Social Icons

Monday, October 29, 2012

Purple Blood by Ashley Nemer

Other races live around us, in the world we think we know hidden from mortal perspectives. These creatures of fable, myth and legend, their very nature and history allowed them since time immemorial to walk side by side humans. They’re hunters, warriors and Algula. Vampire. Within their own midst, there is a battle brewing for dominance, supremacy, that can and will affect everyone around them. Old hatred never dies and vengeance is a fiery sword that cuts a bloody swath.

 
I can not wait to read the next book! Ashley is an amazing storyteller and I got chills and kept wondering what was going to happen next. I honestly have yet to read another book where you mix, royalty, vampires and a war between those who think they should be on the throne and those who hold the power. Plus considering how us humans play into their plans….and I absolutely LOVE the romance that is tied to the story. Curious about what is going on, well then pick up this book and learn for yourself.






http://www.ashleynemer.com/


 

Thursday, October 25, 2012

The Witch's Dream Tour

                              


My Familiar Stranger (Order of the Black Swan Book One)
Review By Sara
May 23, 2012

"Let me just say I am (im)patiently awaiting the next installment. I loved this story. I loved how Ms. Danann didn't make this story into an instant love, it progressed over time. It was a wonderfully intriguing romance with it's own twist on the paranormal world and I loved every page."






 

The Witch's Dream (Order of the Black Swan Book Two)
Review By Sara
October 25 2012 

"The Witch's Dream was different than what I've read before in the sense that it started right where 'My Familiar Stranger' left off.  There wasn't any real big time lapse in the story, which in a way was great. We meet some new characters, see more of Ram and Elora and got to know the main characters better. The only thing that was off for me was the fact that I didn't feel that we got enough story about Storm and Litha, which I thought the book was about. But I'm going to assume that since this book picked up right where Book One left off, that in book 3 we will read more about their love story. All and all it was a great story and I can't wait til book three. Victoria definitely has a way to pull you in and make you feel like your part of the family"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Familiar Stranger Synopsis
A secret society, hot guys, and vampires come together for a once in a lifetime adventure and a once in a lifetime opportunity proving that true love can find you in the strangest places, even far, far from home.

The Witch's Dream Synopsis
From New York to Ireland to Edinburgh to Siena to the Texas Hill Country to Napa Valley, a secret society, a witch, a demon, a psychic, a berserker, an ex-vampire, modern day knights, heroes, werewolves, elves and fae come together where emotions intersect. The story maps a trail from rages to epiphanies, but, in the end, proves that true love can find you in the strangest places, when you're least expecting it, even when you're far, far from home.
 

The Summoner's Tale Book Three Release Date February 14, 2013 
A secret society, a witch, a psychic, vampires, modern day knights, heroes, elves, fae, assassins from another dimension, and fairytales come together where emotions intersect. Two souls, joined by a mystical bond, separated by distance, must simultaneously struggle through pain and darkness in an ultimate confrontation with character and an ultimate struggle for life proving that true love waits patiently through lifetimes and finds courage to survive. Even in the strangest places. Even when you're least expecting it. Even when you're far, far from home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Interview Time!!!Yay!!

1.When did you start writing and what was the first thing you wrote?
I was eight-years-old when I started writing "Bobbsey Twins" novels. I didn't write in adolescence because boys were more fun. In my mid twenties I wrote a PNR manuscript and showed it to my husband. After hearing what he had to say I literally didn't write again for decades. I didn't understand then that he is the polar opposite of my audience. That's the bad news. The good news is that I waited to publish until I actually had something to say.

2.Where do you get your ideas on what you write and what about that fascinated you?
No idea where ideas come from. I was an only child in an age before electronic entertainment so I used to spend time in the back seat making up little stories about perfect love. I guess those stories just became a little more earthy and sophisticated as I grew my understanding of how the sexes fit and misfit each other.
 
3.Have you ever been so engrossed in writing a book that you have gone out in public wearing your PJs?
No.

