ABA FRIDAY FAVORITES INTERVIEW WITH LILA MUNRO

Favorite Genre(s):

Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance (particularly anything to do with Highlanders), and Erotic Romance (Kink is a good thing, restraints are our friend J)

List of at least 5 Favorite Books in that Genre:

The Colter series (erotic)

The Sweet series (erotic)

Masters of the Shadowlands (erotic)

The Reluctant Dom (kinky!)

Rough Riders series

Favorite Author in that Genre, and Favorite Book by that Author:

I am particularly fond of the Masters of the Shadowlands by Cherise Sinclair. She writes kink like nobody’s business and her characters are memorable and endearing. Her story lines are well researched and believable. In fact, she makes me want to take a trip to the Shadowlands to hook up with one of her yummy Doms.

Favorite Book of All Time:

I can honestly say I don’t have one single title that I go back to constantly. It takes a lot to stir me and while I have a few titles that do, none that I can say if I were on a deserted island that would be one of my three allotted items.

Favorite Book Read Last Month:

All Jacked Up by Lorelei James

Favorite Book You Wrote:

Bound by Trust

I love writing about characters with real issues and complications in their lives. Madi and Rafe are all that and more. Bound by Trust is a very heartfelt story about a war widow. At times it was actually hard to write, but being as I’m a military wife I needed to write it as so many people don’t know or understand the inner workings of what we go through on a daily basis and few see or fathom what going through a loss is like. I’ve seen it first hand and wanted to tell it and tell it well, and from a bit of a different perspective that hardly anyone realizes may even exist.

Give Us One More Favorite Thing Beyond Books:

Steel Magnolias—Sometimes I wish I had a Weeser to slap.

About the Author:

Lila Munro

Writing one realmantic moment at a time…

Book Information:

The Executive Officer’s Wife

Target: Libby Calhoun. She’s independent and strong-willed, the daughter of a near infamous Marine Corps sniper. Libby’s been raised by the resident housekeeper, has learned to take care of herself over the years and doesn’t take crap off anyone. She’s also sassy and pretty darn cute. After one failed marriage she’s not in the market for love, a husband or any semblance of children. One night of hot sex should do it but that pesky situation with her father is making that near impossible.

Security Agent: Chase Wayland. He’s not looking for love either but his golden-eyes sure can lure a girl in. Chase is a former Marine turned owner of his own security firm. He also has a failed marriage under his belt and trust isn’t in his vocabulary. There’s only one way in Chase’s world and that’s his way, whether anyone else agrees or not.

Can these two live under the same roof after the incident? Chase seems to think so, as long as they ignore each other, play by his strict 'business only' policy and he makes Libby hate him. Libby thinks so, too, but she wants to do things her way. And her way means Chase’s resolve to be a good guy will be stretched to its limits, especially when she takes to the town in her red boots…

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theexecutiveofficer039swife-601144-148.html

Author Links:

http://lilamunro.weebly.com

http://www.rebelinkpress.com

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000962603050

ABA AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER HARLOW

What is your favorite genre to read?  I like to joke that I’m a fighter not a lover, so I tend to gravitate toward mysteries, thrillers, and horror. I love trying to piece together the puzzle, discovering new facets of the evil mind, or getting a vicarious thrill of being in danger from the safety of my home.

Who is your favorite author?  My literary idol is Janet Evanovitch. I learned all about pacing, sexual tension, and mixing humor and mystery from her. One For the Money is one of my all time favorite books. I read it in high school during class and got my only detention because I couldn’t put it away. So worth it.

What is your favorite book of all time?  I don’t really have one I’m sad to say. The books that had the most impact on me had to be One For the Money and Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton. I haven’t read either of them in years though, but I learned so much from both about writing and storytelling from reading them.

What is the best book you’ve read in the last month?  Right now I’m obsessed with Charlotte Bronte and her life, so I’ve been devouring both fiction and non-fiction books on her life. The book that started this obsession was The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte by Syrie James. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys the Bronte sisters or a gothic love story.

What are your reading habits?  If there were a reading Olympics I’d probably place Bronze. My record was three books in one day, so in a week probably seven to ten depending how busy I am. Most of the time I start reading in the evening after all is done in my bed with the television going as I can never do one thing at a time ever. I have a Kindle, and do use it on occasion, but still prefer the print books. I’m old fashioned that way.

