Trip to San Francisco Chinatown

My mother and I took the Amtrak from Burbank California up north to San Jose and then to Menlo Park where we stayed for 2 days and 3 nights. During our trip we visited San Francisco's busy Chinatown. The ethnic enclave is a cross between a giant market on rolling hills and one of the best food courts in the gold rush state. Stopping on the sidewalk meant I risk getting trampled on by the mass of people rushing to have dim sum or do their Sunday morning groceries. Everywhere you turn there would be an old building, built after the 1906 earthquake, or a modern western style building with Chinese architectural accents. Only in C-town can you find a monastery built on top of a bank or a calligraphy shop across from a cell phone outlet. As I tried to stay afloat in the sea of people, I kept my cell phone on and snapped pics as I went. Please click on the video below to enjoy a selection of the photos (^_^).



If the player is not working just visit the youtube link.

While in C-town, I picked up 2 bags of dried chrysanthemum flowers at Ten Ren Tea to prepare an easy drink, sweetened preserved plums and we purchased a wok for my sister at the Wok Shop.

Before retrieving our car from the $12 parking spot we had lunch at The Stinking Rose in Little Italy.

Silapa Jarun
Katana Duet: Samurai's Forbidden Love

Booksigning this Weekend!

Join me, Stella Price and a few other authors this weekend in Middletown NY at the Borders at the Crystal Run Galleria from 1-4 for a Romance Authors booksigning! We will be signing as many titles as they can get for us!

OOh and we will have goodies as well! So stop in and say Hi!

Venture - Released today!

When I posted earlier today (around 7.30 EST) the "buy now" button hadn't been activated on the BookStrand site. It has now.

But the main reason for this new post is to thank my good friend Mark for introducing me to Sydney and showing me where Lydia lives. At the start of the story she has a cottage in a small town, called Avalon, up the coast from the city. It's an idyllic place: warm climate, quiet, long sandy beachs, and friendly people.

I've been back to Sydney since I finished Venture. Mark took me to a rock concert, from which I almost got ejected. Wasn't my fault. A drunk woman attached herself to me... Long story.

Anyhooo, hope you enjoy Venture.

Wednesday's Words for September 10, 2008

Yes, it’s September once more, which means summer is waning, the days are getting shorter, and the kids have gone back to school.

As you know, we have our daughter and grandson living with us. Our grandson has gone back to school—and so has our daughter. She’s beginning a year long course at the local community college, taking classes that will qualify her as a P.S.W. – Personal Support Worker. Here in Southern Ontario, school begins on the day after Labour Day. Tuesday morning, September 2nd, bright and early, off they went, the two of them.

You’re probably wondering why I wasn’t whooping it up last week in my essay, sharing with you all the joys of having my home to myself again each day.

There’s a simple reason for that. Mr. Ashbury had the week off.

Yes, he had the week off and we didn’t go away anywhere! Now, calm down. No, he isn’t ill. He just decided that he didn’t need to go away this time. He’s very defensive about this decision, at least in the face of the total and complete shock of the members of our family. He tells them it was my idea to stay home, but that just isn’t true. He has another week off in November, so you’ll have to stay tuned to find out if we’re going anywhere or not. The answer is anybody’s guess.

Mr. Ashbury has worked for the same company for thirty years, now. He’ll tell you, if you ask him, that he is very fortunate because he likes what he does. He works in the aggregate industry, and when the kids were little they used to tease him about having taken over Fred Flintstone’s job.

In his years at the quarry he’s been the guy who broke up huge dining-table sized chunks of limestone with a sledgehammer, and the guy who operated the enormous loaders. He’s also been the ‘go-to’ guy who knew how to fix anything that broke, and how to make new what wasn’t there. He began working for the company when it was a small, family owned operation. By the time it was bought out by a big multi-national corporation in 2003—and we were blessed that the former owner made as a condition of the sale that his people would keep their jobs—he could look at every piece of equipment and acknowledge with pride that he’d had a major hand in designing and building most of it.

Mr. Ashbury doesn’t have an engineering degree, but he knows his industry and knows what works. This fact has been acknowledged recently by the engineers who designed the new processing plant. They have had to come to him to ask him how to fix their ingenious design that didn’t do what the book said it was supposed to do. In the last few years, he’s had to deal with some new bosses who point at this mythical book and say, “this is how things are supposed to work”, and who are always amazed when things don’t work quite that way. My DH calls it “engineering fantasy meeting everyday reality”.

