Sharon's INSPIRATIONAL Short stories of Faith and Romance can be found HERE or visit her
Facebook Page, which also has the links in the comments.)

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Wednesday Spotlight with Deanna Jewel

Hello and welcome to Wednesday Spotlight! My featured guest today is friend and fellow-author Deanna Jewel. Deanna is here to chat about her newly released book No Turning Back.



In keeping with the theme of the book, we have been transported
back in time to North Yorkshire, England, 1775. We’re sitting in the Victorian parlor overlooking the gorgeous English countryside where a cascading waterfall gushes over the cliffs of the woodlands. With a clomping of horse hooves crushing through the underbrush of the thicket, Lady Deanna dashes out of the clearing on Caesar and
tethers her horse to a branch.

Sir Oliver struts off to answer the door, cradling a bouquet of fragrant orange roses. When he thrusts open the heavy mahogany door, Lady Deanna saunters in on a gust of jasmine-scented air, looking lovely in a dark green silk gown. Extending his arm, Oliver escorts her into the parlour where Lady Sharon sits, donned in a brushed copper gown with black beaded applique. The women hug and air kiss as they exchange greetings. Slipping into Queen Anne chairs in front of a crackling fire, they catch up.

Sharon: How are you, Lady Deanna?

Deanna: Lady Sharon, I’m so excited about this book but first I want to thank you for having me here today. The setting is gorgeous and so are the orange roses! You’re so thoughtful.

Sharon: Oliver, I dare say we’re ready for refreshments.
Oliver struts off, pumping his biceps. In no time flat, he returns, white Russians and hot buttered popcorn poised above his head on a silver tray. With a sweeping bow, he presents the drinks, scooping up a handful of popcorn and feeding it to Lady Deanna with a wicked wink.

Deanna: Oh my, Oliver, you are wonderful to bring in my favorites. *licking the butter from my lips and taking more popcoren*


Sharon: That will be all, Oliver. Lady Deanna, do tell us about the setting of No Turning Back and how you researched this particular era in time.

Deanna: I’ve always loved reading historical and love England. Growing up, I read Victoria Holt novels and as you know, those were set in England, Johanna Lindsey and Virginia Henley used England for many of their novels and those authors are my favorites. So when I decided to write, I had to do my novel in England and include the ships and pirates and sword fights. *sigh* I just love them and I hope the readers love my settings. I do take Nathan and Vanessa on a few adventures, that’s for sure.

Sharon: I love the name Vanessa. It’s old-fashioned with a royal ring, yet timeless and romantic. Do you have any personal ties or connections to this name?

Deanna: No connections, I’ve just always liked it.

Sharon: Being an avid horse lover and former rider, isn’t it interesting that women horse breeders were socially unacceptable in London during that era. Tell us about that and how Vanessa deals with it in the story?


Deanna: I think that was part of the fun of writing Vanessa. She goes against society and does what she wants, though she still dresses proper for the balls. Her maids had an awful time with her when they helped her get dressed because she would take the breeches and put them on anyway, which made sense if you’re working with the horses. She also knows how to use the whipcord! I wanted to give her a few special talents!

Sharon: And how does Nathan feel about a woman who marches to the beat of a different drum?

Deanna: Ah, Nathan….mmmmm……oh, I’m sorry! Nathan loves a strong woman who also knows how to be a woman when the time presents itself. Vanessa has a mind of her own and uses it to continue the business and stand up to those who get in her way, which gets her into trouble also.

Sharon: And for the true romantics out there, this book is all about second chances. How do you feel about that?

Deanna: I had to write about second chances because I had my own second chance at love and now - I live in my own fairytale. Those who know me will attest to that! *big smile* But there are so many men and women out there who lose the love of their life and think they will never again find that one special person who makes life worth living again and that’s just not true. If nothing else comes through in my novel, I hope the reader takes that note with them – love will happen again for them. I’m also a firm believer in the concept of ‘attracting what you think’. I didn’t come up with that line but there is so much truth to it. I’m writing a short book on that which should be available in a month or so. If one wants to be happy, one can not depend on others to make them happy. It has to come from inside! But I ramble on…..I just feel very strong about that.

Oliver saunters into the room, treating Deanna to a beguiling smile. With great articulation, he sets down a tiered mint green candy dish overflowing with lemon bars. After freshening her drink, he plucks up a pastry and feeds it to Deanna, watching her eyes glaze over.

Deanna: Oliver, those are to die for! I commend you on your talents. Lady Sharon, how to you stand it with such perfection in his culinary talents?

Oliver removes his copy of No Turning Back. If I might be so bold as to ask for your autograph, Lady D?

Deanna: Thank you, Oliver, I’d love to sign that for you. I do hope you enjoy the story. You’ll make some lucky woman a wonderful husband with your talents in the kitchen.

Sharon holds up her empty crystal glass. I wouldn’t mind a refill, Oliver…or do I have to “duke” you?

Oliver pours, his eyes on Deanna.

Sharon picks up her copy and reads the blurb and excerpt whilst Deanna signs Oliver’s copy.

Blurb – No Turning Back

While avenging the death of his fiancé years earlier, Nathan learns that he can love again but is he willing to chance another broken heart? Will the woman he wants also open her heart again?

Vanessa is heartbroken over recent events in her life; she’s also head-strong, flaunts London aristocracy and takes on breeding horses, something unheard of in the society circles of London. She finds herself trying to put the pieces of her life back together, but can she do it alone? With a child on the way, she is forced to do just that - their future depends on her strength. Then a friend offers to help. Dare she trust a man sworn to carry out a vow taken on a death bed? She refuses to accept that his love is true when his honor of sticking to his word is also at stake.

North Yorkshire, England, 1775



Michael ‘Nathaniel’ Clairmont, the Fourth Duke of North Yorkshire, crumpled the missive he’d received from his fiancĂ©e’s parents as he raked his fingers through his shoulder length hair. Fear tightened his chest as he stepped to the door and called to his squire. “Prepare Caesar, now!”

Stepping back into the room, he addressed his longtime friend, Anthony Faulkner. “I’m going to see Lady Stockholm’s parents. Clarissa is missing. Are you with me?”

