Interview with Ronna Gage

1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.

    Website           

    BOOKS:

    Paradise Mine

    In The Christmas Spirit

    Love Lessons

    Friends and Lovers

    Bare It All

    First Thanksgiving ***This book landed 8th place with the P&E readers' poll!***
    Tell Me a Lie

    Afternoon Delight

    Mystic Journey

        

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?
I have been writing for seven years now. I have always been a story teller, but it wasn’t until I made the decision to put it down and paper and share that I started writing.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?

Afternoon Delight was the first published. I would make the character development stronger. It was a short story, but I could have done so much better.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?

I guess my mother, Mary and my brother, Tom. They both write, but don’t want to share.

5) Where do you get your ideas?

Many places really. I have trouble sleeping so I make up mini mental journeys. If they are really good, I write it down. I also get a lot of story ideas from music. I use music when I write to influence a scene and tap into the emotions I need. I.e. Country music for that Love Hurts feeling of a break up. Rock for the excited and new relationship…etc.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)

Right now my 3 month old Labrador puppy LUKE. Cute little guy, but very distracting.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?

I am comfortable with the contemporary, but I would like to do another paranormal.  Maybe even a historical.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kinds of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?

I do research; get the finer points of the story’s angle…like in Mystic Journey I used the torture methods to show the not so romantic side of the historical.  I study them and then just write. I look over stuff again in the editing process with my critique partner Ava James.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

Mystic Journey. It is a mix of historical, time-travel, and contemporary.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?

Yes, I think we all do. The character has to be someone you can relate to. I don’t over indulge too much, but I write about what I know. I write about teachers and police most of the time.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

The perfect hero is one that is alpha of course, romantic to a point, and sees her side of the situation as well. The perfect female is one that is strong willed, determined, stands up for herself, but lets her guard down for her man.

12) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?
1. WRITE.
2 PROMOTE when the book is released. Make this story the best you can, because there for every one contract to publish are ten or more rejections.

JUST FOR FUN: (answer as many as you want)

1) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?

A dog…they are loyal and affectionate. Then a cat, because they are independent.

2) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?

ESP

3) If you could be an immortal, what would you want to be? Why?
Not sure. Hmm.

4) If you could change three things in the world, what would they be? Why?         

The way children show respect to one another and to adults.
Jobs

Homelessness

I would change these three things because I can right now. Show a young person love and respect and don’t take bad attitude. Find a job and keep it. Only you can take care of you. And the homelessness, help some one out in some small way. It is all we can do.

5) What would be a perfect date for you?

Going out with my husband to a nice restaurant and take our time eating and talking…getting to know one another again.

6) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?
I would like to take a cruise to Hawaii. It is 2 weeks of talking.

7) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?
Does chocolate count?

8) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?

Crush; I like Alex O’Laughlin, Adam Baldwin, Sam Elliot,

Paradise Mine by Ronna Gage

TITLE: Paradise Mine
AUTHOR: Rona Gage
PUBLISHER: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc.

MAIN GENRE: Contemporary * Erotic Romance

SECONDARY GENRE: Military  *  Political

LENGTH: 304 pages 

HEAT LEVEL: Boiling
OTHER: M/F 

ROSE RATING: – 4 1/2
REVIEWED BY: Willow

BLURB:

Rae Anne Jamison and Landy Laurent have the kind of love most people envy--that is, except for Rae Anne's father, a high-powered political figure in Texas. But she and Landy ignore her father’s complaints and focus on their upcoming wedding, planning it for when Landy returns from the newly declared Operation Desert Shield.

Lonely and depressed without him, Rae Anne clings to a preplanned vacation in tropical paradise with him in a year, but when she receives word that he is missing in action and presumed dead, all hope is shattered.

REVIEW:

Brought together by some of life’s tragedies when they were children, Rae Ann and Landy knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. But sometimes fate—as well as meddling relatives—has a way of interfering.

On the night before Landy leaves for his military enlistment, Rae Ann and he share the special moment they’d held off on for years. There’s no doubt about their love or devotion, despite their young age. With heartfelt promises to come back and marry her, he leaves to begin his service to their country.

Rae Ann feels a deep sadness at Landy’s departure, but clings to the promises and hope for their future. When things take an unexpected turn and Landy’s whereabout and status become uncertain, she clings to their love, praying he’ll come back home safe, for she has something very special to share with him.

