Interview with Leondard D Hilley II

Leonard, welcome to Deb's. Thank you for coming by to chat with us.

Please tell us a bit about yourself. Your family, background, etc.

I was raised in rural Alabama in the 70s-80s. This was before cable television and video games, and we only had three stations that came in, if the wind was blowing the right direction. I'm really glad that technology wasn't too advanced when I was a child. Otherwise, I don't think my imagination would be what it is today.

My sister and I spent hours using our imaginations and exploring the woods and fields behind our house. Since we grew up with parents that believed "kids should be seen, not heard," we found our creative niche with books and horror comics.

I've always been an avid reader, and from an early age, I knew I wanted to be a novelist. I drew my own comics, and by the fifth grade, I had completed my first novel. At the age of twelve, my parents divorced, and I spent many years in church trying to sort it all out. Nothing against churches, but the one I attended didn't think we should use our imaginations at all, and for years, I abandoned my writing.

I have to admit, if it wasn't for my wife, Christal, I wouldn't have started writing again. We met at college and she introduced me to Dean R. Koontz's books. I was captivated by his writing, and suddenly, I found my desire to write again.

Tell us what kind of books you write. Do you write more than one genre?

The Predators of Darkness series is what most people refer to as cross-genre. There's sci-fi, mystery, suspense, and a bit of romance tied together.

I have two other series I'm working on. One is slanted more toward sci-fi, but the elements of suspense and mystery are there. The other series is a dark fantasy series about a teenage boy who gets lost in an enchanted, or shall I say, cursed, cave and ends up in a dark world full of demons, elves, beasts, and fairies. The first chapters of each book are posted at www. myspace. com/deimosfactor


I just read your book PREDATOR’S OF DARKNESS and I was impressed with it. The story was strong and had wonderful characters that pull you right into the story and keep you there till the end.

Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate that.

Was this your first book in print? When did it come out?

Yes, this is the first book I've had published. It came out in April 2007.

I believe the second book in this series, BEYOND THE DARKNESS, will be released this coming spring.

Yes. Though it will be July.

Please tell us about this series. What inspired you to write this genre of book and will there be more than the two books in the series. If so, can you give us any details?

The opening sentence of Predators of Darkness came to me in 1996. "Dropping a cat from the top of a ten story office building was not the best way to remain hidden, but it was necessary."

The sentence just popped in my head right before I was going to sleep, so I wrote it down. The idea intrigued me, so I played with it for a few days. I had no characters, no plot. Just this sentence. I had twenty pages by the second day with promising characters, but I couldn't add more to it, so I set it aside for two years. When I picked it back up, I noticed that I didn't have one chapter, but a twenty page outline that needed fleshed out. I worked on it for a couple weeks and had one hundred pages. Again, I couldn't add anything to it.

In 1998, I took an advanced creative writing course at Morehead State University. As one of my projects, I turned in 32 pages of Predators of Darkness (the first chapter). The professor let everyone comment about the chapter, and then he went to the chalk board. He said, "Leonard, you don't have one chapter here. You have 5 or 6." He drew out a brief storyline outline, and immediately, everything became clearer. From then on, the characters wrote the novel. They became real, and the action and intensity of the novel developed.

The characters still had more to say after Predators of Darkness, and so Beyond the Darkness emerged. There will be a third book in the series, The Game of Pawns. I'm not certain if a fourth book will follow. This will depend largely on the characters and what happens in The Game of Pawns.

Do you have any other works in progress? If so, please share with us.

I'm currently revising my dark fantasy novel, Devils Den, and I'm working on The Game of Pawns as well.

Do you have plans to expand into other genres of writing? If you could write anything you wanted, what would it be?

I'm really happy writing what I write. The characters are what keep the story going. Some question why I write so darkly, but it's because I've survived dark valleys in my own life and know what it is to struggle. At the end, I hope that people can see there is hope, no matter how bad the current situations are.

Have you been influenced by any particular author in your writing career?

The first author that captivated me was Roger Zelazny and his Chronicles of Amber series. Characterization and conflict was important to him and his works show it. I am a huge fan of Dean Koontz and perhaps his writing is the strongest influence on me and how I write.

Please share some of your favorite authors or books with us. Why are they special to you?

The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny. I love how he incorporates family disputes into his realm of fantasy with their ability to travel through shadows to another world.

I've read a vast majority of Koontz's books. Cold Fire and Mr. Murder are perhaps my favorites. I love the way he weaves together multiple storylines and characters until they have no choice but to interact and resolve the story.

What is the best piece of writing advice you have ever been given? What one bit of advice would you give to a new writer?

"Keep on keeping on," is what one writer friend told me. If you want to write, you have to write and keep writing. A book or story cannot write itself. You must put pen to paper or type it into your word processor. No one else can write what you can.

Leonard, thank you for coming by to chat with us. We wish you continued success!

Thank you very much.

Review-Predator's of Darkness

A few months ago I was the lucky recipient of a copy of PREDATORS OF DARKNESS by Leonard D. Hilley II. I started it almost immediately but due to life getting in the way, I didn't get back to it as soon as I would have liked. This weekend I started it again and I just finished it and I am so VERY glad I read it.

PREDATORS OF DARKNESS is a dark book, full of suspense and on the edge of a horror story. Horror stories are not my normal read and I was hesitant to start it but once I did, I was hooked!

The strong characters grab you and don't let you go through the entire book. The setting is >Pittsburg, after a nuclear missile attack. Mr. Hilley's descriptions make you feel like you are there in the midst of the destruction and horror. Mutant animal creatures are stalking the survivors and staying alive is the name of the game as they try to survive in this horrible situation.

But where did these creatures come from and how did they develop so fast? Is there more to the story than just a nuclear attack and it's horrible aftermath? Is the government carrying out secret experiments or it is the result of other secret organizations?

You will definitely want to read PREDATORS OF DARKNESS to find the answers. I am looking forward to Mr. Hilley's next book in the series!

Jennifer Ashley Interview

Interview with Jennifer Ashley

Jennifer, welcome to Deb’s. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us.

Please tell us a bit about yourself. Your background, family, etc.

Oh my, let’s see. I grew up moving all over the place because my father was a chaplain in the military. I lived in mostly in the southwest (Texas, Nevada, Arizona) but went to high school in Japan. Growing up everywhere gave me an interesting perspective of the world, and made me kind of a misfit at the same time. I married another misfit, the son of an Army officer. He joined the Army right before we married, and I went to Germany with him. Now the two of us have settled down in the southwest looking after a succession of cats. We are both book lovers (which is how we met), and we got married so we could purge the duplicates out of our massive book collections.

