What’s real in romance books?

We're delighted to welcome our very first guest blogger--Nikki Duncan! Nikki's first novel for Samhain is Sounds To Die By. To learn more about Nikki and her books, visit her Web site, http://www.nikkiduncan.com.

Okay, so when people find out someone writes romance, there seem to be three camps of thought.

Camp 1 is readers. They want the names of the books so they can go buy them.

Camp 2 is entertaining, at least for me. These people are the ones that assume romance writers have amazing, adventurous romantic lives. We have highly active, imaginative and adventurous sex lives. Our husbands are all super lucky that we practice our scenes on them. If it’s in our books then it must be real.

Camp 3 is frustrating and in need of education, though most of them aren’t open-minded enough to hear the logical points. This is the group of people that believe romance novels are dirty and nasty. They are not real books or they’re a waste of shelf space, or that a person should be ashamed to read one. Some feel that romance leads women (readers) to have false expectations from a relationship, after all who can expect to have what the couples in romance novels find?

So here’s the reality of our real lives. We romance writers do not live in alternate universes or on other planets. We do not pretend to be strippers, hookers, cops or whatever else to catch a killer. We don’t battle demons or have relationships with shifters. Sorry to disappoint.

There are some elements of our stories that are real. My favorite authors and books all offer the same things.

~ An escape from whatever is going on in my life for the time it takes me to read the book.

~ A meaningful relationship between two people who love each other.

~ A hero who know how to respect a woman, and while he may be a jerk on occasion, he has core values and does not cross the lines into abuse. He doesn’t hit her or belittle her.

~ A hero that always tries to make the right decisions.

~ A couple that is dedicated exclusively to the relationship and is perfectly happy to be with their chosen mate/spouse/significant other.

~ A couple that likes to be with each other. They are happier together than apart.

~ A couple that accepts one another despite and sometimes because of their flaws.

I shrug off a lot of the questions I get asked when people find out I write romance, but when someone asks if I base my heroes after my own husband, my answer is yes. Those people that feel a woman has unreasonable expectations if she tries to hold out for a romance novel hero are wrong. My husband and I just celebrated our 15^th wedding anniversary. It hasn’t been all sunshine and butterflies, but he is my hero. He is the father of my children, my confidant, my biggest supporter, and my best friend. If you read my stories, you will find my husband in every one of my heroes-he is the best parts of each one.

My first story, SOUNDS TO DIE BY, just released from Samhain Publishing. The hero in that story is a grumpy blind man with some of the most amazing abilities. He also encompasses all of the character traits I’ve mentioned. They’re both flawed and far from perfect, but only together do they find the connection we all want.

So tell me, what’s your view on romance? Can you have what the book heroines find? Do you have it already? Is it all a figment of our imaginations?

Time to Play

Love Books? Love being Naughty?

The Nine Naughty Novelists are having a Scavenger Hunt to help celebrate the launch of our new blog. If you’re up for discovering new authors, reading tantalizing excerpts and entering to win some great prizes then read on for all the details!

How to play:

Visit each of the participating authors’ websites to find the answers to their questions. There are nine authors, nine websites to visit, nine answers to find. Once you’ve found all the answers, just copy and paste the form below into your e-mail (being sure to include the answers) and send them to: ninenaughtynovelists@gmail.com with “Scavenger Hunt” in the subject line. Contest closes Midnight November 18th.

Want to know what you’re playing for?

2nd Runner Up wins an eBook.
1st Runner Up wins 2 eBooks and an autographed print book.
Grand Prize wins 2 eBooks, an autographed print book and $50 eGift Card for Victoria's Secret.

ENTRY FORM

Name:
Email address:
Would you like to opt OUT of being added to our newsletter list? This information will be kept confidential.

THE QUESTIONS:

Diane McEntire – http://www.dmcentire.com/

What is Trigg's "profession" in Midnight Reborn?
Answer:

Erin Nicholas – http://www.erinnicholas.com/

What is Adam's daughter's name (in No Matter What)?
Answer:


Kate Davies – http://www.kate-davies.com/

What two books are in the print anthology Lessons Learned?
Answer:


Kelly Jamieson - http://www.kellyjamieson.com/

What is Shane Dunstan's profession?