4.Can you tell us about any challenges you met getting your first book published?
I started down the traditional path. Then, when I realized that New York publishers are still moving as slowly as messaging by monk leading donkey village to village, I also realized I'm too old to wait that long. (Not to mention the fact that I'm not that patient to begin with.)
Enter electronic reading and Indie publishing. Ta-da! And it just so happens that I own a successful publishing company. Granted, it doesn't publish fiction, but it has taught me a lot of things about marketing and work-arounds. So I joined the ranks of Indies who are very close to snatching the scepter away from the big publishing houses. Yay us.

5.What has been the toughest criticism/best compliment given to you as an author?
I've been blessed with lots of great reviews. I wouldn't be surprised if my performance on Amazon didn't set a record for a first book of an unknown Indie author. Out of nearly 200 combined reviews, I think the best review I ever got was one word - and written by a guy of all things! It simply said, "Enthralled!" It was a close second to another that simply said, "Awesome."
On the other end, I'm going to cite my worst review here for the first time. I know I can't please everybody and I know I can be as sensitive as you would expect an author who writes about intense emotion to be. But even I had to laugh out loud at this one. The only thing that worries me is that "4" people found it "helpful". Good grief. Really? This same person would very likely tell you that somebody should have snatched Shakespeare's quill before he had a chance to get carried away.

2.0 out of 5 stars Very poor writing and character development, July 8, 2012
By Alexis D. (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

6. We all know that erotic romance is on the rise due to the explicit content, do you have any personal quirks that help you write the intimate scenes?
No, but I train for them by looking at a healthy dose of "man candy".
 
7. What’s your favorite love scene(s)
I can't reveal my favorite love scene without spoiling. Sorry.
 
8. Tea or Coffee
Tea totaller.

9.  Anything you wanna say to the readers?
Mark Coker of Smashwords says that these are the Gold Rush days of self or Indie publishing. I know there's A LOT out there. Thank you for giving my books a chance in the sea of possibilities.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About Victoria
For the past thirteen years, Victoria has illustrated and authored Seasons of the Witch calendars and planners.

Though works of fiction are a departure for her, she has had this series simmering on the back burner of her mind for years. She owns 7th House Publishing and has authored and illustrating Seasons of the Witch for the past thirteen years. She is a Classic Rock music utility player which means she plays keys, rhythm guitar and sings back up or leads. She also manages one of Houston's premier R&B/ Variety/ Pop bands. One of their songs is featured in the Book Trailer of Book One, My Familiar Stranger.

This series includes some of her actual experience in the paranormal with fictionalized anecdotes from her journals during the years when she was a practicing "metaphysician", but most of the material is fantasy - of course.

 

 
Visit Victoria on her website
http://www.VictoriaDanann.comBLOG 
Facebook
http://VictoriaDanann.meFACEBOOK 
www.facebook.com/vdanann
Twitter
@vdanann


GIVEAWAY!!!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e137543/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway





 
                                                   

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

HANDS ON ME TOUR



Hands On Me
Tramp Stamp Series Book One
Kim Carmichael

Genre:  Contemporary romance with some suspense elements


Book Description:

Agent Gwen Fredricks is a living target.  Captured after a failed mission, the code to crack a safe has literally been permanently hidden on her.  To free herself, she must retrieve a final key.  

All Agent Colin Alexander has to do to avoid a desk job is get a code said to be on an enemy agent.   He never dreamed it would actually be on the agent, especially Gwen.

The simple shoot-and-swoop mission takes a turn for these two sometime-lovers and full-time rivals when they call a truce to give into their desire.  Now with the promise to keep both hands on each other at all times, they share a night together.  Loyalties are tested when Gwen manages to swipe the key away, and Colin discovers the code carefully embedded into Gwen's tramp stamp tattoo in a glow of UV light.  When morning comes they must decide if what they feel for each other is worth betraying their agencies.


