trueromance

Setting: Bordertown, Arizona (a fictional town based very loosely on Douglas, Arizona)
Subgenre: Romantic Suspense
Hero: Hot, hot, hot Roderick Guerrero!
Heroine: Up to her eyeballs in deep shit Sophia St. Claire (LOL!)

Short (Ha! Changed this!) summary: Police Chief Sophia St. Claire finds herself out of her investigative league when someone starts shooting people at pointblank range and leaving them to rot in the desert sun just outside her small town. Help arrives in the form of California’s Department 6 Roderick Guerrero, but as far as Sophia’s concerned that only makes things worse. As the half-breed bastard of a wealthy local rancher, he has a history he can’t get past–a history that includes her.

Scene you like most and would never cut:
I don’t want to give too much away, but the scene I love most is where Sophia and Rod first meet up (after having known each other in high school years before). I love that the power has shifted from Sophia to Rod and watching her grapple with the change (and what Rod has become) is a lot of fun. The humor in this scene makes me smile every time I read it.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: That she loves her stepfather. LOL Their relationship forms some of the conflict in the story. She can’t stand him—and for good reason.

What celebrity is your hero like: Oh boy. I’m notoriously bad at this because I don’t watch TV and don’t remember the names of the stars I see in movies. He’s taller than Tom Cruise and not as stocky as Gerard Butler. I guess he sort of resembles Ricky Martin but his personality is very different.

What celebrity is your heroine like: Another tough one. If I had to cast someone to play Sophia, it would be someone closer to an Angelina Jolie than a Jennifer Aniston.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Sophia is chief of police, but she’s new and the way she got the position was rather political. She has a lot to prove.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: Rod works for a security contractor called Department 6 that specializes in undercover ops inside the U.S.

What you think readers will like best about this book: The chemistry between the hero and heroine! It’s my favorite of the HEAT books for just that reason. The hero and heroine came to me so clearly when I was writing and are so perfect for each other—without knowing it, of course. I loved seeing them work through their conflicts and find what the reader believes almost from the start—they need to be together.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet:
I probably get the most requests for a sequel to my second Superromance—SNOW BABY. I just got one today! The heroine’s sister, Stacy, meets a guy at the end of the story. I did this to show that things were hopeful for her, too, and that was my only intention. But readers really want me to write that romance so they can see Stacy become happy. Next would probably be a sequel to the Stillwater Trilogy. I’ve had a lot of people email me to see if I’m going to write the last sister’s story (even though the mystery is solved after Book 3 and there really isn’t anywhere to go).

What’s next: KILLER HEAT comes out September 28th and will complete the Department 6 trilogy. In KILLER HEAT, the remains of seven women have been discovered in Skull Valley, Arizona. It’s up to Jonah Young, from Department 6, to assist the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department in solving these murders. But he doesn’t anticipate the complications that arise when he’s forced to work with an old flame. Then everything grows more complicated—and far too personal. They quickly zero in on the most likely suspect, but betting on the wrong man might be the last thing they ever do….

I received a note from one of my fans that she was “disappointed” that I was writing a book about the illegal immigration problem (she hadn’t read it yet—just the excerpt on my web site, which only gives the first chapter). This book is definitely NOT about illegal immigration. It doesn’t get involved in the politics of it or try to sway people one way or another, but it does use the tension and problems along the border as a backdrop for a juicy murder case. Do you find yourself biased against books you perceive as incorporating problems that are currently in the media? Or do you find such stories more intriguing because they feel so real and show characters dealing with today’s problems?

Giveaway - Brenda Novak tote filled with autographed copies of WHITE HEAT, BODY HEAT & KILLER HEAT - Good luck!

ENJOY : )

ROYAL MOCHA CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESECAKE

Ingredients:
2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
2/3 c. sugar
3 T. coffee liqueur
2 eggs
1 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
1 ready-to-use chocolate cookie crumb pie crust

For Garnish:
Whipped cream
Instant coffee crystals

Directions:
Mix cream cheese, sugar and coffee liqueur at medium speed with electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs; mix until blended. Stir in 1/2 cup of the chips. Pour into crust. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 c. chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate three hours or overnight.