Answer:


Kinsey Holley – http://www.kinseyholley.com/

Which characters from Kiss and Kin will get their own story?
Answer:


Meg Benjamin – http://www.megbenjamin.com/

What's the name of the mythical Texas town where all of Meg's books
take place?
Answer:


PG Forte – http://www.pgforte.com/

In Iron (my new release from Liquid Silver Books) what is Gavin O'Malley's profession?
Answer:

Skylar Kade – http://www.skylarkade.com/

What is Lara Brunner's profession in Maison Domine?
Answer:


Sydney Somers – http://www.sydneysomers.com

In Primal Hunger, how did Tristan scrape his face?
Answer:

Nine Questions for Sydney!

Last but not least, right? ;) As I'm answering these, I'm finishing up my next book, entertaining my nightowl 8 month old and thinking I should totally have a whip to go with my kickass leather boots, no? :)

On to the questions:

1. If you had to choose only one form of chocolate for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I'd have to say Caramilk bars. You just can't go wrong with creamy, milk-chocolately goodness drenched in the ooey, gooey caramel. Yum!

2. What author got you started reading or writing romance?

I have a really clear memory of my mother handing me a copy of Judith McNaught's, Perfect, and telling me to give it a try. I'd been reading a lot of suspense books up until that point, some Anne Rice and Stephen King too. I'd dabbled in writing off and on before that, but once I finished that book and glommed up her backlist, I was sold on the genre. Although a lot of her books rely heavily on the "big misunderstanding" type conflicts, I adore them, especially her historicals.

3. What's the naughtiest thing you've ever done?

Well there is a light bondage scene in Enslaved and a steamy little shower scene in Primal Hunger. And that handcuff one in Unbreakable. Oh wait, the naughtiest thing I've done, not written? Hmmm, I guess that would be the time I @%^$#& %#@ &*(( #@$ #%$# @!%@ &*#.

Huh, wonder what's up with that weird formatting. ;)

4. What do you like best about the heroine in your latest book?

I love that Kennedy (Primal Hunger) isn't afraid to speak her mind or take a stand, whether that means pulling a water hose on her boss, or admitting she doesn't have all the answers and never letting that stop her from following her gut.

5. What is a must have in your writing routine?

Notes! I'm a plotter, so having something, whether it's a few lines of dialogue that came to me earlier, or a little behind-the-scenes description on a particular character's motivation, really helps keep me on track. Without some direction, I wander all over the place. Being a writer, I come across eccentric enough (with the voices and all) I really don't need to be sabotaging myself any further.

6. What was the most interesting thing you learned in researching your
most recent release?

Since much of my world building was inspired by Arthurian Legend, I've looked a lot of stuff up on the myths surrounding King Arthur. One of the things that surprised me was how many Knights of the Round Table have made appearances in the numerous tales written about King Arthur. From the portrayals in movies and the like, I always thought there were only a small handful of knights, not upwards of a hundred, as some authors have used in their stories.

7. You're marooned on a tropical island, what sexy celebrity and comfort
reads would you want with you?

Since I've just caught up on my Smallville episodes for this year, I'd be more than happy to be stranded with Tom Welling (Clark) and Justin Hartley (Oliver a.k.a Green Arrow). As for books, who would really be up for reading with them around? :) But since I'm craving a good romantic suspense/adventure at the moment, I'd love to have something of Karen Robbards with me, like Night Magic or Walking After Midnight.

8. Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what's your favorite, or does it change from book to book?

Unless I'm working on a really intense scene, I absolutely need music to write. Once upon a time that kind of distraction would have driven me insane. I think I'm just used to listening to something to help drown out the sounds of Sesame Street running in the background. LOL As for music, my playlists vary for each book, but there are some bands I tend to favor over others. Like Lifehouse. I LOVE their stuff.

9. What's your favorite writing procrastination trick?

I could probably have another book written by the time I finished listing the many, many ways I've avoided writing. It's practically it's own art form. LOL But if I had to give just one, I'd have to say reading. Lots and lots of reading.

And just before you go off in search of whatever you do to procrastinate, here's the blurb for latest release, Primal Hunger.

When the sun goes down, passion is unleashed.

Kennedy Beaumont loves her bartending job, even if her spirited nature sometimes gets her in trouble. Like threatening to hose down one of Pendragon’s co-owners. When it comes to Tristan, she could use a good hosing down, herself—maybe it’ll help her stop casting him as the star in her wickedest dreams. Since he goes out of his way to avoid her, it ought to be easy to put him out of her head—until he reluctantly offers her a ride home.
Gargoyle shape-shifter Tristan Callaghan hasn’t had time for anything other than recovering the mystical dagger that was used to permanently lock his brother in a prison of stone. The cat inside him should have stopped craving Kennedy’s touch long ago, but now that she’s sitting next to him in his car, his very human need for her is sharper than ever.