This is one of those stories that slowly grows on you. The beginning starts off with a sexual bang, then mellows out some as the author takes you through a lot of character development. While the story mainly focuses on Rae Ann for a while, it picks up with Landy at an appropriate time in her life. You’ll find yourself frustrated, angry, confused, and inevitably satisfied by the end with the plot twists and turns. Questions that develop early on will be answered in due time, cloudy plot details made clear. There were a few editing errors, missing words here and there, but nothing too distracting. The author does a good job handling grammar, punctuation, and character point-of-view. My only complaint--and this is minimal--would be with some of the dialect. There were times it seemed a little too wordy or odd, which isn’t uncommon in a lot of stories. My suggestion to the author (to all authors) would be to read the dialect aloud, verbally act out the scene to see if it sounds normal. Overall, it was a really good story and I’m glad I got the opportunity to meet Landy and Rae Ann.

If you crave a story with memorable characters and tangible dilemmas, then grab a copy of Paradise Mine by Ronna Gage. It promises to deliver a heart touching tale that will make you happy, make you cry, and likely stay with you a while.

Interview with Kate Hill

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.

My website is http://www.kate-hill.com. All my available titles are listed on the contents page of the sight. Click on a cover and it will take you to info about the book.

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing or telling stories. I can’t think of a specific thing that got me into it, other than a love of storytelling.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there
anything you’d change about it?

My first published novel was Darkness Therein. Since it was reprinted by another publishing house several years after its initial release, I was lucky enough to make any changes I wanted to. My first published work was actually a short story called Goddess of the Wine. It was part of the anthology A Taste of Midnight from Circlet Press.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?

Everyone who has written a story I enjoy has inspired me to keep writing.

5) Where do you get your ideas?

For me ideas can come from just about anything. A person, place, object or circumstance can stir a book idea.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)

I prefer to write in a quiet place with as few distractions as possible.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like
to explore?

I love paranormal. I also love horror and would like to explore that genre more as a writer.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you
have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some
semblance of common sense?

I prefer to write using a loose outline so I know where I’m going but still have room for changes if necessary.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

I can’t choose a favorite because each book has things I love about it and parts that gave me trouble.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters?
Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?

Some of my characters are similar to me and others are completely opposite. For me the characters have their own personalities. I don’t always agree with the things they say and do, but I need to be true to them.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

To me the perfect hero or heroine is imperfect. Someone with flaws and insecurities as well as admirable traits are the kind of characters I love.

12) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective
authors?

I would say just keep writing and never give up, but if the stories are inside you, you wont’ be able to stop telling them. If you want to write professionally, I think it’s important to decide where you want to go. Some people have their sights set on a major publisher while others are happier working with small press. Everyone has their own ideas about what success is, so be true to yourself and don’t get discouraged by those who have a different idea of what a “real” writer is.

JUST FOR FUN:

1) What is the sexiest or most erotic thing someone has said
to you?

In real life I haven’t known too many people with the gift of romantic gab. That’s part of the reason I write romantic fantasies!

2) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?

I think I’d like to be a gorilla. They’re powerful animals but also seem to share a lot of similarities to humans and they’re vegetarian too. LOL!

3) What would be a perfect date for you?

A perfect date for me would be going for a workout and maybe a hike then having dinner at home and whatever comes next. J

4) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?

I really love horror movies.

Excerpt from Mate Marks Cursed: Wild Woods
Author: Kate Hill
Genre: Erotica Paranormal

Available From: Changeling Press

Cover Art: Marteeka Karland

Blurb:

After a magical artist tattoos an intriguing demon on her skin, Madison meets a gorgeous stranger with an alarming reputation and a fiercely sexy winged creature with an attitude. She senses they are one and the same. Despite the danger surrounding them, she’s drawn to them by an inexplicable force.

Half-human and half-demon, Brody has spent his life fighting against his evil birthright. Despite the hatred of the townsfolk, he uses his supernatural powers to defend them from his foul bloodline.

Neither Madison nor Brody can fight their lust or deny their love, but hell is out to get him. When everyone close to him, especially his destined mate, is targeted by eight generations of Blazewood demons, the only way to fight evil is with evil.

Excerpt:

“Don’t you just want to eat her?” said a deep, sinister voice to Brody’s left.

