Romance Chat Chez Audra Middleton
Bring On The Romance
Happy Valentine’s Week, everyone. Today, I’m visiting fellow Champagne author Audra Middleton’s blog.
Please stroll on over to learn why I love to write romantic stories. I also share a few of my husband’s romantic gestures and chat a little bit about HAVEN, my urban fantasy romance, coming in July.
Hope to see you there. 🙂
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Image Credit: Roses Photo – Copyright 2013 Elinor Mills, all rights reserved. Used with permission. |
Blog Guest: Meet L. T. Getty
I’m delighted to welcome my fellow author for Champagne Book Group, L. T. Getty. She joins us today to tell us about her debut fantasy novel, Tower of Obsidian, out now from Champagne’s fantasy imprint BURST Books.
But first L. T. shares some fun facts about herself.
Hi L. T.! How long have you been writing?
I started writing my first novel in the seventh grade. It wasn’t very good but I kept at it and wrote my first series before I graduated high school. It kind of stunk. Anyway, since I graduated university, I managed to write a novel every year, and I usually crank out a few short stories as well.
I usually write science fiction and fantasy, and I consider longer short stories and novel-length to be the mediums I’m best at. I still think I’ve got growing to do as an artist, but in general I haven’t seen any major leaps and bounds in my skill in the last few years.
What’s on your bookshelf and/or in your To Be Read pile?
I have a lot. This year I want to finish up Steven Erikson’s Malazan Series and the last two books in Moira J. Moore’s Heroes Series. But there’s a bunch of singles too. And every year I say I’m going to read Huxley’s Brave New World… I’ll get around to it. Eventually. You can check out what I’m currently reading on Goodreads.
What two authors would you love to chat with over a meal? Better yet, what two authors would you take on a writer’s retreat?
Octavia E. Butler and C.S. Lewis. I know these two would have amazing discussions – probably continuously butting heads – but I wouldn’t have to say anything or join in the conversation. I’d just be listening and taking notes.
I can’t think of any good place to have a writer’s retreat though. I work in a rather scenic, park-like environment.
Favorite food:
It depends on what kind of mood I’m in. I very seldom can say no to an apple if I’m hungry, but if we’re talking about treats it’s my homemade chocolate chip cookies. When I’m writing, I love my fancy teas!
Favorite color:
Green. I like deep foresty ones especially!
Favorite music:
I’m one of those people with sucky musical tastes who likes what they like and can’t explain why. If I’m writing though, I like to listen to soundtracks without lyrics. When writing Tower of Obsidian, I was youtubing epic scores from movies and video games. I think it got the desired effect, anyway…
Favorite supernatural creature?
I only get to pick one? Pegasus. Not as in the one Perseus got specifically, but the idea that there’s more than one of them. One day, I’m going to write a novel that involves a herd of them. I haven’t figured it out yet.
Milk chocolate or Dark chocolate?
Dark! No contest.
Dragons or witches?
What, have you read Tower of Obsidian? I ain’t giving squat away!
Tell us about your story.
Tower of Obsidian is my debut novel. It’s also my first serious attempt with classic fantasy that’s more in line with what most lay-people think about when they mention fantasy as a genre. My previous fantasy novels, for the most part, I’d consider to be in the vein of low or heroic fantasy. There were a lot of writing groups when people got mad that I wasn’t using dragons.
Tower of Obsidian has a lot of High Fantasy staples, and I had a ton of fun using them. When I was developing the underlying story, I based it off the classic Celtic romantic tragedy, but I used a ton of Norse influences as well when I was figuring out the magic system.
Set in the early 11th century, the story begins with a love triangle involving two best friends, Kale and Aaron, and Kale’s fiancée Aoife, whom Aaron loved since he was a young boy. Before Aoife and Kale wed, Kale is ordered by his father to marry another woman to ensure that regency of their duchy doesn’t pass to an undesirable should any harm befall their lord.
