Share Your Heroine

This Blog Content Has Been Moved - Update Below

2009-01-24T18:37:00.001-08:00

This blog has been moved along with quite a few other blogs. The complete list of my promotional blogs and the links are listed below.

Update January 23, 2009 - I have made some major changes to the blogs I'm offering and I am updating this list to reflect those changes. These changes should make it easier to find information and give additional exposure to every one who submits information about their books and themselves.

ANY published author is welcome to submit these questions and answers to promote their books. To use any of these blogs - click on the link, click on "how to submit" in the top corner of the blog and follow the instructions. I ask that you send the questions and answers as an RTF file. It is also good to send a jpg file of your book cover - no PDF files for the cover art. When you complete the interview, send to nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com with the interview title in the subject line and I will add you to the list for that blog.

I have divided the blog lists for fiction and non fiction books to make it easier to find the ones you need. I've added several new blogs lately - so if you've been here before - there are some new options.

Two quick updates -

The print edition of Book Promo 101 is complete and available. The print book is oversize 8" x 10" and the layout is gorgeous. The manuscript for Book Promo 201: Promote Online With Web 2.0 is with my publisher and will be available in early 2009 -- there will be updates posted. If you would like details about the contents of this book, visit http://www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_201.htm

I offer a wide array of promotional services to authors. Feel free to take a look at the possibilities and contact me with questions. If you are interested in something that you don't see listed, let me know and we can talk. For a list of these services visit - www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm

I offer a wide assortment of virtual book tour options and the current list is located at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/04/virtual-blog-tour-options.html - there are a number of options and price ranges or we can talk about other options. I'm also planning to add more services in late winter and early spring 2009. If you would like to be added to my mailing list to get the latest updates, send me a message at nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com

Promotional Blogs for Fiction Books

Share your furry writing companions - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-submit-information-about-author.html

http://itsallinthesetting.blogspot.com/ - Details about story setting.
How to Submit – http://itsallinthesetting.blogspot.com/2007/07/its-all-about-setting.html

Animals in Your Book - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/

How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-submit-your-book.html

Villains in your book.- http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit – http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_7729.html

Heroine in your book.- http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_134.html

Hero in your book.- http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html

Best Friend - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit_28.html

Share Book Details - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit – http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html

http://frombookstomovies.blogspot.com/ - From Books to the Movies
If a movie was made about your book, which actors and actresses would play the main characters? This is your chance in case a movie of your book and it can be a lot of fun.
How to Submit – http://frombookstomovies.blogspot.com/2007/08/how-to-submit.html

Interview a Male Character - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-submit_6392.html

Interview a Female Character - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-submit_1859.htm

In Detail With Nikki Leigh - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
Give potential readers more information about you and your background.
How to Submit – http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html

http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/- Can you tie a topic or element from your book with current events? This is the place to submit them. Send them to me and I'll review them.
How to Submit - http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit.html

Do you have interesting promotional ideas and suggestions that you would like to share with other authors? http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com

How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit-your-promotional.html

http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/ - Share your book cover.
How to Submit – http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/2007/07/judge-book-by-its-cover.html

http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/ - Share your First Chapter
How to Submit – http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html

Promotional Blogs for Non-Fiction Books

Share Book Details - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit – http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-submit.html

Share your furry writing companions - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-submit-information-about-author.html

Animals in Your Book - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/

How to Submit - http://fictionalcharactersindepth.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-submit-your-book.html

Before I Was Published - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com
Tell us about what you did before you were published and especially include anything that relates to your books and your writing.
How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/02/tell-us-your-story.html

http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/- Can you tie a topic or element from your book with current events? This is the place to submit them. Send them to me and I'll review them.
How to Submit - http://currenteventsinbooks.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit.html
Do you have interesting promotional ideas and suggestions that you would like to share with other authors? http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com

How to Submit - http://authorpromotion.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-submit-your-promotional.html

http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/ - Share your book cover.
How to Submit – http://judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/2007/07/judge-book-by-its-cover.html

http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/ - Share your First Chapter

How to Submit – http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-submit.html

I reserve the right to refuse to post any submissions, but so far I haven't needed to turn anyone away. I did edit a couple of first chapters to maintain a PG-13 rating for my visitors. That could be one of the reasons why some have such a long waiting list. All the blogs are listed on my Blogger profile which is located at - www.blogger.com/profile/00985309338453728557.

Nikki Leigh
Author of the Book Promo 101 Series
www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_101.htm
Author Promotional Services - www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm

Meet Marilyn Meredith's Heroine from Kindred Spirits

2008-12-28T16:22:00.000-08:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name?

Tempe Crabtree

Why did you pick that name?

Tempe Crabtree was my great-grandmother's name, unlike my great-grandchildren, I never had the privilege to meet her, though I did write about her in a book and heard many stories about her from my father. It seemed like the perfect name for my heroine.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Tempe is Native American, part of the Yanduchi branch of the Yokut Indians. (Yokut is a real tribe--Yanduchi is a made-up name though close to another tribal name.) She has long dark hair she wears in a single braid that she pins to the back of her head when working as a deputy. She's tall, 5' 8", smart and intuitive.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

Though she has dark skin and hair, she has blue eyes.

Who does she love? Why?

Tempe is very much in love with her husband, Hutch Hutchinson who is the pastor of the local church. Tempe was a widow raising a teenaged son when she met Hutch. He filled a huge gap in both hers and her son's life.

Of course she also loves her son, Blair, who she raised as a single mom from the time her CHP husband was killed when Blair was only 3.

Does this person love her?

Hutch was a widower and also lonely when he met Tempe. He loves her very much and is a true helpmate. He worries about the dangers of her job. And he often has a difficult time when she uses Native American mysticism as a means to find out the truth about someone or when she does something like calling back the dead.

Tell us about her family.

Her parents are no longer alive. But her Indian grandmother had a great influence on her life when she was a child. Now her family life revolves around Hutch and Blair, though Blair is away at college.

Where is she from? She was born and raised in Bear Creek, a mountain community in the Southern Sierra. (Sierra means mountain.) When her husband was killed, she returned to her home town, went to the police academy and became a deputy--eventually becoming the resident deputy of Bear Creek and its surroundings.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

Bear Creek is a small community and she knows most of the people who live there although more and more folks are moving up from Southern California--in some cases bringing big city crime along with them. As a teenager, she faced prejudice because of her Native American background. This prejudice she learned in an earlier book had been the reason she hadn't embraced her heritage.

What does she want out of life?

To be the best deputy she can be, to keep the citizens of Bear Creek safe, and to help the detectives find the person who committed the crime.

What's her biggest secret?

She doesn't have a single big secret. Often she keeps things from her husband in order to keep peace in her marriage--which often backfires.

Did you write more than one story about her?

Kindred Spirits in number eight.

How would she describe you? As a sweet little old lady who is a good listener. I've done ride-alongs with female police officers who have bared their soul to me and some of their problems have become Tempe's problems.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

The detectives she often has to work with think that because she's an Indian, she can find out anything from other Indians. In Kindred Spirits they send her to Crescent City to interview relatives and friends of a murder victim she was a Tolowa even though Tempe has never heard of the Tolowa people. This drives her crazy, but is also the reason she gets involved in so many cases.

Please provide your website link.

http://fictionforyou.com

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.mundaniapress.com

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Thank you, Nikki, for having us. Marilyn

NEW! Visit my blog at http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/
and the Stiletto Gang: http://thestilettogang.blogspot.com/

CL Talmadge - Heroine from the Healing Stone Novels

2008-12-14T17:36:00.000-08:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name?
Helen Elizabeth Andros

Why did you pick that name?
She told me her name. All of my characters tell me about themselves. Some
are more willing to communicate than others, but eventually even the
reluctant ones let me know them and their inner/outer lives. In some cases
they end up telling me far more than I want to know about them. (There are
some really nasty characters in my fiction.)

Give us a brief description of how she looks.
Helen is more than 6 feet tall. Skinny from an eating disorder. Blue-black
hair that is fine and full, with ice-blue eyes.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?
Helen is obviously a cross between the two races who populate her society.
That makes her an outcast.

Who does she love? Why?
She loves her commanding officer, Col. Jackson Orlando. Because she finds
him to be as kind and decent as he is physically attractive--the tall, dark,
silent handsome type.

Does this person love her?
Yes indeedy. He adores her from the first time he meets her. But he does not
think he has the right to pursue her, for a number of reasons.

Tell us about her family.
Helen's mother was falsely accused of a crime and chose exile rather than
being forced to reveal the name of her baby's father. She does not know most
of her mother's family and her father's is hidden.

Where is she from?
Helen was born in a desert land called Khemet, but returns to the nation of
her parents at age 11. This country is called Azgard.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?
Helen is a rootless wanderer, and never really feels she has a home
anywhere.

What does she want out of life?
What she cannot have. She does not even dare hope for what she actually
could have, provided she did some healing and growing herself.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)
The real identity of her father. It's a secret even to her until the first
book in the series.

Did you write more than one story about her?
I am writing a multigenerational fantasy saga with Helen as the
first-generation heroine.

How would she describe you?
Puzzling. I don't seem to care as much about other people's opinions of me
as she does their opinions of her.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to
share.
She's got a ribald sense of humor and a passion for justice that gets her
into trouble because she also can't seem to keep her mouth shut when it
would be prudent to do so.

Please provide your website link.
www.greenstoneofhealing.com

What is the link to buy your book?
Paperback versions of the series' first three books are available at any
online bookstore plus in ebook form at www.healingstonebooks.com

Hunting the Egret by Bryn Colvin

2008-10-16T17:42:00.000-07:00

What's her name?
Verity

Why did you pick that name?
It means truth. There are quite a few issues in ‘Hunting The Egret’ about what is true, and real. Giving a paranormal character a name with this meaning rather appealed to me.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.
Verity has blond hair and brown eyes. She’s quite tall and strong – a bit of an Amazon, but otherwise at first glance not that remarkable. Her clothes are old, faded and worn.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance? Hidden under her hair, are ears that are far too small in proportion to her face.

Who does she love? Why? Verity loves the river and the hills. She adores her father. Conventional romantic relationships have not worked for her thus far – she finds it hard to give of herself, or to trust people with how she really is.

Does this person love her? Being a prickly, difficult person Verity does not attract affection. Her family love her, in their own odd ways, and she does inspire strong feelings in others – although she finds this hard to see.

Tell us about her family. Verity’s father lives on a narrowboat, sharing his daughter’s need to be close to the water. Her mother is a traveller, who comes and goes and is somewhat crazy. Verity’s grandmother was a witch and crops up as a ghost on a few occasions, along with a few other ancestors.

Where is she from?
Verity has spent her life on the side of the Severn, in a small village called Arlode. She seldom travels further than she can walk, and considers a sixty mile round trip to be a huge journey. Rejecting much of the modern world, she’s intune with the landscape but at odds with human culture.

Does her hometown affect her behaviour, thoughts and attitude? Verity wouldn’t survive in a city, and would probably struggle in a town. She needs wild places and the river. However, she finds the people around her difficult – in a village the chances of finding a kindred spirit are that much lower.

What does she want out of life? One of Verity’s problems is that she really doesn’t know. There are gaps in her life, but she has little sense of how to fill them.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) I don’t think I can say!

Did you write more than one story about her?
There’s just the one, and it seems like a complete tale to me. She may crop up in the background of another book sometime – I love doing that – but she won’t be the central character in any other stories.

How would she describe you? I come from the other side of the river. Would Verity look twice at me if I walked into the bakery she works in? Probably not. I’m just another person, and she doesn’t do well with people, so I fear she wouldn’t remember me well enough to bother trying to describe me. Perhaps if we met on the riverside and shared a few words about the wildlife she would consider me tolerable.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.
One of Verity’s concerns is the threat of a tidal barrier being built across the Severn and harming this unique habitat. I did not invent this threat – I wish it was just a piece of fiction, because the river is beautiful and could be ruined by this.

Please provide your website link. http://brynneth.org.uk/

What is the link to buy your book? http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=28&products_id=337&zenid=e8fb5f33a911b999e381b72512589bd7

Qwana from The Last Priestess Series

2008-09-01T18:12:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.: Qwana is the heroine of The Last Priestess trilogy set in ancient Peru. She is the last priestess to the Moon Goddess in a time when religion turned to sun worship. Those who worshiped the moon practiced a gentle, nurturing religion. Those who worshiped the sun practiced ritual sacrifices, terrorizing the populace of Loa, a city on the Nazca Plain.

What's her name? Qwana

Why did you pick that name? I have no idea. I was in a rock shop and the proprietor had a holey stone (it had a hole in it, considered to be very powerful by crystal enthusiasts) from her trip to South America on the counter. I picked it up and must have linked into the story at that point, because I was compelled to write this history about a woman who lived on the Nazca Plain and who became the last priestess in the temple of the Moon Goddess.

Give us a brief description of how she looks. Qwana is beautiful in the eyes of her people: short, compactly built, with dark eyes and hair. Her nose is hooked, her skin is dark and she is dressed in fine, brightly colored garments woven from the wool of llamas and vicuna. Qwana would probably not be considered beautiful in our culture where thin, blonde beauties are the ideal.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance? Not really. Other than the fact she may have richer garments than the common woman of her time due to her special position, she looks like any woman who might have lived in that time and place.

Who does she love? Qwana loves the Moon Goddess and although she is the only young woman of her generation destined to serve in the temple of the moon, she believes it is the proper thing for her to do. She loves the two remaining elder priestesses: Aruz and Mix’la who taught her the rituals of the temple. She also loves Rowland, a visitor from the planet Deesa who has come to this world to see the wonders described by his father, who was also a galactic traveler. She also loves and protects a baby she found abandoned in the Andean foothills.

Does this person love her? In that culture, it was believed the Goddess loved all of her children. The two older priestesses love Qwana as their daughter and are proud of her, although they worry about her solitary state. Rowland, who grew up hearing stories about the wonders of Earth, loves Qwana from first meeting – although she resists his love – believing that she will betray the Goddess if she offers her life and love to the visitor from a world beyond the stars.

Tell us about her family. Qwana’s family does not figure into this tale, she is dedicated to the temple of the Moon from birth. Her “family” are the people who love and depend on her.

Where is she from? Qwana is born in Loa, a city situated on the Nazca Plain, near the foothills of the Andes Mountains.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude? The people of Qwana’s city have been swayed to the bloody rituals of the Sun God. They are mesmerized by Xilpu, the high priest of the temple of the Sun. Xilpu is cruel and practices a brutal religion that strips families of their young men and women who die in agony on the stones of the temple. He leads a virtual army of priests that he uses to keep the city in line.

Qwana believes that these bloody rituals are wrong, and while she is forced to witness these brutalities, she longs for a way for the people to be rid of the high priest who uses her as a sexual slave, even though the priestesses of the Moon are supposed to be virgin.

Qwana feels fear and horror at the way Xilpu treats those who follow the religion of the Sun God, but she is powerless to correct the situation and convince the people to return to the worship of the Moon. She wonders if the gentle religion will die if no new girl children are dedicated to follow her in the temple of the Moon.

When Rowland arrives from the planet Deesa, the high priest sends Qwana out on the plain to examine the fallen star, hoping she and her elders will die from exposure. Bewitched by the young priestess, Rowland follows her back to the city, where he witnesses the brutal rituals that honor the Sun God and swears he will release the people from their bondage to the religion that requires a sacrament of blood.

What does she want out of life? Qwana wants to do her duty and serve the Moon Goddess. She is dedicated to this task and believes it to be her life work. Although her initiatian vision indicates she will mate the condor, she believes this to be a prediction of her victory, and not the true ending her story reveals.

What's her biggest secret? Qwana is much stronger than she might have believed. She grows as she protects the elders as they flee from Loa and she comes to understand that true love is an appropriate thing for even the last priestess.

Did you write more than one story about her? Qwana’s story is told in three books: The Last Priestess, Nazca Star and Bride of the Condor.

How would she describe you? I imagine Qwana would see me as a sorceress who is able to record stories in strange boxes and send them out for the world to share. She would probably be shocked at the sort of clothing and lack of reverence exhibited by today’s woman.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Qwana is like all of us who are placed in difficult conditions and learn the true depths of our courage.

Please provide your website link. http://www.terrylwhite.com

What is the link to buy your book? www.ebooksonthe.net, or www.Amazon.com in the Kindle section. The Last Priestess Series are also available at Fictionwise, All Romance Ebooks, and other venues.

NOTE: This is a new edition of The Last Priestess story, and is available only as ebooks at this time

Heroine From The Girl Who Fell

2008-08-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

What's her name?

Jehanne

Why did you pick that name?

I was inspired be a singer songwriter – also called Jehanne, she told me that her name was probably closer to how Joan of Arc would have identified herself in French than the anglicised ‘Joan’ we have today. It seemed like the perfect name for my heroine.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Jehanne’s most striking feature is that she has hooves rather than feet. In Estraguil, there are all kinds of anatomical quirks amongst the kith, but even so hooves are unusual. Otherwise, she is lithe, strong, agile and a touch self conscious in her movements.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

Aside from the hooves? There is more age in her eyes than you might expect of someone her age, and an impression of otherness.