For our readers unfamiliar with your work, please tell us what kind of books you write.

The question is what kind of books don’t I write? *g* I started out not really knowing what I wanted to write (because I like many genres), so I tried a bit of everything. I was shopping a dark historical mystery and a light romantic adventure at the same time—and they both sold. I was very surprised!

Now I write romances as Jennifer Ashley (historical and paranormal), romances as Allyson James (erotic and paranormal), and mysteries as Ashley Gardner. I throw in a mainstream historical novel now and again. I have a couple of fantasy short stories published, and I’d like to explore more in the fantasy genre.


Many authors use a pen name for their books and often a variation of that pen name for other genres of books. I’m sure a lot of it has to do with privacy and security. Do you use a pen name and if so why? How many books do you have out under each name?

Privacy and security never occurred to me at first! Jennifer Ashley is my real name (it’s on my driver’s license, which, no, I’m not showing anyone). I sold my first book (the light romantic adventure) as Jennifer Ashley, and I intended to write everything as Jennifer Ashley.

Well, we can’t always get what we want. I sold a mystery series to Berkley right after I’d sold the romance, and the publishers didn’t want my name cross-competing. So I had to take a pseudonym (Ashley Gardner), which was probably good, because the mysteries were dark, gritty historical noir, while the romances were light-hearted high-seas adventures. Very different!

A few years later, I decided to try erotic romance, because I’d always enjoyed writing hot, and I wanted to see what I could do. I took another name—Allyson James—and submitted a book to Ellora’s Cave. I took the pseudonym for two reasons: 1. to avoid any contract problems, and 2. I feared I’d fail. If Allyson James tanked, she wouldn’t mess with the readership I’d already built as Jennifer Ashley.

To my surprise, Allyson James did pretty darn good! My first book sold well above the average sales for EC, and got fantastic reviews including a Gold Star award from Just Erotic Romance Reviews. So Allyson James stayed. Now she’s writing hot paranormals for Berkley as well as more erotic romance for both Berkley and Ellora’s Cave.


How did you get started in your writing career? Are you a full time writer or do you work an outside job too? Was becoming an author something you have always wanted to do or did it evolve over time?

I wanted to be a writer since I was eight years old and realized that novels were make-believe written down. I wanted to do that! I wrote stories to entertain myself (I was no child prodigy—they were putrid). I wish I would have pursued a writing career earlier, but I had it in my head that I had to get a “real” job and let writing just be a dream or a hobby.

One day I realized that if I didn’t try to be a writer the dream would never come true. I worked full time until 2001, when I at last walked away from a well-paying day job and announced that I would stay at home and write full time (by then I’d won a few contests and published a few short stories, though nothing that paid more than a handful of dollars.) My husband, bless his heart, said “it’s about time!” and worked with me to make sure we could eat and pay our rent while I did this. We ate a lot of Raman noodles and mac and cheese for a while.

I had the feeling that once I focused on writing alone, I’d get somewhere, and I was right. Once I made writing my job, it became my job. I wrote every day, researched the market every day, worked on finding an agent and a publisher every day. It was hard, hard, hard, but eventually the work paid off. Nine months after I quit my full-time job, I found an agent and made my first sale.

Selling a first novel doesn’t necessarily mean you make a million dollars and get to move to Hawaii. It was still lean the first couple of years, but I stayed home and worked on my career every day, and heck, I still do that. It’s a good thing I like to write, because I sure do a lot of it!


What was your first published work and when did it come out?

My first romance novel was Perils of the Heart, which was published by Dorchester in November 2002, under the name Jennifer Ashley. It’s still in print! My first mystery novel was The Hanover Square Affair, by Ashley Gardner (no longer in print), which I sold at about the same time.

How long did it take you to be published and if you could do it over again, would you change anything in your journey to publication?

I started seriously trying for publication in 1999, after I took a seminar at my local Y by the author of The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit. I’d dabbled with writing and submitting previously, but her talk motivated me to get off my butt and really work at it. As I said, I quit my job in 2001 and finally published in 2002. So about three years from concept to publication.

What would I do differently? Have a plan!! I didn’t know what I wanted to write. Romance? Mystery? Fantasy? Why not all three? The world of publishing, however, isn’t set up to accommodate jacks of all trades, unless you’re brilliant. Publishers like you to be focused, because authors sell better when they write one subgenre, and even one series in that subgenre. I am anything but focused! I get a story in my head, I want to tell it, and I don’t care what slot it fits into.

But… if I find myself in the position of starting all over again, I’ll go in with a more definite plan of what I want to write, who I want to publish it, and how I want to build my career. I’m not unhappy with the way my career has turned out, but I realize now a lot of it had to do with sheer luck.

Has anything been different than what you expected as a published author? The promo, signings, deadlines, etc?

I was an editor at a medium-sized nonfiction publishing house for about five years, so I was aware of the revision/editing process and what to expect from my editor and so forth. A few things are different in fiction, but the basics are the same. I even didn’t mind the deadlines because it’s hard for me to finish something without the whip of a deadline.

However, the marketing side took me by surprise. I thought all I had to do was write my books and turn them in. I soon realized I had to market the books and go to conferences and “network” which means—gasp—talking to people! I’m painfully shy, and walking up to a person and saying “I have a book out, do you want a bookmark?” is like the ninth level of hell for me. I’ve gotten more comfortable with it as I’ve gained confidence in my work and also because I’ve made many friends at the conferences. It’s not as painful now. But I still wish I could just write my books and turn them in! I’ve battled shyness all my life, and I’m still battling it.


I just finished your wonderful book Highlander Ever After, an April 2008 release. Please tell us about this book. Is it connected to any of your other books and if so, please tell us which ones. Will there be more in this series? I sure hope so!

Thank you! This is the third book in the loosely connected “Nvengaria” series, which started with Penelope & Prince Charming. The series is historical romance with paranormal elements, based on characters from the made-up land of Nvengaria. The Nvengarians are dark-haired and blue-eyed, very passionate people—they are intense lovers and violent fighters.

The hero of Highlander Ever After is Egan McDonald, who is the Scottish friend of the Nvengarian heroes of books 1 and 2 (Prince Damien and Grand Duke Alexander). Egan spent some time in Nvengaria, where he was rescued by a 12-year-old girl named Zarabeth. That young lady is now twenty-three and needs to be kept safe from assassins from her volatile country. She travels to Egan’s very remote Scottish castle and is swept up by his rough-and-tumble family and Egan’s own life. It’s one of the sweeter love stories I’ve written (although it’s pretty sexy, don’t worry!).

