My Kind of Wonderland

Crimson Romance
Wonderland Blog Hop!

I love books that are filled with dark and twisty deeds, liars and deceitful villains.  I also love books that have strong, brave heroes and heroines who are beautiful, intelligent and save themselves.

The books I write are filled with just those kinds of people.  Kate, in The Wanting Heart, faces a villain who's quietly terrifying.  Sarah, in Love's Justice, faces a mysterious villain who has a great capacity for killing.  And both these ladies are amazing.  They use their intelligence and quick thinking to direct their own destinies and fulfill their own wishes.  Now I can get into a book like that!!  That is my kind of Wonderland...how about you?

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Thank you for stopping by!  And Happy Wonder-Hopping!!


As well as giveaways at dozens of individual blogs, there will also be 3 grand prizes!!  One Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift certificate for $100!!! And two gift certificates for $50 each!! Every blog comment you leave during the hop is entered into a drawing to win one of the grand prizes. Every comment will be entered in the drawing, so leave a comment on every blog for the best chance to win!!

A Wanting Heart Wonderland

Crimson Romance
Wonderland Blog Hop!

In the books I write my wonderland is filled with dark and twisty deeds, but they also have this:

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From The Wanting Heart... 

Blake couldn't listen to another word. Holding her body, even in anger, was too much for him. Her words were crushed against her mouth as his lips covered hers. He lifted her off her feet, molding her body to his. She'd been nineteen the last time he kissed her. Her body had grown and filled out since then. But he wasn't thinking of that. He wasn't thinking of anything, but how damn good it felt to just hold her, kiss her. Begging for her surrender, he stroked his hands over her hips, up her back, and fisted them in her hair.

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To Visit More of the Crimson Wonderland "Hop" Spots! Click Here!

Thank you for stopping by!  And Happy Wonder-Hopping!!


As well as giveaways at dozens of individual blogs, there will also be 3 grand prizes!!  One Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift certificate for $100!!! And two gift certificates for $50 each!! Every blog comment you leave during the hop is entered into a drawing to win one of the grand prizes. Every comment will be entered in the drawing, so leave a comment on every blog for the best chance to win!!

A Texas Waterfall Wonderland

Crimson Romance
Wonderland Blog Hop!

In the books I write my wonderland is filled lies and deceit, but they also have desire and romance.

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From Love's Justice ...

He knew a spot in the water that was perfect for his height and perfect for her body. He scooped her up and drew her legs around him. He kissed her until her body pleaded with his for release. Then he stepped in the water. It was warm as it covered them. It was like the punch of desire he’d felt the first moment he saw her was flowing over his skin, enveloping him.

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A Dark and Twisty Wonderland!

Crimson Romance
Wonderland Blog Hop!

In the books I write, my wonderland is filled with dark and twisty deeds!

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In The Wanting Heart the heroine, Kate doesn't plan on finding solace in a charming stranger's smile or falling victim to his knife. Blake Spencer, the man who broke her heart, is all cowboy - from the hat on his head to the dust on his boots. He thought it'd be easy, coming back to town, bowing his head a little, saying he was sorry, and all would be forgiven. But what he didn't know, what he didn't plan on, was that the girl he thought he loved had become the woman he couldn't have. If he doesn't succeed in changing her mind, it won't only cost him Kate's love - it will cost Kate her life.

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A Wonderland of Lies & Deceit!

Crimson Romance
Wonderland Blog Hop!

In the books I write, my wonderland is filled lies and deceit.

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In Love's Justice Sarah and Justin unravel a plot more complex and sinister than they expected. They pursue a trail of deceit and corruption to a women’s prison in Alabama, a centuries old hotel in Georgia, and a family ranch in Texas. Nothing is simple or as it seems. This unlikely duo will find more than they ever hoped to - in the prison, in their own backyards, and in each other’s arms.

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Thank you for stopping by!  And Happy Wonder-Hopping!!

Rionna Morgan with M.V. Freeman

M.V. Freeman is stopping in a visit today.  We are fellow Crimson Romance writers, but more importantly friends.  M.V. is a joy to chat with.  She has an elegance about her that makes one feel comfortable and listened to.  And you should read her writing!  Wow!  She is here with us talking about Incandescent, the first in an amazing new trilogy!