Glancing from the corner of his eye, he saw another winged demon in the shape of a man, except covered in charcoal colored scales. Reddish eyes gleamed in his angular face, and his red lips curved into a leering grin. The demon flew naked, his powerful muscles rippling in the moonlight, his thick cock stiff, as if aroused by the wind, and his rat-like tail lashing.

“No,” Brody lied. He wanted to lick and taste every part of her. The feel of her firm yet rounded body and her delectable scent roused his lust more than anyone he’d ever met. Like most of his kind, Brody had a powerful sexual appetite, but this woman pushed his desire off the charts. The sensation was magical and almost irresistible.

“Come on, son, you said yourself she’s delicious. All it takes is the taste of one sweet soul, and you join the party.”

“I don’t have a taste for sweet souls.”

The demon chuckled. “The scent of your lust says otherwise. This human lights your fire--literally.”

“Get out of my sight.”

“If you’re not going to eat her in the traditional way, then at least eat her in the sexual way. You knocked her out. She won’t know any better.”

“I’ll know.”

“Sometimes I wonder if you’re my son at all or if a shadowing angel got to your mother before me.”

Brody glared at his father. His grip unconsciously tightened on Madison, and she moaned. He loosed his hold and momentarily closed his eyes, resting his cheek against the top of her head and enjoying the scent of her hair.

***
Be sure to stop by Kate Hill's website to find out more about her books!

Tigress by the Tail by Teresa D'Amario

PUBLISHER: Self-Published
AUTHOR: Teresa D'Amario
GENRE: Contemporary Paranormal Romance, Tiger Shifter, Wizards, Magic
OTHER: M/F
LENGTH: 149
HEAT: Boiling
RATING: 4 roses!
                                     REVIEWER: Willow
BLURB:

Lance is a Wizard. He’s not a great wizard, but he’s all right. Descended from a long line of wizards, his brothers taunt him for being slow to learn. And as the youngest, it’s his due course to accept such teasing. Life is good, and normal. For a wizard that is.

Cassie is a Shifter. A tigress to be exact. Raised by her father after her mother’s death she’s as well adjusted as any shifter can be, and still live in the human world, hiding who and what she is.

Bliss comes to a screeching halt the night Satanist kidnap Cassie and her best friend to use as sacrifices to bring forth their Dark Lord. When Cassie literally collides into Lance, she begs him to help them escape their captors, despite the dangers. The couple work together to save the life of Cassie’s friend, only to discover a shocking passion driving them closer together at a time when both should be devastated. But when Lance overhears Cassie’s father threaten his life, he heads for the hills. Cassie follows, determined to clear up the confusion. But evil is still afoot and Cassie is taken by a secret government organization dedicated to the eradication of all things magick. Is Lance willing to put his life on the line for a woman he believes is out to kill him? Especially when he realizes the organization that’s taken her, is the one he works for?

REVIEW:

Tiger shifter Cassie and her best friend—a jaguar shifter—Lin, have landed themselves in quite a pickle. Funny thing is; they have no idea how they got there.  But they’re not too concerned with the why’s or how’s, they just know they need to escape. On their way out, Cassie runs into (literally) a guy who’s obviously not a part of the cult that kidnapped them. There’s something about him she can’t explain; despite her own peril, she senses this man is important to her. But there’s no time to ask questions, the bad guys are coming and Cassie and Lin have to escape.

When Lance takes on the assignment to investigate a supposed Satanist cult, the last thing he expects to find is a full-blown ritual going on with the intended sacrifices running for their lives. Before he knows it, he’s caught up in the mayhem. Despite his limited magical powers, he can’t seem to remember any incantations to help himself or the two women. But then something happens he doesn’t anticipate. Seems there’s more than meets the eye to the two captives. He’s heard of shifters, he just never knew they really existed.

First off, I want to say that the cover for this book is really neat. It’s definitely an eye catcher. Tigress by the Tail started off with action and just kept on going. There were very few parts that lagged or didn’t play a crucial role in the final outcome. Ms. D'Amario does a fine job with plot and character development. There were a few things that caught my attention. Some minor editing—missing words, comma misusage—would have made the story a little tighter. I was also a little caught off guard by the point of view shifts. Most publishers don’t allow more than one or two shifts a chapter, and they are usually designated by some sort of symbol (***). This story has frequent point of view shifts that occur throughout. While it doesn’t detract from the story, it can make you a little confused until you figure out whose head your in. The ending felt a tad rushed. Once the main problem was solved, it seemed like the author tried to tie up some loose ends but did so a bit too quickly. There were a few things toward the end that just seemed odd or a little too unbelievable. But, this is a paranormal story and some allowances have to be made. Overall though, it was an enjoyable story that I enjoyed reading and I do look forward to reading more about those hunky Maxey brothers.

