Contest for Grand Opening of Author Roast and Toast

Hello Bloggers! For those of you participating in the GrandOpening of the Author Roast and Toast, here is my contest. I am offering a download of my book The Claddagh Ring to one lucky blogger. Here is what you need do to be entered in the contest:

Do a search for
What’s in a gemstone
Please answer this question and one commenter will win a copy of The Claddagh Ring—a book for those who believe in legend and lore.
What stone ranges in color from deep purple to light lilac to lavender and mauve and has been known to ward off drunkedness? Wink wink snort snort and good luck

Wednesday Spotlight with Ashley Ludwig

Hello and welcome to Wednesday Spotlight! Today my special guest is friend and fellow white rose author Ashley Ludwig. Ashley is here to chat about her book All or Nothing.

Here is a blurb and excerpt:


A young widow starting over nearly dies on the perilous, winding road to Tucson, Arizona in 1876.

An accident turns out to be a cover-up for a heinous crime at the hand of a murderous bandit. Robbed and left for dead, all that remains for RuthAnne Newcomb is her faith, and the talents God gave her. She needs both to endure the handsome, vengeful cavalry captain who saved her life.

Captain Bowen Shepherd offers aid in exchange for information leading to the criminal’s capture. El Tejano, as the bandit is known, is bound to strike again and RuthAnne is the only living witness to his crimes. Left with nothing but her savvy and unwavering faith, RuthAnne is forced to return to the scene and help with the intolerable soldier’s quest.

Already, the criminal is after the lone witness who can destroy him. Bowen and RuthAnne must risk everything to unmask the bandit once and for all, before he can strike again at the one who cost him the most. Will their newfound love, or their lives, be the cost of bringing a murderer to justice?

Excerpt:

All or Nothing
By Ashley Ludwig

Print ISBN 1-60154-561-4

_______________________

“Mara!” Her voice choked; the raspy words burned like fire.

She searched the scene on hands and knees in the silver moonlight. Lord, not Mara. Where is she? She’s just a girl...please!

Footsteps crunched on the gravel-filled dirt. Nowhere to hide, RuthAnne willed herself invisible. Her hand closed around a fist-sized rock. The bandit wouldn’t take her without a fight.

He knelt down beside her. A large, rough hand cupped her cheek in an all too familiar way. “You’re awake. Thank God.”

With a ragged battle cry, RuthAnne lunged at her would-be attacker with the stone, cracking him just above the shoulder. He shied away from the blow, and the lump of granite glanced off him. With little effort, he peeled it from her fingers. “You’re coming with me, whether you like it or not.”

The brigand picked her up like a child and marched her off to her doom. Terrified, she fought and bucked while he carried her. Tears of frustration streamed down her face; her hair, a mass of golden curls, tumbled loose about her as she thrashed in his arms. RuthAnne hammered at him with ineffectual fists. He carried her so easily, as if she were feather light, though he did pin her arms close against her body.

“I’m not going to hurt you. I’m here to help.”

Sharon: Yells into the speaker over the rip roaring waves of the Pacific. Hey, Ash! Come sit here under the umbrella table. It’s time for your interview. Here comes the crew. Lights camera action!

Ashley struts along the coppery beach, bucket of shells in hand, waving madly to her fans. Music from Colbie Calait’s Coco blasts from the speakers.

Sharon and Ashley exchange hugs and scoot down into festive tiki lounge chairs, both wearing their designer shades.

Sharon: Oh this sun feels wonderful, Ash. And look who I brought with me. Why it’s my butler, Oliver with refreshments.


Oliver struts out in his spanking new fluorescent lime green speedos and Gucci sun glasses. With a winning smile, he balances a silver tray above his head. He winks wildly at Ashley and sets the coffee, lemonade and pitcher of ice water on the umbrella table. Then he places the basket of salsa and chips directly in front of Ashley and treats her to a sweeping bow. May I pour you a drink, Ms. Ludwig?

Ashley: Ooh, yes, Oliver. Let’s forgo coffee for lemonade. Did you make the salsa yourself? You look, I mean it looks delicious…

Sharon: Ah…Oliver…I wouldn’t mind you pouring me a nice cup of your gourmet blend. Oliver? And I don’t believe I can reach the chips all the way on the other side of the table.

But Oliver shuffles nervously, kicks his feet in the sand and stammers, May I be so bold as to ask for your autograph, Ms. Ashley?

Ashley: *giggling* Of course, Oliver. Anything for you *wink* (aside to Sharon) I’m still not used to people wanting me to give autographs. This still feels so completely surreal!

Sharon: So now that we’re settled and Oliver has gone surfing until I call him for dessert, shall we begin our interview? All or Nothing draws us in, right from the beginning. It has everything I look for in a book, an enticing hook and an intriguing aura. Tell us about this book. The characters? The setting? The main storyline?

Ashley: All or Nothing is actually one part of the first novel I ever completed. Fresh out of college, full of unbridled enthusiasm, I spent afternoons traipsing around the adobe ruins of Fort Lowell in Tucson, Arizona—daydreaming about the soldiers and people who used to live there. That museum curator answered all of my questions and then some, introducing me to the Fort Laundresses, who had to keep up with all the soldiers in some pretty horrible conditions. So, the fort and the army laundry seemed like a wonderful place to store RuthAnne while she and Bowen were hunting for the rogue bandit roaming the Arizona mountain roads!

Sharon: I love the name Bowen. How do you go about choosing names for your hero and heroine? Do you go back and forth like choosing baby names or do your characters demand certain names as their birthright?

Ashley: Well, this story’s inspiration stemmed from the Book of Ruth. RuthAnne, Mara, and Bowen (rather than Boaz) all grew from there. My characters tend to whisper their names in my ears while I’m figuring out their character traits. Sometimes I change them, but mostly the first time is the charm!

Sharon: All or Nothing has a bit of suspense in it, a bit of mystery, and obviously a lot of romance and faith. And it’s classified as a Historical, Inspirational Romance. Do you find it difficult to blend these all into one specific genre?

Ashley: *covering mouth not to spit out lemonade* Oh, Sharon! *laughs* I honestly never thought about it that way. My favorite stories are not just the romance, but creating a plot where my hero and heroine work together to uncover some sort of truth. In this case, a mystery. The suspense builds their relationship, and together they come to a deeper understanding of their respective faith. I love to see if they can work as a team. Life is about more than just falling in love, after all.

Sharon: Now let’s talk about reviews. LASR gave All or Nothing 5 books. Awesome. Congratulations! Can you describe the feelings a rave and glowing review evoke in you?

Ashley: I was floored. Really. When I saw that, my husband had to pick me up off of the floor by the computer. Then, we all danced around—including the children, though they weren’t quite sure what we were dancing for! I swear, I don’t think I could have been more excited if I’d found out I was a New York Times Bestseller!

Sharon: Now Ashley, is there a genre you would like to experiment with that you haven’t tried before? And if so, what is it and why would you like to venture into that genre?

Ashley: Funny that you mention that. Hmm. I’m out of lemonade. Where is Oliver? *scans horizon to see Oliver shooting the tube – pours own glass*

My current work in progress is a contemporary Action/Adventure Romance – staring a marine archaeologist on the trail of a historic mystery! I love reading adventures and of course am a huge Indiana Jones fan—having been an archaeologist myself—so, having a character capable of following historic clues, balancing science and faith, it’s all very exciting to figure out.

Sharon: Do the characters you create stay with you long after they’ve played their roles or do you think about them even when you are creating new characters?

Ashley: I do think about them. Their voices are locked in my head—in fact, I think that I heard Bowen and RuthAnne having a discussion about the children this morning. (Theirs, not mine!) Anyway, I think I’ll keep the Shepherd family in all of my novel-length stories for awhile. I like the idea of following one family through history, and maintaining their legacy as lives are touched from the old West to contemporary.

Sharon: Oh, here comes Oliver, all sopping wet from his swim and surf. And he’s carting a tray of chocolate dipped strawberries, rolled in raw sugar.

Oliver presents them, whispers to Ashley that he double dipped them just for her.

Ashley: *squee!* Oh, Oliver. You do know the way to a lady’s heart, don’t you? *bats eyelashes and takes a big bite*

Oliver clasps hands to heart and passes out in the sand. Two bikini-clad blondes rush to the rescue to revive him with mouth to mouth. Oliver comes around grinning, blowing kisses to Ashley as he rushes off to surf with the babes.

Sharon: Must be those lime green speedos. So what’s next for you, Ash? What are you working on?

Ashley: I’m elbows deep in my current Work in Progress. Sapphire Tears (working title) follows Chandra Drake, a pragmatic science-minded Archaeologist. Her hero, Troy Shepherd, is a real-to-life-hero. He operates by faith and instinct, and takes on almost more than he can handle with protecting Chandra on their quest. The story starts out in Washington, and globe hops to Mexico, and ultimately Arizona. I’m having loads of fun with the plot, and am about 30,000 words from the finish line!

Sharon: Now let’s talk about you. How does Ashley Ludwig keep it all together? You have a family, young children, a job and you write. Where and how do you fit it all in?

Ashley: Well, I don’t sleep. Seriously, I either get up very early or stay up long past everyone else’s bedtime. I do my best to take weekends off from promoting, or social networking. Thankfully, my husband is incredibly supportive of my writing, and loves taking the girls to the pool, the park, or on adventures to give me time when I need it.

Sharon: What is your favorite time of the day and why?

Ashley: I love sunsets by the ocean. On a day like today, when you can stroll to the end of the pier, grab a hot cocoa, and watch for the green flash as the sun dips below the horizon. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

Sharon: Tell readers about your archaeologist background.

Ashley: I graduated with my B.S. in Archaeology from the University of Arizona. After college, I worked for an environmental company for a few years, surveying and excavating across the Southwest. Priceless experience.

Sharon: And you obviously love the beach and digging for seashells. What is your prize shell and where did you find it?

Ashley: We just unpacked a box of seashells that my husband and I collected off the gulf of California from before we were married. I made a lovely menagerie of the collection and displayed it on a table over some antique lace.

Sharon: You are so creative! Oh, dear, here comes Oliver. With a mischievous grin, Oliver bee bops to the music, snapping his fingers. He grabs Ashley and twirls her around in the sand, belting the lyrics to the Colbie Calait song.

Sharon: All right, Oliver, you’ve had your fun. Now go take a swim while I wrap up my interview with Ms. Ludwig.

Oliver blows kisses as he picks up his surf.

Sharon: He loves the beach and I dare say, I’ve created a monster. So that brings us to the end of our interview. But before we go, I have a few questions I simply must ask. I adore superstitions. Do you have any and if so, do share one or two of your favorites.

Ashley: I just love that about you! I’m superstitious, too. Maybe it’s that creative mind working over time, but I won’t walk under a ladder. I have rosemary growing by my garden gate, and lavender planted for luck. I don’t leave my purse on the floor, for fear of wasting my fortune, and I give a jade plant to all of my friends, for good karma. Covering all my bases!

Sharon: I love them! And every time I ask that question, I hear a superstition I have never heard before. And I’ll cherish my jade plant from you. Thank you, Ash. And finally, my three questions. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? If you could be the leading lady in any literary fiction, which would it be and why? And last but not least, who would you want playing your romantic hero?