Where are you from? 

 I am originally from Minnesota, but I am happily ensconced in the southeast. I love the weather better (I don’t miss the sub-zero temperatures). I do miss a white Christmas.

Tell us your latest news? 

My first book, Incandescent is out, and I am currently working on the second book. Sounds very short…but this is huge for me.

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Incandescent 

Some gifts are unwanted, and Laurie’s Hudson’s affinity for fire is one she hates. It has destroyed her relationship with her family and she has few friends. She’s fought hard to keep the fire inside suppressed, living a low key life as a bartender, until a brutal and charming man blows into her life.

Around Mikhail Petrov, her careful control disintegrates. She is at once drawn to his urbane, cool demeanor and irritated by his overbearing manner. Her options are taken away when he kidnaps her, forcing her into a fight she wants nothing to do with.

As she learns to survive, Laurie faces the hardest choice of all, her freedom or the destruction of the frustrating man she’s come to care for.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

The main thing is I want the reader to enjoy the story. But it’s also about dealing with the hand you are dealt and responsibility.

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it? 

Probably: Adventure: Another name for –Graphic Training Aid.

What is the ultimate dream vacation? 

I would love to live for a year (I’d take a month—even a week) in a Castle or Bed and Breakfast in Ireland. I’d explore all the castles—talk to the locals and drink the beer. I love the weather there—cool and misty most of the time. Granted I only know this by research.

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What person in history would you most like to meet? 

I’d love to talk to Margaret Thatcher. Now that is a woman with strength and character.

If you could design a refrigerator magnet, what would it say? 

“Everyone Has a Story.” Or “Never Forget the Coffee.”

M.V. Freeman is a native of Minnesota, but calls North Alabama her home. She is a member of RWA,
and the chapters: Georgia Romance Writers, Southern Magic, and Heart of Dixie. By day her mind is filled with medical jargon at the local health clinic, but at night she finds herself exploring alternate worlds within our own. Heavily influenced by Slavic languages and culture, you will find she weaves these elements into her stories. Her award winning current story INCANDESCENT is the first in a series. She is currently working on the second book in the series while plotting another project. When she is not writing, she's reading, cooking, throwing around kettle bells, or making coffee.   www.mvfreeman.com

Rionna Morgan with Synithia Williams

Synithia's Website

I've found a kindred spirit.  A country girl from the South is visiting with me today.  I was born just up the road from this darling lady in Fayetteville, North Carolina.  I can't wait to share her charm, wit and wonderful story.  Come on in, grab a rockin' chair, a glass of sweet tea and let's meet the beautiful Synithia Williams!  

Rionna, thanks so much for inviting me to your blog today. I enjoyed it when you visited mine because I got to know what barrel racing is :).  You are so welcome!  We are going to have a great day!

Where are you from?

I’m originally from Newberry, South Carolina. Currently, I live in Lexington County, SC which is near the capital of Columbia. I’ve always lived in the south, and although I’ve visited larger cities, I’m a country girl at heart and will (hopefully) always live here. 

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Tell us your latest news?
I’m excited about the release of my debut novel, You Can’t Plan Love from Crimson Romance on August 20th. I’ve been writer for years, but didn’t look into publishing until 2010. I still can’t believe that my dream came true so quickly. Below is a quick blurb about my book.

After several bad relationships, Kenyatta Copeland decides to control her love life with the same discernment she uses in her professional life.

Knowing firsthand the heartbreak that comes when desire and emotion rule a relationship, Kenyatta assumes marrying Brad Johnson will lead to a stable life. But as much as she believes she can plan her future, it’s hard to ignore the way her boss, Malcolm Patterson, ignites her passions with just one look. After Malcolm learns of her engagement, he makes a play for her heart and reminds her that passion between a man and a woman has its perks … but also its costs. When Brad suspects there’s more than work between Kenyatta and Malcolm, he works harder to keep Kenyatta by his side. Torn between her promise to marry Brad and her irrepressible longing for Malcolm, Kenyatta must decide if she can live her life in a passionless marriage of convenience or once again trust her heart. Yet Brad isn’t as perfect as he seems, and by the time Kenyatta realizes this it may be too late.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I didn’t set out to convey a message in my book, but one came through anyway. My heroine, Kenyatta, tries to plan her love life. She thinks she’s found the perfect man, but being with him requires her to give up her dreams. The message I hope people get, is that you can’t compromise your happiness and your dreams for another person. 