Kale calls off his engagement, Aoife is heart-broken, Aaron couldn’t be happier. But several of the duke’s men betray Kale to get rid of him so that their master doesn’t lose control of the region. The scheme falls through, so Kale’s captors are forced to flee by ship.
Aaron and Aoife both independently chase after Kale’s captors into what they think will be continental Europe, but they discover that the ship on which Kale was held prisoner was attacked by a cursed people.
The survivors of the raid are sent to the titled tower on an island to the west of the Norse colonies of Greenland, to kill an ancient witch who they say curses them. Kale journeys to the tower, and though he hears the story of the witch again and again he can’t ascertain the truth of the tower – if killing her will solve anything, even if he can manage the task.
By the time he makes a decision, it’s too late. He becomes bound to the tower’s fate. Thinking no one will know where to look for him, he starts to climb the tower again to challenge the other guardians in hopes of ending his own curse.
Where to Find Tower of Obsidian
Amazon | BURST
Book Cover Design / Image Credit:
Cover by Amanda Kelsey.
Connect with L. T. Getty
If anyone’s interested, I have a Blog Tour set to begin in March. Check out my blog to learn more!
Thanks for having me, Celia!
February Writing Workshops Chez FF&P
Enjoy taking workshops?
Try these online writing classes sponsored by the Fantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal Special Interest Chapter of the RWA (Romance Writers of America).
February Schedule
- February 4 – 2/17, 2013: Criminal Minds — Presented by Dr. Charley Ferrer
- February 4 – March 3, 2013: Writing Steamy Sex Scenes: Make your Readers Beg for More — Presented by Dr. Charley Ferrer
- February 4 – March 3, 2013: Mindful Creating — Presented by Mary O’Gara
- February 8 – March 3, 2013: What’s Your Brand? — Presented by Kris Tualla
- February 11 – 24, 2013: Menage, Polyamory, Swinging…oh my! — Presented by Dr. Charley Ferrer
- February 18 – March 17, 2013: Writing your novel Scene by Scene — Presented by Sally Walker
2013 Schedule
For a look at the full schedule for this year, visit the FF&P Web site.
Happy studying!
Image Credit
Fantasy Photo – Copyright 2013 Elinor Mills, all rights reserved. Used with permission.
Blood Vine Book Review
As a reader and writer of vampire fiction, I was excited to read my friend Amber Belldene’s debut novel, Blood Vine.
Review
The first book in what promises to be an enthralling new paranormal romance series, Blood Vine has it all: a strong-willed heroine with a tragic past, a sexy alpha hero with an equally tragic past, a gang of bad guys you want to throttle for their fanatical stupidity, history, culture, oodles of conflict and a slew of loveable secondary characters.
Set in the northern California wine country and rich with Croatian and wine culture, Andre and Zoey’s world will draw you in from page one. Andre is a vintner working to create the wine that will save his dying race. Zoey is hired as the winery’s PR person. Their chemistry is clear from the onset, but both have suffered the loss of loved ones and fear loving again. Their struggle to overcome said fear and open up to each other and the possibility of true love, while simultaneously avoiding death by evil Hunter kept me riveted to the page. That, and well-written, steamy love scenes.
Blood Vine’s secondary characters are equally loveable and worthy of mention. Pedro and Lucas, Lena and Kos, to name a few, are well-drawn and unique, adding a depth and richness to the story world. More conflict, more possibility for love… I look forward to reading more about them in subsequent books in the series.
Bottom line: a great read for paranormal romance fans.
Where to find Blood Vine:
Amazon.com | Omnific Publishing Web site (watch the trailer at the latter, too).
More Amber Belldene
Web site | Twitter
Book Cover / Image Credit:
Copyright Omnific Publishing. All rights reserved.
Inside Scoop: L. T. Getty Interviews Celia Breslin
Hello all!
Today, I’m over at fellow Champagne author L.T. Getty’s blog.
