In the Author Spotlight: Karen Michelle Nutt

Cate: Please welcome Karen Michelle Nutt. Karen, will you please share a short bio with us?
Karen: I live in California with my husband, three fascinating children, four dogs, three cats and a guinea pig. Jack, my Chihuahua/Yorkshire terrier is such a sweet pooch. He’s my writing buddy and sits long hours with me at the computer.
Time Travels have been a passion of mine. I have always been intrigued with the possibility of being able to reach back in time and change the past. Common sense says influencing the past isn’t impossible, but I can’t help but wonder: What if I can?
Vampires, shape shifters and Fallen Angels embrace my darker side, where their worlds intertwine with ours.

Cate: Tell us about your latest release and where it's available.
Karen: I have a new fallen angels series in the works: Warriors For the Light. All stories will be released in e-book formats and Print. Eli’s story is the first and is available at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/tags-on-product/B003V4B48O/ref=tag_dpp_cust_edpp_sa
There is a legend passed on from generation to generation among the Fallen. If one of the brethrens finds their true soul mate, they’ll not suffer damnation, but shall find eternal happiness. They are known as the Warriors For the Light.
The humans have a legend, too. A brush of an angel’s wing is a blessing, a binding of their love. Her life will be his and his will be hers, forevermore.

Cate: Sounds incredible. Please tantalize us with a story blurb or excerpt.
Karen: Eli is being tried by the Elders for breaking the rules and forming a relationship with a human. He didn’t go easily and is banged up a bit and his hands are bound.
Eli turned back to face the elders. “If one of the brethren finds their true soul mate, they’ll not suffer damnation, but shall find eternal happiness. We all know the legend and I believe it’s true. I won’t give her up.”
“No?” Chaz turned on him. “You say no. You have no choice. You stay away from the human or we will strike her down, then we’ll deal with you.”
“There can be another way,” Elder Lailah said, using her power to calm the room. Warmth bathed Eli and his limbs relaxed. Even Chaz seemed calm as he looked at her and she continued. “On Ol’ Hallow’s Eve, the veil between worlds is thin and all beings may walk the same path, be them preternatural or human. Ole Hallow’s Eve is today. Eli has broken no rules this day.”
“You twist the rules to save him, dear wife, but what of tomorrow? What of next week?” Chaz lifted his hands. “What say you to that?”
Elder Lailah’s lips curved. Obviously, she had an answer. “He says the female loves him. Perhaps glamour did not play a part in the affair and the human was drawn to Eli’s arresting dark looks and his engaging wit. Let’s see if what he says holds true. Bind his glamour and send him back with only his human attributes at work. Send him to a time before she knew who he was.” She lifted her slim shoulders in a shrug and sat back in her seat, meeting Eli’s gaze. “See if she falls in love with him without the magic of his gift. If her soul recognizes him, then his life with her was never a lie.”
Bind his glamour? That meant they would bind his wings. Eli’s mouth felt suddenly dry. He’d be defenseless as a human, too, but if he could be with her it would be worth the sacrifice. He straightened his back with resolve. “I’ll do it.”
Chaz paced as he thought over what Lailah suggested. The elder never made rash judgments and wouldn’t be rushed now. The crowd surprisingly was quiet. It was as if all held their breath for the final say of his fate.
Chaz finally stood still, his gaze pinning him down with a fierce look. He had the feeling the elder would much rather kill him than deal with what he felt would be a farce. Chaz glanced at his wife, his features softening for a moment. His eyelids closed, the thick lashes were surprisingly dark against his skin when his hair on his head was a light shade of bronzed gold. When he opened his eyes again, the decision was made. His gaze narrowed in on Eli once more. “So be it.” With a wave of his hand, magic poured from his fingertips and landed on him, bathing him with warmth. The binds around his wrists vanished. Bones knitted together, bruises faded, making him whole.
Eli stood and spread his dove colored wings wide, testing them. He looked at the elder with a raised brow, confused to why the elder healed him.
“That is all the favor you shall receive,” Chaz told him. “From now on there will be no healing yourself in an instant from major injuries. You will have no powers.”
“I thought you were going to take my wings.” He probably shouldn’t have pointed out that fact, but his tongue obviously didn’t know when to keep quiet.
Chaz’s lips curved, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Oh but I am. Remove your shirt so I may see your wings where they’re attached to your flesh. There can be no human concealments for the binding ritual.”
Eli swallowed the lump in the back of his throat and did as he was told. He dropped his T-shirt at his feet and stood straight, his gaze focused in front of him. Chaz circled around him, his fingers caressing his newly healed wings. “Are you sure?” He stood close and his words only reached his ears, giving him one last chance to change his mind.
He found happiness in Ryden’s arms and he knew he gave her joy, too. For him there was no choice but to accept the challenge the elders put before him. He nodded. “Yes, I am sure.”
Chaz sighed and shook his head. “So be it then.” He stepped behind him and the ancient words left his lips to the rhythm of a Gregorian chant.
Blinding pain exploded from Eli’s shoulder blades, sweeping down to his lower back and nausea rose in his throat, threatening to choke him. Staggering, he went down, falling to his knees with his hands on the floor bracing him. Oh God, he was going to die. His wings were melting into his skin and the burning flesh hit his nostrils with the sickening scent. He lifted his head to the heavens and let out a deep guttural cry for mercy.