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it?
The Life and Times of a Freak Out Queen. (I have a tendency to overreact) 

What is the ultimate dream vacation?
I have so many ideas for dream vacations, but what I’d really love to do is visit London. 

What person in history would you most like to meet?
Harriet Tubman. What she did with the Underground Railroad is amazing. I would love to understand what made her tick. 

If you could design a refrigerator magnet, what would it say?
Take two breaths, drink a glass of wine and think about this problem in the morning.

Thanks again for inviting me over. I’ve listed all of the places where your readers can find me online:

www.synithiawilliams.com
www.facebook.com/synithiarwilliams
www.twitter.com/@synithiaw

Sharon Clare with Rionna Morgan

I am so excited to share with you a lovely lady, a **deleted scene** and a fun fantasy romance!

First off, the lady: Sharon Clare lives in Ontario with her husband and three wonderful kids who come and go from the nest. She is a fellow Crimson Romance author who is loyal, witty and so much fun to

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work with. How could she not be when her favorite place to write is outside under the maple trees beside the trickling pond and blooming lilies. I think it would be great to settle in beside her and write for a while.

Sharon is going to share with us a bit about her inspiration for her book Love of Her Lives recently published by Crimson Romance! I can't wait. There is even a deleted scene. Yee Hee! 

    

A Place of Unencumbered Time

It’s been a long and bendy road, with more speed bumps than open highway and more potholes than smooth sailing, but it’s been a journey worth taking on a road well-travelled, and I can finally say I’ve arrived at a destination. Love of Her Lives is published by Crimson Romance!

One of the reasons I wrote this book was to indulge my fascination with paranormal worlds. Are we humans alone in this vast universe? Can’t fathom that we are. Are we humans alone on this vast planet? Hmmm . . .

One day I watched Dave, my cat, drinking from the pond in my garden. The gold fish seemed fascinated by this intrusion into their world. As Dave lapped water, the fish hovered just under his nose, his tongue, his teeth. Lucky for them, he didn’t share their curiosity.

The fish made me wonder about perception. Could there be another world a step away that we don’t perceive?

In one scene in Love of Her Lives, Beth asks Calum where he comes from. This conversation is a deleted scene. It didn’t make the book, but I’d like to share it because it’s part of the world building I did to create a place where humans and spirit guides dwell, inspired by Dave my cat.

Calum starts this passage of dialogue:

“I came from Seraphina in the Upper World. It’s beautiful enough, a place of unencumbered time that lies between Earth and what you think of as heaven.”

“And Earth is what?” Beth asked. “The Lower World?”

“Middle.”

“And Seraphina is a star in the sky?”

“Not exactly, m’eudail. Another dimension is the best word I can use. You understand a three-dimensional object verses two, no? The difference between a painting and the real thing? Envision stepping out of the real thing. Finding Seraphina is like stepping out of this world into another as close as a footstep away, but for the most part, impossible to detect with a human brain.”

He detected Beth gritting her teeth. The lass was finding the other worlds difficult to comprehend.

One dubious eye brow arched. “So this Upper World is all around us, but we can’t see it?”

“Some people catch glimmers, but they excuse it as a trick of light or something else because they lack the ability to interpret it. It’s like being a gold-fish in a pond. Imagine what happens when someone puts their toes in the pond. The fish interprets this somehow, likely as danger, but they can’t possibly fathom toes, feet, human, city, country, planet, universe. They’re in their world, unaware of the world on the other side of their pond or how it might interact with them.”

She let out a loud exhale. “Okay, that’s weird. My head is swimming with all that’s happened, Calum. Let’s just stick with you, for now.”

He turned up the heat in his smile. “Stuck on me is good.”

I meant Love of Her Lives to be a fun fantasy romance; a little sexy, a little suspenseful, a little whimsical, a little humorous. If you’d like to read more, you can find it here: Amazon

Sharon, I have just loved spending time with you today. That scene is so great! I love the line: "Stuck on me is good." Nice!! I can't wait to read your book!!!

