Saturday, December 27, 2008

Lovely Boxing Day Pressie

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Foretaste of Forever is up for Best Book of the Week at Whipped Cream reviews! If anyone has a spare moment and would like to vote for FOF, here's the link to the poll. There's no need to register or sign in or anything!

Monday, December 22, 2008

16 Things About Me

The lovely Anna Campbell tagged me on Facebook but since I only have to look at Facebook to get confused, she let me off and said I could do it here instead!

So here we go.

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 16 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 16 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

Okay here are my 16 random things about me which you will wish you never knew!!!

1. I met my husband-to-be when I was just fifteen and he was 18. Not quite Romeo and Juliet, but it does mean I've never been able to say to my daughters, with any conviction, that they were too young to fall in love!!!

2. The first thing I noticed about him was his brilliant blue eyes. Ever since I've had to struggle against the urge to give all my fictional heroes piercing blue eyes!!

3. I once met Valerie Singleton from Blue Peter. I can't remember why now, but I do have the huge black and white photos to prove it!!! (and no, unfortunately that baby elephant wasn't around at the time!)

4. I have a secret obsession with Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell CD.

5. I listen endlessly to said CD whenever I'm in dire need of inspiration for my writing.

6. I love and adore fudge. Any and all fudges unless there are nuts involved (present company excepted!)

7. I'm also totally addicted to fresh ground coffee.

8. Half a glass of Chardonnay and I'll attempt to cook dinner.

9. A whole glass and I'll even eat the charred offerings!!

10. I'm allergic to perfume, band aids and housework.

11. Currently experiencing withdrawal symptoms over not being able to get my sticky paws on Season Four of Battlestar Galactia **watches Eleni run for cover**!!

12. I still haven't mastered the technicalities of Facebook!!!

13. My very first crush was Les Mackeown from the Bay City Rollers. If you must know, I'm currently listening to their Greatest Hits CD (and I might have just been dancing round the kitchen singing along to Be My Baby... or then again, I might not)

14. I am twenty-nine years old. I'm not sure why people keel over laughing fit to pop when I tell them this, because obviously it's impossible I can be any older despite three children who, inexplicably, tower over me.

15. It's a highly guarded secret, but my fantasty squeeze is Clive Owen.

16. If Clive is unavailable I'll make do with Hugh Jackman (or, as Monique once said, I could make a sandwich out of them... I'm still giggling over that image!!!)

Because I'm such a nice caring person, and there are only a couple of days until Christmas Eve so obviously every one is just, you know, sitting around just waiting to be tagged... I'm now going to tag 16 others... hehhe...

Amanda Ashby
Sara Hantz
Pat Posner
Suzanne Brandyn
Helen Hardt
April Vine
Shelley Munro
Nell Dixon
Eleni
Monique Wood
Kaye Manro
Rachael Johns
Judith Leger
Debs-daydream-in-the-shed
Sandie Hudson
and Anna Campbell!!!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Outlaw in Petticoats - Paty Jager



Please welcome my special guest today, Western romance author Paty Jager, who writes for The Wild Rose Press. Outlaw in Petticoats is Paty's second book about the Halsey brothers.

Wife, mother, grandmother, and the one who cleans pens and delivers the hay; Paty Jager has not only brought her husband of twenty-nine years to maturity, but four children and over a hundred head of cattle and swine.


She began her writing career as a freelance reporter for local newspapers. Found RWA (Romance Writers of America) and after eight years of attending many conferences, workshops, and being a finalist in eight contests, she broke into the publishing industry with a new e-book and POD publisher, The Wild Rose Press. She credits the RWA organization for helping her work on her craft to become a published author and giving her the contacts necessary to build her career.


Two western romance historical books were published in 2006. Marshal in Petticoats and Gambling on an Angel. Her third romance novel, Perfectly Good Nanny, a contemporary western romance, won the 2008 EPPIE for Best Contemporary Romance. The second book of the Halsey brothers series, Outlaw in Petticoats, is available in e-book and will be in print November 7, 2008. All books may be purchased in both electronic and print formats at all e-book and print distributors. To learn more about Paty, her books, and to enter her website contest go to www.patyjager.com

Over to you, Paty!