Who does she love? Why?

Jehanne adores her younger sister Flower. She still loves and mourns for the child she lost. From the moment she sees them, she is absolutely smitten with the trio of musicians who visit her tref. Tirol, Guile and Luthian are exceptional musicians and compelling individuals.

Does this person love her?

Although she doesn’t see it herself, Jehanne is loved by many of the people around her.

Tell us about her family.

Jehanne and her sister are marcher children – no one is entirely sure who their fathers are. While most women do not choose to have numerous children by numerous men, their mother settled on that way of life. Escaping from a crowded household, the two sisters joined a new tref downriver, where Flower’s skills as a dyer could be put to good use and Jehanne honed her talents for hunting.

Where is she from?

Jehanne belongs to the Tolthian kith – an old tribe within the Forests of Estraguil. She lives alongside a river, in a tref built in the treetops.

Does her hometown affect her behaviour, thoughts and attitude?

Jehanne considers herself something of an outsider – with her hooves she’s not well adapted for life in the treetops. Still, she values her community and heritage, it gives her many of her values and ideals.

What does she want out of life?

Jehanne is a lost soul, she has no real idea of what she wants, and in her heart believes that the best part of her life has already been lived.

What's her biggest secret?

Jehanne keeps no secrets and has no aptitude for lying. She seldom bothers to speak of herself, but will answer truthfully if anyone asks anything of her.

Did you write more than one story about her?

No, nor do i intend to.

How would she describe you?

Too soft, too plump and not fast enough!

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Jehanne has a passion for dancing, and a rare magic in her soul

Please provide your website link. http://www.myspace.com/brynneth_n_colvin

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/TheGirlWhoFell_BrynnethColvin.shtml

The Girl Who Fell by Brynneth Colvin

2008-08-05T14:21:00.001-07:00

What's her name?

Jehanne

Why did you pick that name?

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

Aside from the hooves? There is more age in her eyes than you might expect of someone her age, and an impression of otherness.

Who does she love? Why?

Does this person love her?

Although she doesn’t see it herself, Jehanne is loved by many of the people around her.

Tell us about her family.

Where is she from?

Jehanne belongs to the Tolthian kith – an old tribe within the Forests of Estraguil. She lives alongside a river, in a tref built in the treetops.

Does her hometown affect her behaviour, thoughts and attitude?

What does she want out of life?

Jehanne is a lost soul, she has no real idea of what she wants, and in her heart believes that the best part of her life has already been lived.

What's her biggest secret?

Jehanne keeps no secrets and has no aptitude for lying. She seldom bothers to speak of herself, but will answer truthfully if anyone asks anything of her.

Did you write more than one story about her?

No, nor do i intend to.

How would she describe you?

Too soft, too plump and not fast enough!

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Jehanne has a passion for dancing, and a rare magic in her soul

Please provide your website link. http://www.myspace.com/brynneth_n_colvin

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/TheGirlWhoFell_BrynnethColvin.shtml

Meet the Heroine from His Shadowed Heart with Hazel Statham

2008-07-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine ---

What's her name?

Caroline Northam

Why did you pick that name?

It suited her character.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

She is petite with dark hair and blue eyes.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

She is shy and self-effacing and wishes to remain in the background

Who does she love? Why?

Her husband. Although he is cold and aloof at their first meeting, he shows her an unparalleled kindness when next they meet and she is unable to resist his charm.

Does this person love her?

At first, he offers her nothing more than a marriage of convenience but thoughts of her invade his determination never to give his heart again.

Tell us about her family.

Caroline’s mother died when she was a child and she is shunned by society because her father committed suicide. She is now dependent on the charity of members of her family and contents herself with caring for her cousin’s children before returning to her elderly aunt.

Where is she from?

London.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

She feels it keenly that she is rejected by society, and this accounts for her shyness.

What does she want out of life?

Her husband’s love but knows that she must content herself with merely being at his side.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

That she loves her husband, despite his seeming coldness to her, and longs for it to be otherwise.

Did you write more than one story about her?

No, this is her only story.

How would she describe you?

I hope kind and someone who is in sympathy with her cause.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Despite her shyness, she has a lively mind and her confidence grows as her story progresses.

Please provide your website link.

http://www.hazel-statham.co.uk/

What is the link to buy your book?

Fictionwise
http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook69078.htm?cache

Wings ePress

http://www.wings-press.com/Bookstore/His%20Shadowed%20Heart.htm

It will also be available from Amazon.com in the very near future.

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Chesapeake Harvest by Terry L. White

2008-07-13T18:15:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.: The heroine in Chesapeake Harvest is a woman named Mary Charles. The daughter of privilege, Mary follows her heart to the streets of London where she is abandoned by her seducer, and must make her way through the highways and byways by selling first her clothing, then her person. Starving, Mary steals a bite of bread and lands in gaol, where she learns the true meaning of misery. When she thinks all is lost, Mary is brought before a judge and sentenced to deportation to the New World and Maryland colony. Her passage across the Atlantic is another chapter written in misery and it is only by chance that she escapes the sickness that breaks out during the voyage and lives to be sold on the block to a man willing to pay the price of her indenture in return for her services.

What's her name? Mary Charles.

Why did you pick that name? I find that my characters come to me with their stories – and their names -- in their pockets. Mary is representative of hundreds of victims of poverty who were transported to the colonies in order to empty the jails of petty criminals who cost the crown more than their worth to support, even in great privation. Those transported were charged with their own passage, which they had to work off in a state of enslavement for five years on what is now Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Mary seems to be a common name in most epochs of English history, and Charles sounded like a name given to members of the gentry.

Give us a brief description of how she looks. Mary once wore silk dresses and shoes of the finest leather, but her fall from the world of ease leaves her dressed in her mistress’s cast off clothing and garments of rough linen or wool that are more serviceable, but hardly alluring. Her hair is scraped back in a rough knot or braid and her hands are red and calloused from work.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance? Mary is the servant of a man who has connections to royalty, but in the colony even those born with status wear plain clothing that will stand up to the hard work of a frontier farm.

Who does she love? Mary loves Tom, a fellow indentured servant, but she is married to her Master William Baron, who chooses her as a wife when his dear spouse dies of marsh fever. Mary is grateful for the match, for she was raped earlier by the farm’s first male indenture, and she feels that her daughter will be safe if she marries her master. This change in status does not mean her work is lightened, only that she has traded one form of enslavement for another.

Does this person love her? William does not love Mary, although he honors her worth by offering her marriage, a custom of the time when there were fewer marriageable women than men due to the hard work and unattended childbirths they must endure. Tom does love Mary, but she turns him away when he finishes his time of indenture because she is carrying William’s child. In her heart, she would like to put aside her loveless marriage to follow Tom to the mountains of Virginia, but her sense of duty keeps her tied to William and the management of his farm. William leaves the farm often to dabble in politics, and eventually is killed when he is on the way to London to pursue business matters and his ship is caught in a violent storm..

Tell us about her family. Mary has her daughter, fruit of the rape, and several of William’s children, all of whom she loves dearly. She is responsible for raising these offspring and for the management of the plantation in her husband’s absence. After Tom leaves, William presents Mary with a family of slaves, a husband with wife and children. With so many mouths to feed, Mary works very hard to maintain her family.

Where is she from? Mary is from London, but her indenture brings her to the area that is now known as Somerset County on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude? Mary is responsible for a great deal as the wife of a plantation owner, however, she is grateful for Sir Williams, whose wife Sallie adopted and legitimized her bastard child. Mary is also mindful of her luck in being transported rather than being left to rot in a London gaol. While her marriage has elevated her to a similar status as that of her birth, the circumstances of life in the colony leave her with a great deal of responsibility, especially when her husband is killed. Mary lives in a world where women are secondary to men, but she is not unmindful of the good fortune that has followed her to the New World.

What does she want out of life? Mary would like very much to be loved, but she is dedicated to her children and the land, which she discovers is very important to her as she grows from the abused daughter of privileged to the manager of a large plantation in the New World. Mary is not a woman to feel sorry for herself and she often counts her blessings as she tells her story.

What's her biggest secret? Mary loves Tom for his kindness, even when he leaves the farm when she says she cannot come with him. That said, she puts the love aside and does not pine for what might have been.

Did you write more than one story about her? No. I have told Mary’s story, or rather Mary has sent her story through me for others to enjoy. I believe Mary had an eventful life, but that she took the events as they came and was aware that she was blessed as those events shook her world.

How would she describe you? I believe Mary would see me as a sister, a woman who had similar experiences and who is grateful for the good things life has given her.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. I think it is important for the reader to understand that Mary is a responsible person who understands what is important in life. I do not know how her story came to me, but I believe there is a channel that opens and allows me to know the women in my stories and to tell their stories. I believe that women have suffered greatly in the past and that their stories hold the seeds of love for the women of today who may live in misery – then read a book and see that there is a clear path for them to the future.

Please provide your website link. http://www.terrylwhite.com

You can find Terry L. White's books at www.ebooksonthe.net, Fictionwise, Mobipocket, Kindle and Amazon.com by typing her name in the search engines. Look for Runaway Hearts, Mystick Moon, Ancient Memories, The Last Priestess, Mustard Seed, Crazy Quilt, Hang Your Head Over, Imagine, Hell or High Water and Chesapeake Harvest and more. Terry is also a bead artist and musician.

Meet Contessa Morena Monterossa of Portovenere of Bloodstone Castle

2008-06-25T23:48:00.000-07:00

What’s her name?

Contessa Morena Monterossa of Portovenere

Why did you pick that name?

The name Morena is an authentic Italian medieval name. I wanted my heroine to have a title, one level of nobility lower than the ducal status of the hero and villain. This made her more vulnerable to both powerful men.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Morena is of average build, innocent looking and vulnerable, youthful, but mature. A true beauty with an upturned nose and rose colored cheeks. Originally, she had chestnut hair, but when the cover for the book was chosen, I decided to amend the hair color so she looks like the woman on the cover.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

There is nothing unusual about her appearance except for the fact that she wears a beautiful, ancient bloodstone pendant given to her by her mother. She never takes it off.

Who does she love? Why?

Morena does not love any man, however, with time Duke Amoro of Genoa begins to win her heart even though he is a life-long enemy of her family. But she is betrothed to Duke Ernesto of Savona and feels duty bound to marry him.

Does this person love her?

Duke Amoro does not love her at first. His only interest is because he is bound by an oath to marry her. But within a very short time, he grows to love her, long before his love is reciprocated.

Tell us about her family.

Morena is the only daughter of Count Umberto Monterossa and his wife Vittoria who died giving birth to Morena. The Count never remarried. He rescued a young orphan boy named Massimo who he raised like a son and with whom Morena has a very strong bond with.

Where is she from?

Morena was born in Bloodstone Castle in Portovenere.

Does her hometown affect her behaviour, thoughts, and attitude?

Morena feels the duty of her title and loves her home and the people who live and work in the vicinity of Bloodstone Castle.

What does she want out of life?

Morena wants to ensure she takes good care of the many serfs and vassals who serve her family. She wants to be loved. Morena is prepared to do her duty and will sacrifice her own personal love and happiness to do so.

What’s her biggest secret?

Morena knows about the existence of the ancient Roman treasure rumoured to be buried beneath Bloodstone Castle and the bloodstone pendant she wears is proof, however, she does not know its location and is suspicious of her suitors because of it.

Did you write more than one story about her?

No, and at this time I have no plans for a sequel. However, I did leave that door open because I think the minor character of Massimo makes an intriguing hero and perhaps there will be a novel about him with Morena as a minor character in the future.

How would she describe you?

Morena would describe me as a dedicated, obsessed author with a love to create and a passion for stories about Italy and medieval times.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know?

Morena is not afraid to stand up and fight. She understands the duty that comes with her title and is ready to fulfill those requirements regardless of her own wishes or happiness

Please provide your website link.

http://www.mirellapatzer.com

What is the link to buy your book?

You can purchase my book at my websites:

http://www.mirellapatzer.com

http://bloodstonecastle.blogspot.com

http://bestofitaly.blogspot.com

http://mirellapatzer.blogspot.com

Or you can purchase it from Amazon at:

http://www.amazon.com/Bloodstone-Castle-Mirella-Patzer/dp/0978486528/

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

We encourage you to post a comment or ask a question. One person who comments during the tour will win an autographed copy of Bloodstone Castle. Will you win??

Heroine From Outlaw in Petticoats

2008-05-31T19:59:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name? Maeve Loman

Why did you pick that name? While doing the background on her father, I needed him to be Irish. So I looked up Irish names and after going back and forth with several, I decided Maeve fit the best with the hero's name, Zeke.

Give us a brief description of how she looks. Straight black hair worn in a bun while teaching and in a braid down her back while traveling the trails searching for her father. She's slender, blue eyes, and has the Irish temper.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance? When traveling, she dresses in an old shirt, worn riding skirt and has a six shooter holstered on one hip.

Who does she love? Why? She slowly falls for the hero, but fights the attraction kicking and screaming. Her father whom she adored left her and her mother when Maeve was ten. She's always felt if she loves someone too much, they will leave her and she refuses to go through that pain again.

Does this person love her? Zeke loves her to obsession. And has a hard time courting and romancing her to bring her around to his way of thinking.

Tell us about her family. Her father who adored her and she adored him, taught her how to handle a pistol then disappeared. The book is about Maeve and Zeke looking for answers to his disappearance. Her mother is an invalid who holds bitter feelings toward both Maeve and her father.

Where is she from? Maeve's family traveled around a lot due to her father's work.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude? No, as I said, she has traveled a lot as a child and doesn't really call any one place home.

What does she want out of life? She wants to be independent and not fall in love. ;) But of course Zeke has other plans.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) Her biggest secret is she really dreams of a life with a husband and children, but fears the hurt of being rejected again.

Did you write more than one story about her? Yes, and no. She is the heroine in the second Halsey brother book and has small roles the books following this one.

How would she describe you? A busybody. LOL Because I've dug into her and made her realize what she really wants.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. Maeve finds a strength in herself that helps her find the happiness she deep down was looking for.

Please provide your website link. http://www.patyjager.com

What is the link to buy your book? http://www.thewildrosepress.com

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Thank you for letting me share Maeve. You can read about another feisty heroine in the first Halsey Brother book, Marshal in Petticoats.

Sinbad's Last Voyage by Toni Sweeney

2008-05-11T10:56:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book. What's her name?

Her name is Andrea Talltrees.

Why did you pick that name?

Andi is the adopted daughter of Vicente Talltrees, a Navajo Natural. I wanted something that sounded Native American.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Since Andi is adopted, she doesn't look native American, and this is one of the first things Sinbad questions her about. She's small, feisty--someone says she can lick all her one hundred and ten pounds in wildcats--blue-eyes and a wheat-blonde. She married Tran when she was sixteen and is now thirty-one and the fact that she's nearly two years older than Sinbad irritates her.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

Not to her people. She wears long skirts and shirts she makes herself, long buckskin boots (also handmade). When she has to change clothes into a disguise, she begs Sinbad to let her keep her boots because it took her three months to make them. She usually wears her hair in two long pigtails or a single braid down her back.

Who does she love? Why?

She thinks she loves her husband until she discovers his real agenda in coming to Earth but the moment she meets Sinbad sh'en Singh, she falls in love with him though she doesn't realize it. He's the total opposite of any man she's ever met--crass, outspoken, a criminal. Even Sinbad admits he's morally opposed to everything she's been brought up to believe it, yet there are little flashes of his secret self he reveals to her that make her realize most of his bombasting is a disguise, that a man who has been traumatized by what happened to his parents lurks inside the dependent front he puts on.

Does this person love her?

Sinbad loves her from the moment he sees her, but since she's married and in spite of being a criminal, he refuses to steal another man's woman, he hides his attraction behind insults, wise-cracks, and sarcasm. Eventually, the facade breaks, however, when Andi gets hurt and he thinks he's lost her and from then on--it's damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead!

Tell us about her family.

The head of Andi's family is Vicente Talltrees. She has four foster brothers. Vicente was her father's best friend and when he enlisted in the Federation Armed Services, he asked Vicente to look after his wife and child. When Jon Pardee is MIA, Vicente goes to get Andi and her mother, finds Sheila dead of pneumonia and takes the little girl back to the Naturals' Reservation, raising her as his own. He spoils Andi, sheltering her, and generally letting her have her way.

Where is she from?

Andi and her people live in a valley that has escaped the pollution most of Earth is now under. She has a farm where they grow fruits and vegetables to be sold to the nearby Federation Military Base. The valley is located near Angel City, the remains of Los Angeles after the Great Quake of '89 dropped most of the lower part of California into the Pacific Ocean.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

The Naturals follow the ways of their ancestors of the mid-twentieth century. Not only Navajos but many Caucasians are members of the cult which spreads across what is called the Buffalo Commons of the Midwest. They are very religious and have strict beliefs about God, marriage, and fidelity. When Andi admits she loves Sinbad--while they're searching for her husband--she feels she's being unfaithful and when they actually consummate that love, she berates herself, insisting she should be stoned for adultery while at the same time knowing she can never let him go.