Peggy Bird with Rionna Morgan

Peggy Bird is a fellow Crimson Romance Author. This lady is classy and so wonderful! Besides that she's an award winning Kiln-Formed Glass Artist. And besides that, her book Beginning Again was recently published June 4, 2012!

Click Here to Visit Peggy Bird's Art

Beginning Again is a story about starting over in love and life, finding happiness and fulfillment at any stage of life.

Not long after Liz Fairchild opens an art gallery in Northwest Portland, a sexy and mysterious sculptor named Collins bulldozes his way into her gallery, her life and her bed. In spite of her determination not to, she finds him irresistible. But he's holding something back. What are the phone calls he makes when he thinks she isn't looking? And what's the real reason he walked into her gallery? Liz doesn't know what worries her more--that she's falling for him or that she could lose him.

So without further ado...Here's the lovely Peggy Bird!

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 

Peggy: Well, I'm a writer, glass artist, wife, mother and grandmother living in the Pacific Northwest. I've blown through about five careers, apparently incapable of settling into a specific one but I've always written. I now believe this is where I was always meant to be, I just needed to get a few things out of my system before I got here.    

How did you choose the genre you write in? 

Peggy: It chose me. I've had children's stories, memoir pieces and a couple plays produced and always assumed I'd write mysteries. Then these characters started obsessing me. When they fell in love, had obstacles in their way but came out happily ever after, I recognized the story arc and knew I had just become a romance writer.

Do you work with an outline, or just write? 

Peggy: To outline or not to outline, that is the question at every writers' conference. I do both. Sort of. I always have a clear idea of the beginning, middle and end of the story. I don't outline scene by scene. Tried it a couple times and ended up with characters behaving badly. Now I get to know my characters, know broadly where they're going and then I write.

Can you tell us about your upcoming book? 

Peggy:  Beginning Again which is out now, is the first book in a series I think of as the "Three Degrees of Separation" series. Everyone in the Portland area is separated, at most, by three degrees and so are my characters. This first book is the story of Liz Fairchild who finds herself starting over in mid-life with an art gallery and her lover, Collins. Next up, Amanda St. Claire, a glass artist, and Sam Richardson, the police detective who helps prove her innocent of murdering her boyfriend and falls in love with her.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or is it purely all imagination?
Peggy:  I have been asked by a number of friends and family members if any of the book is true to my personal experience. I've avoided answering, but I'll tell you if you'll keep it secret. The easy answer is--I was a member of a co-op gallery for five years so Liz's preparation for opening her gallery is pretty true to life. The fun one is--the helicopter scene at the beach is true.

(How awesome!)

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
Peggy:  The helicopter scene at the beach. Good memory.

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What project are you working on now?
Peggy:  I'm working on the fourth book in the series. Numbers two and three, "Running Scores" and "Closing Arguments," have been contracted by Crimson for release in the fall and early next year. My work-in-progress has been fun for me. "Intersecting Lives" takes place partly in the San Juan Islands so I get to visit in my writing some of the most beautiful real estate in Washington state. And I get to listen to Latin music because my hero is Cuban-American and I always use music to get me into a scene.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Peggy:  The best advice I ever got was "writers write." So keep writing. Just keep writing.

Now for the clever-silly question, if you were a t-shirt, what would you say?
Peggy:  If I were a T-shirt I'd either say "Adam was a rough draft" or "Writer's block is when your imaginary friends stop talking to you." Hard choice.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans? 

Peggy:  The idea that I have readers and fans makes me smile, giggle and blush. Okay, I don't blush but it's such a surprise to think that someone other than my writing buddies are reading my work. What I hope is that Liz's story touches them, convinces them that that love and fulfillment and a happily-ever-after ending is our right at any age or stage of life.

Please be invited to visit Peggy at her website!  It is as beautiful and as classy as she is.  

Scavenger Hunt for The Wanting Heart

I am sending my lovely friends on a scavenger hunt...

Drop by The Romance Reviews and tell me where you find the cover of The Wanting Heart and you'll be entered to win a copy of the book!!  

Just leave a comment below with your e-mail included!

I am so excited.  

I will be featured on the site until July 15th.

I am so excited!!  (Oh, I said that).  I just might give away a copy a day!

Have a beautiful day!

Happy Hunting!

