I've been interviewed by the lovely Sharon Donovan over at her blog. Come and visit, with Sharon, you never quite know what's going to happen - and I hear she has a dishy new butler!

http://sharondonovan.blogspot.com/

New review for 'Dancing With Fate

Hard on the heels of a great review for 'Children Of The Mist', I received this one yesterday for my story in the series 'Song Of The mUses' 'Dancing With Fate'.

"Hywela Lyn has packed enough adventure into Dancing with Fate to rival a full length novel. I am a huge fan of stories of Camlot and the famed King Arthur and Merlin so I was especially intrigued by the connection between those tales and this book. What a fascinating and creative take on the origins of Merlin we find in Dancing with Fate. "

(c) Kelley A. Hartsellck2skwipsandkritiques

You can read the whole review here:

http://www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com/kelley/2009/dancingwithfate_kelley.html

Monday's Word

Weird Words: Titivil

A useful little creature for fantasy writers!

According to Michael Quinion*:

"Paul Harvey in 1938, wrote in The Oxford Companion to English Literature that “Titivil was evidently in origin a creation of monastic wit.”

"A titivil was a very specific kind of tale-bearer. He was a devil whose job was to collect up the fragments of words or phrases that monks skipped or mumbled while they were reciting divine service. He took them down to Hell, where they were logged against the offender. " A good way of ensuring the Monks took their prayers seriously! Michael Quinion goes on to say: "Titivil escaped from the cloisters into the medieval mystery plays and from there into the colloquial language as a mischievous tale-bearer or more generally a ne’er-do-well or scoundrel. He vanished from common usage around the beginning of the seventeenth century and this is among his last appearances."

Well I predict Titivil might be about to reappear. After all for we fantasy romance writers, there always has to be a 'fly in the ointment' a 'bad guy' who comes between the hero and heroine.

*Thanks to Michael Quinion of WORLD WIDE WORDS. World Wide Words is copyright (c) Michael Quinion 2009. All rights reserved. The Words Web site is at http://www.worldwidewords.org


By the way, I'd like to thank everyone who voted for 'Children Of The Mist' for 'Book Of The Week' at LASR. I was 'pipped to the post' and came second, so not too disappointed, although the 'best book' award woud have been the icing on the cake. With such a fantastic review though, I'm well pleased, but I do appreciate everyone who was kind enough to vote. There's still time to vote for the covey cover award, if you've a mind too, I'd love my cover artist, Tamra to be rewarded for my lovely cover.

'Best Book' Rating for 'Children Of The Mist'

I just received my second review for this book - from The Long and the Short of It romance Reviews. Wow! Not just a five star review, but 'best book' rating!It's also in the running for the 'Book Of The week ' Award'. The winning author gets a nifty button and the privilege of having their book or story featured at the top of that page the entire next week!
http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/recentrev.htm

(voting runs from Saturday, 7/25, through Sunday, 7/26).I had to read this latest review twice for it to sink in. moment, I'd love you to check it out - and if you're minded to vote for it at the site, you'd have my undying gratitude. (Sorry, I know I've also asked for your vote for the Covey cover contest, but I am so thrilled by this review and to make book of the week would be the icing on the cake!)
Thanks so much,

Lyn

'Children Of The Mist' available HERE

Interview with Emma Lai

I am so happy to welcome Emma Lai here today. Welcome Emma, tell us a little about yourself.

I’ve sampled many professions and industries in the last decade or so…administrative assistant, electrical engineer, software designer, and project manager. They’ve all been satisfying in their own way, but nothing has inspired me like writing. I am a student of life and a lifetime student. Since I started school at age 5, there has only been four years of my adult life when I haven’t been taking classes. This month, I receive my Masters in International Relations, and I would love to pursue a Doctorate.

Wow, im-pressive! There has to be more to Emma Lai than work and study though, what do you do for fun when you're not writing?

Right now, my fun is limited to playing toss with my dogs, going to movies with my husband, reading, and preparing for baby. However, I love to travel and can’t wait until I get to brush my passport off again.

I'll bet! So when did you start writing?

Well, I’ve been writing work and school related papers for years, but I only started writing romances last year as a diversion. I’ve always been an avid reader and decided to start using the ideas I have, to write stories for my husband.

Aw, that's so sweet, Emma. I guess a lot of us start of by reading and then just have to write ourselves!What comes first: the plot or the characters?

I always start with a scene, but that one scene tells me a lot about the characters. I’m just a witness recording the events of their lives.

Please tell us about your latest release and what you think readers will enjoy about it.

His Ship, Her Fantasy is a short story coming from The Wild Rose Press on August 12. I think it will appeal to many different readers. Ones who like science fiction; sweet romance; a little mystery; a woman who knows what she wants out of life, but has to fight for it; and a man who knows how to protect his loved ones.

Here's the Blurb:

Ellie Woods is in love…with a ship. When an argument with the ship results in a bump on the head, she finds herself in the strong arms of Alastair. But who is he and where did he come from?