Garnish with thick, sweet whipped cream sprinkled lightly with instant coffee crystals.

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Chicken & Broccoli Casserole

2 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 pkg. (10 - 16 oz.) frozen broccoli, thawed & drained
Durkey’s French fried onions
1 egg
1 cup Bisquick
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup cheese

Mix together chicken, soup, 1 cup of cheese, and broccoli,
Spread in 8×12 casserole dish or equivalent. Sprinkle fried
onions on top. Mix together egg, Bisquick, and milk. Pour
over top of casserole. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

Bake at 425º for 30 minutes.

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Coconutty Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups old fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)

In large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. Combine the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in coconut and walnuts.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 3 inches apart onto greased baking sheets. Flatten slightly. Bake at 350 for 11-14 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks. Store in an airtight container. Yield 5 ½ dozen.

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Beef and Cabbage Soup

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1/2 head medium cabbage, rough-chopped
2 ribs celery, sliced
1 large onion, rough-chopped
1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (32 ounce) carton beef broth
1/2 tsp garlic powder
several bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste

Brown ground beef and drain. In a large stock pot, combine remaining ingredients and add ground beef. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and cover, simmering for one hour or until vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaves before serving.

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Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Combine the peanut butter, white sugar and egg. Mix until smooth.
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 6 to 8 minutes. Do not overbake! These cookies are best when they are still soft and just barely brown on the bottoms.
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BROWN SUGAR MEATLOAF

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste
6 slices white bread, cut into cubes 1/2 cup milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons yellow mustard, divided
1/2 cup ketchup, divided
3 tablespoons brown sugar

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix ground beef, onion, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix in bread, milk, egg, 2 tablespoons mustard and 1/4 cup ketchup.
3. Press the meat mixture into a 9×5 inch loaf pan. In a small bowl, stir together remaining mustard, ketchup and brown sugar; pour on top of the meat loaf.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours or until done.

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Simply Good Salad

1 small box jello (strawberry, cherry and lime are all good)

1 small can (11 oz) mandarin oranges, well-chilled, undrained

whipped topping

In refrigerator dish, dissolve jello in one cup boiling water. Stir well so that powder is dissolved. Add undrained mandarin oranges and stir until combined. Refrigerate until set. Top with whipped topping to serve.

If desired, you can substitute sugar-free gelatin and sugar-free whipped topping for a “lite” version.

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COOKIES ‘N CREAM PARFAITS

In a tall parfait glass, place one scoop of your favorite ice cream. Crumble some cookies of your choice (good way to use broken pieces), and add enough cookie pieces to cover ice cream. Top with a little of your favorite syrup. Repeat. Top off with whipped cream, nuts, sprinkles, candy, cookie pieces…whatever you like. Just be sure to put a cherry on top : )

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E-Z BEEF FAJITAS: In large skillet, brown one pound ground beef along with 1 coarsely chopped onion and 1 coarsely chopped bell pepper. Drain grease and add one 14.5 oz. can “Mexican Style” diced tomatoes. If desired, add extra cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes & etc to taste. Heat through, stirring well. Spoon desired amount into center of each pre-warmed tortilla. Top with shredded cheese and sour cream. Fold tortilla to form fajita.

These are a few of my favorite things…

I’m so thrilled to be here today on the Borders True Romance blog! It’s my first time here, and I’m excited to spend the day chatting you all. I’m also thrilled for the reason I’m here–winning the Readers’ Crown. (Thank you, RC judges!) My category was filled with wonderful writers and books. I am very honored to have a story of mine listed along with those of so many of my favorite authors (and dear friends).