I don’t know right now if the series will continue. I’m starting a new historical series (without paranormal elements or pirates), and I’m going to see how that goes. But I never say never. I have a couple more stories I can tell in the Nvengaria world.


You have an upcoming release, September 2008, Immortals: the Redeeming. I believe this is the fifth in the Immortals series. Please tell us a bit about this book and series.

Immortals: The Redeeming is the story of Tain, the tortured Immortal who caused everyone so much trouble in books 1 though 4. I have to say Tain is my favorite Immortal, and I love his chemistry with the heroine, Samantha.

Samantha is half-demon and a detective in the paranormal division of the LAPD. She’s minding her own business a year after the close of the big battle of book 4, when Tain pops up to interrupt a sting operation she’s worked a long time to set up. Tain has come to Samantha for help, and she’s floored by her feelings for him. He’s still trying to get over being tortured for 700 years, and he’s not sure his insanity is completely gone.

The whole series (Immortals), is a continuity series written by three different authors about Immortal warriors created by goddesses at the dawn of civilization. They were created to fight against the growing “death magic” creatures, strong beings called Old Ones, who were vampire and demon. Throughout time, the Immortals are “Called” by a spell to assist when things are dire. However, as the centuries rolled by, the Immortals were forgotten, and so was the spell to summon them.

The series begins in present day Seattle, when a witch who is looking for her sister’s killer encounters an Immortal warrior who is searching for his brother, Tain. Thus begins the desperate quest of the four Immortal brothers to find each other, find Tain, and stop the demon who’s trying to drain life magic from the world. That’s books 1-4.

Books 5-8 don’t have a continuous arc, but are about characters readers met in the previous books. I think this next set of books is even better, because we weren’t restricted by the story arc—we just went for it!


One of things I find unusual about this series is the fact that it is written by several different authors, yet it blends wonderfully! Tell us about this series and how did it come about. How many books have you written in this series and will there be more?

This series came about in an email conversation between myself and my editor. Dorchester had done a previous continuity series that I’d wanted to write for, but my schedule didn’t allow it. I asked my editor if they planned to do another series, and if so, could I participate? My editor replied that they had no more series planned, but if I had an idea, I could pitch it.

I wrote back a one-paragraph email with an idea I’d been kicking around about a series based on Immortal warriors who came to help out when people needed them and a little bit about the overall plot. I sent it and figured it would be filed and forgotten.

To my surprise, my editor called me the next day saying it had generated a lot of interest and could I write a more in-depth proposal? After I closed my gaping mouth, I sat down and pounded out my ideas for the characters, the series arc, and plots for four books. (I can work fast when I’m motivated!)

Dorchester accepted the idea and then chose the other two authors (I sent them a “wish list” and then they contacted who they thought would be best). It was very exciting.

Joy, Robin, and I got together via email and took my original idea and brainstormed, brainstormed, brainstormed. They had terrific ideas and fleshed the series out far better than I ever could have on my own.

The first four books came out in 2007. Books 5-7 (The Redeeming, by Jennifer Ashley; The Crossing by Joy Nash; and The Haunting by Robin T. Popp) will be out September, October, and November 2008. Book 8 will be an anthology called The Reckoning and it will be out in March 2009.

You have written historicals, paranormals, mysteries and more! Do you have a favorite genre or setting for your books?

You probably have the idea by now that I like everything! I love paranormals because the possibilities are endless (I grew up reading fantasy, and I’ve have a couple of short fantasy pieces publishing in anthologies). I plan to do many more paranormals.

I adore mysteries—in fact, it’s my favorite genre to read for pleasure. I bet I own the DVD sets of every British mystery series out there (Midsomer Murders is a particular favorite). I plan to continue writing mysteries at some point.

And then there’s historical romance. Sigh… I love writing about the past and seeing it through the eyes of an ordinary person. I enjoy the Regency, and I’m currently writing in the Victorian period. But the other day, I got a hankering for the eighteenth century. And then I have a medieval series swimming around in my head . . .

Is there any other genre of book you would like to write and if so, what would it be?

I’d love to do some romantic suspense someday. I love mysteries and I love romance—RS puts them together. Urban fantasy is another thing I want to write. It combines mystery, suspense, and paranormal, and you can throw a little romance in too. What’s not to love?

What are you working on now and can you give us a sneak peek? Do you have a publication date yet?

What I’m working on now….are you ready?

August 2008: I’ll be in an anthology (as Allyson James) called Private Places with the great, wonderful Robin Schone. That’s published by Berkley, out in August. I’ve posted an excerpt at http://www.allysonjames.com/

Immortals: The Redeeming is out in September 2008 by Jennifer Ashley (Immortals series book 5). An excerpt is at http://www.jennifersromances.com/

I just turned in The Dragon Master, the third in my Dragon series as Allyson James. That will be out in November, 2008. You can see the gorgeous cover at http://www.allysonjames.com/. I don’t have an excerpt yet, because the book is currently being edited, but I’ll post one on my site as soon as it’s ready.

Allyson James has an erotic romance coming out from Ellora’s Cave on July 2, Catch a Falling Star, a blend of futuristic and fantasy. The world-building was fun on that one.

And then: Allyson James again has an erotic paranormal series with Berkley starting in March 2009. Mortal Temptations features a black-winged demigod under a curse, his best friend (a were-snow leopard), and an antiques dealer who is baffled to find a half-naked winged man on the floor of her antiques store. She decides to help him and his friend break the curse. This is a hot, hot, hot read.

As Jennifer Ashley, I’m working on a new historical series (not paranormal), set in Scotland and England. Readers will meet the decadent, scandalous, über-wealthy family of four brothers who each desperately need the love of a good lady. Ian, Cam, Mac, and Hart will make their debuts starting in April 2009.

Also in 2009 will come another new paranormal series from Jennifer Ashley, which is in the preliminary stages so I don’t have much info yet.

I update my websites at least once a month with any new info, covers, blurbs, excerpts, and the like, and I try to update my blogs a couple times a month so readers will know what’s coming when.

What is your favorite part of being a writer? What’s the worst part?

Favorite part: Setting my own hours!! I work when I want to work. I sleep when I’m tired. I don’t have to dress up and go to a cubicle and do what someone else thinks is priority. Also I love being friends with other writers. I am still a voracious reader, and I love being able to scream “I love your book!” and hug an author without them calling security (well, most of the time).