What does she want out of life?

At first, she thinks she just wants Tran back and her life on the farm to return to its peaceful self. One she meets Sin, she knows that her old life is gone forever. From then on, life has to be with him, whatever that means.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

Andi doesn't have any real secrets. She's a fairly open person. Being taught to be truthful, she'd have to be. Associating with Sin, she finds hidden strengths within herself that she didn't know she possessed.

Did you write more than one story about her?

Andi features quite prominently in all the Sinbad stories, especially the second one, Sinbad's Wife, which is scheduled for publication this year. That follows the discovery of Sinbad's "secret," their marriage, and a violent separation when Andi's abducted by slavers and becomes their leader's concubine.

How would she describe you?

She's probably say, "I know people say we look alike, but--I swear--we certainly don't think alike! Slavers...criminals...moving to another planet! I'd never think to do that on my own!"

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Andi meets some people she'd never otherwise get to know while she's tagging along behind Sinbad. Someone of them pop up in the other books, too. She has to think fast in some situations and put her own bravery to the test and I think she handles everything rather well--for a very sheltered, slightly spoiled little Natural.

Please provide your website link.

www.tonivsweeney.com

What is the link to buy your book?

www.lulu.com; www.doubledragonbooks.com

Meet Geneva Anderson

2008-04-23T08:24:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name?

Geneva Anderson

Why did you pick that name?

Geneva is the name of a lady who is the best friend of a friend of mine. Anderson is my grandmother and uncle’s last name. I picked Geneva because it sounds exotic and unusual. The name seemed perfect for my heroine who has a unique way of looking at things and lives an unusual life.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Geneva is about 5’5 with short, black hair that she wears curled under. She is chubby with light brown skin and wears glasses.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

No.

Who does she love? Why?

She is secretly in love with the leader of her poetry workshop, Xavier Lakemore. They have never dated. But the only reason that she joined the workshop was to be around him. She has always had problems with men.

Does this person love her?

No, he doesn’t know how deep her feelings for him go.

Tell us about her family.

She doesn’t have any family. Geneva’s father abused her mother and her mother died when she was young. She grew up alone. She only had her aunt Victoria who was murdered. Geneva idolized Victoria.

Where is she from?

She is from Chicago, Illinois.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

She is very street smart and not afraid to take risks. She is not afraid to find out who really murdered her aunt.

What does she want out of life?

She wants to be a successful poet. She wants to be loved. Geneva thinks that she can only find this love in a man.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

She wishes that she had murdered her father before his abuse killed her mother. She thinks that she is coward for not doing this.

Did you write more than one story about her?

Not yet. This is the first book in a series featuring the protagonist, Geneva Anderson. I am currently refining the outline for the second book.

How would she describe you?

She would describe me as being slightly obsessive compulsive, reserved, and independent.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Geneva is resourceful and not afraid to step out on a limb. She focuses on getting the job done sometimes without regard to the consequences.

Please provide your website link.

http://www.bernadettesteele.net

What is the link to buy your book?

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Murder-Bernadette-Steele/dp/1892343088/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199323260&sr=1-1

Barnes and Noble

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?TTL=&ATH=bernadette+steele&WRD=&PRC=&FMT=&AGE=&CID=&z=y

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Meet Jane Downing Nelson

2008-04-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

She is actually an anti-heroine if you consider that she commits the murder that sets the story in motion. But like many stories, you have sympathy for the anti-hero because of the life that created them.

What's her name?

Jane Downing Nelson

Why did you pick that name?

I don't actually recall how it came to be. But when I was thinking up various titles for the book, I remember thinking how I could use Jane for Jane-e-ology (which rhymes with genealogy) as an apt description of the book - the story is the history or study of Jane.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

She is from Texas so her hair is always naturally highlighted, especially around her face. Her eyes are blue, clear and confident. In many other ways, she is your typical pretty American mother who looks worn out at Wal-Mart, but who cleans up to a nine if she's going to a party.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

No.

Who does she love? Why?

Jane loves her husband, Tom. That is certain. He has drawn out her softer side, which wasn't really nurtured in her childhood. I think this is why she was drawn to him.

Does this person love her?

Immensely. This is the heartbreak of the story - loving someone whose mind is no longer her own. How do you love someone who doesn't really exist anymore? This is what her husband grapples with.

Tell us about her family.

This question makes me smile. Why? Because it is the heartbeat of the book. JANEOLOGY is the story of Jane's family. The chapters alternate through past and present and reveal eight of her ancestors. Who they were, what they did and how they were raised all trickled down into Jane's DNA. To say anymore is to begin writing the story for you again (which I would do except Ms. Leigh has space requirements.) Suffice to say, ask yourself about your own family. You would have a story about your mother, your father, your grandmother, your grandfather and so forth. These are the stories that make up JANEOLOGY.

Where is she from?

She is from Texas, born and raised. And it shows. There's a certain can-do moxie about her spirit. This spirit propels her in both good and bad directions.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

That's something I hadn't thought about before. Perhaps. Texans have a certain wide open attitude. That there is enough room - physically and mentally - to do things in a big way. So, yes, I think that living in Texas must have affected her worldview.

What does she want out of life?

To be known. To have one person really understand her.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

That she had murderous/post-partum impulses before she acted upon them.

Did you write more than one story about her?

Actually, yes. I wrote Jane from several perspectives and ages. One of those - Jane at age nine - appears in the story. And it is one my favorite chapters in the entire book because I think it stands alone.

How would she describe you?

If she were to describe my day job as a stay-at-home mom she would say, “I completely understand what a tough job it is. Call me if you want to go garage- saling next weekend.”

If she were to describe my job as a novelist she would say, “You are too sympathetic to my husband. Do you realize all the things you DIDN'T see about him? Don't ever call me.”

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Jane is a complex, dark, hurting individual. She surfaced in my writing because of all the tragic stories I have heard about mothers who kill and my quest to understand why and how this was possible. I believe I gleaned a few answers to this question by knowing her.

Please provide your website link.

www.karenharringtonbooks.com

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.amazon.com/Janeology-Karen-Harrington/dp/160164020X/

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Meet Frankie A Unique and Touching Heroine

2008-04-13T14:44:00.001-07:00

What's her name?

Frankie (real name Francesca)

Why did you pick that name?

I had Frankie's name picked out way before I found her. One of my favorite movies is "Frankie & Johnnie." I've always thought it was so cool that a girl's name could be Frankie. And it just so happens I have my own personal Johnnie who is my husband.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

She has four, 2-inch legs, red silky soft fur, flappy ears, fawn brown eyes, a skinny tail and a black button nose

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

Well I guess you could say the fact that her back legs are wheels would be unusual.

Who does she love? Why?

She loves everyone because dogs love unconditionally. Though I think she loves me most of all (I sure hope so!).

Does this person love her?

Absolutely, without a doubt! She would do anything for her little sweetheart.

Tell us about her family.

She has a wonderful, caring, loving Mom, a Dad who adores her, a big yellow lab sister, Kylie and a tabby striped cat sister, Dani.

Where is she from?

She is from the quaint village of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

Oh yes! Her hometown has been so supportive and compassionate towards the "little dog with tires." Frankie loves to share her positive attitude for overcoming a challenge with everyone she meets.

What does she want out of life?

Probably first and foremost would be kibbles and treats. After that, all she wants is someone to love and cuddle with her.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

Her biggest secret? She really does love her cat sister.

Did you write more than one story about her?

Not yet, but I plan to.

How would she describe you?

The best human mom a little dog could ever ask for.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Frankie taught me that we all have challenges. She taught me not to feel sorry for her or for myself. She taught me to look for a blessing in the challenge we faced when she became paralyzed. She showed me being positive will bring much joy and blessings to my life and it has. Her motto is: Be positive and Keep on Rolling!

Please provide your website link.

www.joyfulpaws.com

What is the link to buy your book?

www.joyfulpaws.com

Gisel from Wildcat Victory

2008-03-22T13:27:00.000-07:00

Follow Gisel Matah and the thunder of hooves as she strikes back at the Imperial armies that threaten all she has worked for. She must defy every established world power to bring justice to common peasants and workers in societies now ruled by greedy aristocrats. Her covert activities require her to protect her fledgling Radical movement from both friends and enemies.

Risking her life and her love, Gisel negotiates even greater hazards in a wide ranging adventure. Her partner, Yohan Felger, becomes a problem when the Baron has him smuggle a steam engine to the Empire. Gisel knows of the subterfuge but cannot admit it, while Yohan is almost torn apart by the need to deceive her. Faced with removing the pressure on Yohan as he moves his contraband engine, she accepts the offer of General Lord Ricart, an ex-lover, to command a cavalry unit in battle. Her reckless courage is needed to carry out missions against two Imperial armies.

The fight finds her opposed by ever increasing odds until in the final confrontation she must outwit two enemies who vie to dominate Iskander. New friends, allies, and enemies as well as all the old ones fill the pages when Gisel Matah sets out to gain "The Wildcat's Victory".

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name?

Gisel Matah

Why did you pick that name?

I could say that's almost lost in the mists of time, I started writing stories in the series over ten years ago. I think the name Gisel has a strong but feminine sound to it - and I wanted both. The spelling Gisel rather than the French Giselle being responsible for making the name sound stronger.

I picked the family name as something sounding Indian - as in Zubin Mheta, the conductor. I was very concerned in writing about a group of people from the future that they should be multicultural.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

She has a page on Facebook with a picture I bought from iStock. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=550780677

It's not exactly as I visualized her, of course, her arm should be more muscular reflecting her working out and swordfighting strength. Perhaps the girl who modeled for the picture is more beautiful than I originally intended - I wanted Gisel to be striking and to gain attractiveness through her vivacity, but I think this picture does justice to my concept.

My original conception -

She has long black hair, very dark “Gypsy” eyes, and olive skin reflecting her genetic heritage. She's 5'10” and weighs 145lbs.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

There is in the stories, because she is a modern young woman in an alternate 17^th century world, and 5'10” is very tall for a man or woman of that culture. Her height enables her to convincingly disguise herself as a man in some of the action.

The hypnotic eyes came from a real young woman I once worked with (who later became my doctor for several years.) She did have Gypsy in her heritage and could give meaning to the myth of the Gypsy's eyes whenever challenged. I wanted Gisel to be able to transfix with a glance.

Who does she love? Why?

She's had more than one love affair but has come to love the rather fussy and serious Yohan Felger, the young man she had to escort to an enemy city in Deadly Enterprise. While other lovers, such as Lord Ricart the commanding general of her people's armed forces, might have been more exciting, Yohan is the steady and reliable man who she can trust when he says he loves her. In the latest novel I'm working on they're married.

Does this person love her?

He does, but he is also exasperated by her strong will and reckless plunging into danger. He knows of (at least one of) her earlier affairs and does his best to control his jealousy.

In working on an early draft of The Wildcat's Victory, where Gisel is called back to a combat command, I had another writer question whether they really loved one another. Then I had them meet after a month's separation when Yohan led an ammunition supply column to join her. In a love scene in the back of an ammunition wagon, almost everything conspires to break the romantic mood and spoil their lovemaking, but they rise above it. My critical reader was convinced.

Tell us about her family.

She was born on a future version of our Earth, near the end of the 23^rd century - not the 17^th century world where her adventures take place. Her father, Henrik, is an engineer from an Anglo-Indian family from Mumbai, her mother, Gina, a Greek medical doctor. The two met when Gina visited her parents in Mumbai, where her father was serving as a UN Trade Commissioner.

The marriage was always stormy and resulted in divorce before these stories start. Gisel was raised sometimes in her parents' home in Mumbai, partly by her Greek grandmother in Greece, and partly by her mother in London during a separation while she practiced at Guys Hospital. I attribute Gisel's stormcrow personality to the less than optimum childhood she experienced.

Where is she from?

I guess I've answered much of this as a preamble to the above. She is a woman of many cultures, and her honour and courage stem from the best of them - Western in her physical personality and Eastern in her spiritual.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

Her background, upbringing, and melding of cultures affect who she is. When she was returned from Greece to Mumbai as a girl of 8 the staff of the private school she entered pushed her into competition gymnastics in the hopes of channeling her tempestuous nature. When she later accompanied her mother (and elder brother) to London during yet another of her parents' marital storms she was entering into the growth spurt of puberty and could no longer compete in gymnastics. She went into fencing instead and learned the Akido way of the sword from her mentor as well as enough competition skills of the epee to rate as a junior Olympic team member. She fights courageously when she must, but looks for paths to peace when they become possible.

What does she want out of life?

In the dangerous occupation of Security Service officer, her wants at times are narrowed down to just staying alive. She is above all a warrior and a mentor to the local population hoping to rise above the authoritarian and monarchial regimes that rule every nation. Married in the next story of the series, she just wants to be able to blend her official duties with becoming a wife and mother. What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

Ah, I suspect her of keeping one, but I've never learned the details. In the next novel to be released, called Arrival, I take the story back to when her people become stranded in the 17^th century world. Gisel is then 16 and has been wangled into the mission by her father as a personal trainer and minder of the starship's gymnasium. The story shows her developing in five hectic months from starship brat into a warrior.

In a desperate fight to prevent an enemy from taking over a shipyard and works they have set up, she acts with rather sinister man, a bodyguard/come trained assassin more than twice her age, to repel the assault. The two become attracted to one another - sexually during the sensory heightening of battle - and subsequently plan to elope. Her father gets wind of this and moves her out of the country. How far did their relationship go? She's never told me.

Did you write more than one story about her?

She's been the prime mover of most of my writing of the last ten years. Three novels published or under contract, two completely set aside (perhaps to be entirely re-written), and one in progress. But I do have another novel under contract and one in progress that she's not part of.

How would she describe you?

Interesting. I can't visualize her ever meeting me. I rather feel that there is a lot of me in her partner Yohan, so perhaps she'd think of me as a rather dull but reliable fellow.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

She shares the rebelliousness of my London forebears, and myself. None of us wants to bow down to arbitrary authority, or to the hierarchies of mere birth and social advantage. That's really why I write stories of a society even more mired in them, where she will deceive her friends - even Yohan - to protect her fledgling Workers' Brotherhood that one day may flower into a truly egalitarian social system where all might benefit from the Common Good.

Please provide your website link.

Http://www.christopherhoare.ca

What is the link to buy your book?

Deadly Enterprise is on Amazon at http://tinyurl.com/yryhs7

The Wildcat's Victory is on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1554045398

Both are on my page at Double Dragon's site ---- http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/eAuthor.php?Name=Christopher%20Hoare

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

About Christopher Hoare -

Chris Hoare is a retired surveyor who has worked in all the oil provinces of Canada, the Canadian Arctic and the Libyan Desert. His post secondary education started as aeronautical engineering but he quickly headed out to learn from the world. As well as time in oil exploration, Chris has worked in oil refinery and gas plant operations and surveyed on a heavy construction project, a dam, where he was a member of the tunneling survey crew and then the check surveyor for the main dam construction.

His writing is generally some kind of speculative fiction. His Iskander series novels have a strong female protagonist, a modern young woman in an earlier society on an alternate Earth. The stories feature the struggle to produce technological and social advancement against the opposition of established rulers.

Chris lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada, with his wife of 37 years and two Humane Society shelter dogs.

Rachel from Choice, My Secrets

2008-03-19T17:22:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

She is the girl next door; she is out going and well mannered. She is liked by all; she excels at most things she takes on. She gets along very well with her parents and talks to them about everything except the relationship she has with Gary and her being pregnant. She knows that she has crossed the line.

What's her name?

Her name is Rachel, which means beautiful, innocence and gentility of a rose or lovely.

Why did you pick that name?

I felt it's the perfect name for her.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

She has eyes of blue with mahogany colored long hair. She has cheeks that glow a natural blush color with a smile of confidence and beauty. She is tall and slender but with an athletic build.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

No; not really just the glow that she has about her.

Who does she love?

She falls for Gary.

Why?

He is a mystery to her; he is from a rival school and is very athletic good looking and smiles when he sees her. She feels that he is the one and wants to get to know him.

Does this person love her?

Oh yes; Gary fell for her as well, I guess you can call it love at first sight during one of the games they were at they both got a good look at each other from a distance and made eye contact for the first time. That got the mystery going as she was a mystery to him too. Then finally they spoke to each other for the first time at Down Towns pizza place on the first night of summer their love story began with a secret.

Tell us about her family.

She is an only child of two loving and caring parents. They have a solid relationship of trust, honor and respect for each other. They have conversations about most things, attend church weekly and are very involved with Rachel's life and friends. However when Rachel turned 16 they gave her room to explore her boundaries, believing they had instilled the right values in her and with the understanding of trust that she can talk to them about anything. But the most important conversation did not take place; the one that put her in the toughest situation and life changing struggle she has ever faced. Relationships and teen sex.

Where is she from?