Please fly on over to discover my favorite HAVEN character, what my Muse has to say about my writing process and more.
Hope to see you there. 🙂
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Image Credit: Butterflies Photo – Copyright 2013 Elinor Mills, all rights reserved. Used with permission. |
Blog Guest: Meet Suzanne M. Sabol
I’m pleased to welcome my fellow RWA-FF&P chapter-mate Suzanne M. Sabol. During her visit today, she’ll tell us about her vampire novel, Pool of Crimson and divulge some fun facts about herself.
Hi Suzanne. How long have you been writing? What genres do you write?
I’ve been writing since the age of 16. My high school English teacher offered a creative writing class my junior year and I was hooked. I finished my first full-length novel while still in high school but had no idea what to do with it. I’ve been writing consistently ever since. I love the paranormal genre, focusing mostly on urban fantasy with gritty dark undertones.
What’s on your bookshelf and/or in your To Be Read pile?
I still have Gun Metal Magic on my shelf from Ilona Andrews and Flame of Sevenwaters from Juliet Marillier. There is actually a whole other pile that I am slowly working through from 2012 Romance Writers of America conference. My husband won’t let me buy anymore until I get through those. This, in my mind, is still up for debate.
Do you have a favorite author?
I am a longtime fan of Laurell K Hamilton. I love the way she blurs the line between humans and monsters. I am also a classicist – a contradiction no doubt. I love Pride and Prejudice. I’ve read that book at least once a year since I was in college. The story, the language, and the character development never gets old.
Favorite food: I love a spicy Indian Saag
Favorite music: Big band music from the 40’s.
Favorite supernatural creature? I love a good dragon.
Favorite TV show? At the moment, its Once Upon a Time.
Milk chocolate or Dark chocolate? Dark chocolate…no question.
Vampires or werewolves?
At one point the answer would have been easy, vampires…definitely vampires. Now that I’ve aged a bit, experienced more in the paranormal world – so to say – I am not so sure. Each hold temptations for me.
Tell us about your new release.
Pool of Crimson is the first in the Blushing Death series. Set in Columbus Ohio, Dahlia Sabin has gained the respect and the fear of the preternatural community through years of hunting vampires.
When the city’s vampire liege plans to raise a demon, destroy the wolf Pack, and rule the city on his own, his second in command searches for help in the only person strong enough to face an entire vampire colony…the Blushing Death. Dahlia will have to trust a vampire as time runs out to save the city, losing her heart in the process.
Midnight Ash, the second in the Blushing Death series will be released on January 23, 2013.
More Pool of Crimson
Amazon | B&N | Soul Mate Publishing
Book Cover Design / Image Credit:
Book cover, copyright Rae Monet Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission of author.
Bio
Suzanne M. Sabol began writing at a young age, completing her first full-length novel while still in high school. Her love of everything paranormal and romance began shortly thereafter. She’s an avid reader and writer, focusing mostly in the urban fantasy genre. She loves reading anything from contemporary single title romance to detective noir as well as the classics.
Suzanne published her first novel Cursed in 2009, Pool of Crimson in 2012, and Midnight Ash will be available in January 2013. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University with majors in Criminology, International Studies, Russian and Political Science. She’s currently working on her Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration at the John Glenn School of Public Policy. She works full time as a Human Resources Professional and Fiscal Officer.
Suzanne was born and raised in Eastern Ohio where she was more likely to see a deer on the road than a sports car. She currently resides in Columbus Ohio with her husband Ross. When she’s not working, writing, or reading, she’s spending time traveling and looking for the next great story. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America and Central Ohio Fiction Writers.
Blog Guest: Meet Angela Quarles
Happy New Year, everyone!
I’m delighted to welcome my first guest for the new year, fellow RWA-FF&P chapter-mate Angela Quarles. She’s here to tell us about her new release, Beer And Groping In Las Vegas and reveal some fun facts about herself.
Hi Angela! How long have you been writing? What genres do you write?