When I first decided it was time to get serious about my dream of writing romance novels (read: actually sit my butt in the chair and write), I was as green as they come. I wasn’t a member of any writing groups or organizations. I had no idea there were set “rules” or even trends to follow. Not knowing any better, I started out by writing books I wanted to read, without any thought to marketability or genre placement. IN THE FLESH was my second completed manuscript, and it’s a melding of all my favorite things. It’s a book I wrote as a reader, using all the sparkly facets I loved about the romance novels I cut my teeth on. I didn’t know enough about the business to think about how hard it would be to sell the manuscript or how difficult it would be for a publisher to market it. Because of that blissful ignorance and the result of it, IN THE FLESH is a very special book to me.

I used to describe IN THE FLESH as my “historical with gadgets,” but that’s not quite right. It’s a futuristic/high fantasy romance set in a world that feels, in many ways, like a historical–a sheik/desert captive historical, to be more precise. IN THE FLESH has a handsome prince and a dissolute king, a tormented queen and dazzling concubines. It has an old school, ultra-alpha male hero who might have been transplanted from a ‘70s era romance novel, except he’s paired with a kick-ass heroine with modern sensibilities who keeps all that testosterone in its place. There are rolling desert sands and the occasional lush oasis, but there are also sprawling palaces, spaceships, and alternate worlds. My characters and their methods of transportation have Norse/Germanic names, yet they occasionally wear medieval-style clothing. It’s erotic, with star-crossed lovers whose deepest emotional connections happen when they shut out the world at large and surrender to each other. If it sounds a bit “kitchen sink”, well… I warned you. *g* Writing IN THE FLESH was a joy for me as a writer because my inner reader was rooting me on, telling me to add a little more of this and a lot more of that and not to forget this-n-that while I was at it.

So my question for you is this: If you could throw all your favorite romance novel ingredients into a story, what would those ingredients be? Don’t worry about if they’ll work together or fit, just toss them out there. And for being a sport and playing along, I’ll have Sue pick two winners from among those of you who comment. One will win autographed copies of my Dream Guardians books (PLEASURES OF THE NIGHT and HEAT OF THE NIGHT) and one will win an autographed copy of DARK KISSES (which has two stories in it, MISLED and KISS OF THE NIGHT).

Hey all. Love, love, love the crew at the True Romance blog and I’m so excited to be back again. Only this time, I want to make you work – just a little bit. :o) So, can I pick your brain? There’s a book in it for one of you who posts so it might be worth your while.
Here goes. As writers, in addition to writing what we love and always attempting to write the best book we can write, we also try to build an audience in a certain part of the genre so that when a reader picks up one of our books, they pretty much know what they’re getting. For instance, if you pick up a Kristan Higgins book you know you’re in for a fun, quirky, touching romance that involves family and most likely a dog and a fresh, witty take on love. If you pick up a Christine Feehan book, you count on a deeply emotional and dramatic paranormal read from a master storyteller. If you pick up one of, oh, say … MY books :o), you’re going to get a sexy, emotionally satisfying romance wrapped up in an action, adventure plot staged around a hot alpha male who is a mix of good, bad and somewhere in between. At least that’s what I work really hard at creating for you.
Having set the stage, so to speak, now comes the ‘picking your brain part’. If you’re a diehard fan of historical, or vampire, or contemporary romance , or even my fav :o) romantic suspense, what does it take to compel you to wander outside of your ‘sweet zone’ and try either a new author or a new subgenre? Is it reviews posted on line? Word of mouth? Appearances on best-seller lists? Advertising? Suggestions from our wonderful Sue?
Additionally, I’m wondering if anthologies that feature multiple stories by multiple authors have ever introduced you to a new author you wouldn’t have tried had it not been for one of your favorite authors also participating in the collection.
I’m asking specifically because on September 28th, Pocket books is releasing a romantic suspense anthology entitled DEADLY PROMISES which is headlined by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love, but which also features novellas by Rita award winner Laura Griffin and (drum roll please) ME. :o)
DEADLY PROMISES is a collection of 3 novellas that feature a hot hunky hero from Sherrilyn and Dianna’s B.A.D. series (JUST BAD ENOUGH), a totally amazing Navy S.E.A.L. from Laura’s UN series (UNSTOPABLE) and a sexy CIA agent and unofficial B.O.I. (LEAVE NO TRACE) from my Black Ops. Inc. series. (Sidebar: I’ve read both Sherrilyn and Dianna’s and Laura’s novellas and they totally rock! So I’m really excited about the upcoming release)
So, please be honest. When you buy an anthology, do you read only the novella by your favorite author or do you read (or at least try to read) all the stories in the collection? Or do you even buy anthologies and if not, why not?
I’m also wondering if you have you ever stumbled upon a ‘favorite new’ author as the result of buying an anthology that featured one of your auto-buy authors in the collection.
That’s it. Not so bad, was it? I’ll have Sue pick one name from the comments and send you an advance readers copy (very rare!!) of DEADLY PROMISES so you can read it over a month in advance of its official release date. Thanks everyone – oh and if you have any specific questions for me about anything feel free to ask away. I’ll be happy to answer.
Many hugs
Cindy