The distraction is costly. In a split second, Kennedy finds herself thrust into a dangerous, millennia-old hunt for Excalibur. A hunt that marks her for death—and leaves Tristan with a painful choice—sacrifice his family, his quest…or the one woman meant to be his.

Drop by my Website to read an excerpt and get a sneak peek at Chapter One!

Skylar's Naughty Nine (just nine?)

I've had a great time getting to know the dirty little secrets of my fellow bloggers, and I'm thrilled it's my turn. I'll try to behave myself, but no promises here.

I'm a California girl at heart -- love the glitz and glamor of Los Angeles -- and I finally got to make it my home a handful of years ago. I'm with PG on this. I know you're jealous. Except for the smog. And the traffic. And the cost of living. And the fires. And the earthquakes. And the heat in summer. And the lack of seasons... shall I continue, because I know you're still jealous.

I'm one of our newbie writers, with my first release out from Samhain just over a month ago. Maison Domine came out as an e-book in September, but will be released in the print anthology Binding Ties this July (happy dance!).

With that intro out of the way, here goes nothing. Drum roll please for Skylar's naughty nine...

1. If you had to choose only one form of chocolate for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Gawd, isn't that a tough question. I'm a sugar fan. And a salty fan, along with some of the other NNNs. Basically, I like to eat good food. So if I had to choose one form of chocolate, it would be a dark chocolate Godiva truffle. Those things are so rich, a single one can satisfy my sugar cravings for days. Really -- days. And I'm such a sucker for their packaging, and the cute little designs they've started putting on their chocolates. And their advertisements... sexy.

2. What author got you started reading or writing romance?

I might be dating myself here as the baby of the group, but the first romance I ever bought was Jennifer Crusie's Faking It. I ran into the drugstore with my mother to buy pencils for the SAT (the morning of, of course) and talked her into buying me this book so I could read if I finished early. Of course, they only let you sit there in silence until the time is up, but I'd conveniently forgotten that in the event of getting a new book. That was my downfall into reading "smut," as my father affectionately calls it.

Unlike most writers, who were inspired by one of the greats, the story that started my writing career was the exact opposite. I won't name names, but I read an anthology that was 2 for 3 in the novella category. The last one in the collections was awful. I finally got sick of reading it, threw the book across the room, and yelled, "god, is that all they want these days? Hell, I could write that!"

And the light bulb went off. Of course, it is much harder to write well, but I still needed that burst of, shall we say, inspiration to realize I really wanted to write romance.

3. What's the naughtiest thing you've ever done?

Just one? Aww... but it is the internet, and I'm never quite sure when my parental figures will decide they've had enough mystery and Google my pen name, so I'll keep it PG (the rating, not the Forte, lol). I think it has to be engaging in certain southern activities while my significant other was on the phone with his parents. It was priceless to witness him trying to sound normal when he really... wasn't. Is that oblique enough? Oh well, I guess by now my parents know I'm a hopeless deviant, so this shouldn't surprise them should they stumble across it (Hey Mom and Dad!)

4. What do you like best about the heroine in your latest book?

Oh, this is easy. She's curvy. And brilliant. And curvy. And sexy. And did I mention she's curvy?

I love bigger heroines. Reading about the wonderful men who fall in love with them helps to counter the media images of skinny being the only type of acceptable beauty.

But the best thing about Lara Brunner, my heroine? She doesn't whine about her weight. She is what she is, and she's accepted that. She doesn't need Jaxon (the hero) to tell her she's beautiful, although its always nice to hear.

5. What is a must have in your writing routine?

I'm doing the National Novel Writing Month, and I felt the need for a routine makeover. I took the advice of my fellow NNNs and started lighting candles -- each WIP has its own scent now. I also redid my workspace to inspire romance writing. I collect old romance novel covers, you know, the bodice rippers? I love the cheesy captions and the man mullets. So I have framed these and hung them over my computer to help set the mood. In addition, I HAVE to have music. When I'm writing, I can't think about what to say, or I over analyze it and never get any writing done. The background noise cancels out the internal editor who would rewrite the same line of dialogue ad nauseam. I have my "best of" playlist, songs I've heard so many times the lyrics are no longer distracting, and I play it whenever I write at home, no matter what I'm writing.

