Honey Blood and the Collector is Released!

One of my favoirite books I've ever written has just been released! If you like a mythology, a lot of romance and a fantastical situation, think adult fairy tale, then you'll love this book too.

Find it on Amazon.

Walk Right In Has Been Released!

Now available at Amazon and All Romance Ebooks!

 At Amazon

Happy Fathers's Day

To father's everywhere.

New Cover!

The Book of the Beginning series comes out in early 2012. I think I've already shown you my Honey Blood and the Collector cover, debuting from Turquoise Morning Press in February, 2012, but here it is again:

Now, drum roll, here is the cover for Book 2, Sign of the Green Comet:

What do you guys think?

Interview with Author, Denise Verrico

Denise Verrico is an author of urban fantasy. Her newest work Twilight of the Gods, Book Two of the Immortyl revolution is available from L&L Dreamspell.

How did you come up with the title?
It’s an allusion to the Norse idea of the Ragnorak. In Norse mythology, Loki is the “mischief maker” and is foretold to bring on the Ragnorak.

What is Twilight of the Gods about?
In book one, Cara Mia, vampires Mia Disantini and Kurt Eisen have done the unthinkable and rebelled against their elder, Brovik, who was funding research on vampire immortality. In addition, the lovers have stolen data that proves that Immortyls are mere biological mutations of human beings. In their culture, to even suggest this is punishable by death.
Mia and Kurt’s motivation is to find a cure for their condition, a rival elder, Gaius, is trying to harness the power of immortality for profit. Kurt builds a force among bands of cast-off teenaged and child vampires called sewer rats to battle Gaius. They give Kurt the nickname Loki. This soon inspires a worldwide revolutionary movement.

Meanwhile, Mia, his strong and independent partner, dislikes being shunted into the background in the “man’s world” of Immortyl politics. To add insult to injury for her, Kurt has formed a romantic attachment to Arturo, an Immortyl who saved his life. She is forced to make a difficult choice for the good of the revolution and her relationship to Kurt.

What books have most influenced your life most?
In my genre, I have to give credit to Anne Rice. I love her dark romanticism. I’m not against books like Twilight, but I do prefer a darker vampire. My next biggest influence would have to be historical fiction authors Mary Renault and Robert Graves. I love the accessible first person narratives in books like The Persian Boy and I Claudius. Court intrigue and politics fascinate me. I also loved Marion Zimmer Bradley’s The Mists of Avalon and Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I’d have to say that my next book in the series, My Fearful Symmetry, owes a lot to Renault’s The Persian Boy. Renault’s book is told from the POV of Bogoas the companion to Alexander The Great. The tone of Renault’s writing is very conversational. I like that all of this history is happening around the characters, but that personal stories are so accessible.

I loved the idea of writing about a male courtesan, only mine is a vampire and he’s a temple artist in service to the Goddess Kali. His name is Cedric MacKinnon. He’s a nineteen-year-old Scot. Cedric is funny and irreverent; a modern teenager who wants more than anything to be a rock star, but life has dumped him at the bottom of the heap. A chance encounter with a mysterious Indian gentleman leads him to the chief elder’s court and lands him in the middle of a hotbed of political intrigue. I really wanted a character that sees Kurt’s revolution from the inside of the ruling class, but I didn’t want that POV entirely opposed to the idea. Cedric sees and experiences terrible things and does a lot of growing as a character. In a nutshell, the book is about a boy who becomes a vampire and fights to become a man.


What are your current projects?
I’m working on the fourth Immortyl Revolution novel, Ratopia, and a magic-based urban fantasy with a variety of paranormal characters.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
I find it hard to do things fast. I don’t know how some authors can get books done so quickly. The research and world building takes time, and I work a full time job. I come from the theatre and dialogue is easy for me. Usually, I write it first. The trick is in balancing how much narrative detail is needed against the dialogue arc of the scene. That’s where the art comes into the craft, and that is where those extra pairs of eyes from writer’s groups come in handy.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Join a critique group if you haven’t. My groups help me so much. Also, strive to be original. Even though I like Anne Rice, I knew I wanted to write something very different. With the glut of vampire books out there, one of the most gratifying things I hear in reviews is that my books are very unique in the genre.



Blurb

Twilight of the Gods, Book Two of the Immortyl Revolution

Narrowly escaping the implosion of Genpath laboratories, vampires Mia Disantini and Kurt Eisen are on the run from Gaius Lupus their rival in the Forbidden Science. When Kurt is captured by their enemy and rescued with the aid of feral vampire kids known as sewer rats, Mia witnesses first hand the charismatic spell her lover casts over these would-be revolutionaries. Setting up base in Manhattan, Kurt builds his forces to face off with Gaius, while independent-minded Mia navigates the minefield of sewer rat politics, which she finds very much a man’s world. The lovers’ deep bond is put to the test by both the beautiful Arturo and Kurt’s followers, who see Mia as standing between them and their beloved “Loki.” Matters are further complicated when the chief elder, Kalidasa, arrives from India to investigate rumors of heresy and revolution. With the threat of war with Gaius drawing ever closer, Mia ands Kurt prepare to meet the biggest challenge of their lives.