Rionna

Rionna Morgan with Elizabeth Meyette

My friend and fellow Crimson Romance author, Elizabeth (Betty) Meyette, visits with me today.  We had a great time talking about writing and teaching and kids!  Betty is so witty and fun.  ...oh and there's a haunted winery in here too!  Come on in and let's chat!

Visit Elizabeth's Blog

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Betty:  Hi Rionna! Thanks for inviting me to your blog. I grew up in upstate New York, the youngest of nine in a wild and crazy Irish-Catholic family. Now I live peacefully in Michigan with my beloved husband Rich. I’ve always lived in the Great Lakes region and find walking the shore of a lake a time of inspiration. We have three grown children with spouses/significant others: our daughter Kate and her husband Todd, son Matt and his girlfriend Rachel, and daughter Kristin, her husband Tedd and our grandchildren Tommy and Molly. I retired from teaching early to pursue my writing career and I haven’t looked back. I say I “failed” retirement because I work hard every day. But it doesn’t feel like work because I love it so!

How did you choose the genre you write in?
Betty:  I actually began the first draft of Love’s Destiny on a bet 30 years ago. My friend wanted me to read the romance genre, but I resisted. When I finally gave in, I was hooked. Not wanting to seem too easy to cave, I laughingly said to her, “These are fun to read, but I could write one.” She said, “Then write it!” So I did. I love to write historical romance because I love learning about other places, and I am fascinated by the past. Imagine what it was like to eke out a living on the frontier or not have all the conveniences we have today. I always wonder what it was like for people back then and think of how strong they must have been. I had recently visited the Jamestown and Williamsburg Virginia area when I started writing Love’s Destiny, and I knew that was the setting I wanted. Plus the romance of the beginning of our nation…I couldn’t resist it! And I’m a sucker for a happy ending. When I finish a novel, I want to feel satisfied, sort of like justice was served, the good guys won, and the lady got her man.

Do you work with an outline, or just write?
When I was writing Love’s Destiny, I just wrote and the characters took me along for the ride. In fact there was one scene that I did not want to write at all, but the characters insisted. Until I wrote it, I could not progress with the book, and the scene worked; my characters were right! What I am finding as I write Love’s Spirit, the sequel, is that the writing flows as it did before, but I get ideas about scenes that will occur later in the book and I have to write them even though the plot hasn’t reached that point yet. Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love talks about divine attendant spirits, or the muse in the wall, that whispers inspiration in our ears. I totally agree with that. There are days when I write like a maniac, and when I read it aloud it’s like I’m hearing it for the first time. It’s gotta be my muse. Rich laughs when I say my d.a.m. inspiration is at work (dam=divine attendant muse). And I have found that when my muse is talking to me, I must respect and honor that and WRITE! 

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Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
Betty:  Love’s Spirit is a continuation of the story of Emily and Jonathon found in Love’s Destiny. When I wrote Love’s Destiny, I wrote it as a stand-alone, not part of a series. But my readers all said I needed a sequel—they wanted to know what happened next. So Love’s Spirit was born. While it continues with the story of Emily and Jonathon, it also brings in romance for Emily’s brother Andrew. And a character my readers love to hate, Deidre Manning, plays a big part in this book.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or is it purely all imagination?
Betty:  I have to laugh. My older daughter and son both told me they were not going to read a romance novel written by their mother—TMI! I told them Agatha Christie wrote murder mysteries, but she never killed anyone. They laughed and at least my daughter agreed to read it. I suppose anything an author writes has its seeds in her own experience, but I write from my imagination. The historical aspects are accurate, I research heavily as I write and the Internet makes it so much easier than when I was drafting Love’s Destiny 30 years ago. I read a whole book on ships so my description of the Destiny, Jonathon’s ship, was accurate.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? 

Betty:  One of my favorite scenes is early in the story and it is between Emily and Jonathon on the ship. She is full of contradicting emotions and is rapidly falling in love with him despite trying to hate him. During a moonlight walk on the ship’s deck, Jonathon approaches her and instantly recognizes her mix of desire, anger, and grief. He understands his responsibility toward her, but is fighting his own growing passion. He teases her into an argument and knows that her rage is the wiser path.