Thanks Sue (and Borders and the folks at RomCon) for the opportunity to visit here today. I am still, weeks later, totally thrilled and honored at having Ghostland win the Readers’ Crown in the paranormal category.

Ghostland is a book I loved writing. It’s an urban fantasy romance, a departure from the erotic romance stories I write for Ellora’s Cave, though there are still plenty of erotic moments in it.
Authors are often asked where they get their ideas from. For me, Ghostland was born from my desire to explore a post-apocalyptic fantasy world. I wondered what life would be like after a war so far-reaching and devastating that human populations were decimated and supernatural beings no longer feared making their presence known.
What kinds of societies would be formed? And what if, unseen by those who live on Earth, there is war brewing between ancient, unseen enemies (angels and Djinn) for who will control it—and the heroes and heroines who find love and want their own “happy ever after” play a part in preparing for that war?
In Ghostland, a Djinn prince and a gifted human shamaness are faced with an unbearable choice. Follow their hearts or stay true to their honor and risk losing an eternity of pleasure.
Aisling is able to enter the ghostlands and speak to those found there, human souls and long-forgotten gods, beings capable of protecting and punishing, but who always demand a payment. She has no idea of her heritage or the destiny intended for her. And when she’s taken against her will to Oakland in order to perform a shaman’s service on behalf of an important man, she has no choice but to summon the Djinn prince Zurael en Caym.
Her existence is one of harsh survival edged with fear. His is defined by privilege and power.
A prince to the House of the Serpent, Zurael would see the Earth cleansed of humans. He dreams of the day the Djinn will be able to reclaim their birthright—little knowing that when Aisling summons him against his will from the Djinn kingdom deep in the ghostlands, and commands him, he’s meant to become a slave to passion—and his joining with her, the harbinger of things to come.
One of the things I really love about writing stories set in this post-apocalyptic world is the chance to explore it in my imagination. It’s a place of opposites and extremes. Of horror alongside beauty. Extravagant wealth juxtaposed to hard-scrabble poverty.
San Francisco is claimed by vampire families while across the bay, Oakland is ruled by powerful non-gifted humans. And beyond those cities, smaller human settlements are carved out and defended in vast territories controlled by Were and Fey.
Since Ghostland, I’ve written three more stories set in this world. Spider-Touched is Araña and Tir’s story.
I fell in love with Tir the first time I saw him in my mind. Shackled, caged alongside animals and Weres, an angel with no memory of what he is, and no way of freeing himself.
Healer’s Choice (releasing September 7!) is Rebekka and Aryck’s story. She’s a gifted healer who works among the outcast in the shapeshifter brothels of Oakland. He’s a Jaguar Were, a pack enforcer in territory where no humans are allowed and outcasts can be killed on sight.
The angel Addai plays an important role in Healer’s Choice. His story, Angel-Claimed will come out next February in the Primal anthology with Lora Leigh, Ava Gray and Michelle Rowen.

