Spotlight On...Lara Hogg

Please help me welcome author Lara Hogg to the keyboard. Welcome, Lara, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Hello, thanks for having me here! First, in a nutshell, I want to clarify something. It’s kind of funny. My parents named me Lara, but someone accidently spelled my name Laura on my birth certificate, so most people have been calling me Laura all my life. I go by either.

Now then I’ve been married for 21 years to a younger man (he proposed when he was 17 and I was 19), have a kid in college, earned a degree in French and play two instruments. I¹ve been in rock bands and currently work in a private reading school.

Tell us about Descent into Darkness and where we can find it.

Descent into Darkness is a historical romance set in 1811-1812, London and Russia.

Here is a blurb:

He has come back from war, fighting Napoleon’s men on a ship. She is a lovely shopkeeper with a great sense of humor. A heroic heart rests inside this insecure, intelligent beauty, and she will be called to prove it. She and her love are pitted against each other for the sake of their families and some terrible accusations. She will be in constant peril as she gathers evidence to convict his dangerous brother of a harrowing crime. His heart breaks when he discovers something about her sister. Can their love survive the results of their investigations? They devise a dangerous plan to get to the truth, which brings them into the heart of Napoleon's camp in 1812 Russia as spies. Risking everything, they must get to the truth.

It can be found HERE


How did you start writing?

I wrote poetry as a kid then songs as a teenager and after. In college, I wrote stories, but I was in my thirties before I found the courage to submit for publication.


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

A little of both. I’ll dream a story, write a one page summary then work from there.


What do you find is the hardest part of writing a book?

The writing, researching and revision are so fun. The waiting around for an acceptance or rejection is not.


What writers have influenced you the most?

My mom first then many novel writers.


What are you passionate about?

Music and writing, languages and learning.


How do you think being a published author has changed you?

It made me wiser. ;)

A happy occurrence:

I bought a bottle of water that was on sale once with my 58 cents royalty check and was grateful for it. That 58cents proved I was a professional writer, getting paid for my fiction!


Where can we find you on the web?

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=62648343

Twitter: http://twitter.com/lovebooksmusic

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003F977GI

My Blog: http://traveltheages.blogspot.com/

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


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

What do you predict the next trend will be?


Sarah, thank you very much, again, for having me as a guest. I wish you and your readers the best!

Lara, thanks for visiting with us today!

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Descent Into Darkness by Lara Hogg

He has come back from war, fighting Napoleon¹s men on a ship. She is a lovely shopkeeper with a great sense of humor. A heroic heart rests inside this insecure, intelligent beauty, and she will be called to prove it. She and her love are pitted against each other for the sake of their families and some terrible accusations. She will be in constant peril as she gathers evidence to convict his dangerous brother of a harrowing crime. His heart breaks when he discovers something about her sister. Can their love survive the results of their investigations? They devise a dangerous plan to get to the truth, which brings them into the heart of Napoleon's camp in 1812 Russia as spies. Risking everything, they must get to the truth.

Excerpt:

“You want me gone?” The corners of his lips turned down.

She brought pleading eyes to his face. “I merely want you separated from your brother.”

“Why?”

“Something happened. He...” She wrung her hands.

He studied her.

“Take me with you.” Her lip quivered.

He curled his fingers around her arm. “No. It would be risky.”

“Where are we going?”

“Clarissa--”

“I pray you, Duncan.” She bowed her head and squeezed her eyes shut. “Please.”

“It’s dangerous.”

She opened her eyes. “I don’t mind that, as long as I'm by your side. If you left me here, it’s a certainty that you’ll come back a widower.” Her beseeching gaze tore at his heart.

He sighed and embraced her trembling form, rubbing his hand in comfort over her back. “You’re truly terrified. All right. I’ll take you. It’s fortunate you speak French. And French manners and customs?”

Her brow narrowed. “Of course, but what does that have to do with anything?” She stood.

“We are to be Monsieur et Madame.”

She could do nothing but stare.

“Where are we going?”

“To see the Emperor Napoleon.”

She paled and fell backward. He caught her around the waist before she hit the mattress.


Find Descent into Darkness HERE

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I believe...

