Lori Devoti, paranormal romance and urban fantasy author

Yay, another Nocturne author joins us. Caridad Pineiro was born in Havana, Cuba and settled in the New York Metropolitan area. Her vampire series, The Calling, debuted in 2005 with Danger Calls for Silhouette Intimate Moments. The stories continue next month with Death Calls as part of the Silhouette Nocturne line.

Welcome, Caridad!

Q) First can you tell us about your Nocturne release?

CP) My December release, DEATH CALLS, is book # 4 in THE CALLING vampire series, but don’t worry if you haven’t read the earlier books. It stands alone. Also, the three earlier books will be available in an e-book format if you want to catch up with it. In DEATH CALLS, the heroine Diana Reyes must deal with the death of a close friend. That death makes her revisit where she is going with her life and all that she will lose by continuing to love Ryder Latimer, a vampire who can never provide a normal life. Ryder understands her conflict and when she leaves him, he tries to deal with the loss. As he is searching, he discovers Stacia, a two thousand vampire elder who seems to be dealing quite well with her long existence. I won’t give away more, but this book is filled with unexpected developments and an ending that catapults the reader into the following books in the series – DEVOTION CALLS (January 2007) and BLOOD CALLS (May 2007).

Q) Your hero is a vampire, does your heroine have powers too?

CP) My heroine is human, but totally empowered and as tortured as the hero due to her life experiences. Her first brush with death came when she was 19 and her father was gunned down in front of her eyes.

Q) I know many of your books have Latin characters and flavor—does Death Calls?

CP) All my vamp books have ethnic characters. I think that reflects the status of Manhattan as well as certain parts of the United States. It adds some different to the characters, but first and foremost, it’s the vampire culture that drives the stories.

Q) Who is your favorite character in this book and why?

CP) Diana Reyes was totally alive and amazing from the moment she started screaming for a story. She is my favorite character of all time.

Q) Who do you think is the strongest–your hero or heroine?

CP) My heroine and hero are partners and therefore equal. They each have their strengths and weaknesses, but both are essentially alphas.

Q) Nocturne is billed as “Dramatic and Sensual Tales of Paranormal Romance”. How does this tagline fit your book? What other one word descriptors would you use to describe it?

CP) DEATH CALLS and the books that follow are definitely filled with larger than life situations involving supernatural happenings. They are also totally sexy and edgy and I love pushing boundaries. I think I would add that to the list of descriptions – Novels that Push the Boundaries of Romance.

Q) Would you describe your book as dark? And what does that term mean to you?

CP) Dark. Way dark. What does dark mean to me? That the story explores the deepest and sometimes most dangerous parts of human nature. I look at the demons and their emotions as being metaphors for the traits in the humans around them. The demons reflect things we don’t want to believe about ourselves, but we are sometimes forced to confront.

Q) Why do you write paranormals? What appeals to you about the sub genre?

CP) What appeals to me is the lack of boundaries that I experience in other forms of fiction. The story lines can be much edgier and sometimes harsh, but that brings about amazing depth and also, wonderful character redemption.

Q) This book is part of a series that has spanned a number of lines. Can you tell us a bit about previous books and give us a sneak peek on what else you have planned?

CP) THE CALLING began in Silhouette Intimate Moments and as I mentioned earlier, the three earlier books will be available in e-book format. THE CALLING is definitely a cross-genre series as it started off predominantly as a romantic suspense with a hint of the paranormal. I’ve played with that in each book, alternating from one with little paranormal to one with a lot of it. That has drawn in a number of different readers and I’m pleased that they are all happy with how the series is progressing. The books that follow, DEVOTION CALLS and BLOOD CALLS, will also share that element of being cross genre. I think that appeals to people on many levels and allows for an interesting blend of real world conflict against that brought about by the supernatural elements of the story.

Q) You write for more than one Harlequin line and in more than one genre—is there something about your books that holds true no matter what line or genre?

CP) Empowered women. I think women have come a long way and I always like to show heroines who are in control of their lives, able to make decisions and if need be, to save the hero’s butt!

Q) Who are some of your favorite authors?

CP) Besides all the Nocturne authors? LOL! Kim Harrison and Kelley Armstrong. Jacqueline Carrey. I like novels that push the edge of what’s been done before.

Q) Where can readers find you on the web?

CP) I have a site and blog at http://www.caridad.com

Q) And is there anything else you’d like to add? I love to hear from readers and they can sign up at the sight for my monthly contests and newsletters.

Thanks to Caridad for chatting with us!!

Welcome to Michele Hauf, my second Nocturne author interviewee. Michele is a multi-talented author who has written historical romances, fantasy novels for Luna, Bombshells, paranormal romances for Zebra and now dark paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne. Visit her on the web at michelehauf.com.  

Q) First can you tell us about your Nocturne release?

M.H.) It’s my return to writing vampires! The hero is the lead singer for the band The Fallen, and he also happens to be a vampire. He’s taking a break from the public to try to get his dark addiction under control before he makes a mistake, like murder. But for a man accustomed to living in the spotlight, it’s going to be very difficult for him to ‘hide away’. He finds an intriguing challenge in the heroine, who is also hiding, but not purposefully, it is just her manner; the world does not interest her. It’s the first story I’ve written where I didn’t rely on ‘action’ to keep a hero and heroine together. I’ve put these two people in a house, and forced them to deal with one another. It was interesting, to me, to meet that challenge, and real torture for the hero. But then, I do enjoy torturing my heroes.

Q) Your hero is a vampire, does your heroine have powers too?

M.H.) The heroine is a not-witch. Basically, her father was a vampire and her mother was a witch. But neither vampire traits or witch traits developed in the heroine. Though, she has an innate magic, that she isn’t able to control. Witch’s blood is poisonous to a vampire. But, should a vampire find some way around that sticky little problem, then he can draw on the witch’s magic and gain immense power, by having sex with her. It’s the blood sex magic. Most vamps can’t do it. It’s that poison blood thing. Not easy to get around.

Q) Your hero is in a rock band. What made you choose this career for him? Does music play a role in the story?