About the Author: 


Kim Carmichael began writing eight years ago when her love of happy endings inspired her to create her own.  She has a weakness for bad boys and techno geeks, and married her own computer whiz after he proved he could keep all her gadgets running.  When not writing, she can usually be found slathered in sunscreen trolling Los Angeles and helping top doctors build their practices.


EXCERPT:

"Stop!" A man yelled.
The barrel of another gun met her inches from her face. She tensed, not from the gun, but from the familiar inflection in his voice. The position of both their weapons hid the man's face.
"Get in and lower your gun, or we'll both lose."                    
"Back up and lower yours, or you won't have a hand left." No one told her what to do, not ever again. The click of her cocking her weapon echoed around them.
He stepped back. "Get in and close the door."
With her gun still raised, she stepped and waited for her opponent to flinch first.
"Now." He moved a fraction of an inch.
She did the same, and with the silent acknowledgement they would both comply, they lowered their guns in unison. She almost shot herself in the foot at the sight of the man who greeted her. Before she made a mistake, she de-cocked her gun and shook her head. "Colin?" Her body betrayed her by trembling. Was this her punishment?
"Gwen." He shoved the gun in his waistband. "You're the one. I would have never guessed."
Think. She screamed at herself to remember her training, and not allow him to best her or distract her. She glanced around the room, giving her time to not look at him. Agents were supposed to be everyday people and blend in, but Colin Alexander stood out. From the moment she quite literally fell into his lap through a two-story ceiling three years ago, she wasn't sure why his agency chose such a standout. She supposed his combed-back black hair and golden eyes were some bizarre form of female torture.

GIVEAWAY:


http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112f132/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway


Monday, October 22, 2012

The Driver's Seat by Casea Major

Belenda “Len” McCreevy, a Seattle Attorney has had one miserable week, now that her car battery has died in an ice storm in the Wyoming backwoods, of course it can only get worse. Len is resort-bound and is rescued by the local mechanic Jack with a full truck load of dominate appeal and a Matthew McConaughey smile that’s got her hormones going haywire. Soon it becomes clear he wants to service more than just her car, while he might be amazing with his hands, Len is determined to keep control and be on her way.

Against all of his better judgment, Jack agreed to let the stubborn women drive off in the middle of the storm and had the understanding that if he’d have to free her from a ditch, he would also spank her ass.

Careening off the road, more than just Len’s car crashes at rock bottom. She has to swallow her pride and call the only man who could help.

Now the two of them are stuck in the storm, the come to realization they have more in common then lust. But Jack has a secret, will it destroy their growing love and take him out of the driver’s seat?

 
Who wouldn’t want a mountain man come to your rescue and then give you the most amazing sex during a snow storm? Though this book was a little shorter than what I am use to reading I could not put it down and would recommend it to all a of my friends.

http://caseamajor.wordpress.com/



 

 

 

Sunday, October 21, 2012

The Moonstone & Miss Jones Tour




                     The Moonstone and Miss Jones
                     Book Two in the Phaeton Black, 
                     Paranormal Investigator Series
                     By Jillian Stone

Genre: Paranormal romance with steampunk and erotic elements


The Moonstone and Miss Jones is the dark and sexy sequel to The Seduction of Phaeton Black. Phaeton returns to England in time to help Doctor Exeter and the mysterious deadly Nightshades rescue London once again––this time from Professor Lovecraft's destructive tinkering. 

As the threads of existence begin to unravel, the eccentric scientist attempts to save his son’s deteriorating condition by replacing body parts with mechanical apparatus. Ah, but how to power them? The near mad professor believes he has found a way to unleash the arcane energy inside the Moonstone and he needs Phaeton Black to help him do it.

When Phaeton is shanghaied in Shanghai, America Jones assumes the worst––that he has abandoned her in the Orient. An angry Miss Jones returns to London, where their spirited partnership takes an unexpected turn––a new business venture MOONSTONE INVESTIGATIONS. No uncommon psychical disturbance refused.