What project are you working on now?
Betty:  Besides Love’s Spirit, I am working on a suspense set in the Finger Lakes area in New York. On a recent visit to see family, Rich and I drove through the area on a winery tour. I wanted him to see how beautiful my home state is. The idea for this story formed in my head as we were driving to NY from Michigan, and the house plays a pivotal role in the story. On a highway en route to a winery, there was my house. No kidding! We stopped and took pictures and thus my novel took shape. Hearing that one of the wineries we visited was a haunted castle was the frosting on the cake.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Betty:  Write, write, write. No matter if it seems to be going nowhere, there is a pearl in there somewhere. And believe in yourself. Some people scoff at budding writers, but if you have been bitten by the bug, it doesn’t matter. You are a writer.

Now for the clever-silly question, if you were a t-shirt, what would you say?
Betty:  I love this question. My t-shirt would say, “Love conquers all <3”

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Betty:  The greatest compliment to me is when a reader tells me how he/she connected with my book. I love to hear what characters they liked, related to, hated, or wanted more of. Ooops I just ended a sentence with a preposition. Another word of advice, and this from a former English teacher for goodness sake, sometimes it’s ok to break the rules. 

Please be invited to follow Betty on Facebook and Twitter!!  I know she loves the company!

Thanks for inviting me to your blog, Rionna. I’ve really enjoyed visiting with you.

Thank you Betty!  I have had a great time too!!

Rionna Morgan with Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban

Carmen is a fellow Crimson Romance author.  I have absolutely loved getting to know her.  Her books have a romance flavored with the exotic!  Come on in, find a comfy chair and see what I mean.  

Author: Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban 

Drawing from the mysterious beauty of Galicia, the land of my childhood, and the tumultuous history of Spain, I’ve written three young adult novels that take place in a mythical world in which the medieval kingdoms of Spain are still fighting each other, a world of warrior kings in which girls are not supposed to speak their minds. The first Two Moon Princess was published by Tanglewood Press in 2007.

My paranormal romance Bécquer Eternal follows my adventures in search of a literary agent in a contemporary alternate world where the late Spanish poets Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and Federico García Lorca are immortals.

I have also published four non-fiction books Heroin, Ritalin, Mad Cow Disease, and Lung Cancer (Chelsea House).

Currently, I live in Pennsylvania as a freelance writer, editor and translator.

You can visit me at my blog: http://carmenferreiroesteban.wordpress.com/ or at my website: www.carmenferreiroesteban.com

For information about my writing/editing/translating services, please go to WriteEditPublish.com

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Carmen: I was born in Galicia (northern Spain), a land of rolling hills and green valleys surrounded by the ocean, thought in medieval times to be ‘Finisterre,’ the place where the world came to an end. I moved to Castilla, the land of the castles, in central Spain to study Biology and then to California as a postdoctoral researcher.

I have lived in the States for twenty years now and work as a freelance writer, editor and translator (English<>Spanish).


How did you choose the genre you write in?
Carmen: They say your first book is always autobiographic and, in my case, it is accurate. I based my first book, Two Moon Princess (Tanglewood Press, 2007) on my experiences living between two worlds (Spain and California).

Two Moon Princess is a coming of age story, a fantasy with a little bit of romance. My following books, The King in the Stone and The Revenge of the Wolf King, currently represented by Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown, are also young adult stories with a stronger romantic element.

In my latest one, Bécquer Eternal, the romantic element takes over while a new, for me, twist appears: a paranormal element.

So I suppose the answer to your question is, I didn’t choose the genre. I write the stories as they come to me and somehow, all of them, have a romantic element.

Do you work with an outline, or just write?
Carmen: I know the story arc before I start writing. I know the characters, the plot and the ending. Especially the ending. I do write an outline eventually but it’s pretty sketchy.

Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
Carmen: My upcoming book is a paranormal romance called, tentatively, Bécquer Eternal. It is scheduled to be published in September by Crimson Romance. But if you know some Spanish, you don’t have to wait until the fall, because the Spanish version is already available at Amazon.com (http://goo.gl/N5c8C).

Don’t be shy and give it a try, it’s easy to read because it has lots of dialogue which is perfect if you want to brush up your conversational Spanish.