He works long hours in the summer months (when he is not on vacation, of course), Monday to Friday beginning at five-thirty in the morning, and getting off at five o’clock in the evening. Some days he stays two hours longer, when needed. And he often works six hours on Saturday as well.

Recently his employer had a representative of the company that administers their pension plan in to speak to them about how their plan works. This guest gave an example of how one could afford to retire at the age of sixty if one made certain selections as to the type of investment early on. DH advises that the man looked at him as if he was crazy when he asked, “What if I don’t want to retire until I’m seventy?”

I for one am glad he feels that way. You see, he’s been referring to me as “The Retired Person” for quite some time now. Our eldest pointed out to him (bless my first born!) that by referring to me as The retired person, he is in fact stating that there can be only one.

Yep, I’ve got that position all sewn up.

Love,
Morgan
www.sirenpublishing.com/morganashbury

Venture - Released today!

VENTURE tells the story of a super-smart woman who had been having a hard time finding the right guy. Then, at a conference in Sydney, she meets John. She considers him perfect but he seems wrapped up with his work. Undeterred and with her customary energy, she throws herself into the relationship. But in doing so, she finds she has to do more than simply fall in love. She has to risk her life, too.

Below is a quiz about Lydia. The first person to contact me with all five answers correct will win a dozen red roses. You'll need to read the book.

Bill Newman

QUIZ

1. What's the name of Lydia's best friend?

2. When Lydia meets John she thinks he's under surveillance. What is the military rank of the person shadowing him in Sydney?

3. Lydia does not like her father's second wife. What is Lydia's nickname for her?

4. Lydia is researching the side effects of an over-the-counter drug. What kind of drug?

5. When Lydia and John move house, which Sydney suburb do they choose?

Lindsay Townsend's FLAVIA'S SECRET

Flavia’s Secret is a well-crafted love story that will have you on the edge of your seat one minute and breathless the next. Lindsay Townsend’s writing style is simply beautiful. A true pleasure to read.

Flavia is a slave with a secret that may very well cost her life. Marcus her new owner is a gorgeous half-Roman with a warrior’s body and a lover’s heart. I’m not ashamed to admit I fell head over heels for this hero, and I just might be willing to trade my freedom for a chance to fill Flavia’s shoes.

The Roman baths and the ancient marketplaces were so well-drawn they came alive for me. The setting was sensual and palpable. It’s impossible not to become absorbed in Flavia and Marcus’s world and to care deeply for them. The secondary characters were woven neatly into the plot, and the villain’s power and control was absolutely terrifying.

I literally could not put this book down and when I was finished, I didn’t want it to end. I’ll be reading everything Lindsay Townsend writes, and I think everyone else who picks up this book will do the same.

Wendi Darlin

My cover for "Mucho Caliente!"

Hi! This is my gorgeous new cover for my upcoming romantic comedy, "Mucho Caliente!", scheduled for release in November 2008. I would like to thank Tiffany(Silapa Jarun) for her help and patience in helping me post this cover, since it's been a team effort. Hey, Tiffany, look! I did it!
Lots of love,
Francesca Prescott

Angelic Forecast

Since I have an author’s direct line of communication to my heavenly hero, Volcano, he’s asked me to provide his general angelic forecast for this week.
So, deep breath, here goes...

Whatever comes your way this upcoming week, face it with confidence. If you don’t quite possess a full measure of self-assurance just call on the Divine, or whatever belief you hold.
This will be a week of several changes on the world stage and possibly in your life. Remaining confident will gain you far more of a true advantage than you realize. If you have a special project follow it through, or push forward, despite any road blocks. Your rewards will arrive later.

Angel blessings from Volcano & Sedona

Where angels fear to tread, 2012 Earth ~

Is a stranger on a superspeed motorcycle her savior from the brutal endtimes?

Blurb: Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012 – The end of the Mayan Calendar
What happens when a world weary, worn out incarnated angel, Sedona, who believes she is merely human has three choices after her old van breaks down? ...more

When a Good Angel Falls

~ adventure fantasy erotic romance ~ available from BookStrand ~ http://www.bookstrand.com/authors/savannakougar/wagaf.asp ~ http://www.bookstrand.com/

Kiss from Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~ http://savannakougar.com ~

Review of "A Secret Treasure," by Lindsay Townsend

Lindsay Townsend’s romantic suspense, A Secret Treasure, makes for a fascinating, entertaining and interesting read. The Greek island of Rhodes comes alive in Lindsay’s clear and classic prose, and the historical detail is folded in with an impressive light hand, ensuring that the storyline never falters. The romance between Eve and Julio has the freshness of times gone-by and the dialogue is sprinkled with distinctive English humor. The atmosphere throughout the book is both heartwarming and filled with suspense, reminding me of Franco Zeffirelli’s wonderful 1999 film, “Tea with Mussolini.” I thoroughly enjoyed “A Secret Treasure.” Stories like this are a breath of fresh air, and I look forward to reading more work by this talented writer.