Out of all the book you’ve written, which is your favorite? I can’t choose! Okay, yes I can. The next in the series, presently called To Catch a Vampire, out 10/12, was the most fun to write. My main character Beatrice is forced to go undercover in the vampire world with her teammate Oliver, who has made it his mission to seduce her. For whatever reason when I put those two together the words just fly. They play off each other so well, trading witticisms and sexual tension like an old 1940s comedy.

Where did you get your inspiration for this book?  I wish I could say I had divine inspiration, but really I’m inspired by other people’s work. Mind Over Monsters is a mix of X-Men, the Anita Blake and Stephanie Plum series, and movies from my childhood like The Monster Squad and Night of the Living Dead. (I was a strange child.) I threw them all into the pot of my imagination, stirred, baked at 450, and out came Mind Over Monsters. I can only hope that one day my books inspire others too.

Which is easier, dialogue or action?  Definitely dialogue. Before I wrote novels I tried my hand at screenplays. I’m a total wise-ass who throws out one liners like beads at Mardi Gras, and that’s reflected in my dialogue. I still really have to work at descriptions and transitions, going back a dozen times to add or detract if I was trying too hard.

Is there something about you I didn’t ask but you want people to know? My writing process is weird. I have insomnia. Sometimes it takes me hours to fall asleep so during that time is when I come up with my stories. It’s like a movie in my head. I even cast actors. I work out the basics like characters and the main plotline then. I have all the F.R.E.A.K.S. books in my head right now, along with a whole host of others. Hope I never get amnesia.

What is your favorite costume you’ve ever worn? During the 2008 elections I went to a friend’s party dressed as a Republican. I wore my best business suit, a “McCain/Palin” sticker, fake devil horns and tail. I was the belle of the ball.

Favorite costume on the opposite sex?  I like costumes where a guy puts some thought into it. He didn’t just buy it off the rack or go for shock value. He puts some time and effort into it. That shows he probably does the same in other areas of life.

What is the scariest costume you’ve ever seen? Little or teenage girls dressing in next to nothing. That scares me more than any vampire or zombie around.

What is your favorite Halloween movie? I am something of a horror movie connoisseur so that’s like choosing my favorite candy! The movie that traumatized me the most was Tremors, (pausing for the laughter to die down). I saw it when I was eight at a sleepover and had to sleep on the top bunk for years in case the underground worms popped out of the ground to eat me. I’ve always had an overactive imagination.

What is your favorite treat? Come on! Okay, I guess Kit Kat bars. No, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. No, Nestlé Crunch Bars. I can’t decide.

 Jennifer Harlow

A Machete is a Girl’s Best Friend

Mind Over Monsters

A F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad Investigation

By Jennifer Harlow

ISBN-10: 0-7387-2667-2

ISBN-13: 978-0-7387-2667-0

US $14.95 • CAN $16.95

Trade Paperback Original • 53/16 x 8 • 288 pp.

October 2011

Paranormal heroes take on zombies in this funny and thrilling debut.

Very few people know the truth about Beatrice Alexander. She’s no ordinary schoolteacher

with a fondness for classic movies. Beatrice can move objects with her mind, an embarrassing

and dangerous skill that she’s never learned to master — or embrace. After nearly killing

her brother by accident, she joins F.R.E.A.K.S. The Federal Response to Extra-Sensory and

Kindred Supernaturals is a top-secret offshoot of the FBI that “neutralizes” ghouls, trolls, and

other monsters threatening humanity.

Beatrice has no desire to become Buffy the vampire slayer. But F.R.E.A.K.S. offers training

to control her power. Also, she doesn’t feel like such a freak next to the other supernatural

members, including a cute former detective who’s a werewolf and an unbearable vampire

determined to seduce Beatrice. Despite a natural instinct to flee from hideous, bloodthirsty

zombies, Beatrice must prove herself on her first mission to find a cunning necromancer.

Praise for Mind Over Monsters:

“A wonderful debut! Jennifer Harlow has written a gritty, dramatic police-procedural with a compelling heroine and a fascinating group of sidekicks. Looking forward to the sequel!” —KAREN CHANCE, NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF CASSANDRA PALMER SERIES

“Mind Over Monsters is funny, scary, and creepy—and ridiculous amounts of fun!” —KAT RICHARDSON, AUTHOR OF THE GREYWALKER NOVELS

“Monstrously fun! Monstrously suspenseful! Monstrously good! Jennifer Harlow's debut novel had me laughing and gasping from start to finish!"“ —VICTORIA LAURIE, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE GHOST HUNTER MYSTERY SERIES AND THE PSYCHIC EYE MYSTERY SERIES