Ashley: Anywhere in the world? Dare I say, I’d live right here in Temecula wine country, and keep a little beach bungalow for weekends. Does that count?

A leading lady in literary fiction? Hmmm. That’s tougher. How about Katherine, AFTER she’s had her way with Petruchio in Taming of the Shrew?

And, if I were to choose someone to play Bowen Shepherd? I’d have to select Josh Holloway—who plays Sawyer on Lost. Yes. He’s my Bowen.

Sharon: Thank you so much, Ash. This has been so much fun and I love being on location. Can you tell readers where they can buy All or Nothing as well as all your books? And where can readers and fans reach you?

Ashley: Thanks so much for having me, and coming all the way out here to California! Please tell me you have Josh Holloway stashed somewhere…or is that him I see, strolling, shirtless, down the beach?

Oh—and All or Nothing is available in print at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and from my publisher—White Rose Publishing. The links are all available on my web site: www.ashleyludwig.com

Sharon: LOL Sorry, Ashley. You’ll have to settle for the shirtless and very sun burnt Oliver! BTW, did I mention he no longer wishes to be referred to as my butler? He’s demanding to be called “Cabana Boy” and is certainly trying my patience. A group of pretty California girls encircle Oliver. Cabana Boy beams brilliantly and pops a beer and guzzles it down.

Thunderous applause explodes over the waves as Ashley waves good bye to her adoring fans.

Oliver: Ashley, come join us over here! Cabana Boy is about to sing a few Beach Boy hits! I’m diggin’ California. Will you hire me to be your Cabana Boy? Please. I wanna stay!!

Ashley: *Blows kiss to Oliver* You go on and play with the beach bunnies. Sharon and I have lots of catching up to do! I think maybe some friends will come join us?

Please listen to a bit of Jason Mraz, while we watch the sunset... My compliments, Sharon! ...

~Ashley

AUTHOR ROAST AND TOAST

COMING SOON TO A BLOG NEAR YOU!

Get yourselves a big tub of buttered popcorn and get ready to scream with laughter! I have exciting news for authors looking for a new and zany way to promote new releases. Remember the Book Roast? Well, sadly, they closed their doors a few months back. But never fear, four friends and myself have decided to reincarnate it under a new name. You are cordially invited to attend the Grand Opening!

PLACE: http://authorroastandtoast.blogspot.com

DATE: AUGUST 28, 2009

TIME: 9 AM TO 4 PM

DEBUT AUTHOR ROASTEE: DANIELLE THORNE

TYPE OF ROAST: IT’S ZAYNY! IT’S UNIQUE! IT’S THE AUTHOR ROAST AND TOAST!

WHAT TO EXPECT:

FIVE HOSTESSES TO ENTERTAIN YOU!
A SEXY AND FLIRTATIOUS CYBER BUTLER TO SERVE COCKTAILS!
LEMONADE WITH A DASH OF SOUTHERN-STYLE RECIPE!
HERBS FOR EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN!
TWO CUTE AND CUDDLY MASCOTS!

RULES: COME READ THEM AT THE BLOG!
WHO SET THEM? WHY OLIVER, OF COURSE! COME MEET HIM AND JOIN THE FUN!

STAY TUNED FOR COMING ATTRACTIONS! COME ONE COME ALL!

PERMISSION TO FORWARD.

Wednesday Spotlight with Karenne and the CTR crew

Hello and welcome to Wednesday Spotlight! We all love getting those glowing reviews, winning those fun contests, and chatting it up, right? Today I have a special treat. I am pleased to have Karenne and her crew from Coffee Time Romance & More to chat with us! Karenne has rounded up some of her best staff members and they will be here all day to answer any questions you have. Don’t look now but here they come soaring through space in a coffee mug! Let’s give Karenne and her crew a warm welcome!

Thunderous applause explodes through cyber space as the coffee cup makes a smooth landing on stage, bright lights twinkling in a kaleidoscope of crimson, burnt orange and amber. Karenne steps out, followed by her amazing crew. They wave madly at their adoring fans. Sharon greets the crew with warm cyber hugs. Welcome! It’s a pleasure to have you as my guests today! Make yourselves comfortable on the deck and my butler Oliver will be right out with refreshments. But first, here is a little about the crew:

KARENNE
Hmm, well I am the pushy broad who makes my staff miserable! Lol I am known as the ‘nag-a-nator’. As for personally, I am a SAHM who homeschools her kidos, runs a local childrens’ organization, loves to read, and plays at being a chef!

DELANE
Hi Sharon,
I am a reviewer with Coffee Time Romance part time and full time I am an 18 year
member of the armed forces. I have been with Coffee Time for almost a year and I
love to read. I have been reading since I was a child; the library and book mobile
were my best friends. I am a mother of 5 children; we are truly a his, mine, and
ours family. My oldest two son's now serve their country and my three youngest
are still at home with us. I look forward to answering any questions that come my
way.

KIMBERLY
Hi, I am Kimberly. I am a reviewer with Coffee Time. I am also the Contest Coordinator.
I have been here for a little over a year now.
The reviewing is easy to understand. The contest coordinating involves scheduling
and writing the contests plus monitoring the entries. It is a lot of fun. I'm kind
of a organizational freak so it suits me!!
I have been married to my knight in tarnished armour for almost 16 years. We have
five furbabies and live in Northeastern Oklahoma.

DANIELLE
Hi Sharon, thanks for having us. Your personality is amazing! Let me tell you a little
about
Myself and then get to my duties at CTR. I met my husband in High School but didn’t
Actually start dating him until after we graduated. The sweetest thing is that the
first time he
Saw me he went home and told his mother that he found the woman he was going to marry.
You can actually read our love story on my CTR webpage, it is pretty spectacular.
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Reviewers/Danielle.html
. Anyway, my hubby and I got
Married when I was 20 and have now been married for 11 years. We have 2 children.
Our
Son is 9 going on 10 and our daughter is 8 going on 16. LOL. We live in Northern
Michigan
Where there are 3 season. Fall, Winter, and Construction. The only other notable
thing
About me is my father was in the Air Force. I was born in London, England. We then
Moved to Lubbock, TX then to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, then to Plattsburgh,
NY.
After my parents divorced my mother and my siblings and I moved to Northern Michigan
Where I have been ever since. I have been to 13 different schools and married a man
Who lived in the same house and went to the same school his whole life. How ironic
is that?
----->My biggest job at Coffee Time Romance is doing book reviews. I do both Ebooks
And print. If it is via Ebook, I use my trusty Ebookwise 1150 to hilight any key
Points within the storyline that may be important for my review. If it is print,
I use a good old fashioned yellow hilighter lol. When I actually do the book reviews,
I try my hardest to be fair and not judge based on whether I like the genre itself
Or not. Instead, I focus on how an author writes, is the story told smoothly, and
Whether it comes together at the end or not. Now, by coming together let me stress
I don't necessarily mean as in a HEA (happy ever after) ending. I have read books
That has a HUGE cliffhanger but I give it a rave review because it just fits. The
Reviews I like best are when I have to read a novel whose genre is something I don't
Care for, and then I find myself loving the story. To me THAT is a great author and
What a spectacular writer should be.
----->Another job I have at CTR is doing author interviews. I just started back in
January and quickly got over my nervousness and butterfly stomach lol. I have to
Say that being able to read an author's book before I do the interview is a HUGE
Plus. And not just because I love to read, but because it does give me some insight
Into their work and how they put a story together. Once I have finished the novel,
I try to shell out between 10 and 15 questions about their book and the life they
Lead in general. Then I send it to them to answer and wait for a reply. Reading the
Answers to my questions is always fun because then you get to see their true personality
Come through. I remember my very first interview was an author whose book was very
Graphic and bloody but her interview was very refreshing and fun to do. It shocked
Me because I assumed that her writing style for the interview would be the same as
Her novel.
----->As you can tell by now, I love to talk. It comes from being the middle child
In a family where everyone is loud lol. One of my favorite jobs is when we do the
Book Brew for the Coffee Crew. This month it was contemporary and next month it is
Erotica. As readers, we get to blog all day about what our favorite books are, even
If they are ones we did not review. This is done the first Monday of each month and
I have to say it keeps my obsession with books fed; especially when I see books that
I haven't heard of that sound really great. Here is the website in case you or anyone
Else is interested:
http://coffeetimeromance.com/CoffeeThoughts/

HOLLIE
Hollie is a mother of 4 beautiful and active children (5 if you count The Smurf...a/k/a
the husband) who works part time in the local primary school. As a member of Coffee
Time Romance & More’s Coffee Crew, Hollie spends her free time reviewing books, interviewing
authors, chatting with other book lovers, and is the Coffee Write Coordinator. Coffee
Write is her new passion which is a wonderful area with a new monthly story that
changes daily with people who introduce their spin and change the story line.
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=255

SABRINA
My name is Sabrina and I am the Live Chat Coordinator, Which means I schedule all
the authors who chat with us on Tuesday nights @ 9 PM EST. If you haven’t been to
a live chat, you should give it a shot- we like to have fun in there (bats eyes innocently).
I also help out moderating the forums with an amazing group of ladies. I joined Coffee
Time Romance & More two years ago and have been helping out for about a year and
a half. My favorite part of Coffee Time is interacting with the authors, watching
new authors rise and established authors progress.

CHEROKEE
I am a reviewer at Coffee Time Romance. I get to read books and review them. This
is something that I love doing. I also do interviews at times, too. I love being
a part of Coffee Time Romance. The people are super nice and it is like a huge loving
family. (A lot of the reviewers say Karenne keeps them locked in the basement, but
they must be really secretly hid, because I have found no locked basements. Karenne,
is a super cool person and I enjoy working with her.)

BRENDA
Hi Sharon,
I was born and raised in Texas with a short excursion to the state of Washington.
After graduating from high school and testing the college waters, I joined the Army.
I was in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) in Alabama until I was accepted for Officer
Candidate School. I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the last WAC Officer
Basic Class. I served at Fort Devens, Massachusetts until the Army started to do
away with the WAC. I was then assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado as a Military Police
officer. While there I served as the first female on Fort Carson to serve as a Company
Commander of a unit containing both women and men. It was the 19th MP Company.
I served in Pirmasens, Germany as the first female Provost Marshal. I left active
duty after serving at Fort Irwin, California and moved back to Texas where 8 years
later, I retired from the Army Reserve. I also worked in Adult Probation and Corrections.
I've never married and have no children. I do have 2 brothers, 1 step-brother, and
1 step-sister. I'm living with Multiple Sclerosis on a ranch and enjoying my 3 dogs,
5 cats, my friends and my garden.
Books are my addiction. I've loved to read since I was in grade school.

MAURA
Hi Sharon,
I am Maura and I have been with Coffee Time as a reviewer for a little less than
four years.
I am married with no children but have three dogs who I train for competitive obedience.
I have been a Deputy Sheriff for twenty years, have a Bachelors degree from Cortland
State and a Masters from NYU, both in psychology.
I am a voracious reader and just love my part time (lol) job as a reviewer.
I live on Long Island way out on the North Fork among the beaches and wineries, which
go great with books.