I’ve been mainly writing non-fiction for a long time, but started dabbling in fiction by way of Jane Austen fan fiction back in 2005 and 2006. But that was still just a lark, and I didn’t get serious about writing as a viable career option until 2008. I mainly write paranormal romance, specifically time travel, but also other types of romance where I can incorporate something a little out of the ordinary, whether it’s a wish-granting djinn, or steampunk, or meta fiction.
What’s on your bookshelf and/or in your To Be Read pile?
I’m first and foremost a reader, I think. I read every day, usually at lunch, and dinner, and when I go to bed. I’ve got a huge stack next to my bed. You’d definitely catch me reading a romance, but also in my TBR pile is Umberto Eco’s latest, as well as non-fiction (history!)
Do you have a favorite author?
Oh, I hate picking fave anything, as it’s hard to narrow down my top 5 to the #1. Jane Austen is of course, in my top 5. On the completely other end of the spectrum, Christopher Moore is another favorite author and inspired me to take up writing with humor. Others are Anne Rice, Frank Herbert, Umberto Eco, Christi Phillips and Kevin Hearne. In Romance, it’d be Loretta Chase, Julia Quinn, Amanda Quick, Courtney Milan, Katie MacAlister, and Tessa Dare.
What two authors would you love to chat with over a meal? Better yet, what two authors would you take on a writer’s retreat?
I like the retreat idea! I’d say Christopher Moore for the zany humor and Anne Rice for the rich worldbuilding and respect for history, but I’d also like to bring along Loretta Chase so I can nail the romance angle 🙂
If the Earth was about to be destroyed to make way for a Hyperspace Bypass (Hello, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) and you have mere minutes to vacate, what book would you grab to take with you? In addition to your towel, of course. ?
Another hard one! Probably Persuasion by Jane Austen so I can discover new things in her prose (I always do on each reread) and reread and sigh over the “You pierce my soul” letter.
Favorite color: Green
Favorite TV show? Firefly!
Milk chocolate or Dark chocolate? Dark chocolate for sure!
Vampires or werewolves?
Hmmm, I really love Rice’s vampires, but I don’t read a lot of the current vampire/werewolf PNRs. Of those I’ve read, I think I’d have to go with werewolf (Hello!? Gail Carriger’s Lord Conall Maccon anyone?)
Sexy demons or sexy angels?
I’ve read some sexy half demon/half angel heroes and those have been fun. I might have to go with sexy angel if I couldn’t get a mix. Something about a smoldering hot angel that’s fighting his smexy side appeals to me.
Dragons or witches? Dragons
Tell us about your new release.
Sure thing! It’s BEER AND GROPING IN LAS VEGAS, an erotic geek romantic comedy with a touch of the paranormal by way of a wish-granting djinn. (Can I get one?) It’s a novelette, so if you’re looking for a quick but fun read, this might be just for you.
Here’s the blurb:
Can a djinn and a magic slot machine bring two geeks together?
Riley McGregor is a geek trapped in a Good Ole Boy body and as owner of a microbrewery, smart chicks never look at him twice.
Rejected by a geek who wanted to “trade up,” Mirjam Linna would rather immerse herself in work than be the girlfriend-of-the-moment. Stranded in a Vegas hotel, she makes a wish—a night of hot sex with the man of her dreams. It’s granted. She agrees to dinner, but afterward, she’ll say thanks, but no thanks, and see what’s on the SyFy channel. But when they meet, they’re surprised to find they had a shared connection in their past. Sparks fly as these two learn to be in the moment, be themselves and find love.
Fans of Star Trek, Star Wars, Monty Python, Firefly and Marvin the Martian will enjoy this romantic comedy.
More Beer and Groping
Amazon | B&N | ARe | trailer | goodreads | shelfari
Book Cover Design / Image Credit:
Cover artist, Dawné Dominique. Photo credit, Keyhole Photography. Used with permission of author.