She is from a small town somewhere in New York.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

Yes, it would have a pure and innocent affect on her and most kids from there too. It is a quiet, peaceful town with a strong culture and tradition. But the choices she makes take over her traditional and family values that really were never explained or given importance for her to have a better understanding of them.

What does she want out of life?

This she is not sure of. She is in the process of searching for her outlook on life and what it can become.

What's her biggest secret?

Rachel makes several choices that she did not clearly think through and one of them was to get involved with a nice boy her age from another school and not tell anyone about him. Then together they chose to have a relationship that left Rachel pregnant and Gary leaving for school. Rachel then chooses not to tell any one that she is pregnant and is on the run trying to figure out how to deal with it alone.

Did you write more than one story about her?

No; but I may in the future.

How would she describe you?

Loving, caring, thoughtful, talkative, a father that explains, informs, tells what he means and why. Listens

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Rachel wants teens and parents to learn what she has without having to live the roller coaster of a life that she has lived by being a pregnant teen and having to make excruciating choices because she made other choices without thinking them through carefully. She wants to help you have a better understand of choices and how to prevent choices that could cause life changing events.

Please provide your website link.

www.heritagevalues.com

What is the link to buy your book?

You may link at www.heritagevalues.com, click on the book cover and it will take you to amazon.com or you may go to www.xulonpress.com

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

You are so welcome. She and I enjoyed the tour with your readers. We both hope all readers will gain wisdom from her story; Choices, My Secrets.

In Christ,

Thomas Wade Bounds

Choices, My Secrets, tells the compelling story of Rachel, a teenager faced with confusing choices leading up to and during a summer romance that leaves her pregnant. Searching for hope, things spin out of control. Does a chance encounter help her think clearly? Does she find her true self and gain the faith, hope, and courage to consider the best choices to guide her through her incredible journey?

Learn Rachel’s experience without having to live it yourself.

A great book for teens, parents and churches, Choices, My Secrets brings back the art of conversation; an easy way to talk about teen choices together and help set expectations, family values and godly goals.

Author’s Bio: Thomas Wade Bounds is a businessman and the founder of Heritage Values. He lives with his wife Elsa and their two children, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Lightning Days by Colin Harvey

2008-03-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name?

Belapharus Kazansdottir, but she’s now known as Sophia.

Why did you pick that name?

Sophia means wisdom, and I liked that. She got that name from dreaming of a mysterious stranger who called her that, and when her life changed almost beyond recognition, she felt that a new name would be appropriate.

She was born Belapharus, however. I picked such a strange name because she’s a Neanderthal, and they’re not going to have names like Sara Smith. I worked on the idea of them taking their father’s first name and adding ‘son’ or ‘dottir’ (daughter) to it as Icelanders do.

Give us a brief description of how she looks. Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

She’s about five foot plus, but immensely strong, though graceful with it – I wanted to get away from this idea of the Neanderthals being shambling hulks – and has a slightly egg-shaped skull with protruding eyebrow ridges. She also has piebald skin (almost like a Neapolitan ice cream) that’s mottled white, brown and strawberry.

Her appearance is a shock to strangers, but after a while, you forget about it – particularly because she has such enormous presence, even when we first see her at fifteen. You must have met people like that? They’re plain, even ugly, but their personality is absolutely overwhelming.

Who does she love? Why?

She’s loved Josh Cassidy since she was fifteen, when she first dreamed of him. He was as strange to her at first as she would appear to us, but she soon grew used to it, and let’s be honest, if you’re a slightly awkward teenager and this strange (but attractive) older person keeps coming to you in dreams and prophesizing that you’re going to meet, wouldn’t you get a bit of a crush on them?

So in some ways she’s almost programmed by fate and her psionic abilities to love him, but that’s a cold, mechanical way of looking at it. And he has no such excuse.

Does this person love her?

He’s knocked senseless by her from the very first moment, but he spends most of the novel in denial. He’s a loner who’s been trained to mistrust anything and everything, and to be fair to him, she and tens of thousands of other Neanderthals have just appeared from nowhere in one of the most volatile regions of the world – South East Afghanistan. So he has an excuse. J

Tell us about her family.

She’s the only child of and Kazan, two ordinary – if wealthy – modern Neanderthals. He’s a councilor, she’s a working housewife. If they were Homo Sapiens, you would say that they were an ordinary middle-class couple from one of the wealthier suburbs of any of our cities.

Where is she from?

She was born on the six thousand eight hundred and twentieth alternate version of Earth that her people have colonized. The Thals think nothing of crossing between the worlds of the Multiplicium as they call their commonwealth (for want of a better word).

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

What does she want out of life?

Peace and safety. She’s been running since she was fifteen years of age. That last day, her world was blown apart;

“When we Shifted to the next world, it seemed like the very sky was alight with fire. We got out of there so fast we barely had time to draw breath. The next world, we emerged next to a Portal; everyone was screaming, and pounding on the doors to be let in. The next world was little better. Every world we Shifted to was under attack.

We rattled through worlds as fast as if we were flicking through the pages of a book but it took us weeks to get to a world not under World Number Thirty-one ten. But it fell eleven months later.” She paused, and looked at him. She took a breath and stared into space, taking shallow breaths. “I’ve been running ever since,” she said.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

She has more common sense in her little finger than Cassidy has in his entire body, and realizes that the best way to catch him is to work things out in his own slow way (like many supposedly bright men, he can be remarkably dumb about the important things). That’s not to say that she doesn’t sometimes get exasperated with him, but she’s the real rock of the story.

Please provide your website link.

http://www.geocities.com/colin_harvey

What is the link to buy your book?

http://swimmingkangaroo.com/lightningdays.html

As well as the link above, you can get an electronic version at fictionwise:

http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook47461.htm

Novels from Swimming Kangaroo Books:

Lightning Days -- SF, Finalist for the USA Book News Awards

The Silk Palace -- "compelling" Library Journal

"Intrigues, betrayals, murders, love affairs, transformations, and

revelations," Bruce Boston, author of The Guardener's Tale

www.geocities.com/colin_harvey www.myspace.com/colin_harvey

In the Arms of the Enemy by Patricia A. Guthrie

2008-03-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

In the Arms of the Enemy

WANTED: ASSASSIN TO KILL RACE HORSES ON DEMAND

FLEXIBLE HOURS-GOOD BENEFITS

Light Sword Publishing announces the release of Patricia A. Guthrie’s first published novel “In the Arms of the Enemy.”

When the death of a racing stable’s prize horse and his trainer is blamed on the stable’s owner; his son, Adam Blakely, goes undercover convinced that the trainer’s partner, Maggie McGregor, is the killer.

Determined to leave the tumultuous world of horse racing, Maggie returns home to try and find peace. When a handsome horse owner moves his horse into her father’s boarding stable and asks Maggie to train his horse, family finances dictate that Maggie accept--and that’s when the accidents begin.

Drowning in deception and lies, Maggie and Adam search for a killer and uncover an insurance scam so insidious, it threatens to rock a horse racing empire and bring the killer to their doorstep.

They need to learn to:

Keep your friends close; but your enemies closer.

Heroine interview

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book. What's her name? Maggie McGregor (Margaret, but nobody calls her that Why did you pick that name? I didn't. Maggie picked it for herself. Nothing else fit. She was a Maggie. Give us a brief description of how she looks. Maggie's about five foot three-four inches. She has red hair, light skin that sunburns and freckles if she isn't careful, blue eyes like the Caribbean, fit from riding horses and doing barn chores. Wears mainly jeans, tank tops and over shirts, but "cleans up well."

Is there anything unusual about her appearance? Her hair. Curly, shoulder length and the color, as described by Adam, of a fire framing her face. (well, maybe he didn't exactly say that, but I'm in a poetic mood.) Who does she love? She was engaged to Ricki Lane the owner of Lane Training Stables because he taught her to be a successful trainer. She was young and fell in love with not only his looks and manners, but what she thought he stood for. (Boy was she wrong) Through the course of the story she falls in love with Adam Blakely a horse owner who brings his horse into her father's barn. Something about him moves her, he's there when he needs her, and something about his is like a Greek tragedy."

Does this person love her? Ricky Lane was more involved with himself and promoting himself and didn't mind screwing Maggie at the right opportunity. So, I'd say no to him. But he's not important, because he's murdered in the beginning.

Adam Blakely, despite a huge amount of misgivings falls in love with Maggie. He's smitten with her caring and fun-loving nature, her love of horses his attraction to her. But Adam has a secret. (see hero interview) and his secret makes it dangerous for him to fall in love with whom he thinks Maggie is. Tell us about her family. The only family Maggie has left is her father Cullum McGreggor. He's very protective about his daughter especially with what happened before the story began. The community has also taken an interest and everyone interacts, has gone to school together and will protect "their own." They're like extended family. what happens to one of them, happens to all of them. Where is she from? Michigan

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?
Yes they do. they've always come together in friendship and trouble. You can see that with the keen interest the sheriff has in stranger, when an elderly horsewoman cross-examinated Adams intent toward Maggie on the trails and the threatening way the farmer questioned Adam at the hospital. Asking him if he was her boyfriend trainer and if he'd beaten her up. Fortunately, Adam was able to say no on both counts (Maggie fell off an intentionally broken ladder at the barn)

What does she want out of life? Maggie wants a career as a horse trainer. She's a loving woman who needs to be loved in return, and she won't settle for being second best.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) Maggie thinks Ricky Lane killed Black Autumn and whoever killed Ricky might be after her too. There are forces at work who would destroy her.

Did you write more than one story about her? No.

How would she describe you? I think she'd like to put me in a straight jacket and deposit me someplace where I can't take over her life and give her all those problems. She sees me coming and wants to run and hide.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. Maggie is naive about a lot of things, but she's had to grown up fast between the prologue and the first chapter. She's wary of people and, although basically being outgoing, now she wants to shrink away. She feels guilty about leaving Black Autumn, a horse she'd loved and trained, to a man (Ricky Lane) she thinks might have killed him. Now, she's scared that someone might be after her. Please provide your website link. www.patriciaanneguthrie.com www.paguthrie.blogspot.com

What is the link to buy your book? www.lightswordpublishing.com www.patriciaanneguthrie.com www.amazon.com, www.borders.com

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us. Maggie says as soon as things are back to normal, she would love to go out for lunch. Her treat. And--she'll even invite her author-mommy. (that's me.) That is if I haven't put her in the middle of another murder.

For much more information about Patricia Guthrie and In the Arms of the Enemy visit her tour home page - http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Patricia+Guthrie

Cover of the Year - Asking for Your Vote

2008-02-21T08:23:00.000-08:00

I just scanned the covers for Cover of the Year on Erin Aislinn's website and saw a lot of familiar covers - many were on my Judge A Book By its Cover blog last year :)

I invite you to visit http://www.erinaislinn.com/BookCoveroftheYear2007.htm and I hope that you will vote for Lady Lightkeeper which is one of my covers and it is listed as the winning cover for September.

If you prefer the easier route - feel free to email webmail@erinaislinn .com and put "VOTE for Lady Lightkeeper" in the subject line. I appreciate every vote :)

Nikki

Book Promo 101 - NOW AVAILABLE
www.nikkileigh. com/book_ promo_101. htm
"Coastal Suspense with a Touch of Romance"
Would you like information about the newest
blog tour option? Ask me for details and visit
www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion

When I'm You by LaConnie Taylor Jones

2008-02-13T12:39:00.000-08:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name? Caitlyn Thompson

Why did you pick that name?

I've always like the name Caitlyn. Since I didn't get the chance to name my only girl child (my husband did the honors), I decided to use the name for my first fictional female character.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Caitlyn is only four feet, eleven inches and weighs roughly a hundred pounds. She has ebony skin that's the same shade as dark chocolate.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

Yes, she has beautiful slant, brown eyes.

Who does she love? Why?

Although she's been on the run from a stalking ex-boyfriend for the past three years, she meets and falls deeply in-love with Marcel Baptiste. At first, she was extremely gun-shy of becoming involved with him, despite their instantaneous attraction. However, as the weeks past, she becomes better acquainted with Marcel and is further captivated by his genuineness and willingness to earn her trust as well as erase the demons from her past.

Does this person love her?

Oh, absolutely!! Marcel is a man who's use to getting his way. It took him by surprise that Caitlyn told him the one word he never accepts - no. Also, Caitlyn's fear of another relationship makes him even more determine to win not only her trust, but her heart.

Tell us about her family.

Caitlyn was placed in foster care after the death of her mother at the age of five. She bounced through the system for twelve years until she was placed with the woman she considers as her mother, Ms. Ruby.

Where is she from?

Newark, New Jersey

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

Yes, they do. Caitlyn grew up in inner city of New Jersey and spent a great deal of time at a neighborhood youth center. She eventually becomes the director of a youth center in East Oakland.

What does she want out of life?
To find the father she never knew.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

It would be a spoiler to the story!!

Did you write more than one story about her?

No

How would she describe you?

As the one person who truly understands her fears, strength and determination to get her life back on the right track after a disastrous relationship involving domestic abuse.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Caitlyn admits she was vulnerable to the attention and gifts her ex-boyfriend lavished on her because she grew up without anyone to depend on other than herself. However, once she realized their relationship escalated to violence, she had the courage to leave.

Please provide your website link.

http://www.laconnietaylorjones.com/

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.amazon.com/When-Im-You-LaConnie-Taylor-Jones/dp/1585712507/

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Check out LaConnie's website at http://www.laconnietaylorjones.com/ to see how you can win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon.com!

In the Arms of the Enemy by Patricia A. Guthrie

2008-01-27T18:01:00.000-08:00

In the Arms of the Enemy

Heroine interview

Through the course of the story she falls in love with Adam Blakely a horse owner who brings his horse into her father's barn. Something about him moves her, he's there when he needs her, and something about his is like a Greek tragedy."

Does this person love her? Ricky Lane was more involved with himself and promoting himself and didn't mind screwing Maggie at the right opportunity. So, I'd say no to him. But he's not important, because he's murdered in the beginning.

Adam Blakely, despite a huge amount of misgivings falls in love with Maggie. He's smitten with her caring and fun-loving nature, her love of horses his attraction to her. But Adam has a secret. (see hero interview) and his secret makes it dangerous for him to fall in love with whom he thinks Maggie is.

Tell us about her family. The only family Maggie has left is her father Cullum McGreggor. He's very protective about his daughter especially with what happened before the story began. The community has also taken an interest and everyone interacts, has gone to school together and will protect "their own." They're like extended family. what happens to one of them, happens to all of them.

Where is she from? Michigan

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?
Yes they do. they've always come together in friendship and trouble. You can see that with the keen interest the sheriff has in stranger, when an elderly horsewoman cross-examinated Adams intent toward Maggie on the trails and the threatening way the farmer questioned Adam at the hospital. Asking him if he was her boyfriend trainer and if he'd beaten her up. Fortunately, Adam was able to say no on both counts (Maggie fell off an intentionally broken ladder at the barn)

What does she want out of life? Maggie wants a career as a horse trainer. She's a loving woman who needs to be loved in return, and she won't settle for being second best.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) Maggie thinks Ricky Lane killed Black Autumn and whoever killed Ricky might be after her too. There are forces at work who would destroy her.

Did you write more than one story about her? No.

How would she describe you? I think she'd like to put me in a straight jacket and deposit me someplace where I can't take over her life and give her all those problems. She sees me coming and wants to run and hide.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. Maggie is naive about a lot of things, but she's had to grown up fast between the prologue and the first chapter. She's wary of people and, although basically being outgoing, now she wants to shrink away. She feels guilty about leaving Black Autumn, a horse she'd loved and trained, to a man (Ricky Lane) she thinks might have killed him. Now, she's scared that someone might be after her.

Please provide your website link. www.patriciaanneguthrie.com www.paguthrie.blogspot.com

What is the link to buy your book? www.lightswordpublishing.com www.patriciaanneguthrie.com www.amazon.com, www.borders.com

Silk Palace by Colin Harvey

2008-01-24T14:26:00.000-08:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

1. What's her name?

Bluestocking

2. Why did you pick that name?

It means a scholar, which is appropriate given her fearsome intellect.

3. Give us a brief description of how she looks.

About 5 foot 6 tall, slim, mouse-brown hair.

4. Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

She has a slight gap between her top teeth, but otherwise she’s very ordinary looking.

5. Who does she love? Why?

She always thought that she’d never fallen in love because she’d never met the right man. It turns out that she’s never met the right woman. When she met Kyr, a slave, it was love at first sight.

6. Does this person love her?

Yes – but Kyr is much more capricious, and being a slave, is much more conscious of how vulnerable her position is, so is not so bold about showing her feelings.

7. Tell us about her family.

Mother died in childbirth; father was a drunkard who sold her to The Sisters of Beatitude when she was seven. They quickly realized how clever she was, and drilled her relentlessly so that her intellect would reflect the Glory of the Gods.

8. Where is she from?

Vurunkatta, a small village in the far East of the Karnacki Empire. It’s a small market town just like a thousand other such towns in the Empire, where the main harvest is cabbages and they still talk about when a minor Prince visited forty years ago, and the time when someone ran to a nearby rock in less than ten minutes.

9. Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

Most of her attitudes are in contrast to her upbringing; when she moved to an urban environment she felt much, much happier straight away.

10. What does she want out of life?

She’s actually getting a lot of what she wants out of life. She works with translations of scrolls which is her great passion. Now she’s met Kyr, she seems to have found love. Life should be perfect. BUT…

11. What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

Her secret is core to the novel, and it would blow the plot. So, sorry – but you’re going to have to read the book!

12. Did you write more than one story about her?

No – The Silk Palace is entirely self-contained.

13. How would she describe you?

I’ve no idea – a contemporary man from our un-mystical world would be so far out of her frame of reference as to be all but alien.

Please provide your website link.

http://www.geocities.com/colin_harvey/TheSilkPalace.html

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.swimmingkangaroo.com/silkpalace.html

Novels from Swimming Kangaroo Books:

Lightning Days -- SF, Finalist for the USA Book News Awards

The Silk Palace -- "compelling" Library Journal

"Intrigues, betrayals, murders, love affairs, transformations, and

revelations," Bruce Boston, author of The Guardener's Tale

www.geocities.com/colin_harvey www.myspace.com/colin_harvey

Mystick Moon by Terry L White

2008-01-13T15:52:00.000-08:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name?

Rebecca

Why did you pick that name?

It was a commonly used name for the times.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Rebecca is a child of wealth who has journeyed to New England where she lives a hard life taking care of her mother and raising herself against all odds. Her stepfather abuses her and leaves her alone much of the time. She has a pretty face with worried eyes and wears her dead mother’s cut-down clothing and the skins of animals she and her servant catch to eat.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

Rebecca looks like she had to grow up far before her time.

Who does she love? Why?

Rebecca loves her mother. She loves the Pequot woman, Squirrel because Squirrel teaches her how to survive. She also loves Adam, a young boy who befriends and helps her, and his mother Anneke.

Does this person love her?

These people all love Rebecca. Adam loves her as a boy and returns from a time at sea to love her as a man.

Tell us about her family.

Rebecca is alone in the world. Her mother died in childbed and her stepfather abandoned her. Her servant Squirrel is the closest thing to a family member she has.

Where is she from?

She is originally from London and lives in colonial Mystic Connecticut.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

The people of Mystick want Rebecca to go to church and school as they do, but she is much too concerned with survival. She is only befriended and loved by people who are as different as she. The townspeople call her a witch and accuse her wrongly.

What does she want out of life?

Rebecca wants a home and to be loved.

What's her biggest secret?

Rebecca has developed more than one personality and the other persons inside her help her survive.

Did you write more than one story about her?

No. One was it.

How would she describe you?

I don’t think Rebecca would know what to make of me. Our worlds are too different. She would probably think I am a witch!

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Rebecca doesn’t give up, even when facing death, and she never stops believing in love.

Please provide your website link.

www.terrylwhite.com

What is the link to buy your book?

www.ebooksonthe.net

www.amazon.com

Blog Tours - What Would You Like to Know

2007-12-05T18:38:00.001-08:00

I'm doing a tele-seminar next week about blog tours and I would love input from you all.

There are many things to discuss about blog tours and I worked out some initial questions to get people thinking - they are:

Discover Ways to Promote Your Book on a Virtual Blog Tour to Gain Greater Visibility and Sales

What are the benefits of doing a blog tour?

Should you promote your book in a blog tour?

Should fiction and non fiction books be promoted differently in a blog tour?

Should you organize your own blog tour?

Why hire a publicist to organize your tour?

If you hire a publicist, will you still need to work on the tour?

Can you use a blog tour to promote anything besides books?

Is there a new option in book blog tours?

But, now I need to create a couple of handouts and I'd love your input. Is there any specific info about blog tours that any of you think would be most helpful? Some folks here have done tours, some have hosted touring authors and I bet some of you have thought about doing a tour. So, since many of the people here are authors, I figured it would be a great place to pose the question. What information would you suggest I offer in handouts? Thank you all for your thoughts. There will be plenty of blog tour info coming very soon .

Nikki Leigh

PS - The answer to the last question is - most definitely. Stay tuned for much more information about that option - SOON. Or, contact me to be added to the mailing list - nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com with Mailing List in the subject line.

"The Second Line" by Sheryl Nantus

2007-12-02T18:37:00.000-08:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name?

Jacklyn Amanda St. George (Jackie for short!)

Why did you pick that name?

It's classy and she's a classy broad. Can I say broad?

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Young redhead with an attitude - jeans, torn combat jacket or leather jacket to get around; doesn't dress up. Ever.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

She looks very normal - which is good when you're a corporate spy!

Who does she love? Why?

No one yet... but there's someone on the horizon!

Does this person love her?

Maybe... there's a chance!

Tell us about her family.

Mother passed away from cancer; father... well, you'll have to read the book to find out. She's alone in the world.

Where is she from?

Toronto, Canada! (Parkdale, for the Canucks who know of where I speak!)

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

She loves her city and knows it inside and out - she loves the bars, the nightlife as well as the businesses she has to break into.

What does she want out of life?

Inner peace. Which is hard to get.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

Ah... can't say. In book!

Did you write more than one story about her?

Just the one book so far... but there's always a chance for more!

How would she describe you?

A fellow Canuck who should really get out more.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Jackie's a self-made woman - a corporate spy who knows how to get what her clients want and how to make good money. She has money to burn, but doesn't show off. She loves her steak.

Please provide your website link.

www.sherylnantus.com

What is the link to buy your book?

www.mundania.com

www.sherylnantus.com

Late Night Sessions

2007-11-17T20:37:00.000-08:00

What's her name?

Vicky

Why did you pick that name?

She’s named after Vicki Williams, a favourite folk singer of mine. My Vicky is a folk enthusiast living in the Midlands, and a flautist, while Vicki Williams is a singer songwriter from Wales who gigs with her husband Trefor – so aside from the folk connection they don’t have much in common.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Vicky isn’t a great beauty, but is pretty in her own way. She’s on the tall side of average height, with curly, reddish brown hair that falls to her shoulders. Grief has taken a toll on her, and at the outset of the book, she looks gaunt and weary. Despite her relative youth (26) you can tell from her eyes that she’s been through a lot. Slow to smile, and prone to fits of deep melancholy, Vicky isn’t an approachable young woman, but when she plays her flute, you can see something of the joy and passion she had before everything went tragically wrong.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance? Aside from the marks of sorrow and hard experience, Vicky looks quite unremarkable. She is a typical, bright twenty something young woman, with jeans, doc martin boots and skimpy tops.

Who does she love? Why? Vicky’s life used to centre around her flatmate and best friend, Kirsten. Death has not destroyed her attachment, but she needs to move on. Her affections are engaged by Dan – a much older folk musician who has his own difficult past to contend with.

Does this person love her? Initially, Vicky has no idea what to make of Dan – he seems interested, but his personality is full of contradictions and he reveals little about himself. He isn’t an easy person to trust, and it takes Vicky quite a while to determine how he feels about her.

Tell us about her family. Vicky grew up in Malvern – a small town on the edge of the Malvern hills, in the UK Midlands. Her mother is an unpredictable matriarch, her father is laid back to the point of seldom bothering to communicate. Vicky has a younger sister, with whom she is on good terms, and a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins who all live in the same area. Although they are nice enough people, Vicky seldom knows how to relate to them.

Where is she from?

Malvern is an old town spread along the side of some very big hills. It’s a spa town, with a reputation for health giving mineral waters. Vicky grew up hankering after city life, and greater possibility. Having gone to Birmingham University for her degree, she stayed on in the city, only to find that wasn’t what she wanted either. Being the sort of person who can feel isolated anywhere, she’s never really found her place in the world.

Does her hometown affect her behaviour, thoughts and attitude? Vicky has struck out on her own, moving away from her hometown and trying to find her own ways of doing things. She rejects a lot of her parents’ attitudes, but is affected by the small town values she acquired growing up.

What does she want out of life? At the outset of the novel, Vicky has no idea what she wants. She isn’t happy with her job, she doesn’t like the city and has let a lot of her friendships falter. She’s single, but not really looking for love. Still trying to get to grips with her recent bereavement, she can’t yet plan for the future. Only when she knows herself a little better will she be able to figure out what she wants.

What's her biggest secret? Vicky still talks to Kirsten, even though the other girl is some months dead. Sometimes Kirsten seems to answer her, but this isn’t something Vicky feels able to share with most of the people in her life.

Did you write more than one story about her?

Vicky has the lead role in ‘Late Night Sessions’ but also turns up as bit part in the book I’m currently working on – ‘Hazel Arden’ which is also set in the Midlands.

How would she describe you? I’m very likely someone Vicky would enjoy jamming with as her flute playing would compliment me singing and playing the bouzouki. She would describe me as a fellow folky, and a druid like her friend Kirsten. I am the sort of person she could sit up late talking with, and would get along well enough with her eccentric older man.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Vicky is on a challenging journey, one that will bring insights, self awareness and hope. It takes her a while to discover her own strength.

Please provide your website link. http://bryncolvin.mysite.orange.co.uk

What is the link to buy your book?

Late Night Sessions

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Late-Night-Sessions/dp/1934446076/ref=sr_1_1/202-6559455-6676664?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191227563&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Late-Night-Sessions-Bryn-Colvin/dp/1934446076/ref=tag_dpp_lp_edpp_ttl_in/105-8048599-4428442?ie=UTF8&qid=1191227046&sr=8-8

Judgment Fire by Marilyn Meredith

2007-11-04T18:44:00.000-08:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name? Deputy Tempe Crabtree, the Tempe is short for Temperance.

Why did you pick that name?
Tempe Crabtree was my great-grandmother's name. I never met her, but she was a strong and valiant woman who lived an exciting life. I wrote about her in an historical family saga called Two Ways West. The name seemed perfect for my heroine who is also strong, valiant and lives and exciting life.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.
Tempe is about 5'8" with long, black hair she usually wears in a single braid. When she's working she fastens the braid up with a barrette. Her Native American heritage also shows in her facial bone structure and her coloring. She looks a lot like my daughter-in-law who is part Indian and beautiful.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance? She has blue eyes, which is surprising to many.

Who does she love? Why? She loves her husband, Hutch, who is the minister of the local church. They've not been married long--both had previous spouses who died. Though they love each other deeply, at times they have problems because of Tempe's use of the spiritual side of her heritage.

Does this person love her? Hutch loves her as much as she loves him though he worries about the danger she often finds herself in--both physically and spiritually.

Tell us about her family. She has one son, Blair. He is now in college taking fire science courses. He figure predominately in the book I'm now writing.

Where is she from? She was born and raised in Bear Creek where she is now the resident Deputy.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?
Though she's a quarter Indian, she ignored that part of her life for many years. In Bear Creek, everyone knows her and she knows everyone. As a Native American she is treated much better now than she was growing up.

What does she want out of life? Tempe biggest desire is to have a long and loving life with Hutch. But she also wants to keep the peace in Bear Creek.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) I don't think she has any secrets except when she does something that she knows will upset her husband.

Did you write more than one story about her? Oh, my yes, I've written a whole series about Tempe, seven books in all. The latest is Judgment Fire which brings up some painful memories for Tempe.

How would she describe you? If Tempe wasn't a product of my imagination and was the resident Deputy here, she probably wouldn't know me at all, since I don't get speeding tickets or cause problems in town.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. In every book, Tempe does something that upsets her husband but enables her to learn something which helps her solve a murder.

Please provide your website link.
http://fictionforyou.com

What is the link to buy your book?
Judgment Fire and Calling the Dead, the latest in the series, can be purchased from http://www.mundania.com or ordered from any bookstore.

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us

The Dowry Bride by Shobhan Bantwal

2007-10-22T11:56:00.001-07:00

The heroine of my debut book, THE DOWRY BRIDE, is a twenty-one year old bride. She’s smart but naïve at the beginning of the story. She learns one or two tough lessons in living as the story progresses.

What's her name?Megha.

Why did you pick that name?In Sanskrit, Megha means “cloud.” The reason I picked the name is because she feels her parents named her Megha since she cast a shadow over them rather late in their lives, when they were older and already had two girls. She was an unexpected baby. Besides, a girl in many Indian families is considered a burden, and hence a shadow or dark cloud.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.She’s tall, rather thin, with big brown eyes, a full mouth, and long hair that reaches her waist. She wears it in a single braid. She wears saris at all times because of the culture she’s raised in.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?No particularly unusual, other than the fact that she’s taller than the average Indian woman.

Who does she love? Why?In the beginning she doesn’t love anyone, including the arranged marriage husband she’s been forced to marry. But later in the story, she falls in love with the man who shields her from her evil mother-in-law. She loves him (Kiran) because he has all the wonderful qualities she admires in a man – loyalty, bravery, and mostly, a kind and generous heart.

Does this person love her?Yes. He has always been in love with her, even when she was married to another man, but has never mentioned it to her because in an old-fashioned culture it is wrong to have anything to do with a married woman. Besides her husband is his own cousin. He can’t hurt his own family by declaring his feelings.

Tell us about her family.Megha’s father is retired and not in good health, which makes him cantankerous. Her mother is still quite young and beautiful, but she’s timid and totally under her husband’s thumb, so she can’t help Megha when she’s clearly in trouble. Megha’s two older sisters are well-settled in comfortable marriages even while Megha is a little girl because of the difference in their ages.

Where is she from?She is born and raised in Palgaum, a small (fictitious) town in southwestern India. She is also married to a man in the same town.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?Yes, very much so. When she runs from her in-laws and her husband after she discovers their plot to kill her, she has no place to go, precisely because it is a small town and she will be easily found. Also later, when she and Kiran fall in love, she’s afraid to surrender to the sentiment because in a conservative town they will be discovered and bring shame upon their respective families. Her thoughts and behavior are directly affected by the small town atmosphere she’s been raised in.

What does she want out of life?
Most of all, she wants to be independent and have a career, and at the same time she wants a caring man in her life, marriage and family.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)
She doesn’t really have one, until later, when she falls in love with her husband’s cousin.

Did you write more than one story about her?No. THE DOWRY BRIDE is the first and only story about Megha.

How would she describe you?She’d probably consider me a woman who’s too outspoken and too forward for her tastes. But she would probably envy my courage to do what I please, something she hasn’t learned to do.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.Megha is good with words and has always dreamt about being a journalist. Her father won’t hear of her pursuing a career because in his old-fashioned world, women don’t need to work. They have to depend on their husbands for support. And Megha abhors the thought of being dependent on a man. But in her world she has no choice but to obey her father.

Please provide your website link.http://www.shobhanbantwal.com

What is the link to buy your book?http://tinyurl.com/24dlec

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.Thank you for inviting me to share my heroine with you and your readers. I enjoyed creating Megha and love talking about her. This is the first time someone has specifically asked me so many interesting questions about her and her alone. I appreciate it.

Friday House by D K Gaston

2007-10-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

From the novel: The Friday House by D. K. Gaston

Tell us about your heroine – the female lead in your book

She is a Special Agent with the FBI. She recently returned from a six month long medical leave. After surviving a brutal attack she has become clairvoyant. Before her visions appear, she suffers from a severe headache.

What’s her name?

Jamaica Kurtz

Why did you pick that name?

I wanted something that was a little different. I also wanted a name that would stand out. I’ve always liked visiting Jamaica and thought it would be a cool name for a character.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Dark caramel complexion

Shoulder length mop-thick black hair

Almond shaped eyes

Unique amber eyes almost like the color of a peach

Who does she love? Why?

She meets a New York homicide detective Raymond Kilgore and she is starting to fall in love with him. They met under dangerous circumstances and bonded as they worked together to resolve the stories conflict.

Does this person love her?

He’s falling in love with Jamaica. She is unlike any woman he has ever met.

Tell us about her family

Jamaica’s parents are alive though they have a strained relationship with her. Her parents are scientists and wanted Jamaica to follow in their footsteps. When she earned several scholarships and picked a college and curriculum that her parents did not approve of, they cut her off.

Her father is American; her mother British. Jamaica has duel citizenships.

Where is she from?

Jamaica was born in Los Angeles (or so she believes).

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

It was not so much her hometown but more of her living conditions at home. Groomed to become a doctor by her parents, she was deprived a lot of things other children have experiences. She was home schooled until she went off to college. Her friends (they few she had) was handpicked by her parents.

When she went off to college, she developed a sense of humor, made friends and began to experience life late in life. It affected her dealings with men and she never maintained a relationship for longer than a couple of months.

What does she want out of life?

She surviving her attack and gaining her clairvoyant abilities, all Jamaica has wanted was to be normal again.

What’s her biggest secret?

Her clairvoyant ability and she also blames herself for the death of her partner.

Did you write more than one story about her?

Jamaica first appeared in my first novel XIII as a minor character. It was in that novel she is attacked and put into a coma.

How would she describe you?

She would describe me as a big teddy bear. (But don’t tell my wife.)

The Draconis and the Stallion by Laura Elliott

2007-10-01T20:04:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

She has red eyes, flame resistant skin, a spiked tail, and she can breathe fire. Need I say more?