Alastair has loved Ellie from afar for years, but duty has kept him from revealing himself to her. When a grave threat reveals his true identity, he hopes that Ellie will choose reality over fantasy.

It certainly has my interest already. As you know I love science fiction and this sounds fascinating. What’s your writing process? Has it changed since writing your first book?

Most of my stories come to me in the small of night. It’s a struggle to hold onto them as I wake, but if I manage to then I hit the computer and don’t stop typing until I’ve captured the scene and the story that unfolds. I’ve had to do a little more planning since I started writing. His Ship, Her Fantasy is just the first in a series. As I write the rest of the series, I have to make sure I’m consistent. Plus, each successive story requires a little more research as the world of the Guardians unfolds.

Do you have a support system? Did you have a writing community? What valuable lessons have you learned from them?

I have a great support system, starting with my husband, who thought it was a great idea for me to take a year off to write and see where it went. The rest of my family has been supportive as well.

After I signed my first contract, I connected with other Houston area authors of The Wild Rose Press, and we’ve formed a little group…Roses of Houston. We meet at least once a month and talk about promo and story ideas. When I found out I was pregnant, another group of writers had just started MamaWriters. They’ve been great in helping me see how I can write and have a baby. Numerous other authors, to include yourself, have all been great in assisting me in getting my name out there through doing author interviews on my blog.What have I learned from everyone? More things than I can probably remember, at the moment. The most important thing I’ve learned is that you have to keep writing.

What is your personal definition of success?

Success is meeting whatever goals I set for myself. My goals continually change because the one thing I’ve learned is it doesn’t pay to be successful if you’re not happy in the process.

Emma has very kindly offered to give away a copy of my first novel 'Starquest' to someone who leaves a comment today. (If you've already read 'Starquest you can opt for one of my other two books instead.) That's really sweet of you Emma, thank you so much, it's been wonderful having you here today.

Please visit this blog on 12th August, when Emma's book is released, to find out more about ' Her Ship, Her Fantasy'.

Asking a favour

I try not to ask favours of my visitors too often - but this is kind of special.

I love the cover for 'Children Of The Mist', a sequel to my debut novel, Starquest. It was designed by Tamra Westberry

It's up for an award At The New Covey Cover Awards.

It would be a wonderful help in my promotion for me, as well as a great compliment to Tamra if it were to win. There are many beautiful covers there, but if you think it this should win, I would so appreciate your vote - it's #23 and this is the link:

http://thenewcoveycoverawards.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much

Lyn

AND THE WINNER IS.....

- MAGGIE TOUSSAINT

CONGRATLATIONS MAGGIE.
(Now be honest, you didn't know there was a contest, did you!) Sharon was really thrilled by all the lovely comments from everyone who stopped by yesterday and generously decided to hold a draw for a download of 'Echo Of A Raven'. Maggie's name was the one drawn out of John Travolta's trilby! (Well I think it was a trilby) Anyway, Maggie, if you can Email Sharon she'll get your download off to you.
Congratulations again!

SHARON DONOVAN

It's my great pleasure to welcome a lovely lady, who has beaten an obstacle many might find insurmountable, with her positive attitude. Sharon Donovan has penned several heartwarming and inspiring romances for White Rose Publishing, an imprint of The Wild Rose Press. I am proud to call this talented author, my friend, even though we have only met in cyberspace.

Let me tell you a little more about Sharon. She lives with her family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has certificates in both business and medical transcription. Before her writing career, she was a legal secretary in the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas where she prepared cases for judges in Domestic Relations.

Due to diabetic retinopathy, she lost her vision several years ago. Painting was her life, her passion. Devastated when she could no longer paint, she took classes in creative writing and memoir workshops. And a new dream resurrected. Today, instead of painting her pictures on canvas, Sharon paints her pictures with words.

Sharon, I'm honoured to have you as my guest today. Oh I see you've brought some freshly made blueberry muffins, how kind, they'll go well with this cup of Earl Grey I've just poured for you. I've already given a little of your background story. Tell us a bit more about yourself

First of all, thanks so much for having me today, Lyn. I’m a simple person with simple needs. I enjoy using my creative talents. Some of the things I like doing are cooking, learning about superstitions, especially gem stone myths and holiday traditions from around the world. I love children and animals and think both make the world a better place. As you know, the JDRF Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is my charity. My latest book, Echo of a Raven is about my struggles with diabetic retinopathy, a condition which causes fragile blood vessels to grow and rupture in the back of the eye and can lead to progressive blindness. Unfortunately, I developed this complication of diabetes and I am on a quest for the fight for a cure campaign. A portion of all proceeds from Echo of a Raven will be donated to JDRF. If I can prevent one child from living in fear of losing his or her vision, Echo of a Raven will be a smashing success.

That's wonderful, Sharon, and I'm sure everyone who reads this will join me in praying that your book will not only help those who read it, but that your generosity will help JDRF to achieve this goal. We'll come back to 'Echo Of A Raven' in a moment, but first let's find out a bit more about the 'real' Sharon Donovan. For instance, What do you do for fun when not writing?