Available: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart.com, IndieBound, Amazon.UK, Amazon.CA

Links: www.jenniferharlowbooks.com

        Twitter: jenharlowbooks

        E-mail: jenniferharlowbooks@yahoo.com

Giveaway

5 copies of Mind Over Monsters are being given away tour wide 

Open to US Shipping 

Click Here to Enter

Excerpt From Mind Over Monsters:

Oliver is oblivious to my plight. He’s busy with the veritable wall of walking dead surrounding us. The moment he knocks one into a tree or tombstone another seems to take its place in the line like a zombie Pez dispenser. Two of them, one a man and the other unidentifiable, grab Oliver but he pushes them away. Another grabs my arm and tries to bite, but I kick it away. My martial arts trainer would be so proud. His buddy behind me grabs the other arm and chomps down on it. I scream. The gun in the other hand reaches her forehead and a second later, her head is nothing but puzzle pieces. Enough of this.

Something I’ve never felt seizes control. My body turns warm then hot in an instant, like someone’s switched on my boiler. My breath becomes ragged and then stops. The breeze stops moving and everything but the dozen soldiers surrounding us turn black. There are no screams, no moans, no Oliver. The air moves toward me, inside me, through every pore of my body. What feels like two hands squeeze either side of my brain, but it doesn’t hurt for once. I don’t know what’s happening to me…but I like it. I close my eyes and feel the blood trickle out of my nose. I release. Power explodes out of me like a fiery gust of wind in a hurricane. It knocks me on my back. Several daggers plunge into my brain. I cry out, clutching my head. Oh God, it hurts! Just stop it! Hands grab my shoulders.


“Trixie!” a familiar voice shouts. I know that voice…who… “Open your eyes!” I do. It’s blurry at first, but I blink until I see Oliver kneeling beside me. God, he’s good looking when he’s worried. “My dear, can you speak?”

“Huh…”

“Never mind. Can you walk?”

“Um…” Without letting me finish he hoists me up by the arms, my injured one throbbing. When I’m up the sight before me draws a gasp. Oh…my…lord. There’s nothing left but the kind of destruction I see on TV after a tornado. Trees lie on their sides, tangled roots above ground. Every headstone within forty feet around rests on its side, a few older ones are now nothing but pebbles and dust. The zombie horde is literally nothing but pieces. Twitching legs, arms, jaws still trying to make their way toward us litter the grass. Every piece bigger than a foot still tries to continue on their mission, but I doubt any of them is a threat to us anymore. A few fresher corpses remain intact but shuffle far in the distance.

“Did I…”

“Remind me never to anger you,” Oliver says, serious as death. I’ve scared a vampire. Holy heck. And we take off running.

About Jennifer Harlow:
Jennifer Harlow earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Virginia. She has been a bookseller, radio DJ, lab assistant, and government investigator. She lives in Northern Virginia and is hard at work on her next book.

Jennifer Harlow spent her restless childhood fighting with her three brothers and scaring the heck out of herself with horror movies and books. She grew up to earn a degree at the University of Virginia which she put to use as a radio DJ, crisis hotline volunteer, bookseller, lab assistant, wedding coordinator, and government investigator. Currently she calls Northern Virginia home but that restless itch is ever present. In her free time she continues to scare the beejepers out of herself watching scary movies and opening her credit card bills.

Jennifer is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Horror Writers Association, and Sisters in Crime.
Visit Jennifer at www.jenniferharlowbooks.com

Claw Marks Week on ABA: Author Dawne Prochilo Interviews SJ Hunt

Dawne: How did you get started writing and what inspires you the most?

SammyJo: I began writing stories in my teens when I wrote my first romance at the age of 15.  Though I do write research papers for my grad school courses, creatively I much prefer to “pen” a good romance and adventure story. For personal enjoyment, I’ve been writing for the past 2 years in the m/m romance genre and reading and writing some fan fiction. I love both. I adore a good story with a happily-ever-after ending, and true love and happy endings where deep, loving relationships occur for two people are a great inspiration for me. We all want to believe in true love.

Dawne: What inspired you to write your story in the Claw Marks Anthology?

SammyJo: Author Cassandre Dayne came up with the concept for this project and she asked a number of us fellow writers if we’d like to participate. Since I was introduced to Rebel Ink Press by her, it seemed an intriguing idea. Also, my usual characters are younger in age, so to write a romance about a man in his mid-forties was quite a bit different for me. This anthology is about cougars, but with my story, since its male/male erotica, my main character Clint is more of a ‘silver fox.’  It ended up being a fun, competitive story to write, with my two main characters being men.