Well, why not mix business with pleasure?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mixing business with pleasure is what BBL does best, or at least we like to think so. Which is why it is our pleasure to bring you, our loyal readers, the exclusive interview with Miss Stone. 


1. When did you start writing and what was the first thing you wrote? I started writing a historical fantasy romance set in medieval France fifteen years ago. In fact, I carried it around uploading the word file from computer to computer, and over the years, never deleted it! I shelved it for the last time after I had written 180,000 words--at least two volumes worth!

2. Where do you get your ideas on what you write? As a writer I’m always thinking of new story ideas, in fact, they flow through my brain with some regularity. Some of them I toy with for hours, days or weeks. The better ones I begin to write notes on, see where the storyline goes and if the characters are intriguing/compelling enough. Writing a book is a hard, long process––I have to really like the characters and the story!

3. What are some hobbies or things you are into that you do when not writing? I love the outdoors: horseback riding, skiing, snorkeling/swimming. These past two years I’ve been locked in my writer’s cave writing to two contracts, but I plan to take it a bit easier 2013, hopefully.

4. Have you ever been so engrossed in writing a book that you have gone out in public in your pajamas or slippers without realizing it? Well, not to Target or anything, but I have definitely spent whole days writing in my pajamas. One of the great perks of working at home!

5. Can you tell us about any challenges you met getting your first book published? The first book I actually completed, was a Late Victorian historical romantic suspense called The Yard Man. The hero is a detective for a special branch of Scotland Yard. When I began to market to editors and agents I also entered quite a few RWA chapter contests. If your entry (about the first 30 pages) finals in those contests, your manuscript is sent to editors and agents for judging. If they happen to really like your entry, they ask for the complete manuscript. The manuscript began to final in several contests and so on the strength of those wins I entered the 2010 Golden Heart and was shocked when the manuscript finaled! In the eight months or so I spent marketing The Yard Man, I completed a second historical, with steampunk, paranormal and erotic elements called The Seduction of Phaeton Black which I began to contest. I entered the Romance Through the Ages RWA contest and finaled. The manuscript went to Audrey LaFehr at Kensington Brava who requested a full manuscript.
 To make a long, fairy tale story short, I received an offer from Kensington for The Seduction of Phaeton Black. I received the call from Audrey the Dallas airport, on a layover waiting to go to Orlando for the RWA Nationals/Golden Heart The Yard Man went on to win the Romantic Suspense category of the Golden Heart. I also met my agent, Richard Curtis, at the conference. Once the sparkly magic dust settled, Richard took over the marketing of both manuscripts and within about a month or so, I had signed two contracts, one from Pocket Books, for The Gentlemen of Scotland Yard series (title of GH winner was changed to An Affair with Mr. Kennedy) and the other was from Kensington Brava for Phaeton Black, Paranormal Investigator series. 


6. What has been the toughest criticism/best compliment given to you as an author? Any criticism is hard to listen to, especially if it is delivered in a snarky review. On the other hand, a review that praises my writing can really lift my day. Lol! I try not to let any of it get into my head too much. The negative stuff can be toxic to a writer, but I think it is just as dangerous to believe the praise. My advice is to keep your head screwed on right and keep writing!
 


7. Who is your favorite immortal? M-mmm, I tend to enjoy the darker, more complex souls. There are several vampires that come to mind, as well as super heroes. The main protagonist in The Moonstone And Miss Jones, Phaeton Black, is named after the Greek demigod, son of Helios. As the myth goes, Phaeton begged his father to let him drive the sun-chariot. He quickly lost control, drove too close to earth and scorched the plains of northern Africa creating a massive desert! Needless to say Zeus was appalled and Phaeton paid the price. After his death, he was transformed into the god of the star which the Greeks called Phaethon, which turns out to be the planet Jupiter or Saturn. The name Phaeton means "the shining" or "radiant one." 



