Guest Blog with Victoria Chatham

When Did You Begin Your Writing Career?

Pretty well from when I could first hold a crayon. However, my work was not appreciated or encouraged, so I told stories to whomever would listen. I tried writing again as a teenager, this time a series about Virginia, Girl of the Golden West. My parents read my stories and nearly choked on their laughter, which was hardly encouraging. I concentrated on being a teenager (long live rock ‘n roll), then became a wife and mother. A divorce and single parenting meant hardly any time for writing which was sidelined until I married my Canadian husband (now deceased) who all but forced me to write. After an article in the local newspaper about a writing competition, he phoned all our friends to tell them I was entering it. How could I not?  Much to my surprise I was selected to be a finalist. We had 24 hours in which to write a short story, maximum 7000 words, and I was thrilled to be in the final line up. The judges all said my short story was a novel, so I joined a writing group and developed it.

Are You An Advocate Of Writing Groups?

Without a doubt.  Family and friends just don’t get it. From the groups I belong to I’ve learnt so much and have a wonderful support system within them. As a member of my local chapter of Romance Writers of America (CaRWA) I continue to learn and appreciate my fellow writers. There is nothing better than getting together after a workshop or monthly meeting to just chat – and nobody rolls their eyes when you say you are having problems with your hero or heroine.

What Advice Would You Give New Writers?

Write, write and write more. Don’t worry about grammar and spelling and all that stuff, you can always go back and edit. Join a good writing group and choose a critique partner or beta reader carefully. Good friends or Aunty Jean who loves to read are not necessarily going to be helpful. They may simply love your writing because it’s you, or take it upon themselves to rip your story to pieces and in so doing crush your confidence. Neither is good. Go to workshops and take classes, read craft books and read as many books as you can.

What Did You Enjoy Most About Writing Always A Lady?

Being part of the Bandit Creek Books collective. We’re a group of 32 Alberta authors who have self published our books and you can check us out at www.banditcreekbooks.com.  The whole idea grew out of an afternoon discussion on self publishing, as a few in the group had already gone that route. It was the most amazing experience as once the initial idea had been thrown out by Tawny Stokes (who writes as Vivi Anna), it expanded exponentially until, by the end of the afternoon, we were so enthused we couldn’t wait to get home and start writing our stories.

With such a diverse group we cover all genres from historical to contemporary, paranormal, horror, thriller, mystery and erotica. We also have one children’s author in the group. We created the town of Bandit Creek, named all the streets, planned what buildings went where and developed characters, some of whom overlap from one story to another. There was only one proviso – the character known as JD had to be in each story. Jack is a real mystery. He may be the town drunk, a ghost, a shaman, a figment of your imagination, but he has to be there and he always has a bottle of Jack Daniels whisky with him.

How Did You Decide In Which Era To Set Your Story?

I enjoy historicals and the story almost set itself in 1907. My first influence was the costumes in the BBC TV series Upstairs, Downstairs.  I always thought they looked so elegant and wanted to dress my heroine accordingly. Plus it has always intrigued me how people travelled and to where they travelled in a time when there was no internet and cheap deals. Just imagine travelling by carriage to a train station, then on to a port and embarking on a voyage that may take weeks. And with all that luggage!

What Was The Hardest Part Of Your Story To Write?

My hero, Randolph’s part, because of the timeline. He’s missing by the time his wife, Serena, arrives in Bandit Creek. If I had started with him to keep the timeline on track it would have made it his story, and it was definitely Serena’s story. So that part was a bit tricky.

Are There Any More Books In The Works?

There is a second Serena and Randolph story in progress which will be released in September 2012. The third and last will be set in 1917 during World War 1 and will be released in March 2013.  I’m also revising my full length Regency romance and have started on a second. Details will be posted on www.facebook.com/Victoria-Chatham and http://victoriachathamauthor.wordpress.com. You can also follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com@VChathamAuthor.  

Would You Recommend Self Publishing For Everyone?

Not necessarily. It was my personal choice to self publish, but I’m still pursuing traditional publishing with my Regency romance. I think right now is an awesome time to be a writer as you have so many options, but it is really up to the individual to choose the right path for them.