Dawne: What’s the biggest misconception about being a writer and what difficulties have you faced with your writing?

SammyJo: There are several things which occur to me in this regard. I’d have to say that while being a writer can pay well, for most of us, getting by financially is a struggle. For the sheer amount of effort and work which goes into writing, editing, and doing promotional work to get your name and stories out to the public, the rewards are somewhat limited. One must write because it’s what makes your heart happy, not because you want to get rich doing it.

As for difficulties, just finding the time to get everything done is more often a challenge than not. One has to adhere to a tight schedule and keep a calendar to meet all the obligations that are required in this line of work.

Dawne: What are you currently working on and what’s coming up for you?

SammyJo: Right now, it’s crunch time to finish writing my novel collaboration with Derek Johnson. It’s due to our publisher Rebel Ink on Sunday this week. Murder, Most Likely is a 65k word murder mystery written entirely around a short story Derek wrote a decade ago. I read some of his stories back in the spring and the idea hit me like a ton of bricks. The more I thought about it, the more the ideas flowed. I approached him and asked if he’d like to write this book using his story as the basic premise and the answer was a definite yes. The rest is history and it’s been a magical process working together.

The resulting novel is going to be sizzling hot, erotic, kinky, and contains m/f erotica and some m/m/f ménage sequences. It’s very dark, gritty, and of course suspenseful, and promises to have a vibe along the lines of the old classic, Fatal Attraction. I’ve included the blurb below to give you a taste of what it’s all about. The final product is going to be amazing! I hope you’ll check it out upon release on Dec. 3rd.

I recently released another anthology co-written with Sue Brown, GA Hauser, and other great writers. Chasing the Dream is a m/m compilation of erotic stories and is available in eBook and paperback (coming soon). You can find this book on Silver Publishing’s site or Amazon.com.

And then of course there’s my two anthologies with Rebel Ink Press. My short story Checkmate!  is released in our Claw Marks anthology, and also I have a story entitled A Test of Honor coming out in Rebel’s Once Upon A Twisted Tale collection of stories, also debuting in October. I also have another novel coming out in October and another short story due out in November. So, there are a number of other projects are on the horizon which are nearing completion.

Dawne: What do you like most about writing?

SammyJo: I love the free license to be creative, and to bring to life with words the visions and stories which unfold in my head. I love communicating that world to my readers, where those who read my stories can escape somewhere else for a little while. 

Dawne: How hot do you think cougars are and why?
SammyJo: I think cougars are very hot, because they’re sexy and mature. Experience, sexually and emotionally, is very alluring and appealing. I’m also at that age myself, having just turned 44 yesterday. Something about knowing what you want, and being relatively clear about who you are is a turn-on to me, feeling and asserting that individual strength and self-worth that comes with age.

Dawne: If you had an opportunity to have a young lover – do you have one in mind and would you fess up?

SammyJo: Yes, I would be willing to go there, provided that man wasn’t more than a decade or so younger than me. I do have standards, LOL! But unless it ever got to be serious, and lasted longer than for just a short fling, I likely wouldn’t fess up. A girl’s gotta have her secrets. *winks*

Dawne: What’s something you can’t live without for writing?SammyJo: Coffee. I must have lots and lots of coffee with French Vanilla creamer.

Dawne: Favorite color and does it suit your personality and why?SammyJo: My favorite color is forest or sage green. My eyes are a deep forest green, and my hair though brunette, is generally kept at some shade of auburn or red because it suits me well. So the sage green is something I have a lot of, color-wise, in my wardrobe. Those two colors complement each other well.

Dawne: What’s your favorite seduction song?

SammyJo: It’s entitled “Forever Dreamin’” by Paul Hardcastle. He’s a British jazz artist and I absolutely adore the heated, sexy pulsing beat of that instrumental piece. It always puts me in the mood to write sexy scenes for my stories.

Dawne: Where is your favorite place to write?

SammyJo: For me, it’s in my office downstairs. I have a large, comfortable cherrywood desk with a recently upgraded desktop with all the bells and whistles on it. I have a large flatscreen monitor and my iTunes, and all the appurtenances I could ever want. I’m very comfortable there in my comfy, high-backed swivel chair. I sort of live there with writing and grad school to keep me occupied 24/7.

Dawne: How much do you like chocolate?

SammyJo: Well…I might as you, “How much do you like breathing or sleeping?” That would be a small indication of how much I like chocolate. I confess, it’s one of my guilty pleasures in life.