Worst part: There is sometimes so much work to do that I go nonstop. Sometimes I have to forgo friends and family and my personal life and just hope everyone understands. I hate that. I try to make it up to them later, but sometimes you can’t.

How do you keep track of all your pertinent character and setting information? Since you write in so many genres, I would think it would be terribly confusing to try and keep up with all the small details. Do you use a spreadsheet or notebook to keep the details straight?

Spreadsheet? Notebook? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. That would be organized! I do make some notes when I’m brainstorming, but that’s about it. I must be good at compartmentalizing because it’s not confusing to me at all to write many series and many books. When I open the computer file and start reading and working on that story, I’m focused on that story and no others. I write like I read—I just get into it and shut out the rest of the world. When I write the next book in a series, I go back and re-read the others, not only to remember the details, but to remember the feel of the characters and that world.

What kind of writer are you? Do you plot and outline or do you have more of a relaxed style of writing?

I don’t plot or outline before I start writing. I brainstorm and make notes, but my notes are a jumble that no one but me can understand. I rarely write a synopsis before I start. What I find works best is to simply sit down with all the mess that’s in my head and let the story develop as it will. As I write the first draft I continue to brainstorm and make notes about what will happen next. Sometimes I follow the notes, but if I have a better idea in the meantime, I’ll ignore the notes. I try to let the story progress naturally, one thing leading to the next. Once I have my first draft (which is very, very rough), I go back and intensively revise. I usually do three drafts altogether—1. the rough, rough draft, 2. the second draft where I combine scenes, rewrite scenes, write out characters who don’t work, etc., and 3. the third draft to revise for prose style and to intensify what’s already there. After that I do one proofread and send it off to my editor.

It's a good question. Every writer has a different approach, and it’s fascinating to see how we call get from word one to polished novel.

Tell us what you do for fun. Do you have a hobby or collection you would like to share with our readers?

For fun, I build dollhouse miniatures. I started when I was ten with cardboard boxes and progressed from there. I’ve progressed to “real” houses and room boxes and collecting the work of other artisans (although I still find cardboard useful :-)). I post my scenes and houses as I finish them at http://www.jennifersromances.com/Miniatures/miniatures.html I just finished a quarter-inch scale Dutch house, which I think looks very cool.

Why do I do this hobby? Who knows? It’s a creative exercise that releases tension from my brain.

I also play guitar and write songs, though I haven’t done as much of that lately as I’d like to.. I did participate in a CD called Stardust County, the details of which are on my website (http://www.jennifersromances.com/) on the right-hand menu.


Do you find time to read with your busy writing schedule? Please share some of your favorite authors or books with us.

I still love to read—my all time favorite entertainment. I try to read at least one book a week, though I wish I could read more.

I love urban fantasy: Patricia Briggs and Charlaine Harris are two of my favorites (although you can you say the Sookie series is “urban?”). In romance I adore Nina Bangs. Her humor is terrific, and I wish I could think up the things she does! In romantic suspense, the books of up-and-coming RS author Colleen Thompson are wonderful. I hope more and more people discover her, because she is a very talented writer with just the right balance of mystery and romance. I also love fantasy/sf, with two of my favorites being Lois McMaster Bujold and Terry Pratchett.


What was the best piece of advice you have received pertaining to your writing career?

The best piece of advice came from a book whose title I can’t remember (I feel so guilty about that). But what the author said stuck with me—he said that it really isn’t “who you know” that gets you published, it’s your writing. Who you know, he says, can “grease the wheels”—an author friend’s agent might read your novel without it sitting in the slush pile for six months. BUT, that agent can still reject you. She might read you faster, but she’s still looking for a fantastic book that will sell in gobs. Publishers publish books to make money, and if they don’t think your book will make them money, they don’t care whose friend you are.

This statement comforted me, because current wisdom had it that you can’t get published if you’re nobody (and I am nobody). Well, this book said I could get published even if I didn’t know anyone in the business (and I didn’t), I just had to work hard to make my book good! I like having that control in my hands, and it made me work doubly hard. And I’ve learned through experience that he was right. It really is the writing, the ideas, and the characters, etc. that sells the book.


If you could give one bit of advice to a new writer, what would it be?

Keep trying. Persistence pays off. I have watched talented authors, both published and unpublished fall by the wayside because they got tired of trying. It’s hard to be an author, probably one of the hardest jobs out there, but if you keep writing and writing and writing and submitting, submitting, submitting—one day you will get through. It takes some people six months. It takes some people sixteen years. Don’t think you have to follow someone else’s road to success. We each have our own path, and what works for others might not work for you. And again—keep trying!

Jennifer thanks so much for joining us. We wish you continued success and hope that you come back to visit us often!

Thanks so much!!

Be sure and check out all of Jennifer Ashley's books! They are definitely winners!

Interview with Dakota Cassidy

Interview with the Fun Dakota Cassidy!

Dakota, welcome to Deb’s! I’m so glad you could join us!

Hello, hello, and thank you for inviting me!

First of all, tell us a bit about yourself. Your background, family, etc.

Well, I’m almost forty-two (EEK. LOL), I was a housewife for 19 years, then found myself getting a big ole divorce. I have no formal education—so it was a hairy time in my world. But I had some really terrific friends and family who helped me through it. It was when I got really serious about my writing because I couldn’t seem to find a job—not even in places like Wal-Mart or the 7-eleven. It’s true, swear… Writing was sort of the only thing that gave me hope. At that point I’d only been writing e-books for a little over a year.

After my divorce I moved to Texas because the cost of living here as compared to the NY/NJ area is so much cheaper. I brought my two boys (now teenagers), my mom, my dad, my crazy uncle Harry and my pets. We bought a big house (because well, the divorce turned out A-okay for me), and I got serious about making a living writing. By that time I, through the fabulous Kate Douglas, had an agent, and I was focused on getting on my feet.

For our readers unfamiliar with your work, please tell us what kind of books you write.

I began writing e-books, a contemp here and there, but mostly I stuck to erotic paranormal comedies.

Hw did you get started in your writing career? Are you a full time writer now? And if not, how do you manage to fit everything into your writing schedule?

My writing began on a whim. I was reviewing books for an online site, and I’d gotten my hands on some e-books. They were like crack! I couldn’t get enough of them, and one day, I was just playing around, sat down and with the encouragement of my friend Sahara Kelly, I wrote one. Can’t say why, can’t say if I even intended to try and sell it—I just wrote it. I sent it to her, she said it was a riot, she said I should send it to an e-publisher—I did, and bam—they hopped on the crazy train and bought it. That was back in late 2003.