My books can be purchased in e-book through The Wild Rose Press or any e-book outlet. If you are interested in a print book, you can purchase those through any book store or print book outlet by ordering it if it isn't on the shelf.


Can you tell us a little about your book ?

Outlaw in Petticoats is the second book in the Halsey Brother series. Zeke is the second oldest of the five brothers. He is smitten with a prickly school teacher and determined to help her overcome her dislike of miners, which she uses to keep him at a distance, even though he sees interest smoldering in her eyes. Maeve 's father left her and her mother hunting for gold and never came back. At least that's what she's believed all her life. Through unexpected circumstances, she and Zeke set out to find the truth behind her father's disappearance.

How did the idea for the plot come about?

The plot came about because I'd written the first book, Marshal in Petticoats, originally with the idea of writing a series. When it took a while for the book to sell, I changed my mind. then it sold and readers wanted more of the Halseys, and I'd left a dangler in the first book that many wanted resolved. So by using the dangler has a jumping off point, I started plotting, Outlaw in Petticoats.

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

I've been a member of Romance Writers of America for ten years. I've finaled in many contests and have had loved it but, rejection letters from agents and editors over the years, finally three years ago, a critique partner said, "There's a new e-book publisher starting up. Send your Marshal story to them". So I did and I now have four books published at The Wild Rose Press and a fifth book is contracted and I should have a release date soon.

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

My favorite books are LaVyrle Spencer's "Hummingbird", Patricia Rice's "Paper Tiger" Karyna DaRosa's "Dry Moon" Linda Lael Miller westerns, and Nora Robert's "Born in" trilogy. My favorite movies are: "Dirty Dancing","Hairspray", "Mulan", "EverAfter", Favortie TV shows: Dancing with the Stars, Cold Case, The Mentalist, CSI, American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance. And my current fantasy squeeze - the book I'm writing now, the hero is fashioned after football player Jason Taylor.


What are you working on now?

I just finished a contemporary western. The hero is a bare back bronc rider and the heroine is an ER nurse. They find a connection through their art and pasts. However it could be their pasts that destroys what they have found. And my WIP is 'hopefully' the first of a historical western series. I have a combustible relationship between a female Pinkerton agent and a U.S. Marshal who has left a trail of dead bodies because of an outlaw's crazy revenge.

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

My website I have a blog: And I have facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Paty_Jager/1162542381 My contemporary western romance- "Perfectly Good Nanny" Won an EPPIE for Best Contemporary in 2008.

And the Winner of...

Ana Aragon's Stroke of Midnight is angietheresa!

Please email me at christina @ christinaphillips dot com (no spaces) so I can forward your details onto Ana.

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Stroke of Midnight - Ana Aragon

Please welcome my special guest today, Ana Aragon, new Scarlet author for The Wild Rose Press. Ana's Stroke of Midnight is part of the anthology with April Vine, Devon Gray and Paisley Scott.

Ana, please tell us a little about yourself!

Ana Aragón lives in the North Georgia hills with her husband and Walker hound dog, Max. Born in New Mexico, she loves writing stories that include elements of her native Hispanic culture. Stroke of Midnight is her first erotic romance and she's hooked! Ana also writes hot contemporaries in the Champagne line of The Wild Rose Press.


Can you tell us a little about your book?

Stroke of Midnight is the reunion story of Ro Garcia and Jake Anderson, who broke up fourteen years ago and went their separate ways. Sparks fly when they meet again and they can't keep their hands off each other. Reeling from a messy divorce, Ro agrees to a sex-only rendezvous in Santa Fe, New Mexico, hoping it'll finally get Jake out of her system. Jake wants more than the sex she's offering and he's willing to do anything to prove he's the man for her. Oh, and there's lots of sex...hot, squirm in your seat, sex!

How did the idea for the plot come about?

I've always wanted to write a story based on one of my favorite Dan Fogelberg songs, Same Auld Lang Syne, but with a "happily ever after" ending. When the opportunity presented itself, I jumped on it!