Wing is a sentinel – a border guardian between the human and Draconis world. That’s her people, the Draconis. They are the evolved descendents of dragons, forced to live in an alternate dimension to escape the centuries of butchery by humans.

It’s her job to keep the species separate to prevent more violence, and maybe someday, help pave the way to unite the two.

What's her name?

Codename is Wing, real name is Annie – but don’t tell anyone. She only lets people she trusts know her real name.

Why did you pick that name?

Wing sometimes imagines she can fly, the feel of wind in her face, the current underneath her, just like her ancestors. The only problem is that evolution took care of the wings, but it didn’t take away the desire to soar.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

She looks human, for the most part. Her facial features have a reptilian look, almost predatory. It helps her intimidate humans. She’s wiry and athletic – she has to be to do her job, as a border guardian. Chasing demons and escaped psychopaths is a great workout.

She has a long, whip-like tail with dozens of tiny spikes (it’s hell on the bed sheets). When Wing goes out in public, she wears long trench coats and wraps her tail around her waist, spikes out of course.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

You could say that. Her spiked tail is her best weapon, and her red eyes glow when she’s aroused.

Who does she love? Why?

She loves a human warrior who goes by the codename Stallion. She makes quite a few jokes at his expense for having such a crappy codename. He’s the first person to accept her as she is and not try to put her in a freak show or sell her to a research study. Plus, he makes one heck of a partner when it comes to catching the bad guys.

Does this person love her?

You bet he does. He’s never seen anything like her and that’s saying a lot. He’s a demon hunter. They met on a case of mistaken identity.

Tell us about her family.

She comes from a long line of border guardians, trained from birth to take her parents place as soldier and sentinel. She’s never actually lived in the realm of her people, the Draconis. She was born and raised among humans but never found acceptance among them.

Where is she from?
America. The FBI puts up with her existence because she keeps the bad things out of this dimension. And she pays her taxes.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

Not really. She likes humans, likes living on Earth but she’s never felt like she had a home. She walks among them in hiding, never able to show her true nature out of fear for her life. All she really wants is acceptance, maybe even love.

What does she want out of life?

A place to call home, love, and family. She might be able to breathe fire but in the end, she’s not all that different from the rest of us.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

Her biggest secret – she’s afraid to spend the rest of her life alone, alienated from the world.

Did you write more than one story about her?

Not yet, more of her adventures will come soon.

How would she describe you?

As her torturer. I put her through hell, making her run for days on end with only scraps to eat, driven to catch demons and child-killers.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.
She loves to watch Oprah.

Please provide your website link.

http://laelliott.com

http://www.myspace.com/lauraelliott1

What is the link to buy your book?
http://www.eternalpress.com.au/

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Fated Love by Darcy McKenna

2007-09-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name? Sarah Cameron

Why did you pick that name? This will sound crazy, but the character told me what her name was. I’d been leaning toward Emily, but when I changed it to Sarah everything just started jelling.

Give us a brief description of how she looks. She’s five feet tall with long strawberry blonde curly hair and electric blue eyes.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance? She looks almost exactly like the long lost girlfriend of the hero of the story.

Who does she love? Why? She loves Jake Riordan. At the moment of their first meeting Sarah felt she’d met her soul mate, but she has some issues she has to get past before she can make that leap to truly loving him.

Does this person love her? Yes. Very much. But Jake has to get past his issues with his long lost girlfriend who Sarah resembles so much.

Tell us about her family. Sarah’s family died prior to the beginning of the book. Her mother, father and sister were killed in an automobile accident a year prior to the time frame in the book. The loss of her family made Sarah very leery of giving her heart to anyone again because she never wanted to feel that kind of pain again.

Where is she from? Memphis, Tennessee

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude? She’s very much a Southern girl.

What does she want out of life? She wants to become a well know artist and (deep down) to find that one perfect man to love her.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) Her fear of loving anyone.

Did you write more than one story about her? No. This is the first story about Sarah.

How would she describe you? Hm. Probably as an obsessive reader who needs to get out more.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Please provide your website link. www.darcymckenna.com

What is the link to buy your book? www.thewildrosepress.com

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Runaway Hearts by Terry L. White

2007-09-22T08:45:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.: The heroine in my book is a real historical figure, a woman who was born a slave, helped take her family and friends North to freedom, a nurse and spy for the Union Army during the Civil War.

What's her name? Harriet Tubman, also known as Hat or Hattie, and Araminta as a child.

Why did you pick that name? Harriet Tubman was her real name.

Give us a brief description of how she looks. Harriet was a frail, wiry black woman.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance? No.

Who does she love? Why? Harriet loves Freedom. She had a husband but he stole her money and ran around with other women. His name was Tubman, but that is all he gave her.

Does this person love her? No.

Tell us about her family. Harriet’s family are all slaves. Her father runs a sawmill and she helps him.

Where is she from? Bucktown, in Dorchester County on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude? Her home town is part of a state divided on the question of slavery. Itinerant preachers tell the slaves that running away is stealing the master’s property, but the slaves know the Quakers and others will help them if they can get away from their home farm and avoid the patrollers.

What does she want out of life? Freedom.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

Did you write more than one story about her? No.

How would she describe you? Harriet would call me an old white woman. I don’t know if she would like me.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. Harriet stopped at nothing to achieve freedom for her people and herself. Harriet Tubman founded what historians call the Underground Railroad.

Please provide your website link. http://www.terrylwhite.com

What is the link to buy your book? www.ebooksonthe.net or Amazon.com

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

The TRUTH, I'm 10, I'm Smart and I Know Everything! by Dr Barbara Holstein

2007-09-20T18:38:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book. The heroine in THE TRUTH, I'm Ten, I'm Smart and I Know Everything! is a ten-year old girl. She is funny, wise, honest and she really does know the truth about most things.

What's her name? Her name is never mentioned in the book, which is her diary over a two year period.

Why did you pick that name? Not giving her a name makes it easy to identify with her. She is really all of us -once, when we were young.

Give us a brief description of how she looks. She has light brown hair and hazel eyes. She is certain that she would be very pretty if she could wear make-up. Her mother won't let her. She has a space between her two front teeth.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance? No-except that she is growing fast and keeps getting taller while the boy she is in love with keeps getting shorter.

Who does she love? Why? She loves Paul. She doesn't know why. When he came to her classroom as a new student she just felt her heart turn over in her body and she couldn't stop the most amazing feelings from overwhelming her.

Does this person love her? No. He isn't aware of her passions.

Tell us about her family. She has one younger brother. They have a house. Her parents fight a lot and that upsets her. Sometimes they all have fun together, like going on mystery rides. She hates some of her cousins cause they tease her.

Where is she from? Somewhere out there in Middle America.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude? Yes. For example, it is safe and she can take the bus downtown all by herself and shop in the stores.

What does she want out of life? She wants to marry Paul. She wants to have her deepest questions answered. She wants to hold on to herself!

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) I can't tell but it has to do with a locket she receives from her aunt.

Did you write more than one story about her? Yes, she will be my heroine in the sequel to the first book.

How would she describe you? A nice, smart woman who took the time to really understand her.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. She loves Nancy Drew.

Please provide your website link. www.enchantedself.com

What is the link to buy your book? http://www.enchantedself.com/shop/
It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Post a comment for Dr Barbara Holstein in September and be entered in a drawing for a free copy of The TRUTH !

Only Moments by Nick Oliva

2007-09-19T08:46:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name?Angela Vander

Why did you pick that name?She is named aptly because she acts as an angel in the climax of the book. Her last name was originally Vanderhausen of royal Dutch descent, but was shortened to "Americanize" the family name.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.
She was a Scorpio-Virgo-rising, of Dutch stock, and her ancestors were of royal origin. Two hundred and seventy-five years ago, they had become more than wealthy, being one of the first families to begin plying the business of slave trading in the original colonies. There was very little of the Vanderhausen’s fortune remaining by the time she was born.

I gave her a light complexion, which amplified the freckles on her face and body. She used to go through liquid sun shield like water, due to the human-induced ozone depletion, and the added moisturizing elements of the shield kept her skin smooth and wrinkle-free. She barely looked in her thirties, when she was actually in her mid-forties. Of course, her physical aging had a lot to do with her gene history more than anything else, but the shield certainly helped.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?She has beautiful red hair and green eyes that captured you immediately when you were in her presence. It gave her the aura of a goddess.

What is her drive, her motivation?She is a virtuoso violinist driven to perfection by forces deep within her subconscious. Her brother died at an early age and another secret in her past causes her to seek love from the outside as she is very insecure and difficult to get along with anyone including Chris her lover, husband, best friend, and musical partner. She hides behind her talent in her own world of fantasy to shield herself from reality. Chris touches her soul as he is so down to earth and naturally tolerant of her moodiness and spurts of anger and she falls madly in love with him, as he her.

Does Chris really love her?Unconditionally without question. They love each other for different reasons and as Chris reveals later in the novel, they loved each other for what "they were not."
To quote Chris:
........Angela, don’t you think I’ve known who you are and who you are not? In all the years we’ve been together, don’t you realize that I’ve always counted on you being the person that you aren’t?” She cleared her nose and wiped off the tears.

“I don’t understand,” she replied. “The person that I’m not?”

“Think about it. We have struggled for years and not always been happy with each other. We’ve each had common goals and relied upon each other to achieve them. We pushed each other, we’ve insulted each other, and we’ve been through very difficult times. We never once faced the fact that alone we were incapable of doing it. We treasured each other because of the things we were not. We imagined. We took the chance, regardless of our fears. You are not the perfect wife, and I am not the perfect husband, musician, or person; but we loved each other for things that we could never quantify. We believed. We had blind faith in each other. I have let you down and you have let me down. The issue today is whether you want to be afraid with me or without me. If you love me, I don’t think you have to contemplate for long.”

Tell us about her family.
Her mother and father are both musicians. Her mother is a pianist and teacher, her father is a high school teacher and gave up being a trumpeter many years earlier to support the family. They are both proud of their daughter but Angela and her father have a natural competitiveness that drives them to argue constantly. Her father is envious of her ability to be able to take her art to levels he could have only dreamed for, but he loves her unconditionally. Her mother constantly intervenes and becomes a referee between them at times.

Where is she from?Venice Beach, California

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?It is the late sixties, the height of the hippie age and women's movement and she is independent and a dominant force. She embodies the emergence of females from that era and will not be told that she is to be a child-bearer and housewife, and takes her own path to capture success on her terms.

What does she want out of life?She seeks perfection in her music, and doesn't realize that it is not attainable. She spends her entire life pursuing it, only to fall short of her expections. She discounts her successes and doesn't realize how great she really is and that is due to the things that happened to her in her childhood that have driven her to greatness and ultimately brings her downfall. It is her denial of human imperfection that causes the conflicts within.

How would she describe you?A neurotic driving determined force that seeks perfection while knowing there is no such thing. LOL! Everyone thinks that I modeled Chris the male lead after me, and although Angela is a fictional character based in fantasy, I relate more to her than to Chris.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.
First and foremost this a love story that shows unlimited devotion even after one mate dies. When we open up the first chapter, we already know Chris' wife is long gone and he has suffered greatly. The depression he allows himself to stay in for so long, changes as he begins to recount the past-though involuntary. The setting of the future, it's technology and the human nature that rarely changes though the ages is exposed during the exposition. The real fun begins when we go back to his youth.

One of the messages of this book was to show that regardless of the age, future, past, or present-the needs and wants of the human heart can never be replaced by technology. The other aspect was to show that regardless that these two people were together twenty-four hours a day and experiencing everything together, they grew apart because of the flaws that each had and those flaws prove to be what made them great as well. Great art comes from imperfection and like the ying and yang, there is always danger in beauty be it the cliffs of Big Sur and rocks below, the infatuation of human beauty, or the spiritual dogma entrenched by centuries of emotional manipulation.

"They believed without question, without doubt."

That is quite a lot to write into a romance novel, but it is what life is all about if one wants to take the time to understand it's meaning and one's place in it.

Chris is every woman's dream. A man so incredibly devoted that no other woman could ever take the place of his wife and soul mate Angela. A man so patient and understanding, gifted and tolerant of her mood swings and temper. He understood her every move and motivation and their music echoed the love that they both shared. They both gave each other confidence and the ability to dream their dream together. Angela's pure determination is what makes them the best they can be, and at the same time causes all of the heartache.

There are many other obvious and hidden messages within this "road of life" novel but it's main message is live life to it's fullest everyday! Don't expect life to treat you kindly and the "road" will be bumpy with potholes and dangerous curves, but it will take you places you have never been as long as you stay on it and that is the important part. Stay on it! Don't give up no matter what. Death is over-rated and the other side is an eternity. I know. I was there. Stay awhile and let time heal and be good to yourself and as the love of Chris' life tells him to remember that "Love is all there is. Never lose that gift."

Please provide your website link.www.onlymomentsbook.com

What is the link to buy your book?
Amazon or go to www.onlymomentsbook.com

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

CJ Maxx - Coming Back a Virgin

2007-09-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

What's her name?

Lorraine, she wasn’t given a last name by Walter.

Why did you pick that name?

I had used Lorraine in an earlier work in a sensual setting. I liked her then and thought I’d given her a wider role to showcase her talents.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

She comes from Walter’s pornographic mind. You know she has the perfect body with large breasts, a narrow waist, and perfect legs and hips. In his books he never mentions how beautiful she is. It comes out in this story.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

The perfect woman—from a man’s point of view.

Who does she love? Why?

She’s fictional so doesn’t love anyone in the beginning. She does start to fall in love with Walter as she progresses in turning him into a competent writer.

Does this person love her?

At first he lusts after her, then lust turns to love.

Tell us about her family.

No family.

Where is she from?

I answered this question earlier on the blog. It needed to be explained up front or the reader would be somewhat confused.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

Yes, it does. Her character in Walter’s self-published books is so slutty she can’t get a date up there. She’s upset about that. Her motivation is to teach him to present her in a much more favorable light—a romance heroine.

What does she want out of life?

Her initial goal is to teach him to be a better writer. As that goal is met she wants something else—to come back as a real person.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

It’s in the title and isn’t really one of her secrets. Walter thinks his character Lorraine will be back. That’s not quite the case.

Did you write more than one story about her?

No, just this one.

How would she describe you?

She loves me. Everything she wanted, she got. (Kind of like my wife.)

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

This story is a fantasy. Just keep that in mind that she’s not real—in the beginning. Not too real, anyway.

Please provide your website link.

My website is: www.cjmaxx.net

What is the link to buy your book?

https://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=211
It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Thank you. I hope your readers enjoy this book. I had a lot of fun writing it.

Partially Human by Dwayne Anderson

2007-09-13T18:13:00.000-07:00

What's her name? Kimberly Derth

Why did you pick that name? No special reason.

Give us a brief description of how she looks. She’s blonde and attractive.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance? Nope.

Who does she love? Joshua Valkron Plofhard

Why? As she cares for him while most others are cruel to him, she finds herself falling in love.

Does this person love her? After she professes her love to him, Joshua at first is confused, but later understands, and later admits that the feelings are mutual.

Tell us about her family. Kimberly’s family is wealthy and looks down upon others in a lower social position, judging others only by wealth or their lack of it. They disown and send her off to live with relatives all because she gives Joshua a priceless ring as a token of friendship.

Where is she from? She originally lived in Los Angeles along with Joshua, but was sent to live with her relatives in Sacramento until they moved to Los Angeles.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude? No.

What does she want out of life? She wants to be a teacher.

What's her biggest secret? Sorry, I can’t spoil that one here.

Did you write more than one story about her? Nope.

How would she describe you? Kimberly’s the type of girl who sees the good in people despite what others and themselves think of them. So I would think she would see me as a misunderstood man whose heart is in the right place when it comes to finding his place in the world.

Dominic by Hazel Statham

2007-09-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.
London 1775 – Eighteen-year-old Sophie Thornton is in the care of an abusive brother. When he attacks her in an attempt to coerce her into complying with his wishes she flees and finds herself sheltering on the Earl of Vale’s doorstep. Despite her naivety she enthrals the Earl and in time becomes his pupil and his love.

What's her name?
Sophie Thornton

Why did you pick that name?
I wanted to tie her into the sequel, ‘My Dearest Friend’ which is the story of her son. I actually wrote the sequel first. Despite being related, both books are stand alone and can be read without reference to the other.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.
Petite. Blonde curly hair and expressive blue eyes.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?
Sophie has a penchant for dressing in boys’ clothing as she believes it gives her the freedom she lacks in her conventional role as a young Georgian lady.

Who does she love? Why?
Dominic Blake, Earl of Vale who rescues her from her tyrannical brother and in turn becomes her tutor and her love.

Does this person love her?
Although he tries very hard to deny the attraction, he nonetheless succumbs to his emotions.

Tell us about her family.
Both her parents are dead and her brother Raymond is her guardian. He is a violent man and a scoundrel. She also has a younger brother who is also mistreated by Raymond.