My son is taking American Lit this year.  His first assignment of the year was to come up with twenty things about himself that began with 'I believe'. He, of course, didn't like the assignment. I thought it was a great way for the teacher to get to know her new students a little better.  And so I've decided to share a few statements about myself with you.

I believe in laughter.
I believe in the strength of family.
I believe that pepperoni and mushrooms are a must on any pizza.
I believe in friendships that last a lifetime.
I believe in reading, writing and supporting my fellow authors.
I believe in hot rods, driving fast and drag racing.
I believe in honesty.
I believe in love.
I believe in myself.

How about you? Share with me a few statements that begin with 'I believe'.

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Spotlight On... Margaret Tanner

The contest winner has been annouced.
Congratulations, Susan Macatee.

Please help me in welcoming historical romance author, Margaret Tanner, to the keyboard today.  Margaret will be giving away an e-copy of her new release, Reluctant Father, to one lucky person today, so make sure to comment!

Welcome, Margaret, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Thank your for the welcome Sarah.
I love delving into the past. No book is too old or dusty for me to trawl through, no cemetery too overgrown.

I live in Australia and am married with three grown up sons and a lovely little grand daughter. She is the light of our lives. We only had three sons, hubby is one of four boys, but, of course, we don’t spoil her????

Tell us about RELUCTANT FATHER and where we can find it.

Reluctant Father is released by The Wild Rose Press.
It is set against the turbulent background of the Vietnam War. Although none of the main characters participated in the conflict their lives are touched by it.

The heroine, Sarah Watson, is the daughter of an elderly minister of religion. She wants to marry and have babies, sooner rather than later, as she has gynecological problems like her mother and grandmother did.

Due to his deprived childhood, Jordan, the wealthy hero, is obsessively clean, and cannot stand dirt in any shape or form. He is also allergic to babies.
He believes that money can buy anything – whereas Sarah knows it cannot buy true love, which is what she feels for him.

Do you have a favorite character or one that you identify most with?

Not really. I always like my main characters, even though my hero’s are often the brooding, ruthless types, but they are always redeemable.

Describe your writing in three words.

Passionate, emotional, exciting.

Why did you choose your genre?

I have always liked Australian history. Some would say I am obsessed with it.

Where do you get your ideas?

They just jump out at me. I never really know when they are going to come. I always carry a pen and paper around and jot down ideas, in case I forget them.

How do you do your research?

I go to the library and use the reference books, peruse family diaries, harass elderly relatives for information on their childhood, not easy when some of them are as deaf as a post, but the dear old souls are really very helpful. Cemeteries and museums are a great source of information also.

What advice would you give to the new/unpublished author?

Be determined, hone your skills and never give up on your dream of publication. It is a hard road to travel, but worth it once you hold your book in your hand and lovingly caress the pages.

What’s next for you?

I am currently writing a longer 95,000+ word historical which I would like to place with one of the large publishing houses.

Where can we find you on the web?

http://www.margarettanner.com/

Is there anything you would like to ask our readers?

Yes, what draws them to buy a book, the cover, the blurb or the author’s name.

Margaret, thanks for visiting with us today.

Readers, don't forget to comment for your chance to win a free e-copy of Margaret's newest release, Reluctant Father.  You can read an excerpt HERE.

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Reluctant Father by Margaret Tanner

Reluctant Father

by Margaret Tanner
available now at The Wild Rose Press


Jordan Stamford is allergic to babies. At the height of the Vietnam war, this jet-setting playboy, whose motto is ‘money can buy anything,’ arrives in Sarah Watson’s seaside home to redevelop a disused factory complex. Sarah is the only child of an elderly minister of religion and adores her bay side home. She yearns for a loving husband and babies. Will Jordan’s shameful family history, and Sarah’s desperate longing for a child, be an insurmountable barrier for them to overcome?

Excerpt:Lewis Inlet Annual School Bazaar

The loud crying of a baby erupted in the surrounding crowd, and Jordan Stamford baulked just inside the school gates. Instinctively his hands moved to cover his ears and block the noise, but he was able to stop them at the last second. People surged around him, cutting off retreat, and his stomach muscles clenched, his pulse rate escalated—he was trapped.

