And The Wild Rose Christmas Tour has started!!

I am so excited about this tour! I have never been involved in something like this before and it's been great working with other authors to get our books our there, to support and get to know each other and most of all work out what we're going to write about to keep you, our readers, entertained. I hope we haven't let you down! (With Romy Summers overseeing the whole thing, I have to say, there is very little chance of that - she has been amazing!).

This week, we are talking about our holiday reading - please click on the Wild Rose Tour button to the right if you want to check out where each of us are appearing. (Here's the link to my appearance this week: http://victoriagrayromance.blogspot.com/

OK, so I am starting off with my first guest, Caroline Clemmons - Welcome!

Holiday Reading

Reading has been one of my passions since my first library book. As a kid, “Just let me finish this chapter!” was a continual thorn in my mom’s side Saturday mornings when she needed me to help with household chores. Of course, you know what happened, right? At the end of that chapter, there was a hook and I’d have to start the next, and so on until I finished the book. Good thing I’m a fast reader or my mom would probably have grabbed the book and whopped me up the side of the head with it. Well, no, she wouldn’t have done that, but who would have blamed her if she had? That’s how Saturday mornings went from the time I was exposed to a library in the fourth grade until I started working a part-time job that tied up my Saturdays.

You can understand, then, that even though the holidays are hectic, nothing keeps an avid reader like me from indulging in a good book. This year is no exception. It’s hard not to dig into books as I acquire them, but I’m saving a few to pamper myself during hectic holidays preparations. Here’s what I’ve lined up for the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas:

IT’S MAGIC is a paranormal contemporary romantic tale by Daryn Cross about Maxwell Magic, Santa’s identity in the off season. Daryn is a friend whose writing is especially well done. I imagine her story holds fun surprises for the reader. I purchased it through Amazon for my Kindle.

MISTLETOE EVERYWHERE by Linda Banche is a humorous Regency romance about a man so in love he sees mistletoe everywhere. Linda’s previous Regency story, PUMPKINNAPPER, was filled with fun. These two are only available in e-download and I bought mine through The Wild Rose Press.

FIRST LOVE COOKIE CLUB by Lori Wilde is the first of Lori’s books to make the NYTimes Bestseller List. Lori is a nice person who mentors less experienced authors, teaches tons of classes, and still finds time to write great books. Wearing her other professional hat of registered nurse, Lori volunteers as a rape crisis counselor at her local shelter for abused women and children. Don’t you love it when a good author is also a compassionate person?

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY, by Jodi Thomas, is the next of her Harmony Books. Reagan Truman, introduced in WELCOME TO HARMONY, gets her own story in this book. I love Jodi’s books, whether they’re contemporary or western romances or suspense, and I read whatever she publishes.

HIS CONQUEST, by Diana Cosby, continues her MacGruder brothers saga with Seathan’s story. Diana is a long time friend who is just too compassionate and kind to be human, yet she is. Not only does she tithe a portion of her royalties to the Scottish National Trust, but she is active in so many community outreach activities it would be impossible to list them all here. My favorite is the work she does with Habitat for Humanity. Not only is Diana a super nice person, she writes a terrific tale that reminds me of Julie Garwood’s medieval romances—which is a big compliment from me. My copy of this book came from Amazon, but Kensington is the publisher.

Hopefully I’ll receive more novels for gifts—not that I’ve dropped any hints. LOL Ahem, In case my family missed them, Jayne Ann Krentz has a new book! CAUGHT BY A CLOWN, by my friend and plotting partner, Sandra Crowley, will be released January 21^st, so I have to finish my TBR pile before then. Whoever said “So many books, so little time” was correct! And wouldn’t a big fat Amazon gift card make my Christmas merry and bright? Sure it would!

A couple of (modestly said LOL) terrific books for YOUR holiday reading are OUT OF THE BLUE, my contemporary time travel romantic suspense, and THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, my western historical romance set in 1885 Texas. Both are from The Wild Rose Press and the buy link is http://www.thewildrosepress.com/caroline-clemmons-m-638.html. They’re available in print or e-book from that link, and also from Amazon, Digi-Books, and the usual online sources. To tempt you, here are the blurbs.