Faulkner jammed his tricorn hat atop his head. “Bloody right I am!”

Moments later, after meeting with the Stockholm’s, Michael urged his bay Barb to greater speed along side Anthony’s. An unnatural scattering of branches and leaves strewn about the road ahead caught his attention. He reined Caesar and dismounted for a closer look. Footprints of horses and men marred the dirt and led deeper into the woods where the underbrush lay trampled and broken.

After tethering Caesar to a branch, he motioned for Faulkner to follow him along the path. A piece of green silk shimmered atop a briar bush, and Michael grabbed up the soft material. It was the color he’d last seen on Clarissa. The fragrance of jasmine assailed his senses. His eyes widened in recognition of the scent...the same one Clarissa wore!

He gripped the material in his fist. Bile rose in his throat as fear knotted his gut. Though afraid of what he’d find ahead, he pushed forward; low-hanging branches slapped at his face and caught at his shoulder-length hair. He pushed the foliage out of his way and tromped the underbrush in his desperate search.

When he reached out to block another branch, a silk stocking skimmed his face and he grabbed the stocking for inspection. Michael looked at Faulkner’s worried face, swore under his breath and moved on but a foreboding feeling ate at his senses, almost like being watched.

He couldn’t miss a gown strewn atop the bushes. The shock that tore throughout his system stopped Michael dead in his tracks, his muscles recoiling in reaction. Meticulously arranged over the waist-high bushes, as if in preparation for wear, lay a dark green silk gown, a vicious tear low in the neckline. His gaze moved slowly over the material. Tightness gripped his chest, feeling as though someone had reached in and squeezed his heart, the pain so intense it burned. He touched Faulkner’s arm, and gritted his teeth. “It’s the gown Clarissa wore at the ball last night,” he said in a gut-wrenching rasp. His gaze searched the area until the very thing he wanted to avoid seeing lay before him. His body froze.

A bare, delicate ankle peeked from beneath the underbrush.

Lunging forward like a wild beast, ravaging the area, throwing branches and uprooting ferns, he uncovered her body...clad only in her white satin chemise, splattered with her own blood.

His tortured scream echoed throughout the surrounding forest as he fell to his knees beside her battered body. Praying she might hear, he whispered her name. Touching her bruised cheek--he found it still warm. A flicker of hope ignited within his heart as he pressed his fingertips against the slim column of her throat. Moments later, finding no trace of a pulse, that slight flicker of hope extinguished itself. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts at who could be her killer.

Thunderous applause explodes through cyber space.



Sharon: (Holds up her copy) This is a wonderful and intriguing book, Lady Deanna. Congratulations! I just love it!

Deanna: You are too kind, but thank you. I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Lady Sharon.

Sharon: What was the hardest part of writing this book?

Deanna: Writing the book was fun but the hardest part was the editing. This was the first novel I’d written, though it got published second because there were so many things that had to be ‘fixed’ because I’d learned so much writing this. I took it out of the drawer so many times in the last ten years that I lost track of the number of times. I got discouraged that it couldn’t be fixed and would put it back in the drawer, yet something kept taking me back to the story. Maybe the characters wouldn’t let it die, who knows, but finally it did make it past the edits, got fixed and here it is.

Sharon: And the part you enjoyed the most?

Deanna: The love between the characters, setting the sexual tension and the attraction….mmmmm……I do love sexual tension in a novel. Without that, there would be no reason to continue reading!

Sharon: Sadly, Lady D, our hour is nearly up. Parting is such sweet sorrow. But before you go, you must treat my fetish for collecting legends or superstitions from my guests. Do you have one to share with me?

Deanna: Hhmm….that’s a tough one. Can ghosts be a superstition? Because I do believe in ghosts, that they are around us all the time. Some of us have the ability to sense them and some don’t and that leads me to my next novel that includes a ghost in an abandoned lighthouse who takes on the task of bringing two lovers together who were lovers in a past life.

Sharon: And finally, if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Who would you like starring as Vanessa and why? And last but not least, who do you fancy playing the role of Nathan and why?

Deanna: Perhaps I would like to try the English countryside in a castle of my own, but let’s include running water for baths and showers! Haha! Who would play Vanessa and Nathan in a movie? I haven’t really thought that far – maybe Julia Roberts for Vanessa? Now Nathan….maybe Hugh Jackman? I’ll have to give that more thought or your guests can leave their recommendations! *wink*

Sharon: Tell readers where they can get in touch with you and where they can purchase No Turning Back.

Deanna: I love to hear from readers and fellow authors and they can email me at Deanna.jewel@yahoo.com and my novels are available on my website, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and I’m sure many other online bookstores out there.

Sharon: Thank you so much for being my featured guest today, Lady D! It’s been great fun! And as a special treat, Lady D is graciously giving a copy of her book to one lucky blogger. So don’t forget to leave a comment!

As The Power of Love by Celine Dion plays on the Victrola, Oliver sweeps Lady Deanna into his arms as they glide across the burnished cherry wood floors, their feet never touching the ground.


Author Biography


Deanna Jewel, formerly from Saginaw,Michigan, currently lives in Lewiston, Idaho, has been writing since 1991. She has completed one time travel and one historical novel and has several others in the works. NEVER SURRENDER, her most recent time travel romance, is now available in print version and e-book for download to your electronic readers. This novel won an Honorable Mention in the 2008 Quill Awards at Writing.com. Her second novel, released in April 2010, is titled NO TURNING BACK, and is also in print and e-book for download to your electronic readers. Hard at work on the edits for her next novel, she hopes to have that available in early 2011.

She is married to a retired captain of the fire department who has also owned his own businesses for 28 years and they have two Siamese cats: Zoie and Sinbad. She has a grandson in Idaho, two daughters still living back East, one granddaughter and another due in November. Deanna has enjoyed reading historical romance novels for over thirty years, camping with her family, and traveling. A trip years ago to Dubois, Wyoming, south of Yellowstone, inspired her time-travel novel. The landscape and town locations described in NEVER SURRENDER are real. Jon Daley, a professor at Boise State University, translated the Shoshone language that you will find in the book.
 
