yourself, please.Although
I am a musician by trade, I’ve recently become enamored with working with my
hands. I enjoy sculpting three dimensional designs using metal. It is
exciting to watch it heat up, burn brightly, and then slowly cool off into a
unique, one of a kind creation I molded. You can see my work displayed in
exhibits in Helsinki, London, and more recently in Paris.I
put my music career on hold to focus on my sculptures and paintings. While
music will always be in my veins, I’m not sure if I want to continue on the
path of constant, non-stop touring. Being on the road for over 14 years
wears out your body, mind, and soul. I’ve seen it all – and traveled the
world, but I never really settled down, even though I’ve always considered
Helsinki my home. I took time off to focus on something that could anchor me
while still allowing my creative side to flow.What
can I say about myself? I’m a romantic at heart. I love the rush of being
in love. I fall fast and I fall hard. I’ve been hurt so many times in the past,
but I can only blame myself – I let my career get in the way of the ones I
loved. Instead of putting them first, music was always my priority – performing
was all that I knew how to do. A workaholic by nature, I’m often trapped in my
own head – which is something not many women understand. I wasn’t sure I
ever wanted to be in a relationship again, until I saw Eve walk into the café
that day.She
was breathtakingly beautiful. She walked into the café with a confidence
I hardly saw, and when her eyes met mine as she passed my table, I knew that I
had to have her. I had to make her mine.What can you not do (but
need to do) during this story?Somehow, I need to make Eve feel secure in the relationship,
safe in our play dynamic and have her gain an understanding of who I truly am –
without giving away too much. I fear that if she learns how deep into the
lifestyle I am, she will run away. I can’t let her know my past secrets,
all of my desires or why I struggle with power and control.What inner doubt
causes you the most difficulty?I
sometimes doubt my ability to keep Eve happy. Eve is a multi-millionaire,
and I struggle knowing that she is the breadwinner of our family. Sure, I
have more money than the average guy, but I just can’t compete with her
income. I should be able to give her everything she’s ever wanted – and
that’s why she got the $250,000 engagement ring she was eyeing for weeks.
Yes, it was more than a half of year’s salary for me, but she deserves
it. But what if I can’t provide the lifestyle she is used to in the
future?Emotionally,
I struggle with the balance of control between play time and real life. I
fell in love with how independent and confident Eve was, but I sometimes long
to seize the reins and play for an extended period of time. I fell in
love with her for who she was, but will she ever come to accept who I truly am?In the story world
your author created, explain what it is you fear most and why.While I never actually say it in the story, I fear losing
her. The biggest test occurs while I am recording my next album in LA and Jude
(Eve’s ex) tries to romance her back into his arms. It was bad enough
that Eve sold him a 51% stake in her company when she sold off the business,
but now Jude is in NY learning the ropes and by her side. I don’t trust
him. He’s a sleazy Hollywood entertainment agent that will try anything,
and I mean anything – from lying about me and manipulating the situation
– to win her back. I can’t let that happen. I won’t let it
happen. But will she?What is your family
like?My
mom and dad own their own custom lingerie and costume shop in the heart of
Helsinki. My mother designs her very own creations by hand and my dad runs the
day to day business end of it. I guess I got my creative streak from her.I
have two younger siblings: Jenni and Eero. Jenni works as a newspaper
reporter and moonlights as a dominatrix. She is like a twin to me, even
though she is the youngest of the three of us. Eero is the classic middle child
– and we fight most of the time.My
parents are very accepting of the lifestyle I lead and have always been my
biggest supporters. They have known I have been involved in the BDSM
scene since I was 18. Why are they so accepting? Well, mom designs most
of the costumes for the underground club The Society (which I am on the board
of directors for, more about that in the next book). My guess is that
they may have their fun too… like father like son, perhaps?Eventually,
I long for Eve and me to have a family to call our own. Maybe we can
finally settle down and be a normal couple, with a few kids, two cats in the
yard and a white picket fence. Eh, who am I kidding? I’ll never be
“normal”.What special skills
do you rely on?Does my tongue count? I can use it in more ways than
one…If someone from your past showed up, who would you NOT want
it to be, and why?Any
of my ex girlfriends, but mainly the last one, Kat. Kat has the potential to
destroy my relationship with Eve if she told her about our past, including that
we lived in TPE (a total power exchange, which is something I told Eve I did
not want for us, and which I don’t want).But
more than that, the last time I saw Kat, she attempted to murder me. In a
drunken rage, she attacked me in the middle of the night while I was sleeping
with a baseball bat to my skull. She ranted that if I couldn’t hear, I
couldn’t sing. The only thing that remains of that night is a loss of