Excerpt
Twilight of the Gods, Book Two of the Immortyl Revolution

Virginia 2001

“Mee-ya? Darling, it’s past nine.”

The kerosene lamp beside the old four-poster bed sputtered. My eyes opened on Kurt’s in the flickering light. Paul Newman in his prime on a really good day couldn’t compete with those big blues. “Hello, gorgeous.”

He chuckled and eased his slender body over mine, lips searching my throat for the landmarks, while something warm, hard, and smooth begged for entrance below.

“I dreamed about Ethan.”

He paused in his delicious pursuit to scowl. “Again?”

“I still chose you.”

A smile fluttered over his alarmingly pale mouth. “I must go out tonight to meet Carol.” He gestured to a plastic bag filled with red liquid sitting in a bath of warm water. “Only a pint left.”

“You take it. I had two last night.” I stroked the warmth poised to enter me. “Amazed you still manage. Better wait.” His lower lip pouted. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He pulled away sighing and sat up, stretching and running his fingers through tangled golden curls, a marble angel with a single blemish, inky and obscene on his left forearm, a vestige of his captivity long ago in Dachau. He lifted the plastic bag out of the basin and inserted a straw, drinking it down. The white linen napkin he used to wipe his mouth came away smeared with red. “I’ll take the bike.”

“I’d feel better if you took the car.”

Brushing damp hair back from my eyes, he kissed me. “The wind feels like freedom.” He pulled on a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. Despite the late August temperatures of Northern Virginia, it was necessary for him to conceal the tattoo. People might not take too kindly to what looked to be a boy in his late teens making an apparent mockery of others’ misery. Unfortunately for Kurt the misery was all too real and personal. I rolled over on the huge bed, sheets sticking to my skin. “We really need an air-conditioner.”

Kurt frowned as he buttoned his shirt. “We been through this—no electricity—no noise.”

“I’m tired of tepid baths. I’m dying for a hot shower. Jesus, even Ethan believed in hot running water.”

“Darling, no one must know we’re camping out here. I don’t like it, either. Hopefully, it won’t be much longer. Carol says she has a meeting with the Justice Department next week about a safe house.”

“Yeah, real safe—level four maximum security.”

“We simply won’t agree to it. We’ll figure out something.” He lifted my chin to kiss me.

His lips were chilly. He needed lots more than the pint he’d just consumed. “Back in half an hour.”

“Be careful. Take a gun.”

He patted a slight bulge under his shirt in the vicinity of his hip. “Don’t worry.”

Kurt left the room. Moments later, gravel crunched as he walked Ethan’s motorcycle down the long drive and through the gate to the road. The bike growled and then buzzed into the distance. I worried about Kurt out there where our enemies might be lying in wait. Where did he get off becoming so annoyingly male and protective on me? He wasn’t trained to fight. He was small and slight and against a bigger, stronger vampire he was no match. I was a better shot than he, and I’d already saved his life once.

Winner of the Drawing!

I arbitrarily assigned numbers to all commenters and had a friend choose a number. And the winner of the drawing, drum roll please, is:

Karina!

Congratulations! I see you mentioned Craigs' Legacy as your book of choice. Please get in touch so I can make that happen. Send the e-mail to Daryn@DarynCross.com

To everyone else, thanks so much for commenting and being interested in my works and the other wonderful fiction titles. I hope you'll consider choosing one or more to read. Come back! This isn't my first and won't be my last drawing for a free download read.

Daryn aka Bobbye

New Blog Award--Thanks to Angelina Rain

Angelina http://angelinarain.blogspot.com gave me this award almost two weeks ago--sorry for taking so long to post.

I am very proud--this is my second award for this site. I am supposed to say seven things about myself as a taggie and then pass the award along to fifteen bloggers whom I've recently discovered. So here goes:

1) I've won two *paying* awards for inspirational poetry.
2) I won a city-wide cooking contest and a team tennis title for the tri-state championship in the 70s.
2) I was selected as one of the top ten Discharge Planners in the country in the 80s.
3) I was nominated for Home Care Administrator of the Year in the National Association for Home Care in the 90s.
4) With Linda Campbell, writing as Terry Campbell, we were finalists in the Booksellers' Best Award in consecutive years in the 2000s.
5) I've been a solo finalist in two RWA-sponsored contests in the 2010s.
6) I will debut my first fiction book as Bobbye Terry this year.
7) I hope to win an award for one of my new novels soon.

Now on to choosing some great bloggers to receive this same Stylish Blogger Award:
1) Caroline at http://CarolineClemmons.Blogspot.com
2) Melinda at http://writingnotwhining.blogspot.com
3) Gail at http://tickettoanywhere.net
4) Beth at http://www.bethfishreads.com
5) http://www.thebookcellarx.com
6) http://theromancestudio.blogspot.com
7) http://turquoisemorningpressblog.blogspot.com
8) http://cymlowell.blogspot.com
9) http://wwwgeraldineevanscom.blogspot.com
10) Kati at http://klearsreviews.blogspot.com/
11) http://rabid-reads.blogspot.com
12) http://readingbud.blogspot.com
13) http://crazy-bookworm.blogspot.com
14) Yvonne at http://socratesbookreviews.blogspot.com
15) http://www.Sugarbeatsbooks.com

Great sites folks! Congrats one and all.