Thank you for having me here Kiki. And thank you Dawne for doing such a great interview with me. You’re a delightful lady and a great writer in your own right. I’m looking forward to sharing in the release of Claw Marks with you. Best wishes for all of our future successes, individually and together.

AUTHOR BIO:

SammyJo Hunt was born and raised in Southern California, is single, no children, and lived the past 22 years in the Midwest. She grew up an avid reader and romance novel enthusiast, loving to write and create. Ms. Hunt has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social work and is a 3rd year graduate student pursuing a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. It’s her goal to counsel families, struggling children and teens.

When not helping others, writing sensual romantic stories is a challenge she enjoys. Giving erotica a try, her first book, A Wicked Encounter, was released in April 2011 via Silver Publishing, followed by Chasing the Dream anthology in Sept. Checkmate! in the Claw Marks anthology is SammyJo’s third published release, which will be followed by Haunted by Obsession coming later in October, and Murder, Most Likely on Dec. 3^rd. SammyJo has written a number of books, short stories, and anthologies. Be watching for additional new releases coming soon.

To purchase publications by SammyJo Hunt, click here:

http://silverpublishing.info/

http://www.rebelinkpress.com/

http://www.amazon.com

You can find SammyJo Hunt at the following websites:

Personal Website and Blog:   http://sammyjohunt.livejournal.com

Twitter:   http://twitter.com/#!/SammyJo_Hunt

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SammyJoHunt

Email:   sjhuntwrites@gmail.com

Claw Marks Anthology Coming Oct 3rd from Rebel Ink:

Have you ever considered engaging in an exciting relationship with a stunning hunk of a man who’s much younger? Does your heart beat rapidly as you savor his carved body from across the crowded room? Every cougar can tell you the answer. Entering into new relationships isn’t easy and for some, sharing joy means letting go of a difficult past. Join a talented group of writers from Rebel Ink Press who bring you stories of love and passion transcending age and sometimes tragedy.

Checkmate by SammyJo Hunt – For anchor Clint Watson, keeping a low profile about his sexuality is a must but on one beautiful afternoon over a game of chess, he finds pleasure in the arms of a younger man. Player Conference by Liz Crowe – Jess can’t get past the loss of her husband until her daughter’s soccer coach gives her every reason to try again. The Diver’s Club by Genevre Pierceau – Jilted by her cheating boyfriend, Jill finds solace over drinks with her girlfriends who convince her to turn the tables and engage in a moment of passion with a sexy contractor. Spicy White Chocolate by Cassandre Dayne – During a regular meeting of an erotic book club, the girls enter into a wicked pact to seduce a younger man and the first to do so wins a hefty prize, only Shawna Dupres didn’t count on falling in love. Insatiable Kate by Dawne Prochilo – Kate Winston was angry at being thwarted by the man of her dreams and she was ready to give him a piece of her mind. What she didn’t know was Rome made a promise years before and yet one he was ready to break for the possibility of romance.

Believe by K.T. Bishop – Gabi continues to suffer from the loss of her husband until she finds passion in the arms of a young athlete bent on making a better life for himself. But can his dream succeed against his family’s wishes? Tempting Research by Sam Crescent – For Melissa Crane, research for her erotic books is everything. Stumped by a scene and facing a tough deadline, she enlists the help of one very sexy masseuse. Carnal Awakenings by Sara York – Anna is not only concerned about her aging looks but her children’s thoughts about her considering another relationship until a secluded vacation and a hot younger man and his male lover convince her an alternate lifestyle might work. Unwrap Me by Cassandre Dayne – Cristal refuses to get over the acts of her cheating ex husband until her best friend provides a special treat under the mistletoe. Fresh Meat by Marcos London – Robin Dahl moved to a small town in Texas to get away from her manipulating ex and pushes all thoughts of romance aside until a sexy deliveryman changes her mind.

Giveaway

Comment on any post this week, Monday Seot 26th through Sat Oct. 1st, to be entered to win an ebook copy of Claw Marks. Please leave your email in the comment so we can contact you if you win!

Claw Marks Week on ABA: Sara York Interviews Liz Crowe - Plus Giveaway

Sara: Tell us about your books.

Liz: I have a Brewing Passion series with Breathless Press that includes a “choose your romance” format novel and four short stoires with Breathless Press.

With Rebel Ink I have Player Conference in the Claw Marks Anthology and Vegas Miracle, a contemporary m/f/m romance (novel) both releasing in October.

With Decadent Publishing I have one stand alone short story (Caught Offside—YES it has a soccer theme) plus the Turkish Delights trilogy.  All four release in November.