Quick Facts About You

Favourite Season? Fall.

Dogs or cats? Dogs.

Red or White Wine? Red.

Movies or Theatre? Both.

Chocolate or Hard Candy? Oh, chocolate every time.

Thailand or Bali? Bali.

ALWAYS A LADY

By Victoria Chatham

Lady Serena Buxton follows her husband from England to Bandit Creek, Montana. Randolph is a partner in the Ellis gold mine, but when she arrives, she is horrified to find that Randolph is missing.

Sheriff Wilson seems to be keeping a watchful eye on her. Why? Douglas King, the mine manager, treats her as if she is already a widow. What does he know? The bank manager refuses her request for access to Randolph’s account. With no husband and no money, what is a girl to do?

Serena has an unsuspected and quite shocking talent. She can belly dance. With the help of two enterprising local ladies, Serena prepares for a public performance. But when the news leaks out, she finds the only venue she can secure is in the Men’s Club owned by King. Like it or not, she has no option but to ask him regardless of what terms he may insist on. Billed as Ayesha, Oriental Dancer Extraordinaire, she prepares for her show which she hopes will make enough money for her to stay in Bandit Creek until Randolph is found.

The whole town, as well as a train full of people from nearby Missoula, turns out for her performance. The Club is packed. But who is in the crowd, watching? Will King insist on exacting his fees? And will Serena be reunited with the husband she loves?

About the Author:

Victoria Chatham is a writer of Regency romance and credits her late husband for giving her a well needed push – make that kick-in-the-pants – to take her writing seriously.

It was his opinion she should write a historical novel but, having disliked history at school because she couldn’t remember dates, was an idea she firmly resisted. Her first completed novel was a contemporary romantic suspense, but she never quite felt comfortable with the book. But then a glimmer of an idea grew into a Regency romance, a genre she always felt comfortable with. Her favourite books are those of that doyen of the Regency era, Georgette Heyer, and more recently Mary Balogh, Sabrina Jeffries, Stephanie Laurens and others.

Victoria was born in Bristol, England and grew up in an area well known for its Regency style architecture. She frequently visited both Cheltenham and Bath, the latter famous for its water. She and her cousins, under the eagle eye of their grandmother, learned what many a young Regency lady may have learned. Manners, deportment, elocution and what knife and fork should be used for which course at dinner and which wine is served in which glass – and why. A writer is encouraged to ‘write what you know’ so many of these early lessons have proved extremely useful in adding small details to her writing.

Already at work on her second Regency novel, Victoria has also written a historical novella for the Bandit Creek book series, and a short story for the April Fool’s Bandit Creek Anthology, Fool’s Gold to be released on – when else – April 1st, 2012.

Apart from her writing, Victoria is an avid reader. Her love of horses gets her away from her computer to volunteer at Spruce Meadows equestrian centre and Dare2Dream, a horse-rescue ranch. Her constant buddy is her dog, Jay, who allows her to take him for a walk every day. As Jay is now 105 years old in people years, she firmly believes she is the only seeing eye person in existence.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Victoria-Chatham?120985624667624

Twitter: www.twitter.com/VChathamAuthor

Garden Updates

I'm slowing getting my gardens in order this year

I'm not planting as much as I usually do partially because I'm too busy and partially because the wacky spring weather in Michigan made it impossible for me to start a lot of plants outdoors early. I usually start seeds in egg cartons and put plastic over them to keep them safe during the cooler nights but plastic couldn't save them from freezing and I had no place to start them inside.

I started some seeds but I did them so late in May I'm not sure if they'll do much.

Mid to late May and we were still frosting at night. Many farmers with fruit trees lost everything in Michigan, a lot of orchards are hurting. I know one of my Japanese Maple trees died and my Crab Apple looks sad, I don;t think it ever flowered which means no fruit this year.

My flower bed finally was weeded and mulched so it looks pretty, right now my lilies are blooming which adds color. I need to take a few pictures of those.

I also need to add annuals for color to create visual variety. I purchased marigolds and petunias, now just to find the time to get them in the ground.

This is my seeds in egg cartons, I've since added a lot to my big garden even if the plants were still teeny tiny. Hopefully being in the good compost soil will encourage faster growth.