Francesca Prescott

Review of "A Secret Treasure" by Lindsay Townsend

Lindsay Townsend’s romantic suspense, A Secret Treasure, makes for a fascinating, entertaining and interesting read. The Greek island of Rhodes comes alive in Lindsay’s clear and classic prose, and the historical detail is folded in with an impressive light hand, ensuring that the storyline never falters. The romance between Eve and Julio has the freshness of times gone-by and the dialogue is sprinkled with distinctive English humor. The atmosphere throughout the book is both heartwarming and filled with suspense, reminding me of Franco Zeffirelli’s wonderful 1999 film, “Tea with Mussolini.” I thoroughly enjoyed “A Secret Treasure.” Stories like this are a breath of fresh air, and I look forward to reading more work by this talented writer.

Francesca Prescott

4 Divas for Ingenue's Choice and The Wolf in the Mansion!

“All of the characters in Ingenue’s Choice are likable and realistically depicted. Keir and Patryck really come alive, due to the author’s skill at creating believable dialogue and interaction between them. The romantic tension between the two men is instantaneous, and builds to steaming and yet tender interactions. I rooted for them from the beginning. I also especially like the author’s warm and casual narrative style. The prose has a smooth and conversational feeling to it. It’s interesting to see, from Zara’s perspective, traits in these men that each overlooks in himself. They have the potential to enrich each other’s lives and just need a bit of help to let go of their baggage and move forward. In spite of the many paranormal elements in the book, the contemporary setting and the people inhabiting it are so well written that the reader won’t doubt anything that occurs. The appearance of the ghosts and angels is so seamless that the reader is never distracted from the main storyline: the romance between Keir and Patryck.” 4 Divas, Dark Diva Reviews. To read the full review, visit here: http://darkdivareviews.webs.com/glbt.htm

* * * *

The Wolf in the Mansion:

“McKeever writes short books that pack a punch in the beginning and do not stop squeezing your central nervous system like a vice grip until you’ve reached the last page . McKeever throws intriguing ingredients of Shakespeare, soap opera and genuine, old fashioned romance into every single page, blending the mixture into a satisfying meal.

She also has a welcome taste for explosive sex scenes that keep this a page turner… Gracie C. McKeever has produced another fine, evocative, erotic romantic thriller.” 4 Delightful Divas by A.J. Llewellyn. Dark Diva Reviews. To read the full review, visit here: http://darkdivareviews.webs.com/paranormal.htm

Handmade Soap

The holidays are around the corner so if you are looking for a cute gift for friends and co-workers then I recommend homemade melt-n-pour soap. This craft is inexpensive and you can get the kids involved.

There are many ways of making soap but the easiest is the glycerin melt-n-pour (MP) which depends entirely on the quality of the base.
You can purchase soap base by the pound online or at craft stores. To choose the best base make sure the first ingredient is glycerin, with palm oil or other all natural products such as aloe vera. Good soap base also has a sweet taste and should not contain any animal products which is perfect for people seeking cruelty free beauty products.

Once you acquire a quality base then acquire molds online. If you want to make Christmas presents for a few people at a time then get a loaf mold or invest in a flexible silicone mold and a loaf cutter knife. Silicone molds are more expensive than plastic candy molds but more convenient to use and will last much longer. Generally, silicone molds will have more intricate designs.

Melt the chunks of glycerin in a double boiler and turn off the heat before adding essential oils, dyes or cosmetic glitter. Essential oils are the most expensive ingredient in soap making so do not add too much.

Overpowering scents should be used in moderation.

Some people set the microwave on low to melt the glycerin but I think cleaning up after spilled soap would be a hassle compared to the double boiler method.

Coat the soap mold with vaseline using a clothe or papertowel and pour in the liquid soap base. It's normal for air bubbles to form. While some people spray the bubbles with a mist of alcohol you can instead wait until the soap is thoroughly solid to “rub” the bubbles out with saran wrap.