Bio
Angela works at an independent bookstore and lives in an historic house in the beautiful and quirky town of Mobile, AL, with her two matched gray cats, Darcy and Bingley. When she’s not writing, she enjoys the usual stuff like gardening, reading, hanging out, eating, drinking, chasing squirrels out of the walls and creating the occasional knitted scarf. She’s had a varied career, including website programming and directing a small local history museum.
She’s an admitted geek and is proud to be among the few but mighty Browncoats who watched Firefly the first night it aired. She was introduced to the wonderful world of science fiction by her father, by way of watching reruns of the original Star Trek in her tweens and later giving her a copy of Walter M. Miller Jr’s A Canticle for Leibowitz as a teenager. She hasn’t looked back since.
She has a B.A. in Anthropology and International Studies with a minor in German from Emory University, and a Masters in Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University. She was an exchange student to Finland in high school and studied abroad in Vienna one summer in college. She recently found representation with Maura Kye-Casella at Don Congdon, Assoc.
Happy Holidays: Caramels and Vampires
Hello all! I hope you’re enjoying the holidays.
Today, I’m over at fellow Champagne author Rita Bay’s blog.
Stop on by for the Best Caramel Candy Recipe Ever aka my Grandma Eddie’s Caramels.
Plus, I share the back cover blurb for my summer 2013 release, HAVEN. Love, vampires, mayhem. Good times. ☺
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Image Credit: Peace Photo – Copyright 2012 Elinor Mills, all rights reserved. Used with permission. |
Amber Belldene’s Debut Vampire Series
Author Amber Belldene’s debut novel Blood Vine releases
January 8, 2013 from Omnific Publishing. It’s the first in what promises to be a superlative new paranormal romance vampire series. I was fortunate to beta read Blood Vine and let me tell you: if you like vampires, romance, alpha males, wine culture, and plucky heroines, you should check it out.
I’ll post a proper review in 2013. For now, follow the links below to learn more about Amber, the Blood Vine series and her compelling characters.
Blog Tour Stops
- Cynthia Woolf
Cynthia grills Amber about her writing habits, her pen name, and more. Includes a must-read wine tasting excerpt from Blood Vine. - Laura Kaye
Cover reveal (= gorgeous). Plus, Amber talks about the making of Blood Vine and reveals her vampire preference from another vampire series (hint: he’s a total badass, dagger-wielding alpha male). - The Madeleine Project
Amber answers a fun set of questions for “The Proust Questionnaire.”
Blood Vine Character Interviews
- Zoey Porter
The Heroine. P.R. Expert. - Andre Maras
Hero. Vintner. Vampire. - Lucas Bennett
Vampire Hunter and wine snob. - Pedro Torres
Sexy wine expert, Andre’s employee/friend.
Six Sentence Sunday – Blood Vine Excerpts
- First look: Zoey
Meet Zoey prior to journeying to Andre’s estate. - Kastel Estate Winery
Zoey arrives at Andre’s estate. - Wasting disease
Andre ponders the illness threatening his vampire race.
Blood Vine Trailer
- A Life Bound By Books
Haunting music by the women’s vocal ensemble Kitka + great visuals.
Book Cover / Image Credit:
Copyright Omnific Publishing. All rights reserved.
Blog Guest: Meet Graeme Brown
I’m delighted to welcome my fellow author for Champagne Book Group, Graeme Brown, to my blog. He joins us today to share his writing and some fun facts about himself. Enjoy!
Hi Graeme! *waves* — How long have you been writing?
Hi Celia! Hmm…that’s a good question. According to my uncle, I’ve been telling stories since I was a toddler, but I’ve been trying to write them down since I was 8. My first “book” was The Shack, typed up and bound by my school principal when I was 10, and after that I got into Tolkien and started making my own fantasy world. The rest just snowballed from there, and I’m doing my best here to steer it clear of any trees.
What drew you to writing fantasy?