M.H.) I love the image of the singer on stage, feeding off the adoration much as a vampire feeds on life. The rock star is the ultimate fantasy. Actually, the music had to take a bit of a backstage in the story. The focus is on the hero’s struggle with his addiction, and the love that develops between he and the heroine. But I couldn’t resist a scene showing him performing on stage. And of course, that is when the heroine really begins to understand what it is about a musician that turns woman on. It’s that superstar essence and a literal ’shine’ that beams off them from the stage to embed within the hearts of female admirers. Ha! Can you tell I have a thing for rock stars?

Q) Who is your favorite character in this book and why?

M.H.) I like my hero because he has accepted his vampirism (though it wasn’t his idea to become one; he was attacked). And he’s never lost his sense of humanity and possesses a good deal of humor. And he will always have that little-boy-lostness that I so love to see in bad boys. They’re big, they’re bad, but inside, they just need a hug. And he brings the heroine flowers! Lots of flowers.

Q) Who do you think is the strongest–your hero or heroine?

M.H.) I think they balance each other pretty well. Where the hero is weak, the heroine steps in to support him, and his strengths lift her out from a pretty dismal future.

Q) Nocturne is billed as “Dramatic and Sensual Tales of Paranormal Romance”. How does this tagline fit your book? What other one word descriptors would you use to describe it?

M.H.) Yep, lots o drama and sensuality. And sex! Hey, I think this is the first of my books that has quite a few sex scenes. It’s not erotica, but I got a chance to explore the vampire’s need for sex that always comes with the need for blood. You can’t seperate the two. Otehr words? Twisted. Sexy. Intriguing. Secrets. Rock n’ roll. Blood sex magic. Sacrifice. Ritual.

Q) Would you describe your book as dark? And what does that term mean to you?

M.H.) It is dark. I’m still not sure how to describe dark, other than to say it’s not light.   I think exploring the idea of a man who’s desperate not to become a killer, and pairing him with a woman who just may be a killer, does touch the dark a bit, eh? And the ending surprised me. It’s much less graphic than I originally wrote it, but it does go to a dark place, and the hero enters that darkness freely, thinking only of the heroine. I liked him for the sacrifice he wishes to make to save the woman he loves. It could mean his very life, but he goes there without question. That, to me, is the kind of man I want to fall in love with.

Q) Why do you write paranormals? What appeals to you about the sub-genre?

M.H.) Though I have written a few non-paranormal contemporaries, my heart belongs to the paranormal genre. I like to read beyond the normal, everyday stuff that goes on in a person’s life. I want it to be fantastical and over-the-top, and even impossible. I want to step into a world different from my own. What better way to do that than to write about vampires?

Q) Is this book part of a series? Can you give us a sneak peek on what else you have planned?

M.H.) Yes, and I think the title for the series will be Bewitching the Dark. I’m working on book #2 right now, KISS ME DEADLY. It features Ravin Crosse as the hero (she shows up in From the Dark as a vigilant vampire slayer) and I’ve a vampire phoenix hero, Nikolaus Drake. A vampire phoenix is one who has literally risen from ash, and survived a witch’s blood attack. (Because witch’s blood is poison to a vampire). It’s going to be a reverse romance, of sorts. And no, I’m not going to explain that one. ;-)

Q) You have written for a number of different lines-is there something >about >your books that holds true no matter what line or sub genre?

M.H.) Belief. It always comes back to what do you believe in. What are your truths that you would never violate? How do you function in a world where your beliefs cannot exist? Can you believe in the unbelievable? Can you go there? Q) Who are some of your favorite authors? M.H.) Jim Butcher, Susan Carroll, Alexandre Dumas, Kim Harrison, Neil Gaiman, Anne Rice.

Q) Where can readers find you on the web? And is there anything else you’d like to add?

M.H.) http://www.michelehauf.com Many thanks for supporting the Nocturne series, Lori! And soon we’ll be reading an interview with you about your own Nocturne! How cool is that?

Thanks for chatting with us, Michele, and yeah, I’m stoked to be part of the Nocturne line!

I thought it would be fun to interview a few aspiring authors–to see what keeps them going, why they write, and maybe to reinspire a few pubbed authors by reminding them of their original goals.

I chose Edie Ramer for my first interview, because Edie is one of the most upbeat people I know–and she is really putting her all into her pursuit of being published. Common wisdom is that it takes three things to get published: Talent, Perserverance and Luck. All Edie needs is a little luck and she will be on her way. 

Welcome, Edie!! 

Q.) How long have you been writing with the goal of publication?

E.R.) Lori, I’m thrilled that you’re interviewing me–although the “how long” question makes me squirm. I started writing about 20 years ago . I had an early success with short stories and sold eleven to print publications, all in the mystery field. My CPs say I write tight, and this is probably the reason. I wrote books too, but I didn’t sell. I quit for about 6 years and tried other things, but writing is what I really wanted to do. I couldn’t stay away. My reading tastes have switched to romances, so this is what I write now.

Q.) Why do you want to be published?

E.R.) Lori, you don’t do easy questions, do you? I’d say money, but if I’d put this much energy and passion into another career I’d be a wealthy women. (Besides, I can imagine my published CPs laughing hysterically at the “money” answer.) Maybe ego. I hope my work will entertain people, make them feel good inside. I want my son to feel bursting at the seams proud that his mother did this. I know I’ll feel that way when I see my books on the bookshelves. Or, better yet, some lovely person taking it off the bookshelf.

Q.) What do you write—has it changed over the years?

E.R.) I started writing romance before my shift to mysteries. I was reading more mysteries than romance, so it made sense. After I came back, I wrote a fluffy humorous ST romance. I quickly switched to writing romances with a little of everything in it. A mess. LOL. I’ve finally found out that I love writing offbeat quirky romances. My current book is women’s fiction, but it’s populated with quirky people. They’re in my life, so why not put them in my books?

Q.) Do you enter contests? If so how do you feel they help, if not why not?

E.R.) I try to restrain myself from entering contests. *g* I entered sporadically when I first started writing romance again. I won three, including the 2005 ST Molly. Contests validated my writing, but I can get my books on agents’ desks faster and cheaper by querying. That’s just my opinion. I would enter the GH, but quirky offbeat romance has zero chance of finalling.