Where is she from?
London

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?
It is difficult for a young woman of her era to survive without the protection of a male member of her family and when she is forced to flee her home she finds she almost starves on the streets.

What does she want out of life?
Security!

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)
Under Dominic’s tutelage, she looks and acts as a boy.

Did you write more than one story about her?
No, this is her only appearance in a novel.

How would she describe you?
Kind – I hope!

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.
She idolises Dominic from their first meeting.

Please provide your website link.
www.hazel-statham.co.uk

What is the link to buy your book?
http://www.amazon.com/Dominic-Hazel-Statham/dp/1597058009/ref=sr_11_1/104-9549334-9146335?ie=UTF8&qid=1186157065&sr=11-1

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet u

Runaway Hearts by Terry L. White

2007-09-03T15:26:00.000-07:00

Judi Moreo and Kim Baccellia Virtual Tour Stops

2007-08-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

Promotional Interview with Judi Moreo

This is the first author promotional interview that I've posted on my Self Promotion blog on the Inspired Author site. This is the first interview in a series that I'm doing with Kathleen Gage. She is posting some on her blog and I'll be posting all of the interviews on my site. To read about Judi Moreo's promotion - visit

http://inspiredauthor.com/v3/promotional-interview-judi-moreo-0

~ and ~

Kim Baccellia - Young Adult Author - Earrings of Ixtumea

Join Nikki Leigh and Muze as they interview young adult author Kim Baccelia about her book - Earrings of Ixtumea. This is the opening question of the interview -

Nikki & Muze – I was reading the synopsis for your book and was intrigued by the inner struggle that your character faces. It’s also interesting that she is confronted by the same cultural problems in the fantasy world. Can you give us some information about how you came up with this idea and what sort of problems she deals with in the story?

Kim –As a bilingual teacher in the later ‘80’s and early ‘90’s, I saw a lot with my second language students. I taught in a LA county school district, close to East LA. I also was researching my own family history at this time. I was bothered how each year my students would draw themselves blond, blue-eyed, and fair skinned.

Click here to learn more about Kim and Earrings of Iztumea
http://muzesmusings.blogspot.com/

Nikki Leigh – Fiction Author – www.nikkileigh.com
Book Promo 101 – www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_101.htm
“Coastal Suspense with a Touch of Romance”

Scion of the Dark Moon by Kingsley Montgomery

2007-08-19T17:12:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.What's her name?

There are two heroines in Scion of the Dark Moon, each very different from one another. The first is the noble-born young sorceress apprentice Alyssa Deveron. The second is Yeva, a commoner and a thief.

Why did you pick that name?

“Alyssa” is Greek in origin and means “rational” or “bright”. Alyssa in the story is very intelligent and rational-minded, which makes her a great investigator (in this case, an investigator of dark magic practices). “Yeva” is Russian in origin and means “life”. Yeva in the story is driven by her emotions and lives for the moment, enjoying as much out of life as she can. For a peasant who was abused as a child, enjoying the moment helps her forget the past.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Alyssa has long black hair, usually worn in a single long braid over one shoulder, in the style of the Crown Robes sorceresses. Her skin is alabaster, as is customary for the nobility of Aralan. Short and of average build, she has piercing aquamarine eyes. Yeva is tall and athletic, exuding sexuality and often exploiting it to her advantage. She is not well educated, but makes up for it with a keen street-sense, which is reflected in her bearing. Her skin is tan, hair tawny brown, and eyes smoldering chocolate.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

Alyssa’s aquamarine colored eyes are an anomaly, attributed to her family’s long heritage as gifted magic practitioners. Yeva’s most unusual aspect is her electric attractiveness, though no man (or woman) can quite pinpoint the reason for this.

Who does she love? Why?

Alyssa loves her work. Yeva ‘loves’ her mentor, the Fox Knight, a dashing bandit lord turn hero. Both eventually fall in love with Bryn, Scion’s main protagonist.

Does this person love her?

Bryn, like Alyssa and Yeva, is young (17 at the start of the book). He doesn’t know what he wants, and has little experience with women. He is definitely attracted to both – Alyssa for her charm, wit, and intelligence, and Yeva for her obvious physical charms and intense free spirit. He is quite torn, but will eventually have to chose, or lose them both.

Tell us about her family.

Alyssa belongs to the Deveron noble family. House Deveron is considered “minor” landed gentry, and her father is a respected knight-captain in service to the Baron of Eastmont. Alyssa’s mother displayed some magical talent when young, but never developed the skill. Her brother is a knight. She gets along with her family well enough. Yeva is an orphan. Her mother died of disease when she was young, and her father abused her for years during her early teenage years. She ran away from home at 14, living primarily as a thief and occasionally as a prostitute. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, she is strong-willed and self-determined and is more than capable of taking care of herself.

Where is she from?

Alyssa is from Eastmont, a moderate sized barony in the Kingdom of Aralan . She has spent half of her life training in High Tower , Aralan’s capital city, to become a Crown Robes sorceress. Yeva is from a small peasant village in the central plains of Aralan, which she currently avoids like the plague.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

With Alyssa, not so much. She is much more influenced by the sorcerers of High Tower , where she has lived and trained for half her life. Yeva was very much affected by her hometown. She despises it and the meek peasants that farm the lands around it.

What does she want out of life?

Alyssa is torn between marriage and raising a family and her duty as an investigator for the Crown Robes. Yeva doesn’t think that far ahead, but lives only in the moment.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

Alyssa fears she is cursed, as her mentors have a way of dying in horrible ways. Yeva fears being alone, though her often coarse nature pushes people away as much as her physique draws them near.

Did you write more than one story about her?

Alyssa and Yeva both have major roles in the second book in the Terralis Legacy series, Echoes of Empire.

How would she describe you?

Alyssa would analyze me too much, and I’d be afraid of what she would say! Yeva would find me alluring enough to seduce, until she could steal my wallet. Only to find it was empty.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.
I’ve had a great time writing the female parts in Scion of the Dark Moon. For me, they were a challenge to write and ended up more multi-dimensional than most of the male characters. I’ve always appreciated strong female characters in fantasy novels, and it has been a joy to create two of them in Scion who are almost mirror opposites in personality. The play between them is limitless.

Please provide your website link.

Scion of the Dark Moon, and my other books, can be found at http://www.kvmbooks.com/.

What is the link to buy your book?

Scion of the Dark Moon can be purchased at my Web site, http://www.kvmbooks.com/, via Amazon.

Kingsley V. Montgomery, Author
Visit my book Web site! http://www.kvmbooks.com/

Earrings of Ixtumea by Kim Baccellia

2007-08-13T17:37:00.000-07:00

Young Adult fantasy author Kim Baccellia joins us today to tell us about the heroine in her book - Earrings of Ixtumea.

What's her name?

Guadalupe Hernandez. Her nickname is Lupe.

Why did you pick that name?

I wanted to name her after a very sacred saint from Mexico. The Virgin Guadalupe. I always loved the story of how the Virgin appeared to Juan Diego, a humble Mexican Christian Indian.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

She’s five feet four, about 115-120 lbs. She’s a Latina with long brown hair with bangs. Large hazel eyes.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

No. She does have a nervous habit of shaking her leg.

Who does she love? Why?

She loves her grandmother who has raised her since she was six years old.

Does this person love her?

Oh, yes!

Tell us about her family.

She’s the only child being raised by her grandmother. Her mother deserted her when she was six years old. She doesn’t know anything about her father.

Where is she from?

She was born in Santa Ana, Ca. She lives in Tustin.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

Yes. She goes to a private school and being around mostly Anglo students makes her want to be like them. She’s embarrassed of living in her cramped apartment and having her friends find out. She also wants to be like her Anglo pop star Ashley Snow. I based this pop star on Ashley Simpson and other blonde pop stars.

What does she want out of life?

To be like her peers at her middle school. She also wants to be accepted by them to the point she denies who she is.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

She’s afraid of spiders. Which is ironic considering who she meets!

Did you write more than one story about her?

Yes. I started writing a short story for the LA Times section. I had Lupe in first grade and wanting to share her favorite story to her classmates. This is when she still believed in her grandmother’s tales of Ixtumea and the Spider Goddess.

I’m a former first grade teacher. I wondered what would happen if Lupe was one of my students and on her sharing day instead of bringing the usual princess book she brought a book based on a story from Ixtumea. I can only image the reaction from my class!

How would she describe you?

Someone who reads too much and actually believes some of Abuela’s crazy tales!

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Though Lupe’s mother deserted her, she still loves and fantasizes about her returning. So when she finds her, mixed emotions surface. These feelings are almost too much for her to bear.

Please provide your website link.

http://www.kim-baccellia.com/

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.amazon.com/Earrings-Ixtumea-Kim-Baccellia/dp/0978215710/ref=cm_pdp_profile_rp_title/002-6210995-3381637?ie=UTF8&coliid=I276MLTEY89D4E&colid=18LHS97ZDM307

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Dancing on the Edge by S L Connors

2007-08-08T19:24:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine - the female lead in your book.

What's her name?

The heroine in Dancing on the Edge is Callie Michelle Rowan.

Why did you pick that name?

I wanted a unique name, something that signified delicate nature but strength of will. Calla Lilly is a beautifully delicate yet strong flower, and a Rowan is a sturdy, stead-fast tree, thus encompassing Callie's character traits. Funny thing is once I'd chosen the name; it suddenly popped up in several places. A peer writer had also chosen the name, as well a couple of TV drama shows suddenly had Callies. Ugh! Isn't that the way?

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Callie is petite built, five foot four inches, shoulder length golden brown hair, lightly sun-streaked. She has feminine curves: shapely legs, small waist, an average bust line and a lean athletic build. A soft mouth not overly full lips, heart-shaped face with hazel eyes that change color according to her moods.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

No other than the fact her appearance is deceiving in that she appears too delicate to be in her chosen profession. This tends to put her at an advantage in dealing with suspects. Callie is a police detective.

Who does she love? Why?

Callie loves her family for obvious reasons, animals so much the she can't bear to watch or read anything where animals are hurt or endangered. And last but not least, Callie loves Evan Pochesko, her best friend and soon to be partner. Evan is the only man with which she has ever achieved a healthy, risk-free, trusting relationship. They have been extremely close albeit, platonic friends since the Police Academy and have shared happiness, sadness, hurts, and disappointments. No one beside her family knows her better and no one of the male species but Evan will even get as close. Callie has shut herself off to matters of the heart.

Does this person love her?

Absolutely, more than life itself.

Tell us about her family.

Callie's family lives in the Northeast while she resides in sunny Southern Florida. She is a daddy's girl and even followed in her father's footsteps as far as career choice. Her father is a retired Philadelphia street cop. Callie's mother is a loving and nurturing woman of gentle principles. Callie also has a younger brother who married his high school sweetheart and now has a family of his own affording Callie two nephews who she enjoys whenever she goes home to visit.

Where is she from?

Philadelphia, PA though the family summers were spent at the Jersey shore.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

absolutely

What does she want out of life?

Independence and someone to share herself with without losing herself.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

I'll waive this question at the risk of sharing too much.

Did you write more than one story about her?

Yes, a sequel is in the works.

How would she describe you?

Everything she is and everything she is not. She is the person I strive to be but somehow fall short.

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Now Available at http://www.lulu.com/ (print version) and http://www.fictionwise.com/ (ebook)

Websites:http://www.sharonlconnors.com/http://www.romawolftales.com/

Tara's Honour by Bryn Colvin

2007-08-08T19:15:00.000-07:00

What's her name?
Tara.

Why did you pick that name?
I’d been struggling for a while to find the right name, then, coming home from a folk club in Birmingham one night, a friend mentioned his daughter in London – he hadn’t said anything about her previously. Her name is Tara, and as soon as he said it, I knew that would be the perfect name for my heroine.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.
Tara is quite pale skinned for an inhabitant of Estraguil. She is lightly built, graceful and tends to wear dark colours. She has a striking, memorable face – not beautiful exactly, but unmistakably her own. She has an unassuming presence and tends to look thoughtful. She smiles readily however. Her dark hair looks green in sunlight.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance? By the standards of Estraguil, Tara is quite unremarkable. She doesn’t have any major deviations from normal human form.

Who does she love? Why? Tara loves her family, even though her relationship with her mother is strained. She admires her father and adores her younger brothers. She has a deep bond with Mist – her avowry who has sworn to protect her. Tara also has a strong attachment to her former mentor, Emyr. Although she gives readily of her care and affection, she has never really been in love with anyone.

Does this person love her? The vast majority of people in Tara’s life return her affection. To her knowledge, no-one has ever been in love with her.

Tell us about her family. Tara comes from the Tolthian kith- a group who prize learning and knowledge above all else. Her father Rhys is a lore master, as is her uncle. Her mother – Lia prefers working with animals and is practically minded. Tara has two younger brothers – Faolan and Lavel. In addition to this, her familiar household also includes Will – her father’s avowry, his mate Orna, and Orna’s daughter Joy. Joy is a marcher child – no one knows whether it was Rhys or Will who fathered her. Will and Orna have a daughter – Mist, who is of an age with Tara and is Tara’s avowry. This domestic arrangement is entirely normal in Estraguil society.

Where is she from?
Tara lives in a tref – a small settlement of people who share a kith group. They live deep in the forests of Estraguil.

Does her hometown affect her behaviour, thoughts and attitude? Very much so. Like her community, Tara prizes learning and knowledge highly. She believes that everything can be rationally figured out, given time. She also believes in honour – coming from a culture where the giving of your word is the basis of the law, and all interactions, she struggles to comprehend how anyone could be dishonest – not an ideal condition to be in when conducting a murder investigation.

What does she want out of life? Tara wants to qualify as a lore master in her own right. At the outset of the book, she hasn’t thought beyond that. She’s not an especially ambitious person and has little idea what she wants to do with herself.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) At the outset of the book, Tara has no secrets. Her life and heart are open books that anyone can read. By nature she is an open and trusting soul, but as she becomes exposed to the dark secrets of others, she loses some of this innocence.

Did you write more than one story about her?
As yet I’ve only written one story, but I might revisit her.

How would she describe you? Coming from such a radically different world and culture, there are many things about me that would confuse her, especially the technology I use. She might mistake me for a Straifian, because I am a musician and a writer, and their kith prizes those skills. My own hunger for learning and sense of honour would probably seem familiar to her, but she would be perplexed by the sexually restrictive culture I live in, and by our lack of care for the environment. She would be equally intrigued by our similarities and differences, but I doubt she would try to describe me in anything other than my measurable quantities – that I am taller and broader than her, with brown hair, brown eyes and dexterous fingers.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. Tara’s particular area of study involves trying to predict the movements of the fickle moon. Estraguil has two moons – the constant moon is large and has an entirely predictable cycle. The fickle moon is much smaller, and although it has been studied in detail, no one has unlocked the mystery of its cycles. Tara has spent two years making observations and trying to plot the course this smaller moon with take.

Please provide your website link. http://bryncolvin.mysite.orange.co.uk

What is the link to buy your book? http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/TarasHonour_BrynnethColvin.shtml

MACBETH'S NIECE by Peggy Herring

2007-08-08T18:56:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

A young Scottish girl, raised in the Grampion Mountains. Her father's brother is the thane of Glamis, Macbeth.

What's her name?

Tessa macFindlaech

Why did you pick that name?

Tessa is a student I once had with similar looks and an independent spirit. MacFindlaech is Macbeth's last name (son of Findlaech).

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Tessa is tiny but lovely, with green eyes and unruly auburn hair.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

Tessa is a bit smaller than is deemed healthy by Scottish mothers looking for women to bear strong children for their sons. Contrary to appearances, she's healthy as a horse!

Who does she love? Why?

She is attracted to Jeffrey Brixton, an English spy sent to encourage rebellion against the king of Scotland, Duncan.

Does this person love her?

Jeffrey is attracted to her as well but won't admit to it. When they're thrown together, he usually retreats into anger to hide his feelings for her.

Tell us about her family.

Tessa is sent to live with her uncle, Macbeth. His wife is rather cold but not unkind. She teaches Tessa the things a good wife must know about keeping a house.

Where is she from?

When the book begins she goes to live at Glamis Castle, on the eastern shore of Scotland.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

Tessa was raised in the mountains, since her father rejected his noble background. When she's sent to Glamis, she must learn to live in a more refined world. She is expected to be meek and quiet, but she isn't always good at it.

What does she want out of life?

Tessa doesn't want to settle for a "good" marriage with a man she does not love. She feels there is more to life than that.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

Tessa is attracted to Jeffrey, but he kidnaps her and takes her to England, so he is her enemy.

Did you write more than one story about her?

I'm at work on the sequel, which concerns Tessa's sister and her quest to find Tessa.

How would she describe you?

Tessa would see me as someone too taken up with sitting still. She'd tell me to get out more and do things.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Tessa is very human, and through her eyes we see a very real Macbeth. They both make mistakes, and they both struggle on, accepting the blame for their failures. The fact that one succeeds and the other fails is what life is all about: our choices define us, but how we deal with the results is what makes a great story.

Please provide your website link.

http://www.pegherring.com/

What is the link to buy your book?