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

I've been writing for years and my New Year's resolution in 2006 was to join RWA and pursue a romance writing career. I queried my first book, Sidelined by Love, to the Wild Rose Press in December of 2006 and within five minutes, Roseann Armstrong, Senior editor of the Champagne line, requested the synopsis and partial. I polished, polished, and polished, then sent it to her. Within a couple of days, she wanted to see the full manuscript. I went over and over and over it before submitting. Within a week or so, I had a contract offer!

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

I spend most of my time writing, but when I do have the time, I enjoy reading historical romance, romantic suspense and hot romance. In the last year or so, I've become a voracious reader of erotic romance, especially books from our own Scarlet line. I love romantic comedies--just saw Four Christmases with Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon--what fun! I can get addicted to television, so I try to stay away...but I do love "The Office" and "Law and Order." Current fantasy squeeze? Jake Anderson, my latest hero, of course! I always fall in love with my hero, don't you?


What are you working on now?

I have two more novellas I'm hoping to pitch to Scarlet and am busy writing them. I also have a romantic suspense on the back burner, waiting for a block of time to finish...maybe by next summer. I'm revising Strike Three-You're Mine and planning to resubmit the manuscript to Champagne Rose.

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

Drop me a note at anaaragonwrites@yahoo.com or visit Ana's website or MySpace

Monday, December 15, 2008

Touch of the Demon - Excerpt

Here's a taster of my upcoming Scarlet Rosette, Touch of the Demon. Hope you enjoy!!



“I’ll beg you for nothing.” It was a lie. If Celeste thought begging could get her anywhere, then she would already be on her knees before him. She kept that knowledge locked deep in her heart.

Rafe took a step toward her and her heart hammered in her breast. He was taller than any human she had known over the years. But then, he wasn’t human. Beneath the long leather coat he wore against the night’s chill air, his broad shoulders all but blotted out the rest of the world.

She sucked in a suddenly panicked breath, and his evocative scent of other worldly essences, meshed with hot, heavy male enveloped her. Against every principle she stood for, her nipples strained against the fabric of her bodice, peaking with desire and disgust and pure, animal heat.

A mocking smile twisted his full sensual lips. “I could make you beg, human.” His finger traced the outline of her face and she shuddered, hating the way she reacted and yet unable to help herself. “I might even listen.” His smoky whisper shimmered along her senses, searing with words unsaid.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Zombie Contest & Happy Holiday!!!

It looks like 2009 is going to be the Year of the Zombie, and my fab CP Amanda is holding a contest to give away the very last arc of her awesome book, Zombie Queen of Newbury High. Just hop over and tell her your best zombie survival tip (because everyone has one, yes?!) There's still time to enter, the contest doesn't close until Sunday night!!

I also want to give a shout out to my friend Helen, who's just returned from the most incredible holiday EVER!!! Do pop over to her blog and read all about it. You won't be disappointed!!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Playing for Keeps - Devon Gray



Please welcome my special guest today, bestselling author Devon Gray, who writes for the Scarlet line of The Wild Rose Press. Devon's latest release is Playing for Keeps.

Over to you, Devon!

Can you tell us a little about your book?

Playing for Keeps is a story of reunited love and all the obstacles a couple must face to overcome their past to forge a future. Here is the blurb:

Pasts are best left behind, hidden deep in your memory—that is where I buried mine. The feel of his hands and mouth on my body, the height of sensuality I reached beneath his touch. I'd fought so hard to forget—how could just the sight of him bring it all back, forcing me to become lost in him?

Again.

Years before I had watched him, craved him—a guitarist in a band riding the wave to stardom—my brother's best friend. On the verge of womanhood, I never dared to reveal how I yearned. Until a cold New Year's Eve when I offered myself as the woman I'd become, bringing to fruition the deepest of wants. As that night turned, so did my life. Devastatingly so.

I never dreamed I'd become another of his one night stands.

Can pasts be exorcised if they come back to haunt you? And when a notorious playboy who broke your heart offers you his…how do you know if he's playing for keeps?