Cate: Wow, that was great. What inspired you to write about the theme?
Karen: The Dead Sea Scrolls were the inspiration for The Warriors for the Light series. I was intrigued with The Book of Enoch. It’s about the Fallen Angels called the Grigori or Watchers. Of course all my tales are a figment of my imagination and I leaned toward a more romantic view for them.

Cate: Very cool. How do you develop your plots and characters?
Karen: I like to have a background for my characters. For my fallen angels, they didn’t fall from heaven and lose their wings like some of the more traditional stories betray them. They are the Grigori/Watchers, the half-human, half-angel beings. In my stories the Watchers are shifters. They can walk among us in their human form, but have the capability to shift into their more angelic form with wings and all.

Cate: Do you feel as if the characters live with you as you write? Do they haunt your dreams?
Karen: When I’m writing the story, they do. Sometimes, I have a difficult time falling asleep because the characters are anxious to be heard. lol

Cate: What's next for you?
Karen: I’m working on Lucca’s story for the Warriors for the Light Series. He’s the villain in Eli’s book so he has a lot to atone for in his tale.

Cate: Any other published works?
Karen: Time Travel Romances: Creighton Manor, A Twist of Fate, At the Stroke of Midnight, and Lost in the Mist of Time
Otherworldly: Moon Shifter (werewolves), Autumn Moon (Vampires), Destiny’s Prerogative (were-jaguars)
Short stories: Second Time Around Anthology: The Spirit of Love is my ghostly tale with a twist.
Black Donald’s Coin, A Heart of Warrior, Shattered Illusions
Coming soon: A Sensual Halloween Collection, my story is “Legend of Tempest Gate Cemetery”

Cate: What’s the most challenging aspect of writing? Most rewarding?
Karen: The most challenging is finding time to write and staying focused. I have a day job, husband, kids and very spoiled pets to keep me busy. The Internet and the yahoo groups lure me away from my writing, too. Lol
The most rewarding is when a reader tells me how much they enjoyed one of my stories.

Cate: Whew! You are one busy lady. :)
Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What are you reading now?
Karen: Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander Series is my favorite time travel novels. I love J.R. Ward’s books (Black Dagger Brotherhood series.) Gotta love the brothers. The Olympians by Guy Bolton. This is a poignant love story between the poet Percy Shelley and Mary Godwin. Unfortunately, I believe it’s out of print. The copy I have was printed in 1961. It was a Library discard, but a treasure to me. Stress of her Regard by Tim Powers is another favorite. A man wakes up to find his bride murdered and seeks help from his friends who happen to be the poets Lord Byron and Percy Shelly. The author weaves the poets’ writings into the book as if their poems were true accounts of their experiences with the lamia (vampire type creature.) Definitely a chilling adventure. I could go on and on. There are so many authors’ works I love. I have six overflowing bookshelves to prove it. lol

Cate: Where can you be found on the web?
Karen: You can find me at: www.kmnbooks.com
http://kmnbooks.blogspot.com or of course I’m on facebook (under Karen Michelle Nutt), myspace and Twitter (KMNBooks).

Cate: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
Karen: What are your favorite paranormal tales you can’t get enough of? Do love Vamps? Werewolves? Shifters? Angels? Dragons? If you could become any paranormal being, which one would you choose and why?