Her writing goal is to draw the reader into the story to experience what the characters feel, to show both the hero's and heroine's points of view, and to take the reader away from their every day stress to a place not yet visited.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Wednesday Spotlight with Anne Patrick

Hello and welcome to Wednesday Spotlight! My featured guest today is Anne Patrick. Anne is here to discuss her latest romantic suspense from Champagne Books, Out of the Darkness. We are sitting in the rose garden this morning. With a gorgeous backdrop of azure blue skies and rolling green hills, and with the songbirds sweetly chirping, Oliver has just finished setting out refreshments on the flowered umbrella table. And when the front doorbell rings, Oliver plucks up a rose from the arbor and dashes off, muscles pumping.

A few minutes later, Oliver escorts Anne out to the garden to join Sharon. Oliver, being the gentleman he is, helps her into her chair. But not before casting her a wicked wink.

Sharon: Welcome, Anne! Great to have you as my guest today. So how are you?

Anne: I’m doing wonderful, Sharon. Thanks so much for having me over today. I’ve been looking forward to meeting both you and Oliver for some time.

Sharon: We’re honored to have you!

Oliver serves diet coke and presents a plate of chocolate covered sunflower seeds. He smiles a beguiling smile as he plops a few morsels into Anne’s mouth.

Anne: Mummm yummy, and I’m not just talking about the sunflower seeds *huge grin*.

Oliver pumps his biceps.

Sharon: Oliver has just returned from the book store where he stood in line for over an hour. This is one hot off the press. Tell us a little about Out of the Darkness, a brief synopsis.

Anne: Out of the Darkness has ex-FBI Profiler, Alex Michaels, forced into hiding by the serial killer who murdered her twin sister and left her with a career ending injury. Meeting up with an ex-pro football player who is also facing an uncertain future, Alex makes Royce McIntire an offer he can’t refuse. Settling into her new life, Alex has no idea the killer is hot on her tracks along with the team of FBI agents who failed to protect her before. When they all catch up to her, not only is her peaceful life shattered, but once again her life is in jeopardy.

Sharon: Draws me right in. You know romantic suspense books are my favorite genre, and Out of the Darkness has quite an intriguing premise. So, tell me. What do you suppose that fascinates people about serial killers?

Anne: That’s an excellent question, Sharon! Speaking for myself, I’m intrigued by their characteristics. Although there are similarities between most, there is usually something unique about each one of them.

Sharon: I must admit to being one of the curious when it comes to serial killers. I need to know what makes them tick and love getting into the mind of a killer. So much in fact, that my latest book also features one. What kind of research did you do on serial killers?

Anne: I’ve read several books by John Douglass. He’s the world’s foremost expert on profiling. He created and managed the FBI’s Criminal Profiling Program, and he and Robert Ressler were the original profilers who interviewed serial killers like Bundy, Berkowitz, and Gacy. I was also a huge fan of The Profiler series. I have the entire collection on DVD *grin*.

Sharon: Hat’s off to you. I appreciate when an author takes the time to do proper research, especially when it’s about something that perks my interest. Do you believe that serial killers are products of some type of childhood abuse, traumatizing them to the point they dissociate in order to block out the incident?

Anne: From the research I’ve done for my books, it’s evident that virtually all serial killers come from dysfunctional backgrounds involving sexual or physical abuse, drugs or alcoholism and their related problems.

Sharon: I agree. Let’s talk a bit about the names. I love the name Royce, one you don’t hear in every novel coming down the pike. LOL How did you come up with the name? Any one you know?

Anne: I don’t know, it just sort of popped into my head. I have a list of names that I sometimes go to, but usually as I’m fleshing out the story in my head the names just come to me.

Sharon: Give us a little background on Alex and her twin sister.

Anne: Alex and her sister, Cassie, grew up on a farm in Iowa. Their father was cop, so law enforcement was always in Alex’s blood.

With a sweeping bow, Oliver hands Anne a pen. If I might be so bold as to ask for your autograph, love?

Anne: I’d be honored, Oliver. *grinning as butterflies take flight in her tummy*

Oliver swoons off, clutching his book close to his heart.

Sharon: What’s next for Anne Patrick?

Anne: Well I have a couple of WIP’s I hope to finish soon. A romantic suspense and a inspirational romance.

Sharon: What do you do when you’re not writing these edge of your seat suspense books?

Anne: When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me at the lake with family and friends or playing in the park with my German Shepherd Zoe.

Sharon: Pets bring so much to our lives, don’t they? Sadly, that brings us to the end of our interview. Before I let you go, one of my passions is collecting legends or superstitions. Can you share one with me:

Anne: The one I remember most is the legend of the three-block-tunnel. It wasn’t far from where I lived as a kid and the story was that if you took a wrong turn you’d never come out. We used to dare one another to go in. It was pitch black and you couldn’t see but a few feet in front of you. The furthest I got was the fork. My flashlight stopped working and I took off as fast as I could back to the opening, never to return.

Sharon: Claps her hand together wildly. I love it! This is certainly one I’ve not heard before. It will be added to my scrapbook. And finally, if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Who would you choose to play one of your heroines? And last but not least, who would play your romantic hero?

Anne: An island in the Caribbean – Why? - White sandy beaches & warm weather year around. Meg Ryan would make a perfect Alex. My hero… *motioning to the empty chair next to her*…Oh Oliver, you got a minute? *then with an arched eye brow* I have a proposition for you.

Oliver struts out to the rose garden, grinning and pumping his biceps, blowing kisses to his new love.

Sharon: Here is a sneak preview of Out of the Darkness

Excerpt:
The room was dark as he entered. Bypassing the light switch, he flipped on the TV and sat in the only chair in the room. He then picked up the remote and turned on the VCR.

“It is of my opinion we have a serial killer at work here. The victims are similar in background and appearance. The ways in which they were murdered are identical, and the victims were all recovered from the river.”

“Do you have any leads, Agent Michaels?”

“With these murders, important evidence is missing. All we have are the bodies. We don’t have a crime scene and we don’t know where the bodies were dumped into the river. This leads me to believe we have a very sophisticated killer. He’s familiar with police procedure. He knows by dumping the bodies into the river he is eliminating any evidence such as hair, fiber or semen.