Angels: The Vampires of 2011

I usually manage to hit a trend before it comes. Note, that when I originally wrote with Linda Campbell as Terry Campbell, romantic comedy wasn’t “in,” yet just a year after we released our books, all the editors were asking us, “Why didn’t you submit to us?” (this happened, honestly) Then we had a time-travel set in the civil war period. Two no-nos. Guess what? Time-travel is now on the upsurge. Yay! This time the book re-releases as a debut book from Black Opal Books on February 11th. Check out Craigs’ Legacy (book cover at the end of this blog).

But, right now, I want to talk about angels. We should have known they were going to be a trend. I mean, vampires are always in black—angels in white, right? So the pendulum swings…There is a twist. People seem drawn to the fallen angel, the one who wants redemption.

Daryn Cross has a book, Walk Right In, coming out from L&L Dreamspell in October and its sequel Walk Right Back, in January 2012. I mentioned this once before in an interview and everyone asked me about these books more than the one I was writing about. There is interest. As usual, my angels are a bit comedic and bungling. But the demons are menacing and the risks real. I do have a fallen angel as well who needs to redeem himself. He’s dropped in to a human’s body and they’re living quite a dual life.

Let me know what you see regarding the trend of angels. I know Nalini Singh has a series going on. Where else do you see this trend, and what do you think of it?

Craigs' Legacy debuting February 11, 2011, electronic formats--print to follow.

Terry Campbell backlist on Kindle

Most of my current readers know I wrote for many years with a co-writer as Terry Campbell. Our backlist of romantic comedies is now available on Kindle for $2.99 each. Want to laugh? I think that's worth $2.99. Check them out. The best way to find them is at this link:
http://tinyurl.com/37wj3t2

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Best of 2010 Blogfest

I decided to celebrate the accomplishments of 2010 a little differently. I hope you enjoy...
Daryn, aka Bobbye Terry and Terry Campbell

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Just Received the Versatile Blogger Award

I was recently honored with the Versatile Blogger Award, given to me by fellow writer, Rachel Firasek,www.rachelfirasek.com.

Here are the details of the Award as I know them:

Started with BLHMistress over at Book Lover’s Hideaway;
Then to The Creative Well;
Then to Sugar Beats Books;
Then to Julia Rachel Barrett;
Then to Claudia Alexander at Twillwoven.
Claudia awarded it to Rosalie Lario
She then awarded it to Rachel Firasek who awarded it to me.

As a 'taggie' I am supposed to do the following:
1) Share 7 things about myself.
2) Pass this award on to 15 other bloggers recently discovered.
3) Notifiy the recipients.
4) Link the blogger who gave this award.

So here we go:
Seven things about myself:
1) I am a former tennis champ in team tennis, tri-state division in Michelob Light team tennis.
2) I won the Lynchburg News & Advance cooking contest on year for the appetizer division (cream of broccoli soup).
3) I was President of the Lynchburg Business and Professional Women's Club.
4) I learned how to play chess when I was six.
5) I planned on being a Chemistry major in college after I graduated with the high school's science award.
6) I got five numbers out of six on the VIrginia State Lottery the year it started.
7) I was President of my church's Methodist Youth Fellowship.

I will now pass this award on.

Thanks again to Rachel.

Wish Upon a Star

Once upon a time there was a cybernetic organism named Peter Pinocchio. Peter preferred the name cyborg, as he considered himself to be more than the typical cyborg and far more than a man that was electronically manufactured. However, Gina Geppetto, his maker, was fond of reminding him he was, after all, her creation. Peter dared to differ with her, for he was sure he was a creation of the universal mind of imagination, a powerful force far beyond only Gina’s capabilities. He did, after all, have powers greater than hers. He was sure he had only tapped a few. But she always could be expected to task him with mundane daily duties and never really allowed him to go beyond his basest talents.

Peter dreamed he could one day be all-human, but with his current super-human qualities. He knew what he wished was nothing but a dream, but his best friend, Jimminy Android convinced him it was possible. “When you wish upon a star your dreams come true,” he told Peter.

Maybe in another time and pace,” he said. “But not in what’s left of war-torn Nevada.”

“Even here,” Jimminy said. “Bob told me so.”

“Bob?”

He nodded. The fairy who assigned me to you.”

“I never knew you were assigned.”

He cocked his head sideways. “Do you really think I’d take care of you just because?”

Peter sighed in exasperation. Jimminy was forever pulling his leg. “So who is this Bob fairy person?”

He grinned. “He’s blue. Folks say he’s a Martian, but he claims he’s only been typecast and actually comes from Ceres. But he’s a fairy all right, as gay as they come. Still, he has the power to grant wishes.”

I nodded. “To each his own, Jimminy. I’m not into any kind of discrimination. After all, I’m considered substandard as a cyborg. I find it most devastating, as I am in love with Gina.”

Jimminy frowned. “Oh my, if you’re wishing for Gina, I’m not sure even Bob can grant your wish.”

A tall blue man with pointed ears walked around the corner. “My ears were burning. Were you talking about my granting a wish?”