8. Light or dark chocolate? Definitely dark.


9. Favorite color? Asking me to pick a favorite color is like asking me to pick a favorite novel or piece of music. I can’t do it! I will say that I am currently partial to a very pale, ice blue color.


10. Tea or coffee? Both. Green tea and very dark roast coffee.


11. What is your current project and when is your next release? My next releases: November 6: A Lesson in Chemistry with Inspector Bruce, Pocket Star eNovella, and November 27: A Private Duel with Agent Gunn, Pocket Books. I am currently writing book #3 in the Phaeton Black, Paranormal Investigator series, The Miss Education of Doctor Exeter.


12. Do you have any message to the readers?
Yes! I do hope you give the Phaeton Black or The Gentlemen of Scotland Yard books a try, and good luck in the contest!  And thanks to Bitten by Love for the interview!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Short Excerpt: 

A lone gaslight sputtered above the stair landing. America steadied herself and waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness below. The hansom ride from the Docklands to the West End had been one of the most harrowing in her life––with the possible exception of a rickshaw pulled by Zulu in Durban, South Africa.
She squinted and a few details emerged from the flat below, including a shadowy figure in the overstuffed chair. A soft snore rumbled its way up the stair––it was Phaeton, all right. She ventured further into the room for a better look.
 He lounged in the chair with his pelvis forward, legs spread. America angled her head, studying him. There was a rough of whiskers on his chin; could he look anymore dashing? She exhaled a sigh. Only if he opened those liquid brown eyes.
“A little lower, darling.” He mumbled, still asleep. It suddenly hit her. He was safe. He was healthy. The bilge rat.
“Darling, is it?” she whispered. Her gaze trailed down his open waistcoat to the buttons on his trousers. As if in answer to her own lascivious thoughts the buttons began to open.
She grinned at first––was this some new kind of power emerging? Something ancient and primal fueled by lust? She had noticed a marked increase in her abilities these last few months, there was no question they were getting stronger. She reached out and her hand was slapped away––by what she had no idea. She tried again and was flung across the flat onto the lumpy old chaise longue.
America sat up and stared. Something tugged at Phaeton’s trousers––something powerful enough to manipulate the physical world and yet remain unseen. Rising to her feet, she strode across the floor and slapped Phaeton hard across the face.
He groaned, still in a deep trace. “Just the tip, Georgiana.”
She slapped him again. “Snap out of it!”
Jarred awake, Phaeton pushed away from her and blinked––several times. She slapped him again. This time he rubbed his jaw and his eyes watered. “America?” Gradually, between squints and blinks, he came around.
Her fists landed on her hips. “Who is Georgiana?”
Phaeton eased back into his chair, though he regarded her with some wariness. “A rather persistent succubus. And you certainly aren’t one of those––thank God.” If it was possible for a  man to have sultry eyes, Phaeton had them. He tilted his chin and studied at her. “Though, I must admit the nasty little vixen has me in some discomfort––would you mind?” He gave a nod to the bulge in his trousers.
“Stuff it, Phaeton.”
“Exactly.” A slow grin twitched on the devilish mouth. “I’m just asking.”
“Goodness––separated for less than two months and I had already quite forgotten how exasperating you can be.”
“You followed me––rather sweet of you. I wasn’t sure you would. I thought you would think I jumped ship and sailed off––abandoned you.”
America’s eyes narrowed into cat slits. “According to your wire, which I received just yesterday, you were shanghaied––in Shanghai.”
Phaeton shrugged. “Old joke, not particularly amusing anymore.”
She stared at him. “You must trust me when I say, it was never comical––in the  least.” America shook her head and moved to the pantry area of the flat. She braced herself against the table edge. “I chased you halfway round the world, Phaeton. I want the truth this time, and not a crafty as you please answer.” She swept an errant curl back into her top knot. “I believe I’ve known eels less slippery.”
Phaeton wore that cajoling half smile. “You’re angry with me.”
“Mad at you? No Phaeton, I’m not angry with you. I’m...I’m furious.” America choked on her own words, or was it the painful and growing lump in her throat that stifled her breath? “I searched for you for in every opium den and every back alley of Shanghai. Only after a great deal of money changed hands was I able to find out you’d cut and run––aboard the Boomerang. Do you have any idea how I worried?”
“I’ve caused you great torment, but I swear to you none of it was my doing. Yes, I was on that ship––in leg irons for more than half the voyage. I was cracked over the head in Blood alley, stuffed in a sack and taken aboard ship. “Phaeton rolled his eyes a bit. “Turns out the captain was a regular chap, with a good supply of whiskey––nightly card play.” 
America shook her head. “How lovely for you. I don’t suppose there was any chance to escape––or any way to get word to me?”
“But I did get word to you, love––darling––” Phaeton appeared rather stricken.
The tears that had welled up, were streaming now. “And while we were separated did you…think of me?”
Phaeton rose from the chair. “Every minute.” He strode toward her slowly. “Of every hour.” He caught her up in his arms. “Of every bleeding day.” His gaze fell to her mouth, and her lips parted. Good God, what a hussy––she was sending him an invitation.
“Have I ever told you I love you––outside of the throes of passion?”
America shook her head.
“I love you.”
America pressed her hands to his chest. “Too late, we’re in the throes of passion.”