hearing in my ear, panic attacks and insomnia. I’m afraid though,
that she may be coming back for a visit soon.Why are you happy (or
not happy) with the way your story ended?Now, I can’t give away the ending, that’s not fair to the
readers! You’ll have to go and buy the book to see if Eve and I lived
happily ever after. I hope the novel will satisfy your desires and leave you
longing for more – because we aren’t finished with our tale.About the Writer
What was your biggest
challenge in writing this book?The biggest challenge was trying to describe Helsinki
without ever visiting it. I traveled to Finland a few months after
writing the first draft so details about the location were added in during
editing. It was much easier for me to capture the spirit of the city
after I was there a few times.Why did you choose
this character for the interview today?I received some feedback from readers wanting to know more
about Val and what makes him tick. I heard that he was a mystery and they
wanted to hear his point of view. I hope this will give readers a little
bit of insight into his personality.Are any sequels
planned for this book?Yes! The second book, The Society is already written and is
in the process of being edited. I hope it will be released later this
year. A third book in the series is currently in progress and is tentatively
titled, The Secret.What genre(s) would
you like to write that you haven’t tried yet?I have an idea for a Young Adult love story, but I am still
toying with it. Perhaps one day, I’ll write it.What would your
readers be surprised to learn about you?I have my Master’s degree in Criminal Justice but never
really put it to use – I opened my own wedding business in 2003 and I have seen
it all: from rustic backyard BBQ weddings, to lavish affairs. I’ve
been involved with over 80,000 weddings and events – although I’m not a wedding
planner like Eve, I only supply items and decor for weddings.Why should readers
who haven’t picked up one of your books before give this one a try?If you loved 50 Shades of Grey, The Story of O and/or The
Sleeping Beauty Series, give my series Eros’ Edge a try. I’ve received
lots of positive feedback that it was an excellent, quick read – even though
its 122,000 words in length.I describe the story as The Wedding Planner meets Carrie
Bradshaw (Sex and the City) combined with The Story of O set to a rock n roll
soundtrack. Plus it’s set in an exotic locale. It has sex, love and rock n
roll, baby – what’s not to love?Is there anything
you’d like to say to your readers?If you have any questions about the book or its characters
or want to talk about the novel, feel free to connect with me on one of my
social media accounts. I love to talk to readers and would love to hear
from you.About the Book
Title:
The Sanctuary (Eros’ Edge Book 1)Genre:
Erotic RomanceAuthor:
Arika StoneBook
heat level (based on movie ratings): REve Lauren has it all — an elite New
York City wedding and event planning business and a fabulous jet-setting life.
When she discovers her fiancé, Jude Wright, cheated, she loses the joie de
vivre for everything wedding related and gives up on ever finding romance. She
escapes to Helsinki for vacation — a place she describes as “moody and dark.”
It’s exactly how she feels after being burned by Jude.
Val Ruska isn’t looking for love. Infamous for being one of the most elusive
rock stars to bed, the musician turned brooding artist can have any woman he
wants, but doesn’t. Not any woman will do. But he’s intrigued by Eve, a single
American woman dining alone, and invites her to dinner.Val rocks Eve’s world as hard and fast
as the music he plays. Eve explores her deepest erotic fantasies with him and
finds a side of herself that she didn’t know existed. Their relationship causes
Eve to question everything she believes about sex, love, and starting a family.
Val can give her everything she’s ever dreamed of, if she’s willing to submit
to his desires. But is she ready to give up her life in exchange for his?
Reality sinks in when she returns to New York City and Jude seizes the
opportunity to win her back—but Val isn’t so eager to let her go.Buy This Book
Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X50R0TQ/Barnes
and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sanctuary-wendy-stone/1020545003Kobo
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-sanctuary-16iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-sanctuary/id992239003?mt=11CreateSpace
https://www.createspace.com/5480746Author Bio
Arika Stone is an erotic
romance author born and raised in New York City, but she currently resides in
New Jersey. An expert in the wedding industry with over twelve years of
experience, Arika has seen it all: from glamorous balls to rustic, intimate
affairs. Several years ago, she caught the travel bug and visited Europe but
fell in love with Finland–and fell in love there too. Filled with wanderlust,
she’s always dreaming of her next trip and her next story. Join her on her next
adventure and get lost between reality and fiction.Author Social Media
Website
http://www.arikastone.comBlog
http://arikastone.com/blog/category/the-blog/Twitter
https://twitter.com/arikastonePinterest
http://www.pinterest.com/arikastoneAmazon
Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Arika-Stone/e/B00XT9PL3U/You May Also Like
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