As I think you can tell, I really enjoy spending time in this post-apocalyptic world, and would love to share it. Two signed copies of Ghostland (or Spider-Touched if the winner already has Ghostland) are up for grabs to a couple of randomly drawn posts answering the question: If you were part of a human minority, and had to live in a city/territory controlled by one type of supernatural entity, which one would it be?

Is there anything sexier than a tortured hero?

Well, yes. A tortured hero with a sense of humor does it for me.

In my book, VIKING HEAT, which won the Readers’ Crown in the
time travel category, my hero Brandr Igorsson was all of that and
more. As a third son and not closely in line to inherit Bear’s Lair,
his family estate in the Norselands, Brandr was off fighting with the
elite Jomsviking warriors when he discovers that his entire family
was murdered by their hated enemy. Brandr goes berserk and
even as he works to rebuilt his keep, he remains a tormented, dour
man.

Until Joy Nelson arrives on the scene, that is, and helps him
regain his sense of humor. She is a time traveler from the future,
a mind healer of all things (a psychologist), who wants him to
discuss his anger issues.

Here’s an example from VIKING HEAT:

“Are you a witch?” he asked in sex-husky voice.
She shook her head, slowly, still dazed.
“Who are you?”
“I told you already. I’m Petty Officer Joy Nelson in the Navy
WEALS training program at Coronado, California.”
“I do not understand what you say by half.”
“You could say I’m a soldier. But I’m also a psychologist.”
“Sigh-call-jest?”
“Psychologist,” she corrected. “An expert on the human mind
and behavior. A person who helps people heal from different mental
maladies, like intellectual disabilities…”
“Dumbness?”
She clucked her tongue at him. “…behavior or mood
disorders…”
“Grumpiness?”
“Stop interrupting me. Also, personality disorders.”
“Ah! Like me, I suppose.”
“Exactly.”

I also offer tortured heroes with a sense of humor in my
soon to be released THE VIKING TAKES A KNIGHT and
DARK VIKING, not to mention VIKING UNCHAINED, TRULY,
MADLY VIKING and SWEETER SAVAGE LOVE.

I’m not the only one doing tortured heroes with a sense of
humor, of course. There is J.R. Ward with her hunky heroes who
suffered tremendously but still manage to laugh at themselves. And
Suzanne Brockman’s Troubleshooters. And Karen Moning’s
Highlanders. And Elizabeth Hoyt’s men who had been captured and
tortured by the Indians. Loretta Chase’s recent LAST NIGHT’S
SCANDAL with its war-ravaged hero. The list is endless.

So, who are your favorite tortured heroes with a sense of
humor? As always, I wish you smiles in your reading…even if some
bad things have to happen to your beloved characters before they
relearn how to laugh again.

Giveaway to winner - Sue’s Stash - Good luck!

Readers’ Crown Best Novella: “Catch of the Century” in Four Dukes and a Devil
By Sophia Nash

Where Do Writers Get their Ideas?

It’s the question that universally makes many writers break into a cold sweat—or at least stammer like a fool for awhile. I never really knew how to answer the question until I finally figured out that most writers of fiction think in a different manner than normal people.

My agent summed it up best recently after a meeting when she said, “Sophia, you come from another planet.” I think she meant it as a compliment. I hope.

So how do most writers think? Well, amid the general chaos of thoughts that batter everyone’s head, writers tend to hit the pause button when situations arise and/or people say something out of the ordinary. Then our imaginations unleash an explosion of “what ifs.”

Here is an example: During lunch one day, a friend mentioned that a person he knew always “refused to eat anything with eyes.” Like any author on the hunt for fresh ideas, I immediately dove into my purse to retrieve an idea notebook, and scribbled in the entry.