MACBETH'S NIECE will be available from Five Star in January of 2008 through Amazon, bookstores, and libraries.

Email: pherring@m33access.com

Website: pegherring.com

Blog:http://theplaysthething.blogspot.com/

Plays: available from Drama Source and Playscripts, Inc.MACBETH'S NIECE, coming January of 2008 from Five Star

Kelly Heckart - Of Water and Dragons

2007-08-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine - the female lead in your book.

What's her name?

Nemu.

Why did you pick that name?

I wanted something exotic sounding because she is half-human and half-faery. Actually, that is a shortened version of her real name. Her real name can not be pronounced by mortals. Give us a brief description of how she looks. Long black hair, green eyes, translucent white skin and white feathery wings. She is under five feet tall.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

Yes, her white wings.

Who does she love? Why?

She loves a human called Ambiorix. They were fated to meet so it was destiny for them and in the next book, we find out that she has known his soul before. Does this person love her? Yes, but it wasn't always easy for them. It seems as much as they were destined to meet, there are obstacles trying to keep them apart.

Tell us about her family.

Her father was human, a Greek sailor whose ship washed up near what is now called Skara Brae. One day he was fishing and caught Nemu's mother in his fishing net. After Nemu was born, her mother had to return to the sea so her father raised her. Nemu's mother and the rest of her kind were once human and were cursed to be faeries that had to stay under the sea. Because Nemu was half-human, she was able to stay on land.

Where is she from?

Nemu was born in Scotland (Alba) around 916 BC.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

I think so. She hates the Romans and sympathizes with the Celts. What does she want out of life? She is lonely, having lived most of her life in the thick forest near the highlands so when she meets Ambiorix, she is smitten with him. She also wishes she were human so he will love her.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

Nemu has a lot of secrets, some she is not even aware of yet. She is not perfect and did something that caused thousands of people to die. Of course, the Roman legions were involved.

Did you write more than one story about her?

Yes. The next book, Ravenwolf will be released on September 7, 2007 and I am working on a prequel to the series. Nemu turned out to be one of my most prolific characters so far.

How would she describe you?

She would probably think I was a weak mortal, but I think we would get along. There are some things we share. Nemu has a hard time opening up even to the one she loves. I have a tendency to do that and not realize I am doing it. We also share a love of music, but she has a beautiful singing voice. Alas, I was not given that gift.

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Kelley Heckart
Author of Of Water and Dragons

"an appealing amalgam of magic, erotica, military history, and romance that will leave readers breathless in its wake." Ellen Tanner Marsh, NYT best-selling author
http://http://www.kelleyheckart.com/

“The Daemonhold Curse”

2007-08-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

"The Daemonhold Curse”

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name?
Dame Arinna Cabal

Why did you pick that name?
I often sound names since I’m also a traditional storyteller- a sennache—so it has to sound right.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.
Arinna Cabal, scrubbed clean and dressed up, was a delicately beautiful woman in her late twenties. Her short red hair combed out and framed her face to highlight sharp cheekbones and bright blue eyes. She wore combat leathers and full breeches with high boots and wore a short rapier on her hip. Her whole demeanor cried out of barely contained energy, as if eight feet of personality had been confined in five feet of woman.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?
She would be petite, except that she is muscular with a fencer’s thighs. An elf that can kick any butt she wants to.

Who does she love?
The great love of her life is Yuzen, a tall dark haired dancer. She is also closer ‘than a lover’ to her friend Erique Shoutte –they practically grew up together and are life long friends.

Why?
Yuzen is a girly girl and they make each other laugh. Erique and Arinna have trusted each other with their lives dozens of times and with complete confidence.

Does this person love her?
Yes. Yuzen loves her and Erique would do anything for her.

Tell us about her family
Arinna is the daughter of Master Braphon Cabal, the head sword instructor of the Acadamy Kova, and is his best student. Her mother died when she was a young teenager and she is very close to her father.

Where is she from?
She was born and raised in Cozen, the capital city of Tolan, and where the Academy Kova is located.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?
Her whole life was within the confines of the Academy among devout Kova priests and would be priests. Despite that, she retains the religion of her mother, the worship of the Goddess of Light: Yoni. Since the Kova do not proselytize, this is not unusual.

What does she want out of life?
She has no deep mission like Erique or her father. She is a swashbuckler who enjoys the moment and is devoted to the ‘way of the sword’ and to having fun.

What's her biggest secret?
Can’t tell you that one….

Did you write more than one story about her?
So far, she appears in a ‘cameo’ in a short story about Erique and is the costar with him in the Daemonhold Curse and its sequel, but I expect she will be showing up in more stories.

How would she describe you?
Lazy with terrible sword form.

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Available from http://www.epress-online.com/ in September

Tempted by Rita Thedford

2007-08-02T15:25:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name?

My heroine in Tempted is Elizabeth Grayson. Because this is a regency historical and her father is an Earl, she is a ‘lady’ or a ‘miss”.

Why did you pick that name?

Some historical names of the day just didn’t suit her personality. Hortense just wouldn’t cut it for this elegant woman. Elizabeth seemed an elegant name and was also used in this time period. Give us a brief description of how she looks.

My hero describes her as “an exotic flower, more tropical than domestic” and I believe he’s correct in his assessment. She is tall for a woman in this time period, perhaps five-eight, long auburn hair, long legs, violet blue eyes that are somewhat almond shaped. She is also very fair.

Elizabeth Grayson is elegant and almost regal in her bearing. Quiet and reserved. Is there anything unusual about her appearance? Her eyes are probably the most unusual thing about her. She is very intelligent and shrew and this shows in her eyes.

Who does she love? Why?

She loves Christian Delaford, the eight Duke of Haverton. He’s handsome, strong and not what she expects a man to be. Beneath his austere, dark appearance, he has the soul of a gentleman and is chivalrous and caring. To Elizabeth, he is unlike any other man.

Does this person love her?

Oh, yes! At first, Christian wants her. He wants to crack the cool reserve she hides behind to find the fiery woman beneath. She is a woman of secrets and he’s a very curious man. When he learns her frightening secret, he longs to protect her…perhaps from herself. He finds in Elizabeth a depth of compassion and caring that he never expected.

Tell us about her family.

Elizabeth is greatly loved by her warm and generous parents. They have suffered great loss through the death of their daughter, Elizabeth’s sister, Charlotte. Elizabeth’s mother, Millicent is vivacious and funny wanting so desperately for Elizabeth to make a wonderful life for herself despite the family tragedy. Lord Henry is a gentleman through and through, who adores his daughter while despairing that he couldn’t save his other daughter from a husband’s abuse. He is tortured by his failings and doesn’t want to fail Elizabeth as well.

Where is she from?

Elizabeth lives in England during the regency period. Her parents have a home in London and several other country estates. Her family is very wealthy.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

No. I don’t think so. What does she want out of life? More than anything she wants to avenge her sister’s horrific death. When it becomes clear this will be harder than she imagined, she channels her quest into helping other women whom the current laws do not protect.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

Her biggest secret is that she leads a very dangerous double life, and yes, there is a spoiler here). She does, however, have another secret that I can share. She wants to believe there is such a thing as happy ever after. Desperately, she hides the soft, tender heart of a woman who loves and needs and desires.

Did you write more than one story about her?

Nope. This is it.

How would she describe you?

Elizabeth would describe me as a good listener and a compassionate friend. She hasn’t many friends but I know her better than anyone else.

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Rita Thedford

Tempted- a sizzling romance set in regency England available now at http://www.wingsepress.com/ Golden Wings Award Winner

FIVE ANGELS- Fallen Angel Reviewshttp://www.fallenangelreviews.com/http://www.ritathedford.com/

XIII by Keith Gaston

2007-07-29T15:10:00.000-07:00

What's her name?
Mary Jamison

Why did you pick that name?
Mary’s name comes from a relative of mine.Give us a brief description of how she looks.
She looks like Demi Moore, she stands at five ten, and usually wears her long hair in a bun.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?
She looks like Demi Moore.

Who does she love? Why?
She’s still in love with her late husband, Eric. He was killed during a botched federal sting operation.

Does this person love her?
Always

Tell us about her family.
No family, Mary was an orphan. Though she is very close to the family that works for her at a bed and breakfast; Eula, Edward and their daughter Diane.

Where is she from?
Mary is originally from Dearborn, Michigan but later moved to Devereux (fictional town) where she was placed into the Friday House Orphanage.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?
She grew up in a tough environment and became a bit of a loner because of it.

What does she want out of life?
To be left alone with her thoughts and to live a simple, quiet life.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)
That she had thought of killing herself on more than one occasion.

Did you write more than one story about her?
No.

How would she describe you?
She would say that I watch too many cartoons.

Keith (D. K. Gaston)
http://www.dkgaston.com/
www.myspace.com/dkgaston

Cobweb on the Soul - Nadene Carter

2007-07-25T07:57:00.000-07:00

What’s her name?

Abigail (Abby) Carlson is the heroine in my novel, A Cobweb on the Soul

Why did you pick that name?

I went to several baby name sites and pulled up names that mothers gave their daughter back in 1977 when my heroine was born. I already had the bare bones of my story plotted out. The name, Abigail, was on that list, and it fit this character of this story.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Abby stands 5 ft. 8 inches, has shoulder-length auburn hair, and gold-flecked brown eyes.

Where does she work? Does her work add anything to the story?

Abby is an architect with the McNeil Clark architectural firm in Park City, Utah, home of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Her work allows the reader to see another side of Abby’s personality as well shows how she reacts in this setting.

How would a friend or co-worker describe Abby?

Positive traits: Type A personality, can do attitude, dependable … almost to her detriment, kind, patient but with a breaking point.

Negative traits: Impulsive, so hard working that people sometimes take advantage of her, sometimes over-thinks things, lets old memories gnaw on her.

Who does she love? Why?

Jared Norton is Abby’s love interest, but … he is a cop, and she has long-standing issues with cops in general. She thinks she has put all that behind her until she discovers the body of a teenage girl who resembles her sister, Lianne, who disappeared nine years ago.

[A clip from the novel]
Abby studied the contour of the face she’d come to love. What was he thinking? Usually she didn’t care for a mustache, but the way Jared wore his neatly trimmed and not at all ostentatious gave him a classic look. A most handsome thirty-two-year-old man, and the contrast between his soft hazel eyes and strong square jaw often got him an admiring glance from the casual passerby. He took some good-natured ribbing from the guys because of the unsolicited attention that came his way.

How did they meet?

[A clip from the novel]
(Abby) smiled at the memory of the first day she met him last fall when she moved to town. She had sped along Kearns Boulevard to catch up with the mover’s van before it reached her condo, and a policeman had pulled her over. She turned on the charm and talked her way out of a ticket.

While the officer wrote up a warning, someone stopped to talk to him, obviously someone from the department, because he had a portable red light on the dashboard of his car. He was so strikingly handsome, in a rugged sort of way, it was difficult not to stare. He met her gaze with an equally appraising look of his own. It made her think of that old song . . . I was looking back to see if he was looking back at me . . . something or other.

Does this person love her?

Yes, but … he so mourns the past that he misses the joy in the present. Even after all these years, he still grieves for Cindy (his first wife who was killed inside their apartment in a robbery gone bad). How can (Abby) possibly compete with that image of perfection?

Tell us about her family and where she is from.

Frank and Birdie still own the ranch outside Greeley, Colorado where Abby grew up.

[A clip from the novel]
She thought of her father’s words: ‘One acre or a hundred takes ’bout the same machinery to run. Remember that, Ab, when you get rich enough to buy a place of your own’. Her eyes refocused from mental images of the Colorado ranch where she grew up back to the Bradford Estate.

Does where she grew up affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

She has retained the work ethic and dependability she learned while growing up and working with her father on the family farm.

What does she want out of life?

Abby is to the age where she would like to be married, but she is hesitant to go there until she is very sure of the man she loves.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

[A clip from the novel]
As a child, Abby never tired of hearing her mother tell the story about the day they brought ten-day-old Abby home. Frank and Birdie had waited such a long time to adopt, and they accepted the likelihood that Abby would be their only child. Then Lianne had come along.

Lianne. Abby still remembered the day they brought her home to live with them. At first, five-year-old Abby had been so excited to have a little sister, but her enthusiasm quickly cooled. Lianne was tiny for being almost three years old and so pretty, long blond curls and a smile that melted everyone’s heart, and they all made such a fuss over her. Abby recalled feeling ugly by comparison. With a stab of guilt, she also remembered wishing Lianne hadn’t come to live with them, a regret buried deep in her soul, one that she had never shared with anyone.

What does Abby do that makes her a heroine in your story?

Abby unwittingly becomes a target for a serial killer. He kidnaps Megan, Abby’s best friend’s three-year-old daughter, and uses the child to try to control Abby. Abby uses her brains, spunk, and courage to defeat this killer.

Did you write more than one story about her?

I have a sequel planned for Abby, but it is still in the simmering stage.

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

For more information, visit - http://www.nadenecarter.com/

Jill Nelson Introduces Desiree Jacobs

2007-07-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

Jill Nelson shares information about her heroine with us.

What's her name?

Desiree Jacobs

Why did you pick that name?

I wanted something melodic that was a bit off the beaten path and yet not strange or hard to pronounce.Give us a brief description of how she looks.

She’s a petite dynamo with shoulder-length sable hair and hazel eyes. For facial features, think a miniature Gina Davis with the high cheekbones and full lips.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

Her appearance isn’t unusual, but her occupation is. She’s quite physically fit because she’s a legal cat burglar. Ah, I see the furrowed brows. How is this possible?

Desi is the CEO of her family business, HJ Securities, a museum security company that serves world-famous museums, governments, and the wealthy the world over. She regularly performs and succeeds at sanctioned heists, though no one can know about the unsanctioned ones. Some consider her the best cat burglar in the world.

Who does she love? Why?

She loves the man that started out as her arch-nemesis, Special Agent Anthony Lucano of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Ironically, considering his risky occupation, one of their greatest bones of contention is his fears for her safety because of her impulsive and daring nature.

Desi also loves her father, the man who raised her alone after the accidental death of her mother when she was an infant. Hiram, the founder of HJ Securities, is murdered at the very beginning of Reluctant Burglar, book one in the To Catch a Thief series, so mentioning that isn’t a spoiler. However, his memory haunts Desi throughout the series on multiple levels.

And she loves her best friend and premier employee, Maxine Webb. Max is a West Texas ranch gal with fly-away red hair, an accent you could cut with a knife, and a genius for electronics that leads to all sorts of interesting gadgets.

Does this person love her?

They all love her more than their own lives. Hiram proved it literally. Tell us about her family.

Oops, see above! I could add, though, that the Jacobs are pretty alone in the world. With her father gone, Desi becomes an orphan in a profound sense. Reluctant Runaway, book two in the To Catch a Thief series, deals with the generational consequences of choices for good or ill and contains a few surprises along the line of family ties.

Where is she from?

Desi’s hometown is Boston , Massachusetts . She was born and raised there; however, her business takes her all over the world. Reluctant Burglar is set primarily in Boston , and some in Italy , but subsequent books take readers to Washington , DC , Albuquerque , NM , and Mexico .

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

Her international upbringing tempers any tendency toward regionalism, though I suspect she has that unique Boston accent.

What does she want out of life?

She wants to honor God in her lifestyle, honor her father’s memory by prospering in the business he left to her, and enjoy a future full of love with the man she’s passionate about. Naturally, all hell tries to sabotage these goals.Did you write more than one story about her?

Reluctant Burglar released in September 2006, Reluctant Runaway in March 2007, and Reluctant Smuggler is due out in January 2008. Desi and Tony are the central characters in all three. Each is a complete caper that can stand alone, but to follow character and relationship development, it’s nice to start with book one. Book excerpts, a video trailer, a monthly contest for free books, and purchase information are on my web site: http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com/.

How would she describe you?

Ooh, great question!

I’m the benevolent dictator who dreamed her up—literally.

I woke up in the wee hours one morning all tense from a dream where I saw a woman in black sneak into an estate. She took a painting off the wall and replaced it with an identical painting. Oddly enough, I knew that she had stolen the forgery and put the genuine back. I also knew that, if she were caught, disaster would follow for many, not just herself. The dream was so vivid, I began to play with it in my waking mind, asking two particular questions.

What career would this woman have to give her cat burglar skills without making her a crook? Museum security expert became my answer.

What dire predicament must she be in to cause her to do something so bizarre? The answer became the plot for Reluctant Burglar.

All the Best,

Jill
http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com/

HOW TO SUBMIT

2007-07-18T18:19:00.000-07:00

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name?

Why did you pick that name?

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

Who does she love? Why?

Does this person love her?

Tell us about her family.

Where is she from?

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

What does she want out of life?

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

Did you write more than one story about her?

How would she describe you?

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Please provide your website link.

What is the link to buy your book?

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Feel free to email your answers to nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com and I'll add your information. They will be posted, but not all at once. That will give everyone an opportunity to get plenty of exposure.

Nikki Leigh
http://www.nikkileigh.com/