Sharon: Well there you have it folks, a nice introduction from each of my guests from Coffee Time Romance & More. Now that we’re all settled on our tiki chairs on the terrace overlooking the beach, allow me to ring for my butler/cabana boy. Oh Oliver, come on out. We’re ready for cocktails!

Oliver soars through the rippling waves on his surf board, winking wildly at the ladies. Dressed in his spanking new fluorescent canary yellow speedos, he pumps his grapefruit-size biceps. Ladies, ladies. I’m here to please. May I get y’all a cocktail?

Karenne: (slaps Oliver on the butt) Coffee

Danielle: Hi Oliver. You are as handsome as Sharon said you were. Could you please
get me a Cranberry Soda with a splash of
Vodka please?

Delane: A corona with lime, please.

Kimberly: (Silence as she stares at the gorgeous Oliver) Uh, did you say something? I think an ice cold glass of pink lemonade will work just fine for me. Whew… he is a hot one… I mean, the weather, the weather is warm today!!

Hollie: oh yes please vodka and cranberry juice please

Sabrina: Lemon Drop Martini please

Sharon: Ah…Oliver…bring me a Bloody Mary, please!

Cherokee: Margarita' please

Brenda: Mocha frappachino.

Maura: Gin&Tonic

With a sweeping bow, Oliver appears, balancing a tray of drinks in one hand, snacks in the other. With a wicked wink, he places cocktail napkins down, the drinks and an assortment of snacks. Here we go ladies, popcorn, bridge mix, rippled potato chips and French onion dip made from onion soup, walker crisps, a fresh fruit tray of strawberries, grapes and melons, chocolate covered strawberries, Peanut Butter Cups and Goobers. Y’all just let me know when you need another cocktail and I’ll be right over. Oliver struts off singing, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.

Sharon: Well now, let’s have a toast. Raises her Bloody Mary to one and all. To Karenne and the staff at Coffee Time Romance & More. Here here! But suddenly FOOTLOOSE blasts over the speakers and Oliver grabs Danielle and takes her for a wild spin around the terrace. Come on hope ya got your dancin’ shoes on, darlin’. Let’s show ‘em how it’s done! Oliver shouts above the chorus of cheers, Everybody cut loose!! With one final spin, he grins broadly.

Danielle: Phew Oliver. You certainly know how to cut a rug don’t you?!

But then the song changes as the disco ball bathes Karenne in a kaleidoscope of flashing lights. Celebration blasts from the cyber speakers and Oliver grabs his partner. Put on those disco shoes, darlin’! He serenades her. Cel e brate good times…come on!! It’s a celebration! Come on!

Karenne: Love Disco! (dances around the beach singing loudly and off key)

Once more the song changes to a favorite punk rock by Bon Jovi. Grinning and clapping his hands, Oliver grabs Sabrina for a spin. Puffing out his chest, he belts it out, It’s my Life!! He struts his stuff, pumping his biceps at Sabrina.

Sabrina: Sabrina: Is trying to be polite and not drool while Oliver is working the floor.
But feels really light headed

But then the music changes to a slower beat and the sound track from Across the Universe blasts. Oliver takes Delane by the hand and pulls her close as he sings in her ear the words to Let It Be. Thunderous applause explodes as Oliver gives a sweeping bow and escorts Delane to her chair. He winks and asks Did I sing it as well as Tim?

Delane: Wow what a knee weakening serenade. You are so talented Oliver (sigh).

Then the music pulsates to a wild beat and Oliver appears with a guitar. He grabs Sharon and yanks her on the bar. They rock it to Walk This Way by Aerosmith. Oliver belts out the lyrics All started with a little kiss…like this…walk this way. The song ends and he plants a big one on Sharon’s lips, blowing kisses to his adoring CTR fans! Ladies, ladies, who wants to be next! Oliver can rock it all night long!

Sharon: Whoo hooo that’s why I hired him!

But then, quick as a wink, Oliver snatches up his trumpet and plays along to the smooth sound of jazz by Chris Botti. And when When I fall in Love comes on, he grabs Kimberly, pulls her close and serenades her. When I fall in love…it will be forever. Then he gives a wild wink to the girls.

Kimberly Ah, a man who can appreciate some of the finer things in life, a slow song, a soft woman and a beautiful day in paradise. I may never leave.

But then a dramatic hush comes across cyber space as Oliver appears in a puff of blue smoke. The thundering organ grinds to The Phantom of the Opera. After a stellar performance, he grabs Hollie, dips her in grand style and does the Foxtrot with her, gazing into her eyes. When the song is over, he kisses her hand and winks. A little bird told me you used to love musicals and classical before the kids.

Hollie: oh my favorite *swoons in traditional English style

Oliver plucks up a white Stetson and plops it on his head. Swaggering his hips, he struts over to Cherokee, casting her a wicked wink. With a devilish smile, he croons it out to George Strait’s Amarillo by Morning. When the song ends, he lassoes her to his chest and bestows his Stetson on her head.

Cherokee: Oh, be still my heart, I think I may be falling in love…

And when 40 Cups of Coffee by Tennessee Ernie Ford blasts on the speaker, Oliver is sweeping Brenda off her feet, twirling and swirling her around with his fancy footwork before pulling her close. And when the song ends, he gazes into her eyes and winks.

Brenda: You Casanova you! What a flirt!

And when the beat pulsates to What I Like About You by the Romantics, Oliver grabs Maura out of her seat and shimmies down, grinning from ear to ear. He pulls her close and whispers in her ear, “Never wanna let you go, make me feel all right!” He ends the song with a wicked wink.

Maura: “After dancing to that song, especially with Oliver who can catch their breath
enough to talk!”

Oliver takes a sweeping bow. Hope y’all enjoyed the music. There’s plenty of cocktails and snacks and we still have dessert.

Sharon: Thank you, Oliver. Now it’s time for the panel of questions. I’ll present three questions. Answer the best you can…and remember. A prize from Bath & Body will be given to the best voted answer by the bloggers. And by the same token, a prize will be given to the best question a blogger asks. Now with no further ado, here they are:

Question Number One: While working at CTR, what is the zaniest event you can remember?

Question Number Two: Who would you like to see jump out of a cake on your birthday and why?

Question Number Three: If you could star in any literary fiction, which would it be and why would you want to be cast in this role?

And for the answers:

Karenne: hmmm, zaniest event…I think it the zaniest events are the eLoop chats on our Erotic Yahoo Group. With erotic authors and readers all talking about sex, books, and prizes, we go nuts! I also love the Latte Lounge events when we get tons of authors in there gabbing back and forth. I love to laugh.

Danielle: Oh boy, the zaniest event I can remember huh? Hold on, this splash of Vodka
has clouded my brain. Oh now I remember. Hollie mentioned earlier that she is the
coordinator for the Coffee Write. Well I like to participate but I don’t consider
myself much of a writer, so I try to cover it up with humor. I wrote a scene where
this girl was trying to get out of sleeping with this man and she suddenly found
this…ahem…sex toy that she used as a pretend knife. I laughed the whole time but
I don’t think the other writers appreciated my sense of humor. The one person I would
love to see jump out of a cake would have to be my all time favorite sexy hero, Hugh
Jackman. As for why, HELLO honey, he is HOT!! Has anyone ever read Sherrilyn
Kenyon’s Hunter novels? I always expect a huge yes and am surprised when people actually
haven’t read them lol. I would love to play Bride from Night Play. Not only was she
plus size, but she could kick some major butt! What more could you ask for a perfect
heroine than a woman who didn’t fit the typical stereotype when it comes to being
pretty bad *ss! Plus she gets to sleep with Vane! Wow baby! LOL.

Kimberly I think the zaniest event would have been my introduction to the Coffee Crew. I thought I would just review books and meet some people in cyberspace. All of a sudden… BOOM, my inbox was filled with some of the most outrageous comments and welcomes. Once I got done laughing and being anxious, I settled in for a long stay. (She blushes and adds) Now I’m the one with some of the outrageous welcomes. My birthday cake… I probably should say my husband, right? That is the correct answer! (looks over her shoulder) But he’s nowhere to be found…Colin Farrell. He’s a sexy Irish bad boy who knows how to have fun. As for a star of literary fiction… hmm… you are going to make me think on that one. Ooh, I got it, Lady Arwen from the Lord of the Rings books. She is so beautiful and kind, yet willing to sacrifice herself for love. To me, it is one of the greatest love stories of all time.

Delane:

The zaniest thing about our outstanding group is the crazy emails that go around. I love how everyone feels free to mention how scared we are of the Mistress beating us or some other crazy punishment. (Sorry mistress, please forgive me)

Oh Lord. Okay the politically correct answer would be my husband but (in a whisper with a wink) I would really love to see a cross between a biker and a cowboy with twinkling blue eyes, long jet black hair, 6’4, muscles everywhere and now I need to stop because well anyway. Can I have one of him, two if you can find them? TWINS! Pretty Please!! (I hope my Mom doesn’t see this, she thinks I am a good girl which I am REALLY)

Okay wow; let’s see I would like to star in a light submissive role. I don’t need someone to tell me what to do outside of the bedroom; I can lead my own life, but in the bedroom a man that takes charge makes me want to GROWL!!! Oh yeah, and if it involved a shape shifter well I would just be in heaven.

Hollie: Zaniest event?? It has to be the Samhain spring showers we had last year on the forum, 4 weeks of nonstop posting. I’m just happy I could take part and didn’t have to juggle the moderating for such a huge event but we did have a lot of fun.

Honestly?? Any of the CTR staff I spend so many hours working with and around them but live too far away to ever get to meet them.

Adela MacAye Roberts is the first (or last) Celtic witch in Lyn Armstrong’s Celtic witch series. Not only does she have an amazing kilt clad Scottish Laird but she goes on to have two amazing children who also have amazing powers.

Sabrina: 1) Hands down, The Live from RT chat in 2008. It was a 4 hour pure crazy event. We
had an author with her lap top having everyone stop by and say hi to us outside the
vampire ball. We got to talk with cover models and amazing authors. Whew that was
fun!
2) If I had to pick anyone to jump out of my cake i think it would have to be Joaquin
Phoenix - Before his funky stage he's in now.
3) This is a hard question. I am going to have to go with Beth from J.R. Ward's
Dark Lover. Let's face it who wouldn't want to be the one who tames big bad Wrath.
mmm Yum!

Cherokee: 1), I am sorry, a zany event doesn’t pop into my head, even though I know there are some there kicking me in the head. I will say the days that Danielle is away, and unable to post, are not as fun as when she is among us. She has this enthusiastic energy around her that just explodes when she sends out a message on the boards, and it always makes my day a bit brighter. Without her posting, as well as Delane, Hollie, and some of the others, the events would be too quiet. I am just glad there are some Coffee Time Reviewers who know how to bring out the zany and bring on the smiles.
2) Please give me Johnny Depp to jump out of the cake…the man can take on any role and deliver one hundred percent. Have him jump from the cake then carry me off to some island where some great adventures will begin.
3)Not sure if this one will count, but the characters in Thelma and Louise…I would want to be Susan Sarandon, and Karenne to be Geena Davis…the only different thing is we certainly would not go driving off the cliff…we would be having a rip-roaring good time, and no doubt get in tons of trouble.