I am a full time writer now—and I still don’t manage to fit everything into my schedule. LOL

Your first mainstream release, The Accidental Werewolf, a Berkley Publishing, (February 2008) release is a marvelously funny irreverent look at life and I enjoyed it tremendously!

Please tell us about The Accidental Werewolf and is it related to any of your previous books?

Oh, thanks, Deb! I appreciate it. I was sick with nerves over its release, but things have been going far better than I could have hoped. First, no, The Accidental Werewolf isn’t related to any of my e-book werewolves. Though those werewolves are just as crazy J

The Accidental Werewolf focuses on Marty Andrews, a multilevel cosmetics saleswoman for a company called Bobbie-Sue (think Mary Kay). She’s kind of self-centered—kind of what might appear to be shallow because she’s so into aesthetics. She has two new recruits, Nina Blackman, and Wanda Schwartz, who’re kinda crappy at selling much. She’s out one night, walking her teacup poodle Muffin with them when Muffin spies a large dog and attacks, because as we all know, small dogs can be very territorial.

Marty attempts to yank her precious poodle off the poor beast and in the melee, she’s accidentally bitten. And then all hell breaks loose J The dog that bit her shows up in human form, claiming he’s the dog that bit her (yeah, nuts, huh?), she’s kidnapped, and she realizes how little value and effort she’s put into life, versus her drive to be a Bobbie-Sue dynamo.

Will there be more in this series? I sure hope so!

Yep! Next up is Accidentally Dead—that’s Nina’s story and will be available July 1, 2008. Then comes Wanda in The Accidental Human, sometime in 2009.

From what I’ve learned in my research, this is definitely not your first published work. I know you have many E-books published and even anthologies with popular authors Angela Knight and Tina Gerow.

Oh, yeah, I’m prolific and, gurrrrlll, I’ve been around. LOL. I never truly intended to do the NY thing—that just sort of happened through a series of what I often call “happy accidents”, but I did love writing e-books, and I was managing to get on my feet with the profit from them after my divorce—so I kept writing them. Sincerely, it was the best training ground I could have ever stumbled upon when I was working out my kinks. I’ve met awesome people like Angela (who nabbed my second agent for me—I know craaazy, right?), and Margaret Riley of Changeling Press who let me write, write, write as much as I wanted. I learned a great deal in the three years I wrote e-books, found some awesome friends, and in general became empowered in making this my career.

Please tell us about your books and your fun view on life and love. Do you enjoy writing a continuous series of books? Are any of your books stand alone books and if so, which do you prefer to write?

Well, there isn’t a single book of mine that doesn’t have humor in it. I can’t say why that is either. I don’t sit down and think “I have to be funny.” It just happens. In fact, typically what cracks me up at four in the morning in my office, ain’t what everyone ends up talking about in one of my books J I also lurve the ironic. I love wondering “what if”, I love wondering what if and finding the nutty in that.

I love a good series, yes because I feel like it gives you the chance to really get to know not just the H/H, but some secondary characters, too. I love the friendships between women—so typically my series related stuff has to do with friends. Though I’ve done brothers and families, as well.

I do have some stand alones—I’ll have one for Berkley in 2009 called Kiss and Hell. Many of my e-books are definitely related. Mostly the stories at Changeling Press because that’s a series/serial related pub.

And I love both J Some stories have no further purpose than to be told and walked away from—some need further introspection J

How many other books, including E-books, do you have out now? Are they all paranormal in style or do you have a variety of stories out there?

Wow—I dunno. LOL. I have like three anthologies, three stand-alone novellas, several series, some quickie short stories, and I think two full length books. I lost count back around twenty, but I’m sure I’m pushing thirty e-books in various lengths and types/genres J

Most are paranormal, all are humorous, and I have like some intermingled Urban Fantasy (think superheroes), and a few contemporaries.

What are you working on now and do you have a release date?

Right now I’m working on The Accidental Human for Berkley—Wanda’s story and it’s due out in 2009. I’m going to take a stab in the dark and say it’ll probably be around February 2009 again J

What drew you to write in a paranormal vein so to speak? Is this an area you also enjoy reading? Do you find yourself avoiding books in the same genre while you are writing?

Paranomral was becoming a huge seller in the e-world and one day, while I was just messing around, I thought that “what if” thing I do. I wondered, what if a vampire was narcoleptic and he fell asleep on a park bench, the cops picked him up because well, he doesn’t breathe, thought he was dead, and dropped him at the morgue? That’s how the paranormal craze started for me. It was called It’s A Vampire Thing.

And yeah, I love to read a good paranormal. Nina Bangs does a fantastic crazy take on paranormals—and she’s what made me decide to give one a shot in e-books.

I do avoid a lot of stuff in my genre, but mostly it’s because my time is so limited these days for reading. Believe me when I tell you, I miss chillin’ with a good book J

Do you have any favorite books or authors you would like to share with our readers?

NinaBangsNinaBangsNinaBangs! I adore her. I also love Michele Bardsley’s stuff—she’s such a riot and her humor is soooo sophisticated compared to mine. Definitely give Because Your Vampire Said So a try. I also love James Patterson, Stephen King and Dean Koontz.

Do you think your writing style has ever been influenced by earlier authors? If so, how and who would it have been.

I think I’d have to say that’d again be Nina Bangs. When I first picked up one of her books, it was after a slew of very serious takes on the paranormal, and I thought, “Holy Cow! This is soooo what I’d think to myself when I read stuff that was sort of angsty.”

She took fun and fresh and spun it on its head. She was the reason I decided to take a chance with my paranormals.

Not that I don’t love me some angst—I do—I just can’t write it J

What kind of research do you do for your books? Is this something you enjoy doing? Approximately how long do you research each book or is it an ongoing process?

Most of my writing, though paranormal, is in a contemporary setting—so not a whole lot of research is required. Though I do have a vampire who’s five hundred and I had to make sure I got the century he was born in right, what they’d have worn etc. My characters are almost always up-to-date because you sort of have to be if you’re going to live in today’s world as a vampire. They change and adapt with the times.

As for my werewolves, I did study a bit about wolf packs, they’re habits, mating season and such. However, because my werewolves are half human, they probably have more human traits overall in terms of interaction with full humans. Some of the rules for a wolf pack just didn’t work for me when you involve a human in the mix. Humans have the ability to express themselves in ways wolves don’t. So I kinda just make it up J

What style of writer are you? A strict outline and plotter or a more of a seat of the pants writer? Somehow I find it hard to think of you being a strict plotter.