Q.) Do you submit directly to publishers or only to agents? If you submit to publishers, is it totally cold or only through requests from conferences, etc. Any reason for this strategy?

E.R.) I submit mostly to agents. With my last book I sent it to what I consider “the usual suspect” agents. And quickly got turned down by them all without any requests. This is the best book I’ve written, and I was depressed. Then I read the funny and inspiring blog Maria V. Snyder wrote about how she persevered through rejections and sold her Rita nominated paranormal, POISON STUDY, to Luna. This made me realize I’d given up too early. My book was out of the romance box, so I needed an out-of-the-romance-box agent. I went through Agent Query, then emailed and snail mailed queries. I got 3 requests for partials and I still have a lot of queries out there. I also have two requested nonfiction proposals out, so I’m crossing my fingers that something good will happen. I’ve only sent to one publisher, partly because two of my CPs sold to them, and after this they got their agents. It’s Kensington. (Lori can tell you this worked for her too.:)) Just last week I received a rejection on a previous book by a Kensington editor, but she said she’d love to see another one, so I mailed the full of my “out of the box” romance. If I start collecting a lot of agent rejections, I’ll start sending to more publishers. This book deserves a home.

Q.) Have you or would you at some point consider submitting to a small publisher? Why or why not?

E.R.) Yes, I am considering submitting to a small publisher with my latest. But only after I’ve gone through all the bigger hoops. Why? Because I want to be published. Like Maria V. Snyder, I’m going to try all the avenues available. I’m not sure if you mean e-books, but I’ve been hesitant to go that route for several reasons. Although I have sex scenes in my book, they’re not as spicy as the more popular e-books. With the exceptions of Ellora’s Cave, most of them don’t make that much money. (See Brenda Hiatt’s Show Me the Money ) Lastly, I don’t read many e-books. I might change my mind as e-books evolve.

Q.) Is there any one mistake you made along the way you wish you could go back and correct?

ER.) I wish I hadn’t given up writing about ten years ago. I truly believe I’d be published by now.

Q.) What is the biggest validation of your writing you have received?

E.R.) Having sold early was a validation of my writing skills. Now, it’s my terrific CPs who keep me motivated. Also, a lot of my rejections are the “good ones”, and that does help keep my spirits up.

Q.) What keeps you motivated to keep writing?

ER.) When I don’t write for too long, I feel itchy. It’s a need with me. When I stopped writing, I felt like I was missing something. Writing is the right thing for me to do.

Q.) What advice do you have for other writers seeking publication?

ER.) I’m guessing most of the people reading this are in RWA, so you’re already on your way.  Network. Read blogs and comment. It’s a great way to get friendly with other writers. Seek out great CPs, either at your level or above. If you can afford it, go to conferences. Keep up with the market. I subscribe to Publishers Marketplace for $20 a month. I use it to research agents, so it’s worth it to me, but they also have the free daily lunch. Write and send out your stuff. It’s my goal to make every book I write better than the previous one.

Q.) Do you have a web site or blog? If so, what made you decide to take that step?

E.R.) I have a website. A website isn’t necessary to sell, but I thought of it as one more tool. I emailed a question to Agent Kristin at PubRants (Kristin Nelson) asking if she looked at websites when she was reading queries. She replied that she often does, and they better look professional. I wanted a personal blog with my site, or course, but two of my CPs and I had already started Magical Musings. It seemed like the natural next step for us. We’re all on the cusp of selling, and this was a way to get our name out there. Theresa Monsey and LaDonna Paulette have recently joined us. We’ll be speaking about blogging on AskAnAuthorPro this next week. Thanks for taking the time to chat with us!! It was a pleasure, Lori. You gave me a lot to think about. Thank you for asking me.

I am really excited to kick off what I hope will be monthly interviews with one or more Nocturne authors. The first two books will be in stores soon–look for them! For the debut month, I’m interviewing one of the launch authors, Lindsay McKenna. Lindsay has more than 75 published books to her credit and her books have appeared on both the USA Today and Waldenbooks bestseller lists. Her book Unforgiven has been getting great reviews. You should all pick it up (pay for it too :) )

So, without further ramblings from me–here is Lindsay.

Q) First can you tell us about your Nocturne release?

LM) Unforgiven is about Reno Manchahi, an Apache shape shifter who was the best sniper in the US Marine Corps.  He chased bad guys over in Afghanistan.  When his wife and child are murdered, he spirals into a hell that eventually finds him putting in twenty years in a military brig.  And that is where the book opens.  I really don’t want to give too much of the plot away–this is a book filled with twists, turns and surprises.  It is about shape shifters.  And it has a lot of action/adventure/danger and I hope, readers think it is a page turner (because I worked hard to make it one).  I was able to put some useful information about a symbol in the book that I use to this day.  This symbol in the book is part of the fabric of my paranormal life and I hope to share its healing and positive benefits through my characters in this book.

Q) I’ve heard your book features Native American lore, can you tell us a bit about that-what drew you to those legends, beliefs etc.?

LM) It comes down to writing what I know.  I write about Native Americans because I have their blood in me.  Coming from a Cherokee background, I grew up with my father, who has this blood on his side of the family, telling us stories all the time. These stories not only had a beginning, middle and end, but they also were allegorical and could be absorbed at the spirit, mind, emotional or physical level of my consciousness.  My mother also read to us kids several times a week.  I grew up in a family of receiving verbal story telling as well as listening to my mother reading to us.  I have the DNA/heritage through my Cherokee blood to share what I know in a story form.  I rarely answer a question with a yes or not.  I usually tell a story to get my point across to another person.  So, it’s genetic.  And I’m so glad to have this gift for this lifetime!

I’m cross trained in a number of indigenous traditions: first by my father from age 9-18, later by other teachers who were Western Cherokee, Apache/Mohawk and an Incan 4th level priest from Peru.  I’m an amalgam of many traditions and I have in the past, written about them and will continue to do so even more, in the future.

Q) Your hero is a shape-shifter, does your heroine have powers too?

LM) Absolutely. Calen Hernandez is a shape-shifter.  Of course, the fun part is that neither realizes the other is a shape-shifter; so it gets pretty interesting, I think, as part of the plot in UNFORGIVEN.  My readers will decide that one, however.