Cate: Readers, Karen is giving away a copy of Eli to a random commenter... so start commenting. Karen will draw the winner’s name, notify the winner and post the winner’s name here.

Thanks for being my guest, Karen! Best of luck with all your projects.

Last chance to enter the RJ Summer Contest!

It's almost the end of August! Hard to believe, but it's here. That means only a few days left to enter the Romance Junkies summer contest!.

I'm giving away a print copy of Fever Dreams and a beaded book thong, like the one shown below.



Here's the trailer for Fever Dreams, which the Pen and Muse called "a well-written contemporary novel that delves into the emotional journey of a woman deeply entrenched in a life headed nowhere. When Diana met Cal at her new place of employment she was thrust into a world of dark dreams and intense attraction. Two very flawed people come together in passion that can’t be denied and take you along on an unsuspected path where the line between love and obsession get very blurry."

Last day at Desert Island Keepers and at Kelly Harmon's

Like all great getaways, my stay at Desert Island Keepers has come to an end. It's been wonderful! For the last day, I'm whisking you away to my dream destination. Come find out what it is - comment for a chance to win a PDF of Going with Gravity.

I'm also at the wonderful Kelly Harmon's blog - hope you'll pop over for a visit!

Day 2 getaway: a little-known Florida locale

Stop by the Desert Island Keepers blog to hang out in Weeki Wachee, Florida, home of the famous Weeki Wachee mermaids. It's also the setting for my contemporary fantasy, Surfacing. Comment for a chance to win a print copy!

More discussions about backstory and research

Today, the wonderful bloggers at Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem are opening their blog to me to discuss how music can influence stories. It's certainly been a big influence on my life, so I can't help but include it in stories. I hope you'll pop over and share your thoughts! The title of that blog alone conjures many images, doesn't it?

I also start a three-day stay at Desert Island Keepers. Ahh, when you see that blog header, you'll know why I'm there. So pull up a hammock, grab an umbrella drink and join me there.

Over at the Book Boost today

The Book Boost kindly opened their blog to me today. I'm discussing how to build a character from the inside out. How do you construct your characters? Come over and share your secrets!

Writing tips from Meg Cabot and Debbie Macomber

Meg Cabot – On Writing in general:



Debbie Macomber describes her writing process:

Over at CJ's today

Hey, have you ever visited CJ Gabriel's blog? It's very cool! And today, I get to play over there. I hope you'll come over and play too! CJ's interview was lots of fun.

Writing tips from Neil Gaiman and Ray Bradbury

It's great to get tips from writing greats, especially in their own words.

Neil Gaiman's advice for aspiring writers:



Ray Bradbury on writing persistently (and more importantly, for yourself):

Jennifer Wilck in the Author Spotlight

Cate: Please welcome Jennifer Wilck. Jennifer, will you please share a short bio with us?
Jennifer: When I was a little girl and couldn’t fall asleep, my mother would tell me to make up a story. Pretty soon, my head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Each character had a specific personality, a list of likes and dislikes, and sometimes, even a specific accent or dialect. Even as an adult, I think about the characters and stories at night before I fall asleep, or in the car on my way to or from one of my daughters’ numerous activities (hey, anything that will drown out their music is a good thing).

One day, I started writing them down (it was either that or checking into the local mental hospital—the computer was way less scary) and five years later, I’ve gotten two book contracts from Whiskey Creek Press. A Heart of Little Faith came out in June; Skin Deep is coming out in November.

In the real world, I’m the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men I know. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, traveling and watching TV. In between chauffeuring my daughters to after-school activities that require an Excel spreadsheet to be kept straight, I serve on our Temple Board, train the dog we adopted from a local shelter, and cook dinners that fit the needs of four very different appetites. I also write freelance articles for magazines, newspapers, and edit newsletters.

When all of that gets overwhelming, I retreat to my computer, where I write stories that let me escape from reality. In my made-up world, the heroines are always smart, sassy and independent. The heroes are handsome and strong with just a touch of vulnerability. If I don’t like a character, I can delete him or her; if something doesn’t work, I can rewrite it. It’s very satisfying to be in control of at least one part of my life. My inspiration comes from watching the people around me and fantasizing about how I’d do things differently.

Cate: Congrats on both releases! Tell us about A Heart of Little Faith and where it's available.
Jennifer: Lily Livingston is a widow raising her six-year-old daughter, Claire, in New York City. Devastated by her husband’s death three years ago, she’s in no hurry to fall in love again. Besides, trying to balance her career with motherhood leaves her little time for romance.