The wailing grew worse, reverberating inside his head until his brain felt ready to explode. Teeth gritted, he pushed his way through the crowd. He could get away. It wasn’t like when he was sixteen and trapped on a train with some screaming baby. By the time the train pulled into the station and he could get off, he had been on the verge of hyperventilating.

Taking several shuddering breaths, he fought to get himself under control. This crying baby had resurrected the phobia he’d thought buried years ago. What kind of sniveling coward would go to pieces at the sound of a screaming child? Why should it still bother him so much after all this time? For years he had religiously avoided going anywhere near children. For God’s sake, what had made him drop his guard and come to a school bazaar, of all places?

He didn’t mind making regular donations to charities that looked after neglected children, as long as he didn’t have to present the checks in person. He feared having kids. With his family history, he was genetically predisposed to reject his offspring. No way would he risk bringing a child into the world to suffer the same fate as he had.

****

“Look at this horrible thing, Lisa. You’ll have to pay someone to take it away.” Sarah Watson squatted on the ground and shoved the moth-eaten deer’s head under the trestle table.

“You wouldn’t get me touching it,” Lisa said. “Have you met Jordan Stamford yet?”

“No, and I don’t want to, he’s going to wreck Lewis Inlet.”

“But he’s gorgeous.”

“I couldn’t care less what he looks like. Ouch!” Sarah banged her head on the table as she went to get up. A pair of expensive shoes and the hem of tailored sports pants came into her line of vision. “Coming here with his big city ideas and flashy car.” She climbed to her feet. “Lording it up at the big house. Who does he think he is, anyway?” She tossed her head, and her jet-black curls danced.

“And you are?” The owner of the expensive shoes savaged her with a contemptuous sweep of his ebony eyes.

“Hi, Mr. Stamford.” Lisa recovered herself first.

Angry red stained his tanned cheeks as his nostrils flared. “Don’t let me interrupt your character assassination.”


Purchase your very own copy HERE

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Spotlight On... Beth Trissel

The contest winner has been announced! Congratulations, Linda Henderson.

This morning we have historical/paranormal romance author Beth Trissel at the keyboard. Welcome, Beth, can you tell us a little about yourself?


Certainly, thanks. I’m married to my high school sweetheart and live on a farm in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with children and multiple animals. The beauty of the valley is an inspiration, as are my roots which go well back into Virginia’s history. My fascination with the colonial frontier and the Shawnee Indians is an early and abiding one. My English, Scots-Irish ancestors had interactions with this tribe, including family members taken captive. Intrigued with all things Celtic, much of my writing features the Scots-Irish who settled the valley and spread into the mountains and the Carolinas. This absorption with early America also extends to the high drama of the Revolution and ancestors who fought and loved on both sides of that sweeping conflict.

Tell us about your new release, RED BIRD’S SONG, and where we can find it.

Colonial Native American romance novel Red Bird’s Song is the story of my heart. Although it’s the sixth novel I’ve had published, it’s the first one I ever wrote and rewrote multiple times and learned how to write in the process. I’d set it aside and get it back out again. Much of the book is based on events that occurred to my early American Scots-Irish ancestors in the Virginia colonial frontier and beyond. The research I did for this book was all-consuming. I hope readers will appreciate the depth to this very special historical romance. Available in print and digital download from the Wild Rose Press and other online booksellers. Local bookstores can order it in.

Read an EXCERPT



Describe your writing in three words.

 Historical/Paranormal Romance.

Why did you choose your genre?

I’m passionate about the past so everything I write is historical or has a strong historical element.


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

Must have the right music for each scene.


What has been your highlight of your career to this point?

Getting published that first time is hard to beat.


What do you find is the hardest part of writing a book?

 Writing it. I can happily research forever.


Have you noticed your voice has changed as you’ve gained experience? If so, how?

I’m a more polished version of myself.

Where can we find you on the web?

I am a very active blogger:  http://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/

I also have a website:  http://www.bethtrissel.com/


Is there anything you would like to ask our readers?

Do you like colonial American settings for historical romance?

Readers, thanks for dropping by.  Also, make sure to leave Beth a comment and automatically be entered to win a digital download of Red Bird's Song.