How did the idea for the plot come about?

I was asked to participate in an anthology with three other authors. Our assignment? Write a book based on the song “Same Old Lang Syne” by Dan Fogelberg. The end result is four stories of reunited love with the theme of New Year’s Eve woven through them. The other books in the anthology are: Sugar Shack by Paisley Scott, Blindfolded by Lust by April Vine and Stroke of Midnight by Ana Aragon. Each book is available now through The Wild Rose Press-The Wilder Roses, and they will be in a print anthology available for the 2009 holiday season.

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

My first published book was Addicted. I was talking to a fellow author friend about the new project and she told me she had worked with an editor from the Scarlet line of the Wild Rose Press and thought my book would be something she would have an interest in. I sent her a query, and she requested the manuscript. Not too long after that I was offered a contract on Addicted. Two months later I was invited to participate in the anthology.

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

I’m really into Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series now. Obviously, they are outstanding books. I am reading the series for the second time now, and from a writer’s perspective, I am completely awed with the intricate plot (which progresses over 2500 pages in four books, one picking up where the previous left off) and the author’s talent of keeping the reader engrossed and surprised. My favorite Harlequin Blaze author is Sarah Mayberry. Her stories are very emotional and HOT! She also puts a humorous spin into her work—delivering some lines that make me laugh out loud. I am also a big fan of Judith McNaught—her historical and contemporary romances. As for movies, some of my favorites are Love Actually, Oceans 11, Titanic, and, of course, Twilight. I really don’t watch much tv…there are too many good books to read! As for a fantasy squeeze, it would have to be the hero in my current wip…

What are you working on now?

I have completed a category romance and am currently in the polishing stage. It is the story of a woman who escapes a painful divorce by relocating to rural Georgia to refurbish a dilapidated farmhouse. She is intent on throwing herself into the project and using the time and solitude to forget her past. It seems like the perfect plan…until her new neighbor walks through her door.

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

Readers can visit me at www.authordevongray.com

               

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Bad Enough - Lara Dien





Please welcome my special guest today, Scarlet Rose author Lara Dien, whose book, Bad Enough, was recently released by The Wild Rose Press.


Tell us a little about yourself, Lara!


About me, hmm? Mostly weird, maybe a little interesting . I live in Orlando, Florida—the not-so-Sunshine-State this summer! I am a voracious reader—I’ll at least try any genre or sub-genre, but my true loves are romantic suspense/romantic thrillers and erotic romance. I started reading at the tender age of two or so—although at that age, I was reading Dr. Seuss and the Berenstain Bears—romance came along much later! I have a couple of college degrees I don’t use, love the idea of travel, but somehow never get around to it, and I make a mean Cosmopolitan..... Aside from writing, I’m in marketing to pay the bills (for now LOL), I’m into ancient religions, mythology, and imagining possibilities. My favorite quote is Tommy Lee Jones’ line from Men in Black: imagine what you’ll know tomorrow. That pretty much sums me up—curious as the proverbial cat.



Can you tell us a little about your book Bad Enough?



Beside the fact that it has the world’s yummiest hero, Rafe Montero? I’m not biased, really! This is not the official blurb, btw—to me that’s like teaching from the handouts .

In Bad Enough, the heroine, Lindy Cooper, is a PI who’s gone to Costa Rica for a much-needed vacation. She’s just solved a big case, turning everyone’s lives upside down—especially hers. She dumps her fiancé, packs her bags, and goes off to spend a week exploring her ‘bad girl’ side.

Rafe follows her. They’ve been running and drinking buddies for several years and they’ve always had this underlying attraction that she-of-the-low-self-esteem wouldn’t have believed if he’d told her and he considered off-limits due to her boyfriend/fiancé. In Costa Rica, though, the heat definitely rises! Hot, hot sex (there’s a waterfall scene ) ratchets the relationship heat up, leaving them with only one real question—what happens when they get back home? Rafe likes bad girls, Lindy wants to be one...but just what does it take to be bad enough?

How did the idea for the plot come about?