I love to read. Before I lost my vision, I spent my free time painting and horseback riding As you know, art was my passion. Because of the terrible words a doctor said to me at the age of twelve, “You’ll be blind by time you’re twenty-five,” I lived in constant fear of losing my vision. These harsh words echoed in my head always, and the only time I was able to escape them was through my painting. No more heartache. No more pain. Peace and tranquility. And when I put my paint brush down, I went horseback riding in the hills of Pennsylvania. There was nothing more invigorating than galloping through the hills at full speed with the wind whipping in my face. And when I could no longer do either, my world went dark. Devastated, I enrolled in a 16 week program for the blind and visually impaired where I learned mobility, how to deal with anger issues and the use of a computer with adaptive software, changing text to synthesized speech. And after a long and winding road, a new dream resurrected. Writing. I love it and it’s great therapy and a whole lot cheaper than a shrink. LOL!

Oh you're so right about that, Sharon. Writing is great therapy, even if only as an escapism from the day to day routine most authors have to fit into their busy lives. I can relate to what you say about how amazing it is to gallop flat out on a horse too, I can only imagine how devastating it must have been to lose that. So when did you start writing?

Contrary to most writers who say they can’t remember a time they didn’t write, just the opposite is true for me. I abhorred writing with a passion. As I’ve mentioned, my passions were artwork and horseback riding. But I was born with a creative muse and she was not happy when she could no longer channel her talent. When I lost my vision, not only was I unable to work as a legal secretary at the courthouse, a job I adored with all my heart, but I could no longer pursue my dreams and my passions. I was devastated, so much I did not want to live. And with my great love of the outdoors and painting, I was not an avid reader.

After spending all day reading small print on legal documents, the last thing I wanted to do when I came home was read. But after the loss of my vision, I was so bored to tears once the depression wore its course, I started listening to audio books, romantic suspense by Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown and Lisa Jackson to name a few. And I began paying attention to detail, the words they used to describe. And something in my mind sprouted wings, a new way to channel my creativity. I could paint with words, given some training. So I enrolled in as many creative classes as I could find and have never stopped writing since. And thanks to modern technology, a computer that is programmed to reverberate whatever I type, I am able to pursue my new dream. I thank God for the gift of modern technology.

Indeed, and thank God that, as they say, when He closes one door He opens another, so although we may have lost the pleasure of seeing new paintings, we can look forward to the books to come from your vivid imagination, to add to the ones which your readers already enjoy. Talking of which, I always like to know how other writers construct their stories. With you, what comes first: the plot or the characters?

Most definitely the plot. I couldn’t possibly cast a role to a character without knowing the scene, the setting, the storyline.

If someone were to play one of your characters in a movie, which character and what actor would it be and why?

If someone were to play me in Echo of a Raven, I would want Meg Ryan. She is so sweet and down to earth and is looked upon as America’s sweetheart. I think people could relate to her and would be drawn to the emotions she could evoke while riding the tumultuous roller coaster I was on for two solid decades. For over twenty years, my vision came and went, a game of now you see it—now you don’t. Only a truly gifted actress could portray the exuberant amount of heart-wrenching emotions I went through and continue to go through every day of my life.

Oh yes, I like Meg Ryan - and she is quite like you in looks too, what a good choice.
Have you a favourite actor/hunk?

In my suspense novel, Mask of the Betrayer, I picture John Travolta playing the role of Michael DeVeccio. He is a complex but smooth character, very cunning and clever, and I think John Travolta would be the perfect alpha male to portray Michael.

I can't wait to read 'Mask Of The Betrayer', and I'll have John Travolta in mind for Michael, when I do. By the way, guess whose picture I have up on this Blog as 'Featured Hunk'?
What have you learned about writing since you were published that surprised you?

That I’m a better writer than I was yesterday but not as good as I’ll be tomorrow.

Excellent answer, and again, one I think a lot of us will agree with. Do you listen to music when you write and if so, what kind of music – or do you find it distracts you?

I am very easily distracted. I love complete quiet when I write. Now let’s not forget Glen, my cyber space buddy who can be a bit annoying at times, his non-stop chatting. Whatever is on the screen, he joyfully recites without coming up for breath. I’m still trying to program him to do a coffee run. LOL

*Grin* Glen sounds like an interesting cyber companion. I want one! What is your personal definition of success?

Leaving my mark on the world, my footprint on people’s hearts when I leave this earth. I want to leave the message of hope. Never give up on a dream.

I think you're already sending that message loud and clear Sharon, you're an inspiration. OK, now for a fun question, if you were an animal, which one do you think you would be, and why?

A butterfly. There’s an old Irish superstition that when the wings of a butterfly brush you, it’s the wings of your guardian angel. I believe in magical myths, legends and lore. And I believe in angels and the sweet hereafter.