Brenda: 1) The zaniest event I ever attended was off line. Karenne and I attended a convention in Reno. Trying to find authors we wanted to meet and introduce Coffee Time at the same time; was an arch-falling, vericose-vein popping, marithon dash through a hotel whose square footage was at least football field size!
2) Sigh... Is the Marlboro Man still alive? He is hot! I doubt he’d jump out of the cake. He’d probably just reach over; grab me, and lay one on me. That’s all my heart could stand anyway.
3) One of my literary favorites is Robin D. Owens Sorceress of Faith. The heroine is Marian who has powers needed in the alternate world. Magic and flying horses just appeal to me. I think I would enjoy a visit to another world.

Maura:
Pretty much anything in this group can get a little zany.
Our daily emails make me laugh constantly and the Tuesday night live chats can get
very wild.
I just had a birthday and whoever jumps out of that cake would have to be agile and
jump high enough to dodge all those candles!
Elena from Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld books; who wouldn’t like to be the only
female werewolf, her adventures… and Clayton.

Thank you ladies. I love your answers. Now who’s ready for dessert? Oh, Oliver, come on out with that scrumptious tray of treats.

Oliver swaggers out, wheeling a silver caddy filled with Strawberry and French Vanilla Pudding Cake, rhubarb crumble and custard, chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, caramel bars, cheese cake, pie and oatmeal cookies, tiramisu and steaming pots of coffee and tea. He presents his culinary delights with a devilish wink. And before it has a chance to melt, he rushes a huge dish of coffee ice cream to Brenda and feeds her the first spoonful. Hoots and whistles filter through the air. Oliver preens. Who wants a piece of ice cream cake? He unveils the decadent treat and cuts the first piece for Maura. Now y’all give a shout if you need anything else. It’s been a pleasure. Enjoy!

Sharon: Thank you, Oliver. That brings us to the end of another Wednesday Spotlight. What’s that Oliver? Oh, all right, I’ll ask them. Oliver blushes a deep crimson red. Sharon sighs and turns to her guests. Oliver is requesting that you leave him a coffee crew rating on his performance. It’s up to you, my friends, but if you wish to make Oliver’s day, he will treasure a coffee cup rating. Thank you all for joining me today on Wednesday Spotlight. It’s been a blast.

How many cups does Oliver deserve:
Karenne: (leers at Oliver up and down) sigh, he brings coffee and snacks and turns on the Disco as well as a Disco Ball…5 Cups
Danielle: Oliver honey. I will give you a 4 cup rating. Now now, don’t be upset.
I only give 5 cup ratings to men who do a little strip tease. LOL. I am kinky like
that!
Danielle: Thank you Sharon so much for having me. I loved the questions, your sense
of humor, and Oliver’s amazing dance skills. Now if I could just get him out of his
butler uniform, it would make things that much spicier!

Kimberly: 5 cups with sprinkles, whipped cream (fantasies about Oliver spring to mind), oops, sorry, lost my concentration, oh, and a cherry on top. Thank you, Sharon! This has been so much fun. (Kisses Oliver’s cheek) Thank you, Oliver.

Sabrina: 5 cups perfect!

Holly: With all these goodies and and the wonderful dancing I say defiantly 5 cups

Delane: 5 Cups for the outstanding serenade and cocktail service!!!

Cherokee: I would most certainly give Oliver a 5 cup rating. He is a gentleman by far and knows how to treat ladies, right! He rocks!
And thank you, Sharon, for this wonderful time that we were able to share with you. I adored your questions and your warm personality. You are simply wonderful!

Brenda: Thank you very much for the lovely evening. Oliver, you are a gem. I think you deserve 5 cups if only for the blush!

Maura: Thanks Sharon, Oliver definitely deserves five cups with whipped cream and caramel
on top!

The overwhelmed Oliver passes out cold, a big smile on his face!

Sharon: Well, ladies, you did it. You made cabana boy’s day! Thank you all so very much. Now, relax and party on. Here come the readers and bloggers to ask you questions. And as soon as we can get Oliver to come around, he’ll be at the ready to make more cocktails!

Wednesday Spotlight

Hello Friends and Fellow Bloggers!
Wondering where my Wednesday spotlight guest is today? LOL I'm it! I have my very first booksigning tonight at Magoos Bistro in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, PA. And to make it a memorable occasion, I'm getting my hair and makeup and nails done! Wish me luck. Join me next week--August 19th--when my featured guests will be Karenne and the crew from Coffee Time Romance & More! I promise you it will be a scream. And Oliver my cabana boy has his dancing shoes on. See you then!

Sharon

Guest Blogging today at The Pink Fuzzy Slipper

Good morning! Today I am guest blogging at The Pink Fuzzy Slipper. I am chatting about Echo of a Raven, my narrative non-fiction about my long battle with diabetic retinopathy which led to my blindness. I am raising awareness of diabetes and hope through this book. A portion of proceeds will be donated to JDRF Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation fight for a cure. Diabetes, especially type 1 affects children the hardest. It is my quest to make this world a better place for tomorrow's children, our future. Please come chat with us
The Pink Fuzzy Slipper
www.pinkfuzzyslipperwriters.blogspot.com

Sharon

One Lovely Blog Award

I am pleased to announced fellow Wild Rose author Jane Richardson has given me the 'One Lovely Blog Award. Thank you, Jane. I accept it with gracious pride and consider it a cherished keepsake. Please visit Jane's blog at:
http://janerichardsonhomethoughts.blogspot.com


I must pass this prestigious award to three other blogs. It was such a difficult decision, but here are my choices.

http://authorroastandtoast.blogspot.com/
Author Roast&Toast
A new blog started by five friends to cheer authors on by toasting them with a roast every Friday. We are hoping to continue with the format of the highly acclaimed Book Roast. The friends are:

Sharon Donovan

Miss Mae

Hywela Lyn
Val Pearson

Laurean Brooks

http://yougottareadreviews.blogspot.com/
A fabulous review site that has taken off in the past six months

http://whiterosesinbloom.blogspot.com/
A blog where Faith is the Corner Stone of Love

Please visit these blogs when you have a chance. You won't be sorry.

Wishing you Love and Blessings,

Sharon Donovan
Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith
http://www.sharonadonovan.com/
http://sharonadonovan.blogspot.com/
sharonad@comcast.net

Wednesday Spotlight with Margaret Tanner

Hello and welcome to Wednesday Spotlight! My special guest today is friend and fellow Wild Rose author Margaret Tanner. Margaret is here today to chat with us about Holly and the Millionaire. And here is a blurb and excerpt:


HOLLY AND THE MILLIONAIRE
Fleeing from her ruthless English in-laws who are intent on stealing her child, Holly Kirwan boards a flight home to Australia and meets Justin Devereux. They are instantly attracted to each other.
Justin doesn’t want a permanent woman in his life, particularly one with a baby in tow. Holly, still grieving for her soldier husband who was killed in Iraq, doesn’t want to be disloyal to his memory.
Can the young widow and the commitment shy tycoon ever find happiness together?

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/holly-and-the-millionaire-p-765.html

Excerpt

HOLLY AND THE MILLIONAIRE by Margaret Tanner
Justin Devereux fumed as he strode on board the aircraft. Heads would roll over this debacle. If he hadn’t needed to get out of England so urgently, he would have waited for another flight. To hell with the risk of being grounded by a blizzard.
He showed his ticket to the flight attendant. He hadn’t flown in economy class for years, wouldn’t be doing it today if he had any say in the matter, either.
“I’m so sorry about this mix-up, Mr. Devereux. The airline did everything it could to get you a last minute business-class seat, but like first class it was completely booked out.”
Well, you didn’t try hard enough, he nearly said, but bit back the angry words. It wasn’t the flight attendant’s fault that his booking still floated around in cyber space.
“We were able to get you an aisle seat near the front.”
“Thank goodness for that at least.”
On being shown to his seat, he took off his cashmere coat, folded it neatly and stowed it in the overhead locker. If he had even an ounce of luck, the seat beside him would remain empty, but he wouldn’t take bets on it. Setting his briefcase on the floor, he rested his laptop on the vacant seat. What a shocking few hours it had been.
At least it was a little more spacious here. He couldn’t understand why there was extra leg space and only one other seat, when there would be normally at least three, sometimes four jammed together.
Closing his eyes he thought back on the last twenty- four hours. Deanna and Simon had betrayed him. He didn’t care so much about Deanna dumping him for Simon as their relationship had just about run its course.
Running off with millions of dollars of his employees’ pension funds. Now that was something else. Despicable and criminal, and they did it in such a way that the blame fell on him. He was ruthless. He had to be to claw his way to the top of the business world, but he had always acted with integrity. There were only two choices in the short term. Risk tarnishing his good business reputation or discretely pay the money back. He chose the latter.
I’ll hound them to the ends of the earth; I don’t care how long it takes. No one cheats Justin Devereux and gets away with it.
“Hell,” he yelped, as something hard and sharp rammed into his groin. His eyes flew open. God, someone was trying to castrate him.
“S… sorry,” the wavering female voice said.
Justin looked up into a pair of blue eyes that were swimming in tears.
“Here, let me help,” he growled, pushing the weapon away from his crotch and handing it back to her. It’s a wonder they let her bring the thing on board. She took the folded-up baby’s stroller, but dropped a large pink bag onto his foot. Where were the attendants when you needed them? This was definitely going to be the flight from hell.
He watched the girl struggling with the stroller, her handbag and a baby all at the one time. His first thought was she didn’t look old enough to have a baby, his second was how tiny and frail she appeared, with the fine, ice-blonde hair tumbling out of its restraining clip.
“It’s all right, don’t get flustered.” He felt strangely moved by her pale, heart shaped face and trembling lips.
As she reached across his briefcase to sit the baby on the floor a swathe of hair brushed his face, and he smelt a faint elusive perfume. Flowers perhaps? Like enticing fingers, it captured his senses.
Before he could offer to help, she lifted up the pink bag, trying to put it in the overhead locker, but she wasn’t tall enough to reach. As he got up to assist her the bag tilted and a jar of baby food hit him on the head.
This girl was a walking disaster area.
“I…I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right. Accidents happen.” Grimacing, he rubbed his head. “Let me put the bag up for you.” And that lethal pram too, he thought, not wanting to risk being run through again. He valued his manhood too much.
As he stowed everything in the locker, he noticed that the white-haired and blue-eyed baby was playing with his briefcase – its plump little fingers trying to pick the lock.
The girl darted under his arm and scooped up the baby, and sat down as quick as a flash. Thank goodness, he’d be safe for a little while at least.

BIO – MARGARET TANNER
Margaret Tanner is an award winning multi-published Australian author. She loves delving into the pages of history as she carries out research for her historical romance novels, and prides herself on being historically correct. Many of her novels have been inspired by true events, with one being written around the hardships and triumphs of her pioneering ancestors in frontier Australia.

Her favorite historical period is the 1st World War, and she has visited the battlefields of Gallipoli, France and Belgium, a truly poignant experience.

Margaret is a member of the Romance Writers of Australia, the Melbourne Romance Writers Group (MRWG) and EPIC. In 2008 she won Author of the Year at AussieAuthors.com.