Sara: What inspired you to write your story in the Claw Marks Anthology?

Liz: I had Player Conference in my head, and then on paper as One Hot Scene that frankly was born of a flat-out fantasy I had about my daughter’s soccer coach.  I love soccer players……..dreamy…..sorry, distracted.  Yeah. So that’s where it began and I wrote the story outwards from there.

Sara: What are you working on right now?

Liz: I am writing a prequel to a trilogy that’s part Decadent Publishing’s OneNightStand series.  It won’t be part of the series, most likely but a historical romance set in 1950’s Istanbul between a diplomat’s daughter and a hot local who then form the base of the Turkish Delights trilogy about their three children.

I also have a trilogy of novels about realtors that I’m polishing up for submission. And I try not to be obsessive/compulsive about the submission I made a few months ago that is a craft brewery intrigue/mystery/romance novel.

Sara: What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your writer’s life?

Liz: Easily when fellow author Ann Mayburn was here in Ann Arbor helping her younger sister get settled in at college and stopped by my Tap Room for a visit.  I was not there yet and she asked for “Liz” at the bar.  My bar staff was stumped.  “No one named ‘Liz’ owns this place.”  One of my regulars standing nearby said, Oh, hey, isn’t that “ET?”  ET is my “real name” as The Beer Wench. It’s my initials and I’ve gone by it since college. 

Sara: Where is your favorite place to write?

Liz: On my back patio.

Sara: Do you have a favorite beverage that you drink when you write?

Liz: Yes.  Three guesses and the first two don’t count.  Oh, Ok, not everybody knows about my alter ego I guess.  Craft beer. I start with the hoppiest IPA I can find, move onto a dry crisp pilsner or Kolsch style, will add an occasional Imperial Stout then finish this time of year with my brewer’s Absolutely Amazing Oktoberfest that’s been lagering since March.

Sara: Who would you most like to write a book with if you could choose anyone in the world?

Liz: JR Ward and our new world will be a place ruled by a legion of edgy, impossibly gorgeous,  uber creative and feisty Alpha women who brew beer and the men who, one by one, make them more human. I already see the spin off possibilities for specialty brews and side products.  “Raging Bitch IPA” (I stole this one actually)  “High Maintenance Ale”,  LipStix Lager and my favorite: Wench’s Wheat (Oh, wait, I already make that).

Sara: Do you have a writing schedule or do you just go with the flow?

Liz: Because I have a very demanding “day (evenings and weekend) job” as a craft brewery owner and marketing queen I fit it in when I can. However, when I have a new concept in my head, I’m fairly miserable as is everyone around me until I can Get It Out.

Sara: What do you like most about writing?

Liz: Bringing emotion to the page.  Showing love in all its permutations and forms. And writing the most erotic scenes I can without making it seem like porn.

Sara: Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Liz : Drink Craft Beer!  It’s one of the few American-based industries actually growing by leaps and bounds, thanks to all the folks who have discovered that “beer” is SUPPOSED to have flavor.

Sara: How much do you like chocolate?

Liz: You know, I’m more a salty snack gal.  Works better with my drink of choice.  But when forced to choose I will take the darkest, most bitter kind I can get my hands on.  Preferably on a platter held by Jon Hamm.  And he’s naked.

Sara: If you were locked in a room with three people who would you want with you?

Liz: Since “locked room” implies so much more than “desert island” I have a pretty vivid picture of me Bradley Cooper Spanish Soccer playing stud Xabi Alonso And Alexander Skarsgard Sounds like a nice time. I’d invite Jon Hamm but he’s still panting over in the corner after our chocolate moment.

Liz Crowe

Brewing Up Serious Passion!

Microbrewery owner, beer blogger and journalist, mom of three teenagers, and soccer fan, Liz lives in the great middle west, in a Major College Town.  Years of experience in sales and fund raising, plus an eight-year stint as an ex-pat trailing spouse plus making her way in a world of men (i.e. the beer industry) has prepped her for life as erotic romance author.  When she isn't sweating beer inventory, sales figures or promotional efforts for her latest publication, doing pounds of laundry for her sweaty athletic children, watching La Liga on the Fox Soccer Channel, or trying to figure out what to order in for dinner, she can be found walking her standard poodles or doing Bikram Yoga.  Liz loves her Foo Fighters Pandora station, and watching reruns of Deadwood, when there isn't any decent European football on the telly.  If you want a beer education follow her: www.a2beerwench.com.  For writing related stuff, including her backlist, go to: www.brewingpassion.com.
www.lizcrowe.com

www.brewingpassion.com
www.facebook.com/lizcroweauthor
Coming Soon!  The Tap Room.
A Choose Your Romance Novel
from Breathless Press!