LOLLOL—well, you have me pegged. The one and only book I’ve ever outlined was The Accidental Werewolf and that was because my agent sold it on proposal. I usually have a shell of a story—tiny tidbits of beginning, middle, and end. Then when I’m in total panic mode, and I’ve written myself into the proverbial corner, I call my bud Renee George up, and she takes my hand, yanks me out of the corner and helps me plot J

If you could write any other genre of book, what would it be and why?

Without a doubt it’d be YA. I just recently wrote a proposal for three books in that genre and I loved every second of it. I think I’m still fifteen in my mind… LOL

What do you do for fun after a hard day of writing? Do you have a favorite way to relax? A good book, movies, lots of chocolates?

I love to hangout with my honeybunny, Rob. We watch TV or go to dinner. We go to the movies a lot, so that’s a huge relaxer for me. I also love a nice hot bath, or a swim in my pool. I also play a lot of Wii with my youngest. My oldest is faaaarr too busy to chill with me these days, but when he’s home, he asks me for money. LOL

Do you have any hobbies or collections you would like to share with our readers?

Is collecting bodies too creepy for your readers? LOL. I’m kidding.

There was a time when I loved to make my own hand painted furniture. I had a business when I was still married, and I loved my power tools—sadly, I don’t have the time anymore, but I’d give my eyeteeth to have my band saw back.

I’d definitely say one of my favorite things to do these days is garden, but I live in Texas, and it gets so hot here, it makes it hard for me to garner much enjoyment from it.

What was the best piece of advice you have been given as a new author and how did it affect you and your writing style?

Shut. Up. Seriously. Write your books, and when you’re done, keep your mouth shut and write some more. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s worked for me. I didn’t know a whole lot about how to write a book, the mechanics of it and such. I still don’t think I get character arcs and passive voices. I just did it. I focused on exactly what I wanted to say, executing it with good grammar (well, minus my potty mouth), and making sure my characters developed and grew. I wrote and I kept writing—which is evident in my backlist of e-book backlist, and still there’s so much more to learn. Nothing I write will ever be perfect—but I hope I’ll keep growing.

Also, learn to handle criticism. Not everyone’s gonna love you and you can defend your motives in a book to high Heaven, but some people just won’t get it—and that’s okay. It’s the people who do get it you need to focus on, but pay attention to the negative reviews—sometimes they hold real value and will give you food for thought for the next book. Everyone has an opinion—it’s what makes the world colorful and interestingJ

If you have one piece of advice to give to a new writer, what would it be?

Shut. Up. LOL. Truly—write, write some more, focus on your goals, if someone cuts you a favor—be humbled by it—be grateful. No one owes you anything. Pay it forward whenever you can. I’ve been lucky enough to be surrounded by some pretty awesome role models who’ve taught me the value of true friendship in this author stuff and have handed me a fork so I could share a piece of their pie. They taught me to always remember, you’re your next book could be your last—write the best one you know how just in case J

And again, learn how to handle criticism. Get yourself some crit partners who won’t lie to you—they read your stuff to begin with because they liked it—if they tell you something isn’t working for them—suck it up and give it thought. Don’t get defensive. Writing isn’t for the faint of heart, nor is it for someone who can’t be honest with themselves. It’s all about your gut and the love of telling a story. Find out what your weakness’ and your strengths are—make the weak stuff stronger, and the strong stuff stronger still J

Above all, shut up and write J

Dakota, thanks so much for joining us here! It’s been a pleasure chatting with you! I wish you continued success! Know I can’t wait for more of your fun books!

Thank you, thank you for interviewing me, Debbie! The buzz for The Accidental Werewolf was great and you were a part of that—know that’s it’s appreciated J

You can learn more about Dakota at her website www.dakotacassidy.com

Interview with Author Katherine Warwick

Please join me in welcoming author Katherine Warnick to my blog. Katherine writes a wonderful dancing series that shouldn't be missed!

Katherine, please tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m the mother of 6 children, one of whom has autism. I’ve been married for 24 years to a man I strive to emulate. We have a lovely home on a mountainside, and each day I get to write and look up at glorious evergreen peaks that remind me where all my blessings come from.

How did you get started in your writing career?

I’ve written since I was a teenager. I’ve written full time for 5 ½ years now.

When was your first book published and what was it?

The book was NOON and it was published in 2006.

How many do you have out now and who are they published with?

I have four Women’s Romances out: Noon, Wilde, Savage and Dancing With His Heart – all part of the dance/romance series. I also have three YA books out: Falling for Romeo, Magic Hands and An Open Vein.

Please tell us what kind of books you write. Are they all related or are they stand alone books?

I write in three different genres because writing in just one would get stale. Like an actor, I wouldn’t want to do the same ‘type-cast’ role over and over again.

Please tell us about your dancing series. What inspired it and will there be any more in the series?

My oldest daughter had a friend who danced on the high school ballroom dance team. He was a total cutie. I started wondering about the dynamics of a partnership. Did they love to hate each other? How close were they? What was it like dancing intimately and not being a ‘couple’? WERE they a couple? The questions were endless. So I started going to tons of competitions and watching the couples. I enrolled my children in classes, got to know the parents, saw how they were with their kids – just got a feel for the whole ballroom life. NOON was born. NOON follows the partnership of a couple who meets in their teens and compete together into their 20’s. It’s my personal favorite of the dance series.

What are you writing on now and do you have a release date yet?

I’m always writing. Right now, I’m working on another YA story. A paranormal love story.

Do you use music or anything to inspire your work?

Always use music! Every story has a soundtrack. I find listening to it helps me creatively.

Let’s do some fun questions.

What is your favorite book or author?

Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts

What’s your favorite movie?

Too many to narrow it down but The Devil Wears Prada is a laugh every time I watch it.

If you could meet any person you wanted and write about it, who would it be and why?

Anyone whose life has been horrendously difficult. I love stories with unbearable obstacles, great feats of courage and inspiring choices.

Have you ever received advice that changed your view of writing?

Sure. Early on an agent told me a story was about 200 pages overwritten. That gave me the clue I needed to make some changes, be brutal with my editing.

What advice would you give a new writer?

Always write for the love of writing first. Write for yourself, then everything you encounter in this business will be palatable.

Katherine, thanks so much for chatting with us! Come back again soon!

Thank you for having me!