6. What was the most interesting thing you learned in researching your most recent release?

Because my novella Maison Domine is set at a luxe BDSM club, I had to do some research into that lifestyle. While I learned many, many things (some more useful than others), the most interesting was that I LOVE the smell of leather. Its just so sexy! Now all I need is a new leather jacket for the SO, who already smells yummy, and I'd play cat, rolling in the scent.

Ok, maybe not, but I'd think about it. Seriously.

7. You're marooned on a tropical island, what sexy celebrity and comfort reads would you want with you?

First of all, this tropical island better come with a five-star hotel. I'm a girly girl... not the outdoorsy type at all. I hate spiders and snakes and things that go bump in the woods. Not to mention that peeing while squatting thing. And no toilet paper.

But I guess having, say, Clive Owen there could make it a little better. Especially were he shirtless half the time, and wearing a new leather jacket the rest (yes, I like the scent that much). As for books, I have a really short genre attention span, so I'm going with P.G. on this. I think a solar-powered, fully-loaded Kindle would suffice. If that's not available, I think the complete works of William Shakespeare would last me awhile. I'm a whore for literary analysis, and he's the best for it.

8. Do you listen to music when you write? If so what's your favorite, or does it change from book to book?

Just as I have a short genre attention span for reading, I'm a little ADD with my music. I need a very eclectic mix -- no full CDs from a single artist for me! I've managed to compile a few playlists that satisfy this need, and I listen to them all the time. They're based on mood, so if I'm writing a heart-wrenching scene, I'd listen to my "Emo" mix. The rest of the time, it's my "Best of the Bes, Sir!" mix.

You get big points if you can ID that line.

9. What's your favorite writing procrastination trick?

Give me a minute to look at some funny cat pictures, and I'll tell you. I Can Haz Cheeseburger is the biggest time suck ever.

I'm a master procrastinator, a la "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." Like last night... I wanted to shower before writing. But before I could shower, I had to clean the tile. And before I could clean the tile, I had to scrub the tub. And before I could do that... you see what I mean.

Sexcerpt Time! Oops, did I spell that wrong?

Here's a teaser for you... enjoy!

***

Jax was glad Maison Domine had an opening for the weekend. He desperately needed to get away from life for a bit. He loved teaching, seeing his students grow to love a work of literature, or a movie, or seeing the flash of insight cross their faces. But, at the same time, he was overwhelmed by his obligations. His agent was making noises about him writing another book or working on another script. Greedy bastard.

When Kat mentioned there was a shy new submissive coming this weekend, and asked if he would show her the ropes, pun intended, Jax jumped at the chance. He loved introducing newbies to the BDSM world. It suited his purposes, as he had no interest in a full-time submissive. He still got to play, but there were no messy emotional entanglements to deal with. After the Jenny fiasco, that was the last thing he wanted.

Evidently this new woman had been referred by one of the regulars, and from what the regular had told Kat, she was total submissive material, but had trouble giving up control. Jax had been so eager to meet this new sub, he had barely thrown his weekend bag into his room before coming down to the meet and greet.

He stepped into the cozy game room, eyes searching for Kat. Finding her in a stunning red dress, as usual, he took two steps towards her before being distracted by coughing. Whoever it was sounded like she was ill or choking. Jaxon spun to see who was making the racket, and his eyes settled upon a lush figure with her back to him. She wore a bright red top, but it was the creamy expanse of skin exposed between her short black skirt and knee-high boots that tempted him most. Hoping to dash to her rescue, Jax reached the woman right after Katrina. She had stopped coughing, and he could hear a melodic voice arguing with Kat.

“I think I should go to my room, Kat. I’m obviously too tired to chew, much less meet a room full of people.” Jax could tell the woman was embarrassed by the attention.

“No, no, don’t be silly. Inhaled a piece of flaky dough, did you? I do it all the time.” Katrina looked over the woman’s shoulder at him. “Jax, would you grab a glass of water from the end of the table? Bring it over for Lara, and let me properly introduce you two.”

Jax saw the woman, Lara, tense when Kat called out to him. He guessed she didn’t want another person witnessing her supposedly embarrassing moment.

“Excuse me,” he started. “Would you like a glass of…” He couldn’t remember how to finish the sentence.

The woman was Lara Brunner, the uptight chemist he had to share a classroom with. But she wasn’t in a stuffy suit, and her hair wasn’t scraped back from her face. Instead, it fell in soft waves around her face, and her clothes. Wow.