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Red Bird's Song by Beth Trissel

Taken captive by a Shawnee war party wasn’t how Charity Edmonson hoped to escape an unwanted marriage. Nor did Shawnee warrior Wicomechee expect to find the treasure promised by his grandfather’s vision in the unpredictable red-headed girl. George III’s English Red-Coats, unprincipled colonial militia, prejudice and jealousy are not the only enemies Charity and Wicomechee will face before they can hope for a peaceful life. The greatest obstacle to happiness is in their own hearts. As they struggle through bleak mountains and cold weather, facing wild nature and wilder men, Wicomechee and Charity must learn to trust each other.

Charity swiped angrily at a tear. She’d run away, if she had anyone to run to. It wasn’t right they were all dead.


On impulse, she jumped to the ground. “I’ll go anyway,” she muttered. “Eat nuts and berries and live in the woods.”

“Will you go alone?” a low voice asked.

Sucking in her breath, she whirled around. Less than twenty feet away, grasping his musket, stood a tall young brave. Stripes of red and black paint blurred his striking features. His dark brown eyes riveted her in place. This warrior was like no other and the most savagely handsome man she’d ever seen.

God help her. She should flee now, but could only stare, open-mouthed.

She swept her disbelieving gaze over the loose black hair brushing an open buckskin vest that revealed his bronzed chest and shoulders molded into contours of muscle. An elkskin breechclout left a great deal of his hard thighs exposed. Despite the dread hammering in her chest, a fiery blush burned her cheeks. But it was the sheathed knife hanging on his left side and the lethal tomahawk slung on his right that snapped Charity from her near-trance.

In a rush of memories, she recalled the stories of her father’s death under the scalping knife and neighbors who’d suffered the same violent fate. No


Indians had been spotted in their settlement since the Shawnee grew hostile and war had erupted nine years ago, but the warfare had ended. Hadn’t it?

Clenching ice-cold fingers, she dug her nails into her palms. “What in God’s name are you doing here?” she forced past the dry lump in her throat.

“Watching you.”

Want to win your own digital download of Red Bird's Song? 
Entering to win is easy, just leave Beth a COMMENT.

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Hero Dogs of 9/11

Saw this for the first time today and had to share.

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What Makes a Keeper a Keeper

Today's blog is by award winning author, Autumn Jordan. Enjoy!

And make sure to visit her website to learn more about her and her books.

Write what you know. As writers, we’ve all heard the statement more than once, and it’s stopped many from writing the stories of their heart. Why? Because the writer takes it literally. They think I’ve never visited the Emerald Isle or step through a time portal or had contact with a serial killer, so how can I write a story dealing with the subject?

Thousands of writers have visited Ireland and wrote about it, and thousands more have written about the beautiful country and haven’t had the pleasure of touching its shores. I know of no one who has actually skipped through time, yet. And, I’m sure there are very few writers who have written a book dealing with a serial killer based on their actual experience with them. Most subject matters or settings can and should be thoroughly researched so as to propel the reader into a realistic world. In the genres of fantasy or paranormal, in order to make the world come alive for the reader, building the world needs to be detailed.

In my story Evil’s Witness which released on June 18 from The Wild Rose Press, a tractor-trailer containing U.S. currency is stolen by the Russian Mafia. My heroine witnesses a blood bath during the act and is sent on the run not only to save her life but also the lives of her children. Have I ever witnessed a horrific act such as this? No. Could I write about it? Yes, based on a few of my own past experiences.

Because of my family’s trucking company, I knew about tractor-trailer heists. They occur more often than you might think. We’ve hauled for the U.S. Treasury so the research for the bases of the story was easily available to me but not impossible for someone else to investigate. I had to make contact with local and state police concerning local law enforcement procedures, their weapons and use, and I interviewed an FBI agent on the witness protection program. I also read any articles or books I could find on the Russian Mafia. What I didn’t have to research and what makes any book a keeper on my shelf is emotion.

Years ago, while working at a restaurant, I was held at gunpoint during a robbery. It’s not a time I like to recall. I had nightmares for months. I managed to overcome the fear, tuck the experience away in the recesses of my mind and move on. While writing Evil’s Witness I recalled the horrific moments and use them positively to write emotional charged scenes.