You know, I don’t remember. Lindy appears in The Fortuneteller’s Lay (my first release) as a name character only—Miranda makes one reference to her. So I had this random thought about spinning off from that story and .... that was it. Somehow I ended up with this question of what might happen when a woman who’s spent her life living up to other people’s expectations might do once she decided she needed to live up to her own!

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?



Not nearly as exciting as you think! I’m still working on my first novel—YEARS in the making. Last year, as I was setting my writing goals for the year, in addition to “this year I will finish this book and I mean it!” I included a “check out e-publication” goal—kind of a throwaway goal. Not dismissing e-publishing, but it wasn’t something I’d really thought about—I was going to write romantic suspense and nothing else. And having read a few erotic romances online, I didn’t think I could write hot enough for the genre. Yeah. Underestimating myself just a bit, apparently! Anyway, another publisher was doing a call for submissions and I saw it, said, what the heck, I can probably write that! I wrote it, my guinea pig readers all came back with the same comment—this is hot!—and I submitted it. Got a ‘revise/resubmit’ request. Six months later, got the rejection.

Rhonda Penders, publisher of The Wild Rose Press gave a presentation at my RWA chapter around the same time. After talking to her, I was practically praying for a rejection. A week later, I’d submitted, got the contract offer a few weeks later...via email, not call....and that was it. I have an incredible editor who makes my pretty-good writing REALLY good, and my 3rd book, Hungarian Masquerade is on its way, too.

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)



Impossible! Did I mention the reading voraciously thing? I’ll mention some fav authors, though—and I’m very eclectic! Love Jane Austen, of course, and Georgette Heyer. GH was one of the early Regency Romance authors, although she also wrote contemporary (well, for her) mysteries...witty, funny....I still read Regencies today because of her. Romantic suspense: Karen Rose if you like intense; Roxanne St. Claire—a bit more romantic and less intense than KR; Terri Garey, paranormal; Rachel Gibson, Kelley St. John, Marianne Stillings...a dozen more. What they all have in common, mostly, is they’re compelling storytellers. I can’t buy KR’s latest on a weekday, because I’ll stay up all night to finish it. Erotic romance authors I love include the Wilder Rose authors (of course!), Bella Andre, who is wonderfully steamy and fully romantic...

What are you working on now?



In addition to Dreamwalk (my r/s), I’ve got three erotic romances that I’m about ready to query to my editor. They range in length from around 10,000 words (that’s about a 40-45 page story when all is said and done) to closer to 20,000. Understand these are working titles that will probably bear no resemblance to the final. Art of Seduction is set in an art museum in Italy. Dance with Me is erotic, but a little on the poignant side, as the heroine has just begun to think she can consider another relationship after the death of her husband...and goes to the dance studio where they took lessons....and there’s the dance teacher, who’d loved and wanted her secretly for years....; the last is Soldier Boy, which I hope will be good enough for the Cougar Club at The Wild Rose Press. The heroine falls for a soldier, despite her best plans, because he’s so young...only to realize he’s the best thing that ever happened to her, and age doesn’t mean a thing. And now that I’ve given away my plots, maybe you can help me petition my editor for a contract in a hurry?

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?



90% of the time, my life is insane, however, I do update my blog and website when I have a chance—or a new title on the way. I got woefully behind this summer, since I had two pending at the same time, but you can find me online at my website and blog .



Monday, December 08, 2008

Linkages

As some of you might have guessed, I'm very partial to my cover (!) My cover artist, Angela Anderson, has uploaded her cover designs here and they are all rather gorgeous.

The other day I was trawling the net and came across an informative post by the lovely Jane Porter on promo. It's not a recent one, but I found it fascinating to discover which types of promo Jane found the most cost effective. Well worth a read.

Finally, if anyone loves Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling world, do hop over to her blog where she recently held a Q&A session. I didn't find out for sure who Hawke would end up with (and I've been hanging out for his story since he first appeared in Slave to Sensation!!) but I read nothing to change my mind on who she would be!!!