Margaret is married and has three grown up sons, and a gorgeous little granddaughter.
Outside of her family and friends, writing is her passion.

Sharon: Let’s have a warm welcome for Margaret Tanner. Welcome Margaret!

Thunderous applause explodes as Margaret bounds across stage on her pet kangaroo. She reaches into the pouch and removes a hot off the press copy of Holly and the Millionaire. Margaret blows kisses to her fans and gives her hostess a warm embrace before sitting on the Victorian sofa of mint green silk on claw foot legs.

Sharon: Make yourself comfortable, Margaret and let me call my butler to serve us tea and Potato crisps while we chat. Oliver, we’re ready for refreshments.

Oliver wheels out the sterling silver caddy with a porcelain tea set and delicate floral tea cups. He pours and uncovers the potato crisps, freshly fried and steaming with mouth-watering appeal. Ah, thank you, Oliver. That will be all until I order the dessert. So isn’t this grand, Margaret? We get to visit on cyber stage across the world.

Margaret: Thank you for inviting me to not only visit you blog but to partake of tea. “Earl Grey I hope, Oliver?”

Oliver blushes and nods as he expertly pours, sneaking quick peeks at Margaret.

Sharon: Ah, that will be all, Oliver. So, Margaret, do tell us about living in Australia. I know you and I have talked a bit about the kangaroo. And you’ve told me there are two different types. Can you tell readers about them?

Margaret: Well there are actually several varieties. A wallaby is a small kangaroo, probably a cousin to the larger ones. We have red and gray kangaroos. The babies who live in their mothers’ pouch are called Joeys. Some male kangaroos can grow over 6 feet in height. The males can be very aggressive, they have been known to kill a man. Sometimes kangaroos are called ‘boomers’ because as they hop along they hit the ground so hard they make a booming noise.

Margaret’s pet “Boomer” demonstrates by hopping on command.

Sharon: Hastily assures her gasping audience that Boomer is not the vicious male type of kangaroo who is on the attack. And for you animal lovers, another unique to Australia is the Koala bear. They are so cute and adorable. Can you tell us a bit about them? Are they shy? Have you ever had the opportunity to get close to one?

Margaret: Ooh Sharon, you aren’t supposed to call them koala bears, just koalas. I don’t know that much about them, although I have seen them up close. They give the impression that they are half asleep all the time. They eat only a certain type of eucalyptus (gum) leaf, and this makes them drowsy. They carry their young on their back.

Sharon: You have so many books published by The Wild Rose Press and Whiskey Creek and your reviews are always outstanding. And like me, you are also a medical transcriptionist. Where do you find the time to get your writing in? The chatting on all the Yahoo loops? And all the promoting?

Margaret: I really don’t know where I get the time, but somehow I do, but really, there are never enough hours in the day for me.

Sharon: Well, my hat is certainly off to you. Can you tell us about a typical day in the life of Margaret Tanner? What inspires you to keep going at this pace?

Margaret: Get up out of bed, shower, have breakfast, check my e-mails, trot off to work, type out radiology reports. I am an expert on boobs, as I type up heaps of mammography and breast ultrasound reports. What inspires me, the love of writing. Come home, hubby, bless his little heart, has dinner ready for me, we eat, I do dishes (well you can’t have everything), then I’m up on the computer for a couple of hours, then if I am real lucky I can go to bed. I feel like I’m on a round about going nowhere fast, sometimes, but it is exhilarating.

Sharon: LOL Margaret. We are very honored to have a boob expert with us today! But all kidding aside, I’ve also typed my share of mammography reports and mammograms are something all women need to do. Now let’s talk about Holly and the Millionaire. It takes place in Iraq. Tell us about the research, the setting and about the heroine and hero of this book.

Margaret: I didn’t need to do much research. My youngest son has been in the army, so I got some information from him, and the newspapers are full of the war in Iraq. I actually got the idea for the story when I was flying back to Australia from London, after visiting my oldest son who lives over there. A good deal of the story is set in Melbourne where I live, so I tried to imagine how Holly would feel, all alone in the world, with just her baby, and running from her husband’s ruthless parents who want the baby but not her, and who will stoop to anything to get the child. How devastating and frightening that would be for Holly, especially as her husband was barely cold in his grave. I wanted to make Justin the opposite. Wealthy, confident, ruthless to a point, but underneath that hard exterior, a man with a heart, who falls in love with Holly and her baby but doesn’t realize how much he cares until he almost loses them.

Sharon: Well God bless your son. You write the most interesting and heart-felt stories and this is no exception. You must be so proud to have won so many awards and such prestige in the writing world. What kind of emotions do such honors evoke in you?

Margaret: You are too kind Sharon. I don’t know about prestige in writing. I feel pleased of course, but humble also. It is gratifying to know that people enjoy your stories. Makes all the years of hard slog worth it.

Sharon: It certainly does, doesn’t it? Now do new storylines just pop into your head—or do you have to be inspired by something in particular as a trip or flashing headlines on the media?

Margaret: I don’t need to be inspired by anything, the ideas just pop into my head, sometime at really weird times.

Sharon: Well I do believe it’s time for dessert. Oh Oliver, do bring that scrumptious plum pudding out, the Christmas variety I ordered.

Oliver comes out with the dessert in two Waterford cut glass dessert plates. He winks wildly at Margaret and refills her tea.

Sharon: Holds out her empty teacup as Oliver stands over Margaret, poised at the ready to be at her beck and call. Sharon clears her throat. Ah, Oliver, did you forget about your boss?

Oliver takes a sweeping bow and snaps a crisp linen napkin, grinning broadly and blushing wildly while presenting it to Margaret. Then he stutters. May I have your autograph, Ms. Tanner? He blushes a deep crimson red.

Margaret: “Certainly Oliver, my pleasure.” Margaret signs the linen napkin with a flourish, presses it to her crimson painted lips and leaves an imprint of her mouth on the white linen, then hands it back to Oliver, whose eyes glaze over, then he touches it to his lips.

Sharon: Ah…any time you’re through flirting with my guest, Oliver, I wouldn’t mind a refill of tea and why is it you never asked me for an autograph in all the time you’ve been my butler?

Oliver holds the autograph of Margaret Tanner to his heart and stumbles away, mumbling to himself.

Sharon: Good help is so hard to find. But if you’re in the market for a butler, you can take Oliver. He obviously has quite a crush on you.

Margaret: No thanks. I couldn’t afford him. I am, after all, only a poor writer.

Sharon: LOL! Now back to our interview. Where were we. Ah, yes. What is the message you want readers to walk away with after reading Holly and the Millionaire? Or for that matter, what is the message you hope to leave on this earth? What footprint do you want to leave as your own imprint?

Margaret: I want them to be inspired. To never give up on their dream and know that it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all, and that we are all deserving of a second chance.

Thunderous applause explodes through cyber space.

Sharon: Well said, Margaret!So now let’s dish, girlfriend. Who is Margaret Tanner? Who are you and tell us something we might never guess about you?

Margaret: I am a proud 5th generation Aussie. My forebears were pioneers. They came to Australia from England and Scotland, and suffered great hardship as they fought to tame what was once a savage, inhospitable land. They survived the tyranny of distance, floods, fires and their sons fought wars in foreign lands and some paid for it with their lives. It made them strong and resilient and I hope that I have inherited some of these traits.

Audience stands up and cheers wildly!!!

Only to you, Sharon, my friend, would I confess to this. I dye my hair. There you have it, my deep dark secret, that would normally not be wrenched out of me even under torture.

Sharon: I feel so honored you shared that with me, Margaret! And just between us girls, I’ve been known to dabble a wee bit with the hair paint my own self, but don’t tell anyone! And being Irish, I’m very superstitious. I love legends and lore and keep a collection of traditions from different countries, especially holiday traditions or silly superstitions. Can you share a few superstitions with us? Or a favorite Australian tradition near and dear to your heart?

Margaret: Now superstitions – my mother was a great one for them. Did you know, that it is extremely bad luck to bring wattle (that is our national flower), into your home, some older people call it the flower of death. And it is reasonable when you think about it. The little golden balls of fluff that constitute the flower of the wattle, has a high pollen count, it would be deadly I should imagine if you were an asthmatic, especially in the old days when there was no Ventolin pumps or inhalers.

Sharon: I’ve never heard that one. Thanks, Margaret. I’ll add it to my list. And finally, my three questions. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? If you could star in any literary fiction, which would it be and why? And who would you want playing your romantic hero?

Margaret: Australia because I love it. Gone with the wind. And Rhett Butler please.

Sharon: Excellent answers. And I’m a gonner for Gone with the Wind, a true classic as far as I’m concerned. Margaret, it’s been a pleasure. Thank you for being my special guest today on Wednesday Spotlight. I do hope you’ll come back. Can you tell readers where they can buy Holly and the Millionaire and the rest of your delightful books?

Margaret:
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/holly-and-the-millionaire-p-765.html

http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=536

Thank you for having me here Sharon, I enjoyed my visit, and would love to call in and see you again.

Wednesday Spotlight with Hywela Lyn

EXCERPT FROM CHILDREN OF THE MIST

If you have reached the caves, you will need to leave your pony and continue on foot.

Guided by Tamarith, Vidarh stopped before the first and largest cave. He would need some form of illumination. From his pack he drew a torch, which he lit and wedged
into a crack in the rock. Unsaddling the pony, he turned it loose. The animal, descended from stock genetically engineered to withstand the harsh conditions, and brought with the first settlers to Niflheim, was fit and hardy. It would have no problem
foraging for itself until his return.

With a resolute set to his shoulders, Vidarh retrieved his torch and made his way into the cave. Just inside the mouth, he found a hollow behind a rock in which to hide the saddle and bridle. At least it would be safe and dry there, so long as no hungry rodent decided to nibble at it. He strapped on his pack, containing a change of clothing and a few personal items, and set off along a narrow passageway at the back of the cavern.

Tamarith directed him along the various twists and turns of the labyrinth. At first, the going was easy. The walls of rock gave off a soft, diffuse luminescence, augmenting the light from his torch. After walking for so long he began to think the tunnel he followed led nowhere, the luminosity grew stronger, and the passage opened out into a large amphitheatre. The light reflected back from the walls revealed seats, formed out of pale green stone, arranged in tiers forming a semi-circle. At one end was a pool, shimmering in the soft light. Multi-colored stalactites glistened like jewelled candelabra from the roof of the cave. At the far end was a high dais flanked on each side by another passage.

Vidarh paused for only a moment to take in the beauty around him. He was familiar
with the Conference Chamber of the community of Gladsheim. His mind had been there
many times but this was the first time he had physically entered the place. Instructed
to take the left fork, he progressed along the labyrinths, noting the downward slope
of the passage. Occasionally, when he came to a branch in the tunnel, he would stop
and listen to Tamarith's voice in his mind as it guided him along the right path.

You don't have far to go. I will keep sending you the directions. You should be near
the river now.

Yes. I hear it up ahead.

Be careful. We had heavier than usual snowstorms last winter. With the coming of
spring, the melting snow and ice has swelled the volume of water.