Loaf soap allows you to embed soap curls, flower petals, herbs and toys just be sure that the soap has cooled enough for you to put in the pieces.
After gently popping out the soap or cutting slices of the loaf, preserve it in saran wrap and then cover in decorative handmade paper and twine to turn it into a gift.

Ideas
The “goldfish in a bag” soap is always popular and all you need are plastic goldfish or any other critter and clear soap base. You'll need very clear soap base which may be hard to find as all-natural coconut bases are a bit cloudy. If you can only find a cloudy base then simply add blue cosmetic grade dye to make it look like the fish is in water. Fun looking soap is a good way to encourage children to wash their hands however plastic toys can also be a choking hazard.

The best videos explaining the melt and pour process can be found here:
http://youtube.com/user/GoPlanetEarth

Silapa Jarun

please check out:

Katana Duet: Samurai's Forbidden Love

Venture - Sept 10

Only a few days to go to the release of the eagerly awaited Venture.

This classic girl-meets-boy story is set in an exotic locale against a background of industrial espionage.

On the release day I'll be having a quiz but you'll have to read the story to answer the questions. The first prize will be a dozen red roses, and dinner with me if you're ever in Ottawa (only women are eligible for the dinner).

In the meantime, and to whet your appetite, I have a free_read at:
http://www.bjnbooks.com/free_read

Bill Newman

Read all posts by Bill here.

Stormy Glenn - Author Intro

Hi, I’m Stormy Glenn. Well, I did it. I officially signed with Siren Publishing for two new books: The Katzman’s Mate (M/M) and Secret Desires (M/M/M with the Ménage Amour new line). Both will be released early in 2009. I am very excited about working with the people here at Siren. They have been wonderful.

Now I just have to figure out what I actually know about myself so I can share it with you. I live in the Pacific Northwest with my gorgeous husband, six very active teenagers, two canine babies, two old biddy felines, and three fish.

I am addicted to reading. My husband often tells me that I am going to bankrupt us with my reading obsession. He doesn’t buy my jewelry for our anniversary. He buys me books. I keep a list on my computer of all of the releases of books I’m waiting for just for him.

I love writing almost as much as I love reading. I am amazed by the ability to create new worlds, old worlds, far away worlds. I have several books that I’m working on at any given time so I am never quite sure what will come out next. I’m even working on a sequel to Secret Desires right now. I’ll try to keep you updated.

If you would like to know more about me, come visit me or drop me a line. I love to hear from people. Email or Website

Thanks,

Stormy

WELCOME TO MUDFLAT, BABY arrives Thursday!

Mudflat series:
Book 1: TARBABY TROUBLE, July 2008
Book 2: WELCOME TO MUDFLAT, BABY, September 2008
Book 3: Here I need one of those Work in Progress signs -

If you would like a quicky review of the story so far, check http://tarcoverpage.blogspot.com/.

I put together the picture story because that's a really good way to avoid working.

'A Secret Treasure' out now

The Bookstrand edition of my Greek island novella A Secret Treasure is available now, for only $3.99 to download. It's a light romantic suspense set in the 1930s, when Rhodes was under Italian occupation. My story involves an English girl, an Italian policeman, a Greek butcher, an ancient statuette, a motorbike and a Turkish bath. More details are here.

There's a five-star review already, from Donna at Ecataromance! Read it here.

Wednesday's Words for September 3, 2008

I’ve experienced a lot of things in this life; but I have never been forced from my home, not knowing if everything that forms the foundation of my life would be there when I returned, or not.

Two million people left their homes last weekend in the face of the approach of Hurricane Gustav. I can’t wrap my head around that. That is a phenomenal number of people, and their peaceful evacuation an amazing accomplishment when you think about it. They left behind everything that encompasses their lives, taking only what they could stuff into cars or, in the case of those boarding buses and trains into backpacks and garbage bags, and left.

Without a doubt, those people who evacuated saved their lives, and the lives of their loved ones. Perhaps the storm turned out not to be as bad as it could have been, but that doesn’t negate the courage of their actions, nor the efficacy of their evacuation.

For those of us who’ve never been ordered out—either in the face of an approaching storm, or in the middle of the night after a train derailment that spilled dangerous chemicals or after a propane blast shakes our neighborhood—it’s hard to imagine how difficult the leaving might be. We tend, we humans, to think in terms of the tangible. Our home is a tangible place and a symbol to us. Our home is our refuge, our safe harbour. It’s the one place we go to in order to escape danger. The idea that staying in our home can put us in danger is a concept that’s very difficult for our minds to accept.