Character Interview from Blood and Whiskey

Character Interview from the pages of Blood and Whiskey

Blood and Whiskey opens with Rose Bauer, a young runaway living on the streets of Portland, Oregon, making a terrified phone call to her Uncle Lenny in LonePine, Wyoming, begging him to come get her. Then she disappears. Lenny is a true-blue survivalist with shadowy former ties to the military. He’s an eccentric, brilliant weapon’s expert, a conspiracy theorist and Tucker’s best friend.

The search for Rose leads Tucker and Lenny on a wild journey across the west and when they discover who is behind her kidnapping, their worst fears are realized.

We have an interview with Rose from The LonePine Gazetteer:

Why did you run away?

Have you ever looked at LonePine? I mean, it’s beautiful and all, the mountains, the rivers, but it’s boring. There’s nothing here for me to do, no job. At least nothing fun. Clerk at the Gas n’ Get. Bartender to a bunch of drunk cowboys. Maybe a schoolteacher, but only after Mrs. Sopolksy dies and that’ll be awhile. So I ran. I bolted. And I didn’t think too hard about where I would land. That was a mistake. L.A. is a mean city. I did some bad things there. Portland was a little nicer, but only until the other cowboy assholes showed up.

What happened to you after you were kidnapped?

I was a blood-making machine.  I couldn’t fucking believe it, but most of the time, I was all drugged up with that crap that killed Michael Jackson, Propo-something, so the whole thing is kind of hazy. The only good thing about it is that I got clean. Kicked the heroin totally and never going back. Never. Being almost killed by vampires is a great rehab technique.

When you say “vampires,” you’re speaking metaphorically?

I don’t expect you to believe me. I don’t care what you think. I’ve seen things. My Uncle Lenny always believed in all kinds of crazy shit and people think he’s a little off. After what happened to me, living in the fallout shelter with him and Aunt June while he goes off on black helicopters and the need for genuine anarchy, sounds pretty good.

So, are you saying you had some sort of near death experience?  

Yeah, something like that. Made me reconsider a few things too, like how much hurt I left behind me by running away.

What’s your opinion of Tucker?

Well, he’s pretty cute, in an old dude sort of way. And funny. A real cowboy. Mostly, he’s kind, and dependable. I hope I can meet someone like him someday. It’s nice that Lizzie has come into his life; he’s happy again. She’s got her own stuff they have to work through, the whole vampire thing. Vampire, New Yorker; whatever she’s like family now.

Are you high right now?

Ha ha. No, but it probably sounds like it. I could use a smoke though. 

What’s your favorite book?

Any comic book with the Green Lantern. He’s the fucking bomb. And Nancy Drew. Seriously, what? I read them all when I was little.  

And your favorite band?  

Wilco. No, wait, The Dresden Dolls. They will change your life.

Have you ever been in love?  

Yes. Next question.

What will you do now that you are back home?  

Hide? Try to not to die of boredom. I guess I’ll stay for awhile in LonePine. Not sure city life suits me after all. Maybe I’ll run for Sheriff. How hilarious would that be?

Aren’t you a little young for that?

(laughing) I’m old enough, I checked. And Uncle Lenny said he would be my special deputy, teach me about improvised weapons, like porcupines. I think the town could use someone who knows about the undead now the United Nations of Vampires are here. Someone’s got to keep the peace.

Again with the vampires. Is that code for something?

Yeah, it’s code for people who never read your stupid small town fucking paper.

Blood and Whiskey 

A Cowboy and Vampire Thriller 

by Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall 

Publication date: May 1, 2012 

Fiction, Trade Paperback (362 pages) $14.95; e-book $4.99 

ISBN: 978-0-9838200-1-7; 

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012902814 

SUMMARY 

Wanted: Lizzie Vaughan, Dead or Alive 

Relationships are always hard, but for a broke cowboy and a newly turned Vampire, true love may be lethal. 

After barely surviving an undead apocalypse in The Cowboy and the Vampire, Tucker and Lizzie hightail it back to quirky LonePine, Wyoming (population 438), to start a family. But she’s got a growing thirst for blood and he’s realizing that mortality ain’t all it’s cracked up to be when your girlfriend may live forever. With a scheming Vampire nation hot on their boot heels and a price on her head, how far will Lizzie and Tucker go to protect their unlikely love? 