“I believe he is Caucasian. Twenty-five to thirty years old. Five-eight to six feet tall, slim to medium build. He is muscular, may work out in a gym. He’s educated, undergraduate level, a thinker who takes great pride in planning things out. He is socially inactive. He hasn’t much experience with women either because of his appearance or lack of self-confidence. He has a criminal background, most likely juvenile offenses, either arson or petty larceny. I believe he may have committed his first murder during his preteens, but went unpunished. A major change or event has taken place in his life within the last six months, triggering his violent behavior: Either the loss of a job or promotion, or breakup with a girlfriend. I believe he is from the Joliet area and he quite possibly knew the first victim, Crystal Byers.”

“You said he knows police procedure. Any possibility he is in law enforcement?”

“Anything is possible. The only thing we know for sure is how dangerous he is. But he will be caught, I assure you.”

He paused the video and fixed his eyes on the still picture. Such a beautiful face. Her posture and expression were full of confidence.

She wasn’t so arrogant the night he’d attacked her though, and neither was her sister.

He turned off the video and stared at the snowy screen. Until she’d come along, he’d been in complete control. The Joliet police were such idiots. He’d had them running in circles, chasing their own shadows. Not even the great Galen Schroeder had a clue as to his identity or the depth of his capabilities. Not to worry though, no matter where she ran, he’d find her.

Thunderous applause breaks out through cyber space.
Then the words appear in the sky:

CHANCE TO WIN A DOWNLOAD OF OUT OF THE DARKNESS!

Stop by tomorrow and Ann will choose one lucky commenter.

Sharon: Tell readers where they can buy your book and get in touch with you?

Anne: Out of the Darkness can now be purchased at Champagne Books: http://champagne.vstore.ca/product_info.php/pName/out-of-the-darkness-ebook

To learn more about me and my other releases, please visit my blog:
http://www.suspensebyanne.blogspot.com/
or my website:
http://www.annepatrick.weebly.com/
Thanks again, Sharon, for having me on your blog! It was a pleasure meeting you and Oliver.

Sharon: My pleasure, Anne.

As the classic rock plays, Oliver plucks Anne off her feet and they dance through the arbor, cheek to cheek.

Anne Patrick, author of ‘Sweet’ Edge of Your Seat Romantic Suspense, has penned more than a dozen novels. Her works have garnered four and five star reviews and she’s received or been nominated for several awards. Her heroines are usually strong willed, witty, and often very opinionated…combinations that usually land them in situations where death seems imminent. Anne has an alter ego by the name of Kinzie Monroe, who writes Inspirational Romance. Anne, you might say, is the dark side of Kinzie. Anne’s books may be darker in subject matter, but they all carry messages of hope and faith. Born and raised in Oklahoma, she now makes her home in Kansas.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Starcrossed Lovers

In my latest suspense novel Mask of the Betrayer, will true love conquer all? Here is the pov from the heroine (Margot Montgomery DeVeccio) and the romantic hero (Diego Santiago) the homicide cop investigating her husband for the recent killings in the foothills of Red Rock Canyon. Will these star-crossed lovers find their destiny, their one true love?

Margot cried all the way home. She’d wanted nothing more than to throw herself into Santiago’s arms and stay with him. But she couldn’t. Provoking Michael at this point would be a deadly game, one she couldn’t afford. Homicide was counting on her to trip Michael up, make him say something incriminating on tape. Diego was counting on her. His touch had sent sparks soaring through her like a bolt of lightning. That man of few words got to her in a way Michael never had.

Because she couldn’t seem to help herself, she compared the two men. While they were both intelligent, brilliant even, their integrity was unparalleled. Michael’s temperament was as volatile as a volcano—while Diego remained cool and calm under pressure. Their virtues were worlds apart. Diego’s morals consisted of high ethical standards—while Michael’s were totally corrupt and morally unethical. What it all boiled down to was a matter of respect. Michael demanded it—while Diego earned it.

Driving through the wrought iron gate leading to the mansion, Margot’s head was in a daze. Fate had certainly dealt her a bad hand. If only she’d met Diego before falling in love with Michael. At her wedding, she’d been so sure Michael was her one true love, her soul mate. Well wasn’t fate having a grand old laugh at her expense. Just when she thought her life couldn’t possibly get any worse, she’d gone and fallen head over heels for the homicide cop, Diego Santiago, her destiny.
He wanted her. He thought about her always, making love to her again and again, all through the night. She starred in his fantasies, his very sexually arousing fantasies. His hands itched to touch her. Margot DeVeccio stirred his blood. And if he didn’t have her soon, he’d go out of his mind.

The thought of Margot going home to the sociopath tormented him. How could he live with himself if something were to happen to her? He berated himself for not getting the evidence necessary to lock the cold-blooded bastard up. The warrior in him desperately wanted to hunt DeVeccio down and throttle him with his bare hands. From the first time he’d laid eyes on Margot, he’d wanted her. But he wasn’t about to spend the rest of his life in jail, kiss his career good bye. He hadn’t spent the past decade on the force to toss his badge over the cliffs of the foothills.

He needed to get the evidence on DeVeccio to prove he was the serial killer of Red Rock Canyon so he could lock him up where he belonged. He needed proof and he needed it fast. If it were the last thing he did on this earth, he’d put the smug billionaire behind bars and throw away the key. And then he’d move in on Margot, his sweet Margarita, the woman with the bewitching green eyes that had his blood boiling to liquid heat.

MASK OF THE BETRAYER

SHARON DONOVAN

A psychological thriller

Available Now!

Whimsical Publications

http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/books.html

eBook

http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/books.html

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Sharon Donovan

Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Edge of your seat suspense

What’s the difference between a suspense book and an “edge of your seat, turn-paging” suspense book?