It’s the reason why in the past some people haven’t gone when they’ve been ordered to go.

We all become amazingly attached to not only our homes, but our things, don’t we? We stake our ground, our space, and fill it with stuff, and sometimes we let that stuff define who we are. I know that I get up each morning, and before I do anything else, I turn on my computer. Please don’t ask me what I would be doing every day if there was no such thing as a computer, because I don’t have a clue.

I’m particularly guilty of micro-managing my immediate environment, surrounding myself with all sorts of things that I likely could do without. It’s comfortable and I have a sense of power, of control, as I sit in my office surrounded by my things.

But that feeling of control is really only an illusion.

We none of us have power or control, ultimately. The people of the Gulf States couldn’t control the storm that was coming toward them; they could only control their reactions to it, by leaving.
The control we do have, if exercised correctly, can make all the difference in the world. It all comes down—as so much in life does—to choices.

Today people are waiting anxiously to return to their homes and resume their lives, while thousands work to restore electricity and repair what damage the hurricane did inflict. Now that the imminent danger is passed and the worst didn’t happen, life in the emergency shelters is becoming stressful. Everyone just wants it to be over, they just want to go home.

My only worry, as I scan the news stories, is for the future. Everyone left this time, and the storm wasn’t as bad as expected.

We’ve seen this cycle before, in Florida. Everyone hunkers down and prepares for the worst, and later makes the false judgement that because the worst didn’t happen, their efforts were wasted.

I hope and pray that next time, for everyone living where nature likes to come and play so destructively, that when the call goes out for evacuation, they do as they did this time, and go.

Homes can be replaced. People cannot.

Love,
Morgan
www.sirenpublishing.com/morganashbury

Reviews for 'Flavia's Secret'

Flavia's Secret has been getting some good reviews lately! It's just been voted Best Book of the Week at The Long and the Short of It, where Cherry Blossom said:

"The unusual time period gives the story a hue of fantasy, but the plot, the character's reactions, the motivations are solidly grounded in reality—both in the psychology of the characters and in the logic of the historical time. And Lindsay Townsend populates her ancient city with a colorful cast. Even the most minor characters are given due attention and spring to life for whatever short part they are called to play. The more important ones are unforgettable. Lindsay excels at adding the right small touch to make each one come to life and be remembered.

Flavia's Secret is also an emotionally satisfying read. The story pulls the reader in to share the events and to empathize fully with the main characters. It is impossible to put it down once you've started to read it. Moreover, Lindsay Townsend has achieved what all writers strive for—the reader will wish the story would go on forever."

And at Romance Junkies, Natasha Smith said:

"Lindsay Townsend has thoroughly convinced me that I need to go back into time and become a scribe in ancient England. I lived and breathed Flavia’s yearnings and love for Marcus throughout the pages of FLAVIA’S SECRET. Marcus was harder to read but no less important. His status as a widower afforded him the ability to try and stay untouched and out of reach of clinging females. I smiled when the one female who wanted to remain aloof from him was able to change his stance on love and worm her way into his heart.

Releasing as an ebook first and then a print book later this year, FLAVIA’S SECRET is a passionate historical romance. Set in ancient England during Roman rule, I enjoyed reading about these two wonderful characters as well as the setting and town in which the novel took place. Marcus and Flavia were perfect for each other and this book was the perfect read for my ancient history loving soul. Thumbs up Ms. Townsend! I loved every word of FLAVIA’S SECRET!"

Music ~ Saturday Night Fever With a Carnal Cherub

My hero in WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS is Zerr Dann Volcano. He is what is often called a carnal cherub, a unique breed of angel who can operate long term in the material realms, such as Earth. His nature and powers are divine, yet he also possesses human desires, especially potent sexual desires. All that light inside his being has to be focused somewhere. So he tells me.
Once material planet-worlds became abundant in the Universe, and some Archangels turned to the dark side, carnal cherubs were created to observe them and, if need be, battle these Dark Force Angels on their own hellfire turf.
However, while they are in training, carnal cherubs are sent on fun assignments. It’s well known in the celestial community that they adore dancing with women, and have a particular fondness for disco, ala Saturday Night Fever style. In fact, there are John Travolta cloud-dance contests in the heavenly realms, no wings allowed, and the instructional classes are always filled to capacity.
Another little heavenly secret, sshhhh ~ dancing on the clouds with Archangel Michael impersonating ‘Travolta’ is all the rage. Oh, and wings are allowed.