With a wheelchair instead of a white horse, and a vow against falling in love again as his armor, Gideon Stone is the last person Lily expects to sweep her off her feet. But when a business agreement forces the two of them together, that is exactly what happens.

As they navigate the minefield that fast represents their relationship, can either of them overcome the obstacles to find true happiness in each other’s arms? The answer is yes, but the bumps along the way demonstrate that neither of them can go it alone.

A Heart of Little Faith is Whiskey Creek Press’ #1 best seller for  the month of August and is available from:

Whiskey Creek Press: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=907

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005AK43T4/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=0436KA2BNJ6999AY1PRY&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470939291&pf_rd_i=507846

Fictionwise: http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/b124313/?si=0

Cate: Wonderful - congrats! Please tantalize us with a story blurb or excerpt.
Jennifer: Excerpt:

Gideon entered his sister’s crowded SoHo gallery in Manhattan and glanced at his watch. If he was lucky, he could make a quick appearance and leave. Garish paintings and semi-pornographic sculptures, coupled with snooty patrons and pseudo-intellectual artists, bored him. A mélange of overpowering perfumes blasted his olfactory nerves and he grimaced as he quickly tried to breathe through his mouth. He’d only come to support Samantha, and with any luck she’d be too busy with potential buyers to do anymore than register his presence, leaving him free to make a hasty exit. In the meantime, he needed to find something to eat before he starved to death.

Across the room he spied black-clad catering staff and made his way around half walls and columns to check out their offerings. At least he thought they were catering staff. With black continuing to be the customary dress code of New York art patrons, he could never be too sure. Still, silver platters were sure to give them away. Before he’d gotten halfway across the converted warehouse, a waitress materialized in front of him, offering champagne and scallops wrapped in bacon. Pendulum lights from above glinted on the crystal glasses, and the smoky scent made his mouth water. He snagged a glass of champagne and two scallops, and popped one immediately into his mouth. The ice cold glass chilled his fingers and provided a welcome relief from the warmth of the overcrowded room. The scallop melted in his mouth, leaving the taste of crisp bacon for him to savor. A little bit of heaven.

He saw Samantha and made his way over, past old gentlemen sitting on oversized ottomans comparing notes, willow-thin women chatting about the Hamptons and a few art students staring at the scene with longing. He waited until she noticed him. They said their hellos quickly, and she apologized as another group of people swept her away. He nodded his understanding and, with his duty complete, headed back the way he’d come.

He’d gone about twenty-five feet when something caught his attention. Surrounded by movement — the friction caused by the artist’s use of flashy, contrasting colors against stark white canvas, the undulating positions of the sculptures, or the constant swaying of people in the room — her stillness drew his eye. All other sights and sounds disappeared as he approached her. He no longer heard the chatter and laughter around him. His vision tunneled and all surrounding sights disappeared into a fog. His ears picked up only the sound of her fingernails tapping the crystal goblet and magnified it until her tapping became the beat of a song for him alone. The jasmine scent of her perfume floated toward him and made him think of summer vacations in a tropical paradise. Distracted by her, he didn’t notice those around him trying to get out of his way.

She stood motionless in front of a painting. The spotlight above illuminated her brown hair, turning it a fiery red tinged with gold, her skin a luminous peach. Her blouse, made of some gauzy material he couldn’t name, but longed to touch, draped gracefully over her shoulders and down her back. With the lights pouring down on her, he could just see the outline of her body. The barely there whisper of an outline attracted him more than any wet T-shirt ever could. Her black-flared pants hugged her hips the way he once had held a woman, gently but firmly.

He stared at her, bedazzled. He only intended to look for a moment, but she turned around and met his eyes. Caught red-handed he contemplated turning around, but that would be cowardly. He couldn’t continue to stare at her without appearing either moronic or rude, especially since he hated when people stared at him. He inhaled and tried to muster up a smile, when another man approached her. Breaking their gaze, she turned and smiled at him. Gideon inched closer. He heard her engage the other man in casual conversation before she gently excused herself. As the other man walked off, she turned back to Gideon and smiled. Her green cat eyes pierced his soul and made him believe she could see right through him. He continued to watch her, entranced.

“Hasn’t anyone taught you it’s impolite to stare?”