Q) Who is your favorite character in this book and why?

LM) Calen is because she comes from a tragic background and struggles and eventually grows into her new, dynamic role–and not without a lot of hard work, risk-taking and putting her values on the line.  I like her strength, her morals, values and loyalty to her people. 

Q) Who do you think is the strongest–your hero or heroine?

LM) That’s a tough one to decide.  I feel they are equal.  They are powerful people in their own right.  Again, I’ll let the readers answer this one.  They may have a favorite, but Reno Manchahi and Calen Hernandez are tough hombres with good hearts.  They are  knights in their own realms.

Q) Nocturne is billed as “Dramatic and Sensual Tales of Paranormal Romance”. How does this tagline fit your book? What other one word descriptors would you use to describe it?

LM) Being the launch book, Unforgiven does fit those tag lines in my opinion. A launch book is supposed to mirror the best of what the line is going to offer….getting off on the right foot, so to speak.  And, I hope my book does just that for Nocturne.   It is about life and death issues.  And there is (I hope) nonstop tension and suspense.  I believe I write a strong, sensual romance, too.  My editors have great faith in the book and that makes me feel good–but ultimately, it will be my readers who decide this question.  

Q) Would you describe your book as dark? And what does that term mean to you?

LM) Dark is defined by me as the emotional wounds we all carry within us.  Reno’s wound is the loss and murder of his family by an Army general.  Readers who pick up my books know I write ‘dark’ anyway–whether it is a paranormal based or not.  I tend to write angst and deep, complex characters who are in a world of hurt–and then give them a story and life to help them move through their wounding and come out the other side of it, healed.  That is what DARK means to me.  I’m sure if you ask ten writers what ‘dark’ means you’re going to get ten different answers .

Q) Why do you write paranormals? What appeals to you about the sub genre?

LM) I utilize my life and experiences as a basis or foundation for the stories I share with readers.  A writer cannot write outside her or himself; that is impossible to do.  Each human being is like a stained glass window; we are all fractured and imperfect, but that does not matter. The Light of Spirit shines through us, anyway.  And the light that comes through us and touches others is always unique to the person.  That is why each writer is different from another; and their “voice” is unique to them.   My stained glass window is comprised of years spent in the military service as well as my genetics being Native American, Irish, Dutch and English.  I write from who I am or am discovering who I am and this is all reflected in the books I create.

I was born into a family who lived and practiced metaphysics daily (metaphysics is a 20th century word for the 21st century word paranormal, by the way….it means ‘beyond the seen’ or having the ability to perceive the other dimensions with your third eye and not your physical set of eyes).   I began my training into the ‘medicine’ (skill/healing talent) that has been passed down through my father’s Native American side of the family when I was nine years old and finished at age eighteen.   I then had other Native American or South American teachers walk into my life at different points to teach me what else I needed to know in order to be of service to ‘all our relations’ here on Mother Earth. 

You might say I write what I am.  Paranormals aren’t new to me.  I live a paranormal life.  I wrote my first pure paranormal in 1999, Heart of the Jaguar (Silhouette single title release).  I have also written two non-fiction books under my Cherokee name, Ai Gvhdi Waya (Walks With Wolves).  My books, Path of the Mystic and Soul Recovery and Extraction, allow a window in my world and my healing practices.  Who better to write paranormals than someone who lives in it daily?  There will be a higher level of reality to what I write because I’ve personally experienced it.  And any time a writer can tap into that vein of her or himself, the book is even more ‘alive’ for the reader than usual.

Q) Is this book part of a series? Can you give us a sneak peek on what else
you have planned?

LM) The short answer is yes.

Unforgiven was created by me three years earlier.  I wanted to start another saga-series in the footsteps of Morgan’s Mercenaries.   And I wanted it to be more toward Native American and indigenous people story lines.  The third item was I wanted them to be metaphysical (paranormal) novels.  I worked tirelessly on this mega-project when I could, between contract books.  I felt paranormal was going to be BIG.  Really big–and not just about vampires–but about the entire field, which is a huge playground for writers to create novels about.  I felt it was time for me to produce a line of pure paranormal books.    And so, the Warriors for the Light is the basis of the foundation for my ongoing saga-series for Silhouette Nocturne.

I had no idea that Warriors for the Light would travel such a unusual route to publishing.  And it’s such an unexpected way–Unforgiven was chosen as my second launch book.  It never entered my awareness that I would be asked to do a second launch for Silhouette.  But it did.  And I’m excited about it because Unforgiven really unwraps my paranormal life and I’ve infused my world into this book and the ones to come that are paranormal in content (whether for Nocturne or HQN).  I believe the readers are going to feel a palpable energy to my books they never felt before.  At least, I hope so! That is my intent.  They’ll let me know.

I’ve signed a three-book contract to produce Warriors for the Light  as an ongoing saga-series with Silhouette Nocturne.   Dark Truth, Aug. 2007, will be book 2 of the Warriors for the Light.  I’m working on a proposal for book 3 right now. 

With HQN, I’ll be doing a parallel of pure Native American paranormal novels.  The first will be Training to Die (working title at this point) and it will come out December/2007.  This will take advantage of my strengths as a writer because I live a Native American paranormal life.  And lest readers worry that I won’t be continuing to write Morgan’s Mercenaries novels–I will!  At HQN.  My next one is due out in Dec/2006 and is called Beyond the Limit.  This is Pete Trahyern’s story.  He is the second son of Morgan and Laura Trayhern.  It is not a paranormal, but not all my books will be in the future.  I usually write many types of novels and intend to be very Gemini about it as I have in the past.  I consider myself a dim-sum writer; able to write in a lot of different categories.

Q) You have written for a number of different lines-is there something about your books that holds true no matter what line or sub genre?  (emotionally intense, sensual, etc.)

LM) I write emotionally intense angst/dark novels that include love, adventure, suspense and danger.  I also want deep, complex characters in a page-turning plot. Those are my trademarks.  I basically write for myself. I write what I’d like to read.  And I’m fortunate enough to have readers who like to read what I like to read!  And I’d get very bored writing the same thing all the time; which is why I like to do a mystery, a historical, a contemporary that can range from a reality based story of a military romance into paranormal elements or a full blown story in paranormal. 