I’d like to explore that question today. For as long as I can remember, my favorite genre has been romantic suspense and suspense thrillers. I’ve come to expect twists and turns to keep me guessing until I turn the last page. And now that I write in these genres, I promise to draw my readers into a whirlwind of suspense and intrigue. Here are some of the elements that I look for and promise to deliver in my books:



1. Desolate setting

2. Captivating storyline that will hook the reader right from the start

3. Spine-tingling background music that will draw the reader into the story

4. Quirky or obsessive character traits that will identify the character as unique

5. Heroine that reader can empathize with and scream for her to be rescued by the romantic hero!

6 Romantic hero with a “Don’t mess with me” attitude that isn’t above cutting corners

7. Villain that we love to hate

8 Dialogue interspersed with atmospheric description to make us feel, see, hear, smell, taste and touch

9 Twist and turns to make the reader gasp

10Sizzling chemistry between the lovers

11. The ability to make the reader laugh and cry and cheer when the hero rescues the heroine at the last minute and whisks her away into the happily-ever-after



I’d like to show you a few of these examples in my newly released suspense book Mask of the Betrayer. In the opening scene, the killer is programmed to kill the betrayer at midnight. He has been programmed to do this through music. The “Hunting Song” plays in his head during a kill.



“A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go. Heigh-ho the dairy-o, a hunting we will go. We’ll kill a fox and put him in a box. Heigh-ho the dairy-o, a hunting we will go.”



Thinking of the nursery rhyme, doesn’t this song play in your head, drawing you into my book?



The setting for Mask of the Betrayer is set in Red Rock Canyon, a desolate mountain range within miles of the dazzling Las Vegas Strip. Here is a scene to draw the reader into the setting, and show you the villain’s (Michael DeVeccio) obsessive trait.



Pouring himself two fingers of finely-aged bourbon, billionaire business tycoon Michael DeVeccio walked on the verandah of his mansion and gazed into the foothills. The raw beauty of the Red Rock Mountains encompassed him. Miles of open valleys and rugged terrain and lush forests full of petrified logs the Paiute Indians believed to be weapons of the wolf gods stretched as far as the eye could see. And what a rush to climb to the top of the mountain and survey the dazzling Vegas Strip like king of the jungle.

Fishing a Marlboro from the pack, he tapped it three times on the parapet before lighting it. He inhaled deeply, allowing the nicotine to filter into his brain. Under the hunter’s moon, night predators slithered out of the underbrush, just on the periphery of the jagged twists and turns of the canyon. From deep in the woods, a coyote howled, its keening wail slicing through the quiet. Michael loved the call of the wild. The primitive cries got under his skin, arousing him. Dominant and defiant, animals fought to protect what belong to them. He especially admired the sleek moves of the panther. With its keen eyesight, acute hearing, and uncanny ability to sneak up on its prey unnoticed, it pounced on its victim in one slick move. Michael understood the moves of the night predators. He was one of them.



Sizzling chemistry to feed the romance lover in you! The following is the scene where Margot and Michael meet:



The beckoning wail of sax drifted out of the piano bar, the bluesy sound of jazz bristling beneath her skin. After spending the better part of the afternoon negotiating at an art auction, unwinding over a chilled martini sounded like utter bliss. Seduced by the sound of sax, she sauntered up the three steps leading to the mezzanine and ordered a Pomegranate martini.

“You got it, doll,” the bartender winked.

“Whatever the pretty lady wants is on the house,” the man approaching the bar said in a buttery soft voice. “And give me a bourbon on the rocks, Jazz.”

Margot turned around and came face to face with the billionaire tycoon of DeVeccio Plaza. His shocking blue eyes left her breathless. With his sharply defined features, full sensual lips, and all that black wavy hair, he reminded her of one of the sculptured Greek gods she’d featured last month at her gala.

“Allow me to introduce myself,” he said. “I’m Michael DeVeccio. Welcome to my palace.”

Every pulse in her body was as charged as an electrical current. Michael DeVeccio, legendary for building luxury resorts in every continent, exuded strength and power from every pore. His world renowned success preceded him. And here he stood in front of her in all his glory, one hundred and eighty pounds of raw, sexual energy. Mesmerized by his hypnotic blue eyes, she met his gaze. “I’m Margot Montgomery. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your resort is everything it’s rumored to be, simply breathtaking.”

“Thank you.” he edged a bit closer. “I’ve always fancied it to be the jewel of the Strip. I didn’t think anything could outshine DeVeccio Plaza. But I was wrong. Nothing could possibly hold a candle to the sparkle in your emerald green eyes.”

As the hot sound of jazz drifted through the piano bar, a warm desert breeze blew in from open terrace doors, the seductive undertone thick and heavy. The sassy wail of sax and the sweet lilt of piano counterpointed, stirring the air with its sensual rhythm.



Here is a teaser when the homicide cop Diego Santiago (romantic hero) knows Michael is the serial killer and comes to question him:

“Detective Santiago,” Michael yelled down. “And what brings you calling so early in the morning? Out for a leisurely cruise around the neighborhood? Or perhaps you’ve come to extend your congratulations to the newlyweds?”

“Cut the bull, DeVeccio,” Santiago barked. “There’s been another murder in the foothills, and guess whose corpse I just sent down to the morgue?”

“I have no idea. Do I look clairvoyant? Why don’t you fill me in on the mystery corpse? Otherwise, we could be here all day guessing whose body is on a slab in the morgue. And as intriguing as that sounds, I have a meeting in an hour.”

“If you could drag yourself away from your gourmet breakfast,” Santiago bellowed, his voice echoing through the stillness of the woods. “How about coming down here and answering a few questions. And FYI, DeVeccio. It looks like the Red Rock Slasher is back in business. But that shouldn’t surprise you since you knew Russel Harrison didn’t kill your ex-wife. You framed him for the murder and we both know who the real killer is. Take a look at yourself in the mirror on the way down. He’ll be staring right back at you.”



When Margot realizes she is married to the killer, she runs to the homicide cop. He writes a song for her, My Sweet Margarita



As soon as Margot got out of her car, she heard the gentle strumming of a flamenco guitar. The melodious lilt of the Latin music drifted through the air, soft and sweet. Drawn to it, she ran up the steps and peered into the round arched window. Mesmerized by what she saw, she stared in awe.

Bathed in sunlight, Diego sat in front of a fireplace, tenderly holding the small guitar. He strummed the strings with outward flicks of his fingers, producing a rhythmic roll reminiscent of castanets. Silhouetted in partial sunlight and partial shadows, he gently caressed the lustrous neck of the wooden guitar.