Vidarh made his way along the tunnel, partly guided by his telepathic link with Tamarith,
and partly by his own senses. Eventually it widened out into a large cave, through
which the underground river roared as it cut its way through the mountain.
On the shingle of the boulder-strewn shore, several small boats bobbed against their
moorings. After ensuring his pack was securely fastened around his waist, he climbed
into one, and lashed the torch to the prow. He cast off, and took up the paddle.

The river bore the craft along at a tremendous rate and it needed all his skill and
attention to save the craft from dashing against the rocks. He'd heard about the
fabled river of Mimir, but this was not the tranquil stream of his imagination.
The walls still reflected a phosphorescent glow. Vidarh noticed several gigantic,
human-like statues on the banks as he passed, but had no time to contemplate or admire
them. Rounding a bend, he came upon a wall of water ahead, cascading from the roof
in a fury of white froth. The torrent boiled and raced. He gritted his teeth as he
headed into the maelstrom. There was no way he could control the boat's
frantic motions as it heaved and bucked like an unbroken colt. He threw down the
paddle, gripped the sides of the vessel, and sent a desperate message through the
ether.

Tamarith, I'm in trouble. Please—send me images of your location, quickly. I need
to know what it looks like where you are. The raging current tossed the boat around
with relentless fury. All Vidarh's attention focussed on maintaining contact with
Tamarith, and even his finely-tuned powers could not prevent the craft from capsizing.
Gasping as he hit the icy flood, he struck out with his arms in desperation, and
tried to keep the watery demons from pulling him under. Tamarith!


Sharon: Hello and welcome to Wednesday Spotlight! Today’s special guest is my friend and fellow Wild Rose Hywela Lyn. Lyn is here to tell us all about her new book Children of the Mist. And here she comes now!

Lyn arrives on cyber stage on Vidarh’s pony, waving wildly to her fans. Leaping off with style and grace, Lyn and Sharon exchange cyber hugs.

Sharon: Welcome, Lyn! Have a seat and make yourself comfortable. And after that long pony ride from the UK, I’m sure you’d appreciate a nice cup of steaming Earl Grey to warm your bones. Allow me to pour you a cup. And just for you, Lyn, we have a huge selection of chocolate treats. Dig in.

Lyn: Thank you so much for inviting me. Sharon, ooh chocolate! You know just how to make your guests feel at home don’t you. *grin* and we do like our Earl Grey! Let me just turn Vidarh’s pony loose over here so he can graze - it’s OK he won’t go near the flowers, Vidarh instructed him on what he could and couldn’t eat before we left!

Sharon: Okay, now that we’re both all settled with our tea, let’s talk a bit about your latest release from The Wild Rose Press. Children of the Mist is the sequel to Starquest and I must say I loved it every bit as much as the first book in the series. As I’ve told you so many times, your imagination never ceases to amaze me. You have such a unique way with words. Let’s talk about that, Lyn. Do these colorful descriptions just pop into your head—or do you have some type of telepathic powers I’m unaware of? Because given the way you describe things, it’s as if you are really seeing them. I’ll give you an example:

“The light reflected back from the walls revealed seats, formed out of pale green stone, arranged in tiers forming a semi-circle. At one end was a pool, shimmering in the soft light. Multi-colored stalactites glistened like jewelled candelabra from the roof of the cave.”

Those are the words of a poet. Girl, I’m telling you. I stand in awe. How do you think of such mesmerizing descriptions?

Lyn: (Feels herself blushing furiously) Aw Sharon, thank you, I’ve expect I’ve gone all pink now! I see each scene in a story like a movie, so really I’m just describing what I see in my mind. Very often I take memories and embellish them. For instance, many years ago I visited a network of underground caves at Dan-yr-Ogof, near Swansea, Wales. It was very dark and cold, and the only light came from our guides’ torches and the occasional spotlight, but the stalactites and stalactites were amazing and I think subconsciously I used the memories of that day to create some of the atmosphere in the scene above, although of course most of it is pure imagination .

Sharon: And now let’s talk about your characters, Tamarith and Vidarh. Do the names have any significance? And could you tell us a little background about them and why you chose them as the heroine and hero of your story?

Lyn: Vidarh like most of the characters and places in ‘Children Of The Mist’ is named after
A Norse god – Vidar the Valient, a brother of Thor. I’ve altered the spelling a wee bit as words have a way of changing through successive generations. Tamarith just ‘came’ to me ready named, just as Jess did in ‘Starquest’. I did try altering her name to a more ‘Nordic’ sounding one, but it didn’t work, she just wasn’t the same character, so I changed it back again. There are one or two other characters in the book who also don’t have Scandinavian names, because the planet Niflheim is peopled by Earth settlers and I figured not all of them would name their babies after Norse gods!

Tamarith features quite a lot in ‘Starquest’ but I really left her with an unresolved future in that book. At the back of my mind I had an idea for a sequel, because I became rather fond of her, especially when she pleaded with me to give her a ‘happy ever after too.’ When I started writing ‘Children Of The Mist’ I wasn’t too sure who the hero was going to be, but then Vidarh appeared on the scene and began to tell me the story and it quickly became obvious that he had the determination and courage to see the story through, while his kind nature was just what was needed to heal Tamarith’s broken heart.

Sharon: I can’t even imagine the creativity process of writing both Starquest and Children of the Mist. How long did it take you to write Children of the Mist and did you run into any major stumbling blocks you’d like to share with readers?

Lyn: It took me about a year to do the necessary research and get the basic story down. Then I took a couple of months to revise and polish it before submitting it to The Wild Rose Press. I did find one scene toward the end particularly difficult to write, but I wrote around it and then went back to it, and once I’d started it wasn’t as hard to develop as I’d expected. It involved an ‘action’ scene but one in which Vidarh is trying to reconcile his feelings for Tamarith while trying to save her, and it almost happens in slow motion. It was harder to think about than to actually write!

Sharon: Now I know as writers, we sometimes feel as if we spend far too much time promoting and far too little time writing. How do you reach a happy medium between these two battling forces, Lyn. Because I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel as if I’m literally being pulled in half, trying to do both and wondering how I’ll fit it all in without pulling my hair out. Any secrets to share?

Lyn: I wish I had Sharon, like you I feel I’m being pulled in several directions at once. The internet is at once a blessing and a curse. Being published by a US publisher, but living in the UK, means my readers are inevitably going to be mainly from the States, and my only way of reaching them, since I can’t afford to travel across the pond and attend conventions, much as I would like to, is to spread myself across as many loops and social networks as I can, just to ‘get my name out there.’ It’s addictive though, and between this, and keeping up my Blog and website, the time just flies, and especially if the muse is being elusive, it’s all too easy to spend all my time promoting and not leave enough time for writing. The only answer for me is to be really strict and switch off the internet to avoid being tempted by emails, or something I feel I just have to ‘post’. On a fine day I take my laptop out into the garden, and since it’s very basic, without internet access it’s a great way to encourage the muse to come out and play.

Sharon: I’d like to talk a bit about your love of animals. It’s so obvious from your books and from our many chats what an important role animals play in your life. What do you suppose it is about our furry friends that pulls at your heart strings?
Lyn: I think (apart from the ‘cuteness’) it’s their innocence and vulnerability – and their honesty. You know where you are with an animal. They don’t steal from you, tell lies or pretend to be your friend and then run you down when you’re not around. I don’t mean that to sound like I don’t like people. I do, but there are some unpleasant, even evil people in the world, who will deceive you to get what they want, or attack and injure a weaker person for greed. Even a so-called ‘mean’ horse will warn you by laying its ears back and giving out other subtle body language, before it kicks, A dog will snarl before it bites. Nearly all instances of an animal attacking a person are instinctive self defence reactions. I don’t think any animal is born mean. They will defend themselves or their young, and you can’t blame them for that, and usually a ‘dangerous’ horse or dog has been made or bred that way by man. A dog will give you complete loyalty, a horse has subtle ways of showing its affection and cats can also be very affectionate, and although they have an air of independence they make wonderful companions. It’s well known that stroking a domestic cat or dog has therapeutic qualities, and a dog instinctively knows when its owner is sad, or not feeling well. Animals are beautiful, majestic, or just plain cuddly. Our world would be a very much poorer place without them. In the words of Chief Seattle:

“What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, man would die from a great loneliness of the spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All things are connected.”

Thunderous applause explodes from the audience. Sharon stands and the audience joins in, giving Lyn a standing ovation.

Sharon: Here here, Lyn. Well said to all our adoring animal friends. Now, we’ve talked so many times about riding horseback. There is nothing like it, is there? Don’t you feel being close to nature while having the wind whip in your face wild and free is inspiring? Makes you a better writer?

Lyn: Oh absolutely. Horses feature in nearly every story I’ve ever written, and I care about them as much as the human characters. I’ve frequently worked out a difficult piece of plot when out on a long ride, and very often if the character is riding a horse, imagined myself as him or her. There really is nothing quite like being out in the open countryside, with only your horse for company, to make one realize what a beautiful and inspiring world we inhabit.

Sharon: And let’s talk about sweet Bouncer. Can you share with readers how he came to live with you?

Lyn: I’ve had dogs ever since I was a child. When our last little dog, a Shiba bitch called Blaze, sadly had to be put to sleep, I said the next dog we had would be a ‘rescue’. There is a shelter near where I used to live in Wales, called ‘Ty Agored’, which translates as ‘Open House. They take in any needy animal and keep them until they find a home. They will never euthanaze a healthy animal. I got on the internet and emailed them to ask if they had an adult dog that might be suitable for us.

I asked for an adult, because puppies are so cute and find homes comparatively easily and I wanted a dog that might have trouble being re-homed. I was given the choice of three, but Bouncer struck a chord with me immediately, and when I saw his photo, I knew he was ‘the one.’ He was brought in as a half starved stray, and had obviously been ill treated in the past. He’d had a broken hip and pelvis which had been allowed to heal without veterinary assistance. He’d been there for six months and was now a healthy weight and in good health again. He will be on medication for the rest of his life, because of his previous injuries, which meant he would have a hard time finding someone to adopt him. The cost of his medication was manageable, and I asked them to reserve him for us.

A few weeks later we travelled to Wales and were introduced to Bouncer, and it was love at first sight. He came back with us a couple of days later and seemed to understand that he was going ‘home’. When we reached our house, he had his supper and went straight to his new bed and curled up in it as if he’d always slept there.

He is the sweetest, most lovable little dog you could imagine. Despite his bandy little back legs, which make him walk a bit like a penguin, he is very lively and full of fun, and you wouldn’t believe there was anything wrong with him, or that he’d had such a tough past, if you didn’t know. He lives up to his name, by bouncing up and down with his front legs when he wants something, and brings so much joy into our lives. I would urge anyone thinking of getting a pet to consider a rescue, they repay you a thousand fold.

Sharon: Lyn, you are a gift and make this world a better place. Now when you’re not writing, I know reading is one of your many hobbies. Can you tell us some of your other creative talents?