Oh, that's a beautiful story, I hadn't heard of that one. Finaly, is there a question you really, really wish someone would ask, but they never do? If so what would be your reply?

What is your mission, the reason God put you on this earth?
To raise awareness for type 1 diabetes and its devastating complications. With America in the lead, there are more than 230 million diabetics in the world and the numbers are rapidly increasing. More than half of these diabetics will develop some stage of retinopathy, the number one complication. Type 1 diabetes strikes children the hardest. Type 1 diabetics do not produce insulin, a hormone necessary to regulate blood sugars. As a result, for the rest of their lives, they must take insulin injections several times a day, restrict their caloric intake, monitor their blood sugars through pinch tests, and worst of all, live in constant threat of losing vision, limbs, heart and kidney failure and poor circulation of the hands and feet. I want to put an end to this world-wide epidemic for tomorrow’s children. Isn’t it time?

You are so right, Sharon and it seems as if you're already on the way to achieving your mission, with the release of 'Echo Of A Raven. Tell us some more about this remarkable book.

Echo of a Raven is a must read for diabetics, those affected by diabetes and its complications and for intelligent people who want to put an end to this world-wide epidemic. Through an organization for the blind and visually impaired, I found the courage to face a sighted world I was once part of. Some of the curriculum I endured for eight grueling hours every day for sixteen weeks was mobility training with a white cane, group therapy to deal with anger issues and the use of a computer with adaptive software.

It was a heart-wrenching journey filled with endless challenge. Part of the reason I was reluctant to enroll in a program for the blind and visually impaired was because I thought clients would be uneducated. I was a professional, after all. What could I possibly have in common with “Those people?” I was wrong. I met doctors and nurses, teachers and engineers, all with one common thread. We were all facing vision loss due to circumstances beyond our control. Some had the extra burden of facing a marital problem because a spouse could not or would not accept the blindness.

We laughed and we cried. We connected in a way words could never express. I was one of the lucky ones. What didn’t kill me made me stronger. And after a long and winding road, a new dream resurrected. Today, instead of painting my pictures on canvas, I paint my pictures with words. In my memoir, I give a prolific account of my stay at Pittsburgh Vision told from an insider’s point of view when institutionalized for sixteen weeks. Echo of a Raven is not for the weak at heart. But through my darkest hour, I found light at the end of a tunnel. Only when I reached out and asked for help did doors open. And doors have continued to open for me. There is a plethora of opportunity for the blind and visually impaired.

In my memoir, I give the names and addresses and websites for several organizations that have been invaluable to me. Please help me in my mission to find a cure for diabetes and its number one complication—blindness. As I said at the beginning of this interview, a portion of all proceeds of Echo of a Raven will be donated to JDRF Juvenile Diabetes.

EXCERPT:

As the blind man sweeps the streets with his white cane, I look away. As the blind man jingles his cup of coins on corner sidewalks, I look away. As the blind man sells his mops and brooms, I look away.

“You’ll be blind by time you’re twenty-five,” a doctor at Children’s Hospital predicted. “Your blood sugars are way too high.”

I began hearing the frightening phrase diabetic retinopathy at the age of six when I was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic. This condition causes fragile blood vessels to grow and rupture in the back of the eye and can lead to progressive blindness. And at the age of twelve, when a doctor at a routine visit made this prediction, his cruel words changed the entire course of my life, affecting every major decision I made for years to come.

His words haunted me. They consumed me. They devoured me. Wherever I went or whatever I did, these words echoed in my head. The only time I found refuge was through my artwork. Painting became my sanctuary, a place where I could escape to another place and time. Peace and tranquility. No more pain. But one day when painting a picturesque Tuscan landscape, the initial bout of blindness struck with no warning.

Several buses pulled up, hissing and spewing as slush and mud splashed in all directions. People jumped back to avoid the mud-stained snow. It was a 71 and it was going downtown.As I stood shivering, waiting for people to file out, a blind woman approached the bus stop, sweeping the snow covered pavement with her white cane. Her flat, monotone voice cut through my thoughts. “Does this bus go downtown?”

“Yes,” I answered her. I wanted to turn my head as I’d done so many times in the past, but my heart went out to her. It was so slippery out and she was so vulnerable. What if she got on the wrong bus—or got stranded somewhere? That could be me some day. Fear welled up in my throat as I watched her maneuver her way on to the bus. She cleared each step with her cane and stepped aboard.

A man in the front of the bus stood up. “Here, miss. Take my seat.” He tapped her arm. “Behind you.”

She wordlessly took his seat without uttering so much as a thank you. I sat in the seat directly across from her, not wanting to watch her--but unable to take my eyes off her. She wore dark glasses and a blank expression, so isolated in a world of utter chaos. She pulled a book out of her bag and began feeling it. Braille, I sucked in my breath. A foreboding premonition hurled through me and I thought I might be sick. I couldn’t take this. Visions of my future flashed in front of me, filling me with an uneasiness that had me completely undone.