Struck by the irony of her question, he burst into warm laughter and shook her outstretched hand. Her soft cool hand fit completely within his hard, callused one and he closed his other hand over hers. He felt the delicate veins beneath her skin, her pulse beating in her wrist and wished to prolong the skin-on-skin contact for as long as possible. Reluctantly, he let it go. 

“I’m Gideon.”

“Lily.”

“Are you a fan?”

Lily stared at him blankly for a moment and blinked quickly. “Oh, of the artist’s?” She turned once more to look at the painting, tilting her head to the right. “Not exactly. He’s a little too…”

“Much? Bright? Vulgar?”

Lily laughed. “I see you’re a huge fan. No, maybe, I don’t know. The colors are cheery, if only maybe there weren’t so many. But looking at it does brighten my mood.”

“Bad day at work?”

“Terrible. But why are you here if you don’t like the artist?”

Gideon turned and pointed to Samantha on the other side of the room. “She’s my sister.”

Lily raised her eyebrows as she looked over at the gallery owner.

“Oh, Samantha’s my best friend. I didn’t realize you were her brother. So I guess she roped you into this too?”

He sat back and gave her what he hoped was a relaxed grin. “Brotherly duty, or some such nonsense. Apparently I pulled one too many pigtails as a child and this is my penance.”

Lily laughed. She has a great laugh, he thought. It lit up her whole face. “Samantha had pigtails?”

The two of them turned to look at Samantha, currently sporting short and spiky jet-black hair, with small rhinestone barrettes scattered throughout. “You’ll have to fill me in more later,” Lily added, as she stifled a yawn.

“What, is it my stimulating conversation, or these garish paintings that bores you?” Gideon asked, one eyebrow raised.

Lily apologized. “I’m sorry. I had a long day at work and I’m exhausted. I wasn’t even going to come, but Samantha begged.”

“She tends to do that. I’ve told her it isn’t a pleasing trait, but why should she listen to me? I’m only her big brother.”

Find out more about Samantha’s big brother in A Heart of Little Faith, available from Whiskey Creek Press this month! Part of the proceeds from the sales of the book will be donated to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

Cate: Can you tell us why we're going to love your hero?
Jennifer: Gideon is strong and fiercely independent, yet he has a soft side that he shows to those he loves. He adores children and is a role model to them. He’s stubborn, but admits when he’s wrong (although not as quickly as Lily would like). He finds ways to take care of Lily without making her feel weak or needy. He keeps in mind how he feels when people treat him like he’s helpless and strives not to make that mistake with others. Oh, and he’s gorgeous too! ;)

Cate: Sounds like a great hero. :) Tease us with one little thing about your fictional world that makes it different from others.
Jennifer: You mean aside from the fact that everyone lives happily ever after? The world itself is similar to ours, just more perfect. Lily and Gideon are both looking for a savior, although they don’t realize it at first. They both learn that that which we perceive as a weakness can sometimes be our greatest strength.

Cate: What's next for you?
Jennifer: I have another book, Skin Deep, coming out from Whiskey Creek Press, in November. And I’m working on another romance, with a Jewish theme, but that’s still in the draft phase.

Cate: What inspired you to draft your first story?
Jennifer: Honestly, I have no idea. I was watching TV and just got an idea for a story, so when the show ended, I went to my computer and started writing. The show was CSI, and my story has nothing to do with forensics or murder or anything like that. I think I just liked the look of one of the guest stars.

Cate: Do you have a writing routine?
Jennifer: I try to, but I’m a mom, so my routine changes constantly. Ideally, I try to write in the afternoons before the kids come home from school, but that doesn’t always work. I usually work on my blog and critique partner’s work on Mondays and leave the rest of my week for my WIP. And if I need more time, my family is pretty supportive and tries to give me time on the weekends. But one of the things I like about writing is that it gives me the flexibility to do other things as needed, like volunteer in my kids’ schools, etc.

Cate: Where can readers find you on the web?
Jennifer:  I love hearing from readers! They can find me at my website, www.jenniferwilck.com; my blogs—Fried Oreos www.jenniferwilck.wordpress.com and Heroines With Hearts (contributor) www.heroineswithhearts.blogspot.com or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Wilck/201342863240160.

Cate: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
Jennifer: Yes, I’d love to know what is it about a book that makes them unable to put it down.