Blurb from OUT OF THE BLUE:

Deirdre Dougherty never cursed at anyone, much less put a curse on the potato crop of her remote Irish village. She’d rather take her chances with the Atlantic lapping at the bottom of the cliff than the mob intent on burning her as they have her cottage. Deirdre leaps . . . and plops down over 160 years later in a Texas lake. She doesn’t understand how she’s ended up with the man from her recent visions or why he has the same name as the saint to whom she prayed. She’s in danger of falling for the handsome policeman who rescued her, in spite of the fact that he thinks she’s lying to him. How can she convince him her story is true when she’s finding it difficult to believe the tale herself?

Police Detective Brendan Hunter wants answers. Who shot him and killed his partner? Why? And why does Deirdre know details of the event? Her story has to be a colossal fabrication or else she’s a beautiful psycho. Either way, he wants her gone before he becomes even more fascinated with her. But he can’t let her out of his sight until she confesses to how she learned details no one but he and his late partner knew.

Blurb from THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE:

Cenora Rose O’Neill knows her father somehow arranged the trap for Dallas, but she agrees to wed the handsome stranger. She’d do anything to protect her family, and she wants to save herself from the bully Tom Williams. A fine settled man like Dallas will rid himself of her soon enough, but at least she and her family will be safely away from Tom Williams.

Texas rancher Dallas McClintock has no plans to wed for several years. Right now, he’s trying to establish himself as a successful horse breeder. Severely wounded rescuing Cenora from kidnappers, Dallas is taken to her family’s wagon to be tended. He is trapped into marrying Cenora, but he is not a man who goes back on his word. His wife has a silly superstition for everything, but passion-filled nights with her make up for everything—even when her wild, eccentric family drives crazy.

Thanks, Rachel, for having me as your guest today on or our Christmas blog tour. I hope everyone will hurry to my blogsite at http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com and see what Amy Corwin has to say about this subject. Remember to leave a comment to be entered in our prize drawing at the end of the blog tour. Good stuff free is always nice!

If you live in the United States, have a great Thanksgiving! Otherwise, have a great week

Great post, Caroline! Over to you guys, we're waiting to hear about your holiday reading - and don't forget the end of tour contest...

I'm off on a Wild Rose Tour!!

I'm not sure if any of my readers or followers have ventured to click on The Wild Rose Tour icon to the right, but if you haven't, now is the time to check it out!

It all kicks off on Wednesday 24th November when me and some other Wild Rose ladies will be talking about our 'To Be Read' piles for the holiday season. I am appearing on the lovely Amber Leigh Williams' blog - find me here:

http://amberleighwilliams.blogspot.com/

Make sure you follow me each week, leave a comment and you could be in with a chance to win a lovely pashmina and a signed copy of my first historical 'The Arrival of Lily Curtis'.

See you there!

xx

Yay, a fellow Class of '85 is dropping by - Welcome, Keena Kincaid!

I am absolutely thrilled to welcome a fellow Class Of '85 author to chat today - Keena, me and quite a few others ; ) have all contributed to the fantastic creation of Senior Author, Kathy Cottrell of The Wild Rose Press. I cannot recommend these stories highly enough and I promise it's not just because one of them is mine - it is a great, great series.

Anyway, over to Keena - welcome!

Oops…that’s not what I sat down to write

I’ve been asked dozens of times if I’m a plotter or a pantser (which means I write by the seat of my pants). I’ve often described myself as a plotzer. I try to plot but end up winging the words.

The truth is, my muse is just out-and-out insane, and I’m at his mercy. Sometimes he tells me what’s coming. Other times he prefers to surprise me. A couple of months ago, Mr. Muse shocked me by telling me about this average, contemporary hero name Nick McPherson.

Now my muse and I don’t write contemporaries. As a life-long medievalist with interests solidly fixed in the 12^th century, a contemporary was never a blip on my radar, much less an option. So, I said no.

He kept whispering.

I ignored him.