How could she have the patience to read Braille, feeling all those bumps. After reading small print on legal documents all day, I would never have the tolerance to learn Braille. No way. How could a sighted person adapt to an unsighted world? Would that be me some day? Or was I just hitting the panic button. Then to my horror, the words screeched in my head. “You’ll be blind by time you’re twenty-five.”

Precisely one week later, I was down in my garage, putting the finishing touches on my painting. The rich fertile vineyards of the Tuscan landscape shrouded an inland harbor of mirror still waters. Age-old olive trees framed the hillside. Sitting back to admire my work, I smiled in eager anticipation. Just a few more strokes of the brush for fine detailing, and my masterpiece would be complete.But suddenly, a huge splattering of black paint covered my beautiful painting. Confused, I wondered how paint had managed to get all over my masterpiece. I blinked several times, but it was still there.

Slowly but surely, my brain received the message. It wasn’t black paint covering my canvas at all; it was blood covering my retina. My worst nightmare had just come true. I’d had a massive retinal hemorrhage.

Dumbfounded, my paintbrush slipped from my fingers and rolled across the floor. I felt like I was drowning, losing consciousness. I sunk into a chair, clasping my hand over my mouth. Heart-wrenching pain stabbed at my gut. Nausea threatened. Then the tears spilled. “Nooo! Not yet. It’s too soon."

Oh Sharon, that is such a moving excerpt. Thank you so much for being with us today, and for sharing so much of yourself and your work. It's been an absolute privilege.

Echo of a Raven
Available in paperback and eBook
BUY HERE:


Other books by Sharon Donovan

Touched by An Angel
www.whiterosepublishing.com

The Claddagh Ring
www.whiterosepublishing.com


Lasting Love

www.whiterosepublishing.com

Sharon is a member of Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime and Pennwriters. She has a story in the highly acclaimed Chicken Soup for the Soul, Tough Times, Tough People.
Visit Sharon’s website at:
www.sharonadonovan.com

or write to her at:
sharonad@comcast.net

Some of Sharon's paintings:

Monday's Word

Is your book 'unputdownable'?
That's what we writers all aspire to write isn't it? A book that's 'Unputdownable'

But where does the term originate from? It's a fairly recent, 'made up' word, surely. Well according to Michael Quinion, "the earliest example mentioned is usually the one in a letter byRaymond Chandler, dated 5 January 1947, because that's the first citation in the entry in the Oxford English Dictionary."

Apparently, there are earlier examples, though in a slightly different sense, i.e., someone who can resist being 'put down' or 'taken down a peg or two'. However, the modern sense is of a book that's so good you can't stop reading it .

So what books have you read lately that are absolutely 'unputdownable'?

*Thanks to Michael Quinion of WORLD WIDE WORDSWorld Wide Words is copyright (c) Michael Quinion 2009. All rights reserved. The Words Web site is at http://www.worldwidewords.org

Interview with Susan Macatee - Author of 'Erin's Rebel'

I am so pleased to welcome Susan Macatee to my Blog today. Her latest release, Erin's Rebel is released today! Susan writes historical and historical/paranormal romance set during the American Civil War. Her wartime stories of love and adventure were inspired by her years alongside her husband as a Civil War reenactor. She tells me she’d always wanted to write, penning picture books for her friends to read when she was in elementary school. By high school, she’d progressed to writing short stories and fan fiction. But it wasn’t until years later, when her youngest son started kindgergarten, that she decided to take a formal course in writing and her road to publication began. Her first romance novel, Erin’s Rebel, took years to develop and find a publisher for, but now she has a string of books and short stories all being released this year. Welcome, Susan. It's great to see you here and congratulations on your release. Tell us a little about yourself. What do you do for fun when not writing?

I live in Philadelphia with my husband and three sons. For fun, I love to read, mostly romance in a variety of genres. I also enjoy camping, Civil War reenacting, am a big baseball fan, following the Philadelphia Phillies, and I love to bake.

That all sounds wonderful, Susan. When did you start writing?

I’ve been dabbling in writing since I was in elementary school, but started writing toward publication when the youngest of my three sons started kindergarten.

Right. I think quite a few authors who are also Mums will relate to that. Everyone has a different way of writing, and it always intrugues me to know what comes first: the plot or the characters?

With me, it’s always the characters who grab my attention first. Once I’ve got those characters in my head, I weave my plot around them.

Yes, I tend to do it that way too. I'm sure the readers are dying to hear all about your latest release, so tell us all about it.

My first romance novel, Erin’s Rebel, is a Civil War time travel. Besides a great romance with a modern day heroine and a hunky Confederate officer, the story also contains a lot of history and plot twists and turns as the story weaves itself back and forth through time.

That sounds like a really gripping story, and very intriguing. Can't wait to read it. So what’s you’re writing process? Has it changed since writing your first book?

Definitely. I used to write by the seat of my pants, but am now a confirmed plotter. I also have grown very organized so I can work on more than one project at a time and, through extensive plotting, have cut down the length of time it takes me to complete a project.