If you’re in to shifter stories and you like a little action with your love, then grab a copy of Teresa D'Amario's Tigress by the Tail, you won’t be disappointed. Just be forewarned, Cassie is one frisky feline who turns Lance’s world upside down, in more ways than one.

*Note to readers: This is a self-published book and is available through several outlets*
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
All Romance Ebooks
Place of Romance
Smashwords

Draconus by Grace Draven

PUBLISHER: Amber Quill Press
AUTHOR: Grace Draven
GENRE: Historical Paranormal Erotica, Dragon Shifter
OTHER: M/F
LENGTH: 72 pages
HEAT LEVEL: 911!
RATING: 5 roses!
REVIEWED BY: Willow




BLURB:
An earth dragon, long-lived and skilled in the ways of magic, Magnus Silverclaw has hunted relentlessly for his errant human lover. He is furious and bitter over what he considers Leida’s betrayal and seeks retribution by having her sentenced to four years of enforced servitude to him—in a position far below the one she once occupied as his mistress. He does not anticipate her horrified reaction to the punishment or the reason for it, and her revelation leaves him reeling with shock and jealousy.

 

After nearly four years of evading capture, Leida of the Glimmer South stands bound before a tribunal of dragon judges, accused of theft and the illicit use of dragon magic. Once the favorite of the dragon lord, Magnus Silverclaw, she faces punishment for a crime considered high treason among dragons. Leida is still deeply in love with Magnus but refuses to divulge her reasons for why she stole from him and left without warning four years earlier. Only the threat of enslavement makes her reveal a carefully guarded secret, one that can either reunite her with Magnus or tear her from him forever...

REVIEW: 

A rash decision made four years ago has finally caught up with Leida. Now it’s time to stand before the the dragon lords and plea her case. Not known for their mercy, particularly when it comes to theft, she doubts her punishment will be nothing short of death. Would her accuser, the man she still desperately love stand by and watch her die? Why wouldn’t he. After all, she used to be his favorite. Running away from him had been a big blow to his pride, but stealing one of his prized possessions undoubtedly sealed her fate.

Magnus loved Leida like no other. He’d spoiled her with jewels and clothes, everything a woman would want, or so he thought. For four years he’d searched in vain, determined to find her and make her explain why she ran away in the first place. Now that he finally had her within his grasp, he had to decide what to do with her. He knew the dragon judges would seek her death, but Magnus had other plans. Despite his anger at her betrayal, he still wanted her, far more than he’d ever wanted any woman, mortal or not.

Leida has another secret, one that will spark Magnus’ fury even more. She has no wish to die for her crimes, but desperation to live is due to her child. Can she convince Magnus to give her another chance? Or will he side with the dragon judges and order her execution?

I really enjoyed reading Draconus by Grace Draven. This was the first erotic dragon story I’ve ever read and most definitely won’t be my last. I’m curious to see what Ms. Graven has cooked up in her other dragon tales. The author’s use of grammar, punctuation, and point-of-view is impeccable. If there were editing errors, I didn’t pick up on them. The attraction between Leida and Magnus draws you in from the start. There’s never a dull moment. Ms. Draven has created memorable characters and an exciting plot that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. The sex is definitely hot and the passion between Leida and Magnus will make you want to rush off to find your significant other.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced story with memorable characters and an exciting plot, then grab a copy of Grace Draven’s Draconus. Just be forewarned, you might want to keep some ice water and a fan nearby, you’re gonna need them!

A Night to Remember by Bret Jordan

PUBLISHER: Purple Sword Publications
AUTHOR: Bret Jordan
GENRE: Contemporary Horror, Paranormal Erotica, Demon Possession
OTHER: M/F
LENGTH: 11 pages
HEAT LEVEL: Boiling
RATING: 4.5 roses!
REVIEWED BY: Willow

BLURB:

Frank awakens to an unexpected erotic surprise from his wife. Her new found zealous need for a little bondage has him caught off guard yet left him pleasantly stunned. But what's gotten into Melissa? Dare to unravel the mystery with him in this chilling short from dark fantasy and horror author Bret Jordan.