Here is the pitch I sent to Crimson Romance:

Meet Bécquer.
He's handsome, well-read, and can get you that book contract you always dreamed.
Never mind that he's also an immortal and lives on human blood.
What would that matter?
Your relationship is strictly business.
Or so you thought.
Until Bécquer's life is threatened, and you discover that walking away is not an option,
Because he was hurt while protecting your son,
Because you are the only one who can save him now,
Because you care for him.
Welcome to Bécquer's world.
Please, come inside. He's waiting for you.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or is it purely all imagination?
Carmen: Bécquer was a Romantic Spanish poet. If you grew up in any Spanish speaking country you have studied him at School. And if you have, you have fallen in love with his poems of unrequited love.

The protagonist of my story, Carla, is a middle aged writer with two teens of her own and that much is real. Whether the part about her meeting Bécquer, who is now an immortal and working as an agent, is true or not, I’m not free to say.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
Carmen: I loved getting reacquainted with Bécquer, reading again his poems and legends and everything else I found written by him or about him.

What project are you working on now?
Carmen: This spring, I translated Bécquer Eternal into Spanish and published it with a POD publisher so it would be ready on time to be included in the Exhibit about Bécquer that is taking place in Sevilla right now. 

I plan to visit the Exhibit before it closes on June 25.

I have also been busy organizing a Blog Tour, so I haven’t been writing much lately.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Carmen: Follow your heart. If you are a writer, you will write no matter what I, or anybody else, tell you.

Now for the clever-silly question, if you were a t-shirt, what would you say?
Carmen: Cool question.
I would say, Dare to Read. Not very original as it is the name of my blog.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Carmen: Thank you so much for taking the time to read my stories. Your enthusiasm makes the craziness of this profession worth it.

Rionna Morgan with Lynn Cahoon!

Lynn Cahoon's Website

If I were to pick three words to describe my friend Lynn Cahoon, they would be talented, courageous, and witty.  Talented because she has a unique way with words.  She can gather words together in such a fashion that the reader pauses, and smiles.  Courageous because she's never quit.  Even in the face of a life threatening disease, she never gave up--she turned into the wind and kept on going.  Witty, because she can turn a phrase and tell a story in such a way that the listener leans in, waiting in pleasing anticipation.  

I can't wait for you to meet her...so without further ado...here's Lynn Cahoon, author of The Bull Rider's Brother.  

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Lynn:  Growing up in the middle of cowboy country, Lynn Cahoon was destined to fall in love with a tall, cool glass of water. Now, she enjoys writing about small town America, the cowboys who ride the range, and the women who love them.

Okay, now that we have the official stuff out there--Ten years after I wrote my first story, I’ve finished several romance manuscripts but like The Bull Rider’s Brother, they all center around one theme, my strong willed heroines finding home and family, when they least expect it.

I knit, crochet, quilt, and love to bake. I’ve thrown darts on league and tournament level, and I’ve been told I’m pretty good for a girl. Lately, you’ll find me walking my Pomeranians and lifting weights to rebuild my metabolism after winning my fight with Breast Cancer. 

How did you choose the genre you write in? 

Lynn:  Believe me, I’ve tried others. I’m great at starting things. I’ve written a middle grade time travel, a cozy mystery, and this winter, I’ll have my first paranormal romance out with Lyrical Press. Mostly I find I love writing contemporary with a twist.

Do you work with an outline, or just write?
Lynn:  My mentor calls it bullet pointing. I can’t outline, well, I could, but even with bullet points, once I start writing, I have no idea where my characters are taking me. So I have a loose framework and let the story flow from that. In my latest WIP, the sequel to Bull Rider’s Brother, the hero finds out a secret about the heroine that I didn’t even know until I wrote the scene.

Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
Lynn:  Shawnee, Idaho is known for two things. Amazing salmon fishing and the first local rodeo of the summer. For four friends, growing up in Shawnee, meant one thing, making plans to get out. Five years later, that wish has been granted for all but one. What happens when they all get together again changes five lives.

When James Sullivan visits his hometown’s rodeo weekend and learns that his high school sweetheart had his child - six years ago - Lizzie’s world is thrown into turmoil. In The Bull Rider's Brother, James struggles with family and Lizzie questions the risk of love.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Lynn:  Folks around Montana may recognize fictional Shawnee sounds a lot like the real town of Riggins, Idaho. And some of it is. But as all good storytellers do, I took liberties with the area, using a lot of the mountain areas in Idaho where we loved to camp and fish for my inspiration. And I don’t think anyone can write about family relations without delving into your own experiences.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
Lynn:  The last chapter always makes me cry. I love the happy ever after for two characters who have gone through so much in their lives. I guess I’m just a sucker for true love.  I also loved writing the secret baby, although JR’s not much of a baby. He’s spunky and funny, and a joy to be around. I hope my readers love him as much as I do.