He shouted at 3 a.m.

I threatened to eunuch him. He promised me the five-book historical series I’ve been itching to write for a few years now.

He won. I followed his crooked path and found a contemporary novella at the end of it.

In Something More, Nick McPherson and Nora Emerson come into the relationship with all the wisdom and baggage of a lifetime. Both are in their 40s, both have been devastated by love, and both are starting over, but not in the same way. They each have very different paths to walk.

More interestingly, for me, they aren’t trying to save the kingdom—or the world—they are just trying to find what we all want: someone to love and laugh with.

I found myself excited and challenged by the story’s very normalness (but I’m still holding Mr. Muse to his promise for the historical series).

Excerpt:

Anxiety slithered over skin. She couldn’t do this. Hadn’t done this since her divorce—actually for years before that. She was going to embarrass herself if she kept going.

“Nick—”

He tilted her chin upward with one finger, shifted the angle of his body until the solid heat of his erection burned through her jeans. Bones melted. Doubts faded. His lips worked over hers in a heady blend of skill and desire.

The hand beneath her sweater slid upward, over the bumps of her ribs until his fingertips traced the lace of her thin bra, catching her nipple between finger and thumb. His tongue tangled with hers. He took his time, drinking her like fine Scotch and running his hands over her body with exquisite slowness. Her head spun from a primitive demand for sexual satisfaction. She’d forgotten what it was like, this incandescent, all-consuming need for another person. She pressed her palm against his chest, felt the heat of his skin, curled her fingers against hard muscle. His heart thumped hard and fast against her hand. He broke the kiss and leaned against her, his face against her hair. He smelled spicier than before, warmer, too.

“Are you certain?”

Pulling back, she studied him, trying to decipher the flicker of doubt on his face. “Who would’ve thought the wild boy of Summerville High would grow up to be so staid?”

Keena Kincaid is the author of four, full-length romance novels set in 12^th century England. “Something More” is her first contemporary and her first novella. (Yes, she’s shocked she wrote modern and short.)

Her books are available from The Wild Rose Press, Amazon, Barnes and Noble online as well as anywhere ebooks are sold. You also can fan or friend her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter and visit her blog, Typos and All. Leave a comment or just say hello to be entered into drawing for an e-copy of her newest release, SOMETHING MORE.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/something-more-p-4316.html

Great excerpt, Keena - loved this story! Over to you guys for questions and comments - for any writers wanting to contribute to the story, you'll have to hurry. I think the deadline is Dec 1st but if anyone wants to know for sure I will be happy to drop Kathy an email.

Over to you!

Chance to see a live interview! Loreen Augeri - welcome!

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to further broadcast this fabulous live interview with my guest and fellow TWRP author today before asking her a few questions of my own - enjoy!

http://www.methuentv.org/showinfo.php?ShowID=1

Fabulous promo opportunity, Loreen - very brave! I haven't reach the stage when I have the confidence to do that yet, LOL! Okay, over to my questions...

1) Who is your favourite author and why?

I have a lot of favorite romance authors, but I would have to say that historical novels by Brenda Joyce are my favorite. I laugh and cry with the characters and feel every emotion they experience.

2) When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I wrote the end on my first manuscript.

3) Describe your writing space?

I have an office where I keep all my writing materials and reading and research books equipped with a desk, computer table, computer, bookshelves, and table, but I usually write on the sofa in my living room.

4) What are you reading now?

The Chief (A Highland Guard Novel) by Monica McCarty. As usual, I started with the second book in the series, The Hawk (which I really enjoyed), and discovered it was a series. I have never read any of her books before, but I will continue to do so.

5) How many books have your written?

Seven.

Which is your favourite?

I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite. Because I wrote them, I like them all. I wouldn’t have written them if I didn’t. If I was forced to pick one, I would say, Tormented Hearts, because that book is the one that is published.

6) What comes first, plot or characters?

The characters. I give each character a goal, motivation, and conflict and from those elements the plot develops.

7) Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

Not yet, but there are days when I don’t feel like writing.

8) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Read, but with writing, working, promoting, taking care of the house, and babysitting my daughter’s new puppy, there never seems to be enough time to do so.


9) Tell us about your latest book?

The world of Brett Armstrong, the Earl of Tremont, collapses when his wife and unborn child die. Determined to punish himself for the part he played in their demise, he turns his back on society and retreats to the country. Hard, physical labor during the day and mind-numbing gin at night help to keep at bay the demons that threaten to devour him. Until Catherine Hammond creeps into his world. Not wishing to resurrect his dormant emotions and the resulting pain, Brett struggles against the sensuality she exudes and battles to defeat his rising desire.

Abused by her aristocratic husband, commoner Catherine Hammond flees from his cruelty. Her hope is to hide and create a new life. She vows to never again associate with the upper classes that have heaped unbearable pain upon her family. Escaping without funds, Catherine is forced to work as a servant in the Earl of Tremont's household. His tantalizing, amorous advances ignite a fire within the cold regions of her heart, but she refuses to fall in love with a man who may destroy her.

Excerpt:

As she stalked past him, his fingers grazed her shoulder to halt her. A sizzling warmth pierced her skin and swirled throughout her body. Catherine restrained the gasp that fought to break from her lips. She’d prayed the sensations she experienced last night resulted from the lingering effects of the dream and lack of sleep, but they seared her again.

Brett jerked his hand back as if she scalded him, and it hovered in the air above her shoulder. Unsure, she turned to him. The pulse in his temple beat at a frantic rate, and the muscles in his jaw clenched. It affected him, too. She delved deep into his eyes, and the turmoil that appeared to tear him in different directions caught and captured her.

She yearned for the heat of his fingers to engulf her again, to feel his body pressed against hers like last night, the whisper of his breath on her cheek, the exquisite thrill of not being alone. Her gaze fell to his appealing, moist lips. Not thin and dry like Lord Wallingford’s.

Brett leaned toward her and then withdrew. He swallowed, and his Adam’s apple bobbed before he cleared his throat. “You can stay here with him.”

She blinked as the strange immediacy to be embraced faded away. What had she been thinking? She never wanted another man to touch her. Ever. Especially not one of his station.

10) What’s next for you?

I have a story I have almost finished editing, another that I am in the middle of editing, and an idea for a story that I will start as soon as I have completed the other two.

Thank you, Rachel, for having me on your blog today.

You are so welcome, Loreen - over to you, readers, writers & followers for questions & comments

Promotion Vs Writing

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I have been so busy promoting and completing interviews over the last couple of weeks, I feel absolutely exhausted! The biggest problem I have is that the majority of my lovely readers and followers live in the gorgeous US (waving to all my American readers and writer friends), and so when it comes to 'chatting' and answering questions and comments, I feel as though I really let everyone down.

The reason? Time difference! Very often when I am thinking about cooking dinner, getting my daughters bathed and to bed, my readers are just waking up and so just as they are ready to chat, I disappear to bed! Not good.

I would love to think that you guys check back the next day when I have had time to catch up and respond - please tell me you do! Or am I losing readers due to my lack of immediate response? I REALLY hope I am worrying over nothing, LOL!

So if I've been busy talking with my readers (which I could do all day, quite frankly ; ) ) , what writing am I getting done? Not as much as I'd like but my latest work in progress is coming along nicely, I have to say. As I near the end of the second draft though, I do feel as though I'm going to have to change my word counter (see right). The 80,000 first draft is looking more like a 90,000 second draft - which is kind of worrying seeing as I tend to add another 5,000 + words in the final draft...

Oh, well, I guess I'm working on my biggest novel yet - a big fat Victorian historical! Any objections?

I am appearing on Romance Author Hotspot today, talking about my latest release, Transatlantic Loving - why not pop along and see what I have to say? There is a free download of the book for a random commenter who comes back to my blog and mentions the interview...

http://romanceauthorhotspot.com/?page_id=28

See you all later xx

Welcome historical WRP writer, Kathy Otten!