The next day, while writing the first book in a new historical series for Harper Collins, I was pondering the traits of one character. He is a handsome gentleman, who has a fascination with horticulture and nothing pleases him better than his spectacular gardens. He is, of course, a villain.

The “what ifs” began: what if this character also refuses to eat anything with eyes. But, he is a horticulturalist, which means he would more likely only eat things with eyes since he prizes all plants. Now, while I fully realize Regency England might be too early in history’s time line for a lord to practice the ultimate Atkins diet, this is exactly the kind of irony I love. It proved impossible to ignore the host of turning points a character trait such as this one would offer in an unfolding story.

In my short story in “Four Dukes and a Devil,” which was lucky enough to win the 2010 Readers Crown for best novella, there are many instances of standard writer’s imagination run amok.

It included a snake bite. Only this time, it came full circle.

I’ve seen a snake swimming next to me in a lake. I’ve watched them rattling their tales in the woods, and I’ve examined them, sunning themselves near alligators in the Florida Everglades. And each time, I envision the entire disaster unfolding, complete with newspaper headlines: Swimmer Struck by Water Moccasin Drowns, Hiker Dies from Cottonmouth Bite, Idiot Writer Gets Too Close to Florida Coral Snake and Dies from Imagination Gone Amok.

This reoccurring snakebite nightmare fantasy was the inspiration behind a key chapter in the novella. What if a woman is bitten but isn’t sure if it’s a venomous snake or not? What if the hero doesn’t know either? What if they both assume the worst? What if a host of tried-but-not-true treatments ensues? What if their friends invade, adding to the general chaos? Yes, this is a classic form of a writers’ daily “what if” game.

By now you might be playing many readers’ favorite game. The “when is the writer going to get to the point of this story” game—the part where she tried to make it sound mysterious by saying something about the snakebite idea, “coming full circle?”

Last night, I met a true heroine. A woman who had overcome not only cancer, but, yes, two deadly bites from a rattlesnake several months ago. One of the most fearless women, she hiked the canyons of California alone and came within striking distance of a huge rattler. What did she do? She turned around and knew she had only a minute or two before collapsing. She ran and then dragged herself to the road, where a motorist found her unconscious. She spent weeks in the hospital, experienced multiple organ failure, her leg and arm turned black, and she nearly died.

The questions poured out. How did she feel, escaping death? Would she ever dare hike the canyons again? Amid the extreme gratitude she felt, she said she wanted to live life to its largest potential. She wasn’t waiting around for anyone or anything. And yes, she did go to the spot again and confront her past. How can a story like hers not fail to inspire a writer to examine the fragility of life? The silent “what if” questions arose all through the long night when I was alone.

Can you guess what sort of heroine is featured in my next book? Perhaps a plucky countess who escapes murder by a rotter of a horticulturalist who only eats things with eyes? A woman who has the courage to confront her past and live for the future? OK, I’ll work on it . . . I never said the well of story ideas was not murky at best.

What are some of your favorite stories you’ve experienced or heard from others? Help me start the “what if” game to strain the muck from my writers’ well of story ideas.

GIVEAWAY: 3 books from my backlist to 3 random replies.

BODY MASTER by C.J. Barry

Setting: New York City, 2011
Subgenre: Contemporary Paranormal Fantasy
Hero: Max Dempsey
Heroine: Seneca Thomas

Three sentence summary: Seneca Thomas is a talented agent with XCEL, a secret government taskforce charged with capturing the dangerous shapeshifters that have infiltrated New York City, passing for humans. When her partner is killed in the line of duty, Seneca finds herself teamed up with Max Dempsey–a shapeshifter. And when the pair discover a growing army of shifters gathering beneath the city, Seneca will have no choice but to trust the one man she shouldn’t.