Claw Marks Anthology Coming Oct 3rd from Rebel Ink:

Have you ever considered engaging in an exciting relationship with a stunning hunk of a man who’s much younger? Does your heart beat rapidly as you savor his carved body from across the crowded room? Every cougar can tell you the answer. Entering into new relationships isn’t easy and for some, sharing joy means letting go of a difficult past. Join a talented group of writers from Rebel Ink Press who bring you stories of love and passion transcending age and sometimes tragedy.

Checkmate by SammyJo Hunt – For anchor Clint Watson, keeping a low profile about his sexuality is a must but on one beautiful afternoon over a game of chess, he finds pleasure in the arms of a younger man. Player Conference by Liz Crowe – Jess can’t get past the loss of her husband until her daughter’s soccer coach gives her every reason to try again. The Diver’s Club by Genevre Pierceau – Jilted by her cheating boyfriend, Jill finds solace over drinks with her girlfriends who convince her to turn the tables and engage in a moment of passion with a sexy contractor. Spicy White Chocolate by Cassandre Dayne – During a regular meeting of an erotic book club, the girls enter into a wicked pact to seduce a younger man and the first to do so wins a hefty prize, only Shawna Dupres didn’t count on falling in love. Insatiable Kate by Dawne Prochilo – Kate Winston was angry at being thwarted by the man of her dreams and she was ready to give him a piece of her mind. What she didn’t know was Rome made a promise years before and yet one he was ready to break for the possibility of romance.

Believe by K.T. Bishop – Gabi continues to suffer from the loss of her husband until she finds passion in the arms of a young athlete bent on making a better life for himself. But can his dream succeed against his family’s wishes? Tempting Research by Sam Crescent – For Melissa Crane, research for her erotic books is everything. Stumped by a scene and facing a tough deadline, she enlists the help of one very sexy masseuse. Carnal Awakenings by Sara York – Anna is not only concerned about her aging looks but her children’s thoughts about her considering another relationship until a secluded vacation and a hot younger man and his male lover convince her an alternate lifestyle might work. Unwrap Me by Cassandre Dayne – Cristal refuses to get over the acts of her cheating ex husband until her best friend provides a special treat under the mistletoe. Fresh Meat by Marcos London – Robin Dahl moved to a small town in Texas to get away from her manipulating ex and pushes all thoughts of romance aside until a sexy deliveryman changes her mind.

Giveaway

Comment on any post this week, Monday Seot 26th through Sat Oct. 1st, to be entered to win an ebook copy of Claw Marks. Please leave your email in the comment so we can contact you if you win!

Romancing Your Dark Side Tour – BK Walker Interviews Kristie Cook

This interview was conducted by BK Walker,  author of Night Secrets ,  and she is interviewing Kristie Cook, author of Promise

About the Author, Kristie Cook:

Kristie Cook is a lifelong writer in various genres, from marketing communications to fantasy fiction. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and riding on the back of a motorcycle. She has lived in ten states, but currently calls Southwest Florida home with her husband, three teenage sons, a beagle and a puggle. She can be found at www.KristieCook.com.

About The Book, Promise:

Promise will be re-released with a new cover and new content. While nearly the same as the 2010 release, this revised version tells the author's original story with a twist in events and a telling scene that had been deleted from the 2010 edition. Discover the story as the author intended - "the way it really happened." 

The Interview:

1. What inspired this particular novel?

Promise actually was inspired by the writing of Purpose, the second book in the series. The seed of angels and demons had been germinating in my mind for years, but it wasn’t until I made a conscious decision to start writing fiction again that any real idea came. A pivotal scene in Purpose first came to mind and I wrote it out, just playing around. Then I knew how this interaction between the two characters would lead to a climax – the ending of Purpose. But first, I had to go backward, to figure out how these people arrived at that pivotal scene. Promise eventually became its own book.

2. What made you decide to make it a series?

Promise and Purpose were originally written as one book and by the time I finished the first draft, I knew it was just the first installment of a long tale. I originally thought five books, but then Promise and Purpose became two instead of one, making six, and then a new plot twist added during revisions made me realize another book needed to fall in there. That book is Devotion, the third one, coming out February 2012. There will be a total of seven, along with some side stories, such as the upcoming Genesis, a prequel of sorts.