What project are you working on now?
Lynn:  I’m finishing up the second book in the Shawnee Rodeo series, working title Queen of the Stampede. Barb Carico has her hands full trying to manage her clients including bull rider Jesse Sullivan, from The Bull Rider’s Brother and deal with her aging mother. But Barb doesn’t even have a clue how complicated her life will become when a fun night in Vegas with Hunter Grey, a potential sponsor, becomes something more. Queen of the Stampede is a modern marriage of convenience story.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Lynn:  My friend Joe said it so eloquently late one night while discussing our dream books in a local McDonalds. “There’s always a lake monster.” What that means is every good book has conflict. A concept I thought only pertained to thrillers or suspense novels.

Now for the clever-silly question, if you were a t-shirt, what would you say?
Lynn:  “I need a hero – one who knows reading is sexy.”

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Lynn:  After surviving breast cancer (and the treatment), I realize that time is short. Live your life for you and the ones you love. But for you, first. That’s not selfish, that’s living.

For me, my challenge reminded me of what I love to do, tell stories. I hope you all find the one thing you do better than anyone else on this world, and do that one thing. And I hope you enjoy reading my stories about characters who are traveling this journey we call life.

And slaying the lake monsters.

Buy the Bull Rider's Brother!

Rionna Morgan with D'Ann Lindun

Wanting a book that has you turning the pages!  Wanting an entertaining, suspenseful read!  Well, then I have got one for you.  My friend and fellow Crimson romance author, D'Ann Lindun has put together some fantastic scenes!  Join me as we chat a bit about her book that will hit the cyber shelves--today!  

Buy on Amazon!
Goodreads - Reviews

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 

D'Ann:  I draw inspiration from the area where I live, Western Colorado, my husband of twenty-nine years and our daughter. Composites of our small farm, herd of fourteen horses, five Australian shepherds, a Queensland heeler, eight ducks and cats of every shape and color often show up in my stories! My road to publication was long and rocky—twenty years of dashed hopes and crushed dreams before I got the call (email)!

How did you choose the genre you write in? 

D'Ann:  I didn’t. It chose me. I love mysteries of any kind, especially murder mysteries, and they bugged me until I satisfied the urge to begin writing my own.

Do you work with an outline, or just write? 

D'Ann:  Just write. I’ll see a fully developed scene, write it, and fill in everything else later.

Can you tell us about your upcoming book? 

D'Ann:  Sure! Love to. This is actually the blurb: Her family ranch outside of Payson, Arizona, is the last place Castaña Castillo thought she’d ever see again. But when her mustang activist brother goes missing, Castaña returns home to lead the search. Years of bad blood between local law enforcement and the Castillo men lead Castaña to believe the local cops won’t put out much effort to locate her brother. Especially since they think he murdered two federal wildlife agents. Disgraced FBI agent Jake Breton needs to bring in Martin Castillo to redeem himself and resurrect his career. Falling in love with someone related to the suspect is the last thing he can afford to do. The last time he followed his heart, and not his head, it nearly cost him his life.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or is it purely all imagination? 

D'Ann:  Only that I’m a huge proponent for the American mustang…for their right to live free, and not end up in slaughterhouses or holding pens. I’ve been through Payson, Arizona, many times. Hauled horses and camped out with them. 

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? 

D'Ann:  The first one. It was fun introducing Castaña and Jake. And I love the setting of Northern Arizona.

What project are you working on now? 

D'Ann:  A lady sheriff on the trail of a serial killer, and the undercover DEA agent also working the case.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers? 

D'Ann:  Yes! Don’t quit! This business is very hard. I got over 200 rejections before I got the email!

Now for the clever-silly question, if you were a t-shirt, what would you say? 

D'Ann:  Cowgirl Up! I think that says it all. When you get knocked down, get up, get on and move out.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans? 

D'Ann:  Thank you!  My blog is my website: http://dlindunauthor.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DLindunAuthor