Scene you like most and would never cut: The first scene where Seneca shows just how special and formidable she is. Her Native American heritage (which I share) makes her the perfect shapeshifter hunter, and this opening sequence tells readers everything they need to know about Seneca, including why she hunts shifters. Her special abilities may be a curse, but she feels bound to use them to keep her world safe.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: “Let’s get a mani-pedi!”

What celebrity is your hero like: Matt Damon in the Bourne movies. Max is quiet, watchful, and intense–right up until it’s time to do battle, and then he leaves nothing on the table.

What celebrity is your heroine like: Kate Beckinsale in the Underworld movies. Seneca is fearless, intelligent, and fiercely loyal. The only time you see her tough veneer falter is when the people she loves are in danger or harmed.

What is your heroines occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: A human agent for XCEL, NYC Division, tasked with locating and capturing criminal shapeshifters. She lives with her grandmother, a wise Iroquois woman who tries to teach Seneca what faith is. In Seneca’s world, however, faith won’t keep her alive.

What is your heroes occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: A shapeshifter prototype XCEL agent who is using Seneca and her organization to find the man who murdered his wife. Before that, he and his race were driven from their last planet in mass genocide. He is a man with nothing else to lose.

What you think readers will like best about this book: It’s set in one of my favorite places–New York City. I love Manhattan because it is a microcosm of humanity, all consolidated on an island. With this setting, I am able to showcase the shifter’s circumstances and how they are not very different from humans after all. I’m hoping that readers get to experience both sides of a very complex relationship beneath all the steamy attraction.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: From my original Futuristic romance series, ALL the secondary characters in UNMASKED!

What’s next: A sequel to BODY MASTER is in the works. Titled BODY THIEF, this book picks up where the last book left off and explores the changes in XCEL: New York City division.

Visit www.cjbarry.com for more information about BODY MASTER and to read the first chapter.

BODY MASTER trailer:

Discussion questions: How would you react if you discovered shapeshifters replacing your friends or family? Would their presence here cause mass hysteria or do you think we are more accepting? If you were a shapeshifter, who would you want to become most?

I’ll be drawing a winner from those who comment to receive an autographed copy of BODY MASTER.

Captured by Desire – Kira Morgan
Setting: 1500s Scotland
Subgenre: Historical Romance
Hero: Rane MacAllister
Heroine: Florie Gilder

One sentence summary: When the queen’s jeweler, Florie Gilder, claims sanctuary for a crime she didn’t commit, huntsman Rane MacAllister is charged with preventing her escape, leaving him torn between duty and desire when he begins to fall in love with his spirited captive.

Scene you like most and would never cut: When Florie’s time in sanctuary is running out, Florie steals Rane’s bow, threatening to shoot him in order to flee. Rane is forced to trust that her love for him outweighs her desperation, and he disarms her with nothing more than the power of his words and a confession from his heart. That scene can still give me a lump in my throat.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: “Sure, I’ll do whatever you say.”

What celebrity is your hero like: Philip Winchester, star of “Crusoe.” Want a special treat? Check this out:

What celebrity is your heroine like: Winona Ryder, beautiful but mischievous, like a darling elf.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Florie Gilder is apprenticed to her goldsmith stepfather, the jeweler to Mary Queen of Scots.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: Rane MacAllister is the sheriff’s huntsman, but he poaches game on the side to feed the poor.

What you think readers will like best about this book: I think readers will enjoy the high-spirited blend of genres. I call Captured by Desire an action-mystery-adventure-comedy-romance.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: I’m hoping it’s Josselin, the spunky little lass at the end of Captured by Desire, because she’s the heroine of my next book, Seduced by Destiny!

What’s next: Seduced by Destiny is coming out next spring!

I like writing about simple folk, people whose names aren’t recorded by history, but whose self-sacrificing actions are nonetheless heroic. Who are the unsung heroes in your life–a favorite teacher, a parent, a kind neighbor?

If you’d like a chance to win the gold vermeil necklace featured on the cover of Captured by Desire, come to www.glynnis.net/KiraMorgan and enter my monthly sweepstakes! And I’d be delighted if you’d friend me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kiramorganauthor .