3. Who is your favorite character and why?

Ooooh. That’s a hard one. I love Alexis, the main character, like a daughter. Tristan makes me swoon and my heart hurts for all he has to deal with—he has a composed exterior, but he’s horribly scarred on the inside. Much of that still hasn’t come out in the books, but Iknow, so I hurt for him. I also love Owen and Dorian and even the main villain so far (which may surprise readers, but as you get to know her more, you’ll see why). There are other characters who haven’t had prominent face-time yet, but they do in future books, so I’m just starting to get to know them.

4. When wrting, I often find myself arguing with my muse, do you ever find this happening to you, trying to make the story go one way and your muse refuses to give in?

Heh. Yeah. I’ve tried. I lose. Every single time. Well, actually, I won with the original release of Promise, which was a mistake. I should have let the muse have her way. She’d been nagging me for a year that it was wrong. And now she’s won with the re-releases this month, which tell the stories “as they really happened.” She and I feel so much better to have the “truth” out there. When I’m writing, I’ve found that writer’s block hits me when I’m trying to make something go my way, rather than letting the muse/characters tell me how it really goes. I learned early to pay attention to the muse while writing. Now I’ve learned to never stop listening, all the way through revisions to the final copy.

5. Often when reading, we find ourselves imagining the characters as an actor/actress that we've seen on TV or movies. Who do you see playing the parts of your characters?

Any time I think about it, I always come up with composites – a little bit of this person and a little bit of that, with a third person’s nose/hair/body/etc. But I don’t ever cast my characters publicly. I prefer the reader to make the characters theirs. I give them a few attributes to get started, but then let them decide what, for example, “Mr. Beautiful” looks like to them. I think it makes for a more personal reading experience. I know I, as a reader, prefer not to have an exact face provided for me. I want to imagine it on my own. For this same reason, I don’t like faces of my main characters on my covers.

6. What was the most difficult part of writing Promise?

The first third and the ending, which took an emotional toll on me. The beginning has been rewritten a gazillion times. When I decided to re-release the books, I went back through drafts to remind myself what parts I wanted put back in and found so many different takes on the same scenes. I also found some deleted scenes that I miss just as much, but I know they weren’t really best for the story. So what has been put back in is what needed to be in, not just a restoration of the first drafts. The point is that there are scenes in the beginning that need to be there for the rest of the book – or the rest of the series – but they still had to be interesting, full of tension, help move this part of the story forward, etc. It was difficult pulling it all together. As for the ending, you just have to read it and you’ll understand.

7. What have you learned about yourself through becoming a writer?

I’ve discovered my true passion and my purpose. Writing has been a part of my life since I was 8 years old and penned my first short story. But I didn’t ever think I had a novel in me and about the time I became an adult, I also became practical (funny how that happens) and decided fiction writing wasn’t my forte. I was supposed to use my talents in the world of business, I decided. I think I needed that experience to get me to a place to write fiction again. Once I did, it just started flowing and I’ve loved every minute of it. Well, not revisions so much, but even through those, my passion burns because I want the best story possible. I won awards for my writing in business and many people benefitted, but with fiction, I can touch so many more lives. Even if it’s just an escape from their stress-filled worlds for a few hours, I’ve given them a little bit of enjoyment. And I think that’s what I’m supposed to do with the gifts I’ve been given. I’m lucky to have discovered this now. I wish I had earlier in life, but am glad that I at least did discover it.

8. Have you always thought of yourself as a writer?

Since I was 8 and in the third grade. My whole life, through various stages and careers, has included writing as a significant part of it.

9. What do you hope readers will take away from your books?

The satisfaction of reading a good story. And that there is hope for all of us, even the most depraved – we just have to embrace it.

10. What can readers expect in the future from this series?

Promise and Purpose are primarily about the love story between two people, from star-crossed lovers to husband and wife. The rest of the series is about different kinds of love – love for family, for friends and community, for strangers and even for our enemies. There will be battles and all-out war. There will be heartbreaking losses and soul-lifting wins. These first two books are just a springboard into the real action of the story. The best has yet to come. J

Thank you, BK, for interviewing me! These were some great questions. Thank you, too, Kiki, for hosting us. And thank you, readers, for giving your time to get to know more about my books. I hope you’ll take a peek at them.

Thank you too Kristie! I love getting to know you better.

*Virtual Gift Basket Giveaway - Ebooks upon Ebooks, swag, goodies.*

Comment to enter all week long, August 14 – 20^th Winner will be chosen on the 21 :)