Q) Who are some of your favorite authors?

LM) Ernest Hemingway is my most favorite writer of all time.  His book, For Whom The Bell Tolls made a deep impression on me when I read it as a teenager.  In terms of contemporary writers, I have so many favorites that if I don’t name them all, someone will get hurt feelings.  Suffice to say, they are all women vet writers who have served in our armed forces.  Readers can run over to http://www.romvets.com/ to see who they are!  And, after meeting Maureen Child and Caridad Pineiro and getting to read their advance copies on Eternally and Death Calls–I’ve added them to my list, too!

Q) Where can readers find you on the web?

LM) They can always drop in at: http://www.lindsaymckenna.com/.  I have a blog that covers my Native American paranormal life.  I also write articles on writing for it when the mood strikes me on that blog. They can find it at: http://www.talesfromechocanyon.blogspot.com/. 

All of September, over at eharlequin.com, I’ll be doing a blog for them. Just go to “Look Who’s Blogging” and click on it. I’m trying to put a lot of writing tips for aspiring writers and welcome any questions. I hope I can answer them.

Q) Is there anything else you’dlike to add?

LM) No, this was a great line of questions. Thank you for giving me the opportunity, Lori
 

My friend Kathy Love is with us today. Yay, Kathy!! For those of you not in the know–Kathy writes romantic comedies for Zebra and vampires romances for Brava. If you like sexy and fun, you’ll love Kathy Love. :)

Q.) You started with romantic comedies set in Maine and now are writing vampires. Why vampires?

K.L.) Hi Lori and Lori’s blog buddies. Thanks for having me. Even though I did start with romantic comedies, the first book I ever wrote and completed was what eventually became Fangs For The Memories. Rhys and Jane were the couple of my heart. I started thinking about them in, I guess, 1998 or 1999. As far as why vampires? I’ve always had a thing for them. Since Love At First Bite.

Q.) Your vampires are far from the stereotype. Can you tell us what gave you the idea? Do you have a favorite?

K.L.) Thanks, Lori. I hope they are far from stereotypical. I think I came up with my brothers and all their odd quirks, because I was reading vampire romance and I wasn’t finding what I wanted to read. I wanted vampires that were sexy and emotional, but that were also a bit funny. Not slapstick funny–but funny because of what they are. Dark, brooding vampires are good–but they get a little old. And yes, I do have a favorite. Sebastian. He loves being a vampire and he’s not ashamed to tell anyone. His book, I Only Have Fangs For You, will be out in December 2006

Q.) What is your writing process? (character sketches, plotting with index cards, just start writing, etc.)

K.L.) I know the beginning and the end, but pretty much everything in the middle, I just figure out as I go along. Unless I get stuck, then I basically outline a few chapters to help me clarify what is important about those chapters and where I need to go.

Q.) What do you consider to be your greatest strength as a writer?

K.L.) Hmm. That’s hard. I think I’m pretty good at combining humor with emotion. That’s what I want to be good at anyway.

Q.) What do you wish was easier for you (as a writer)?

K.L.) The actual writing. I’m a huge procrastinator, and I need to stop that. I end up being rushed trying to meet my deadlines. That really makes writing a job rather than a joy. Whereas if I could actually stick to a schedule, I think I’d be much happier.

Q.) Can you name one author whose work you admire and specifically tell us what you like about it?

K.L.) I don’t think I can name just one. Sorry.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is my idol. She is brilliant at write funny, yet very emotional books.

Linda Howard. Her emotion is also fantastic.

Lisa Kleypas. She is so good at writing heroes that I instantly fall in love with.

Stephen King. Aside the fact that he’s a fellow Mainer, he’s great a creating these characters that you are totally invested in, and then ruining their lives.

Okay, I guess if I truly had to pick just one, it would be Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

Q.) I’ve heard rumors werewolves are in you future. Can you give us some details?

K.L.) Ah yes. I do have my first werewolf coming out in July of 2007. I can’t give you many details other than the werewolf is a she. She’s a little obsessive-compulisive about hair. And she does tie in to the Fangs series. And her hero is a human, and a veterinarian.

Q.) Where online can readers find you?

K.L.) Readers can find me at www.readkathylove.com. And keep checking back, because my website should be getting a major overhaul very soon.

Thank you again, Lori!

I am really excited to welcome Jolie Mathis to my blog. Jolie’s debut novel, The Sea King, came out just last month, and does it look great. Without further ado…here’s Jolie (and me, asking the questions :) )

Q.) First tell us about The Sea King.

J.M.)Sure, Lori! The Sea Kingis set in pre-Conquest, pre-Viking Age England. Princess Isabel of Norsex must guard her heart against the formidable Viking mercenary, Kol Thorleksson, who is the enemy of her people. That’s a deceptively simple description — there are lots of twists and secrets.

Q.) Why Vikings? Definitely not the more common theme for historicals right now. Did you think about that at all when you were writing The Sea King?

J.M.)I never set out with the intention to write a Viking romance, but that’s just how the story appeared in my mind. I tried to force the storyline into several other time periods, which I hoped would be more marketable, but in the end, Kol was Norse, and he wasn’t going to let me forget about it.
Q.) Based on the excerpt you have posted on your web site, I’d guess this book is dark, dramatic and sexy. Is that a fair guess? (all good by the way)

J.M.)Dark, dramatic and sexy is a perfect description for the book! I’ve received a lot of correspondence from readers, and the one thing they have seemed to appreciate was the story’s depth of emotion. I’m very proud about that, because those are exactly the types of stories I like to read.

Q.) Who is your favorite character in this book and why?

J.M.)Oh, difficult choice, but I’d have to say Kol. While he is an Alpha Viking hero, he really plays against the stereotype in so many ways. Cast into the snow at birth by a mother who despised him, he is cursed and doomed to die an early death. Being able to peer into his mind, and to see the way he viewed the world around him was fascinating to me.

Q.) What kind of research did you do while writing The Sea King?

