NOR Top Pick

I've been so busy lately that I'm still wading through all of my emails, trying to get caught up on good news and congrats to all of my friends and fellow authors.  So yesterday, when a little Google alert popped up in my inbox, I was thrilled to discover that Not Without Risk was given a 'Top Pick' review by Melinda at Night Owl Reviews.

Here's what she had to say:

"Sarah Grimm has done it again with a fabulous romantic suspense. Throughout each chapter the killer is one step ahead of Justin and this upsets him. He’s always worked hard and knowing someone is playing with him gets to him. I loved how determined he was and swore he would do anything to protect his woman. Right off the bat you can tell these two had chemistry yet Paige tried to deny it. The way the killer comes out in this story is one that will surprise you. The suspense and attraction was awesome and this is definitely an author that will blow your mind away."

Thank you, Melinda, you made my day!

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Spotlight On...Melanie Atkins

Today I'd like you to help me welcome fellow romantic suspense author and friend, Melanie Atkins, to my blog. Welcome Melanie, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I'm a multi-published author of romantic suspense, I love crime dramas, and I love to read. Writing is more than an escape for me—it’s what I do. I grew up in the Deep South listening to my relatives spin tall tales, and some of it must have rubbed off.

Tell us about CHOSEN TARGET and where it’s available.

CHOSEN TARGET is the third book in my New Orleans Detective series, which is available from Desert Breeze Publishing. It follows CHERISHED WITNESS and PRIME SUSPECT.

In CHOSEN TARGET, Jadan Calloway’s latest night out on the town ends in the death of the man who charmed her off her feet. Now the people who killed Kent are after her, and the only man who can save her is Cole McAlister, the rugged, willful detective who believes she is behind his brother’s death. Together they become wrapped up in a web of terrorism and intrigue—and they fall in love.

How did you start writing?

I've written since I was a kid writing stories about my cats. Life got in the way after college, but later I took it up again. I finally got serious about publication in 2001.

How many books have you published? In what order should we read your books?

I can't really say, because a good many came out with a now-defunct publisher, their rights reverted back to me, and now I'm trying to get them back out there. I currently have three books out with Desert Breeze (with five more on the way), five out with Cobblestone Press, and one with The Wild Rose Press.

How does your family feel about your career?

They are very supportive.

What is the most interesting comment you’ve ever received on one of your books?

That SKELETON BAYOU, the book that's out in both e-book and print format from The Wild Rose Press, kept one of my old friends up until two a.m. one night—and then she couldn’t go to sleep because I'd scared her to death. WIN!

Who are your favorite authors and books? What are you reading now?

Right now I'm reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett, but I usually read romantic suspense and thrillers. Some of my favorite authors are Lisa Gardner, Tami Hoag, Karen Rose, Tess Gerritsen, John Sandford, Linda Howard, and Greg Isles.

Do you ever become attached to your characters and have a hard time letting them go?

All the time. I get so far inside my characters' heads, I don't want the books to end.

How do you approach your writing, are you a plotter or a pantser?

Usually I'm a pantser, but on my current WIP, a gritty, complicated single title suspense, I'm having to plot using a spreadsheet. It's the only way I can keep up with everything.

What’s next for you?

Trying to sell my single titles. I'd loved to be published by NY, and that is my main goal right now.

Where can we find you on the web?

Website: http://www.melanieatkins.com/

Blog: http://melanieatkins.wordpress.com/

Shades of Suspense blog: http://romanticsuspense.blogspot.com/

Murder, Mayhem & More blog: http://murdermayhemandmore.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.face-book.com/melanie.atkins

Twitter: http://twitter.com/melanie_atkins

Crimespace: http://crimespace.ning.com/profile/MelanieAtkins

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Melanie-Atkins

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/melanieatkins

Yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Murder_Mayhem_and_More

Is there anything you’d like to ask your readers?

Yes: How did you hear about my books?

Thanks, Melanie, it's been great chatting with you.

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Spotlight On...Alison Chambers

Please help me in welcoming Alison Chambers to the Keyboard today.  Alison, tell us a little about yourself.

I have been in marketing and public relations most of my life and was part owner of an association management firm based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin handling national medical and trade associations. I majored in history and political science in college and both topics seem to find their way into my books. I love to travel, play piano and write, of course.

How did you start writing?

When I was fifteen, I read a lot of Nancy Drew books and got interested in mysteries where the girl is the heroine who follows the clues, is smarter than everyone else and saves the day. I started writing short Nancy Drew stories, then branched out and wrote my first novel at eighteen. I have written six more novels since and I’m working on my eighth.
Who are your favorite authors?