Friday, December 05, 2008

The Secret She Keeps - Jennifer Leeland



Please welcome my special guest today, Jennifer Leeland, who writes for the Scarlet line at The Wild Rose Press. Jennifer's most recent Scarlet release is The Secret She Keeps

Over to you, Jennifer!

Can you tell us a little about your book ?

"The Secrets She Keeps" is the second book in a series set in a small town on the California coast that began with "The Mask She Wears". I actually wrote most of it before "Mask" and the heroine, Tessa, was very clear in my mind. Zac was a little more difficult. Here's the blurb:


Tessa Aden has it all...a great job, good friends, and a fantastic boyfriend. She just has one problem, she's never had an orgasm during sex. When Zac misinterprets an Instant Message from a friend as a complaint about his technique in the bedroom, she'd rather let him walk away than admit her dark desires.


Fearing she wouldn't understand his dominant nature, Zac Shandler gave up the BDSM lifestyle to be a part of Tessa's vanilla life. Yet he seems to be losing her anyway. Will Zac put his heart on the line to claim Tessa's love and finally force her to reveal the secret she keeps?

How did the idea for the plot come about?

I was discussing a topic on my favorite forum, Romance Divas, about orgasms. If you get enough women together honestly talking about this subject, it's amazing what information is revealed. Several woman admitted to never having an orgasm. Then, Tessa spoke up and said, "So what? Neither have I." and the story went from there. One of the things about Tessa is she didn't talk about sex at all, which I think is more common than we think. Even in this day and age where sex is bandied about like cereal commercials, honest discussion about intimacy is completely lost. Tessa has to learn this lesson and Zac helps her open up.

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

The Wild Rose Press was my first actual contract. When they first opened their doors, they had a contest and I entered. "Garden of Sin" was my first contract. I remember I called Crystal Jordan with shaking hands and had to read the thing over the phone. I didn't even know what was normal in a contract! But there was nothing to worry about and I signed it. After that things went pretty fast. I contracted two more erotic short stories and wrote like a fiend. Diana Carlile, my editor at The Scarlet Rose line is awesome and helped me every step of the way.

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

Mmmm. I have so many. When I'm completely uninspired romantically, I watch "Pride and Prejudice" with Colin Firth. It always gives me that wonderful feeling. When I was writing "The Mask She Wears" and "The Secrets She Keeps", it was music that kept that mood going and I gathered a soundtrack that included Streams Of Passion, After Forever, Evanescence and Garbage. To recharge, I really like to read Joey W. Hill, a fabulous erotic author.

What are you working on now?


I have another series with a different publisher and I'm writing the third in that series. I've started the book that comes after "The Secret She Keeps" which is David Peters' story (finally). The next one may come as a surprise. I also have another pen name, Jennifer McKenzie, who has a series set in Alaska and I'm writing the third in THAT series. I try and keep pretty busy with the writing and the ideas come fast and furious.


How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

The best place is my blog "The Redneck Romance Writer" and my website

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Seventh Circle - F.E. Heaton



Please welcome my special guest today, Felicity Heaton, who writes paranormal romance for Alinar Publishing

Dark, sensual and fast-paced, Seventh Circle is a story of forbidden love so strong that it will save the world.

Born with strange powers similar to a vampire's, Lilith has spent her life hunting demons for Section Seven. Now, on the very same night that she watches a vampire kill her best friend, she's faced with her worse nightmare.

A client who is not only attractive, but a vampire.

Lincoln, a powerful pure blood vampire, has a problem. The prophecy he's caught up in is coming to pass and his only chance of survival is relying on those he hates most–vampire hunters. It has been foretold that one will save him, a female hunter, and when he meets her, the attraction he feels is both instantaneous and forbidden.

Their mutual attraction becomes difficult to deny as they work to unravel the mystery of a contract between Lincoln's lord and the Devil. The barriers around their hearts fall, but is there only pain ahead of them? With Lincoln's life on the line, can Lilith find the strength to protect him and embrace a side of herself that she wished didn't exist? Can Lincoln overcome his fear in order to save Lilith even if it means parting from her forever? What price will they pay to be together?

Please tell us a little about yourself, Felicity!