When the song ended, Margot quietly knocked at the door, feeling as if she’d finally come home.

Even before Diego opened the door, he knew it was her; the beautiful woman with the bewitching green eyes. Even if he hadn’t heard the sound of her tires in the driveway, even if he hadn’t caught a glimpse of her watching him through the window, he would have sensed her presence. And knowing she was watching him, listening to him play the love song he’d written for her made it all the sweeter. With his heart thumping, he flung the door open and pulled her into his arms.

“I had to come,” she said in a breathless voice, feeling his muscles quiver and bunch beneath her fingers. “Oh, Diego. I had no idea you played the guitar. And with such finesse. What a beautiful song, so bitter-sweet.”

Diego’s broody brown eyes grew dark with passion. “I wrote it for you. I call it my Sweet Margarita.”



MASK OF THE BETRAYER

AVAILABLE NOW!

ON SALE FOR ENTIRE MONTH OF MAY

WHIMSICAL PUBLICATIONS



http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/books.html

eBook

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Sharon Donovan

Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith

Friday, May 7, 2010

Murder at Midnight at a Masquerade

The dance floor vibrated with footsteps as guests glided, clomped, and stomped across it. The Joker hopped around, laughing like a fool. The Deranged Clown grabbed Margot for a spin around the floor. Dressed in black and white checks and a black mask, An Evil Jester rubbed up against the Smoldering Temptress, whispering crude suggestions in her ear. Covered in voodoo pins from head to toe, the Voodoo Doll danced alone.




But it was Zorro who turned heads from the moment she’d sashayed into the ballroom. Drop dead gorgeous in a crimson body suit and long flowing cape, she had the attention of every male in the ballroom. Her long platinum hair billowed around her voluptuous body and red feather mask. Sheathed in a crimson scaled scabbard, her Zorro sword rested on her left thigh.



The men all stared. The Mysterious Stranger in a black cape swept Zorro away with the moves of a ballroom dancer, looking for all the world like her long lost lover. But as soon as the song ended, another masked guest asked Zorro to dance, and before long, she’d danced with nearly every man at the party.

“Michael,” Margot whispered in his ear. “Everyone is captivated by Zorro. Do you know who she is?”

Michael watched Zorro glide across the ballroom floor with ease. Chic and elegant with the legs of a dancer, she danced the night away, her patent leather heels never touching the ground. A crimson rose pendant graced her long, elegant neck. Michael knew precisely who she was. He’d given her the rose necklace on their wedding night. Taking one final look at Zorro, he pulled Margot into a tight embrace. After kissing her, he whispered in her ear. “I have no idea who she is. Darling Margot, I only have eyes for you. You are the perfect woman.”



The storm that had been brewing all day broke just as the bell tower tolled. Eleven piercing chimes rang out simultaneously with the rumbling of thunder. Winds from the Mohave Desert hurled in through open terrace doors, blowing out the cinnamon-scented candelabras in the ballroom. Pellets of cold hard rain pounded helter skelter on the windows. The crystal chandelier swayed back and forth like a pendulum. It flickered once, then twice. And then all went dark.







Zorro sat at the bar, sipping on a bourbon on the rocks. Michael crept up behind her and whispered in her ear. “Nobody makes an entrance like you do, Darling Candace. You have every man in the place rock hard.”

“Michael,” she purred, her smoky voice as smooth as silk. “I knew you’d recognize me.” She ran her hand over his masked face. “The role of Valentino suits you. You are still the most handsome man I’ve ever set eyes on.”

“And there were certainly enough of them,” his voice came out low and husky. “How many men, Candace? Did you ever keep count of how many lovers you had during our marriage?”

“You were the only one that ever mattered,” she rubbed up closer. “We had something real special between us. And being back in the ballroom tonight brings back all those memories. Like the way you used to hold me in your arms when we glided across the floor. And afterwards,” she slid her hand down his chest—and lower still. “We set the sheets on fire, remember, darling?”

“We had our moments,” he said. “But I also remember kicking your trashy ass out of Vegas and telling you to never return. And yet here you are, an uninvited guest at my masquerade ball. You know the extent of my wrath better than anyone. And yet you dare to defy me. Why is that, Candace?”

“Because I love you, darling,” sexuality oozed from every pore. “You and only you. Let’s sneak up to our old bedroom and see if we can rekindle some old flames. Come on, sugar. Let’s get between those satin sheets and set the night on fire.”

Michael leaned very close, massaging her leg with his fingers. In a voice raw with sexuality, he whispered, “Darling Candace. How can I resist. Meet me in Uncle Carlos’s suite in ten minutes. We’ll ring in the New Year together. You have no idea how much I want to be alone with you. Beautiful, beautiful Candace. I promise to make you scream”

Mask of the Betrayer is on sale for the entire month of May at Whimsical Publications. Now is your chance to purchase it at a discount.


BUY LINK:

http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/sharon_donovan/mask_of_the_betrayer.html



ebook:

http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/books.html

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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Wednesday Spotlight with Sharon Donovan


Hello and welcome to Wednesday Spotlight! The tables are a bit turned today, and Oliver, my sexy cyber butler, will be interviewing yours truly. We are chatting about my newly released thriller from Whimsical Publications, MASK OF THE BETRAYER, book one in the sequel series. So grab a seat and make yourself comfortable. Oliver has plenty of coffee, tea and pastries lined up on the side board in the parlor. And you know the rules, the bar is always open. Belly up and Oliver will be happy to mix your favorite poison.
With the raw beauty of the Red Rock Canyon as the backdrop, Oliver pours a cup of coffee and presents Sharon with a bouquet of yellow roses.

Sharon: Thank you, Oliver. Aren’t they fresh and lovely. However did you know these are my favorite flowers?

Oliver raises an eyebrow and winks. Because you made me rehearse my lines to the point of obsession.

Sharon: Moving right along. Are those blueberry muffins I smell, dearheart?

Oliver: But of course, boss. Coming right up. He struts off, pumping his biceps, muttering something about high maintenance. He returns, pushing a silver caddy, places the succulent muffins bursting with berries on the coffee table. With great theatrics, he lavishly butters one and breaks a piece off, popping it into Sharon’s mouth.