As a mother of four, I’ve experienced more than a few times when my heart wedged in my throat with fear for my children. I’m sure you’ve had a moment when your child disappeared from your view for a few moments or they had an accident which required medical help. Can you recall the visceral responses your body had as seconds ticked off until you found them hiding between the clothing racks or at a friend’s house or help arrived? Did your heart pound? Did your mind scatter recalling the last moments before they disappeared—their birthday parties, holidays or smiles? Did your eyes skip from area to area, searching for a glimpse of your baby? Could the emergency vehicles not get there fast enough? How about sweaty palms or dry mouth?

Excerpt from Evil’s Witness:

A blast hit the air and a micro second later the windshield of the car beside them splintered. Pulling Bobby and Em with her, Stephanie dropped to the tarmac, the skin tearing from her knee.


“Stephanie, get down,” John yelled too late.


She was already flat faced on the blacktop. Her heart thundered, barely covering the voice inside her which screamed, “Not again.” She strained, stretching her arm, her fingers, grasping to protect her children.

Walking through a parking lot, I’ve felt threatened by someone following me. My blood rushed as I fumbled for my keys and raced to my car. I also recall the relief that washed through me after I pulled away unscathed.

Excerpt from Evil’s Witness:

Suddenly, a hand slapped across her mouth and a strong arm circled her waist, lifting her off her feet. Her nostrils flared against the ridge of skin as she fought to suck in air and the scent of the man dragging her away.


A car whizzed by but didn’t stop. The street ahead was deserted except for two elderly women waiting for a bus and a couple standing on the corner. They had their backs to her. They didn’t see her.


She searched wildly for anyone who would come to her rescue. There was no one.

I’ve had a broken heart. I’ve felt the sorrow of death. I’ve rejoiced at births and I am in love.

Excerpt from Evil’s Witness:

She stood before a mirror. A single lamp, turned low, lit the room. Through the silken material of her nightgown, her fingertips traced the outline of the scar near her waist. A mirror image of it marked her back. She didn’t want to remember how her life had come to this point. The memories caused fear to wrap around her heart, tainting the joy she’d come to know.


In the glass, she noticed movement behind her. A second later, he was there, staring at her. The man she’d die for.

I’ve experience all of these feelings and more. I’ve used them to create an emotionally satisfying story in Evil’s Witness. A novel which I hope will remain on my reader’s keeper shelves and have them search for my other works.

Emotion is the connection between a writer and reader. Remember that bit of advice. And the next time you hear, write what you know, think that’s easy. All I need to do is open the door to my past and draw from my emotional well.

Autumn lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her husband, who supplies her with support and tons of laughs. Her favorite destinations farther from home are Vermont and Arizona where she enjoys hiking, golfing, horseback riding and learning the history of the areas. And no matter what Autumn is doing, she’s busy dreaming up ideas to put the characters of her romantic thrillers in grave danger.

All material contained within this post may not be used without expressed permission from author.
Copyright© By Autumn Jordon

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Is there an exorcism for that?

So I have this cell phone, a Palm…I don’t know...Centro, that's what it is. I hate it.

Yup. You read that correctly, I hate my cell phone.

I had high hopes for the thing when I bought it, but since then I’ve learned that MY PHONE IS POSSESSED. Don’t believe me?

About two months after canceling my internet/email plan (I know, GASP, but I never used it), it decided to log onto the internet every time I complete a call.

Every.

Freakin.

Time.

I hang up, the phone logs onto the internet and doesn’t log off until I manually log off. Then, to make matters worse, the day came when even though I would log off, it would immediately connect again. 

What did I do? I blocked the internet on the thing. Yup, no matter what, I can’t get on the internet with my phone. Problem solved right? Yeah, right.

Like those things in the movie Hellboy, from the ashes of one, two shall rise… So now that my phone doesn’t log onto the internet every chance it can, it has decided to call The Devil instead. Yup. Whenever I’m talking to someone on the phone, I hear beep, beep, beep like someone is dialing in my ear. Someone isn’t, the freakin cell phone is! Today, I had to tell my mother to hold on twice in one conversation and clear the thing so I could continue to talk. What number had it decided to call? 666-6666 of course!

You may ask why I haven’t just gotten a new phone? I don’t want to get stuck with my carrier for another two years in order to afford a decent phone, and I definitely don’t want to pay full price for a phone, as I need a new laptop more than a new cell phone.