Author Bio:

In 2010, Jillian won the RWA Golden Heart for An Affair with Mr. Kennedy and went from no agent or publisher to signing with Richard Curtis and being offered a three book contract by Pocket Books. That summer, she also won the erotica category of the 2010 Romance Through the Ages contest for The Seduction of Phaeton Black and was offered a three book contract by Kensington Brava. Needless to say, she has been busy writing books this past year and a half! Jillian lives in Southern California and is currently working on the third book in the Phaeton Black, Paranormal Investigator series, The Miss Education of Dr. Exeter.

Author web links: (web, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads, etc) 




Twitter: @gJillianStone


GIVEAWAY:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112f123/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway


Friday, October 19, 2012

A Trace Of Moonlight By Allison Pang Contest

 Review for this  book to come soon, so stayed tuned! 

Contest time!! Read below for A Trace of Moonlight synopsis and a little about Allison Pang....don't forget to enter the contest at the bottom of the post....Good Luck! 


A Trace of Moonlight
Book Three
Abby Sinclair series



Drinking from the waters of lethe and offering herself up as Faerie’s sacrificial Tithe …these just might be the least of Abby Sinclair’s problems.


Abby’s pact with a demon—whether or not she remembers making it—is binding, so she’d better count herself lucky that (in the words of a daemon who knows better) there’s nearly always a loophole. But her friends’ reckless attempts to free her, well intentioned though they may be, set off a disastrous chain of events. In no time at all, Abby turns her incubus lover mortal and gets herself killed, cursed, and married to an elven prince whose mother wants her dead. She might have even been able to recover from all that had she not lost the Key to the CrossRoads to her mortal enemy, who promptly uses his restored power to wreak havoc on the OtherWorld and put its very existence in jeopardy.
Only one person can make things right again, but to find her, Abby must place her trust in allies of mixed loyalties, and conquer her nightmares once and for all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author Bio:

A marine biologist in a former life, Allison Pang turned to a life of crime to finance her wild spending habits and need to collect Faberge eggs. A cat thief of notable repute, she spends her days sleeping and nights scaling walls and wooing dancing boys….Well, at least the marine biology part is true. But she was taloned by a hawk once.  She also loves Hello Kitty, sparkly shoes, and gorgeous violinists.

She spends her days in Northern Virginia working as a cube grunt and her nights waiting on her kids and cats, punctuated by the occasional husbandly serenade. Sometimes she even manages to write. Mostly she just makes it up as she goes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Visit Allison Pang here.....







  a Rafflecopter giveaway

F.J Wilson Interview

We are so lucky this month to be a part of the Betwitching Book Tours, and with that we get to promote, review and interview some amazing and talented authors...Today we are ecstatic about interviewing the one and only F.J Wilson. Happy Reading!