Peter nodded. “Jimminy says you can make me a real man.”

Bob grinned. “So I can. But if I do, you need to prove you can be honest loyal and faithful.”

Peter patted his chest. “No problem. I am not programmed to lie or to stray from those who have been good to me.” He leaned forward. “Do you think I could make Gina fall in love with me?”

Bob’s eyebrow arched. “That’s a tall order. Let’s see how you do on the other part first.”

He waved his hand and Peter lurched as his electronic parts vanished and he stood before them, knowing he now had a beating heart instead of a mechanical valve system. Peter ran to the mirror and held his hand to his face. “I look similar, but there’s something about my skin. That must be blood flushing my cheeks.”

Bob nodded. “Other things flush also. You will feel stirrings you haven’t before.”

Peter cocked his head sideways. Whatever did he mean? “What do I need to do now to prove myself?”

Pointing, Bob smiled again. “Go to Pleasure Island of course. If you can remain honest loyal and faithful there, you can do it anywhere.”

“But Bob.” Jimminy trembled. “It is forbidden for anyone to go to Pleasure Island, for no one emerges who isn’t corrupt.”

Bob nodded. “So they say. That’s why it’s such a great test of Peter’s determination.”

After a week on Pleasure Island, Peter was exhausted. Jimminy had long since given up on him, for Peter had relished in all the island’s delights. He’d been amazed at how lavishly a real man could live. Just think, there was a never-ending buffet, wine and liquor and, most of all, women. Who’d have known the last item could be so enticing? It wasn’t disloyal of him to learn how to have sex, was it? After all, it would only make him a better lover for Gina. He had to admit, though, it was becoming more difficult with some, for something happened when he lied. He looked down at the crotch of his pants. If it got any longer he wouldn’t be able to zip it inside. He’d decided he had to tell the truth from here on out.

While in the middle of an all-night card game, Peter turned to see Jimminy standing next to him. Jimminy’s eyes looked frightened and distant. “Peter, Gina came looking for you, and a band of pirates in a hovercraft captured her. She’s being held captive on the Jolly Whale.”

Peter threw down his cards. “We have to get to her. Even if I have ruined my chances for ever making her fall in love with me, probably ruined them for staying a man if I go back, I must risk it. I cannot let her die.”

Early the next morning, just before the sun rose, Peter scaled the side of the Jolly Whale. He knocked the guard unconscious. Quickly he sneaked around front of the craft. There, tied to a pole, was his own sweet love, Gina, her long golden hair gleaming down her shoulders like the sun’s own rays. Her eyes widened as she saw him silently stride toward her. Taking a knife he had in his pocket, he sliced through her bindings. “I cannot believe how barbaric these men must be,” he whispered, “For them to use such old-fashioned methods in this day and age. Are you okay?”

She nodded. “Let’s get out of here.”

As they turned, a huge Gigantitron stood there in all of its glory, towering at least twelve feet over them. “You’re not going anywhere, mosquito,” the machine boomed.

“I will not let you harm her.” Peter placed his body between Gina and the Gigantitron.

The machine picked him up in its clawed hand and threw him in the lake’s deep water. Peter struggled, but the force of the fall had knocked all life out of him. As he sank below the murky depths, he closed his eyes and thanked Bob for at least allowing him to show Gina how much he loved her…

Thrashing with his arms to climb out of the darkness, Peter felt hands caressing his chest. “It’s okay, Peter. It’s okay.”

He opened his eyes to see Gina’s face swimming above his. “Where am I?”

Gina smiled and rubbed his forehead. “At the cottage. We placed you on your bed.”

His eyes focused. “It is my bed. But how?” He suddenly saw the faint outline of blue, Bob the fairy hovering above him.

“You deserved your wish Peter.” Bob vanished with a smile.

Gina kissed his lips. “Oh Peter, I’ve always loved you. When I made you I wished upon a star you could become a real man.”

Peter kissed her back. “I will always be true to you and we will be very happy.”

And they were. For Gina never complained about Peter’s previous small bout of lying.

THE END

Meet Gina Williams, "The Brat"

I gave the low-slung silver sun that threatened rain on that early spring morning a cursory glance, and continued wiping down my kitchen when I was interrupted.

The sunlight caught the woman’s silvery-blonde hair making it glow. Her eyes shone, not with glee or fun, I realised with a jolt, but with anger and frustration.

“How much longer are you going to ignore me?” Her temper snapped and crackled round the room like a lightening bolt.

“Excuse me?”

O.K. I knew my characters often turned up expecting me to know all about them, but never had one been so aggressive on our first encounter. Didn’t she realise I could snuff out her chances of reaching a publisher?

Perhaps she did. After all if we worked well together she’d achieve her public acknowledgment and I’d bask in the joy of seeing my debut novel out there in print and ebook.

The woman stood there in my mind as clearly as though she stood in front of me. Her essence filled the room.

“I’m Gina Williams,” she said, and her smile challenged the reluctant spring sunlight.

I ignored her disclosure and followed my instinct. “I don’t believe Gina Williams is your full name,” I replied, and watched the heat rise up her neck and into her face. Not many thirty-something’s I knew still blushed so easily. “Why the intrigue?” I asked.