1. So pleased to have Kathy Otten guesting with me again today - Kathy has been here before talking about her books and I am happy to interview her and find out about her latest release, Lost Hearts...
2. 
   
3. 1) When and why did you decide you wanted to be a published author?

I’ve been writing as long as I can remember, but it wasn’t until my kids were in high school that I seriously began to pursue publication.

1. 2) What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given as a writer?

I can’t think of anything specific, but I saw Clint Eastwood once on Inside The Actor’s Studio, and he was telling James Lipton something about once the audience has been introduced to a character and has gotten to know him, you don’t always have to show his face for them to recognize him. I’ve tried to do that with the characters in my books too, and show their backs, their feet through the grass, just keeping it different.

1. 3) What is the best thing you have learned from an editor/agent?

I don’t have an agent, but from my editor, Patricia Tanner, I’ve learned to double check my facts, and I have still have no idea whether it should be laying or lying, so I should shut up and let the editor fix it.

1. 4) And the worst?

I haven’t had a bad experience with an editor so I can’t comment.

1. 5) Share your blurb or short excerpt from your latest release with us

Trapped in a life of violence and abuse, Johnny Bodine disguises her femininity and dreams of a family who loves her. Haunted by flashbacks he can't remember, from a war he wants desperately to forget, U.S. Deputy Marshal Richard Bennick arrives in Indian Territory with warrants for a notorious outlaw and his feisty, irreverent son, Johnny.
As they journey through the dangerous Choctaw Nation, Richard and Johnny must learn to trust each other in order to survive, forming a unique bond of love between outlaw and lawman that can only be broken by Richard's oath to uphold the law, and by the justice of the hangman's noose.
(Pages 352) Spicy
ISBN: 1-60154-860-5

1. 6) Who would you cast to play your hero & heroine in a movie?

That is a tricky question. My characters come to me in my mind fully formed. I don’t have to imagine what they look like, only describe it. Maybe Goran Visnjic cause he has dark hair and brown eyes and his hair is always falling over his forehead, like Rab’s. And for Johnny, maybe Demi Moore from Ghost, except with blonde hair and deep blue eyes.

1. 7) Did you plan this book? Or write it as it came?

I wrote this story in a thick spiral note, totally out of order, as each scene came to me. When I tried to put them in order I realized the newbie mistake of having written myself into a corner, with no clear idea of Johnny or Rab’s internal goals and motivations. I had to sit back and explore that along with their biggest fears so I could force them to face those in the end. Then I rewrote the whole thing again.

1. 8) What surprised you the most when you became a published?

That I feel more like a real writer with each success.

1. 9) Do you have a dedicated writing space? What does it look like?

I write on the back porch, surrounded by windows. I’m jammed into about ¼ of that space. Along the wall behind me are the vacuum cleaner and brooms. Next comes the freezer and a rack of coats, beneath which is a pile of boots and shoes. Two window lengths to my left are the bins for cat/dog food, the kitty litter boxes and dog dishes, recycle bins and scratching post. Piles of research books, note books, a file cabinet, two printers, and two computer screens surround me. And the freezer is covered with post-it notes. The dogs are usually laying/lying?? Behind my computer chair, so I’m constantly rolling into Jake or pulling the hair out of Max’s tail with the wheels. The cats sleep on the handiest pile.

1. 10) What’s next for you?

I’m playing around with a possible holiday novella which takes place in Victorian Boston. I also have short story started about a doctor and nurse during the Civil War. And I’m half way through the rough draft of another western novel about a down-on-his-luck bounty hunter and runaway wife.

Finish with details of where readers can find you – website, Facebook, Twitter etc

Web site: www.kathyotten.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages?Kathy-Otten-Historical-Romance-Author/438622675690

Great interview, Kathy! I absolutely love the sound of your upcoming projects too! I vote for the Civil War first and then go on to the others, LOL! I adore a American Civil War story, I suppose it's because I'm from the UK and just learning more and more about that time in American history. I look forward to seeing it in print...

Questions?? Comments??

And the Winner is...

Loretta Canton - Congrats!!

You were the first person to give the correct answer and the person my daughter chose from the pot, LOL!