I am a fan of thrillers and romantic suspense. I enjoy Alistair MacLean, Clive Cussler, Dan Brown. In the romantic area, I enjoy Danielle Steele, Christina Dodd, and Janet Evanovich.
Why did you choose your genre?

Nothing could be better than marrying the elements of romance and suspense and it’s one of the hottest genres around.

What writers have influenced you the most?

Alistair MacLean and Clive Cussler for the suspense. Danielle Steele for the romance.

How do you approach your writing? Do you plot or go with the flow?

I always have a detailed outline and a detailed character sketch made before I start. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know where to go or I’d get derailed going off in too many wrong directions.

Describe your writing in three words.

Suspenseful. Intriguing. Romantic.

Your first book is releasing on May 7, The Secret Sentinel. Can you tell us a little about it?

Three lost keys to untold riches. A secret society’s deadly plot.

The Secret Sentinel is a story about museum curator, Savannah Rutledge, who gets into a lot of trouble stealing her father’s treasure map to lost Confederate gold. She meets a handsome, sexy stranger who wants the gold too, but she doesn’t trust him. Together, they follow a perplexing trail of cryptic clues in a cross-country chase to unlock the mystery. Will she ever find the treasure and love too? Watch for the ad and review in the June issue of Romantic Times!

Do you have any 'must haves' with you while you're writing?

A thesaurus, my notes and outline, and hopefully, a sharp brain that makes the words flow like velvet onto the page.

What's next for you?

I have finished my next book called Preying for Survival and am shopping it around. I’ve started the one after that called The Virgo Stone.

Where can we find you on the web?

http://www.alisonchambersromance.com/
Thanks for visiting with us today, Alison.
Thank you!

Readers, scroll down for a blurb and excerpt from Alison's book.

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The Secret Sentinel by Alison Chambers

The Secret Sentinel
by Alison Chambers
Available Now at The Wild Rose Press

blurb:

Three lost keys to untold riches. Three cryptic rhymes. A secret society's deadly plot. When museum curator Savannah Rutledge steals her father's treasure map to impress her boss, Winston Gale, and his handsome son Eric, she unleashes a Pandora's box of horror. Her father is killed and she is framed for murder. To atone for her father's death, she sets off on a cross-country chase for the treasure that ends with a dangerous showdown in the Superstition Mountains near Phoenix. To get there she and a sexy stranger, Antonio Desada, follow a perplexing trail of clues that lead them to the keys that will unlock the mystery. Constantly moving, they must elude the police and the vicious Gales, hot on their trail once they realize they're missing a critical part of the map. Seductive and mysterious, Desada also provides the keys to a treasure of another kind. Will Savannah find the treasure—and love--before it's too late?

excerpt:

"Do not keep anything from me. Something tells me you are. Still protecting your father?"

"Right, and when did you get your psychology degree?" She got to her feet and stalked off, combing every room of the second floor, bravely opening closed doors, for the moment unafraid of what she would find.

Desada had touched a nerve, accusing her of holding back, and she didn't like it. Not because he said it, but because she believed it herself.

Had she buried something her father had told her in her subconscious? Was she intentionally sabotaging the effort out of cowardice or fear?

The rooms she searched were empty except for cobwebs, lizards, and a few pieces of crumbling furniture--rocking chairs, a threadbare sofa, a urine-stained mattress, discarded beer bottles.

She felt Desada's brooding presence looming behind her. "Don't go off like that again. Wait for me."

"A lot of help you'd be. Probably let me take the first bullet."

"You know that's not true."

"How do I know that? Your'e only using me to get what you want!"

He grabbed her arm. "Listen, if we're going to continue in this together, we need to set a few rules. Rule one, no emotions. Absolutely none. That's one thing we don't need. We need cold detachment. We need to survive, Savannah. Don't you understand what we're up against here? We've got death facing us around every corner. We can't afford to--"

"I don't need you dictating to me. That's one thing I don't need. Do you understand? That's not going to guarantee my allegiance to you. What we need is a little equality, a little fifty-fifty deal. Besides, you're the one who keeps trying to kiss me."

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BLOGMANIA WINNER

Whew, not that was harder than I expected it to be.  So many wonderful comments and followers to add to the hat!  So now, the moment you've all been patiently waiting for...

The winner of my Blogmania 2010 contest is:

Carol L.  a.k.a   LUCKY4750

Congratulations Carol!  Look for an email from me. 

Everyone else, thanks for entering!  And don't forget, Blogmania is twice a year.  More prizes are coming in September!

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Fun Stuff

Wow, was Blogmania fun or what?!  Just so everyone knows, the contest is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by.  I sure do have a TON of entries to work my way through, which is wonderful!

I have to work all day Saturday and Sunday, but I will be back on Monday, May 3rd to contact and announce the winner.  Make sure to stop in and check it out, you just might be the winner!

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