“Dr. Brunner. How nice to see you again.” Jax knew his tone was less than enthusiastic, but he couldn’t bear to reveal how torn he was upon seeing her here, not to mention how very surprised he was to find she was into the scene.

“Jaxon, I mean, Professor Greene. I didn’t expect to see you here. Not that it’s not pleasant to see you, but it is surprising. Shit. First I choke, and then I stick my foot in my mouth. I’ll shut up now.” She flushed again prettily. How he wanted to put color there, to make her breath catch like it had when she was stumbling out her greeting. Except he wanted to do it while making her submit to him, and only him. It was something Jaxon hadn’t felt in years.

***

Read another excerpt here.

Hope you enjoyed, and have a naughty day!

~Skylar Kade~

because life is too short to behave

www.skylarkade.com

PG answers the Naughty Nine

Hi, everyone. I’m PG Forte—former Jersey Girl turned California Girl. And don’t you wish you all could be...? Okay, maybe you don't.

I write in a variety of blended genres including erotic romance, paranormal, romantic suspense and urban fantasy. To date, I've set most of my stories in my adopted home state. All except for my newest release, Iron, which flat out refuses to play by the rules. Kinda like me…

1. If you had to choose only one form of chocolate for the rest of your life, what would it be?

You know, I generally have a very hard time answering questions that ask me to pick just one best thing—no matter what the thing in question is. Pisces is a mutable sign. We’re changeable. And I really hate being pinned down…well, metaphorically speaking, anyway.

This, however, is a no-brainer.

I cannot live without Vosges Haut Chocolat Red Fire Bar. It’s simply one of the best things ever invented. It’s dark chocolate, but only 55% cacao, which is nowhere near as dark as some of my previous favorites—Dagoba’s Eclipse bar with its 87% cacao, NewTree's Sexy (dark chocolate and ginger) with 73% or even Scharffen Berger’s Mocha Bar (a mere 62% but with the most delectable ground coffee crunchiness that totally makes up for it).

Bet you didn’t know I took my chocolate this seriously, huh?

The Red Fire Bar is made with ancho and chipotle chilies and cinnamon. It’s wonderfully spicy, not too sweet, and so damned good I don’t even care that it’s not organic. Which, trust me, is a very shocking thing because, normally, I’m all about organic.

As Nick Greco (from my Oberon series) once observed about his ex-wife, “Her idea of roughing it is having to make do without organic chocolate.”

*sigh* I can so relate!

Oh, and Kelly and Meg? This link’s for you:

http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/category/bacon_and_chocolate

Yes, ladies, you read that right. Vosges also makes Bacon Bars! They come in either milk or dark chocolate, so pick your poison.

2. What author got you started reading or writing romance?

I guess I’d have to credit either Georgette Heyer or Victoria Holt with that. We had a house fire when I was twelve and lost a lot of stuff—like the whole second floor. One of the things someone donated to my family afterwards was a box of Georgette Heyer paperbacks.

In retrospect, I have to say WTF? My sister and I had no clothes beyond what we were wearing! Of course we’d need books, right?

Well, yeah, actually. Come to think of it…I did need books. So, I guess it worked out after all.

A few years later, I picked up Victoria Holt’s Pride of the Peacock in a doctor’s waiting room. One of the naughtier things I’ve done in my life was to take the book home with me so I could finish reading it. And I didn’t feel even a little bit guilty either.

What? It was too good to put down! Plus I brought it back. Later. I think.

3. What's the naughtiest thing you've ever done.

You mean the book thing doesn’t count? All right, all right, let’s see… The naughtiest thing I’ll admit to having done (since this is a public forum, after all) is making love in a little league dugout.

No, not during a game. That would just be icky.

It was in the off-season, middle of the day, with no one around. But it was in a park (Or do I mean field? Well, whatever you call it…) where my husband had played ball as a kid. So, I guess it was the fulfillment of some kind of adolescent fantasy—his, obviously.

Mine would have been under the boardwalk of just about any beach on the Jersey shore….except that would mean sand, wouldn’t it? Which is why I think that one will remain a fantasy, thank you very much!

4. What do you like best about the heroine in your latest book?

By ‘latest book’ I assume you mean the most recently released. And that would be Aislinn from my first (and possibly only) historical-paranormal erotic romance, Iron.

