Fall Into Sin has a hot new cover by Scott Carpenter. Check it and tell me what you think:

Please welcome Mary Eason to the blog, author of Forbidden Passion. Thank you for agreeing to answer my nosy questions and share them with everyone visiting today.

Q: To begin, please share which genre(s) you write in…
A: I’m kind of a jack-of-all-trades author. I love writing contemporary romances, such as Forbidden Passion, but my first love has always been romantic suspense. I have three romantic suspense novels currently out through Cerridwen Press. And recently, I’ve started writing Inspirational romances, which is such a challenge as well as being extremely rewarding.

Q: How long did you write before you received your first contract for publication?
A: Seriously, about a year, but I actually started the writing process as a pre-teen. I wrote my first romance, filled with the typical clichés and corny romance. It’s still in a drawer somewhere. I didn’t seriously consider writing until much later. My first published book was a paranormal romance.

Q: Out of all the stories you’ve written, which is your favorite?
A: I’d have to say I have two favorites. The Things You Think You Want, a romantic comedy published through Samhain Publishing has a lot of me in it. The story is about a small town girl going to the big city but she never leaves her small town roots behind. There are some very tender, touching moments from my life in there. My second favorite story is Don’t Close Your Eyes, a romantic suspense thriller that has a touch of paranormal. I love this story because it reunites two lovers who had thought they’d lost each other forever.

Q: Do you need to be in a specific place or atmosphere before the words flow?

A: No, I can write just about anywhere. Usually on my couch with my laptop. But the story itself simmers for a while in my head before it comes to life.

Q: What’s the strangest source of inspiration you’ve found for a story?
A: Lots of authors say this, but I still think it’s odd that most of my ideas come to me in dreams. Weird.

Q: If you could offer one tidbit of information for new writers, what would it be? Read the rest of this entry »

It’s new like the post below that really makes me wish I lived elsewhere.

The Washington Post is reporting on a change in state hiring policy enacted by new Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell.Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell has signed an executive order barring discrimination in the state workforce on grounds that include race, sex, religion and age, but not sexual orientation.

Previous governors included sexual orientation.

There really is no way to translate this action other than that McDonnell believes that sexual orientation, in and of itself, can and should be used as a sole cause for firing state employees or denying promotion. This action by their governor is an open invitation for supervisors or managers to fire or demote employees. And it is likely to happen.

But what is even more likely to occur is abuse, harassment, and antagonizing of gay people. If a coworker calls someone a “damn pervert”, that’s not going to be punished. If the morning meeting is started by a daily f*ggot joke, there’s no recourse. If a state employee shares how they lost the paperwork of the “flaming queen in my line” to gales of laughter, that will not be illegal discrimination. And posting big signs quoting Leviticus or “protecting marriage” will not be an indication of a hostile workplace.

How can there be any respect or consideration, any objection to abuse, if the official state policy is “it’s OK to fire the queers!!”

http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/

For those who have been patiently waiting for news on the last book in the Reckless series, I finally have an update and good news for you all. The manuscript is finished and submitted to my editor. It’s much longer than the other stories, coming in at about 40k.

While I’m thrilled to have completed Milo and Cam’s story, I’m a little sad to see the series come to an end. I’ve really enjoyed writing about all the guys in the Reckless universe. 

Today marks the beginning of my March contest. I know, before anyone states the obvious, that it’s not March yet, but I’m hoping it gets here quick. What can I say, I’m tired of snow and ready for some warmer weather.

To enter to win the Hummer H2 gift set pictured above, please leave a comment on this blog post. I’ll draw a winner on March 15th and announce their name here on my blog.

I’ve donated an autographed copy of Daywalker Legacy for Romance Junkies annual Valentine’s Day contest.

The main contest page is here: http://www.romancejunkies.com/contests.html

You can find my giveaway for the contest here: http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjvalentinescontest/AmandaYoung.html

You only have until March 31st to enter, so make sure you check it out soon and throw your name into the hat to win a ton of great prizes.

Please welcome Julia Knight to the blog, author of Ilfayne’s Bane and Love is My Sin. Thank you for agreeing to answer my nosy questions and share them with everyone visiting today.

Thanks for having me!

Q: To begin, please share which genre(s) you write in…
A: Well I get ideas for all sorts – but my first love is fantasy, with generous helpings of romance.

Q: How long did you write before you received your first contract for publication?
A: About three years – not all that long really! When I got my first acceptance I thought it was one of my friends playing a prank *laughs*

Q: Out of all the stories you’ve written, which is your favorite?
A: My new one Love Is My Sin, so far. I learnt so much in the editing process for Ilfayne’s Bane and that all translated into a stronger book the second time around. Besides I’m a sucker for my hero….He’s a rather intense, noble sort of chap, and that always makes me swoon

Q: Do you need to be in a specific place or atmosphere before the words flow?
A: Not really – though I find inspiration always strikes more when I’m somewhere I can’t write it down. Then I have to try and remember it till I can find a pen. At work they’re used to me running up shouting ‘Pen! Pen!’ and they keep a notebook handy for me too.

Q: What’s the strangest source of inspiration you’ve found for a story? Read the rest of this entry »

Join me for a chat today at Somethin’ ’bout a Sunday. I’ll be there from 11am on, chatting about my books, upcoming projects, and who knows what else. I’m sure there will be a contest or two in there somewhere for the nice folks who stop by to keep me company. ;D

So, don’t be shy. If there’s a question you’ve been burning to ask me, now’s your chance to swing by and ask away.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RomanticSuspense_/

Please welcome Jeanne St. James to the blog, author of Banged Up, Rip Cord and Double Dare. Thank you for agreeing to answer my nosy questions and share them with everyone visiting today.

Q: To begin, please share which genre(s) you write in…
A: I write erotic contemporary romance: male/female, male/male and male/male/female. Though my Phaze release Rip Cord is a m/m erotic novella with a “happy for now” ending. It’s not a romance per se.

Q: How long did you write before you received your first contract for publication?
A: YEARS! I’ve been writing since I’ve been about 13 years old. I’m now 41. However, I only started submitting to publishers in fall of 2008 and contracted my first release (Banged Up) within 6 months. And within 6 months after that had contracted two more stories.

Q: Out of all the stories you’ve written, which is your favorite?
A: It’s hard to pick! If I have to pick, I’ll pick Double Dare, since it was a blast to write since it was my first ménage a trios story.

Q: Do you need to be in a specific place or atmosphere before the words flow?
A: Yes, I need to be on my laptop, not my desktop computer and I like to be in my living room recliner. And I am more creative in the evening.

Q: What’s the strangest source of inspiration you’ve found for a story? Read the rest of this entry »