Blending evolution, religion and an overly sensitive cow dog named Rex, Blood and Whiskey drags the Vampire myth into the modern west, delivering double-barreled action, heart-pounding passion and wicked humor.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS 

Clark Hays grew up in Montana in the shadow of the Tobacco Root Mountains. In addition to his fiction work, he is a cowboy, a published poet and occasional food critic. Recently, he was nominated for Pushcart Prize for short fiction and not so recently for a Rhysling award for poetry. Clark brings a deep knowledge about the modern west, weaponry, country music and existentialism to his writing. 

Kathleen McFall grew up in the heart of Washington, D.C. She worked as a petroleum geologist and, later, as a journalist, and has published hundreds of articles about scientific research, energy and natural resources. An interest in the overlap of science and mysticism are an essential aspect of her fiction writing. She received an Oregon Literary Arts Fellowship for fiction writing. 

Learn more at http://cowboyandvampire.com/ and www.facebook.com/cowboyandvampire

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Guest Blog by Author Mysti Parker

Would You Like Some Guilt With That?

Navigating the Emotional Waters of Returning to Work

After Full-Time Mothering

It begins in the womb. You worry the Tylenol you just swallowed might turn your precious child into a Cyclops. Mothers' guilt doesn't lessen as children get older. When stay-at-home moms decide to rekindle their careers or education, stress can reach its peak.  In the tug-of-war between work and family, how can you resist the urge to throw in the towel and forget your dreams?

Being at home full-time with children might seem like nirvana to those who haven’t spent years in the trenches of motherhood. Why would a woman even bother trading in her mom hat to head back out into the workplace?

Beth Line of Nashville, TN, is the mother of active 7-year-old twin boys, Nathaniel and Zachary. When she and her family moved, life became a little overwhelming.

 “I had become a stay-at-home mom while we lived in a different state where I had a close group of friends and we did “mommy” stuff together and life was grand,” Beth says. “Then we moved to Tennessee, where I didn’t know anyone and suddenly it was just two toddlers and myself all day, every day.  I had no local support system and was suffering from loneliness and mental drain from complete focus on kids all the time. I decided to go back to school, just one class at a time at first, to have something to put my stamp on and say ‘this is for me’.”   

As wonderful as this new-found independence might sound, according to Kim Woodall of Greenville, KY, returning to school wasn’t smooth sailing:

“I signed up for an Anatomy & Physiology class.  It was sheer torture.  I had a terrible teacher that told us every class how lazy we were yet she never gave us any homework back, nor did she review it with us.  I can remember failing a test and crying all the way home and thinking, ‘If I can’t do anatomy there is no way I can be a nurse.’”

Classwork challenges aren’t the only hurdle. A sudden change in Mom’s availability can step on feelings and expectations within the family and beyond.

Beth says:

‘I was… apprehensive about the time commitment, and the change from being an always-home mom.  My priority was still my kids, and I didn’t want them to suffer from having less of me available.  I also had to swallow my mom pride at times and admit that I just couldn’t help with a school function, or make a homemade birthday cake, or that I had to hire a babysitter to cover some afternoons.’

Though both Beth and Kim admit that their families were very supportive, tensions can run high when the family starts juggling schedules, as they did for Kim:

“My husband was extremely picky about where I worked and got really mad if I picked up overtime.  Sometimes, overtime was mandatory, but in a nursing environment, being a team player and helping the others out by taking their weekend or a holiday if they have a special event come up is something you need to do.  That team becomes just like family.  So, it was a struggle and until I quit the floor and went to work on a Monday-Friday schedule in an area that I found not very challenging.  I loved patient care at the bedside and miss it very much.”

With all these obstacles, is going back to work even worth it? For Beth and Kim, and countless other moms, the resounding answer is “Yes!”  Not only are you earning additional income for your family (and who can’t use more money nowadays?), but you’re accomplishing something just for yourself.