Aislinn is very pragmatic. When the book opens, she’s in a very tough spot, through no fault of her own, but she doesn’t go around wailing about what might have been and she doesn’t waste time assigning blame. She just figures out what she needs to get by and then she sets out to get it—by whatever means necessary.

Maybe she needs to trick Gavin (the hero) into helping her, and maybe she even feels bad about that, but it’s what she needs to do, so she does it. However, she will always make certain she pays him back. Because even when her life is on the line, it’s important to her that she keep faith with herself and that she stay true to her own sense of who and what she is.

She’s Fae. She’s Daoine Sidhe. She’s Lady Aislinn Deirbhile, daughter and sister to faery queens. And, personally, I think she’s damned awesome.

5. What is a must have in your writing routine?

A plot? Seriously, I don’t know how the pantsers do it. I can’t get started until I know where I’m going to end up.

But, yeah, the internet is a really nice addition. Oh, and coffee. Coffee is totally an essential.

6. What was the most interesting thing you learned in researching your most recent release?

Irish! Okay, I only learned a very little and most of it has slipped from my entirely-too-sieve-like brain, but it’s such a beautiful language and I loved delving into it.

I absolutely adore languages, but unfortunately I can never recall more than a handful of words in anything other than English. The language circuits in my brain are, apparently, fully occupied with just the one language.

7. You're marooned on a tropical island, what sexy celebrity and comfort reads would you want with you?

Like Kelly said, I don’t really fantasize about celebrities. Dream about them, sometimes, yes. Dream about them in tandem…well, okay, let’s not go there. I’ve confessed to enough naughtiness for one day. Gotta leave something for later, don’t you think?

Anyway…can’t I just arrange to be marooned on Erin’s island? I’d really like that. On my own, I’d never have thought of something like a shirtless Matthew McConaughey reading aloud. But, damn! How perfect is that? And, now that it’s in there, I just can’t get it out of my head.

The books are even harder. Can’t I please just have a solar powered Kindle? Fully loaded, of course. I’m thinking 1500 books would last me a while. I’d make him read sloooowww.

Also, at risk of sounding completely conceited, I’d really want to have my own books with me. I’m blaming the fire. I think that really exacerbated my latent pack-rat tendencies. Also, much as I adore reading, I like writing even more, and if I had my own books with me, I could stay happily occupied tweaking and re-writing them…probably for as long as I needed to. Plus, I know for a fact they’d sound really good read aloud with a southern drawl.

8. Do you listen to music when you write? If so what's your favorite, or does it change from book to book?

Oh, yeah, music is very important when I’m writing; especially for those times when I need a little help in tuning out the ‘real world’. Each book has its own soundtrack. Each character, has his or her own song collection as well—depending on their mood, my mood, the type of scene I’m working on—whatever. I’ll actually collect songs for a new book before I start writing it.

Right now I’m writing a Christmas-themed story, so I’m listening to a lot of Christmas music. Fa-la-la-la-la…

9. What's your favorite writing procrastination trick?

Googling for new review sites, because who knows how many might have cropped up in the last ten minutes? Downloading Amazon’s free mp3 of the day. Messing around with my website. Checking my email. Checking my email again. Checking one of my other eight email accounts, even though I don’t use any of them very much. Searching for a different song—‘cause this one’s no longer doing it for me. Eating more chocolate. Shopping online for LUSH Cosmetics…

The list is endless.

And, as Kinsey said, I love hearing from readers—you’re the reason I do what I do. Well, other than to make sure Matthew and I have enough books, of course. We’ll need some way to keep ourselves busy until we’re rescued, won’t we? I don’t know what else we could find to do on that island. I mean, hello? Sand!!

Now, here’s a little info about Iron, available at Liquid Silver Books:




A blacksmith with a tragic past, a faery princess with an uncertain future and a love that burns like iron…

Nineteenth century Ireland. Blacksmith Gavin O’Malley is a bitter man, with a heart as hard as the iron he forges. He wants his life back—the one that was stolen from him the day his wife died in childbirth—taking their firstborn son with her.

When Aislinn Deirbhile, an immortal, shape-shifting fae, arrives on his doorstep, he knows he’s in luck. For Aislinn can give Gavin everything he’s been missing: A devoted-seeming wife in the image of his beloved Mairead, and children who are sure to outlive their father. Now, all he has to do is find a way to keep her—without losing his immortal soul in the process.