J.M.)Quite a bit! Stephen Pollington’s research on the time period, and the world of the Dark Age warrior was a huge asset, as were the experts at the Northvegr Foundation and the Icelandic Language Institute.

Q.) Do you have any other books in the works?

J.M.)I’ve had a lot of readers ask when my next Viking novel is out. Unfortunately, they are difficult to place in today’s fiction market, so I’m currently at work on a “dark, dramatic and sexy” Victorian novel. I really enjoy any historical period, so it’s all good for me.

Q.) What kind of writer are you? Plotter—seat of the panster? Fast—slow? Write every day—or when the mood hits? Etc.

J.M.)Usually a story comes to me as an initial premise, and then my brain starts working to fill in the holes. I don’t write outlines, or do any intensive plotting, other than a ten to twelve page synopsis. The rest is “writing into the mist”.

Q.) Where do you write? Can you describe your space? How about interruptions and noise—do you need complete silence or can you juggle real life while you create?

J.M.)I have a home office where I do some of my writing, but mostly I lug a lap top to different locations around the house, or to coffee houses or libraries. I prefer silence, or perhaps some Enya in the background, but with two small children, I’ve had to learn to write in the midst of activity.

Q.) What is the biggest compliment someone has paid you regarding your writing—and what made it the biggest?

J.M.)“Thanks a lot, Jolie! I got no sleep last night because I couldn’t put your book down!” Those are the best sort of compliments! As authors, we strive to write page turners.

Q.) Who and what do you read?

J.M.)As far as romance, my favorites have been Laura Kinsale and Judith Ivory. There are so many more I could list. Other favorites are Stephen King, Edith Wharton, Zora Neale Hurston and Diana Gabaldon. I read a lot of history books, even if they have nothing to do with the projects I’m working on.

Q.) Important stuff now—what is your favorite TV show, food, and vice?

J.M.)TV Show — It’s a tie between CSI Las Vegas and Grey’s Anatomy (Patrick Dempsey!)
food - pizza!
vice - the Internet and e-mail

Q.) And finally, where can readers go to learn more about you and your books?

J.M.)Please visit my website, www.joliemathis.com . I love to receive e-mails from readers.

J.M.)You can find the book at Amazon, Waldenbooks, Borders, Barnes & Nobles, independent booksellers, or anywhere where mass market paperbacks are sold.

Thanks, for the interview, Jolie! I can’t wait to read The Sea King.
Lori

Celia May Hart writes erotic romance for Kensington Aphrodesia. Her first book for them, Show Me, (being from Missouri, I love the title) is a Regency set historical, with a tad more spice than traditional. ;-) Welcome, Celia!!

Q.) First tell us about your book; I love the concept.

CMH.) SHOW ME is set during the Regency and is about Portia Carew, who has been both jilted and had her reputation smeared. Her mother drags her off to a country house party in an effort to restore the latter and marry her off…but Portia’s been burned and doesn’t want any part of it. In exploring the library of her hosts, she discovers a collection of erotica and well, she isn’t as pure as the driven snow as her mother would like to think. She sets about pleasing herself, Mark Knightson, the hero, catches her at it, and offers to teach her the art of self-pleasure. Unfortunately, he’s yet to learn the art of self-control. Matters snowball from there.

Q.) Do you consider your books romance, erotica or erotic romance—or something else like historical romance? What made you pick this mix of sub genre?

CMH.) Mine are definitely erotic romance. They’re too explicit to be called historical romance, where the sex can be steamy but not so frank. It’s romance because each one that I have written so far has had a happy ever after ending. I make ‘em suffer, and there is loads of sex, but there’s happiness at the end. I actually wrote Regencies under a different name, so it made sense to stay in that time period for me. And well, frankly, sometimes it was hard for my characters to keep it in their pants.

Q.) When planning a book, what comes first—character or plot? And what do you do next—start writing or plot things out?

CMH.) Often it’s just a scene. The library scene came to me first in SHOW ME. Then I have to figure out who these characters are, how this story is going to work within this historical frarmework (bearing in mind that there are consequences to breaking society’s rules). So it’s scene, characters, plot.

Q.) What do all of your books/novellas have in common? (themes, character traits, setting, sensuality, etc.)

CMH.) So far they are all set during the Regency period (1800-1830 or so). The themes in all of them, though, are about forgiveness, redemption (which sounds like rather an odd thing to have in an erotic romance, but there you have it), particularly about getting a second chance at finding and keeping love.

Q.) What is the highest compliment someone has paid you about your book and what made it the best?

CMH.) It’s one I’ve received twice so far: that they couldn’t put it down until they finished it. I’ve always wanted to write those books that keep you up at night reading until you’re done, no matter what time you have to get up for work in the morning.

Q.) Who are your favorite authors/books and why?

CMH.) I read pretty widely. Current favorites are: Jacqueline Carey, Mary Balogh, Lois McMaster Bujold, Elizabeth Bear, Naomi Novik.

Q.) How long have you been writing? Can you tell us anything about your road to publication? How long? Mistakes you realize now or tips for people starting out?

CMH.) I’ve been writing stories since I could construct sentences. Writing for publication started initially in college, but I sucked so I just wrote for fun until about 1999. I was first published in 2005 under a different name.

I don’t think I made any really big mistakes, except not comprehending for four years and keeping the first three chapters when they really needed to be gone! My advice is to keep writing, keep reading, keep learning, get hooked into RWA and your local chapter so you learn from their workshops. Keep writing — I think your mind needs to learn how to write in such a way that you don’t do it consciously any more.

Learn to revise too. Each time I learned something new, I’d apply that technique to that first sucky book from college. I wrote a new book, and then I’d go back and revise the old one. I eventually sold it — minus that sucky first couple of chapters, of course.

I’d also add that I don’t read critically (well, incorrect history bugs me), but I don’t read to go — oh how did they do that? And so on, because every time I try it, I just get sucked in again. I’m praying its working via osmosis.

Q.) Any new projects on the horizon? What would you like to try next?

CMH.) I’m writing my third single title for Kensington Aphrodisia right now. It’s a time travel Regency-set historical sexy adventure with paranormal elements. And no, I’m not kidding. I’m hoping I’m going to be able get some noirish sassy banter in there as well.