In my own case, it’s forging a writing career. Some days, it’s tempting to leave it all behind and keep riding the laundry wagon, but when all is said and done, I know that every book, article, or story I publish is a little hurrah on my personal goals list. Moms need something to lay claim to, something (unlike dishes and laundry) that doesn’t have to be repeated over and over again. Whether it’s a degree or a nursing license or a shiny new book cover with your name on it, your family will benefit from a mother who perseveres toward her goals. Your children will understand the rewards of hard work.

And if you’re fortunate, like Kim, who went from student, to nurse, to nursing teacher, you’ll find your niche and a great deal of contentment.

“Luckily,” Kim said, “God found me a job that works with my schedule, yet lets me be creative.  I have found teaching to be extremely rewarding.”

So, if you’re a mom who’s been pondering the idea of returning to work or school, understand that the road isn’t free of emotional potholes, but the destination is worth it. Now, get moving!

Serenya’s Song

Tallenmere Book Two

by Mysti Parker

Blurb:

In the fantasy world of Tallenmere, no one ever said love was easy... 

Serenya Crowe may be a half-elf commoner, but she's no ordinary woman. With the ability to interpret dreams, and a birth defect that forces her to wear gloves, she’s endured small-town gossip and the cruelty of her husband, Sebastian, The Earl of Summerwind. All she's ever wanted is to live a quiet life and raise a family. When she meets the new stranger in town, her world and her heart, are turned upside down.

Wood-elf Jayden Ravenwing is an ex-secret agent who wants nothing more than to forget matters of the heart. He left the bustle of Leogard and his failed marriage to make a fresh start in Summerwind. He never planned to fall in love again, especially with the enchanting Serenya Crowe.

When a strange portal opens on the Crowe property at the edge of town, Jayden is thrown into an investigation, knowing that if he fails, Serenya and everyone in Summerwind may die.

Together, he and Serenya must overcome an ancient evil, and their own inner demons, to save Summerwind and find the love they've always dreamed of.

Purchase Link: Amazon

Author Bio:

Mysti Parker is a full time wife, mother of three, and a writer. Her first novel, A Ranger’s Tale was published in January, 2011 by Melange Books, and is the first in a fantasy romance series. She is also the proud writer of Unwritten, a blog voted #3 for eCollegeFinder’s Top Writing Blogs award.

Links:

Email: mystiparker@yahoo.com

Unwritten

Twitter: @MystiParker

Facebook Page

Goodreads Page

A Ranger’s Tale: Melange Books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords

Serenya’s Song: Melange Books

Immortals and Melodies One Day Blitz

Immortals And Melodies

Chapter 1

Trey

I always assumed my high-tech home security system would come in handy if an obsessed fan-turned-stalker crossed a line, or if the overzealous paparazzi tried to get too close, but I was fairly certain it didn’t guarantee protection from the supernatural. If only I had known that photogs and obsessed fans would be the least of my worries.

The night started off like any other. We were at Karatz’s place for rehearsal. We were done recording the album, but he’d offered to let us use his live room as a rehearsal space. Of course, we couldn’t refuse an offer like that. We’d been there for three hours and midnight was fast approaching as we ran through the dozen songs that made the cut for the record. That included a new song called “You Only Live Twice,” which we’d added last minute and decided to make the first single. We hadn’t played most of the tunes since we’d finished recording them, so there were a few kinks to work out. Our tour manager, Roger, was there, too. He was with us for the last tour, which made things easier since he already knew what we liked. He sat nearby and made a list of all the equipment we’d need for the live show. I was just glad I didn’t have to figure all of it out.

The record’s release date was set for the day before Halloween, which meant we had less than three weeks before it would hit record stores and iTunes. It felt great to have the album ready to show the world. My only regret was that Wes would never hear it in its entirety.

“Let’s take five,” I suggested after the last run through of Midnight Poison. I set my guitar down and made my way over to Aurora who was hanging out in the lounge. She’d spent the earlier part of the night on her phone and her computer while she talked to some Web designer about doing a website for her art. Since she was going to be coming on the road with me and the guys, I suggested she consider getting her paintings on the Web so she’d have greater exposure. She’d been trying to find the right person to design a website for a few days now. She handed me a bottle of water and I downed half of it. That was when I noticed she was looking a little out of sorts. “Come on,” I said, offering my hand to her. “Let’s get some fresh air.” She took my hand and let me pull her down the hallway and out the studio doors. Once outside, I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the crisp night air. Then I turned to look at Aurora. She forced a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Are you okay?” I finally asked.