If you love disco dancing...okay, it might be your well-kept secret...and I won’t tell if you do. But consider the following twelve indicators ~

You might have been partnered with a carnal cherub if...

12. He intones the name of a Bee Gees’ disco tune, then boyishly grins with expectation, and the next thing you hear is ~ More than a woman...

11. If he’s wearing garb reminiscent of that garish anything-goes time. Yep, the white suit of Saturday Night Fever or a shiny polyester shirt and pants, only his clothes sparkle as if coated by stardust, most noticeable when he stands beneath the disco ball.

10. If his eyes bedazzle you, and you can’t resist his gentlemanly yet playful invitation to dance ~ even if you are dead on your feet and ready to go home. And hate all men because you just spied your ex-boyfriend in the corner creepily pawing your last babysitter.

9. When he whirls you through a series of dance steps you had no idea you could ever perform to Love to Love You, Baby ~ and you feel as if, yes, you really are dancing on the clouds. And soon, not to your surprise, ‘I could have danced all night’ is singing in your head, competing with the music.

8. You beam a smile up at him as he dips you like Patrick Swayze in a dirty dancing dream, and you have absolutely no fear he will drop you, or break you in any way.

7. As you dance pelvis to pelvis, defying the prowess of Elvis Presley to You’re a brickhouse, your head is still in the musical clouds of disco ~ not on wantonly shoving him against the nearest wall, and ravaging his ultra sexy body.

6. You lose one of your dangly 80's Cher earrings while Donna Summer’s Bad Girls is swivelling your hips, and he instantly discovers its location, flung beneath the chair of the hottest babe alive, who is now eyeing you like you’re her next bag of kitty litter. But you hardly notice because as he presents the earring in his palm, its sheer brightness causes you to lose your breath with astonishment.

5. When the thump-thump pound of the music slows to Last Dance, and you’re hugging bodies and dancing cheek-to-cheek, you feel as if you’re hovering over the dance floor, like he has wings or something.

4. As the music winds down and the neon lights fade, he heavenly kisses you until kingdom comes, and you swear your feet aren’t touching the floor and that surely you’ve just sprouted wings. Flapping shimmery wings.

3. After he walks you to your car, he presses a tender parting kiss on your lips. And you know you’ll never see him again. But somehow it’s okay. Somehow you know you’ve just been touched by heaven.

2. You hum the melody of I feel love, as he walks toward the slickest and sweetest motorcycle ride you’ve ever seen, then simply vanishes.

1. As you drive home, your head lost in the clouds, and your senses reeling, Willie Nelson sings angel flying too close to the ground, in your mind as if on a repeating loop. Then when you turn on the radio for the rest of the drive home, the first thing you hear is Johnny Angel, how I love you.

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~ http://savannakougar.com ~
When a Good Angel Falls ~ 2012 adventure fantasy romance ~ available from BookStrand ~
http://www.bookstrand.com/authors/savannakougar/wagaf.asp ~ http://www.bookstrand.com/

Brothers of the Night and Sugar & Spice Interview

Hi, everyone.

Thanks to my wonderful readers, my book, Sweet Hell is doing well, so I thought I might like to tell you a little about what is coming next. This interview will take you into my private thoughts regarding Brothers of the Night and Sugar & Spice. It's not a long interview, but will allow you to get to know me a little better.

Interview begins...

Q - Hello Audrey, I hope these questions will be okay for you. If you don’t mind I’d like to touch on Brothers of the Night, and Sugar & Spice, the sequel. I understand these are very hot ménage a trois shapeshifter romances that will be released soon.

Hi, Simone. Yes, Brothers of the Night will be released soon. BookStrand is looking at an October release date, but since I’m already through editing it long before my deadline, I’m hoping the release date might be pushed up. Every time I think of this book I have to giggle. I wrote it early in my career when I honestly didn’t know what I was doing. Because of that I didn’t limit myself to any publisher’s guidelines, I simply wrote what I wanted to write, and loved doing it. When all was said and done, what I produced was a piece of erotica that puts a woman between two brothers who use her as a plaything. The sex many times borders on the primal since during the Autumn Moon Cycle they are little more than animals. As a result, the lusty scenes between them don’t have the usual limits. I shamefully colored outside the lines, bringing my readers everything I had inside me. There are so many twists and turns you can’t possibly predict what will happen next. I will have to admit that I did a lot of editing and rewriting of the first draft, but the finished product is pure gold.