*Sigh* That's great, I do wish I could be more organised! Do you have some kind of support system? Did you have a writing community? What valuable lessons have you learned from them?

For years I wrote in a cocoon, but just about the time I started to get serious about writing, I joined Romance Writers of America. Through that organization, I joined the Hearts Through History chapter and learned a lot about romance writing through the main loop and workshops. Also met lots of great writing friends, and formed a group who call ourselves The Scandalous Victorians. These women writers are now my main support and critique group. We’ve also formed a group blog called, Slip Into Something Victorian.

http://www.slipintosomethingvictorian.wordpress.com/

I just love that title! OK I think it's time we had a teaser from 'Erin's Rebel' :

Erin’s Rebel blurb:

Philadelphia newspaper reporter, Erin Branigan, is engaged to marry an up-and-coming lawyer, but dreams of a man from the past change those plans and start her on a journey beyond time. After a car accident, Erin wakes to find herself living in the 1860s in a Confederate army camp.

Captain Will Montgomery, the man of her dreams, is now a flesh and blood Rebel soldier who sets her soul aflame. But the Irish beauty holds a secret he needs to unravel before he can place his trust in her.

Can she correct a mistake made long ago that caused his death and denied her the love she was meant to have? Or is she doomed to live out her life with nothing but regret?

Excerpt:

The sound of her name on his lips made her skin tingle. She tore the paper off the package. At the sight of the brooch, her breath caught.

“Do you like it?” he asked anxiously. “I had it made just for you.”

Eyeing him, she had a hard time finding her voice. This was Erin O’Connell’s brooch, the very one that had sent her back in time. It shone in her hands, new and unworn from time and wear. What did this mean? She must be following Erin O’Connell’s footsteps. As far as she knew her being her hadn’t changed anything. Will was still destined to die this year.

“I didn’t mean to upset you, Erin. If you don’t want the brooch—”

“No.” She clasped the pin against her chest as the meaning of his gift sank in. “It just means so much to me.”

His look of concern softened into a lopsided grin. “I’m happy you feel that way.”

“Thank you, Will.” She slipped the brooch into the pocket of her wrapper, then stood on her toes, lifting her arms to circle his neck. She kissed his cheek, inhaling his musky scent. His mouth was on hers, hot and urgent. The softness of his moustache and chin beard tickled her lips. She opened to him, her tongue slipping inside to taste him thoroughly. He groaned, pressing the length of his body against her.

Erin’s Rebel is available at The Wild Rose Press. www.thewildrosepress.com

Oh that's such a sensual excerpt, Susan, and so touching. Where can we find out more about this book and those in the pipeline?

To learn more about Erin’s Rebel and my upcoming releases, visit my website: www.susanmacatee.com

Thank you so much Susan. It's been great finding out more about you and 'Erin's Rebel'. It sounds a fantastic book, and I'm really looking forward to reading it. I wish you many, many sales, and I'm sure it'll be a great success.

Donna Marie Rogers

It's my great pleasure to welcome Romance author Donna Marie Rogers to my blog to day, on the first day of her tour. Donna lives in a renovated old schoolhouse in beautiful Northeast Wisconsin with her husband and children. She's an avid gardener and home-canner, as well as an admitted reality TV junkie. Her passion to read is only exceeded by her passion to write, so when she's not doing the wife and mother thing, you can usually find her sitting at her computer creating exciting new characters, fresh new worlds, and always happily-ever-afters.

To whet your appetite, here's the 'blurb' her new release, 'Meant To Be' which will be released by The Wild Rose Press on 17th July.

She's running from her past, he's unsure about his future. Maybe together they can figure out what was MEANT TO BE. Officer Garrett Jamison is at the lowest point in his life. He’s lost faith in his ability as a police officer after unwittingly setting his sister up with a dirty cop. Garrett ended up getting shot, and his sister's son kidnapped right out of his own bed. He takes a leave from the force, in need of some time to make a decision about his future. Too bad he can't get a decent night's sleep thanks to his sexy new neighbor and her howling cat.

Jessica McGovern moves halfway across the country to start a new life in Green Bay, Wisconsin after her ex-husband is convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of their young son. Her new neighbor is as infuriating as he is handsome, but when her ex is released from prison early and shows up in town, Jessica discovers she's never needed anyone more...

Oh, that sounds very intriguing - and a howling cat? Hmm, lets find out a bit more with an excerpt:

Standing there in nothing but a pair of black gym shorts, he was too hot for words. Damn him.

"So what can I do for you?" He leaned negligently against the doorframe, an almost pleasant smile curving his lips.

"I'm here to see Nick. Is he home?"

The smile disappeared. He straightened and crossed his arms over his chest, which made those huge biceps bulge even more. Jessica realized for the first time he had a tattoo. Huh. She wouldn't have thought him the type. Frankly, she thought tattoos were sexy, if they weren't garish, which his wasn't. It looked to be some sort of Chinese symbols.