REVIEW:

Frank is awakened by an erotic surprise indeed. Seems his wife has decided try some new tricks. At first he’s a little taken aback by her almost feral hunger, but as her skillful mouth and hands—not to mention other parts of her body—work him over, he quickly lets his growing need silence the warning in his head that screams something’s not right here!

Melissa isn’t quite herself. A spectacle at church earlier that day has changed her life forever. I won’t say if that’s a good thing or not; you’ll have to read A Night to Remember and decide for yourself. I will say that Frank and Melissa’s marriage will have a new “twist”.

My first thought upon finishing the story was, “Wow, that totally creeped me out.” Bret Jordan has successfully written a story with a whole lot of meaning packed into a few pages. It’ll definitely leave you wondering what the future holds for Frank and Melissa, and what her final statement in the book means.

If you’re looking for a quick read that’ll get you turned on, get you thinking, then likely give you the heebie-jeebies, then grab your free copy of A Night to Remember. It’ll make you wonder…

Embraced by the Shadows by Mayra Calvani

PUBLISHER: Twilight Times Books
AUTHOR: Mayra Calvani
GENRE: Contemporary Paranormal Romance, Vampire
OTHER: M/F
LENGHT: 173 pages
HEAT LEVEL: Luke Warm
RATING: 3.5 roses!
REVIEWED BY: Willow


BLURB:
In a bazaar in Istanbul one evening, ten-year-old Alana Piovanetti glances into the shadows to find a man watching her. He smiles, and over time she convinces herself that it was just her imagination that placed sharp fangs amongst those flashing teeth.

Twelve years later, Alana is surprised when she is chosen to manage a new restaurant opening in her home city of San Juan. She has neither training nor experience to justify her success. But La Cueva del Vampiro has the kind of ambience she adores, for Alana has always had a penchant for horror and the dark side of life. Yet she is also plagued with dreams of dark sensuality, dreams that take on shattering reality when she meets the stunningly handsome, charismatic Sadash.

For Sadash is the man she saw in the shadows so many years before…and Sadash isn’t human…

REVIEW:
Alana always had a fascination for the bizarre, the morbid.  Her dreams were filled with images that would terrify any other child.  After losing her father and then her mother at a young age, she was raised by her uncle, a loving man who was otherwise ignorant of her strange curiosity with things like vampires and the undead.  In school, she mostly hung around her best friend, Valeria.  They were called the blonde and the brunette, and were an inseparable pair.  Other than a short reprieve for college, they remained close, even moved in together to start their careers.  While Valeria had focused her attentions in the field of law, Alana had acquired a degree in business marketing. 

Alana's first job offer was a management position at a new club that was solely dedicated to lovers of gothic gore.  Now, not only was she getting to dress up like her favorite fiction creature, she was getting a pretty hefty sum to do so.  But was it really fiction, or did things truly go bump in the night?  While Valeria seemed overly thrilled about Alana’s new job, Alana couldn’t help but wonder why she’d been chosen for the position when she had no experience.  Who was the secretive owner of the nightclub, and did they have some sort of connection?  While common sense told her that was impossible, her recent dreams suggested otherwise.

On one of her first nights at the club, Alana notices a strikingly handsome face staring at her from across the room—I say face because that’s all she sees of him.  In the next instant, he’s gone.  But his startling eyes were enough to leave a lasting impression.  It isn’t long before she sees him again, this time in full form.  Sadesh is his name, and Alana soon learns that he’s more than he appears.  

Embraced by the Shadows was an enjoyable read.  Mayra Calvani's presentation of vampires is with a slightly different approach.  These creatures, while beautiful and sensual beings, as are most vampires, are solely driven by their bloodlust.  I was a little disappointed that Alana and Sadesh didn’t make love—who doesn’t want to see the two main characters get together—but I understand that the author’s point was to go beyond the carnal needs of the flesh and develop an emotional bond that far transcends anything possible with mere mortals.  Sadesh reminds me of Anne Rice’s character, Louis, and Alana could be likened to the little girl he sires.  At first she doesn’t grasp the importance of adhering to the rules and regulations that come with being a creature of the night.  But through Sadesh’s careful patience and some hard lessons, she learns what it truly means to be a vampire.  If you’re interested in the vampire psyche, then this is the book for you.