Books that I’ve already done that are coming out are a novella in THE HAREM (December 2006) and MADE FOR SIN (February 2007).

I’d like to write a sequel to SHOW ME, with some of the secondary characters, because I grew quite fond of them, but I’ve yet to come up with a pitch compelling enough for my editor. There’s time a plenty yet.

Thanks, Celia, for chatting with us and everyone else–check out Celia’s books at her site!!

Welcome to Michelle Ann Young! Michelle stopped by my blog a few months ago when she was a finalist in Dorchester’s American Title contest. This month she’s here to talk about her new release Pistols at Dawn along with a few other topics.

Q.) First tell us about your book.

M.A.Y.) The novel is set in 1817 in London. A fatal duel leaves Victoria Torrington destitute and at the mercy of a well-known rake, Simon St. John, Earl of Travis. Known as Satan to the ton, Simon has a past shadowed by secrets and a reputation for the luck of the devil. To get her off his hands, he declares she must select a bridegroom by the end of the London Season or accept one of his choosing.Beneath the earl’s chilly exterior, Victoria senses an honorable and caring spirit. She can’t resist his sensual allure when he drops his guard, which isn’t often or willingly. Together they face an enemy armed with the secrets of Simon’s past which could ruin both of their lives.

Q.) Are your books traditional Regencies or Regency set historicals? What attracts you to this period?

M.A.Y.) My books definitely fall into the Regency-set category, and contain lots of adventure as well as sensual romance. I have always loved the Regency era and enjoy researching people and events from that time period. It is far enough away from our own age to be a fantasy, for example the clothes, oh those tight pants on the men and long gowns on the ladies, but close enough to be thoroughly familiar.

Q.) What is the highest compliment someone has paid you about your book and what made it the best?

M.A.Y.) I have had some amazing reviews, all very positive, but the one I liked the best said she wanted to read the book again, because she enjoyed it the first time so much. She also couldn’t wait for a book about two other characters who played a central role in the book and looked as if they might eventually have a romance of their own. When someone calls your book a keeper, it is a high compliment indeed. I felt quite humble and also very proud.

Q.) Who are your favorite authors/books and why?

M.A.Y.) I am an avid reader, I mostly look for historicals, but read anything that comes my way, contemporaries, mysteries, the classics, cornflakes boxes. I have a soft spot for Georgette Heyer’s regencies, my dad and I used to fight over them when we got them from the library, love Laura Kinsale — such a from-the-heart writer, as is Mary Balogh. I admire Jo Beverly, Mary Jo Putney, Jennifer Cruisie — she’s fun, I had dinner with her in San Diego, Molly O’Keefe, great modern voice and wonderful humor, Virgina Kantra, great pov, Lori Devoti, of course. I admire any writer who can pull me into a story and make me forget I am writer.

Q.) How long have you been writing? Can you tell us anything about your road to publication? How long? Mistakes you realize now or tips for people starting out?

M.A.Y.) I have been writing seriously for six years. I started out knowing nothing and wrote a very bad book, full of narrative, omniscient, rambling, but I loved the process and the creativity. I decided I needed to learn more and joined my local RWA chapter, took workshops, joined a critique group. I write nearly every single day. I completed three books before Pistols at Dawn and have completed four since. One of those was an American Title II finalist. My agent Scott Egan of Greyhaus Literary Agency loved all of them and they are all being reviewed by editors at the moment. I don’t think one can make mistakes, provided you keep writing. I do recommend finding a group of other writers who you trust and who will critique in a positive atmosphere, as well as support you with champagne, whether it is for a sale or a rejection. The only tip I have is, finish a book, polish it and submit it and start on another one. The next one might be the ONE that clicks.

Q.) You were a finalist in Dorchester Publishing’s American Title contest. Do you recommend contests for other unpubbed writers? What should they expect from contests?

M.A.Y.) Contest junkie - hand goes up. I have had requests from contests, just recently one from Dorchester and Kensinton - for the same book, not my American Title. I don’t think you should enter the same chapter if it has finaled more than a couple of times. The idea of contests is to test the water, see if people, some people, like it — and to get a request, if you are lucky. In my opinion, a long string of contest finals on one book is not going to help get you published. If you do get requests, make sure the book is ready to submit, or at least close to ready. You should treat it the way you treat a pitch. I see it as a different way to pitch to an agent or an editor. If you don’t final, then treat it as a critique, take what works, ignore the rest.

Q.) I see you and the other American Title II finalists have started a blog. Can you tell us about it? Are you all doing anything else as a group?

M.A.Y.) Our blog is called titlewave. We had great fun agreeing on a name. www.titlewave.blogspot.com. We were a close supportive group of competitors in this contest, as I think can be seen from the July RT. We just couldn’t let go after months of handholding and passing the hankie box as one or other of us was dropped. We’ve kept our e-loop alive, chatting, bouncing ideas and now have the blog. Our blog organizer, Gina, is very good at keeping us on track. We did a group publicity stunt at RT, raffled a basket, and we will be getting together at Atlanta. We will be wearing our purple AT2 ribbons, so look out for us. We’d love to meet anyone who voted in the contest.

Q.) How about other projects? Anything coming up you’d like to tell us about?

M.A.Y.) As I mentioned, I have an agent and I have four books under active consideration by more than one house. I’m biting my nails, but very hopeful. I will be sure to let you know if any of them get picked up. In a heartbeat. lol.

Q.) And finally, where can readers go to learn more about you and your books?

M.A.Y.) www.micheleannyoung.com or via the blog of course.

Cont’d…

Q- Why not MORE pirates? With the popularity of Pirates of the Caribbean and the whole bad boy appeal, why do you think the romance genre seems to be skipping by them right now? Or do you think the romance genre isn’t skipping them?

Darlene Marshall- “I don’t think we’re skipping them, but pirate stories aren’t easy to write. By that I mean, to quote Secretary of the Navy Smith Thompson in the early 19th C., “Pirates are considered, by the law of nations, the enemies of the human race.” Most pirates were murdering scum, and still are. A romance writer has to reach to make her pirates redeemable. The easy way out is to make them privateers, rather than pirates. A privateer had a letter of marque and reprisal from a sovereign nation, and was acting under certain rules and regulations when he’d swoop down on an enemy national’s ship. Pirates were in it for themselves.