Chris Marie Green/Crystal Green

Chris Marie Green/Crystal Green

Chris, welcome to Deb’s! We are so glad to be able to chat with you and learn a bit more about you and your wonderful books.

Thank you, Debbie! I really appreciate this. : )

First of all, please tell us a bit about yourself. Your background, family, pets, etc.

I’m not terribly exciting—born in Milwaukee, moved to California when I was very young, moved to Kentucky when I was a teen, moved back to California, then moved to Nevada. Maybe all my moving goes hand-in-hand with my love of traveling. I’m really fortunate to have taken an extended “backpacking” trip through Europe, and I’ve spent a little time in Italy and London. Also, I got to visit Japan, and because of my writing conferences, I’ve experienced many, many areas of the U.S.
I’m very close to my family, but sadly, with all this traveling, I find it tough to have pets.

Let’s talk about your writing a bit.

Please tell what names you write under and the types of books you write under each name.

I write under two names: Chris Marie Green and Crystal Green. The first one is what I use for “mainstream” books like my urban fantasy, which basically consists of the Vampire Babylon books for Ace right now. I created the “Crystal” name for my romances, and I’ve written everything from Silhouette Special Editions (“home and hearth” books) to Harlequin Blazes (“hot” stories) to Silhouette Bombshells (which centered on strong heroines in action/adventure situations).

How many books do you have out now under each name and what was your most recent release under each name.

As of February, 2008, I will have published 22 books under the “Crystal Green” name; my most recent release was HER BEST MAN from Special Edition. (I do have a March Special Edition called MOMMY AND THE MILLIONAIRE though.) I’ll have 2 releases under “Chris Marie Green,” the most recent one being MIDNIGHT REIGN, Vampire Babylon, Book Two.

Tell us about the books you write under the Crystal Green name. How are they different from the Chris Marie Green books and which pen name came first?

The “Crystal” name came first. Under this guise, I do Special Editions, which are warm-hearted romances with a real feel for community, and Blazes, which have hotter love scenes although they feature strong romances at their cores. I also wrote for the Bombshell line, but that no longer exists. If I could’ve written those books under “Chris Marie Green,” I would have since they were more mainstream (but they did have strong romantic elements, so the “Crystal” name actually was appropriate). With Bombshell, I wrote my first vampire book (THE HUNTRESS) and an atmospheric thriller (BAITED). I keep saying I’d love to do another thriller, and I will when time allows! And THE HUNTRESS made me realize that I loved writing paranormals, so it led to my Vampire Babylon series. I use two different names because, except for the Bombshells, my books are pretty different in content.

You have an upcoming release, Midnight Reign, book 2 of the Vampire Babylon series due out in February, 2008 written as Chris Marie Green. Please tell us about this book and this very interesting series. I was fortunate enough to read your first book but I’m not real sure what category to put it in. It was marketed as a fantasy but it is so much more! You have given the vampire realm an entirely new take and it is fascinating!

Thank you so much! : ) When I was coming up with the basics for Vampire Babylon, I realized that there was no way I could cover the story I wanted to tell in one book. Thank goodness my editor, Ginjer Buchanan, signed me for three books at first, because this gave me the chance to spin out the character and mythology arcs over an entire trilogy. Basically, I look at the first trilogy as one long book in itself. But each novel in the trilogy starts out with its own mystery—like Jesse Shane’s murder in NIGHT RISING—and that one mystery is solved by the end of that particular novel. Any other bigger, far-reaching mysteries that have more to do with character or mythology development will be solved by the end of the trilogy. In a way, it’s almost as if the trilogies are TV seasons, and it’s good to start with the first episode instead of in the middle of the season.

Funny that you say you’re not sure how to classify the series—I think a lot of people feel the same way, LOL! My editor calls it “mystery-fantasy-noir.”

At any rate, the second book, MIDNIGHT REIGN, carries on about a month after NIGHT RISING ended. It starts with one of those “plot-centric mysteries” that’ll be solved by the end of the book, but this crime focuses on a serial killer who’s using vampire techniques. For the heroine, Dawn Madison, and her investigative pals, the murders seem to provide leads to the Underground—and to the whereabouts of Dawn’s dad—but it isn’t easy going for them. Trouble comes down big time for these guys.

BTW, for any readers who wonder about Dawn’s dad, you’ll find out what happened to him in this book….

How many books will be in this series? I know I can’t wait to see how it comes out.

Thank you again! At first, we’ll have the initial trilogy, books 1-3, which will end with BREAK OF DAWN in September, 2008. In that same month, I’ll have a Vampire Babylon novella in an anthology called FIRST BLOOD. The story is going to focus on the whereabouts of the vampire Sorin’s twin “daughters” who went to the old world and never came back. Then there’ll be a second trilogy, but I don’t have dates for those books yet. I’m actually working on book 4 right now.

Are these your first paranormal books? If not, what else do you have out there and are they related to this series?

I have a couple other paranormal books out there besides Vampire Babylon, but neither is related to the series. The first is THE HUNTRESS, a novel that pre-dates Vampire Babylon and was written for Bombshell. The story centers on a woman whose great love was captured by vampires in Transylvania, and she gets together a team to go into their lair so she can rescue her boyfriend. The second book, which I wrote after Vampire Babylon, is a vampire Blaze called THE ULTIMATE BITE (July, 2007). It’s a hot romance, and there’ll be a companion book/sequel out in November, 2008.

What drew you to write the Vampire Babylon books? Is this genre of writing something you have always been interested in or did it evolve over time? Did anything in particular influence your love for these types of books?

I’ve always loved scary, disturbing movies and books, so I’m not surprised that I’m writing about vampires now. I’ve written short horror stories, but I also loved romance and I just happened to get published in that genre first. I’d say I’ve been the most influenced by Stephen King’s short stories and old vampire films, with all those gothic hunters brandishing stakes and crosses as they wandered around decrepit castles.

How long have you been writing and how did you get started in your writing career?

I always knew I wanted write, even in grade school, when I penned a lot of short stories. Superman and Indiana Jones were favorite subjects of mine, but I also wrote some darker stuff that worried my parents to some extent, LOL. In high school, I was a competitive essay writer, and this trained me to deal with deadlines and to create a semi-articulate first draft. In college, I wrote a screenplay for a senior project and I started a seriously crazy epic historical romance that I will never ever turn in for publication. Then I attended the San Diego Writers Conference and joined RWA (Romance Writers of America). That’s when I sold—after I started to meet other writers and industry professionals who guided me in how to present my work before I submitted it.