HIS DAKOTA CAPTIVE (Jenna Kernan)
Setting: Dakota Territory 1884
Subgenre: Western Historical
Hero: Sky Fox
Heroine: Lucie West

One sentence summary: Former Sioux captive returns to the Dakota Territory to try and make peace with her past but is taken hostage by another former captive, who is determined to secure her help in saving an innocent man from the hangman’s noose.
Scene you like most and would never cut: Their first meet is pretty spectacular with lots of prickling awareness that Lucie has learned to heed and that drives her to run from the threat she knows Sky poses.
I also love the scene when Sky finally gets her alone (after kidnapping her) to deliver a message from the Sioux warrior who once captured her, explaining that he wants her back. Sky gets an earful, including the revelation that she hates her captor for not letting her go before she was ruined and for saving her from slavery so that she is indebted to him for her life.
The scene where Sky Fox finally reveals why he had to flee from his tribe and return to the white world is a very moving and powerful one as well.
But my personal favorite is when Sky calls Lucie beautiful. Lucie’s chin was tattooed during her captivity so anyone who looks at her knows exactly what befell her. She believes the fang-like marks have destroyed her chance to put the past behind her and rejoin the white world. But Sky does not come from that world, having been raised as the adopted son of a Sioux warrior, so he truly feels the marks enhance her beauty. She calls what she believes is his bluff with a challenge that if he finds her so appealing why won’t he kiss her? He does, and in that moment they are both lost…and found.
Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: At the beginning of the story, Lucie would never, under any circumstances, ever return to the Sioux warrior who once held her captive. But later she does just that. I love setting a character up to do something that runs totally against their grain. But I don’t want to give too much away…
What celebrity is your hero like: Picture Hugh Jackman with Paul Newman’s stunning blue eyes. Pretty picture, no?
What celebrity is your heroine like: Reese Witherspoon with strawberry blonde hair. I also picture Kate Hudson looking something like Lucie West.
What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Her facial tattoos make work a challenge, to say the least. Lucie has taken a job as a matron at an Indian School, where she hopes to find acceptance and meaningful work. But that doesn’t go quite as planned…
What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: Sky captures wild mustangs, trains and trades them. At this time in history many thought that killing mustangs was a quick and easy way to make Sioux Indians stay put, so Sky is in this business to try to save a tiny part of the world that is dying before his eyes.
What do you think readers will like best about this book: I think readers will enjoy seeing two people, who have led very difficult lives, finally find someone who can love and understand them and who they can love.
The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: The hands-down, most requested follow-up story has been for Lucie West. My readers loved her parents’ struggle to recover her in High Plains Bride and became very worried over what became of Lucie. So I hope they will be pleased with her story. After that, my most popular character has to be Nicholas Chien, the shape-shifting playboy timber wolf from my first paranormal romance, Dream Stalker. Nick will have his own story in March of 2011 from Silhouette Nocturne. I’m not sure of the title yet, so readers will have to check my website at www.jennakernan.com for more on that.

What’s next: When a lady’s companion finds herself facing prison over a crime she did not commit, her flight lands her in the household of a small town sheriff who has mistaken her for the housekeeper he is expecting to give his daughter a real old fashioned Christmas…but she can’t cook! Western Winter Wedding Bells, Harlequin Historicals Christmas Anthology is out in October 2010.

And for reader discussion: Who is your favorite Western TV or movie character: Clint in The Outlaw Josey Wales, Gary Cooper in High Noon, Michael Landon as Little Joe Cartwright, maybe Rodney A. Grant in Dancing With Wolves or Sam Elliot in ANYTHING? Perhaps you like unique characters like Dustin Hoffman in Little Big Man, Morgan Freeman in Unforgiven or Al Swearengen in the series Deadwood.

Let me know because I’ll GIVEAWAY three FREE books to randomly chosen responders!