However, Pirates of the Caribbean has raised the profile of pirate stories in the past few years. Two generations ago, if you asked women to put a face on a pirate, they’d say “Errol Flynn”. One generation ago, they might say “Yul Brynner” (as Jean Lafitte in “The Buccaneer”) and today, they’d say “Johnny Depp”. This is a good thing, but it’s not always easy to convince editors that Jack Sparrow is a pirate, not the pirate.[g]

For a writer, the trick is to make your pirate bad boy or girl redeemable and not just born to be hanged. We’re not talking charming rake here, or hardened gunslinger who’s always just on the right side of the law, but people whose careers made them by definition thugs and killers. If we’re going for the HEA, then it’s reasonable to ask “is a pirate is good husband material”? Remember, neither Yul Brynner’s Lafitte or Jack Sparrow got the girl in the end. Those aren’t romance stories, regardless of how romantic the lead is.

So we’ll always see pirate stories, but they may be a smaller niche in the market than some of the other tales.”

Jennifer Ashley-”I am a little surprised that there aren’t more pirate romances now that PotC is so popular. A few newer authors write high-seas adventure and pirates, and some big name authors have had their pirate books re-released, but not many. I think that at one time pirate romance was so popular it was kind of done to death. Now, unless you have something with a very different twist, your pirate romance won’t sell like it might have ten or fifteen years ago. Pirates still sell, but not in the gobs they did before. I have lost count of the number of people who come up to me at booksignings and say: “I *used* to love pirate romances” or “I used to read nothing but pirates, now I read nothing but xxxx.” Trends come and go, and pirate romances have waned a bit.

But who knows? With the second PotC movie coming out soon, we may see an upsurge in pirate romance again. I hope so.”

Follow up Q for Jennifer-You say pirates were done to death, but obviously readers still love a bad boy. Do you think the decline has more to do with pirates themselves or the general shift away from historicals? How about those readers you mentioned, what are they reading?

Jennifer Ashley-”I still think there were so many pirate books that people got tired of them and turned elsewhere for their bad boy fix (like to vampires and werewolves). Also there *has* been a decline in historicals, although not as sharp as some people make out. For instance my current book, a historical without pirates, is doing very, very well. Almost every romance publisher is still publishing historicals (Warner, Avon, Signet, Kensington, Dorchester), and they still hit the bestseller lists.

Pirates will always be popular, no matter what, although that popularity waxes and wanes. Likewise does the popularity of werewolves, vampires, FBI agents, firemen, and any other type of hero you can think of. They never go away, but sometimes they’re more popular than at other times.”

Second Follow up- And then, any last word on pirates, and tell us what you have planned for the future—any more pirates?

Jennifer Ashley-”I love pirates and I always will. There will always be books about pirates sold and printed–they’re so enduring, no matter how “popular” they are at any given time.And of course I have more pirates planned! I have the daughter of the Pirate Next Door to take care of, as well as other pirate stories unconnected to the series. I’m doing some paranormals now, but hope to squeeze in more pirates as time allows.

Thanks so much for the questions.”

And thanks to Darlene and Jennifer so taking so much time to answer my questions!!!

Lori

My interviews with Darlene Marshall and Jennifer Ashley about pirates continues…

LD: So, what attracted you as an author to pirates?

JA: “The bad-boy factor and the independence mentioned above. I wanted to write a Regency but without the rules. Well, a pirate wouldn’t be very good at following Regency rules! It was fun to put him in that social background and see what he’d do. Also, I’d always wanted to write a pirate tale, but there were so many pirate romances in the 80s and 90s that I knew I needed to do something a little bit different. I’ve always loved pirates, so I went for it.”

DM: “I’m a mostly-native Floridian, and like many in my state I had a vague knowledge of Florida’s pirate history–Jose Gaspar sailing the Gulf coast and inspiring Tampa’s Gasparilla Festival, Fernandina Beach’s Pirate Days, that sort of thing. But like a lot of other folks, when I thought of pirates, I thought of Johnson’s pirates from the so-called “Golden Age of Piracy”–Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, Captain Morgan, etc. I even had a running gag through the first draft of my novel Pirate’s Price, along the lines of “Don’t be silly, there haven’t been pirates in these waters in generations!”

Boy, was I wrong!

Pirate’s Price is set in the 1820’s, and when I started researching my specific period, I was amazed at how much piracy was happening off of Florida’s coast! But as soon as I saw the reason, it made perfect sense. There were a whole bunch of privateers who’d been thrown out of work by the end of the Napoleonic wars, and you no longer had the British navy patrolling as heavily in the Caribbean, looking for French and American ships. In addition, many South American countries were inspired by the United States’ success, and by the weakness of Spain, to throw off their colonial status and declare their independence. This prompted the fledgling revolutionary nations to issue letters of marque to all kinds of people, who were then supposed to harass Spanish shipping and bring the money home to Colombia or Venezuela or at times, Mexico. Of course, sometimes the privateers weren’t careful about whose ship they stopped and robbed.

So, when I started writing a tale of a woman who wants to rob her husband’s ships in 1821 Florida, and saw how much material was out there, it just sort of grew. While researching Pirate’s Price I ran across some information about Commodore David Porter putting together a joint US-British task force to flush pirates out of the Caribbean, and it was too good not to use. That information grew into part of the plot of Captain Sinister’s Lady. Then later, when I was setting Smuggler’s Bride a generation after Pirate’s Price, I began to wonder what the pirates were up to post-Porter. They’d turned their attentions more to smuggling, an activity that persists along Florida’s 3-sided watery border to this day.

It was a no brainer. People like the fiction of pirates more than the reality (think of the pirates harassing shipping off the African coast today), and pirates allow for instant conflict, especially in a romance. Plus, I have a soft spot myself for these nautical bad boys and girls. They get a good ship, a fair wind, a loyal crew, get to dress cool, carry a parrot, wear funky jewelry and thumb their noses at authority. Who wouldn’t want to be a pirate?[g]“