Funny thing happened on the way to the shop the other day. I forgot and left my cell on the top of my car. It made it 6 miles before zinging off the top of the car and into traffic. A minor miracle, since my official slogan is ‘Drive it like you stole it’. I watched as a semi coming the other direction zipped over the top of my phone and thought, FINALLY! Then later that night someone calls to tell me they found my phone. No way!

Way!

The possessed piece of garbage survived. The semi didn’t actually run over the thing, but clip it and spin it back across the road and onto the shoulder. The back is scuffed, but with the exception of the darn thing still trying to call Satan every chance it gets, it still works.

Damn phone. My mother laughs and tells me I need to frame the thing. Me? I dream of finally deciding on a new cell carrier and taking a hammer to this phone… makes me smile just thinking about it.

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Spotlight On...Amber Leigh Williams

Today we have author Amber Leigh Williams at the keyboard. Welcome, Amber, can you tell us a little about yourself?


Thanks for having me today, Sarah! I’m a multi-published romance author, a member of Romance Writers of America, former Secretary of GCCRWA, and a reviewer for The Season. My first western romance, BLACKEST HEART, was 1st Place More Than Magic Novella in 2009 and my historical romance, FOREVER AMORE, was nominated by Long & Short Reviews for Best Book of 2009. I’m represented by D4EO Literary Agency and I live on the Gulf Coast with my husband and three labs.


Tell us about BET IT ON MY HEART and where we can find it.

Bet It On My Heart is the final book in the Wayback Ridge trilogy, an award-winning western romance saga from The Wild Rose Press. Here’s the blurb:

ANTE UP! Keefe Ridge's bronc-busting days are nearly over. Despite that and the fact that he is slowly making his dream business venture a reality, Wayback's wildest cowboy doesn't see any reason to settle down. He is even willing to bet that marriage isn't in the cards at all for him.

Agent Calli Morlani came to Wayback on a mission: to bring Stella Ridge back to Hollywood. When Stella refuses, she dares Calli to take in some local color and see what Wayback has to offer. Whether that includes Stella's devastatingly charming brother becomes irrelevant once Calli finds herself in bed with him - in more ways than one…

Will it take a tough city girl to make the Wayback playboy finally fall long and hard? Or will Keefe give Calli a reason to stay? Place your bet!

Read an EXCERPT

The book is now available for purchase at The Wild Rose Press and on September 21 will follow its prequels into audio book at AudioLark. Bet It On My Heart was voted Book of the Week at LASR by readers!


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

In a touching review for FOREVER AMORE, someone made the comment, “The events here make the people who lived and struggled in World War II seem a finer sort than ordinary humanity. Through all this fear they still reached out to help someone else. We do know such tales have a basis in fact. This makes this story, this lovely romance, all the more moving.” I was moved to tears by this because the book is dedicated to survivors of the Second World War, especially those who found love during wartime and had the outstanding courage to fight for it despite tremendous obstacles. I think that those who fought in World War II – like my late great-grandfather, a Navy gunner– were a finer sort than ordinary humanity and that’s what fueled me to write FOREVER AMORE to begin with. For the book to be recognized for showcasing that was overwhelming in the best possible sense.


Wow, that is a moving comment, and FOREVER AMORE sounds like a great book.  Do you ever become attached to your characters and have a hard time letting them go?

When I started writing full-time six years ago, I didn’t. But it seems that the older I get the more maternal I feel toward my work and the characters in particular. Usually I complete the first draft of a work-in-progress in three months. Last year, however, when I was working on my second paranormal there seemed to be a lot of conflicts – with both family and promoting two book launches – so I wound up spending seven and a half months with these characters and when I realized we were approaching the end of the story, I had a full-on meltdown. After a week of moping and hysterics, I completed the book and moved on to the next in the series and I learned that separation anxiety is best solved by several intense rounds of editing and writing the sequel. Not to mention, a large glass of wine at the end of the day.


Why did you choose your genre?