“I’m fine,” she said. “It’s just been kind of crazy lately. That’s all.”

I pulled her hand to my chest and wrapped my arms around her. She squeezed me back and let me hold her in silence for a moment before she pulled away.

“You smell so good,” she moaned pitifully, staring up at me from under those thick dark lashes.

I chuckled, taking that as a compliment and bent down to her. Aurora’s lips met mine in a hungry kiss. Her hand went to the back of my neck, pulling me closer. I ran my fingers through her hair and lost myself entirely in the kiss.

When she pulled away, the movement was sudden. I looked up to find her staring at me through luminescent, green eyes. She gaped in surprise, probably because her fangs had unsheathed in the heat of the moment.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“It’s okay,” I said, taking her hand. “Besides, you know I think it’s hot when I get to see you like this.” I expected that comment to earn a smile, at least, but she just turned away from me to compose herself again. She wasn’t acting like herself and I thought I might know why. “When was the last time you … you know … fed?”

She opened her mouth to answer when O’Shea’s voice rang out from behind her. She stepped into my arms again and buried her face in my shoulder to keep from being seen.

“You coming back in or what?” O’Shea hollered at me.

“Be there in a minute,” I called out. He shrugged and disappeared through the studio doors, leaving us alone again. I sighed, and Aurora looked up at me with questioning eyes that were no longer glowing in the dark. “He’s gone,” I assured her. “But I’m serious about you feeding. When was the last time?”

“It’s been a few days,” she admitted. “But I’m fine. Really.”

“Unless you’re sneaking out while I’m asleep, it’s been more than a few days.” She hadn’t been sneaking out. I already knew that. She insisted it wasn’t safe for us to be apart. I hadn’t argued and not just because I knew there were vampires out there who wanted me dead. We’d spent every minute together since Wes’s death. Every minute except the night before she’d made lasagna for me and the guys. She’d gone out to feed then. “It’s been more than a week,” I blurted out, shocked by the realization that so much time had passed since that night. “No wonder you find me so irresistible.”

She sighed and reached for my hands. “It’s not a big deal. I’ll feed tomorrow night.”

“I’m safe here,” I said to her. “Nobody’s going to come after me while I’m with the guys. There are too many witnesses. Go. Find someone yummy.”

She let out a disbelieving laugh and shook her head at me, but her smile was genuine now. “You’re such a dork.” Then she bit her bottom lip and gazed at me seriously. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. The last thing this rock star needs is to be eaten by his hungry girlfriend in the middle of the night.”

She relaxed a little at my joke. “I’ll only be gone a little while,” she promised.

“Stop worrying. We’re almost done here anyway. I’ll just catch a ride home with O’Shea and meet you at the house. I just have one condition,” I said. “No biting some guy who’s hotter than me.”

“I’d be hard-pressed to manage that,” she said, grinning.

“Take your time. I’ll be fine,” I insisted. “See you back at the house.”

“I won’t be long,” she added. “Now get back in there before my mouth starts watering.”

I kissed her cheek and headed back inside, wondering when it had become so normal to send my girlfriend out to hunt for someone to drink. The guys and I wrapped up rehearsal just twenty minutes later. I caught a ride with O’Shea back to my place, finding that I’d beaten Aurora back to the house. It wasn’t until O’Shea was pulling away and I was letting myself in the front door that a sick feeling arose in my stomach. I pulled out my keys and reminded myself not to forget to set the security alarm as the lock clicked and I opened the door. I had only taken one step inside when, in a rush of air, I was shoved forward and slammed into the wall in my entryway. Something, or rather someone, had pinned me to the wall with strength I couldn’t define. The wind was forced from my lungs and I fought to draw in breath as my ribs tried to expand against the pressure of the wall at my back.

“Where is she?” The vampire’s voice rasped.

“Who?” I coughed.

“Don’t play stupid, human. The proditor. The betrayer … where is she now? Don’t tell me she’s just left you alone for the curious to sample?”