Enjoy the book!!

x

Wanna a free paperback book???

Are you sure?

Positive?

Great, because I'm in the mood for some giveaways!!

All you need to do is answer the following two questions correctly to win one of three signed copies of my Eternal Press release, The Sharp Points of a Triangle....

Email your answers to me at rachelbrimble@googlemail.com for a chance to win!

1) What was the name of the review site that gave the book five diamonds?

2) What is the heroine's occupation?

I will ask one of my daughters to draw three correct answers from the hat tomorrow night and post the winners here on Monday morning. Good Luck!!

xxx

Wanna a free signed paperback book???

Welcome, Wild Rose Press historical writer, Keena Kincaid!

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think I've hosted a guest blogger who writes novels set in the 12th century before, so I am really happy to have fellow Wild Rose Press writer, Keena Kincaid here today.

A very warm welcome, Keena!

When I sat down to write ENTHRALLED, I struggled to capture the complexities of the hero, William of Ravenglas.

Typically, I write larger-than-life heroes who don’t fall from the straight and narrow path, but jump from it. But William was different. His path to perdition is much more subtle. He falls one inch at a time.

When we meet him, William is a deeply flawed man—proud, ambitious and fiercely protective. He’s in danger from the sins of his past, and driven by a need to do “the right thing.” He strives to live with honor and integrity in a world where he sees little of either.

In short, he is how I imagine the high ideals of chivalry collide with human failings.

Even more tragic than his fall from grace is his honest belief that forcing the woman he loves to marry her betrothed is the right and honorable course. With that marriage, Ami will be safe and secure, if unhappy. To William, the former are more important than the latter.

Here’s an excerpt that encapsulates William’s yearning for the heroine, Ami, and what keeps him from claiming her:

Quiet noises whispered up the stairs, the rustle of fabric, the rattle of knives. Slowing his steps, he edged toward the landing and peered into the large, welcoming room.

Ami.

In the golden light cast from the hearth, she glowed as if dusted with fire ground into powder. Her magic lent a soft gloaming to her skin that invited him closer. His body tightened, urged him forward. He braced against the doorjamb and held his place.

Unaware of him—or unwilling to acknowledge his presence—she sliced a slab of bread from the remainders of the feast, humming a tune best left in the alehouses.

Behind her, a fire danced brightly in the room, larger than necessary, but she was a creature of light and heat. She gravitated toward the sun like a morning glory and followed slivers of light across rooms. Even in winter, she bundled against the cold to stand outside, eyes closed, face lifted to the weak light. His thoughts turned to the times he’d joined her in the cold and wrapped them both in his mantle, his hands, hidden from others, holding her closer than right.

Mine.

The word moved unbidden and unchallenged through his heart. Heat thundered through his blood like a chevalier’s charge, and it took all his will power to stand against it. However much she felt like his, she wasn’t. Would never be unless he walked away from family, wealth and security, and then dragged her with him.

And, as Papa pointed out on a long-ago summer night, without wealth and security he had nothing to give her but hunger and misery.

Keena Kincaid is the author of four romance novels set in 12^th century England. Her books are available from The Wild Rose Press, Amazon, Barnes and Noble online as well as anywhere ebooks are sold. You can fan or friend her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter and visit her blog, Typos and All.

To buy a copy:

· http://www.thewildrosepress.com/enthralled-paperback-p-4301.html?zenid=3b0182d2b84116e86e5e4bfcf2de4744 (print)

· http://www.thewildrosepress.com/enthralled-p-4273.html (ebook)

· http://www.amazon.com/Enthralled-Keena-Kincaid/dp/1601548419/ref=cm_cmu_up_thanks_hdr (Amazon)

Great excerpt, Keena! If you have any questions or comments for Keena, she'd love to answer them. If you have a moment, visit Keena's website at www.keenakincaid.com. I am so impressed by your education, wow!

Welcome Whispers Publishing author, Theresa Stillwagon!

Really great to have you here today, Theresa - looking forward to getting to know you are a writer as well as reading an excerpt from your latest release, THE GIFT. Over to you!