It was an author named Dennis L. McKiernan, whose Dark Tide trilogy got me interested enough to give the Hobbit, then Lord of the Rings, a try. After that I was drawing maps, making up my own stories during my morning paper route walk, and trying to write my own book. I think it was the idea of bringing life to a made-up world that could be just as real as our own that appealed to me the most.
What’s on your bookshelf and/or in your To Be Read pile?
It seems that pile gets bigger, since I’m studying math and I’m such a slow reader. I’m working my way through Dance with Dragons right now, but I will be dropping everything to read A Memory of Light when it comes out in January. There are other works by Brandon Sanderson, like Way of Kings, that I’d like to try, and I have a bunch of Terry Brooks novels on the shelf. I also like re-reading old books, so it’s not likely I’ll be coving a lot of ground in the next couple of years. One of these days, I’m going to discover speed-reading, and life will never be the same.
What two authors would you love to chat with over a meal? Better yet, what two authors would you take on a writer’s retreat?
Number one, George R. R. Martin. I’ve heard that he parties until 4am, and is a hoot to chat with. Then, were he alive, the late James Rigney (Robert Jordan), but seeing as I had a chance to meet Brandon Sanderson, who has done a fantastic job of completing the Wheel of Time, I guess it would be neat to get my butt kicked by him at a game of Magic: the Gathering and talk about writing afterward.
If the Earth was about to be destroyed to make way for a Hyperspace Bypass (Hello, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) and you have mere minutes to vacate, what book would you grab to take with you? In addition to your towel, of course. ?
Oh dear…I have to say, it would probably be one of my math textbooks, since I’d be guaranteed to have a lot of problems to solve to keep my occupied.
Favorite food:
Chicken pesto, Friday night double cheese pizza, a full plate of bacon, eggs, sausage and hashbrowns to go with my 6am coffee.
Favorite music:
Classical. I play piano, and have always loved Beethoven. Lately, I’ve gotten into Mahler; it goes well with all-nighter math assignments.
Favorite supernatural creature?
Imps. In my stories, they’re so mischievous.
Favorite TV show?
Lately, Big Bang. So funny. I LOVE Sheldon!
Milk chocolate or Dark chocolate?
Both, and let’s add pudding and caramel and toffee and dates and Reeces peanut butter cups. I usually need a nap after that, but it’s good while it lasts.
Vampires or werewolves?
Vampires, most definitely.
Sexy demons or sexy angels?
I think it’s interesting when one can show the sexy angel is in fact a demon… ☺
Dragons or witches?
Both. What is fantasy without, in some form or other, those deep archetypes? But then again, maybe that’s just me. I’ve always loved dragons and witches and goblins and the cursed immortals.
Tell us about your upcoming release: THE PACT.
Will Lesterall has grown up in the safety of his father’s castle, where tales of the outside world ruled by warring kings and creatures of nightmare have never seemed a threat. Yet on the night celebrating the two hundredth year of the sacred Pact that has kept Fort Lesterall safe, a secret intrigue ripens, and in the course of a few hours Will is confronted with a choice greater than he can comprehend. Join an unlikely hero as destiny pulls him into the middle of an ancient conflict between fallen gods and ambitious women, one that demands blood, both holy and wicked, and the power of an ancient fire bound in steel. As swords clash below a watching wood, hope and betrayal war as fiercely as fear and valour, and whether he lives of dies, Will Lesterall will never be the same.
The Pact releases June 2013, from Champagne Book Group.
Bio
Graeme Brown is a Winnipeg writer, artist and student of mathematics. Being a long-time fan of epic fantasy and suffering from an overactive imagination, he has been writing stories for more than twenty years. He also enjoys running, yoga, and classical piano. The Pact is his first published story.
Image Credit:
Mandala created by Graeme Brown. Copyright, Graeme Brown, all rights reserved. Used here with permission of the artist.
Connect with Graeme
Web site | Blog | Twitter
About Me
Celia Breslin
San Francisco, CA.
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