“She’ll be here any minute,” I choked out, hoping it were true. “If I were you, I wouldn’t stick around to find out what happens next.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Not at all,” I insisted, my voice stronger now. “It’s a promise.”

Then came a weightless sensation followed by the shocking realization that I was flying across the room. 

Immortals And Melodies 

Blood And Guitars #2 

Book Blurb: 

 "I found myself wishing for the power and whimsy of fairy tales. If only things were as simple as we’re led to believe as children. I remembered the story of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. Both were saved by the power of a kiss, drawn out of their lifeless state to live happily ever after. Desperately, I bent and left a soft kiss on Trey’s lips. It was foolish. I knew that, but even that knowledge couldn’t prepare me for the agony that ripped at my heart when he didn’t respond." -Aurora 

Catalyst frontman Trey is no stranger to chaos, but even the life of a rock star couldn’t prepare him for the consequences of loving a vampire. Trey’s life is in danger; threatened by the very group he must join to stay alive. 

His struggle to continue his career and release a new album is marred bye vents that force him to go to a powerful Synod Elder for help. Aurora has to keep Trey alive until she can make him a vampire, but her own kind will stop at nothing to prevent it. 

The head of the Emissary is having her followed, and if she can’t figure out who is behind the violent attacks, Trey might not make it to the full moon. As Aurora battles her own kind, she’s also plagued by the risk she’s taking by changing Trey. 

Will her moon-given power be enough to carry Trey through the change, or will he be left floating in the wake of destruction?

Author Bio: 

Heather Jensen writes paranormal fantasy for teens and adults. She began writing her first book at the age of 16. She is an avid reader and loves anything vampire-related, but likes all kinds of fantasy. When she’s not writing she enjoys traveling, listening to music, going to concerts, playing guitar and spending time with friends and family. 

She is addicted to Oreos and White Knight drinks from Perks. Her favorite color is green and the uglier the shade the better. 

Heather lives in Southern Utah with her husband and son where she continues to write the Blood And Guitars series. 

The second book in the series, Immortals And Melodies has just been released on Kindle. 

Website www.heatherjensen.info 

To purchase the first book in the Blood And Guitars series in e-book or paperback, visit http://heatherjensen.info/about-the-book/shop/ 

Facebook www.facebook.com/BloodAndGuitars 

Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/theedgeofwords 

Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/112920558824411082148/112920558824411082148/posts 

Book Trailer playlist on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6188671C464951F2&feature=plcp 

Goodreads Author Page http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2870615.Heather_Jensen

CJ Ellisson Discusses Mommy Porn

The Dreaded “Mommy Porn” Moniker

I don’t know about you, but I cringe every time I hear this phrase. When I first heard it, I thought it was some type of classification for fetish porn starring pregnant women. (don’t laugh it’s probably out there, somewhere… *cringe*)

I’ve been reading hot books with explicit sex since the late ‘90s and have never thought of the steamy books as porn, not once. I recall feeling like I hit pay dirt when I discovered the UK published Black Lace series, which billed itself as erotic fiction written by women for women. Woo-hoo! Wild sex scenes that got my engine revved for my partner.

Before I discovered the series, I tried reading the sub-par stories in the Penthouse Letter compilations, and to me those fit the “porn” title much better—but, that’s my personal opinion and not necessarily the one that should be used to define what is pornographic material.

One meaning in my handy electronic dictionary for pornography defines it as the “sexual images industry”.  Interesting clarification, I think. I equate the word “porn” almost exclusively to a visual image rather than the written word. When I’m reading, if I don’t like where a scene is going I can skip ahead or skim read it. But if I see a disturbing image, it is often burned into my mind’s eye for life.

So why has the media branded steamy books with sex as “mommy porn”? I don’t think a woman would have said this (although, I did have a female friend laughingly call my own work Vamp-porn and she wondered why I didn’t laugh with her… um, ‘cause you just insulted my work?). I’ve speculated often, and quite loudly, that only a man who is trying to justify his own Internet porn addiction would be so bold as to classify erotic romance and erotica as “mommy porn”.