Probably means `He-with-head-too-big-for-hat.'

"You're barking up the wrong tree there, honey. Nicky's married to his computer."

"Not that it's any of your business, but that's exactly why I'm here. I'm having trouble with my online service and was hoping he could help." Now why did she feel the urge to explain herself? Double damn him.

He looked her up and down in an insultingly blatant manner. "I know a thing or two about computers.

"No kidding? Great, next time I need help surfing the porno sites, you'll be the first one I call."

His eyes went cold. "You think I'm just some big, dumb Neanderthal, don't you?"

Jessica gave him the same insulting once over he'd given her. "If the leopard toga fits..."

"I happen to have a BS in Computer Science."

Hands on hips, jaw working furiously, he looked so offended Jessica was hard-pressed not to laugh. "I don't understand. You could be making a lot more money in computers than you are as a cop. And you wouldn't be putting your life in danger on a daily basis." She glanced meaningfully at the scarred flesh visible just above the waistband of his shorts.

"This didn't happen in the line of duty. Besides, I love being a cop."

He said it as if she should've instinctually known it. Jessica sighed. Garrett Jamison was turning out to be much deeper than she'd imagined. "It's a noble profession. It's also a very dangerous one."

"True enough. But it's not as if I have a family who's dependent on me."

She reached up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "What about your uncle, or your sister and brothers? Or your nephew? I'm sure they'd all be devastated if something happened to you."

"What about you?"

His voice had taken on a deep, sexy timbre that turned Jessica's knees to mush. Garrett Jamison was entirely too gorgeous for his own good--or for hers. "What about me?"

Before she knew what he was about, he reached out and cupped the side of her face, tracing his thumb over her cheekbone. "Would you miss me if something happened?"

"What a thing to ask," she breathed, her gaze centered on his full lips. "I barely know you." Was he going to kiss her? Right there where any of the neighbors could see? Not that she'd mind...

"Uncle Garrett, the game's set up. Can we order pizza now?

Garrett snatched back his hand, and Jessica's gaze dropped to the little boy leaning possessively against his leg.

Was it her imagination, or was the little stinker glaring daggers at her?

"Hi, Ethan, my name is Jessica"

I know."

Nope, not her imagination. In fact, the scowl on his face was downright hostile. Now what in the world had she done to warrant such disfavor?

"Ethan, you watch your manners," Garrett growled.

"Yes, sir."

He cast her one last mutinous scowl, then turned and ran back into the house. Jessica had to resist the urge to laugh. She wouldn't take his behavior personally. The boy obviously adored his uncle and didn't care to share him. Another fascinating layer of Garrett Jamison--loving uncle.

"Sorry about that. Ethan's a good kid. I'm not sure what got into him."

"My guess would be old-fashioned jealousy. You two apparently have plans for the evening, and when he saw us...talking, his young mind assumed I was trying to lure you away."

A frown creased his forehead. "I don't know. Ethan knows I'd never abandon him. For anyone."

Ouch, point taken. She shrugged. "You know him better than I do. I'm just telling you what I saw. Well, this has been fun, but I need to get back. Mr. Louie doesn't like to watch TV alone."

Garrett chuckled. "Give His Highness a scratch behind the ears for me."

"What? Just this afternoon you suggested I have him euthanized

"Good Lord, woman, can't you take a joke?" Garrett winked at her, then stepped back and closed the door.

Jessica shook her head. The man was crazy, no doubt about it. He was also so handsome it should be a crime. With a sigh of frustration, she headed back home to watch Wheel of Fortune.

HL: That Garett sounds a real 'hottie'. Go on then, I'm sure everyone's dying to know a bit more about you. Tell us a little about yourself and your childhood.

DMR: Oh, good, I get to bore you right out of the gate...LOL I'm a wife and mother of two awesome daughters, 5 and 10. We moved up to Northeast Wisconsin about 15 years ago from the south suburbs of Chicago, where my husband and I both grew up. I suppose I had a typical childhood. I'm a child of the 70s and 80s, so I grew up with Atari, Kool-Aid, classic rock, and the Brady Bunch. :)

HL: The Brady Bunch eh? And what do you do for fun when you're not writing?

DMR: Besides reading and watching my kids play, I'm a gardener and home canner. I also love to watch TV, which isn't such a good thing. But I love reality shows, soap operas, sitcoms, House, Bones...LOL

HL:Sounds like you have plenty to keep you occupied, *grin*! so when did you start writing?

DMR: I first started writing back in the early nineties. After years of reading every romance novel I could get my hands on, I decided to take a stab at writing one of my own. And I quickly discovered that writing an entire story wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I have a stack of notebooks full of partially written stories. But then I sat down at my computer in early 2004 with a kernel of an idea, and eight months later I typed THE END of There's Only Been You. I started writing Meant To Be almost immediately after since I was so in love with Garrett by then...LOL

HL: Oh, yes. I know what it's like to fall for a character. What comes first then, the plot or the characters?