Q – Did you write Sugar & Spice immediately afterwards, or was this an idea that came to you later?

Actually, I had no intention of writing a sequel, but when everyone began asking for one, my publisher got on the bandwagon and suggested I do it. I can’t describe to you how I felt. The story of the Duquesne’s had been told. Story over, chapter closed. But since I ended Brothers of the Night on a cliffhanger, the public refused to let it lay. Not being experienced at writing I didn’t know you NEVER end a book on a cliffhanger. Okay, I chalked it up to a lesson learned, and began writing its sequel. I was able to continue the ‘twins’ theme by giving Sugar (the heroines stage name) a ‘monster’ that made her appearance during a full moon. I named her Spice. Believe me, I was as surprised as anyone when the story began coming together with Jennifer being the first Duquesne she-devil. It’s a fabulous book, and I hope you will enjoy reading it.

Q - What drew you to write in the Erotica genre instead of pure Romance?

It was pure chance. I just wrote what I liked, and thought it was romance. However, when I compared it with other romance writers, I knew something had to be wrong. My writing was wilder, my descriptions more vivid, my love scenes more explicit and scorching. At the time I didn’t even know that there was a genre called Erotica. I simply wrote my stories the only way I knew how. Of course, later I found my home among other erotica writers, but for a while there I was flopping around like a fish out of water. I have learned since then that there are still differences in how far a writer will go. I, of course, by this time was not used to having limits, so I continued to write in my own free style. Whether you want to call it wild, unruly, exotic, experimental is up to you. I’ve been compared to Anne Rice, Jackie Collins, and even Danielle Steele…with a twist! But I disagree. Danielle Steele does it on silk sheets. I do it on desks, walls, in the dirt, in the rain, shacks, mansions, you name it. If it’s possible (or even impossible), I’ll get it into my book sooner or later.

Q - What advice would you give to aspiring writers in either Erotica or other genre?

I can’t emphasize it enough... write what you feel! You might be surprised with what you get, as I was. The amount of sex, or should I say, the depth of sex you bring into your story is up to you. Remember! Erotica is NOT pornography! Even in writing erotica, you don’t have to write what you’re not comfortable with. I’ve never liked writing sweet little romances and feel very comfortable in describing everything that goes on between a man and woman. From the soft, warm kiss to the bawdy sex-against-the-wall situation. Not everyone does. I can use a four-letter word as easily as I can any other, as long as it fits the story. My stories are frank, gritty, lust in the dust sort of thing, but yours doesn’t have to be. When you’re writing, don’t think about what some publisher or potential reader might think of what you’re saying, it’s too limiting. Simply write what you feel. From this comes your writing style, your tone, and keep in mind, no one can write that story like you can.

Q - What do you read when you are not writing?

Right now I’m into historical romances. The simple reason being, I was bored by contemporary novels that had so much police activity in them. Please! Enough, already! My life is very exciting, and the only time I ever speak to a policeman is when I’m stopped for speeding. I have to admit, in my yet-to-be-published novel, Pretty Baby I have an undercover detective in it, but I think I can be forgiven for it since the plot is one of my “coloring outside the lines” sort that tells how the handsome half-breed Indian falls in love with an innocent young woman whose obsessive sister makes her wear a crude, homemade mask to hide her beauty. (Did you notice how I plugged Pretty Baby? Slick, don’t you think?)

Q – I heard that once you were an artisan with All Experts. What was that all about?

Yes, I was an Allexperts Artisan for, I don’t know, about a year. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t in any way consider myself an expert in the writing field, but they needed people to help, and I was picked. I received questions, usually from aspiring writers who want to talk with an author. They ask questions such as how to begin a novel, how to create characters, scenes, dialogue, etc. Some sound a lot like me when I first started. They’re excited, enthusiastic, and need advice on how to start, so they ask someone who has been there. That’s what Allexperts is. It’s a website full of experts in many different fields, and they are more than willing to share what they know if you want to ask. The website is... http://www.allexperts.com/.

Q - Would you welcome personal mail from your readers?

Yes, I most definitely would. If any of you have read my books and have a feedback, or if you just want to chat, I’m available. Just put my name, AUDREY GODWIN in the subject line so I will know it’s not spam or some virus-happy freak. You may email me at afullflame@aol.com. I know one of the first questions asked will be about my website. I’m sorry, but it’s under construction at the present. I’m hoping to have it up and running soon. The address is http://www.myeroticplayground.com/

Q - Thank you, Audrey, we will be looking for Brothers of the Night, and the sequel, Sugar & Spice. We will also be keeping our fingers crossed that it will be released very soon.