1) What is your writing routine?
Writing routine? I wish I had one now. Because of some financial problems, I haven’t been able to write at all. I am forming a few plot outlines for a series of stories based on one of my contracted books, though. That’s something.
Usually I try to write new stuff when my husband is working. I need quiet for that. I can do editing and critiques at any time.

2) Which author/s inspire you to write?
I really can’t think of any off hand.

3) Which is your favorite romance subgenre to read? To write?
I love reading romances with a hint of danger in them. I also like romantic suspense and mysteries set in any time period. My favorite subgenre to write is contemporary romances where the heroine is in some type of danger. My longer books always have a bit of suspense in them, but my shorter ones are pure romance.

4) How do you deal with criticism/rejection?
Rejection is a part of a writer’s life. No matter how many years you’ve written or how many books you’ve sold, you will still receive rejections. Some are more critical than others, but you can always find something good within them.
The last rejection I received was so bad I almost gave up writing completely. Almost. I came to my senses quick enough. I figure if I sold one book; I can sell another. (I’ve sold four.) Not every one is going to like my writing.
The right kind of criticism is good for a writer.

5) What do you expect from an editor?
The truth. An honest evaluation of my writing.

6) Tell me about your latest release
The Gift is a short older woman, younger man romance from Whispers Publishing. You can buy it at
http://www.whispershome.com/book_pages/the_gift.html

7) Tease us with a blurb or short excerpt


“I don’t want you to leave yet.”
His fingers caressed down her back and she twisted around toward him. He stepped back at her abrupt move. Frustration narrowed the irises of his eyes now, showing her the man she’d met on the road that day. The strong, capable deputy sheriff had been replaced by the sex-starved man she’d met the day after she settled into her trailer.
“I liked you better the way you were the day we first met.”
His head jerked backward at her comment. “I haven’t changed.”
She ignored his comment. “You were a professional then, stopping to make sure a citizen was all right.”
“Aunt Clara called me.” Bewilderment deepened his voice. “She told me you were in trouble.”
She still ignored him. “The next day you came by with some friends and helped me set up my trailer. You won my friendship then, Ben.”
“I know that.”
“Then you lost it.” She glanced up at him now. “Your whole attitude changed toward me. You scared me.”
His body stiffened. “Scared you? How?”
“No man has ever wanted me like you do,” she whispered. “Not even my husband.” Her heart pounded in her chest as she forced out her words. If she wanted to have a real relationship with this man, she needed to be truthful with him now. And she wanted a real relationship, a complete one. “I don’t know how to take you when we’re alone. It’s safer for me when someone else is around us. I’m not hiding from you because I don’t want to have anything to do with you; I’m hiding because I do. And that frightens me.”
There she’d said it.
“Because I scare you?”
“No, because I scare me.”


8) Which is your favorite character in the book? Why?
Ben’s aunt is my favorite character. She’s a retired lady with a lot of spunk. Her conniving involvement got Dana to finally agree to go out with the long-suffering Ben.

9) What is next for you?
I have a book due out with Desert Breeze Publishing in April, 2011. It’s a western contemporary called Saving Pale Moon. You can find out more about me at
http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-template/TheresaStillwagon/Page.bok

10) What are you working on right now?
I’m working on two separate things. (That is when I can find the time.) One is working out plot synopses for stories set in the same area as Saving Pale Moon, a ranch in Texas. I have three different romances in mind. And I’m also working out subplots for a finished contemporary romance. I’d like to submit this to Avon Publishing.

11) Your biggest piece of advice to aspiring novelists?
Never give up on your dreams. No matter how many rejections you receive, no matter how many people tell you you’ll never make it, keep on writing. You won’t ever get published if you listen to the naysayers. So don’t listen to them.

12) Where can readers find you?
http://www.theresastillwagon.webs.com
http://www.tstillwagon.wordpress.com

Great interview, Theresa! I would love to hear more about Whispers Publishing if you would be kind enough to share - I know very little about them but I what I have heard has been all good!

Questions? Comments?