DMR: For me, the characters. All of my stories are character driven, which is important to me. Soap operas are plot driven, which can be super frustrating for longtime fans. Because I'm writing a series, I wouldn't want my readers to think, "Wait, he/she wouldn't do that!"

HL: Tell us about your latest release, and what you think readers will enjoy about it.

DME: There was never any doubt I'd write Garrett's story and make this a series. I fell in love with the big lug immediately. Garrett is a good guy, but he's a moody SOB...LOL

OFFICER GARRETT JAMISON is at the lowest point of his life. He believes a cop’s greatest asset is his instinct and feels he lost his the night he got shot and his precious nephew kidnapped right out of his own bed. So he takes a leave from the force while he considers whether he wants to remain a police officer, or start looking into another career. If only his infuriating—and gorgeous—neighbor would keep her pesky cat from howling outside his window at all hours of the night...

JESSICA MCGOVERN struggles back from the brink of depression after the death of her young son. She packs up her old pickup truck, her mammoth gray-and-white tabby, Mr Louie, and moves halfway across the country for a fresh start in Wisconsin where she’s rented her uncle’s house. As it turns out, Midwesterners are just as friendly as she’s always heard they were. Too bad her cran

ky new neighbor is the exception to the rule...

HL: Now, that does sound intriguing. Mr Louie sounds a 'cutie' too, LOL. OK then. If someone were to play one of your characters in a movie, which character and what actor would it be and why?

DMR: I think Sam Elliot would make a great Uncle Luke. Garrett's a 6' 5" dark-haired

hulk, so no one really comes to mind to play him. But there's anactor on the soap opera One Life To Live who I think would make a perfect Jack Sutton (Jack's story is in the works). His name is Mark Lawson:

HL: Mm, Mark Lawson! Good choice. I like Sam Elliot too!! Have you a favourite actor/hunk? Would this be the same guy you mentioned above?

DMR: I admit, I've quickly fallen in lust with Mark Lawson. But some of my favorite hunks are Maksim Chmerkovskiy of Dancing With the Stars; actors Ryan Reynolds, David Boreanaz, Gerard Butler; and singer Joe Nichols (I don't even like country music, but that man is HOT! LOL)

HL: What have you learned about writing since you were published that surprised you the most?

DMR: Promotion is hard work! LOL

HL: What’s your writing process? Has it changed since writing your first book?

Sadly, I have no writing process at the moment. I hope that once my baby starts Kindergarten this fall, I'll finally be able to set aside a nice chunk of time during the day for writing...and exercising!

DMR: Do you listen to music when you write and if so, what kind of music – or do you find it distracts you?

HL: I don't, really. I usually have the TV on...which can be a problem since I get sucked into a good program quite easily...LOL

HL: Do you have a support system? Do you have a writing community? What valuable lessons have you learned from them?

DMR: I have an amazing group of writing friends from my local chapter who help me stay positive and on track. My critique partner, Stacey Joy Netzel (also my co-author on Welcome To Redemtion), is amazingly supportive, as are my good friends Jamie & Dulcie. I've learned so many things from all of them, though nothing specific comes to mind. Sorry, I'm terrible under pressure...LOL

HL: What is your personal definition of success?

DMR: Happy, healthy children, a roof over our head, food on the table, a little money in the bank, family, friends...I can't think of anything else I need to be successful in life.

As far as writing, making the NY Times Bestseller list would be a dream come true. I could die a happy camper.

HL: What is your favourite source of inspiration?

DMR: There's just nothing better than reading a good book to recharge my creative battery. In fact, I've been charging my 'battery' for a couple weeks now...LOL

HL: Is there any advice, as a new writer, that you were either given, or wish you had been given?

DMR: I spent a lot of time tweaking my manuscripts per contest judge's comments/suggestions, which became incredibly frustrating as the comments started to become contradictory. I finally learned to just trust my gut instincts.

HL: If you were an animal, which one do you think you would be, and why?

DMR: Geez...I don't know...LOL I'm a Leo, so probably a lion. And I sure do love the story of Christian the lion. I even have a youtube video on my Myspace www.myspace.com/donnamarierogers

HL: Oh yes, there was a documentary on the tv over here not long ago. So wonderful to see an animal back in the wild where it belongs, but still remembering its human friends. Finally Donna, is there a question you really, really wish someone would ask, but they never do? If so what would be your reply?

DMR: "Donna, who do you think is the sexiest hero ever written?"

"Joe Winston from Say No To Joe? by Lori Foster.

HL: "I have to admit I haven't read that one - now I'm going to have to, to find out more about Joe Winston!
Thank you for being my guest here today, Donna, it's been wonderful finding out more about you, and I wish you amazing sales with 'Meant To Be.'

DMR: Thank you so much for letting me kick off my virtual blog tour with you, Lyn.

HL: It's been a real pleasure, Donna.

You can find out more about Donna Marie Rogers at her website: http://www.donnamarierogers.com/