In 1795 New Orleans, the Spanish controlled city struggles to rebuild after two devastating fires, and a young teenage girl is just as determined to leave her past behind and start anew. Celestine, the daughter of a Mississippi River prostitute spends most of her time hating herself, her life and the dirty men who rut with her mama.


When she turns thirteen and her mama informs her she’ll be servicing the very men she hates and fears, she has no other option but to run to the good nuns of the Ursulines Convent where for the first time she encounters kindness and a different kind of life.


After meeting the dashing ship captain Maurice Dubois, a man with his own past demons to reckon with, Celestine allows herself to be truly loved for the first time.


But when a shocking turn of events leaves her once again with nothing more than her own wits to survive, Celestine begins to realize the power her intoxicating beauty gives her over men including the debonair and infamous pirate Jean Lafitte.


It’s this very power that Celestine learns to capitalize on to begin a new career...not as the common riverfront lady of the night her mother had been...but as the most sought after courtesan in all of New Orleans.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About the Author:
F. J. Wilson was raised on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi in the fishing village and artist community of Ocean Springs, ninety miles east New Orleans; the city far from her reach but close to her heart. Much of her time growing up was spent reading under her grandmother’s big camellia bushes hiding from housework and the inevitable call to come inside and help start ‘supper’. In a time when young girls dreamed of big weddings and picket fences, she dreamed of the dangerous but darkly handsome Heathcliff and the English moors of days long gone. With Hemingway’s Paris, Scott Fitzgerald’s language and Margaret Mitchell’s South keeping her company, why would she ever want to clean her room?
Raised with small town values but dreams of a bigger life, she was more than ready to leave home in 1965 and began her education in the Theatre Department of the University of Southern Mississippi. From there she finally reached New Orleans and began a film career that sent her to New York, where she co-wrote an episode of the Emmy award winning Kate & Allie. Eventually her work in TV and film would take her to Los Angeles and all over the United States, Canada and New Zealand.
Her passion for the South and New Orleans brought her back to Mississippi in 2000. In 2007, her love for writing and her love of films collided, and she wrote humorous articles for the Arts and Entertainment Section of the Hattiesburg American newspaper. She’s been writing short stories and novels about Southerners since her retirement in 2008.
F. J. Wilson has one son, Jason, who lives in Monroe, CT and she now lives in Hattiesburg with her two Springer Hound Spaniels and is at the time married to her computer and her love of writing.
You may email her at fjwilson@chancespress.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 1.When did you start writing and what was the first thing you wrote?
In 2004 I was house sitting a 200yr old mansion on Louisiana Ave. in New Orleans. It was April a particularly beautiful month in the south and I felt an unbridled urge to sit down and write.  I set up my laptop on an antique mahogany table in the second parlor and began to write about southern characters; amalgams of people I’d known throughout my life.  For the first time, I enjoyed the process and the outcome.  Once I learned that it was the mansion where Tennessee Williams lived, recuperating from a long illness in 1957, and wrote, “Suddenly Last Summer” , I knew I’d somehow tapped into a great energy still floating around the big rooms.  I wrote several short stories that spring and then went into a three year writer’s block after leaving the house.  I don’t profess to be writing as Mr. Williams, but he sure did leave some interesting thoughts floating around that big parlor.

2.Where do you get your ideas on what you write?
My ideas live in my head.  Characters wonder around up there like lively people at a large social event.  Some I want to know about, some I find boring, but mostly I want to know who they are and their story.  Celestine was one of those characters.  To me, an idea can come from a person’s conversation or seeing a documentary about the old Quadroon Balls of New Orleans.  The pirate Jean Lafitte.  What made him so interesting that I wanted to know about him two hundred years after his death?  What happens to children who are abused and grow up to carry that abuse into their daily lives, trying to be normal?  I met a couple who’d been happily married for 52yrs.  They’d been boyfriend and girlfriend since kindergarten, through schools and into their marriage.  Neither had ever dated another person.  I find that a story in itself.  What the heck makes that work?  Freaky…

3.What are some hobbies or things you are into that you do when not writing?
I make Jewelry.  I take vintage pieces and re-invent and make them into modern lovelies.  I hate the thought that old costume jewelry has lost its purpose, so I give it a new one and a new life.