“All will be revealed.” Her smile turned feral, and I returned to wiping the kitchen surfaces.

“I have a secret,” she said, then paused. “A dark secret.”

Again I waited, but this time she remained silent.

“Most people have secrets,” I prompted. “What makes yours worthy of a full length novel?”

“It is a secret so dark that my life as it is now, and my future would be destroyed if someone unearthed it.”

“You are…” I studied her closely. “…in your mid thirties, I’d guess…”

“You don’t understand.” The ever present fury beneath her façade snapped. “Someone is stalking me.”

~~~~~

And so began my close association with Gina Williams, the heroine of my debut novel, The Brat, released on 1st October 2010 by the Wild Rose Press.


Sherry Gloag, author

Buy The Brat here = http://bit.ly/d5nVDC

And at Amazon = http://amzn.to/bclDhY

Website = www. sherrygloag.com/

Blog = http://bit.ly/bnuELA
Book Trailer = http://bit.ly/9O6j6C
Facebook = http://bit.ly/daeGN7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for visiting today, Sherry
Bobbye aka Daryn Cross

Crazy Holiday Blogfest!

I'm glad you folks could drop by today! This is one of many blogs in today's blogfest. Click on the picture to the right to see who is participating and each name will lead you to a different blog.

Here's my excerpt from the latest WIP, This Magic Moment, the sequel to It's Magic. See the cover below my excerpt. NOTE: Maxwell Magic has his work cut out for him to turn the tide on this hero.

“It’s dead and the only way you can save it is resurrection.”

“But, for crying out loud, Zack! It’s Christmas Eve!”

“So what? We’ve got one month until the Super Bowl and our commercial’s flat.”

Zack Graham, strode toward the elevators. Staring at Mike Kramer, he wondered what was wrong with his cousin and VP of sales. The guy was acting like a green exec, not a man who’d weathered the worst on their way up the ladder.

Mike pulled to a stop beside him in front of the closed doors and glared at him. “It’s fixable.”

“Fixable?”

Mike stood there, his face twitching out of control. If Zack didn’t know better he’d have sworn the guy had a disorder. He shook his head in concern. Mike was coming unglued. Stress was something few people could handle like he could. The kid… Zack winced, silently correcting himself. The twenty-five-year-old man should be able to handle things better than this. He let out a deep breath as Mike finally nodded.

“Yeah, fixable.”

Zack whistled. “Get with the program. Right now it doesn’t have a pulse. And if we don’t figure out how to resuscitate it, more than a million’s flushed down the toilet.”

“What do you want to do?” Mike threw his arms out wide in that over-exaggerated gesture he made.

“Get downstairs to marketing, now, and kick some ass.”

The doors of the elevators opened. At the sight of the full elevator, Zack started to count. At three, he waved it on. He couldn’t help being claustrophobic. Too many bodies made his skin crawl. Lord knew when an almost empty one would show up.

“Why not let the marketing department work on it by itself?”

Cringing at Mike’s desperate tone, Zack turned and fixed on him with a laser-sharp gaze. “You can’t trust anything to get done unless you stay on top of it, especially in this season of good cheer and idle carelessness.”



Commenters will be entered for a chance at a free download of It's Magic.

Interview with Amanda Ashley

Amanda Ashley is an author of paranormal romance. Her newest work, EVERLASTING DESIRE, is available in bookstores, on Amazon and Kindle and from Zebra Books.

What is the name of your latest book? And how did you come up with the title?

Everlasting Desire is my latest book. It is a sequel to Everlasting Kiss. Since my hero is a vampire, Everlasting Desire seemed a fitting title, since when a vampire loves you, he can love you forever.

What is Everlasting Desire about?

My hero, Rhys, is the Master of the West Coast vampires. When an ancient vampire decides he would like to add the West Coast to his territory, he goes on a killing spree from the East Coast to the West. It is up to Rhys to protect the vampires in his territory. A new woman in his life adds an unwanted complication, but one he can’t ignore. Rhys was a secondary character in the previous book, Everlasting Kiss. I loved him so much, I decided he needed a book of his own. Everlasting Desire was recently voted best romance by USA Book News

What books have most influenced your life most?

I suppose Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, since hers were among the first vampire books I read.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I don’t think I could pick just one. Many authors have influenced me over the years, from Rosemary Rogers, who wrote the first romance I ever read, to Nancy Gideon and Maggie Shayne.

What are your current projects?

I have two books coming out back-to-back in September and October of next year – Bound by Night and Bound by Blood.

The hero in the first book is not your usual vampire. And although the book is set in contemporary times, it has a historical feel to it, as my hero lives in an ancient castle in Romania. It is a story of love and hate and revenge, and I think one of my best.

My editor liked this book and this world so much, she asked for a sequel, which I am currently working on.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Hmmm, probably “the middle”. I can write beginnings and endings all day long, but filling up the middle is always a challenge!

Do you have any advice for other writers?

I assume you mean aspiring writers. My best advice has always been to write what you love to read. To join a critique group, if possible. To enter contests for the feedback they provide. And to never, never, ever give up. My first book was rejected 31 times before I sold it.


Here's a blurb on my latest release:

DESIRE BURNS FOREVER

The clientele at Shore's clothing store includes some of L.A.'s sexiest bachelors. But none of them affects Megan DeLacey as deeply as the dark-eyed stranger who strides into her boutique one evening - and keeps returning, night after night. Megan is drawn to Rhys Costain even as she fears him. Because his reason for being there is clear -he wants Megan, with an intensity that's both tempting and terrifying...