I write romance ebooks in various genres as Felicity Heaton, including paranormal romance, romantic suspense, historical pirate romance, historical western romance, and contemporary romance. As F E Heaton, I write the Vampires Realm novels--vampire romance / dark urban fantasy ebooks. A writer of emotion and life, I always strive to touch a chord of familiarity in my readers and give them characters they can love and a read to remember.

Can you tell us a little about your book?


Seventh Circle is a story about Lincoln, the Chosen Son of the Vehemens bloodline whose Lord has made a pact with the Devil. Since this pact involves Lincoln's death, he's not about to let it happen. Told by three witches that a woman will save him, he goes in search of her. His only problem? It turns out that she's working for Section Seven, an elite vampire hunter organisation. Lilith can't believe her terrible luck when her first paying client turns out to be not only a vampire, but incredibly attractive. It's bad enough that she has to work with him, let alone the fact that no matter how much she tries, she can't deny the way he makes her feel. Both fighting their feelings for different reasons, they work together to unravel the mystery of the contract and find a way to stop the dreadful prophecy from coming to pass. If the Devil captures him, not only will Lincoln die, but all Hell will be unleashed unto the Earth! Lilith enters Lincoln's world when the realisation of her heritage and that those she loved have lied to her shatter her own world. As they fight the forces of Hell itself, Lilith fights to be strong enough to save Lincoln, the man who she has come to love.


How did the idea for the plot come about?

I'm never sure where the plots come from, but this one was influenced in a way by Dante's Inferno. I liked the idea of the circles of Hell, and the landscape, as well as the idea of angels gone bad, and the Devil being involved. I also wanted to explore the idea that a vampire might perhaps have a healthy fear of death and that it's only made worse because he's an immortal demon and knows that he's going to Hell when he dies. He's basically had a long time to think about death, and the longer he lives, the worse he fears it. I also like the idea of coupling a hero and heroine at odds. Lilith is headstrong, fiesty, and unlikely to let her moral code slip. Lincoln fights his feelings as much as she does, but he just can't help himself. The whole thing is made worse when he accidentally bonds with her!

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?


I've sold a few ebooks before, and normally it's an email that pops into your inbox and a momentary feeling of madness. It's always exciting when you sell a book. I'm yet to sell a book to a traditional publishing house though. That one is still to come. Right now I'm working on stories for sending out to agents... I'll keep you posted! I'm hoping for a juicy call story too.


We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)


I grew up reading classic romance and gothic horror, and watching Hammer House of Horror movies. My favourite books are Jane Eyre, Persuasion, and North & South. Movie-wise, I love films and can't think of one single or even just a couple that I could call my favourite. It really depends on my mood. I enjoyed the Underworld films, the Nightwatch, X-men movies, and a slew of romantic comedies. I'm a sucker for them! TV shows I'm into right now are Heroes, as well as anime such as Ga-Rei Zero, Macross Frontier, Kuroshitsuji and Bleach. I love reading manga too, and playing my PS3, on which I'm playing Assassin's Creed and Devil May Cry 4 (I love Dante! Can I have his babies?). In terms of my fantasy squeezes, with so many heroes in my head it's hard to decide. It's got to be one of them, I'm afraid. Actually two. At the moment I'm planning two novels and I love the heroes in them--Julian and Taig. They're such different characters, but both incredibly strong and devoted to the woman they love.


What are you working on now?

A lot of editing! I've managed to accumulate a queue of books that need editing/second drafts. Mostly I'm working on a werewolf romance short called Embracing the Wolf, and the next Vampires Realm story, Winter's Kiss. I can't wait for Winter's Kiss to come out. It's such a contrast to Seventh Circle. Seventh Circle has a lot of twisting, dark plot working alongside the romance. Winter's Kiss is different because it's more romance driven. It's about the characters more than the plot. I think people will enjoy the change.

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

Well, that's easy. They can check out my books at my websites -

http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk and http://www.vampiresrealm.com

As for keeping up with me, they can do that at my blog and Myspace I'm always there posting about something, whether it's what I've been writing or a teaser for a new book, or a cover, or just what I've been up to recently.