Cate: Great question. Readers, Jennifer is giving away a book to a random commenter... so start commenting. She'll pick a winner on Saturday, August 27 and announce the winner here.

Thanks so much for being my guest, Jennifer! Best of luck to you.

Blogging and a giveaway today

Join me at Erin O'Riordan's Pagan Spirits Blog this weekend - leave a comment for your chance to win your choice of any of my three recent Eternal Press releases: Fever Dreams, Winning (which is currently in the top 10 bestsellers at EP's Fictionwise page - woo hoo!) and Follow the Stars Home, my Native American historical.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 23!

On Saturday, October 23, 2010, The Friends of Bosler Library will host Celebrate the Book, a Central Pennsylvania Book Festival at the Carlisle Expo Center. It's going to be a great even, bringing together the community and authors to promote literacy.

The festival will feature scheduled authors, children’s book illustrators, and book vendors. John Grogan, author of Marley & Me, is the main speaker. There is so much more — check out their website at www.celebratethebook.org to see the program.

I will be at a booth with my books, including my latest fantasy novel Surfacing, and my Native American historical with local ties to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, Follow the Stars Home. I'll also have copies of One Soul for Sale, Picture This and Fever Dreams. Hope to see you there!

In the Author Spotlight: Diane Scott Lewis

Cate: Please welcome Diane Scott Lewis. Diane, will you please share a short bio with us?
Diane: Hi, Cate, I’m thrilled to be your guest today. I am an ex-navy radioman (woman) and write book reviews for the Historical Novels Review and worked at The Wild Rose Press from 2007 to 2010 as a historical editor. I served as president of the Riverside Writers, a chapter of the Virginia Writers Club, inc. from 2007 to 2008.

Cate: Tell us about The False Light and where it's available.
Diane: My debut novel, The False Light, was released in April this year by Eternal Press. The reviews have been wonderful, and I won the CTRR award from Coffee Time Romance.
Here is a blurb: Fleeing the French Revolution, Bettina Jonquiere struggles to survive in a remote Cornish village, discover the secret behind her father's death, while attracted to a man who may have murdered his wife.
The ebook is available from www.eternalpress.biz, and the paper back from www.amazon.com

Cate: Very exciting! Congrats! Please tantalize us with a story blurb or excerpt.
Diane: (My heroine confronts a man who has taunted her at the inn where she works)
“Who are you?” Bettina tried not to squirm in the saddle. “What do you know about my family?”
“I seek information to do with your father. You were not easy to find, hiding in this remote place. But I am the best, as you see.” He reached out and grabbed her horse’s reins below the bit. “Let us ride elsewhere to talk.”
“You ask me here. I will not go with you.” Bettina jerked on the reins. She ached to know anything about her father, but fear soared up in her like a whoosh of icy wind. “Let go of my horse.”
The Hunter laughed again, a nasty croak like the malignant toad he resembled might emit. He pulled her gelding toward the bushes.
“Here, we will stay here! Tell me about my father!” She yanked on the leather, her hands stinging. “You cannot steal my horse!”
He nodded and continued to drag her mount along. Bracken scratched at her legs. Bettina jerked up her skirt, swung her left leg over the pommel and slid off Shevall’s right side. She stumbled when she hit the dirt, but lurched up.
The Hunter frowned and looked about to dismount.
Bettina rushed into the woods. She’d made a serious blunder in seeking him out alone, with no weapon or aid. Her skirts hiked to her knees, she jumped over brush and darted around trees and over gullies.
Out of breath and dizzy, she saw the back of the Camborne barn and stables, the rear of the estate.
After a dash over the low hills, she passed a cemetery knoll, flew across the clearing and ran to the rear door of Bronnmargh. She pounded her fist on the kitchen door, gasping for breath. She had to find help.
The door creaked open and she flung herself inside, propelled by fury.
Hands grabbed her.

Cate: Whew! Compelling. Can you tell us why we're going to love your hero?
Diane: Everett is a strong, hard-working man who took in his orphaned nephew out of compassion. But he’s damaged by his cruel experience with marriage, until he meets my heroine and he reveals a passionate heart.

Cate: Tease us with one little thing about your fictional world that makes it different from others.
Diane: Though it is fiction, I try to research the day-to-day lives and history of the era to ground my stories in their time-period. In other words, the gritty truth, not the idealized version you see in so many novels. People didn’t bathe much in the 18th century, and I show the struggle of the poorer classes.