Lyn: Well, like you Sharon, I used to love to paint – in oils and acrylics. My favorite things to paint were horses and landscapes – often alien landscapes. As you know though, it’s very time consuming and I just don’t have the time any more, although I still sometimes sketch in pencil. I still love to draw horses and sometimes I’ll sketch a character or a landscape from a story I’m working on, just to fix it in my mind. I also enjoy painting on horseshoes – in the style of canalboat artists. I live near The Grand Union Canal and love to look at the colorful barges, with their plump roses and the other designs that make them unique.

Sharon: And don’t look now, but here comes dessert!

Oliver the butler rolls out the sterling silver caddy with another pot of steaming hot tea. Then he unveils his culinary talents with a sweeping bow Huge red ripe strawberries doused with cream in three beautiful cut crystal dessert plates. After pouring more tea, he squeezes himself between Lyn and Sharon, batting his eyes madly at Lyn.

Sharon: Ah…Oliver. She clears her throat and moves over a bit as the mint green sofa on claw legs sags. Oliver, what’s gotten into you? You never behave this way? Oliver goes to speak but nothing comes out but a squeak. He whispers in Sharon’s ear. Oh, all right, I’ll ask her. Lyn, Oliver seems to have a school boy crush on you and would like your autograph. If you don’t mind? Then maybe he’ll…ah…give us some breathing room.

Lyn: Of course, its a pleasure. There you go, Oliver, "To Oliver, the greatest butler of them all." Um yes, I have put several kisses on it - and please, take the pen as well. it's a special 'Starquest' one, and there aren't many of those around.

Sharon: Mmmmmm. Aren’t these delicious, Lyn? We simply must stop chatting long enough to devour this treat. How about it?

Lyn: Mmmm *smacks lips” I just adore strawberries and cream – who cares about the figure! Ooh yes I will have a bit more cream, thank you.

Sharon: Oh, that was a treat. I just love berries. Now that we’ve had our treat, let’s chat about my favorite thing. And you know what it is, right, Lyn? You got it, girl, superstitions. And with your Welsh blood, I know you have one or two. Can you share one or two of your favorites and why they intrigue you so?

Lyn: *Grin* how long have we got? There are so many Welsh superstitions, some of them date from ancient customs and some of them have been passed down from generation to generation. They’re a wonderful source of inspiration and can often add a touch of authenticity to a story. Ok then, here are a few:

If you find a white hair on a black cat, you will have good luck.

A funeral on a Saturday was considered good for the dead person's soul. In Wales they say, "Blessed are the dead that the rain rains on.

There are lots of superstitions revolving around the New Year celebrations as well.

Many people give gifts on New Years morning, with children having skewered apples stuck with raisins and fruit. In some parts of Wales people must visit all their relatives by midday to collect their calennig. Celebrations and traditions vary from area to area. In the south-east of Wales and in the Forest of Dean area, the skewered apple itself was known as the calennig If you make a calennig for New Year's Day, don't throw it away afterwards. Put it to stand on your window sill and it will bring you good luck for as long as it stands there.

On New Year's Day it's considered bad luck if the first visitor at your house has red hair. Best luck comes from a knock at the door by man you don't know with black hair.

Try to repay all debts and push the bank-balance into the black before the New Year. Tradition states that ending a year in debt means a whole new year of debt. The same goes for cleaning the house – any untidiness or dust will mean the house is like that for the rest of the year.

Lending anything - even a candle - on New Year's Day is considered unlucky.

If you burn a Yule log at Christmas, keep the ashes to bury along with your plant seeds in the spring. Superstition dictates that you'll be assured of a bumper crop.

Remember to take down every last Christmas decoration before the end of the evening of January 5th. It's seen as bad luck to keep trimmings up after Twelfth Night.

These are just a few of the Welsh traditions and superstitions I grew up with. If one delves into the many myths and legends of Wales, one can see how some of them came about. There are endless possibllities for a fantasy writer in these customs and legends, I never tire of them.

Sharon clasps her hands in fascination. I love it and am always so thrilled to learn new legends, traditions and superstitions! Thanks for sharing. : Now on a more serious note, could you tell readers how you would like to be remembered after you leave this earth and why?

Lyn: I think I’d like to be remembered as someone who loved to share her dreams and her fantasies, through her writing and who, although she may not always have succeeded, tried her best, and loved her family, her animals and her friends.

Sharon: Good answer, my friend. And what’s next for Hywela Lyn in the wonderful world of fiction writing? Any new story you are hard at work on?

Lyn: I’m currently working on the final story that started with ‘Starquest’ (see I find those characters very hard to let go of.) I also have a Western on the back burner, although it’s trying hard to come to the fore.

Sharon: Well, Lyn. Parting is such sweet sorrow. I’m afraid that brings us to the end of our interview. But before you go, I must ask you my three questions. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why? If you could star in any literary fiction which would it be and why? And last but not least, if you could be the leading lady in any book, who would you choose and who would be your ideal romantic hero?

Lyn: Well the first one’s easy – the mountains of my native Wales. Much as I’d love to travel to the Western States of the US, and to see the fjords of Norway, for me there is no place like rural Wales where I grew up and lived most of my life. It has everything, wild countryside, rugged mountains and beautiful lakes and waterfalls.

If I could star in a work of literary fiction, please can I be Elizabeth Bennett in ‘Pride and Prejudice’. Seems she had practically everything – looks, charm, wit – and most importantly, Darcy! LOL

If I could be the leading lady in any book I think it would be Lessa, in Anne MacCaffrey’s ‘Dragonflight’. You know how much I love horses, but what must it be like to ride a thirty foot long telepathic Queen Dragon? Can you imagine it? Not to mention being mated to a hunky hero like F’lar! And my ideal romantic hero? Do you mean to play F’lar? I think that would be Richard Armitage, he has the dark good looks and determined air that I imagine Flar has, but he also looks capable of tenderness and affection, For me the ideal fictional hero is just that, Good looking but more than that, intelligent, strong, capable and affectionate. Preferably with a gentle sense of humour.

Sharon: Well thank you so much for dropping in to Wednesday Spotlight. It’s been a pleasure and I hope you’ll come back again. You know I love you and all your books and readers, take it from me. You do not want to miss reading Children of the Mist. Hywela Lyn has such a gift with words that will definitely pull at your emotions. Best of luck, Lyn!

Lyn: Thank you very much for having me here, Sharon, it’s been wonderful to talk with you and spend time with you. Oh, and thank Oliver for the strawberries and cream, please, not to mention all the chocolate treats! I’m going to have to get a butler like him when I’m rich and famous!

Sharon: And finally, can you tell readers where they can purchase Children of the Mist and where they can get in touch with you? And can we take a peek at your trailer?

Lyn: Of course. All my books are available at my author page at the Wild Rose Press:

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/hywela-lyn-m-138.html?zenid=f651e96682a66807f1143aa923e1a4a9

My Website is http://www.hywelalyn.co.uk/

And all my trailers can be viewed here:
http://www.blazingtrailers.com/browse.php?txt=Hywela%20Lyn

I love hearing from fellow authors, as well as readers, of course, and can be reached at
Hywelalyn@hywelalyn.co.uk

Thank you again for having me Sharon, it’s been such fun. I just hope I haven’t put on too much weight for Vidarh’s pony to carry me back! LOL

Wednesday Spotlight with Miss Mae

Miss Mae, the Pure Southern Genteel author, currently has two best selling romantic mysteries published with The Wild Rose Press. “See No Evil, My Pretty Lady” earned highly acclaimed reviews and won the Find A Great Romance ‘Reader’s Pick of the Month’ award. MyShelf.com listed it as one of their Top Ten Reads of 2008. “Said the Spider to the Fly” is receiving excellent reviews in its own right, and has currently won the esteemed title of Best Book of the Week for The Long and the Short of It Reviews
and The Romance Studio. Now in print, it can be bought at both Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. Her new historical mystery, “It’s Elementary, My Dear Winifred” from Class Act Books is available as ebook and print at their storefront of Lulu. “When the Bough Breaks” from Whimsical Publications, a young adult coming-of-age, is for release on Oct. 12, 2009. She also enjoys writing humor and non-fiction articles. Besides her monthly contributions to the ezine American Chronicle, some of her publications can be found in The Front Porch Magazine, Good Old Days, and
WritersWeekly.
*********************
And the blurb to "It's Elementary, My Dear Winifred"...
Schoolmarm Winifred Merryweather guards her identity as the daughter of one of London's
most notorious villains. To separate her life from his, she spends her lonely existence
with her cat, Theodore, and meets twice monthly at the estate of Lord Nelson Chatham.
Losing herself in the pages of a mystery story shivers Winifred's spine -- until
the day that she’s forced to live through one.

Kidnapped and thrown together into a chaotic adventure, newspaper reporter Remington
Hawthorne’s flirtatious charm thaws Winifred’s icy reserve. But can they uncover
the meaning of the clues, and survive, before the tale reaches the page that reads,
The End?"It's Elementary, My Dear Winifred" from Class Act Books.

Excerpt:
Winifred picked up a clean cloth and the bowl and carried them back to her spot at
his stool. “Will you eat this time?”

He rested his head against the chair back. “When our abductor has gone to so much
trouble, dare I continue to refuse?”

Slowly, she worked his ripped boot off his foot and carefully pulled down his thick
sock. She tried not to start when a tangle of curly black hair sprang into view.

Remington murmured, “Have you never seen a man’s bare leg?”

She tried to think of a clever retort. When one escaped her, she merely said, “I’ll
clean this and bandage it. Hopefully, that will contain the bleeding.”

“Don’t be afraid to do whatever you think necessary. I won’t break.”

For the next several minutes, neither spoke. Remington stared into the glowing light
burning in the fireplace, the smoky-sweet scent of the peat bricks infusing the air
like fragrant incense. Winifred concentrated on her work and after scissoring the
tattered length of his trouser above the height of the freshly wrapped linen, she
gathered up the bowl and rags, moving to the table where she poured fresh water into
another pot. Dumping his bloody sock in the basin, she scrubbed vigorously at the
stains.

“I’ll drape this on the mantel to dry so it’ll be clean when you put it back on.
How is the wound feeling?” She glanced at him over her shoulder.

His aqua colored eyes met hers and he allowed his gaze to linger. Mesmerized, Winifred
couldn’t look away. A delicious sort of warmth spread throughout her limbs and she
found it difficult to breathe.

“You surprise me.” Remington’s voice deepened, weakening her already quivering knees.
“You seem so expert at this sort of thing, I wonder if you’re a doctor’s daughter.”

She cleared her throat with an effort and managed to find strength to lower her lashes.
“Nothing like that.” Mentally commanding her pulses to abort their chaotic skipping,
she dried her hands and walked to the other chair where a pile of quilts lay. She
removed the top one and went to Remington, placing it over him. When she tried to
tuck it around his chest, he snatched her wrist and raised it to his mouth.

“Who is this soft, caring woman before me?” His warm lips traced the contours of
her fingers, his husky whisper caressing like a silky feather drawn across her skin.
“Where has the prim, poker-spined maiden disappeared to?”

It’d be dangerous to fall for his charm.

The lantern’s flame hissed and died with a sputter, plunging the room into immediate
darkness. Winifred jerked away. “The—the lamp,” she stammered. “It’s gone out.”
**************************************
Sharon: Hello and welcome to Wednesday Spotlight! Today’s special guest is friend and fellow Wild Rose author, our very own Southern Genteel author Miss Mae! Miss Mae----come on out, girlfriend!