I know lots of women who aren’t moms who like hot books. I was one of them. I read erotica long before I had children. Seriously, where does the media think babies come from? *Gasp!* From SEX! And how is a monogamous woman supposed to get new ideas for the bedroom? From the adult video industry’s silicone Barbie dolls who look like they haven’t eaten in a week? Puh-lease.

Very rarely do those videos show anything that remotely equates to a real scenario, and we women know it. I like my hot books. I’ve learned lots from them. My husband *loves* me reading my hot books. Does he call them porn? Nope, and you know why? Because he’s a very smart man. Why bash something with a derogatory term that gets your wife thinking about sex and wanting to have it with you more?

How about you? Are you as annoyed as I am by this “mommy porn” term or does it just make you laugh?

Big Game

Book Three The VV Inn Series

by C.J. Ellisson

In this much-anticipated third installment of the V V Inn series, our sexy couple journeys to Argentina, bringing half their seethe along for the ride. 

Vivian and Rafe venture into the Seat of Darkness, the Tribunal’s base, to uncover who’s plotting them against and why. From a cold, windy island off the southern Argentine coast, to the decadence of Buenos Aires, the group has plenty to keep their attention—seductive twins, deadly games, and a bunch of bloodsucking fiends who hate our much-loved, despotic innkeeper enough to see her dead. 

Asa and Jon stay in Alaska, to manage the famous inn as it opens doors to a new type of guest. Visiting werewolves go on their first exploration of the property, looking for big game—hormones run high and shots ring out across the tundra. Soon, the hunters become the hunted and the peaceful getaway resembles a battleground. 

How many will survive the next five days and will they ever be the same again? 

Warning: This book contains very explicit sex scenes and is not intended for readers under 18.

The Hunt

Book Two The VV Inn Series

C.J. Ellisson

Vivian thinks she can control every aspect of a deadly game with her usual manipulations... but what if she can't? 

Seven vampires and seven werewolves pay to hunt a supernatural criminal across the cold, vast grounds of an Alaskan resort. The one to catch her, and live through the encounter, will increase their power by feasting on hers. 

The tiny vampire they track is more than she appears, however. To escape a fate of twelve years in silver chains, she'll do anything to survive the weeklong excursion. This time, the darkness holds more than just the stinging bite of the Arctic--it holds death. 

Journey along, in this next installment of The V V Inn series, for a wild ride as the tale is told through the eyes of all the new seethe members. 

Warning: This book contains some explicit sex scenes and is not intended for readers under 18.

Amazon Kindle, Amazon Print, Smashwords

Vampire Vacation

Book One The VV Inn Series

Meet Vivian. She’s a 580-year-old vampire who exudes sex, has a talent for drama, and is passionate about two things: her human husband, Rafe, and their resort for the undead. Her ability to project physical illusions has created the perfect vacation spot—a dark, isolated Alaskan hideaway where visitors can have their wildest fantasies come true. 

Vivian knows the best performance requires perfect timing, but the powerful vamp is put to the test when she discovers a corpse in a locked guestroom minutes before the next arrivals. Always cool-headed, Rafe hides the body, convinced he and Vivian can find the culprit without disturbing their guests. 

Juggling the increasingly outrageous demands of their customers while tracking a killer isn’t easy. Will their poking and prodding give them the answers they need, or will it uncover secrets Vivian would kill to protect? 

Warning: This book contains some explicit sex scenes, intended for mature readers only.

Amazon Print, Amazon Kindle, Smashwords

Titles in the V V Inn series: 

Free Short Story and half of Book One: Just One Taste 

Book One: Vampire Vacation 

Free Read containing half of Book Two: Another Sip 

Book Two: The Hunt Book 

Three: Big Game 

Novella: Death’s Servant (Jonathan’s story, due out Summer 2012) 

Book Four: The Seduction of Death (due out December 2012)

About the Author:

C.J. Ellisson writes erotica and urban fantasy. Her vampire series, The V V Inn, mixes a heavy dose of erotic elements with suspense, action, a little bit of mystery and some light humor. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband, two children, two dogs, and a fluffy black cat who makes her sneeze.

To learn more about C.J.'s books (where you can read half of the novels for free), please visit her website at www.cjellisson.com

http://www.facebook.com/c.j.ellissonfanpage

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