Cate: What's next for you?
Diane: I’ve finished revising a novel, Elysium, that takes place on the remote island of St. Helena during Napoleon’s exile. I throw a fictional heroine into the French entourage who will change the accepted course of history. I’m very excited about it.
I’m also working on my sequel to The False Light.

Cate: What inspired you to draft your first story?
Diane: watching historical movies inspired my interest in the past. Then I’d read books about the different eras and think of myself living in those times and what I’d do, how I’d manage. I love inserting someone in a strange place and seeing what she does to cope and rise above the struggles.

Cate: Do you have a writing routine?
Diane: I try to write early in the morning, sometimes I rise at 5 a.m. That seems to be my more productive time, 5 to about 1p.m-when I can manage it around family obligations!

Cate: Where can readers find you on the web?
Diane: Please visit my website where I discuss other books I’m working on:
www.dianescottlewis.com.

Cate: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
Diane: What compels you to purchase books? If you purchase my book, please contact me through my website and let me know what you enjoyed about the story.
I’ll give a free PDF of my book to a random commenter, and pick the winner on August 21st around 3 p.m. EST.

Cate: You heard Diane - don't miss your chance to read this exciting novella!
Thanks for being my guest, Diane. Best of luck with all your projects.

Author Chat with Lorraine Carey

Hi, Lorraine! So glad to have you at Author Chat, where we can learn a little bit about you, and your book.

Grab a cappuccino and let’s chat. Unless you have another favorite drink (alcoholic or otherwise)?

I always grab my Earl Grey hot tea and maybe a scone or 2!

I'm more of a tea person too. Fur or feathers, petwise?

Fur, for sure! I am a dog lover and Iove cats, too!

Sounds like my house. :) Any pet peeves? One thing that really burns your biscuits?

One of my pet peeves are those people at the grocery store or any store for that matter, that will stand in the middle of the aisle and not move even when you politely say in a nice voice-“Excuse me”- well EXCUSE ME!

Grocery shopping's the bane of my existence! Favorite quote?

My favorite quote is “Success is not a place at which one arrives but rather the spirit which one undertakes and continues the journey” - Alex Noble

Love that. What’s your ideal day like?

My ideal day is cruising on our boat Angelica with my hubby and stopping at Kaibo beach for a nice lunch.

Oo, may I tag along? :) If you could live out any fantasy, what would you do?

If I could live out any fantasy- well I’ll tell you this is a good one-I am a fairy floating over a field of tall grass and colorful scented flowers where I  flitter in  and out of each one. Work with me here  - please; I mean - have you read my novel?

Beethoven, Beatles, Foo Fighters or Keith Urban?

Probably Keith Urban if I had to choose out of the 3. I do like Country but I prefer Smooth Jazz and Eighties Classics.

Do you have a music playlist for your book?

I have not set up a playlist as of yet, but I do know Landslide by Stevie Nicks will be the first.

Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why?

I would love to invite my mother and father to dinner if that were possible. I would give anything to have them back for at least five minutes.  Dottie Satters would be the least likely to be invited as she hounded me during my working days and off and always left me drained afterwards.

That sounds lovely. I'd love to have my parents back for awhile too. While creating your books, what was one of the most surprising things you learned?

While creating books, I have learned that different environments will bring on different results - such as listening to sad music will reflect in my sensitive word choice, as upbeat music will often create an upbeat tone. I was grieving while writing Losing Ground, and it shows!

Where can readers find out more about you?

Readers can follow me on these sites:

Blog http://lorrainecarey.wordpress.com/lorraine-carey/

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Losing-Ground/131761960234894

Twitter  Twitter@LosingGround1.com

Email losinggroundbook@gmail.com

Website is still in progress!

Enjoy the Journey!

Please share a book blurb and/or excerpt.

Blurb: How could it take years to realize why my life was following a  strange cyclical pattern? Why did it take so many years to learn who I was and that I had Guides and Angels who were there always for me? Maybe it took real tragedy and  a trip down the rabbit hole to realize I was about to come ‘Full Circle.’

You may shed a few tears and get a few chills as I share my deep emotions with you! Find out how not only I but my soul mate and spouse is catapulted into this world of the Paranormal!

Thanks for chatting, Lorraine! Best of luck to you.