Has anything been different than you expected? For example the promo work, book signings, deadlines? What do you enjoy most about being an author?

Nothing is much different, really. I’ve had to deal with public shyness when I speak or do book signings. Like many writers, I’m an introvert, but I expected that there would be some degree of promotional effort. No complaints.

My favorite part of being an author is hearing from a reader who enjoyed what I wrote. Knowing about the connection they made with a story or character is touching, and it astounds me that anyone would take time out of their day to share that with me.

Approximately how long does it take you to write one of your books? Is it about the same for the smaller series books or do your Vampire Babylon books take longer?

I’ve found that the length of time varies. The Vampire Babylon books are a big effort, and I’m comfortable with at least three months for those. I’d love to have a longer time, but that hasn’t been possible with the other projects I’ve been doing. The category books generally don’t take as long, but only because of page count. (VB books have been averaging about 450 of my typed pages, whereas Special Editions and Blazes are about 260.) Categories take about two months to write, but I’m always working on other projects at the same time, so it’s hard to say. Basically though, if I need to build a paranormal world or pay major attention to the details of a mystery, the book takes longer.

What kind of research do you do for your books and approximately how long does it take you to research your projects? Is research something you enjoy doing?

Research varies, too, and so does my enjoyment of it! Generally, I do like to do research, because I’m one of those types who always liked school and read my textbooks right when I got them, LOL. The Vampire Babylon books have required quite a bit of research—from what a stuntwoman might have gone through in the movie industry to what the Cocoanut Grove looked like back in its heyday. THE HUNTRESS, my first vampire book, took a lot of research, as well, because of the Transylvanian location and the make-up of the vampire tribe. BAITED, my atmospheric thriller, took a bunch mainly because my heroine was a pearl diver at a fictional water park. (BTW, I got my details from Pearl Island in Japan for that one.) For a recent Special Edition, my hero was a firefighter, so I went to a station to conduct an interview and take a tour. I’m working on a project right now that actually allowed me to travel to London. The more first-hand information I can get, the better, but most of the time I have to do book or online research. I just do my best.

Are you a big reader? If so, what kind of books do you enjoy? Please share some of your favorite authors or books with us.

I’m a huge reader, and my tastes really go all over the place. Right now, I stare at the computer so much during the day that I’ve taken to listening to audio books. I’m on a Tudor-era kick right now—lots of Phillipa Gregory and some Alison Weir. I do a lot of reading for research, too. Over the years, though, some of my favorite books have included THE STAND by Stephen King, THE SECRET HISTORY by Donna Tartt, THE PROMISE OF JENNY JONES by Maggie Osborne, and LONESOME DOVE by Larry McMurtry. There are so many more titles, but these are at the top of my list.

Has your writing been influenced by any particular person or event? If so, who or what would it be?

I don’t think there’s been one particular person or event…just a mixture of what life has brought day by day. : )

What do you do for fun? Do you have any hobbies or collections you would like to share with our readers?

Besides traveling, I love to spend time with my family. And I’m a huge movie freak, even though I seem to be watching more on my DVD player lately than in the theaters. I’ll see anything that’s supposed to be scary, but my favorite flicks are more psychologically damaging than bloody. For instance, DON’T LOOK NOW is one of the best scary movies ever, and for some reason, I love being unsettled by something that chilling. I read a lot, and I practice yoga for peace of mind and stress management. Walking is a big part of my life, too.

Give us an example of a typical day in your life. Are you a full time writer? Do you try to keep to a specific writing schedule?

My schedule varies wildly, depending on what kind of deadlines are looming and what’s going on personally. As a full-time writer, I get to arrange my own hours (yay!). But, as my own boss, I’m pretty tough on myself, too (boo!). No goofing around because the boss is always watching. Some days I’ll wake up early and write a chapter of my work in progress, then I’ll go to the gym, practice yoga, then I’ll come back and take care of promotion, etc. Or maybe I’ll wake up and revise that day, and if it’s a vampire book, revising takes all day because I’m constantly looking for plot or world holes.
And that’s my boring life!

What do you do to unwind after a hard day? Are you a big movie fan or do you prefer some other form for entertainment?

At the end of the day, my eyes need a rest, so I tend to sit in front of the TV and watch my movies or one of many TV programs on my fan-girl schedule. But now, with the writers’ strike, I refuse to watch these reality shows the studios are trying to substitute for quality scripted programs, so I’m taking in lots of films. But sitting in front of the TV doesn’t mean my mind is on “off.” I keep paper next to me so I can write down any ideas about my work in progress; sometimes giving yourself a mental rest allows you to think more clearly.

If you have one piece of advice to give to a new writer, what would it be?

I would suggest that new writers plug away at their craft by studying books on the subject, reading a lot, and writing even more. Then they might want to go to conferences where they can hear published professionals telling them what they want to buy. If you listen before you send your work out, you’ll save yourself and the editors and agents a lot of time, and you’ll establish a solid reputation.
One last thing--good luck!

Chris, thank you so much for chatting with us. We have really enjoyed it! Please come again!

I enjoyed this, too. Thank you! ; )

You can learn more about Chris at ChrisMarieGreen.com or Crystal-Green.com

Wilde Review

Wilde

Katherine Warwick

Romance

Trade Paperback

1933963956Grove

Creek Publishing

What happens when a princess teams up with a hot, young man who's life is devoted to competitive ballroom dancing? A partnership of royal proportions specializing in sizzling latin dances. Training takes place from the time Anna, princess of the Isles of Slovokia, and JamieWilde, ballroom dancer from Provo, Utah, agree to the partnership.

Ms Warwick created scenes I could immerse myself in. I could feel the tension during the "blind" rehearsal in total darkness. I found myself laughing out loud at the camping trip. The betrayal by Anna's countryman had me angry. The support of family shines through the entire story.

If you like ballroom dancing and enjoy the fun that can go with it,you will like Wilde.

If you enjoy Dancing With the Stars, you will definitely enjoy this series.

Happy Valentines!

We have a wonderful new addition to love this valentines. A beautiful new granddaughter. We went to see her yesterday and holding her was such a beautiful feeling. Really hated to go home but knew she and our DIL needed rest.

What are you doing to make this Valentines Day special? A special date with your loved one? Candy and flowers? What makes the day special to you?

Do you enjoy reading Valentine Day related books to get you in the mood? If so, share some of your favorites with us.

Check back soon for some site renovations. Thanks to Tracy Preston, I have a awesome new header for my site! Now to just figure out how to do everything. lol

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day.

Deb