Sharon: Mmm. Delicious. Sharon winks and rolls her eyes. I suppose this is where I faint and clutch my heart and pant, Oh, Oliver. Almost as delicious as you, loveboat!

Oliver smirks and takes a seat on the wing back chair. So about this thriller, Mask of the Betrayer. Is it the one I star in? Where I get to be the romantic hero?

Sharon: No, Oliver. As we’ve discussed several times, that would be Charade of Hearts, coming out in November as part of the Jewel of the Night series. Mask of the Betrayer is book one in the sequel series, my debut thriller about a serial killer.

Oliver: Now my interest is perked. I adore suspense books, and as you know, my real job is a detective.

Sharon: Yes, Oliver. So you tell me daily about your “real job” but let’s stick to Mask of the Betrayer for today, shall we?

Oliver: By all means, Toots.

Sharon: Knock it off, Oliver. Remember, I write your script.

Oliver smiles a beguiling smile. How could I forget when you constantly remind me, boss? Why don’t I hold up a copy of the book and read a blurb and excerpt?

Sharon: That would be great, Oliver. I was beginning to think you forgot your line.

Sharon smiles and quietly sips her hazelnut coffee.

Oliver holds up the book and announces, "And with no further ado, here is a teaser from Mask of the Betrayer"

FROM WHIMSICAL PUBLICATIONS

MASK OF THE BETRAYER

BY SHARON ANN DONOVAN

When the whispers in the night, the whispers of her lover, are the whispers of a killer, will Margot escape before she becomes the next victim?

Deep in the foothills of Red Rock Canyon, a serial killer stalks. He leaves his signature—a skull mask on the corpse. But when the homicide cop realizes the crimes are the reenactment of a case never solved ten years ago--all fingers point to Michael DeVeccio. And when Margot realizes she is married to the killer, her life becomes a living nightmare.


Excerpt:

Michael DeVeccio had it all. A billion dollar construction company that built luxury resorts all over the world, a twenty-four room mansion with servants at his beck and call, the most dazzling club on the Vegas Strip, a fleet of outlandishly expensive sports cars, a private jet—and more money than he could use in ten life times. He had it all with the exception of one thing, a son, an heir to his vast domain. And once he found the perfect woman to produce his heir and propagate the family business, the DeVeccio Empire would rule the universe. He envisioned the ideal woman to produce his heir being flawless in every way. Her inner beauty would shine as bright as her outward appearance, she’d have proper etiquette with impeccable manners, and she’d be cultured in fine arts. His perfect woman would be well educated on current events when hosting extravagant parties and galas for his business associates. She’d be honest and sincere and loyal to him and only him. And she would not be a woman beguiled by his wealth and fortune. Yes, he mused, the time had come to find that woman. And it would happen. He ruled it so.

***

Flaming copper finials bordered the entrance of DeVeccio Plaza, drawing guests in with its regal appeal. Standing tall and mighty in a sky of midnight blue velvet, the flaming torches gleamed like shooting stars with tails. The interior of the grandest resort on the Vegas Strip gave chase to marble staircases with elaborately turned balustrades and high end sculptures behind beveled glass enclosures. Rushing down the corridor after procuring the mural she’d bid on, Margot fought the urge to kick off her high heels and walk barefoot down the plush, red carpeting.

The beckoning wail of sax drifted out of the piano bar, the bluesy sound of jazz bristling beneath her skin. After spending the better part of the afternoon negotiating at an art auction, unwinding over a chilled martini sounded like utter bliss. Seduced by the sound of sax, she sauntered up the three steps leading to the mezzanine and ordered a Pomegranate martini.

“You got it, doll,” the bartender winked.

“Whatever the pretty lady wants is on the house,” the man approaching the bar said in a buttery soft voice. “And give me a bourbon on the rocks, Jazz.”

Margot turned around and came face to face with the billionaire tycoon of DeVeccio Plaza. His shocking blue eyes left her breathless. With his sharply defined features, full sensual lips, and all that black wavy hair, he reminded her of one of the sculptured Greek gods she’d featured last month at her gala.

“Allow me to introduce myself,” he said. “I’m Michael DeVeccio. Welcome to my palace.”

Every pulse in her body was as charged as an electrical current. Michael DeVeccio, legendary for building luxury resorts in every continent, exuded strength and power from every pore. His world renowned success preceded him. And here he stood in front of her in all his glory, one hundred and eighty pounds of raw, sexual energy. Mesmerized by his hypnotic blue eyes, she met his gaze. “I’m Margot Montgomery. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your resort is everything it’s rumored to be, simply breathtaking.”

“Thank you.” he edged a bit closer. “I’ve always fancied it to be the jewel of the Strip. I didn’t think anything could outshine DeVeccio Plaza. But I was wrong. Nothing could possibly hold a candle to the sparkle in your emerald green eyes.”

Thunderous applause explodes through cyber space.

Sharon: Oliver, isn’t this the part where you beg for my autograph?

Oliver: What’s that? Oof, watch your elbow, boss. No need to poke me in the ribcage. Here’s a pen.

With great ceremony, Sharon plucks up the fountain pen and signs Oliver’s copy. There we go.

Oliver swoons. Thank you, I’ll cherish it forever…that is…until my book comes out, Charade of Hearts where I get to be the main man.

Sharon: Soon, Oliver, in November.

Oliver: So, tell us about Michael DeVeccio, the main character. He’s a trained serial killer and has been getting away with murder for years. How so?

Sharon: Michael is the most complex character I’ve written about to date. I wanted to portray the complexity of the mind in this novel. It can bend. It can break. It can snap. For many years, Michael DeVeccio has been getting away with murder. As with most serial killers, the profile suggests something so traumatic happened in his childhood, the mind dissociates in order to block it out. If you enjoy getting inside the head of characters, you will like Mask of the Betrayer. What could have caused a sweet blue-eyed boy who loved and adored his parents, parents who instilled good moral standards in their son, to grow up to become one of the decade’s most cold-blooded killers?

Oliver: Hmm. Sounds like you did your research, boss. What kind of research did you do?

Sharon: I studied everything I could about sociopaths and psychopaths. What makes them so chilling is that they hide it so well. It’s almost as if they are programmed to say and do what people expect of them, but inside the darkest recesses of their mind, ugly thoughts and schemes lurk.