For almost five centuries, Rhys has lived alone, using women as it pleased him and never wanting more. As Master of the West Coast vampires, it's his duty to eliminate the ancient vampire who's draining humans on his turf, putting all of their kind at risk. But Megan's lush beauty and vibrant warmth is blinding him to a danger that will soon engulf them both - and tear him from the only woman who can satisfy his darkest hunger.

Thanks for the interview, Amanda! The books sound fascinating.

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your belly be full, your company be merry and your troubles melt away as if they were never there.




Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers!

Dragons and Romance

Today's blog is compliments of Amber Kallen. Thanks for joining us, Amber.

I love Dragons. Always have, always will.

I love the fact that dragon mythology can be found in many cultures through history, spread across the globe. The question always turns to How? How did so many different people who never communicated come up with the same legends if Dragons never existed?

The dragons I write about are a mixed breed of these different cultures, with a bit of my own style thrown in.

European in appearance -- four legs, wide wings, spiked tales and horny heads. Eastern in magicks and abilities. My dragons are different colors, which in turn, sometimes means different powers as well.

The idea of magic and shapeshifting began as demonic powers in Europe, natural abilities in Native American cultures.

Over time it has become so much more.

Today, the shapeshifter is hot. Romantic and alluring.

It’s allowed authors to take their stories to such a wonderfully high level, and it seems only the beginning.

Dragon lovers abound. So what better than to make dragon shapeshifters?

I enjoy both reading and writing about them. The grace, power and protectiveness of dragons is, for me, the perfect romance.


Blurb:

When Calla, a dragon shifter, heads to a sleepy mountain town to investigate their recent arson outbreak, she doesn't expect to come face to face with the dark dragon who killed her mother, or find her destined mate beneath the burning rays of the moon. Firefighter Scott O'Neil can't fight his attraction to her, even after he finds out what she is, and the shocking secret of his own past.

Excerpt:

The Other was here.

Lowering the truck window, Calla Dragos sniffed the chilly afternoon. Pine trees, asphalt. All overshadowed by the distinct stench of sulfur. Her stomach lurched, vileness rising to choke her. As she drove into the blink of a town, it grew stronger, overpowering all other senses.

Drawing closer to the Jasper Fire Department, she focused on keeping her clammy hands on the wheel, her concentration on the light traffic. Keeping her foot on the gas pedal, rather than slamming the brakes and fleeing.

How could he be here?

It was bad enough her job as an arson investigator brought her to this small, mountaintop town of Jasper, Arizona. Bad enough she’d left her family behind in the midst of yet another argument about her independence. The possibility of facing Eric brought tremors to her body.

Parking her cherry red pickup in front of the station, Calla shaded her eyes from the late afternoon sun and searched the colorful wood-front buildings. The stench faded.

Eric marked her, then fled. Like a coward. And he was a coward. She needed to remember that fact. Otherwise, the fear coiling in her heart would drive her batty.

After a couple deep breaths, she calmed the nausea a little. She could do this. She would do this. And if that bastard decided to show up, she’d face him with all her strength.

Calla stepped from the truck on shaky legs, smoothed her navy skirt and slipped on the matching jacket. Reaching across the seat, she grabbed her oversized black bag, which held a notebook, pens and her kit. After another soothing breath, filling her lungs with the crisp mountain air, she headed around the corner to the firemen’s entrance.

Giggles drew her attention to a group of teenage girls scantily dressed. And the man they huddled near.

In nothing but low-slung jeans, the top button carelessly undone, the man gave off the rugged air of a male underwear model with a sexy, take me to your bedroom now look. His blond hair, slightly too long for a clean-cut look, dripped water, from a recent shower maybe. Or a drenching with the hose. The scruff on his chin, a shade darker than his hair, enhanced the bad boy aura.

Gods, he was just like Petey. Playboy and chick magnet, an older version of her youngest brother.

“So can we have your autograph? Please?” one of the girls begged, her voice high. The other girls giggled some more.

“Certainly, ladies.” The man’s voice was as smoky and smooth as his gray eyes.

His gaze flicked to Calla. The intensity shooting from his eyes made her tense, caught like a rabbit in the headlights. His lips twitched. A flush spread up her cheeks. Calla stared at her feet, hurrying along the flower-bordered sidewalk. Before she reached the door, the teen girls filed past, happily waving calendars with mostly naked men.

Figured. A playboy, just like Petey. Which month was he?

Bare feet filled her view. She took in the long, jean-clad legs, the scruff of hair above the gaping waistband. A blond trail led up a golden, ripped abdomen and chest, to dark eyes. This close, flecks of green and blue mixing with the gray were visible.

His scent, suntan lotion and hay, punched into her, dissipating the last remains of the sulfur.

Her libido woke and started clamoring. She gritted her teeth. Not why she was here. And besides, she had no business being attracted to this man. This human.

“Howdy, ma’am.” He tipped an imaginary hat, a lusty smile twitching at his lips.

“Excuse me,” she replied, her voice steady and cool, the payoff from years of practice working around other untouchable hunks. “I need to see the fire chief.”

Something unreadable flashed in his gaze and the smirk disappeared. “What would a beautiful woman like you want with him?”

“Frankly, it’s none of your business.” Knowing the best way to turn him off, she put a hand to her hip, jutted her chin and raked her gaze over his long, lean form. Unfortunately, her normal barriers weren’t working. The only thing she wanted to do was reach out and touch his glistening tanned skin. Instead, she added in a sharp tone, “Let me guess. Mr. October.”