First and foremost, I write romance. I will always write romance because the genre gave me joy in the darkest hours of my life and if I can give someone that same joy in their time of need or even just at the end of really long, hard day, there’s no one who could possibly convince me that writing romance isn’t the most rewarding job in the world. Within the romance genre, I tend to hop from sub-genre to sub-genre. I do this because a) my muse has ADD and b) romance transcends time and place. There’s no limit to where it can go and I think the vast spectrum that the romance industry has become throughout the last decade especially is proof of that.


What writers have influenced you the most?

My first romance was a romantic suspense by Nora Roberts and from that day forward I wanted to write romance. Since I began networking with other writers and industry professionals, I’ve been told that an author’s best course of action is to choose one sub-genre and stick with it. The thing I find most inspiring about Nora is that she writes a bit of everything and doesn’t seem to pay a lick of attention to those who frown on genre-hopping. I think that’s been the key to her success. She goes where the characters are, wherever that may be.


How do you think being a published author has changed you?

If it’s changed me, I like to think it’s for the better. There are days where I force myself to sit back and reflect on why I struck out on this outrageous quest to become a published author. At the end of the day, I’m still doing something that I love to do and I’ve been lucky to have had the opportunity to do that. Above all else, I’ve learned the importance of literacy and the value of hard work.

What’s next for you?

As I mentioned, the Ridges of Wayback, Texas will be taking the audio book universe by storm this month, starting with BLACKEST HEART on September 7 at www.audiolark.com and followed closely by BLUEST HEART on September 14 and, finally, BET IT ON MY HEART, on September 21!

For more on this trilogy, visit The Wild Rose Press where all three books are now on sale in ebook editions.


Where can we find you on the web?

Readers can learn more about my stories and writing journey at:  http://www.amberleighwilliams.com/
and at my blog, The Cozy Page:  http://amberleighwilliams.blogspot.com/
I tweet quite a bit so readers can connect with me on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/ALeighWilliams
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/amberleighwilliams
Contact me personally at  amber@amberleighwilliams.com   I love hearing from readers!


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

I would love to hear which of my books readers today would be most interested in reading. And there’s always the fun discussion who your favorite romance hero is—ever! Can’t wait to hear answers.


Thanks for visiting with us today, Amber. It's been fun learning about you and your writing.

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Bet it on My Heart by Amber Leigh Williams

Bet It On My Heart

by Amber Leigh Williams

Available Now from The Wild Rose Press

ANTE UP! Keefe Ridge's bronc-busting days are nearly over. Despite that and the fact that he is slowly making his dream business venture a reality, Wayback's wildest cowboy doesn't see any reason to settle down. He is even willing to bet that marriage isn't in the cards at all for him.

Agent Calli Morlani came to Wayback on a mission: to bring Stella Ridge back to Hollywood. When Stella refuses, she dares Calli to take in some local color and see what Wayback has to offer. Whether that includes Stella's devastatingly charming brother becomes irrelevant once Calli finds herself in bed with him - in more ways than one…

Will it take a tough city girl to make the Wayback playboy finally fall long and hard? Or will Keefe give Calli a reason to stay? Place your bet!

EXCERPT:

"Are you a gift from God or do they make all the men like you around here?"

"What’re you talking about?" he asked with a chuckle, threading his fingers through hers and pulling her close, navel to navel.

"You ride a horse like a Trojan warrior," she pointed out. "You happen to look like one, too, minus the hat and boots. You’re ninety-nine-point-nine-nine percent charm. And you also happen to be a fabulous dancer." She tilted her head curiously. "All that’s missing is ‘Great Kisser.’"

He lowered his lips. They brushed hers as he murmured, "Got that covered."

Her eyes drifted to a close while he lingered a breath away, teasing her. That fresh smell of his wrapped her close and warm. "Of course, you do." Her lips parted under his to accept the full depth of his smoldering kiss. The hands she’d twined at the nape of his neck fell limp on his collar. Her head bowed back into his cupped palm as his tongue danced over hers in firm, languid strokes.

Heart pattering, breath stalling, she hardly noticed the hum that escaped her throat. His hand was trekking down her back, long fingers inciting the skin underneath the zipper of her dress.

The song ended, but she didn’t break away from him when applause sounded around them and people began to nudge past them on and off the dance floor. His hands gripped her hips as the kiss intensified. Good God.

BET IT ON MY HEART © Amber Leigh Williams

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