4.Have you ever been so engrossed in writing a book that you have gone out in public in your pajamas or slippers without realizing it?  
I’ve been known to be standing in line at the grocery store with my much needed coffee cream and realized I wasn’t wearing a bra.  Thankfully it was the infamous  Wal-mart and I was better dressed than most.

5.Can you tell us about any challenges you met getting your first book published?
I was very fortunate.  I sent out less than 20 query letters and packets and Chances Press was the first to offer publication.  Two others offered to publish Celestine, but they wanted money up front and I had to buy many books from them once it was published and do all the marketing.  I’m a writer, not a marketing genius.  Chances has been wonderful and all I’ve had to do is book signings and light marketing deals like taking this interview which I love because I get to talk about myself.


6.What has been the toughest criticism/best compliment given to you as an author?
Toughest criticism was a woman giving a horrible critique on Amazon.  She was upset because my book doesn’t follow the usual formula of the Romance Novel.  She felt Celestine was too free with her love and there was too much sex.  Well, it is about a courtesan who teaches young men how to be good lovers, Its hard to do that with no lovers and no sex.  LOL
My best compliment was from my niece who is an avid Romance reader and she loves all of my books, and my older brother, a Viet Nam Vet, Naval pilot who doesn’t read love stories, he loved it.  He was a tough critic because he usually only reads  the classics , Hemingway, James Lee Burke and war stories.  I walked on air for two days after his phone call.  Believe me, he is my OLDER brother he would’ve told me real quick if it wasn’t good.

7. What is your favorite genre to read?
I love short stories.  I love Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Guy de Maupassent, can’t remember how to spell him, but I love to read him.  I haven’t read anything this year, I’ve been writing and I don’t want to confuse my voice with another author’s.

8. Do you like to snack on things while writing?
Oh, just the whole kitchen.  You should see me when I ‘m writing a sexy scene, oh my goodness, I eat and type, eat and type.  Did I tell you I live alone with my two dogs?  Get myself all excited and go to bed with a cookie and a glass of milk.  Oh who am I kidding?  Make that a bag of cookies and a glass of milk.

9. Favorite color:
Indigo

10.Tea or coffee   
Dark strong Coffee with chicory; sweetener, good cream and a bit of allspice sometimes.


11. What is your current project and when is your next release?  
I am working to build a short story I wrote in 2004 into a novel.  The name is “Hawthorne” and it is a coming of age story of a little boy who has the perfect life and his little girlfriend who’s been abused and neglected.  Hawthorne is a very sensitive little boy who has to kill to save Becky’s life and then they go on to a life together working through her demons of the past and etc etc… the short story is on my blog.  www.Bertijud.blogspot.com  My next release depends on Chances press and how well Celestine does.  But it is the second in the series of the making of an American family from 1795 to 2012, named “The Hornet Slayer”  then “A very Ordinary Family of Misfits” then “Don’t Kill the Moon”.  This is a four book series on how blood lines, races and nationalities blended over two hundred years to create a modern American family we would know today.

12. Do you have any message to the readers?
If you love to read, please bond with my characters.  They are created and in my mind live to please and entertain. If you want to write, don’t talk yourself out of it.  Write it down.  If you hate what you write, go back and edit the hell out of it.  My friend said to me, “You can’t edit a blank page.”  I love reader; they make the most interesting people because they know something about everything and can usually talk on any subject, if they’re read about it.  I love that the web lets us communicate with people who read our work.



Thank you F.J Wilson for letting us interview you! 

 
Find F.J at 

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/fjwilson