His face hardened, all amusement fleeing. The playboy took a step back as if she’d actually offended him. Then, his grin came back, along with a devil-may-care shrug. “Actually,” he drawled, “I’m December. I wanted a Santa hat on my lap, not a pumpkin.” Leaning closer, his minty breath a whisper on her cheek, he added, “Why? You need a calendar?”

Interview with Tabitha Blake

Tabitha Blake is a paranormal romance, paranormal suspense and short story writer. She resides in the heart of the bustling city of Houston, Texas. Passion for the written word started at a young age and has molded her into the author she is today. Her most recent project is titled Soul Extraction, a paranormal suspense with romantic elements. She recently graduated from the Stratford Career Institute. Tabby is a member of two critique groups and works closely with her crit partners to hone her craft. She believes strongly in inspiring new authors to follow their dreams.

Most of my interviews are with published writers, Tabitha is not yet. However, with her determination, I’m sure she’ll join the ranks of the published soon. Her interview is below:

If you could describe yourself in only one word, what would it be?


Determined. I was taught you fight for what you want. Nothing worth getting is going to be easy. You have to be strong and push through the tough times, and as writers there are going to be a lot of let downs.

Name the people that you feel supported you outside of family members.


I would have to say it’s my crit partners. I have an amazing group of ladies I crit with. They have helped pull me through the tough times, and yes, there have been times I wanted to quit. But they picked me up and dusted me off. But I believe all writers go through tough times and feel it is easier to quit but then that determination I was talking about kicks in and I am up and running again. I have to say a good support system really helps in the dark times we all face as writers.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?


I have loved writing since I was very young. I aced English. I was one of the weird kids that got all excited when we were given a book to read and do a report on. I would fly through the book in a couple of days and have my report done shortly after. I spent a lot of time in the library and read like crazy. I only wish I had some of the papers I wrote in High School but most of them were kept by my teachers to use as examples for other students. So my love for writing has been a pull for many years and now is an obsession. I find so much joy in creating my characters and their worlds.

What books have influenced your life most?

C.S. Lewis’ The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe I loved that book. The story was magical. It swept me away to another time and place. It is so vivid in my mind like I just read it yesterday. As a kid I was fascinated with his vibrant world and the characters just jumped off the pages. As a child I remember reading it over and over again. I guess it is every child’s dream to step out into a magical world like Narnia. I guess it would be the equivalent of the Harry Potter series now. I think all children love the world of magic.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Well there are a couple that have really inspired me. I would have to say Gena Showalter and Larissa Ione. Their stories take you to worlds that are fascinating and magical. They create characters that jump from the pages and you find yourself wrapped up in their joys and sorrows. I need a character that grabs me and pulls me into the story, and these ladies do that with the utmost grace.

What are your writing goals?

I am three quarters of the way finished with the paranormal suspense I am currently writing. I hit a dry spell there for a while, but it blew over, and I completed two chapters in one day. So I am hoping to finish it by the first of the year. Then it is off to the hard part-- edits. I really dread edits but it’s part of the process.

What is your most rewarding experience during the writing process?

I think it’s getting to know my characters. I start off with a character chart and then as I write they turn from one and two-dimensional characters to three-dimensional characters. I also like to find pictures of what I think my characters look like. The joy of seeing your characters come to life is amazing. By the time I am done with my ms I feel as if my characters are close friends. I know what they like and don’t like. I know how they talk and how they react to different situations. The real thrill is when someone reads my ms and they get my characters and love them. That is the ultimate rush for me. I know I’ve written them well when others love and understand them.

How does your environment/upbringing color your writing?

Well I write very strong heroines and I think a lot of that reflects on how I was raised. My mother taught all three of her daughter to be strong and independent women. I don’t think it is in my spectrum of thought to write a weak woman. I believe women should be strong and able to stand on their own. I am married and depend on my hubby to an extent but I also know I could make it on my own. Which I think makes our marriage stronger.

Describe your ideal reader.

My ideal reader would have a strong love of the paranormal. They would enjoy seeing a strong alpha male brought to his knees by an equally strong heroine. It is amazing how love can change us. My stories are fast paced and full of action. So they would need to be comfortable with a story that starts in the middle of the actions and continues through the book. I want my readers to come away feeling they are sad it is over.

After hours of intense writing, how do you unwind?

That would depend on the time of day. If it were early evening I would probably turn on one of my favorite TV shows and veg out for a while. I love shows like Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, Hardcover Mysteries, Dangerous Women, CSI, Law and Order SVU. Those are just a few. The other thing I love to do is read. A good book relaxes all my stress away. I love to read anything paranormal. I love characters like vampires, werewolves, demons, and witches. They fascinate me. I read at least two books a week. Sometimes more.