But Aislinn has an agenda of her own. On the run from a vengeful fae lord who’s vowed to either make her his or end her existence, she knows the iron that allows Gavin to take her captive will also keep her pursuers at bay. In order to put herself permanently beyond her enemy’s reach, however, Aislinn will need something more. She’ll need to win Gavin’s heart and convince him to willingly part with a piece of the very soul he’s trying to save.

Read an excerpt here: http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com/books/ironexcerpt.htm

PG Forte
Love without Limits, Romance without Rules!
Website: http://www.pgforte.com
e-zine: http://www.openzine.com/oberon
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pgforte

Nine Questions for Meg

Okay, y’all, today it’s my turn. Meg Benjamin, formerly of South Texas, currently of the Front Range in Colorado. I write books about the Texas Hill Country, particularly about a town called Konigsburg (of which I’m sole owner and proprietor).

1. If you had to choose only one form of chocolate for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I’m not a big chocolate lover (salty stuff is more my weakness—cheddar cheese Lay’s Potato Chips, anyone?), but I’m found of the little Ghirardelli chocolate-raspberry squares.

2. What author got you started reading or writing romance?

Linda Howard got me out of reading the mysteries I’d been focused on (fortunately, the library shelved her stuff with the mysteries). I read her Dream Man, and thought, “Hmm, this is different!” It made me realize, little by little, that I was really more a romance writer than a mystery writer since the mysteries I’d been working on concentrated more on the romance than solving the murder.

3. What's the naughtiest thing you've ever done?

Hey, I’m a former teacher. “Naughty” for me involved sneaking tea and cookies into the University of Washington Graduate Library.

4. What do you like best about the heroine in your latest book?

Jess is my first sort of thriller heroine. She’s in a really tough spot, trying to protect her infant son from a very powerful family, but she doesn’t cave. She figures out how to get away from them and how to hide out successfully. But when the time comes, she’s also willing to accept help when she recognizes that she needs it.

5. What is a must have in your writing routine?

I set goals for myself—I have to or I get anxious. I have a certain number of pages to do every day (three, usually), and most days I make it. Actually, most days I go beyond it, but at least I know I’ve made my minimum. This is probably a great example of neurosis, but, hey, it works for me!

6. What was the most interesting thing you learned in researching your most recent release?

I had to find out about Tasers, particularly about what it felt like to actually be Tasered. I found a few descriptions, along with a lot of medical research about the effects. Suffice it to say, if somebody has a Taser, I’m going to do my best to make them like me!

7. You're marooned on a tropical island (yay!!!), what sexy celebrity and comfort reads would you want with you?

I’m not big on celebrities, actually. With a few exceptions (George Clooney, Paul Newman), they don’t seem like people who’d be very interesting to be around in real life. Now fictional characters, hell yeah! Indiana Jones, for example, could probably figure out a way to get us off the freakin’ island. As for reading matter, I’d go with the big three—Linda Howard, Elizabeth Lowell, and Nora Roberts. Between them, they’ve written enough books to keep me occupied for a couple of years at least.

8. Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what's your favorite, or does it change from book to book?

I so wish I could listen to music while I write, but I can’t—it’s just too distracting for me (I have to listen to the words). I do have my characters listen to music, though, and I have them dance a lot. In Wedding Bell Blues, the hero first decided the heroine was hot when he saw her dance to James McMurtry’s “Red Dress” and the heroine of “Venus in Blue Jeans” dances around her shop to Joe Ely’s “Cool Rockin’ Loretta.”

9. What's your favorite writing procrastination trick?

Besides the entire Internet, there’s always Ultimate Solitaire. Just a couple of quick games to shake loose the cobwebs, honest.

My newest release is Be My Baby, due out on December 8. It’s the third in my series about Konigsburg, Texas (after Venus In Blue Jeans and Wedding Bell Blues), and my first mystery/thriller. Although since it’s me, and since it’s a Konigsburg book, there’s also some humor involved. Here’s the blurb:

There’s no room in her life for love. Love has other ideas…

Konigsburg, Texas, Book 3

If Jessamyn Carroll had only herself to consider, staying in Pennsylvania after her husband’s death would have been a no-brainer. Her vindictive in-laws’ efforts to get their hooks into her infant son, however, force her to flee to a new home. Konigsburg, Texas.

Peace…at least for now. She’s even found a way to make some extra money, looking after sexy accountant Lars Toleffson’s precocious two-year-old daughter. She finds it easy—too easy—to let his protective presence lull her into thinking she and her son are safe at last.