Oliver: Such as?

Sharon: While they appear to be charming, they are actually hostile and domineering. They see their victims as instruments to be used to reach their own selfish goals. The end will always justify the means. And this is what Michael does. Outwardly, he is devastatingly handsome, charismatic and wins people over in the blink of an eye. But inwardly, he finds their Achilles heel, uses it for his own gain, and then disposes of them with no remorse. Michael is a psychopath and has no emotions. His charm is superficial and he is the master manipulator.

Oliver: What drives him?

Sharon: Absolute power. He has to be the best at everything, and if anyone gets in his way, they will be disposed of. Permanently.

Oliver: You said that he was a normal and healthy child with parents that adored him and gave him a good moral upbringing. What would cause a seemingly normal person to go so wayward?

Sharon: Mind manipulation from a higher force, someone cunning and cold. This would be Michael’s uncle. You see, when Michael was a boy of twelve, his parents were killed and his uncle took him in and raised him as his own son. But his uncle was one of the biggest leaders in organized crime, and was training Michael to take over his billion dollar construction company and all its enterprises. Carlos taught Michael to kill the betrayer, and cover the corpse with a death mask. Michael was so traumatized by this that he dissociated and eventually was programmed to kill.

Oliver: But what is it that he really wants?

Sharon: A son. Michael has it all with the exception of one thing, a son to carry on the DeVeccio Dynasty. And he is on the hunt for the perfect woman to bring his heir into the world. And he finds that woman in Margot Montgomery. She is the perfect woman and for the first time in his life, Michael comes close to love.

Oliver: But what happens:

Sharon: Obviously, you’ll have to read the book, Oliver. But I’ll leave you with this. Margot falls off the pedestal Michael places her on. And when she does, her life becomes a living nightmare. The things that Michael does to her are unspeakable.

Oliver pulls out his book and begins reading.

Sharon: Oliver, how about corking the bottle of chilled champagne for the guests. And while you’re doing that, I’ll tell them about the contest. One of the scenes in Mask of the Betrayer portrays a lavish masquerade party in the grand ballroom of the DeVeccio mansion. It’s a huge ball and everyone is dressed for the nines. But at the stroke of midnight, the power goes out, and a murder takes place.

Thank you all for visiting. Have a glass of champagne and some chocolates. Hope I’ve enticed you to run out and buy Mask of the Betrayer.

ZORRO CONTEST

This contest will run for the entire month of May!

It’s a masquerade ball in the grand ballroom. At the stroke of midnight, all the lights go out during a blackout. Zorro is the belle of the ball, dancing footloose and fancy free with every man at the party. But when the lights go out, one of the masked guests thrusts the Zorro sword straight through her heart.


Contest rules:

Mask of the Betrayer is on sale for the entire month of May at Whimsical Publications. Now is your chance to purchase it at a discount.

BUY LINK:
http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/sharon_donovan/mask_of_the_betrayer.html

Print and Ebook when available

Whimsical Publications, LLC


Send me an email at
sharonad@comcast.net

Put Zorro Contest in the subject line and answer the following:


QUESTION: Who spotted Valentino stealing the sword from Zorro?

PRIZE: Deluxe Zorro cape and jeweled pin. Good luck and happy reading! Don’t forget to read the excerpt for a sneak preview of the murder during a blackout!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Taken

Do you think it’s easy to spot a sociopath? Despite the man or woman portrayed in the box office thrillers who look as if they’ve just undergone a lobotomy, psychopaths are not for the most part easily spotted. He or she may be a doctor, lawyer, scientist or CEO of a major corporation. They are highly intelligent and charismatic, but have a chronic inability to feel guilt, remorse or anxiety for any of their actions. The end will always justify the means because they are master at the game. Here are a few traits:




 Superficial charm

 Domineering personality

 Expert at spotting a person’s Achilles heel, using it to his or her advantage, then disposing them like bad rubbish

 Great joy in belittling their victims

 Grandiose sense of self

 Feel entitled to certain things as their rights

 Pathological liars

 Lies roll off their tongues in spades

 A deep-seeded rage is at their core

 Friends they make will become victims

 Feign love and joy

 Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remain cold and indifferent at what would upset a normal person

 They are not genuine and neither are their promises

 Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims

 Compulsive need to control and manipulate

 Secretive, trusting no one

 Ultimate goal of enslaving their victims

 May state readily that their goal is to rule the world

 Oblivious to their shallowness



And the whole while, the sociopath will smile, charm you, flatter you and befriend you. But behind the mask, dark evil lurks. They want you for something, and will expertly charm their way into your life. During my psychology classes, the study of the mind fascinated me. It’s a tricky faux. It can bend. It can break. It can snap. In my newly released novel, Mask of the Betrayer, I’ve created the character of Michael DeVeccio to illustrate such a person. Here is a little teaser.



Michael DeVeccio had it all. A billion dollar construction company that built luxury resorts all over the world, a twenty-four room mansion with servants at his beck and call, the most dazzling club on the Vegas Strip, a fleet of outlandishly expensive sports cars, a private jet—and more money than he could use in ten life times. He had it all with the exception of one thing, a son, an heir to his vast domain. And once he found the perfect woman to produce his heir and propagate the family business, the DeVeccio Empire would rule the universe. He envisioned the ideal woman to produce his heir being flawless in every way. Her inner beauty would shine as bright as her outward appearance, she’d have proper etiquette with impeccable manners, and she’d be cultured in fine arts. His perfect woman would be well educated on current events when hosting parties and galas for his business associates. She’d be honest and sincere and loyal to him and only him. And she would not be a woman beguiled by his wealth and fortune. Yes, he mused, taking a final drag of his cigarette. This perfect woman would be angelic and worthy of producing the heir to his kingdom. And the time had come to find that woman. And it would happen. He ruled it so.



Tomorrow’s post will show the excerpt when Michael meets the perfect woman at his Vegas night club. Stay tuned for coming attractions: Beguiled by a sociopath



MASK OF THE BETRAYER

AVAILABLE NOW!

WHIMSICAL PUBLICATIONS

http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/books.html