Thanks, Simone. It’s been great talking with you, and I hope when my website is finished everyone will come and play in my erotic playground. It will be filled with lots of wonderful books, and information I hope you will want to know about. Love ya!

2 New Reviews for Bouncer's Folly!

“Bouncers Folly is written in a very visual, readable, yet highly literary style. Gracie C. McKeever blends her hot man on man action with a spiritual tale of love's redemption. Having not read the first two books, it never felt like this was a problem. The author infuses enough information about Zara to make this story flow naturally as a stand-alone title, yet made this reviewer want to run out and buy the first two books in the series. A skillful, masterful tale told by an author with genuine talent and a compelling taste for the macabre.” 5 Delightful Divas, AJ Llewellyn for Dark Diva Reviews. To read the complete review, visit here: http://darkdivareviews.webs.com/glbt.htm

“The third installment in the Zara’s Bois series, Bouncer’s Folly is a wonderful addition and continues the growth of Zara and the people surrounding her... I enjoyed the transition from Zara the woman to Zara the man which is an interesting journey and well written. Fans of M/M and BDSM eroticism will be intrigued by this tale and Zara’s new lease on life.” 4 Headstones, Sarai for Bitten by Books. To read the full review, visit here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=706

2 New Reviews for Ingenue's Choice!

“Gracie McKeever combines old characters and settings with new and draws the reader ever closer to the newly maturing character of Zara who is becoming more likable by the day. The second installment in the Zara’s Bois series, Ingenue’s Choice is better formed than the first in the series and includes more dialogue with the two angels that started it all, Micah and Jamaereh. Fans of M/M and BDSM will appreciate the eroticism of this tale and the growth of the characters as they begin to heal old hurts.” 4 Headstones, Sarai for Bitten by Books. To read the full review, visit here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=652

“The developing romance between Patryk and Keir is very sweet and was a pleasure to read about. The sex in this book is scorching hot and there is some mild BDSM, too.
Gracie McKeever does a great job at creating a lively and sometimes very funny story, while depicting her characters in a very believable way. Ingenue's Choice is a very enjoyable paranormal story and I'm off now to read the third book in the series, Bouncer's Folly.” 4 Roses, Reviewd by Christian Otto for the REC. To read the complete review, visit here: http://www.freewebs.com/romanceconnection/reviewseh.htm

4 Cherries for Nine Inches of Snow and the Ebony Princess!

“This is the first work I’ve read by Gracie McKeever, and I enjoyed it a great deal. The storyline, which draws elements from different well-known fairytales, is tight and well written, and the characters are all realistic and well-developed. Heroine Aziza Lopez is the right combination of uncertain and independent. Because she and hunky hero David Healey get to meet before he ends up a comatose patient on her nursing ward, we also get to see her fiery side, especially after she witnesses his shape-shifting. David is flawed but completely likable, the nice guy driven by need who still tries to do the right thing. I wasn’t expecting the paranormal twist to this story, when David turns to a wolf at the moment his life is put in danger, but it fits right into the plot. I don’t normally read a lot of paranormal, but I thought David’s shifting between worlds was well done and easy to follow.” 4 Cherries, Reviewed by Dandelion for Whipped Cream.

To read the full review, visit here: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/WC/0808/NineInchesOfSnow-GM.htm

4 1/2 Stars from RT for Eternal Designs!

“McKeever delivers a powerhouse novel of desire, deceit and murder. The characters leap off the page to tell an intricate story of love that supersedes death. The suspense is taut and becomes more tightly drawn as suspects are eliminated.” 4 ½ Stars, reviewed by Donna M. Brown for Romantic Times Book Reviews

Interview with Zack Benjamin at In Their Own Words

This is the first time I’ve done anything like this (not counting the creation process when I was actually writing the book) and interviewed one of my characters for a blog. It was fun opening up the story again to re-examine aspects that could be pulled out for an interview session. Zack was, for the most part, a cooperative subject, but he’s still making some major adjustments (as you’ll see from the interview) as regards his twin sister’s new life.

Check out the interview at In Their Own Words here: http://alexbeecroft.wordpress.com/2008/09/01/zack-benjamin-from-%E2%80%9Czack-and-the-dark-shaft-zara%E2%80%99s-bois-1%E2%80%9D/