What are your current projects?

My current project is a paranormal suspense called Soul Extraction. (Heroine) Lyric is a hardened FBI agent that is on the hunt for a sexual demon that is sucking the souls from unsuspecting women. Only she doesn’t know he is a demon yet. Then she meets (Hero) Craigen a fallen angel sent to find the demon she is searching for. Of course there is a battle of wills when Craigen tries to keep her safe. She is a very strong willed woman and he has met his match when it comes to defiance. But along the way the sexual tension spikes and they find themselves trying to fight the attraction to one another. Things really spiral out of control when (Demon) Nyx decides he wants Lyric. Craigen wants Lyric to hide out while he tracks Nyx but Lyric will have no part in that plan. With mummified bodies piling up she refuses to stand by and do nothing.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

I have s few places they can read more about me.

My Website:
http://www.tabithablakesnocturnalnights.com

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

I also run my own crit group called Enchanting the Muse.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/enchantingthemusecritgroup

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I dread the editing process. I realize it is a necessary evil, but when I get bogged down with edits, I lose my excitement for the story. I thrive on writing the first draft and figuring out the story and the characters. With all the repetitiveness of edits I find myself sick of the story. You can only read your first chapter so many times before you want to scream. LOL!

Do you have any advice for other writers?

All I can say is this is a really tough business and you have to be strong to make it. But I also think if you are persistent and don’t give up you will get there. I look at it this way being a published writer is my dream. And no one can take your dreams from you unless you let them. Believe in yourself and your writing. Find others that write and understand the trials we go through as writers. They will be the rock for you when you get that bad review or a rejection.

Here are a few quotes I keep on the wall above my desk:

“A writer who never quits is called published.”
J.A. Conrath

“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.”
Thomas Jefferson

“Each rejection brings me closer to publication.”
Writer’s Relief

Thank you Bobbye for having me. I really enjoyed it.

Tabitha Blake

It’s great to have you, Tabitha!

Remember to be Thankful at Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving nears, we need to stop and reflect on all the things we’re thankful for. So here are my own personal thanks.

I am thankful for friends I can count on to brighten my day, a nice house to live in and a husband who loves me and tells me so during television commercials as he’s flipping the remote control. I’m even thankful for my dog who was a goat in a previous life and ultra thankful I got to her last night before she ate hubby’s box of Ex-Lax. I’m thankful for family members who will tell me how much they love my books and wait to get them for presents only to set them on the bookshelf telling people I wrote it but who never crack the binding. I am thankful to the postman who rarely loses my mail except when it’s a letter from an editor or my new contract. I am thankful for the countless agents I’ve contacted and the nice way they say no by sending me a form letter rejecting my manuscript. Those whose e-mails didn’t get to me after several months, never fear, I know you e-mailed me, but it was simply lost in cyberspace. And to those sending me rejections by mail, I appreciate the time it took for you to put that postcard in my SASE envelope, IF it got to me because it could be one my postman simply misplaced.

There are so many blessings around us all the time like those my friends ask me to send out to my twenty friends or I’ll be cursed. I know they only mean well. After all, my true wish will become reality in twenty-four hours if I do. I also appreciate all those who send me warnings so I can avoid being mugged, defrauded or have ten years of bad luck and who forward e-mails that will win me a new computer from Dell or an IPod if I forward it, even if they don’t check Snopes.com before they sent it. But most of all, dear friend, I appreciate your taking time to read this and if your post doesn’t show up, I understand you commented, but the website wouldn’t let your post go through.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with thanks and wellbeing! And remember: No matter what genre, I always write comedy.

The Pressure to Find the Right Gift

If my photo on this blog looks familiar, that's because I'm Bobbye Terry writing as Daryn Cross, my fantasy pseudonym. If you started at the beginning of the Blog Hop, you know my current hubby's present was, well, less than what every woman wants. But, before I was engaged to my current husband, I was engaged once before. That fiance loved to be outside but wasn't quite as much of an outdoorsman as my husband. We fell into a routine after we got engaged where he'd come to my apartment for dinner and dessert and then we'd go out for awhile, or not. The or not wasn't what you'd normally think, at least not all the time.

First let me give you a little background. I was in my gourmet cooking phase. I still love to cook, but back then I was obsessed with Bon Appetit magazine, had a subscription and saved all the copies. Everytime I got one, I had a big cooking extravaganza on the weekend and my fiance was always there to try the new dishes. Later I decided it was because it saved him money on groceries. Anyway, more often than not, he'd fall asleep on my sofa afterwards watching television while I did the dishes. Now do you know why this relationship didn't last?

Christmas was coming, and I had gone all out for his gift. expecting (yes, always the romantic) something I'd really love.

Here's what I got:


(In case you don't reconize it, this is what a pressure cooker used to look like before modern technology took over.)