Thunderous applause explodes as Miss Mae struts out in her pretty dress, gloves and sun bonnet, looking for all the world like a sweet Southern Belle. Miss Mae waves madly and blows kisses to her fans before finally giving her hostess a cyber hug.

Sharon: Well, Miss Mae, any time you’re through batting your long eyelashes at the audience, you can grab a seat and I’ll pour you a glass of sweet tea. Ah….or did you bring your own special blend of lemonade, is it? And for your enjoyment, we also have enough chocolate to put you in a coma. We have chocolate cappuccino, double fudge brownies, chocolate cupcakes with chocolate icing, chocolate dipped strawberries and peanut butter cups. And my dear Miss Mae, I do so hope you take note of the extra pretties on my table. That cut glass candy dish with all the candies in it is a family heirloom handed down from my great Aunt Tillie, a priceless Waterford dish. And aren’t the pink and green wrappers hugging the chocolates pretty? Miss Mae? Should you really be digging into those chocolate treats with your gloves still on? Oh dear, would you look at those stains. Allow me to call the butler. Oh, Oliver, quick. We need some Shout it Out! Miss Mae?

MM: Hmm? (gulping quickly, snatches delicate hanky to mouth to cover a loud cough) Oh, yes. (sniffle) You were saying? (clears throat)

Sharon: Whew…all right then. Now, let’s get in a few questions before our time is up, shall we? Any time you’re through chewing, Miss Mae…can you tell us a bit about the setting of It’s Elementary, My Dear Winifred?

MM: (clapping hands together) I’d certainly love to, but I’m afraid it’s cloaked in mystery. I can’t give anything away, only to say if you love puzzles, mazes, spooky old spider-webbed booby-trapped castles…Well, there. I’ve already said too much!

Sharon: And I do so adore a good mystery and you have me totally intrigued. How about it, folks? Now as authors, we all have to carve our own unique way in the world of writing. And I must say, there is something so wonderfully intriguing about your tag line, “Want to read about love? Want to read about suspense? Get caught in the ‘web’ of
Miss Mae’s books!”

See what I mean, folks? There’s an aura of suspense around those words that make me wanna make a bee-line to the nearest book store. I love a good mystery, a good who done it. Can you share with us why this genre is one you love to write in?

MM: I’ve asked myself that question a thousand times! The only answer I can come up with is that such a plot keeps my mind active. I don’t like going to sleep during a dull movie, or boring book. I want both to keep me guessing and to wonder what’s around the next scene, or the next page. I try to write that way too, in hopes of engrossing the reader from, hopefully, page one.

Sharon: Now let’s talk a bit about reviews, shall we? You have received so many outstanding and awesome reviews for your work, but one statement stands out in my head, something I remember reading before I had the pleasure of making your acquaintance. These words stuck, “Miss Mae has woven a mystery reminiscent of Agatha Christie…”

Now Miss Mae, that is an awesome compliment, I’d say. Congratulations. And my hat, aw…my bonnet…is truly off to you. Can you tell me how such a statement makes you feel?

MM: A mixture of emotions. As you say, it’s an awesome compliment, and I’m terribly flattered, and humbled. I know I’m not an Agatha Christie, I don’t have her skills by any stretch of the imagination. Still, to be grouped with her name…(Miss Mae shakes her head with wonder)

Sharon: Grins broadly and holds up Miss Mae’s latest review for It’s Elementary My Dear Winifred. Coffee Time Romance has given it a 5 cup rating. And I’ve just read it and once more, my bonnet is off to you. Here is part of the review, followed by the link. Congratulations, Miss Mae!

First off, I really enjoyed It’s Elementary, My Dear Winifred. Second, there is no
sex at all in the book—just want to get that out of the way. The book is a clever
take on the Holmes/Adler style of mystery. It has ‘who dunnits’, tricky clues, characters
that rival the best of the genre. Our heroine, Winifred, is clever and interesting,
but not infallible, while Remington is charming and provides the strength for Winifred.
The villains, once found, should almost have ‘bad guy’ music playing in the back
ground, as they are wonderfully melodramatic. Background scenery is perfectly creepy
for a Victorian mystery with appropriate dialogue—historical without being distracting.

And to read the full review, link here:
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/

Sharon: Where do you suppose you get your ideas for creating such intriguing mysteries?

MM: Shew, that’s a toughie. Mostly, I suppose, by lying down when I should be napping. But instead of dozing, my mind is working with various plot ideas, asking questions, inventing characters, and asking “why?” (she scratches her head). Does that make sense?

Sharon: Have you ever written anything outside the genre of mystery and suspense?

MM: Can I say, “sort of/maybe”? See, I’ll have a YA released October 12, 2009, from Whimsical Publications. It is classed a Young Adult, and it deals with the heroine, Darlene, and her relationship with a young man named Parker Shane. The story starts when Darlene is sixteen-years-old, and continues on until she’s twenty. And while the whole book reads as if it’s dealing with Darlene’s teen-age angst of having her first crush, wearing her first miniskirt (yes, it’s set in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s), preparing for her first date…this is all leading up to a climatic revelation by story’s end.

Sharon: What inspires you to spin these tales of suspense? A creative muse you depend on? A pet cat or a piece of jewelry for luck? The reason I’m asking…and not that this is a reflection on you in any way…but many authors are shall we say…eccentric. Miss Mae? Is there a reason why you’re clutching your brooche clip for dear life?

MM: Well, of course there is! Oliver is eyeing it very greedily! I suppose he can see it’s a family heirloom, and…what was the question? Oh! Yes! Hmph, where was I? What inspires me? Why, I want to surprise the world. Everyone thinks Miss Mae is just this genteel, and downright BORING fluff of southern female gal. Huh! Miss Mae has a wee bit of smarts tucked inside the depths of these gorgeous curls, let me tell you. (smacks Oliver as he attempts to touch said curls)

Sharon: Indeed you do, my friend. Now, when you aren’t busy writing, you love to read. What type of books do you read and why?

MM: I love romance, of course, but I don’t care for anything sensual. I love the chase between the hero and heroine, I love the smoldering looks they exchange, the simple fact of HOW they strive to get together. I don’t want to know anything beyond a couple of very sweet, tender embraces. And good mysteries, though no horror, no supernatural or paranormal. I also delight in science fiction fantasies. I love the idea of space travel and exploring other, unknown worlds.

Miss Mae reaches into her bag and uncaps the lid of a flask, pours a generous splash into the pitcher of lemonaide and pours herself a glass. Smacking her lips, she indulges in a few more hearty slugs…straight from the flask.

Sharon: Ahhh…Miss Mae? As we were saying. Ahhh…yes. Back to your books. Is there one that stands out in your mind, one you particularly enjoyed writing? And if so, can you tell us what it was about that book that is near and dear to your heart?

MM: Well..hiccup…”See No Evil, My Pretty Lady” is special because it was my first release. “Said the Spider to the Fly” is close to my heart because it’s won so many awards. And my forthcoming “When the Bough Breaks”, the YA I spoke earlier about, is extremely special because I’m soooo in love with Parker. (grins sheepishly). But the one I truly ENJOYED writing was “It’s Elementary, My Dear Winifred”. It’s such fun. I put Winifred, and all the characters, through some terribly exciting trials. And I love who she is. What I mean by that is…wait until you learn her identity!

Sharon: Let’s talk about music. Why do you suppose the golden oldies of the fifties and sixties appeal to you more than today’s selection. What is it about that era that you so love?

MM: I suppose as one grows older (the audience gasps, and Miss Mae hastily turns to reassure them), though I am NOT old, by any means, it was just a general sentiment. Well, one’s childhood days, back when all you thought about was lazing away the summertime in an inner tube on a cold creek, or playing “tag” with your friends, or catching June bugs…whatever the tunes were that you caught on the radio, those are the ones you remember most fondly. They bring back the good memories, and they never fail to put a smile on your face.

Sharon hits a cyber button and Peggy Sue blasts loudly. Miss Mae leaps up, loses her bonnet and begins to do the twist, the flask still in hand.

Sharon: LOL Well there you have it folks…an up close and personal of our dear Southern Belle. Thunderous applause explodes as Sharon joins the fun.

MM: They asked me to appear on “Dancing with the Stars”, but due to conflicting schedules, I regretfully had to decline. (Miss Mae was enroute to share her family lemonade receipe..you’ll just have to guess where!)

Sharon: Hand me the flask. Wheww…that was fun… But I must be a bit out of shape. I’m sweating up a blue streak. Miss Mae? Miss Mae is still going strong, shimmying down to her…

Sharon: Oh, that was fun. Now Miss Mae, just a few more questions. Do you have any pets and if so, do they inspire your writing in any way?

MM: Yes, right now, we have three female dogs. Each was a throw away. One, Lovey, we came upon just as the car that dropped her off accelerated up the road. She was running behind them, and I couldn’t just leave her there. After three years, we decided she needed a companion, so we went to the local humane society and got Dolly. Last year, a little puppy scratched at our gates to get in. How could we turn her away? We adore them. While they certainly inspire ME, I can’t say they inspire my writing. J

Sharon: So what’s next for Miss Mae? Are you hard at work on your next best seller?

MM: I’m trying! LOL It’s titled, “Catch Me If You Can.” I really hope to have it finished by year’s end.

Sharon: And finally, Miss Mae, my three trivia questions. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why? If you could star in any literary fiction, which would it be and why? And finally who would you want playing your romantic hero?

MM: I’ve never been much of a traveler, I’m a home body, really. (wouldn’t you be on a thousand acre plantation??). So I suppose I’ll answer the first question by saying I’ll just stay right where I am. J And the second question…I’d love to play alongside Sherlock Holmes. Instead of Watson, he could partner with Miss Mae! And for the third…(furrows smooth brow in concentration) Hmm, I’m afraid I don’t keep up with today’s television/movie “hunkies”, so I’m going to go with one that still gives me goose bumps today, although you need to recall him in his younger version, naturally! (sighs wistfully) That’d be Sean Connery.

Sharon: Well, Miss Mae, it’s been a pleasure, my dear friend. Miss Mae leaps up, grabs the butler and shimmies down, her arms wildly flapping. Miss Mae…watch the Waterford dish, my priceless family heirloom!

MM: Tell Oliver to keep his hands away from my chocolate!

Miss Mae does one final twist and the candy dish crashes to the floor…

MM: Oops.

Sharon: Oh dear, so much for Aunt Tillie’s antique candy dish. But as they say, It’s …ah…Elementary, My Dear Miss Mae.

MM: Have a swallow of my rootin’ tootin’ lemonade, dearie. It’ll cheer you up!

Sharon: Hand it over, girlfriend. Sharon slugs some family recipe back and toasts one up to dear Aunt Tillie. And finally, Miss Mae, where can readers find your books and get in touch with you:

MM: There’s my website, at http://www.missmaesite.com, my blog: http://missmaesite.blogspot.com, I have two MySpaces: http://www.myspace/missmaeauthor, and http://www.myspace.com/monamurphy. Drop by and see me, y’all!
And It’s Elementary My Dear Winifred
Available at:
Class Act Books