Lars, still wounded from enduring a nasty divorce from his cheating ex-wife, tries to fight his attraction to the mysterious, beautiful widow. But when an intruder breaks into her place, and Jess comes clean about her past, all bets are off. Someone wants her baby—and wants Jess out of the picture. Permanently.

Now Jess has a live-in bodyguard, whether she wants him or not. Except she does want him—and he wants her. Yet negotiating a future together will have to overcome a lot of roadblocks: babies, puppies, the entire, meddling Toleffson family—and a kidnapper.

Warning: Contains Konigsburg craziness, creepy in-laws, a conniving two-year-old, a lovelorn accountant, a sleep-deprived Web developer, and lots of hot holiday sex.

Meg Benjamin

Romance on Wry

http://www.MegBenjamin.com/

Nine Questions for Kinsey

Okay, so now it’s my turn....

Hi! I’m Kinsey Holley, author (so far) of Kiss and Kin from Samhain Publishing. I’m excited about being a part of N3 and I’m looking forward to hanging out here a lot (my own poor blog suffers from neglect, I’m afraid).

Without further ado, my answers to our nine questions:

1. If you had to choose only one form of chocolate for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Milk chocolate. If we’re talking specific brands, Nestle’s Crunch.

2. What author got you started reading or writing romance?

I honestly don’t know. I’m 45. I started reading romance in junior high, in the 1970s, so whatever the first romance I read, it was definitely Old Skool. I’m pretty sure it would’ve been by Kathleen Woodiwiss or Johanna Lindsey, and it probably involved a pirate. I loved the pirate books. And Vikings.

As for writing romance – it’s one of those things I’ve been saying I’d do for the past twenty years. When I hit my mid-40s I thought “Right. That’s it. Time to put up or shut up.” I was very, very fortunate in that I got published relatively quickly. Mind you, I’ve only sold one novella so far. I haven’t finished my second book and there’s no guarantee anyone will buy it…

3. What's the naughtiest thing you've ever done?

I’m with Kelly Jamieson on this one – I can’t answer that on the Internet. Even under my pen name, I’d be too embarrassed.

4. What do you like best about the heroine in your latest book?

If we’re talking about my latest (and so far only) published book, I like that she’s tall, with very long legs. I’m 5’2, and I’ve always wished fervently that I had long legs. On a less superficial level, I like that when she realizes she’s behaved badly, she owns up to it and apologizes. She doesn’t make excuses.

5. What is a must have in your writing routine?

Again, I’m echoing Kelly – oh, how I wish I had a routine. Maybe then I’d be finished with the book I’ve been working on for over a year. I write when I get the chance but, because I’m a huge procrastinator and a Twitter addict, I frequently waste those chances playing on the Internet when I should be writing. I’ve committed myself to writing 500 new words a day. Whether I can do it remains to be seen.

6. What was the most interesting thing you learned in reasearching your most recent release?

I didn’t really do a lot of research for Kiss and Kin. For Rocky Mountain Howl, my still unfinished WIP set in the same world as Kiss and Kin, I had to research several different subjects – Icelandic ponies, Norse mythology, the bloodline of Somerled, King of the Isles, and how well cats see in the dark (the answer: very well. In fact, better than dogs). I’m a law librarian in real life, so research is my thing anyway. I love it.

7. You're marooned on a tropical island (yay!!!), what sexy celebrity and comfort reads would you want with you?

Clive Owen and the complete works of both Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. In fact, if I had Clive and the books, I’d probably refuse all offers of rescue.

Actually, on second thought – I’d like Clive Owen, Dave Navarro and Nathan Fillion. And the books. And I’d definitely refuse rescue.

8. Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what's your favourite, or does it change from book to book?

I love music but I can’t listen to it while writing – way too distracting (Kelly Jamieson and I are not the same person, I swear). I can’t take any sounds but white noise when I’m writing. If I’m in my room, I turn on my noise maker.

9. What's your favourite writing procrastionation trick?

Hands down, the Internet and all its many temptations, especially Twitter, email and a few gossip blogs which I must check every day without fail.


That’s it. Like I said, my latest – and so far only – published work is the novella Kiss and Kin, available here. I’m almost (I swear) finished with Rocky Mountain Howl and I’ve started outlining Nick and TJ’s story. Nick and TJ are secondary characters in Kiss and Kin, and several readers have emailed to ask me when and if I’d do a book for them.

One last thing – I LOVE it when readers email to tell me they liked the book. It rocks my world. To everyone who’s contacted me, thank you thank you thank you.